The Shadow Carver (Inspector Anjelica Henley #4) by Nadine Matheson

🔥🔥🔥 Publication date:  12 February 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"DI Henley faces her darkest challenge yet...

When a string of grisly murders begins painting the city in terror, DI Henley soon realise a vigilante killer is scalping their victims before leaving them for dead. Henley is thrust into a web of secrets, unravelling connections between the victims while battling demons from her own past. As the killer raises the stakes, the line between predator and prey begins to blur. With time slipping away and her own life in jeopardy, Henley must outwit a psychopath who views murder as an art form. Can she hunt them down before the final stroke of the scalpel closes the case forever?"

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Another dark and gripping addition to the series

I’ve been a massive fan of the Inspector Anjelica Henley series since the very beginning, so I honestly couldn’t wait to get my grubby little eyes on this latest instalment. After the intensity of the previous books, I had really high hopes for this one and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. It’s a dark, gritty and completely absorbing read that I ended up devouring in just a couple of sittings.

It would be ideal if you have read the previous books in the series before jumping into this one. Not only are you missing out on a brilliant series if you don't, but you'd also miss out on the vital back story of the characters - both the living and the dead!

This story brings us back to the Serial Crimes Unit and the atmosphere is just as tense as ever. Nadine Matheson has such a talent for creating these macabre, unsettling crime scenes that really get under your skin - it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted! The plot is fast-paced and kept me guessing throughout, with enough twists to keep the momentum going right until the very end.

One of the things I love most about these books is how we get to see the whole team navigating their personal lives alongside such horrific cases. It makes everyone feel so much more human and relatable.  We also meet a new addition to the team, Copeland. I’m not 100% sure about her just yet - she’s a bit of an unknown quantity - but I have a feeling she’ll grow on me as the series continues. The team dynamics in the SCU are always a highlight for me and it’s been brilliant to watch those relationships evolve over the course of the series.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, you’re going to love this. It’s got everything you’d expect: great writing, chilling villains and plenty of suspense. It’s a fantastic addition to the series and I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s next for the team.

A huge thanks to the author, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another absolute cracker in this excellent series.

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The Kill List (Inspector Anjelica Henley #3) by Nadine Matheson

Description from Goodreads:

"He will come for them, one by one…

Five shocking murders

Twenty-five years ago, DCI Harry Rhimes arrested Andrew Streeter for the brutal murders of five young people. Streeter’s ‘kill list’ of victims was found in his home, and he was convicted of all five crimes.

A legacy under threat

Now, Streeter’s convictions are being overturned, as new evidence implies the original investigation was corrupt. No one is more shocked that DI Henley. Because this case is personal; Rhimes was her old boss, and he’s no longer alive to defend himself. But when the killings start up again, Henley must face the truth: Rhimes got it wrong twenty-five years ago.

A hunt for a killer

Henley and her team reopen the original murder cases, but they must put their personal feelings to one side. Because the real killer is still out there, and he’s working his way through a new kill list . . ."

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After having read and absolutely loved the first two books in this series, I was desperate to read the next instalment and I certainly wasn't disappointed.  

Please be reassured that, in my opinion, this can be read as a standalone but I would definitely suggest you go back and read the first two as although not essential, it does help with the character understanding and development and they are brilliant books!

Once again, we are treated to a great story, fantastic characters, twists and turns; it's dark, it's gritty and it doesn't let up from start to finish.  It's full of tension and kept me guessing until the end and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Many thanks to the author, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the latest excellent addition to a brilliant series and I can't wait for the next.

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Others books by Nadine Matheson I have read and reviewed:

The Jigsaw Man

The Binding Room

The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Detective Anjelica Henley confronts a series of ritualistic murders in this heart-pounding thriller about race, power and the corrupt institutions that threaten us, for fans of S.A. Cosby and Tami Hoag.

When Detective Anjelica Henley is called to investigate the murder of a popular preacher in his own church, she discovers a second victim, tortured and tied to a bed in an upstairs room. He is alive, but barely, and his body shows signs of a dark religious ritual.

With a revolving list of suspects and the media spotlight firmly on her, Henley is left with more questions than answers as she attempts to untangle both crimes. But when another body appears, the case takes on a new urgency. Unless she can apprehend the killer, the next victim may just be Henley herself."

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After having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series, The Jigsaw Man, I was itching to get my grubby little eyes on this and I wasn't disappointed.

This can be read as a standalone but you will get more out of this book if you've read The Jigsaw Man but I wouldn't say it was essential.

Once again we are treated to a great story, fantastic characters, twists and tension all told at a great pace.  Warning!  There are some pretty grim scenes and gruesome descriptions so if that's not your thing, I would probably give this a miss.

This is quite a long book and I can usually lose a bit of interest part way through but not with this; I was totally invested from start to finish and I would happily recommend this to others who enjoy dark police procedurals.

I am looking forward to the next instalment to find out what other twisted thoughts Ms Matheson can come up with to intrigue and shock and I must give thanks to HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Binding Room and to share my thoughts.

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Others books by Nadine Matheson I have read and reviewed:

The Jigsaw Man

The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson

 

Description from NetGalley:

"There's a serial killer on the loose.

When bodies start washing up along the banks of the River Thames, DI Henley fears it is the work of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But it can’t be him; Olivier is already behind bars, and Henley was the one who put him there.

The race is on before more bodies are found.

She’d hoped she’d never have to see his face again, but Henley knows Olivier might be the best chance they have at stopping the copycat killer. But when Olivier learns of the new murders, helping Henley is the last thing on his mind . . .

Will it take a killer to catch the killer?

Now all bets are off, and the race is on to catch the killer before the body count rises. But who will get there first – Henley, or the Jigsaw Killer?"

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This is a gruesome and dark thriller and it's great!!

I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this.  If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.

The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.

I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture. 

This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!

Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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