The Shadow Carver

Inspector Anjelica Henley #4

by Nadine Matheson

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?

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Audiobook, Procedural, Fiction, British Literature

432 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Nadine Matheson lives in London. She began her working life at the BBC and now practices as a criminal defence lawyer. In 2016, she won the City University Crime Writing Competition and has a MA in Creative Writing.

Her crime fiction novel, The Jigsaw Man, was published by HQ in 2021. The Jigsaw Man has been sold in 15 territories to date and will be translated into 15 languages.

Praise For The Jigsaw Man

"Matheson has a keen instinct for keeping the pages turning." New York Times

"This modern and multilayered take on the high-octane thriller keeps the pages turning" Oprah Daily

‘The Jigsaw Man ranks amongst the very best debut thrillers – we’re talking top-ten territory here – I’ve read this past decade… It evokes, vibrantly and indelibly, a world I’ve never even glimpsed, much less entered – neither in literature nor in life… Matheson’s voice is exciting, urgent… and, now more than ever, vital’ A.J. Finn


*Shortlisted for the 2022 Diverse Book Award*
*Shortlisted for the Dead Good Reads Award- 'Cold as Ice Award for most Chilling Read
*A Crime Reads Most Anticipated Book of 2021*
*The Best Crime Novels To Read in 2022 - The Evening Standard


Nadine Matheson is also the host of 'The Conversation Podcast with Nadine Matheson'. Her third novel in the Detective Inspector Henley series, The Kill List, will be released in May 2024.

Nadine Matheson is represented by Oli Munson of A.M. Heath Literary Agents.

www.nadinematheson.com

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Anjelica Henley #4

Sian Fox-Carnell, a convicted killer, is released pending a re-trial after judges rule evidence given in her original trial is potentially unreliable and later she is discovered brutally murdered. Is her murder revenge after justice seems to fail?
The Serious Crimes Unit are called into assist an aggravated burglary but which is quickly ruled a murder and a strange one at that. It soon becomes apparent to the team that sinister and cruel murders are being committed and they have a distinctive and chilling signature. The hunt is on, but this killer seems to be one step ahead of this superb police team. How?

I can’t say that I’m not aware of how gritty this series is having read the previous three books and although this one has its dark and sinister moments, it’s perhaps not quite as jet black as the previous ones. That’s not to say that there aren’t some gruesome elements and it is unsettling that’s for sure. There are some tense and scary scenes and the plot is fast paced. It makes for compelling reading and it is hard to put down.

One of the greatest strengths of the series is the excellent characters that make up this police team. It gives what I imagine to be a realistic sense of what it’s like when you’re confronted with a very difficult inquiry with elusive perpetrators. The frustration and tension comes across loud and clear. There are very good dynamics between all the main characters but especially between Pellacia and Henley. This team certainly don’t hang back when they think that things need to be said even if it’s too those that outrank them. I’m not sure about the latest member to join the team hopefully temporarily but DC Copeland’s portrayal is very good but I’m with Henley on this one! I feel my own fists curling in irritation at times!

The plot builds well and has a good ending. It’s dramatic, chilling and action packed. If you like your police procedurals on the grittier side of life then check this series out as they’re well written crackers.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Nadine,book 4 in this series...love crime reads A killer Sian-fox-Carnel is released she ends up murdered by whom? The hunt is on for the killer.DI Henley is on the case...A fast paced book on the edge of your seat. It's a terrific read.looking forward to reading the next instalment ...

[Kim’s Kindle Reads. · Rating 5 out of 5]

EPIC‼️ So many storylines happening at once. The ending??? Nadine, girl, why would you do that?!?!? Ezra had me scared for a min for real 😳 Rhimes… my goodness the next book needs to come asap because I need to know WHATS GOING ON.

Somehow Rob was less irritating in this one & Stephen was the one working my nerves 😂 break a man’s heart and see how he really feels lmfao.

Outside of Anjelica, Ramouter is my favorite. I love the way he said wtf he said when it came to Ezra, insubordination be damned.

Don’t even get me started on Copeland 😒 what was the reason?!? She got exactly what she deserved if you ask me because… THEY ALL TOLD YOU but since you think you know every goddamn thing, now look at you. Ima need her to NOT return for the next book .. the way she came in tryna drive wedges between the team — I’m so glad Henley & Michelle saw straight through her BS. 0/10 do not like, do not recommend Nia Copeland.

I think I really enjoyed this one because I love a good vigilante story 🤭 sometimes justice comes in different forms..

This was one of my anticipated reads of 2026 and it did not disappoint.

[Joshua Waselynchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Anjelica Henley series so much. I loved the first three and this was no different. I do wish there was more scenes with the actual "bad guys" to get more intense. However I do love having more of the teams inter-working dynamics and their personal lives

Can't wait for the next one

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, this is the fourth book in the series featuring Inspector Anjelica Henley and it was brilliant, each time I read one of these books I think it can't get any better but they do and this one is no exception. A really fast paced story that drew me in from the first page and didn't let go until the last page where I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 following Anjelica Henley and the SCU and it's another absolute banger. It started out strongly and I was convinced I had the crux of the plot figured out (I don't read synopsis of series I'm invested in so I can go in blind), I was prepared for a certain story that would make for an excellent cat and mouse type of story.

And then out of the blue things changed. I was completely unprepared for the direction the plot went and it made a book I was already thoroughly enjoying even better.

The case was fascinating and what made it so enthralling was that I could see how it would be justified. I'm not for one second saying I agree with the actions or the motives but a lot of the times the best villains (wrong term but it kind of fits) are the ones who feel they're doing the right thing.

With each book I'm loving the team more and more. I was actually thinking how I'm torn on the fact I'm very glad I'm reading the books as they're being released and also kinda wishing I'd discovered the series later so I could binge ten in a row and be with them all longer.

Anyway, the team. They're such a close knit group that it feels more like a family than a group of colleagues. Small glimpses into their personal lives are very welcome and I actually found myself liking Henley's husband for the first time ever.

And because they're all so close a new addition felt strange and I found myself disliking the character a lot. I get that I'm probably not supposed to like them but if my opinion was supposed to change towards the end then I'm sorry but it really didn't.

There's an overarching plot threading through all the books and here we were given more clues than we've ever had before. So far it's been a 50/50 split between itself and the case investigated as to which I'm loving more but I can say for definite that for two books straight the very end of the book has done something that made me sad I'll have to wait a year to get more information.

[Mel (CrazyforBooksandCoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
DI Henley is back again and is on the hunt for a killer that may be her most unhinged yet. Henley is on the case of a vigilante killer that's scalping their victims.

This is book 4 in the DI Henley series and has been my favourite one yet. It's fast paced and had me hooked from the start. I can't wait for book 5. Would definitely recommend reading these books in order.

Thank you to Netgalley, HQ and Nadine Matherson for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadine never disappoints 👏

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 in the DI Anjelica Henley series. A found this book to be a bit of a slow burner to start and jumped about a bit . The storyline picked up about half way through but I found the outcome to be a little predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Jane Bridger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Carver is the eagerly anticipated fourth Book in the DI Angelica Henley series. If you like your crime novels to be chilling, suspenseful, authentic and well written this is the book and series for you. The Serious Crime Unit (SCU) are on the hunt for vigilante serial killer/killers who are delivering what they believe is justice to people who in their opinion have escaped justice by being found not guilty at trial. Along the way members of DI Henley's home team find themselves in harm's way. I feel this series goes from strength to strength and I'm already looking forward to book five.

[Nichola Gorji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I was so excited to read this book as I loved the previous three books in the series. These books get better and better with each one. The details are so realistic that I feel as though I work as part of the SCU team. Very graphic violence scenes but they fit so well with the characters and story. I loved the ongoing development of these characters and I cannot wait for the next book now as this one ended on such a cliffhanger. I highly recommend reading this series if you love crime thrillers. 5 stars.

[Vix S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was succcccch a good read. The police work feels properly authentic and has just the kind of detail that makes the whole thing feel real. The characters are the real standout, though. Everyone is really fleshed out with depth, proper back stories, and a sense of lived‑in complexity that pulls you straight into their world. A sharp, gripping, brilliantly grounded crime novel. Start with the first in the series and work your way through to this!

[Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms Matheson, if this next book isn’t a full focus on Rhimes so help me.

I did not find this as compelling as the others, but what I found myself wanting is more mystery added. I understand it is a cat and mouse game, but the villains felt very one dimensional to me and I found myself itching to figure out more about the sub-plots.

I have mixed feelings that maybe this next one might be the end for Henley? Rob *telling* her to quit, her “giving notice”, the threats if she keeps looking into Rhimes…

[EG · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent continuation of this series, which always managers to balance exciting mysteries with solid character development. Already can't wait for the next one!

[Ellie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed!! A gripping crime thriller pulled me throuuuuugh

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✨

[SkyeWake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tense story, quite dark in places. Star dropped because of the relationship overkill.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Met’s (that’s the Metropolitan Police of London to us Yanks) Serial Crimes Unit just can’t seem to catch a break. (Or this is absolutely the correct book to review on the second Friday the 13th of this year as if it wasn’t for bad luck there have been entirely too many occasions when the SCU wouldn’t have any luck at all.)

On the one side, there’s their own higher-ups at Scotland Yard, expecting the SCU to investigate serial crime cases for pretty much all of the UK with just four cops in the unit.Which means that their official charge is to take ONLY those cases that might realistically be serial crimes – but then their “Guv” gets hauled down to HQ to justify their “prima donna” cherry-picking.

When they take cases on the fringes, their boss gets called in to explain why they’re not solving cases fast enough. With a four-investigator team covering all of the UK.

Catch-22 at its finest.

Of course, when a whole bunch of seemingly disparate cases is finally classed as a serial, they catch the blame from all sides. For all of the bureaucratic malarky reasons above. Even as the unit is constantly threatened with disbandment every budget cycle if not more often.

So when the SCU is called into investigate what looks like a violent home invasion, DC Ramouter and his senior partner, DI Anjelica Henley, don’t believe that it’s one of their cases. Not that the SCU isn’t investigating a series of aggravated home invasions, but the MO for this case isn’t the same as their case.

Which doesn’t mean that they don’t both have a gut reaction to the case. It might not be part of the case they currently have on deck, but it might still be one of theirs. If so, it’s something new.

It turns out to be something old. Older than the hills. Admittedly, our hills rather than theirs. Not that either vigilante justice, which is the iceberg they’ve just crashed into, or scalping – the calling card the killers leave behind – are uniquely American phenomenons.

The case, which begins as what appears to be an interrupted home invasion, exposes a long-running series of murders that pretend that they are about justice. And maybe they started out that way.

Every victim, going back decades and halfway across the country, was the perpetrator of a heinous crime who should have gone to prison. But in each of these cases the criminal justice system failed the real victims, either through the excellent defense that can be bought with privilege and money, or through skillful manipulation of a jury by a seemingly sympathetic and harmless defendant, or simply due to a system that is overcrowded and overworked and of necessity plea bargains cases to keep those cases from taxing the court system even further.

Many see justice denied due to various technicalities and manipulations as a crime in itself. In the case that has landed in the SCU’s lap, someone, or more likely a small group of someones, calling themselves “Iron Shadow” has taken those miscarriages of justice to a new and deadly level.

Now that the SCU has them in their crosshairs, the Iron Shadow has the SCU in theirs. And have decided that the SCU is merely a cog in the wheel that has already failed them. And consequently deserves whatever punishment the Iron Shadow deems necessary to get them out of the way of their righteous crusade.

Escape Rating A: I’ve been waiting for this book for two years – and it was worth the wait.

The reason it was worth that wait is that the series, so far, hits a fascinating set of sweet spots for this reader – in spite of the blood and gore that the SCU’s cases so often nearly drown in. The Inspector Anjelica Henley series is definitely suspense thriller, a genre that often trips over the line of being too tension driven and not-enough-story for this reader. But this series makes it work by grounding the whole thing as a police procedural. I don’t want to be in a serial killer’s head – ever – but I’m more than willing to follow the investigator or detective hunting them down.

The cases, so far in the series (The Jigsaw Man, The Binding Room, The Kill List) have all been taut thrillers, with the members of the SCU, particularly Henley, always on someone’s “kill list” both literally and figuratively.

This particular case is especially riveting for the way that it’s not theirs, and not theirs, and not theirs exactly and then the investigation turns up more bodies in the past even as more bodies drop in the present and suddenly it’s not only THEIRS but it’s more horrific than anyone imagined. While the actual perpetrators seem so far removed from the horrors they are responsible that even the SCU wonders whether they’ll be able to link them to their crimes or whether they, too, will escape on a technicality.

The cop shop vibe is part of what I read police procedural series FOR, and the SCU is very much like a dysfunctional family. I want things to get better for each of them – but they’re a bit co-dependent on each other’s messes even as they get the job done. To the point where I’m surprised that the unit hasn’t been broken up for their own good.

AND wondering how much more dysfunctional they’re going to get in the next book, because there’s now a cuckoo in their nest. The Met may not have money for additional detectives for the unit, but that doesn’t mean that a unit somewhere else can’t pay to get a problem off their hands by seconding them to the SCU. Which is exactly what it looks like has occurred during this case and I’m sure it’s going to have chaotic, disruptive consequences down the line.

And so is Henley. But in this case, their new detective’s hot-headed glory-grabbing helps to bring their quarry to justice. Unless, of course, they buy really good lawyers and take advantage of the system they claim to be flawed and broken beyond redemption.

The Shadow Carver, like the previous books in the series, was a riveting read that kept me awake until I turned the last page – and a bit after as it took awhile to recover from the tension of the whole thing! And now I’m sad that I probably have another two years to wait for the next book.

I confess that I hope that at least a few of the cases that Henley and company face in the future will be just cases and not directly target the team. They’re dysfunctional enough that they don’t need an enemy from without every time as they have PLENTY of ways to hurt each other without making new enemies. But that’s mostly a hope from a reader who would like to see them get their shit just a bit together, because I like them all – except that cuckoo in the nest – and want the best for them so they can be the best at catching their quarry.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A killer who cuts straight to the bone …

When a convicted killer is released and later found brutally murdered, DI Henley and the Serial Crimes Unit are pulled into a deadly investigation with links to other recent attacks – all the victims are connected by the vicious signature left behind by the killer.

I'm so glad I got an arc for this book, I love Nadine Matheson's books so much, the DI Henley series is one of my favourite police detective series, as usual it is very dark, very gory so please check the trigger warnings. The only issue I had (which is my fault) I struggled to remember who was who, I should have really done a re read of the other books before reading this, towards the middle I managed to get to grips with who everyone was again. Hoping the next book is out soon as I need to know what's going to happen 😅

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Carver is the next book in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series, and I enjoyed the mystery as well as learning more about the characters and their on-going relationships in this book. The mystery itself was quite complex and because there was a connection to some cases in which the team worked in the past, it affected the current mood and members of the team quite a bit. I like how this book examines the past and how it can impact future investigations as well.

First of all, if you have not yet read the previous books in this series, I do highly recommend it as the author does not really explain the connections and the relationships between the characters assuming you have read the previous books. While it doesn't necessarily impact the overall enjoyment of the book, it does impact the richness of the character development as someone who starts with this book will not know some of the links between the characters and why they react the way they do. I think this author does a great job with the characters and develops a lot of richness to their relationships, and while the relationships are often messy and ugly, that is also how the real world works. In a job where your life can hang in the balance, it can be quite hard to compartmentalize feelings, and again, this is where I think the author does shine. So, while I do think the characters sometimes behave in a silly manner towards each other, you are able to empathize with the reasons behind them even if you just want to put them all in a time out. I'm not sure I like the addition of the new team member as I feel that was thrown in to add some drama to the relationships that really wasn't needed, but I am curious to see where it will all head in the next book. But holy, DC Copeland drove me nuts. Personally, not a fan of using this technique to add drama to something just because it is thought to be needed.

This was a book about vigilantism, but it was definitely much more than that, something I definitely appreciated. It's hard to explain more about this without giving important plot points away from the story, but when someone takes it into their hands to do what they are doing, it can be quite frightening. The people are killed in quite violent ways, and I definitely appreciated the discussions that surrounded their deaths and why the investigating officers struggled with the investigation itself. It would be hard to investigate people who should be in jail, people you tried to put there yourself after a months-long investigation, but something prevented that. And if that sounds vague, it has to be as I will give too much away. The pacing of the book was quick and despite the in-depth delving into their personal relationships, the action actually quite a few twists and turns, some of which were predictable, some of which were surprising. I will also mention here there is a secondary plot line woven throughout this book that would only make sense if one has read the previous books in this series, and I am looking forward to when this plot line actually gets off the ground as there should be some explosive stuff coming down the pipeline with what has been revealed so far.

The Shadow Carver was a good entry into a series that has so far been fun to read, and I really liked both the plot and the character development, except for one issue with a new character which I thought was just silly. However, the mystery had a lot of depth to it and I did spend some time reflecting on how I would respond if I was in that situation fully understanding the position in which the police officers found themselves. It would be so difficult to put your personal hatred aside and just do the job some days. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series as some of the scenario has been set up in this one and it should be explosive. And considering the author is a criminal defence lawyer, I really enjoyed the insights provided in this book about how the system works.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the matter of just a few years UK author and criminal defense attorney Nadine Matheson has made quite a name for herself with the DI Anjelica Henley of the London Serial Crimes Unit series. The complex stories and cases involving the most depraved minds on the criminal circuit calls to mind the work of writers like the great Thomas Harris.

The latest entry in the series, THE SHADOW CARVER, features an unknown group taking out vengeance with their own brand of justice after the courts failed the public with a grisly signature feature that involves carving off the scalps of their victims. This lands directly in the laps of the SCU but only after a few cases draw similar comparisons to each other making them realize that this is the work of a serial vigilante or vigilantes.

The prologue features a look back at a recent case where a nurse named Sian Fox-Carnell was convicted and sent to prison for her involvement with the overdose deaths of a handful of patients in her care. Sian continued to plead her innocence and after seven years in prison a court of appeals overturned her conviction and released her under monitored house arrest pending any new trial. This did not sit well with DI Henley, who had been involved in her initial apprehension, nor did it please the public or relatives of Sian’s victims.

Sian is bold during her monitored house arrest, even going to Henley’s home to confront her in front of her young daughter. Not long after, Sian was kidnapped by faceless attackers and thrown into a van. After being physically manhandled, she was eventually hanged to death from a lamppost in a residential area. It was only upon bringing her down from the high point she was dangling that the police and forensics team noticed she had also been scalped.

We get a brief initial glimpse into some of those responsible for this brutal act of vigilantism with a spirited discussion between a Josh, Don, and an unnamed female. It is more than obvious that they were the killers behind Sian’s murder. This act is quickly followed up by another death with a similar scalping of a freed man named Douglas who allegedly sexually abused his own daughter. His body was dumped in a nearby waterway, and the scalp was saved as a trophy of the deed.

It is not long before the SCU recognize that another case they were working of an alleged burglary and attempted murder of a man named Graham Ashcroft was the work of the same people who had killed Sian. This is confirmed when Graham’s wife Tabitha, who had somehow fled the event with her husband, is revealed to have been attacked herself and bore the scars on her scalp where an attempt had been made to remove her scalp in the same brutal fashion.

The bodies continue to turn up, including one of a onetime popular footballer named Nathan Hall was freed after a court case over a rape he had allegedly committed. Once again, the court of public opinion was outraged at the court decision, so our vigilantes acted for them and themselves. As Henley and the SCU continue to battle through these cases plus some more cold cases that appeared to be the work of the same assailants, the tension rises and the coverage in the news and social media a constant distraction. Add to this the fact that a new team member named DC Copeland was added to the SCU and you have a large amount of chaos occurring during this deadly case. Henley did not trust Copeland and felt she had less than savory intentions for another member of her team, DC Ramouter.

THE SHADOW CARVER is built with layer upon layer of dark police procedural details that drive the narrative and the mystery straight through to the fiery conclusion. Of course, Matheson not only provides insider information on the criminal process but also loads her story with plenty of surprises that continue to make this one of the most satisfying series in the criminal thriller genre.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In just a few short years, criminal defense attorney Nadine Matheson has made quite a name for herself with her series starring DI Anjelica Henley of the Serial Crimes Unit in London. The complex stories and cases involving the most depraved minds on the criminal circuit are reminiscent of the work of such great writers as Thomas Harris.

THE SHADOW CARVER, the latest entry in the series, features an unknown group exhibiting their own brand of justice after the courts fail the public with a grisly signature feature --- carving off the scalps of their victims. This lands directly in the laps of the SCU, but only after a few cases draw comparisons to each other do they realize that this is the work of a serial vigilante or vigilantes.

The Prologue looks back at a recent case where a nurse, Sian Fox-Carnell, was sent to prison for the overdose deaths of a handful of patients in her care. Sian continued to plead her innocence, and after seven years behind bars, a court of appeals overturned her conviction and released her under monitored house arrest pending a new trial. This did not sit well with DI Henley, who had been involved in her initial apprehension, nor did it please the public or relatives of Sian’s victims.

Sian is bold during her house arrest, even going to Henley’s house to confront her in front of her young daughter. Not long after, Sian is kidnapped by faceless attackers and thrown into a van. After being physically manhandled, she is hanged to death from a lamppost in a residential area. It is only upon bringing her down from the high point where she was dangling that the police and forensics team notice that she had been scalped.

We get a brief glimpse into some of those responsible for this brutal act of vigilantism with a spirited discussion among three individuals. This is quickly followed by another death with a similar scalping of a man who allegedly sexually abused his daughter. His body is dumped in a nearby waterway, and the scalp has been saved as a trophy of the deed.

It is not long before the SCU recognizes that yet another case of an alleged burglary and attempted murder of a man is the work of those who killed Sian. This is confirmed when the victim’s wife, who had somehow fled, is revealed to have been attacked herself. An effort had been made to remove her scalp in the same gruesome fashion.

The bodies continue to pile up, and the tension rises as coverage in the news and on social media is a constant distraction. THE SHADOW CARVER is built with layer upon layer of dark police procedural details that drive the narrative and the mystery straight through to its fiery conclusion. Of course, Matheson not only provides insider information on the criminal process but also loads her story with plenty of surprises that continue to make this one of the most satisfying thriller series being written today.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Nadine Matheson’s D.I. Anjelica Henley series, since The Jigsaw Man and The Shadow Carver is a belter. Matheson delivers a dark, gritty and intricately plotted novel that combines tension and devilish murders with emotional heft. Every death, every twist, is calculated and chilling and this kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole read.

Matheson’s setting breathes London with its familiar police procedures, tech rooms buzzing with activity, and late-night, rain-soaked crime scenes drenched in dread. Matheson’s prose brings you close to D.I.Henley as the body count rises, so close that you can feel the anxiety pulsing through her. Matheson’s pacing is sharp: her action scenes are brisk, and the momentum never lets up as Henley and her Serial Crimes Unit trace the killer’s signature.

Matheson balances Henley’s leadership and policing skills with her vulnerabilities. She’s intuitive in interviews, dogged in the hunt, but personally, she’s being pulled in multiple directions. That complexity comes into sharp relief in her relationships: with her team, with her boss Pellacio, and back at home with her husband, Rob.

Henley’s marriage to Rob has been strained for a while, and now so is her relationship with Pellacio, made even more so by his imposition of a new team member on Henley. Henley still has rapport with Pellacio, but it’s messy and tense as the personal and professional clash and egos are bruised.

That clash of wills adds a layer of heat to the team’s internal politics. They’re not just dealing with serial murder but with egos, loyalties and simmering attraction that has to be resisted.

Copeland is the new addition to the Serial Crimes Unit. She is pushy and ambitious, a refreshing change but an unpredictable force. Copeland rattles Henley’s usual way of operating, testing and unsettling her, especially when hard decisions and moral ambiguity come into play. That friction reflects the reality of teams reconfiguring under pressure, and lends an extra dynamic.

Verdict: The Shadow Carver is tense, visceral, and full of clever plotting that made my pulse race. Matheson’s talent for horrifying set pieces adds depth to her characters, so that you feel their triumphs and their failures. Tense and thought-provoking, The Shadow Carver is an exceptionally dark entry in the series that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

[Mugs & Manuscripts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadine Matheson returns with the fourth installment in the Angelica Henley series, The Shadow Carver, another complex, twisty crime thriller that firmly cements this series as one of my favorites in crime fiction. Matheson blends intricate plotting with strong police procedural elements, crafting a story that is both layered and expertly executed. I’ve been a fan since The Jigsaw Man, so I was excited to dive into this latest installment over the weekend, and it absolutely delivered!

The Serious Crime Unit (SCU) continues to stand out in the genre, thanks to Matheson’s talent for creating memorable, believable characters. DI Henley remains a compelling protagonist, supported by an equally engaging team, particularly her partner, Ramouter. While this is a gritty, graphic, and solid police procedural, what truly elevates the novel is the character development. Matheson skillfully weaves together the team’s personal and professional lives, creating a nuanced and realistic narrative that captures the challenges of balancing both.

Ezra is another standout, offering moments of light humor in the midst of a dark investigation while also drawing out compassion from even the toughest characters. Newcomer Copeland shakes things up, ruffling feathers and adding tension within the team. Copeland adds an interesting layer to the team dynamics, but personally, I wouldn’t mind if she doesn’t return in future installments.

Matheson's writing is sharp and compelling, and I quickly slipped back into the world of the Serious Crime Unit and found myself fully immersed in their work. Though the series has always been character-driven, this installment explores new emotional territory, adding further depth to an already vivid team. Sometimes, I felt like a fly on the wall in a real police station. The interactions felt authentic, and the cases reflected a modern-day realism.

As a true fan of the series, The Shadow Carver delivered everything I expected: strong writing, chilling villains, and plenty of suspense. It’s a fantastic addition to the Angelica Henley series, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next for the team. This novel can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting with The Jigsaw Man to fully appreciate the character development and overarching storyline that runs through the series.

[Katies_cosy_reading_corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 4 in the DI Henley series, and this one has to be the most hair-raising yet, when a serial killer is on the loose who leaves a harrowing trademark of scalping their victims.

This is a series that really gets under your skin, terrifying yet deliciously gruesome. Perhaps in some ways, this one was a little less gory compared to the others, but I feel the author compensated for this by making this tale more intricate and complex. Don't get me wrong, it's filled with some spine-chilling scenes and definitely not for the faint-hearted.

I slid back into this series and become consumed by the work of the Serial Crimes Unit. They are character-driven novels, but this one explored things of a different nature, and I feel so much more depth was added to the already vivid team. At times it feels as though I'm a fly on the wall in a real station; their interactions are authentic, and the cases they deal with come with a modern-day realism. They are a team with real-life conflicts and yet seem to grow in strength and determination.
I was really drawn to Henley's secret research and loyalty around her deceased former boss DCI Harry Rhimes. The author cleverly picks at this scab and utilises many characters' subplots to reinforce their emotional and intellectual depth, which ultimately encourages the reader to connect to the narrative.
This serial killer really got my cogs turning. It invites the reader to consider conflicting ideas around justice and perhaps even question your own morals. Do two wrongs make a right? Even if they deserved it?

I adore the easy-to-engage-with writing style this author has. It's expressive and vibrant but uses concise details to build upon vivid imagery. It's authoritative but with an empathetic nature, using a casual tone and some much-needed wit.
In other terms, flawless.

This fast-paced book didn't give up; I was enthralled by all the action and sickly drama. With a meticulous and tightly-woven plot, no rock is left unturned, and yet when the multiple bomb-drop twists hit, you better watch out because you won't know what hits you.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Nadine and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Shadow Carver, the 4th book in the series, before the publication date.
From the start, the story draws the reader in. Dark and gritty, it is not for the squeamish, but what would you expect from a unit which specialises in serial killers.

Despite the attempts by the higher echelons to discredit the team, the SCU are back. With budget cuts, many forces are trying to offload investigations which do not meet the SCU criteria, but it drains the SCU resources as each referral has to be checked and a decision made.

6 years earlier, Henley had been responsible for the conviction of district nurse, Sian Fox-Parnell on charges of murdering 2 patients and attempting to murder 2 more.
Due to the actions of a professsional witness at her trial, Fox-Parnell has appealed her conviction. The appeal court quashes her convictions and orders a retrial. Despite the representations of the prosecution, she is released on bail, albeit on a tag, much to the anger of the victims’ families and friends who are watching the proceedings.
As she leaves the court, Fox-Parnell warns Henley that she is coming for her next, only to appear near Henley’s home.
When the Intelligence Services arrive at the SCU office, alarm bells start to ring.

Meanwhile, a man is found badly injured in his garden. DC Copeland is the SIO who is keen to muscle her way into the SCU team.
With a strong cast of characters , each with their own issues and agendas, Nadine continues to capture the essence of their lives, both personal and professional.
Will the arrival of DC Copeland break the team?

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Carver by Nadine Matheson is a gripping contemporary psychological murder suspense that I just couldn’t put down. It is the fourth book in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series and can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, recommend reading the books in numerical order for character and storyline progression. Though each book deals with a new crime, there is one storyline that is running throughout the books. As this book ended, we are perfectly poised to pick up the thread in book five – and I cannot wait!
Once more we join inspector Anjelica Henley and her team as they chase a very gruesome serial killer or killers. It appears to be vigilante justice but who is the mastermind? Is there a mastermind?
The law enforcement team are relentless in their pursuit. We also witness personal relationships and office politics. There are personality clashes and jealousy over friendships. We see the back stories and families of some.
Family is important. Not just personal family but the police family too. They have each other’s backs. When one of their own is hurt, everyone picks up a piece of guilt.
Nadine Matheson has created another complex plotline which is extremely well executed. It is definitely not a book for the faint-hearted.
I think the whole Inspector Anjelica Henley series would make a fantastic television series – but I am not sure if I would be brave enough to watch it! Or if I would be peeping from behind a cushion!
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A word of caution: there are scenes in this book that those of a sensitive nature will not like.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadine Matheson’s The Shadow Carver is a taut, chilling thriller that grips from the very first page and refuses to let go. DI Henley and the Serial Crimes Unit are thrust into a case that feels as much a psychological battle as a hunt for a killer. When a convicted murderer is released only to be found brutally slain, the team quickly realises this is no isolated crime—the signature left behind ties the killings together with a precision that is as cruel as it is calculated.

Matheson’s writing balances sharp procedural detail with an atmosphere of dread, pulling the reader into the dark corridors of the investigation. Each victim feels deliberately chosen, each crime scene a puzzle carved with shocking intent. Henley’s determination to stay one step ahead of a killer who always seems to be watching adds a relentless tension, while the interplay within the SCU brings humanity to the horror.

What makes the novel so compelling is its blend of grit and elegance: the brutality of the crimes is matched by Matheson’s deft storytelling, which keeps the pace brisk but never sacrifices depth. The result is a thriller that is both terrifying and addictive, a reminder of why Matheson has become a standout voice in crime fiction.

This is a story for readers who crave dark, intelligent mysteries—where the hunt is as much about understanding the mind of a killer as it is about stopping them before they strike again.

My thanks to Nadine Matheson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC