The Shadow Carver

by Nadine Matheson

****

A killer who cuts straight to the bone …

A CHILLING MURDER

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.

A KILLER LURKS

Henley and her team begin to connect the dots between the killings, and realise the murders are part of something more sinister. Each victim has been chosen with a deadly precision, their deaths carved out with a shocking cruelty.

THE HUNT IS ON …

As the rampage continues and the stakes are raised with each new attack, the case spirals into a terrifying hunt for a killer who is always one step ahead. Can Henley and the SCU outsmart a monster before they strike again?

****

Praise for Nadine

‘A story that’s dark, tense, action-packed, and so, so clever’ Andrea Mara, number one Sunday Times bestselling author

‘Gruesome and gritty’ Liz Nugent, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘Matheson writes sharply [and] with a light, witty touch’ The Telegraph

431 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 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

[Lady MacDeath · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, I really liked the story. It is a crime thriller, set in the Serial Crimes Unit (SCU) in Greenwich, South London. As an ex South London girl (born and bred), it’s always great reading a book in which the places are familiar, memories of visiting landmarks, and walking down a particular street, etc. But for me, this book didn’t hit the mark. I like a crime thriller or psychological thriller to be full of twists and turns, but found this quite flat. Sometimes I was confused as to who said what, because some of the dialogue continued on without any punctuation.
As I said, the base of the story is good…vigilantes going after criminals who have escaped justice for awful crimes, and dealing with them in a brutal way. But that’s where it ends for me. Though there are many good reviews and praise for this book and Nadine Matheson and I completely respect others’ opinions, but I like a bit more excitement.

With thanks to HQ, the author, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

3 ⭐️

Available: 12th February 2026

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A five star read to end 2025 on. What a brilliant series this is, so dark and unsettling, certainly not for the faint hearted but right up my alley. This is book 4 in the Angelica Henley police procedural series and it needs to be read in order. A big part of this series is the characters and their relationships and previous cases. You will miss a lot if you don’t read the rest of these incredible books.

Henley is back from her first holiday in ages and is thrown straight back into the deep end when a former collar is released from prison on a technicality. It soon turns into a murder investigation which becomes a serial crime case. It is brutal and violent, these killers are ruthless and sadistic, stopping at nothing to get their victims.

Throw in a. new team member ruffling feathers, a secret investigation and personal lives imploding and this is one hell of a story. The ending though……nooooooooo!! Nadine, we need book 5 already.

Publishes on my birthday, February 12th, you need to get on board with this series. I promise you will not be sorry. Thank you so much HQ for the early copy, it was an absolute blast to read it.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series it is becoming one of my top series.

Henley and the rest of the team are well written and for me in a crime series I have to care about the detectives and the team and in this series you really do.

The kills in this are well done and the book is well paced and the characters stories progress well.

Left in a good cliff hanger so cannot wait for the next

Don’t want to give spoilers but this is a great series and worth a read would say in my top 5 ongoing crime series

[Shellie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Book Review*

ℙ𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕪!!!

This is book four in the Anjelica Henley series by the fabulous @queennads and what an instalment it is! It is full of twist and turns that keeps you hooked to the edge of your seat unable to put the book down!

It is certainly not for the faint hearted which makes me love it even more! The way that Matheson is able to bring tension to the story is just next level! The murders are gruesome, the killers finishing touch is just one I’ve not read before in a book and I love it!

This is one fast paced book with all the elements of an intense police investigation with just the right amount of detail to keep you flying the story without losing its authenticity!

The characters continue to be developed well thought this story with giving us even more of an insight to not just their work life but what goes on behind closed doors at home in their personal lives!

I also enjoyed that you see more of the wider team playing a part in this one with certain ones having a major key part in the story line as it unfolds. I felt this gave the book more depth and shows a great sense of partnership with in the team! There are some new faces this time round which I’m hoping to hear more of on the next book as I’m not sure what my thoughts are on them 🧐

Overall this is one intense, heart racing, jam packed read that does not disappoint! I was hooked from the get go! It is not to be missed!! I can’t believe we have to wait FOREVER for book five now, especially after that ending!!

Thankyou to Nadine, @netgalley and @hqstories for sending me an advanced copy for me to read and review! I read this one with my bestie @katies_cosy_reading_corner and @northyorkshirereader and we all LOVED it!

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the Serial Crimes Unit in London, a tense investigation unfolds when a previously convicted nurse, recently released from prison after being accused of killing patients, suddenly disappears. Her body is soon discovered hanging near a pier. Disturbingly, she is not the only one. Others begin to appear in similarly grim circumstances, raising unsettling questions about justice, guilt and revenge.

Stories centred on avenging the wrongly released are hardly new, yet this police procedural breathes fresh life into the idea through the psychological depth of its characters. The members of the unit themselves appear to be cracking under mounting pressure, their personal tensions and professional conflicts woven tightly into both the narrative and the investigation.

A powerful sense of injustice radiates from the page, drawing the reader further into the mystery and daring you to keep turning the pages. This is a tense, engaging and thought-provoking thriller that grips from beginning to end. The writing is pacy yet precise, with details that feel carefully chosen to strengthen both the atmosphere and the unfolding plot.

If this marks the beginning of further stories featuring the SCU, I doubt many readers would object. I know I would happily be at the front of the queue.

[rosie ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect addition to the Inspector Henley series. I devoured the first three books last year in a matter of days and waited patiently for 6 months for The Shadow Carver and it was absolutely worth the wait.

Still haunted by the crimes and revelations of the first three books, Henley and team are now dealing with a convicted murderer having their convictions overturned and released back into society. The suspect is well known to the team, having put them in jail years ago. But what happens when that suspect suddenly becomes their victim? The murders are graphic, the killers are insane, and the SCU team are better than ever.

As a hardcore A&S stan, I was a little frustrated with how little their 'relationship' progressed in this book, and was extremely upset to read that she's still with her deadbeat husband.

I did zoom through this book within hours last night as I couldn't wait to find out what happened, so I may need another read through to pick up on any missed details. Overall, super happy with this addition to the series and can't wait for the next one.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Carver is the fourth book in Nadine Mathenson’s Inspector Anjelica Henley series and this book really tested the team and left us wanting more. When a convicted murderer is released and then found murdered, Henley and the other members of SCU begin to gather evidence connecting it to a series of recent attacks with a distinct signature. With each attack and more evidence gathered, the team realizes there might be a target on their backs and they run the risk of becoming the next victim unless they can catch the killer first.

Henley is at another crossroads dealing with looking into the death of her old boss, her personal life, her current boss and the addition of a new team member. I totally agree with Henley, Eastwood and Stanford, something is fishy with the new team member and I don’t like it one bit. Also really wish the back and forth with Henley and Pellacia would end but it keeps us hooked especially with that cliffhanger ending. So @queennads when is the next book coming out???



Thank you HQ and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow carver is book four in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series by Nadine Matheson.
When former nurse Sian Fox – Carnell is released on bail for am appeal on her case. The nurse killed some of the patients that where in her care. The SCU and Anjelica can’t believe that she has been released. But they are not the only ones as, a few days later she turns up dead. The unit is responsible to find the person or persons responsible. When other people who have been acquitted from the crimes in a similar fashion are dead the unit realises that someone out there are taking things into their own hands and finding them guilty and killing them.
This is another gritty thriller by the author. It’s dark and action packed and the deaths are quite gruesome. It is great hearing about the characters that we have got to know from the previous books. This episode like the others had me hooked from page one. I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for the team. 4 stars from me

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vigilantes, Villains and Vengeance!

​The highly anticipated fourth instalment in the Anjelica Henley series doesn't disappoint!
It is a relentless, high-stakes triumph. When a vigilante group begins targeting unconvicted criminals, starting with a lethal nurse from Henley’s past, the team is plunged into a high-stakes cat and mouse chase. This isn't just a procedural; it’s a tense, multi-layered thriller featuring a heart-wrenching secret investigation that kept me racing through pages into the wee small hours.
As always, the team’s loyalty and sharp banter shines through, providing a grounded heart to the gritty action, with Henley remaining an incredibly relatable lead.
With a twisty plot and a cliffhanger ending that leaves you desperate for more, this is an absolute must-read for crime fans.
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy. This is my own opinion. Release date 12 February.

 

[Arianna ✨]

This was the first book I've ever tried to read by this author and unfortunately, I don't think it's for me. I usually read romance or fantasy and occasionally read thrillers when I need a palate cleanser.

I thought the blurb sounded interesting, but I'm not used to the way this author tells stories. It feels like such a big jump between the prologue and chapter 1 then between each chapter after that. Overall, it feels very disjointed and difficult to follow. Every time I started a new chapter, I had to re-read and figure out which character(s) we jumped to and what was going on. I'm more used to reading books with one or two POVs where the storyline flows very easily from chapter to chapter.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press for sending me an early copy!

[Sandra Leivesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic series this is. Every book, including this one, is a 5* listen. It is dark gritty and unsettling, and not for the faint hearted as Henley and her team hunt a team of vigilantes who re killing people who they believe were wrongly acquitted by the justice system. The pace is fast and the plot is twisty as we follow the investigation. The characters of Henley and her team are all well fleshed out and it was great to revisit them in this book, along with a new team member.. I can't believe I now have to wait another year for the next book.

Excellent narration by Debra Michaels.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth in the series; I enjoyed this but it’s not as gripping as the Jigsaw Man.
I’m not sure why but I really didn’t like Henley’s character in this book, she’s really prickly and stand off-ish. I like her husband even less, I hope Nadine gets rid of him at some point in the series.

Whilst the storyline was good, I felt the ending really rushed, I don’t think it was tied up particularly well, but the book is left on a bit of a cliffhanger so it could be that there is more of an ending to be had.

I will continue to read the books in the series as they are released, but I’m not chomping at the bit for the next one like I am with some authors.

[Emily West · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent police procedural but I felt that there wasn’t much jeopardy in it. There weren’t really any twists or misdirections which made it feel a bit formulaic. I haven’t read the previous books in the series which made it a bit difficult to get in to. I also found it a bit tricky to keep up with who was who on the police team even though there weren’t that many of them. A gruesome story that is well told, if a bit drawn out.

[Zoe E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loving this series.
This is book 4 and a big part of the series is the characters and relationships between them. Which some things will only make sense if you read them in order.
This is a dark and fast paced read. Full of tension and action. Trust me, you will be hooked.
Loved the storyline of this one.
We certainly some shocking moments, especially one where my head was shouting 'Noooo!!'
And that ending.... Roll on book 5

[Kaley Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story that left me hanging for Book 5. The copywriter was drunk while editing this one, though. So drunk that I've got half a mind to mail an edited copy back to the publisher.

Anyway, if you can stomach the errors, it's a stellar British mystery and I cannot wait for Anjelica Henley and the SCU Team in Book 5.

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb series that keep getting better.
From The Jigsaw Man to this latest book in the series these have a genuinely thrill in each plot.A police procedural with an ongoing sub plot ,I can't wait for the next instalment.

[Marny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and will read more in the series it is right up my street.
Found myself getting a bit mixed up with some of the characters but think this is perhaps because this is the one in the series I have read. It did well as a standalone but would probably do better read in order

[Christian Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best in the series yet, absolutely love the vulnerability that occurs with the characters in this book. That cliffhanger ending…perfect. Thank you Nadine.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite series. Nadine you’ve done it again.
If it have to wait a whole year for the next one I’ll cry.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Nadine Matheson delivers once again. The Shadow Carver is packed with action, brilliant characters, and all the edge of your seat scenes you could wish for. It is a police themed thriller of the darkest order. So, so, good.

This is one of those books that makes you think whilst being totally, sometimes gruesomely, entertaining. The victims in this book are not your typical angelic, butter wouldn't melt kinds of citizens. In fact, whilst one might have viewed themself as an 'angel of mercy', it couldn't be further from the truth. But, even though the first victim is guaranteed to get your dander up, and after reading the opening chapter I had little doubt about their moral code, I still found myself with some sympathy towards them. After all bad things are still bad, even if they only happen to bad people. I love how Nadine Matheson has played on that in this book, addressing the challenges that Police face when investigating crimes against inherently bad people, especially as the case verges on the personal for Henley, a connection to one of the victims that leaves her in a very difficult position.

Nadine Matheson really brings the tension and the chills in her writing. The murders are vicious, the killers signature edging on the grotesque, meant to deliver the utmost pain to their victims. The author pulls together all the various aspects of an intense police investigation, whilst keeping the pacing tight and the detail just the right balance to feel authentic whilst propelling the action forward. The characters in this series are so well developed, and I like the way in which we get to see not just their professional lives, but the personal too, especially with Henley and DC Salim Ramouter.

I love the wider team too, particularly Pallacia, and the team's tech guru, Ezra, who has a really key part to play in the case. They all add to the light and shade of the book, and the sense of camaraderie and kinship really makes this a great team to spend time with. There is a new kid on the block this time around, DC Xania Copeland, who definitely manages to ruffle Henley's feathers. I'm not sure quite what I think of her yet. Tenacious and ambitious, yes, but sometimes at the cost of others. I'm intrigued to see where this leads, as it seems to be a real opportunity for conflict amongst the team.

A pacy, intense, pulse thumping and thought provoking read that had me completely hooked from its shocking start to the jeopardy laden conclusion. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and after that ending, it's going to be a long and anxious wait for the next book in the series. Absolutely recommended.

[Victoria (Vicki) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nooooo it can’t just finish like that!!!
Brilliant book 4, this series just gets better and better.
Gripping, gory, great storyline, brilliantly written - what more could you want.
This is a must read series and 10 🌟 from me - please hurry with number 5.