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Hunting Shadows: Peter Tobin - The truth about the serial killer who hid in plain sight
Hunting Shadows is a gripping true crime memoir by Jane Hamilton, one of Scotland’s most experienced and well-known crime journalists. The book chronicles her decades-long career reporting on some of the country’s most harrowing and high-profile criminal cases - with a central focus on the chilling investigation into serial killer Peter Tobin.
Following Tobin’s arrest, she was one of the first journalists to question whether his crimes were more extensive than publicly known. Her reporting uncovered early warning signs and disturbing patterns that would later help prompt Operation Anagram - the nationwide police operation that sought to uncover the full extent of Tobin’s crimes.
She gained unprecedented access to Tobin’s personal world through exclusive interviews with his estranged wife and son - interviews no other journalist secured. Their revelations offered rare insight into Tobin’s double life and helped reveal how a serial killer hid in plain sight.
Hunting Shadows takes readers behind the scenes of major investigations, crime scenes, courtrooms, and newsrooms. It offers a rare inside look at the world of crime journalism, the pressures of reporting under scrutiny, and the responsibility of telling the stories of victims and survivors with truth and integrity.
This book will appeal to readers of high-calibre true crime such as The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm, and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.
Following Tobin’s arrest, she was one of the first journalists to question whether his crimes were more extensive than publicly known. Her reporting uncovered early warning signs and disturbing patterns that would later help prompt Operation Anagram - the nationwide police operation that sought to uncover the full extent of Tobin’s crimes.
She gained unprecedented access to Tobin’s personal world through exclusive interviews with his estranged wife and son - interviews no other journalist secured. Their revelations offered rare insight into Tobin’s double life and helped reveal how a serial killer hid in plain sight.
Hunting Shadows takes readers behind the scenes of major investigations, crime scenes, courtrooms, and newsrooms. It offers a rare inside look at the world of crime journalism, the pressures of reporting under scrutiny, and the responsibility of telling the stories of victims and survivors with truth and integrity.
This book will appeal to readers of high-calibre true crime such as The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm, and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 6, 2026
Although I have an interest in true crime, Peter Tobin’s name wasn’t one I instantly recognised. Two of his three known victims, all young girls, were from Scotland (Vicky Hamilton), Angelika Kluk (who was Polish but returned to Scotland each summer) with one being from Essex (Dinah McNicol). He is the perfect example of a killer hiding in plain sight. A chameleon who adapted to his surroundings, who blended into the community, often having a religious bias, constantly changing his name and leaving town suddenly owing money to unsuspecting people – not to mention the devastated lives left behind him.
“He thought he could hide behind God, but the truth found him in the end”
Jane Hamilton has written this book with a forensic eye for detail. The writing is extremely readable – no gratuitous detail, just information shared with a human touch. I felt that Jane actually cared and that of course whilst getting ahead with a story was important for her career, her integrity came into play too. Her compassion for the victims, their families and Tobin’s ex wives who also suffered at his hands shines clearly through the pages.
Tobin was allowed to get away with his crimes, partly because of his own manipulation of people and knowing how to play the system but also because of failures of the policing system at the time. With police forces across the country not generally sharing information and with no centralised system, this was a gift to killers like him.
It wasn’t until Operation Anagram was in force (Holmes 2) that killers like Tobin had their movements tracked. The police were sure that there were other victims and so every piece of information from various forces about Tobin over the years were logged to a central database. Details and locations of missing women were included, details double checked. The families of the victims were to finally have answers.
Although Tobin is the focus of the book, the author refers to the murders of other victims, some of which remain unsolved – this highlighted that some families will never have the answers or justice they deserve.
A difficult subject but written with empathy showing respect to the victims and their families. For anyone interested in true crime, a recommended read.
“He thought he could hide behind God, but the truth found him in the end”
Jane Hamilton has written this book with a forensic eye for detail. The writing is extremely readable – no gratuitous detail, just information shared with a human touch. I felt that Jane actually cared and that of course whilst getting ahead with a story was important for her career, her integrity came into play too. Her compassion for the victims, their families and Tobin’s ex wives who also suffered at his hands shines clearly through the pages.
Tobin was allowed to get away with his crimes, partly because of his own manipulation of people and knowing how to play the system but also because of failures of the policing system at the time. With police forces across the country not generally sharing information and with no centralised system, this was a gift to killers like him.
It wasn’t until Operation Anagram was in force (Holmes 2) that killers like Tobin had their movements tracked. The police were sure that there were other victims and so every piece of information from various forces about Tobin over the years were logged to a central database. Details and locations of missing women were included, details double checked. The families of the victims were to finally have answers.
Although Tobin is the focus of the book, the author refers to the murders of other victims, some of which remain unsolved – this highlighted that some families will never have the answers or justice they deserve.
A difficult subject but written with empathy showing respect to the victims and their families. For anyone interested in true crime, a recommended read.
March 3, 2026
First of all, huge apologies for my late review. I should have posted yesterday so my fault entirely.
So, like a lot of people I speak to, I have a real morbid curiosity when it comes to murderers and serial killers, maybe due to those types of people being so far removed from who I am as a person, and the horrendous crimes they commit being so alien to me. So books, films and documentaries about them definitely are interesting to me. But I must say, I didn't know much about Peter Tobin until i read this book, so it was a real eye opener into his horrifying, horrific crimes.
It's certainty a difficult subject to write about, but the author deals with it in a respectful, reverent manner and always ensures she's respectful to the families involved.
But it's not just the story of Peter Tobin, although he's certainly the main focus, it's also an interesting insight into crime journalism as a whole, with riveting, absorbing detail.
It's quite shocking and harrowing at times, but that's to be expected, considering the subject matter and it's written with the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm from an obvious expert in her field.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
So, like a lot of people I speak to, I have a real morbid curiosity when it comes to murderers and serial killers, maybe due to those types of people being so far removed from who I am as a person, and the horrendous crimes they commit being so alien to me. So books, films and documentaries about them definitely are interesting to me. But I must say, I didn't know much about Peter Tobin until i read this book, so it was a real eye opener into his horrifying, horrific crimes.
It's certainty a difficult subject to write about, but the author deals with it in a respectful, reverent manner and always ensures she's respectful to the families involved.
But it's not just the story of Peter Tobin, although he's certainly the main focus, it's also an interesting insight into crime journalism as a whole, with riveting, absorbing detail.
It's quite shocking and harrowing at times, but that's to be expected, considering the subject matter and it's written with the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm from an obvious expert in her field.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
March 7, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Hunting Shadows' by Jane Hamilton
This is the first book that I have read by this brilliant author but I am definitely looking forward to reading more from her!!
I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre being non-fiction but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to read most books. I am also intrigued by true crime stories and have never actually heard of Peter Tobin nor of Angus Sinclair or Robert Black who are also discussed in this book. I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off, expand your literature genres and pick up your copy of this great book today and I can promise that you will not regret it!
This book is a memoir written by journalist Jane Hamilton about the serial killer Peter Tobin so please be aware that it does contain details about the murders so it is most definitely not for the faint hearted. What I loved about this book in particular is that although Jane does include details about Peter Tobin but she also focuses on his victims ensuring that they are the ones whose memories live on as they deserve to be. I am shocked that I have never read any of Jane's books before as I have a book shelf dedicated to true crime books and have read many other ones also. I am pleased that I have discovered her work now and am looking forward to reading more of her previous and future books. Jane does go in to detail when it comes to the crimes, let's be honest it would not be a true memoir if she didn't, but she does this as sensitively as possible without glorifying Peter nor his killings. It is not just Peter that she discusses in this book but also other killers such as "Bible John", Angus Sinclair and Robert Black. As I have previously mentioned I had never heard about any of these killers before so I was pleased that I have learned more information than when I started the book. I always enjoy reading books that I learn from as I also then go on to do my own research after which I enjoy doing. Peter Tobin was a Scottish serial killer as well as a $3x offender. This memoir is open, raw and honest and one of the most shocking things I discovered was how he could and should have been arrested before he killed as many as he did but the police failed to report immediately to an attack and didn't turn up until the next day!! If they had come out immediately at least one death could have been avoided and Peter would have been arrested before. The fact that he was first arrested and put in jail for 14 years in 1994 for a double $£xual attack on two young girls and then left prison in 2004 to then continue evading the police and carrying on his attacks and murders is absolutely deplorable! He managed to evade capture by constantly travelling to different countries and changing his identities. Of course back then it was easier to run and hide but at the same time if the police had worked together in the different countries and actually turned up after attacks then a lot of heartache could have been avoided!! Anyway, moving on from what could have been done to save lives. In this book Jane goes in to details and tells us the lives of the victims that we knew Peter had killed. These were 15 year old Vicky Hamilton who went missing on the 10th February 1991 from a bus stop in Bathgate, 18 year old Dinah McNicol who went missing after being picked up by a hitchhiker after a festival in Hampshire on the 5th August 1991 and 23 year old Angelika Kluk who disappeared from a Catholic Parish Glasgow on the 24th September 2006. She also discusses "Bible John" who murdered 25 year old Patricia Docker in February 1968, 31 year old Jemima MacDonald in August 1969, 29 year old Helen Puttock in October 1969. Many believed "Bible John" and Peter Tobin were one and the same as there were many similarities although it was never proven and Peter had alibis for some of Bible Johns killings. These are just some of the victims named and spoken about in this book. Jane shows the affects that these killings have had on the family members, friends, the police, reporters, jurors and communities. The fact that Jane has clearly done years and years of research shines through her words and although this book is a difficult, heart-breaking and harrowing read it is a must read to ensure that the victims are never forgotten and that their lives do not get lost in the history books. I devoured this book in two days although it would have been quicker if my health allowed as I struggled to put it down and only did so due to my health as I was glued to the pages. Jane has written this memoir extremely well and leaves nothing out. She speaks about police procedures, HOMES 2, how technology has helped to stop killers getting away with it as long as Peter did, Operation ANAGRAM, what was learned from the failure in this case, what it is like for journalists along with the families of these killers. It is a very powerful and emotional read and one that will stay with me for a very long time. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Jane's non fiction books.
Thank you Jane for bringing this story into the world and ensuring the victims stories are told.
Overall an emotional, harrowing, must read, honest true crime memoir.
#HuntingShadows #JaneHamilton #MirrorBooks #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours
@JaneHamilton @Jane.DHamilton @MirrorBooks @mirror.books @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours
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Review for 'Hunting Shadows' by Jane Hamilton
This is the first book that I have read by this brilliant author but I am definitely looking forward to reading more from her!!
I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre being non-fiction but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to read most books. I am also intrigued by true crime stories and have never actually heard of Peter Tobin nor of Angus Sinclair or Robert Black who are also discussed in this book. I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off, expand your literature genres and pick up your copy of this great book today and I can promise that you will not regret it!
This book is a memoir written by journalist Jane Hamilton about the serial killer Peter Tobin so please be aware that it does contain details about the murders so it is most definitely not for the faint hearted. What I loved about this book in particular is that although Jane does include details about Peter Tobin but she also focuses on his victims ensuring that they are the ones whose memories live on as they deserve to be. I am shocked that I have never read any of Jane's books before as I have a book shelf dedicated to true crime books and have read many other ones also. I am pleased that I have discovered her work now and am looking forward to reading more of her previous and future books. Jane does go in to detail when it comes to the crimes, let's be honest it would not be a true memoir if she didn't, but she does this as sensitively as possible without glorifying Peter nor his killings. It is not just Peter that she discusses in this book but also other killers such as "Bible John", Angus Sinclair and Robert Black. As I have previously mentioned I had never heard about any of these killers before so I was pleased that I have learned more information than when I started the book. I always enjoy reading books that I learn from as I also then go on to do my own research after which I enjoy doing. Peter Tobin was a Scottish serial killer as well as a $3x offender. This memoir is open, raw and honest and one of the most shocking things I discovered was how he could and should have been arrested before he killed as many as he did but the police failed to report immediately to an attack and didn't turn up until the next day!! If they had come out immediately at least one death could have been avoided and Peter would have been arrested before. The fact that he was first arrested and put in jail for 14 years in 1994 for a double $£xual attack on two young girls and then left prison in 2004 to then continue evading the police and carrying on his attacks and murders is absolutely deplorable! He managed to evade capture by constantly travelling to different countries and changing his identities. Of course back then it was easier to run and hide but at the same time if the police had worked together in the different countries and actually turned up after attacks then a lot of heartache could have been avoided!! Anyway, moving on from what could have been done to save lives. In this book Jane goes in to details and tells us the lives of the victims that we knew Peter had killed. These were 15 year old Vicky Hamilton who went missing on the 10th February 1991 from a bus stop in Bathgate, 18 year old Dinah McNicol who went missing after being picked up by a hitchhiker after a festival in Hampshire on the 5th August 1991 and 23 year old Angelika Kluk who disappeared from a Catholic Parish Glasgow on the 24th September 2006. She also discusses "Bible John" who murdered 25 year old Patricia Docker in February 1968, 31 year old Jemima MacDonald in August 1969, 29 year old Helen Puttock in October 1969. Many believed "Bible John" and Peter Tobin were one and the same as there were many similarities although it was never proven and Peter had alibis for some of Bible Johns killings. These are just some of the victims named and spoken about in this book. Jane shows the affects that these killings have had on the family members, friends, the police, reporters, jurors and communities. The fact that Jane has clearly done years and years of research shines through her words and although this book is a difficult, heart-breaking and harrowing read it is a must read to ensure that the victims are never forgotten and that their lives do not get lost in the history books. I devoured this book in two days although it would have been quicker if my health allowed as I struggled to put it down and only did so due to my health as I was glued to the pages. Jane has written this memoir extremely well and leaves nothing out. She speaks about police procedures, HOMES 2, how technology has helped to stop killers getting away with it as long as Peter did, Operation ANAGRAM, what was learned from the failure in this case, what it is like for journalists along with the families of these killers. It is a very powerful and emotional read and one that will stay with me for a very long time. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Jane's non fiction books.
Thank you Jane for bringing this story into the world and ensuring the victims stories are told.
Overall an emotional, harrowing, must read, honest true crime memoir.
#HuntingShadows #JaneHamilton #MirrorBooks #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours
@JaneHamilton @Jane.DHamilton @MirrorBooks @mirror.books @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenOldies...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
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March 21, 2026
Peter Tobin was an active killer throughout my lifetime but I wasn’t aware of him until more recent years. It is unnerving to know that people like him can live amongst the normal law-abiding people of this country we call home without detection. He gained people’s trust so easily but effectively stabbed the communities he infiltrated in the back.
Jane Hamilton was there at the start of the investigation into the full extent of Tobin’s capabilities. The murder of Angelika Kluk was just the tip of the iceberg but no one knew. Hamilton had a massive question mark over this man. Why start killing at 60?? Her journalist gut feel led her to dig. And dig she did!
The balance between fact and Hamilton’s personal feelings and experience are on point. She manages to get over the hard faced actions of Tobin without emotion but mixes in her investigation and the effects all the interviews have on her. It made the whole read personal and real. I found parts so heartbreaking.
Hamilton’s account does not paint a pretty picture for the boys in blue. She highlights significant and repeated opportunities for the police to come close to capturing this horrible human being but their lack of action allows Tobin to escape. I get the police aren’t perfect but still, some instances are just sloppy. But this is not a take down of the police force. Tobin was a cunning bar steward.
This is a seriously chilling but utterly fascinating read. A man flew under all radars changing identity, gaining trust and yet committing the most horrific of crimes. I am stunned by this book. I was glued to it. The victims, the survivors, the police investigations, the trials. It is so addictive. A must-read for any true-crime aficionado!
Jane Hamilton was there at the start of the investigation into the full extent of Tobin’s capabilities. The murder of Angelika Kluk was just the tip of the iceberg but no one knew. Hamilton had a massive question mark over this man. Why start killing at 60?? Her journalist gut feel led her to dig. And dig she did!
The balance between fact and Hamilton’s personal feelings and experience are on point. She manages to get over the hard faced actions of Tobin without emotion but mixes in her investigation and the effects all the interviews have on her. It made the whole read personal and real. I found parts so heartbreaking.
Hamilton’s account does not paint a pretty picture for the boys in blue. She highlights significant and repeated opportunities for the police to come close to capturing this horrible human being but their lack of action allows Tobin to escape. I get the police aren’t perfect but still, some instances are just sloppy. But this is not a take down of the police force. Tobin was a cunning bar steward.
This is a seriously chilling but utterly fascinating read. A man flew under all radars changing identity, gaining trust and yet committing the most horrific of crimes. I am stunned by this book. I was glued to it. The victims, the survivors, the police investigations, the trials. It is so addictive. A must-read for any true-crime aficionado!
April 5, 2026
My thoughts
This is a really fantastic read. It shows how people like Tobin went unnoticed, underground and unfortunately were allowed to run amok.
The staggering amount of unaccounted for deaths and missing women should be something that makes us all sit up and want to do something about. There are several dangerous men out there, operating within relationships and society. I know I have lived with one. And the conclusion I came to was people prefer not to see. This was also mentioned by the author. Her writing is hard hitting, but doesn’t glorify the perpetrator. I don’t want to call him a monster, it makes him bigger. In my eyes, he was a small man who got lucky and honed his grisly craft.
He is one of the serial killers that has long stuck out in my mind. Not because he was special but because he was so cold and frightening. He made me less trusting.
I love how the author concentrates on the family of him and how he affected them. So few authors do this. The families become the forgotten, as well as the unknown victims.
Thank you Jane Hamilton for your rounded and thoughtful writing on a subject that has obviously left scars on you.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
This is a really fantastic read. It shows how people like Tobin went unnoticed, underground and unfortunately were allowed to run amok.
The staggering amount of unaccounted for deaths and missing women should be something that makes us all sit up and want to do something about. There are several dangerous men out there, operating within relationships and society. I know I have lived with one. And the conclusion I came to was people prefer not to see. This was also mentioned by the author. Her writing is hard hitting, but doesn’t glorify the perpetrator. I don’t want to call him a monster, it makes him bigger. In my eyes, he was a small man who got lucky and honed his grisly craft.
He is one of the serial killers that has long stuck out in my mind. Not because he was special but because he was so cold and frightening. He made me less trusting.
I love how the author concentrates on the family of him and how he affected them. So few authors do this. The families become the forgotten, as well as the unknown victims.
Thank you Jane Hamilton for your rounded and thoughtful writing on a subject that has obviously left scars on you.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
March 2, 2026
I read this book within a day. It really drew me in. It messed with my head and wow, it was so interesting and gripping.
It was a very emotional read.
I was angry.
I wanted to throw the book countless times because there was SO many failures.
The system failed. Big time. So many missed opportunities. As we know, Tobin did get his comeuppance in the end. Thank heavens.
I really like that from the start of the book, Jane said she never stopped looking into this case, researching and wants to do her best for the families. You can tell the time, heart and knowledge that went into this book.
Jane captures the pain of there families; the emotion and anger from the families and the public. There is so much respect written into Jane Hamiltons words for the families that lost and were failed.
It was a very powerful read. I learned a lot from reading this. I felt heartbroken for Tobin’s 3 wives; what they had each endured and went through. Their experience was stressful and not what they deserved.
As a Scot, Tobin is a name you hear often in Scotland and at times, it angers me because we are still giving him the time and attention. He is a nasty, vile man.
Jane, I applaud you for writing with care and compassion for the families. For outing the system failures and for continuing to research in this monster. Thank you for never stopping because you were ‘told’ or thought you had to. And thank you for taking care, time and effort to write the victims (and for their families) like you have. Always have a voice.
Never let anyone or the systems keep you quiet.
Thanks to @jane.dhamilton and @mirror.books for allowing me a copy of your book. To @randomthingstours for having me on this book tour.
It was a very emotional read.
I was angry.
I wanted to throw the book countless times because there was SO many failures.
The system failed. Big time. So many missed opportunities. As we know, Tobin did get his comeuppance in the end. Thank heavens.
I really like that from the start of the book, Jane said she never stopped looking into this case, researching and wants to do her best for the families. You can tell the time, heart and knowledge that went into this book.
Jane captures the pain of there families; the emotion and anger from the families and the public. There is so much respect written into Jane Hamiltons words for the families that lost and were failed.
It was a very powerful read. I learned a lot from reading this. I felt heartbroken for Tobin’s 3 wives; what they had each endured and went through. Their experience was stressful and not what they deserved.
As a Scot, Tobin is a name you hear often in Scotland and at times, it angers me because we are still giving him the time and attention. He is a nasty, vile man.
Jane, I applaud you for writing with care and compassion for the families. For outing the system failures and for continuing to research in this monster. Thank you for never stopping because you were ‘told’ or thought you had to. And thank you for taking care, time and effort to write the victims (and for their families) like you have. Always have a voice.
Never let anyone or the systems keep you quiet.
Thanks to @jane.dhamilton and @mirror.books for allowing me a copy of your book. To @randomthingstours for having me on this book tour.
February 26, 2026
This was an easy 5🌟. I couldn’t put it down and annotated so much of it. It’s such an important book that I think everyone should read. As much as it was hard and emotional to read Jane’s writing is lovely and flowed so well. Really loved her writing and there were so many quotes that really got me emotionally. It really hit hard and was very powerful and informative. Jane captures the pain of the families of the young women killed by Tobin with the dignity and respect that they deserve. You see who the girls were and who they could have been. My heart broke reading what his 3 wives and his son went through and what they experienced.
It was very powerful and shocking reading all the names of teenagers and young women that went missing or were killed and their cases were never solved. That was hard to read, knowing so many families never got the answers they deserved about their loved ones.
It is clear the dedication Jane gives her work, and the respect and care she has towards everyone impacted by this case. There is definitely something about Jane’s writing style I connected with. I have since ordered Jane’s first book My Mother's Murder to read.
It was very powerful and shocking reading all the names of teenagers and young women that went missing or were killed and their cases were never solved. That was hard to read, knowing so many families never got the answers they deserved about their loved ones.
It is clear the dedication Jane gives her work, and the respect and care she has towards everyone impacted by this case. There is definitely something about Jane’s writing style I connected with. I have since ordered Jane’s first book My Mother's Murder to read.
March 4, 2026
Hunting Shadows is a compelling true-crime memoir by Scottish crime journalist Jane Hamilton. The book chronicles her decades long career reporting some of Scotland's most harrowing cases.
Hamilton was among the first journalists to question whether Tobin's crimes were more extensive than they initially realised. Operation Anagram helped police to uncover the extent of his crimes.
The book is engaging and deeply disturbing yet her clear and meticulous details feel necessary rather than trying to sensationalise the story.
If you are a fan of high end true crime, this is a must read.
Hamilton was among the first journalists to question whether Tobin's crimes were more extensive than they initially realised. Operation Anagram helped police to uncover the extent of his crimes.
The book is engaging and deeply disturbing yet her clear and meticulous details feel necessary rather than trying to sensationalise the story.
If you are a fan of high end true crime, this is a must read.
March 4, 2026
Peter Tobin was a Scottish serial killer and a repeat sex offender. He seemed to think he was elusive and invincible when it came to his crimes and the law.
First arrested and sentenced in 1994 for a double sex attack, he remained in prison for fourteen years until his release in 2004. A mere year later he's on the run for an 'alleged' attack. He then proceeds to take a variety of jobs and uses a string of aliases hoping to remain anonymous. By 2006 he's back in prison where he will remain, for the murders of Angelika Kluk, Dinah McNicol, and Vicky Hamilton.
Jane Hamilton is a crime journalist and Tobin was one of her many high profile cases.
The book is absolutely fascinating and held me in its clutches until I'd devoured it from cover to cover. It's not without it's share of emotion and I found myself still thinking about the victims and their families days later.
First arrested and sentenced in 1994 for a double sex attack, he remained in prison for fourteen years until his release in 2004. A mere year later he's on the run for an 'alleged' attack. He then proceeds to take a variety of jobs and uses a string of aliases hoping to remain anonymous. By 2006 he's back in prison where he will remain, for the murders of Angelika Kluk, Dinah McNicol, and Vicky Hamilton.
Jane Hamilton is a crime journalist and Tobin was one of her many high profile cases.
The book is absolutely fascinating and held me in its clutches until I'd devoured it from cover to cover. It's not without it's share of emotion and I found myself still thinking about the victims and their families days later.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My review –
Huge thanks to Random Things Tours for arranging this blog tour and thanks for Mirror Books for supplying me with a copy of Hunting Shadows.
As a huge fan of true crime fiction, I was instantly drawn to reading about serial killer Peter Tobin which makes me sound like I’m a of a sicko, but I’m so interested in how these men were able to evade the law and operate. And in Jane Hamilton’s book, I was able to learn the many failures and also the many changes that occurred in British Policing because of men like Peter Tobin
Writing a book about murderers and their victims is not something that all authors can do, but Jane Hamilton is a talent of this genre. Her inside knowledge of the case as it unfolded over the years and her dogged investigate skills as a journalist, make this the go to book about not only Peter Tobin, but also more importantly the victims of such abhorrent serial killers. Her ability to engage with the families of the victims and to raise their profile over the actions of a horrible man are exemplary, and done from her heart not just a journalistic point of view.
I really was gripped to Hunting Shadows like it was a thriller, it is such an easy read of a difficult subject. I also loved the inside knowledge of what being a journalist during the investigation was like. If i had one criticism it would be that i wanted some pictures especially of the poor victims, but that’s a personal niggle and no slight on an excellent book.
A gripping 5 star read.
Huge thanks to Random Things Tours for arranging this blog tour and thanks for Mirror Books for supplying me with a copy of Hunting Shadows.
As a huge fan of true crime fiction, I was instantly drawn to reading about serial killer Peter Tobin which makes me sound like I’m a of a sicko, but I’m so interested in how these men were able to evade the law and operate. And in Jane Hamilton’s book, I was able to learn the many failures and also the many changes that occurred in British Policing because of men like Peter Tobin
Writing a book about murderers and their victims is not something that all authors can do, but Jane Hamilton is a talent of this genre. Her inside knowledge of the case as it unfolded over the years and her dogged investigate skills as a journalist, make this the go to book about not only Peter Tobin, but also more importantly the victims of such abhorrent serial killers. Her ability to engage with the families of the victims and to raise their profile over the actions of a horrible man are exemplary, and done from her heart not just a journalistic point of view.
I really was gripped to Hunting Shadows like it was a thriller, it is such an easy read of a difficult subject. I also loved the inside knowledge of what being a journalist during the investigation was like. If i had one criticism it would be that i wanted some pictures especially of the poor victims, but that’s a personal niggle and no slight on an excellent book.
A gripping 5 star read.
March 28, 2026
very interesting read, Jane really explains the issues/gaps decades ago.
April 6, 2026
I could not put this book down. Fascinating! I loved Jane's writing.
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