Watching You

Author: Helen Fields,
Genre: Crime Fiction
400
Publisher: Avon, August, 2025

Synopsis
On the dark streets of Edinburgh, a killer is waiting. When a body is found, it is only the beginning. Soon there will be seven more.

In the city’s hospital, renowned surgeon Beth Waterfall is grieving. Her beloved only daughter fell prey to a vicious stalker a year previously – and now he’s coming for her too.

Edinburgh’s police are desperate. After one body comes another, and then another. The brutal deaths are all seemingly unconnected, and yet DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know they are dealing with a serial killer – they just need to prove it.

But time is running out, and The Watcher is already set on making Beth Waterfall his next victim…

My review
Watching You is another gripping addition to Helen Fields’ impressive catalogue of crime fiction. Part of the Connie Woolwine series, this novel pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. As a longtime fan of Fields and someone who’s read most of her backlist, I was excited to dive into Watching You, and it did not disappoint! 

Set in the gritty streets of Edinburgh, Watching You delivers a taut and atmospheric police procedural with psychological depth. Fields expertly balances suspense and pacing, gradually revealing the chilling scope of the crimes. The killer’s presence is a constant, unsettling force throughout the story, sometimes glimpsed through brief, disturbing inner monologues or quiet, voyeuristic scenes that truly made my skin crawl.

The novel reunites criminal psychologist Connie Woolwine and her partner, Brodie Baarda, who are brought in by Police Scotland to consult on a string of disturbing and unrelated murders in Edinburgh. It’s a case that kicks off fast, and longtime readers will love how this book brings together characters from across Fields’ universe. Detective Lively, a gruff, no-nonsense detective from one of Fields’ earlier series, plays a major role in this narrative and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about his character and seeing a bit more of his human side.

Told through shifting timelines and perspectives, the story is layered but never confusing. Fields’ writing is crisp and clear, and she has a remarkable talent for weaving character development into the fabric of the narrative without slowing the momentum. Her characters are emotionally rich and always feel real, and I love that she builds strong, meaningful connections between them without relying on unnecessary romance, which is a big plus for me in a thriller.

Watching You stands strong on its own, but if you’ve read Fields’ earlier books, the ending packs even more excitement. There are hints that two much-loved characters might be returning in the next installment. I’m already looking forward to what’s coming next!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Helen Fields for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My recommendation: a fabulous read for long-time fans of Fields’ work and newcomers alike!