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D.I. Callanach #5
Perfect Crime
Your darkest moment is your most vulnerable…
Stephen Berry is about to jump off a bridge until a suicide prevention counsellor stops him. A week later, Stephen is dead. Found at the bottom of a cliff, DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are drafted in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed…
As they dig deeper, more would-be suicides roll in: a woman found dead in a bath; a man violently electrocuted. But these are carefully curated deaths – nothing like the impulsive suicide attempts they’ve been made out to be.
Little do Callanach and Turner know how close their perpetrator is as, across Edinburgh, a violent and psychopathic killer gains more confidence with every life he takes…
Stephen Berry is about to jump off a bridge until a suicide prevention counsellor stops him. A week later, Stephen is dead. Found at the bottom of a cliff, DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are drafted in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed…
As they dig deeper, more would-be suicides roll in: a woman found dead in a bath; a man violently electrocuted. But these are carefully curated deaths – nothing like the impulsive suicide attempts they’ve been made out to be.
Little do Callanach and Turner know how close their perpetrator is as, across Edinburgh, a violent and psychopathic killer gains more confidence with every life he takes…
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First published April 18, 2019
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About the author
Helen Sarah Fields
25 books2,702 followersWrites crime, mystery and thrillers. Loves historical fiction. Big horror fan. Goes back to one classic novel each month, to save her soul.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 681 reviews
April 29, 2019
Damn! I’m desperately, overwhelmingly, devastatingly, head over heels in love with Luc Callanach!
Stephen Berry is going to jump off a bridge but Rune Mclure, a counsellor, talks him out of it just in time.
A week later they find Stephen Berry’s body at the bottom of a cliff. Initially the police assume he finally succeeded in committing suicide without intervention. But when they find another victim’s body, with a history of depression and previous attempted suicides, they realize there may be a connection between the victims.
There is a serial killer in Edinburgh and he is targeting the weak and vulnerable.
What is his motive? How is he choosing his targets? Who is next? And most importantly how can he be stopped?
Thanks to Helen Fields, Avon Books UK and the NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Stephen Berry is going to jump off a bridge but Rune Mclure, a counsellor, talks him out of it just in time.
A week later they find Stephen Berry’s body at the bottom of a cliff. Initially the police assume he finally succeeded in committing suicide without intervention. But when they find another victim’s body, with a history of depression and previous attempted suicides, they realize there may be a connection between the victims.
There is a serial killer in Edinburgh and he is targeting the weak and vulnerable.
What is his motive? How is he choosing his targets? Who is next? And most importantly how can he be stopped?
Thanks to Helen Fields, Avon Books UK and the NetGalley for the advanced copy.
March 8, 2019
Suicide, misadventure or murder……that’s the million dollar question for Edinburgh MIT after a young man’s body is found at the base of Tantallon Castle. And over the next few weeks, it’s a question they’ll be asking again & again.
The team has been enjoying a bit of a lull in major crimes but that’s about to change. In short order, they have 4 bodies on their hands & the victims couldn’t be more different. But a little digging reveals a common thread. They all attempted suicide at some point in their pasts.
Meanwhile, DI Luc Callanach has an investigation of his own & it’s personal. He’s still dealing with what happened to his mother before he was born. She was raped by the men Luc’s father worked for. Fearing for her husband, she kept it secret until recently when she finally told her son. Luc’s father died young & ever since he learned of her ordeal he’s been haunted by one question…was the man who raised him really his father? He knows who assaulted his mother & plans on paying them a visit. I don’t want to spill any more beans so lets just say things escalate & the ramifications of his search could end up derailing his career.
These are the investigative plot lines of the story but much of the book is given over to the ongoing dance between Luc & his boss DCI Ava Turner. It’s a classic will they/won’t they scenario that has everyone who knows them shaking their heads as they wait for Luc & Ava to get their sh*t together. Sooo….do the planets finally align in book #5? Not a peep from me. I’m not talking & you can’t make me. Unless chocolate is involved.
All the old gang is back with the permanent addition of DI Pax Graham. We see much more of Detective Superintendent Overbeck in this outing & she’s a hoot, stealing every scene she’s in. As far as the hunt for the serial killer, If you read a lot of police procedurals you’ll probably spot the culprit early on. But Luc’s personal story line takes a surprising twist that ties up threads from previous books.
There is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages & your enjoyment really depends on how you like your crime. Straight up procedural fans may prefer more time with the investigations but those who love romantic suspense will gobble this up in no time.
3.5 stars
The team has been enjoying a bit of a lull in major crimes but that’s about to change. In short order, they have 4 bodies on their hands & the victims couldn’t be more different. But a little digging reveals a common thread. They all attempted suicide at some point in their pasts.
Meanwhile, DI Luc Callanach has an investigation of his own & it’s personal. He’s still dealing with what happened to his mother before he was born. She was raped by the men Luc’s father worked for. Fearing for her husband, she kept it secret until recently when she finally told her son. Luc’s father died young & ever since he learned of her ordeal he’s been haunted by one question…was the man who raised him really his father? He knows who assaulted his mother & plans on paying them a visit. I don’t want to spill any more beans so lets just say things escalate & the ramifications of his search could end up derailing his career.
These are the investigative plot lines of the story but much of the book is given over to the ongoing dance between Luc & his boss DCI Ava Turner. It’s a classic will they/won’t they scenario that has everyone who knows them shaking their heads as they wait for Luc & Ava to get their sh*t together. Sooo….do the planets finally align in book #5? Not a peep from me. I’m not talking & you can’t make me. Unless chocolate is involved.
All the old gang is back with the permanent addition of DI Pax Graham. We see much more of Detective Superintendent Overbeck in this outing & she’s a hoot, stealing every scene she’s in. As far as the hunt for the serial killer, If you read a lot of police procedurals you’ll probably spot the culprit early on. But Luc’s personal story line takes a surprising twist that ties up threads from previous books.
There is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages & your enjoyment really depends on how you like your crime. Straight up procedural fans may prefer more time with the investigations but those who love romantic suspense will gobble this up in no time.
3.5 stars
July 23, 2020
Ahh Luc, Luc, mon petit chou! Jet’aime, je te veux toujour just like your crazed stalker Astrid. Yes, I too have become obsessed with D.I. Luc Callanach, formerly of Interpol now of Police Scotland. DI Callanach comes to us courtesy of the fine crime stories of Helen Sarah Fields. Perfect Crime is the fifth book featuring DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner.
In Perfect Crime it becomes evident the elaborately staged suicides are not what they seem, even though the victims have a history of suicide ideation. At first the victims appear to be the victims of their own sick minds, forever affecting those who view them. Then it becomes apparent that although each victims could have committed such a crime against themselves, there is always a giveaway that says no, no way Jose, think again. Fortunately the pathologist and the MIT squad of Police Scotland do just that.
Meanwhile Luc is once again suspected of another heinous crime, but not to worry. His closest friend and confidant stands with him until… ohhhhh wait a minute. His enemies on the MIT squad are still there to harass and bait…ohhhhh wait a minute. Luc’s whole world has gone topsy turvey, with roles reversed every which way.
There are two storylines to follow, or three if you count Luc and Ava’s non- relationship relationship. The first, the gruesome killings of the “failed” suicides is brilliant and imaginative. The second storyline, the murders of the men who raped Luc’s mother before he was born, was more pedestrian. There are enough red herrings in Perfect Crime to keep the reader guessing and involved.
It is hard to chose which is more outstanding in the Callanach series, the crimes or the characters. There is DI Callanach, the model handsome detective who can’t seem to catch a break, and his boss and good friend DCI Ava Turner. Det. Superintendent Overbeck is present in all her blazing glory, while Dr Alisha Cahill, pathologist, is still around to equally boss and mother Ava. Crime blogger and best friend to Luc, Lance Proudfoot, again adds to the mixture his extraordinary bad luck, or good luck, depending on which outcome you look at.
The ending is exciting and fiery, because sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Then again, sometimes she doesn’t. The next book will be very welcome indeed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In Perfect Crime it becomes evident the elaborately staged suicides are not what they seem, even though the victims have a history of suicide ideation. At first the victims appear to be the victims of their own sick minds, forever affecting those who view them. Then it becomes apparent that although each victims could have committed such a crime against themselves, there is always a giveaway that says no, no way Jose, think again. Fortunately the pathologist and the MIT squad of Police Scotland do just that.
Meanwhile Luc is once again suspected of another heinous crime, but not to worry. His closest friend and confidant stands with him until… ohhhhh wait a minute. His enemies on the MIT squad are still there to harass and bait…ohhhhh wait a minute. Luc’s whole world has gone topsy turvey, with roles reversed every which way.
There are two storylines to follow, or three if you count Luc and Ava’s non- relationship relationship. The first, the gruesome killings of the “failed” suicides is brilliant and imaginative. The second storyline, the murders of the men who raped Luc’s mother before he was born, was more pedestrian. There are enough red herrings in Perfect Crime to keep the reader guessing and involved.
It is hard to chose which is more outstanding in the Callanach series, the crimes or the characters. There is DI Callanach, the model handsome detective who can’t seem to catch a break, and his boss and good friend DCI Ava Turner. Det. Superintendent Overbeck is present in all her blazing glory, while Dr Alisha Cahill, pathologist, is still around to equally boss and mother Ava. Crime blogger and best friend to Luc, Lance Proudfoot, again adds to the mixture his extraordinary bad luck, or good luck, depending on which outcome you look at.
The ending is exciting and fiery, because sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Then again, sometimes she doesn’t. The next book will be very welcome indeed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 18, 2019
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Helen Fields, and Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
In a series that keeps finding new ways to impress, Helen Fields captivates the reader’s attention yet again. While on a short holiday from work, DI Luc Callanach finds himself at a care facility, where he comes face to face with one of the residents, riddled with dementia. The reason for the visit is to allow Callanach to confront one of the two men who raped his mother many years ago. Barely able to hold his emotions in check, Callanach wants to make it clear that he will never forget the horrible things his mother was forced to endure, even if he may be facing his biological father at present. Upon returning to Police Scotland, Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are called out to a crime scene next to a castle wall. They are baffled to discover why they might be involved in what appears to be a clear-cut jump. How quickly suicide turns into a homicide, as some of the injuries discovered in the post-mortem are surely the work of someone else. Seeking to better understand the victim’s backstory, Callanach and Turner learn he visited a counselling centre to help with suicidal thoughts, but this brings them no closer to understanding what took place. When a second victim turns up dead with another suicidal presentation, Callanach and Turner wonder if there is a killer on the loose, seeking to turn thoughts into action. Meanwhile, the man Callanach visited turns up dead the same day as the aforementioned visit, smothered with a pillow. Could Callanach have taken out his aggression on a man who could not fight back? DCI Turner seeks to keep her underling’s ties to the victim off the radar, but does wonder if a temporary leave may help from muddying the waters too much. When a third victim is discovered, Callanach and Turner know that they must act fast, not only finding the killer, but also honing in on potential targets before their psychological worries cause a loss of life. Might there be someone lurking in the shadows who acts as a conduit for those who seek death already, or perhaps someone with a sinister game-plan, seeking only pawns in their sadistic adventure. Another stellar addition to the series that will have readers rushing to learn more. Recommended for those who have come to enjoy the nuances of the series, as well as those who love multi-layered police procedurals.
I remember randomly stumbling upon Helen Fields and this series, seeing much of the hype it was getting. As soon as I allowed myself a chance to delve in, I was hooked. From its interesting cases through to its characters who offer multi-faceted approaches to make the narrative even better, there is something for everyone . DI Luc Callanach again takes centre stage in this piece, working through some of the revelations of his personal life, while also trying to advance his career in Police Scotland. Series fans will know he is the ‘pretty boy’ of MIT, but his dedication and determination are second to none. His ongoing interaction with his friend (and now superior) DCI Ava Turner gives the reader something to enjoy as a secondary storyline in this novel, serving as character development for both. Ava Turner proves to be an interesting character in her own right, offering the story new and interesting flavours as she seeks to come to terms with a handful of conflicting emotions as they relate to Callanach. Turner is also trying to keep her team together, even as the commanding officer looks for any holes to tear her apart. With interesting characters who serve in many capacities, Fields keeps the reader’s attention throughout, helping to enrich the story’s growth. The story was a wonderful spin on the usual police procedural, with a killer whose intention is to offer a ‘shove’ for someone already on the precarious edge of life. Adding some development in the Callanach saga can only have interesting fallout for the protagonist, in this and future novels. One can hope that there are more books in this series, whose momentum never stops.
Kudos, Madam Fields, for another wonderful novel. I cannot wait to see where you will take DI Luc Callanach in the near future.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
In a series that keeps finding new ways to impress, Helen Fields captivates the reader’s attention yet again. While on a short holiday from work, DI Luc Callanach finds himself at a care facility, where he comes face to face with one of the residents, riddled with dementia. The reason for the visit is to allow Callanach to confront one of the two men who raped his mother many years ago. Barely able to hold his emotions in check, Callanach wants to make it clear that he will never forget the horrible things his mother was forced to endure, even if he may be facing his biological father at present. Upon returning to Police Scotland, Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are called out to a crime scene next to a castle wall. They are baffled to discover why they might be involved in what appears to be a clear-cut jump. How quickly suicide turns into a homicide, as some of the injuries discovered in the post-mortem are surely the work of someone else. Seeking to better understand the victim’s backstory, Callanach and Turner learn he visited a counselling centre to help with suicidal thoughts, but this brings them no closer to understanding what took place. When a second victim turns up dead with another suicidal presentation, Callanach and Turner wonder if there is a killer on the loose, seeking to turn thoughts into action. Meanwhile, the man Callanach visited turns up dead the same day as the aforementioned visit, smothered with a pillow. Could Callanach have taken out his aggression on a man who could not fight back? DCI Turner seeks to keep her underling’s ties to the victim off the radar, but does wonder if a temporary leave may help from muddying the waters too much. When a third victim is discovered, Callanach and Turner know that they must act fast, not only finding the killer, but also honing in on potential targets before their psychological worries cause a loss of life. Might there be someone lurking in the shadows who acts as a conduit for those who seek death already, or perhaps someone with a sinister game-plan, seeking only pawns in their sadistic adventure. Another stellar addition to the series that will have readers rushing to learn more. Recommended for those who have come to enjoy the nuances of the series, as well as those who love multi-layered police procedurals.
I remember randomly stumbling upon Helen Fields and this series, seeing much of the hype it was getting. As soon as I allowed myself a chance to delve in, I was hooked. From its interesting cases through to its characters who offer multi-faceted approaches to make the narrative even better, there is something for everyone . DI Luc Callanach again takes centre stage in this piece, working through some of the revelations of his personal life, while also trying to advance his career in Police Scotland. Series fans will know he is the ‘pretty boy’ of MIT, but his dedication and determination are second to none. His ongoing interaction with his friend (and now superior) DCI Ava Turner gives the reader something to enjoy as a secondary storyline in this novel, serving as character development for both. Ava Turner proves to be an interesting character in her own right, offering the story new and interesting flavours as she seeks to come to terms with a handful of conflicting emotions as they relate to Callanach. Turner is also trying to keep her team together, even as the commanding officer looks for any holes to tear her apart. With interesting characters who serve in many capacities, Fields keeps the reader’s attention throughout, helping to enrich the story’s growth. The story was a wonderful spin on the usual police procedural, with a killer whose intention is to offer a ‘shove’ for someone already on the precarious edge of life. Adding some development in the Callanach saga can only have interesting fallout for the protagonist, in this and future novels. One can hope that there are more books in this series, whose momentum never stops.
Kudos, Madam Fields, for another wonderful novel. I cannot wait to see where you will take DI Luc Callanach in the near future.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 15, 2022
The best part of the series so far! really loved this book!
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022...
January 6, 2019
This is the 5th book in the DI Callanach series by author Helen Fields. I am really enjoying this series featuring lead character Luc Callanach who left a promising career at Interpol under a cloud to prove himself with a new team in Edinburgh. These books can be read as stand-alone novels but treat yourself and read them from the start in order to get the full picture.
In this novel Stephen Berry is about to jump off a bridge but is prevented from his suicide by the intervention of a counsellor. A week later, Stephen is found dead at the bottom of a cliff and DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are brought in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed. As investigations proceed they discover additional would be suicides, a woman found dead in a bath, a man violently electrocuted. These deaths are not what they may at first seem and a more sinister plot is in place.
Another excellent plot and lots of back stories to entertain and absorb. Excellent series.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Avon UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel Stephen Berry is about to jump off a bridge but is prevented from his suicide by the intervention of a counsellor. A week later, Stephen is found dead at the bottom of a cliff and DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are brought in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed. As investigations proceed they discover additional would be suicides, a woman found dead in a bath, a man violently electrocuted. These deaths are not what they may at first seem and a more sinister plot is in place.
Another excellent plot and lots of back stories to entertain and absorb. Excellent series.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Avon UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2020
I just love this series. The stories are dark and engrossing. The characters are wonderful. I’d read the first four books and had been wanting to finish the series for a long time. With some time to spare, here we are.
In this book troubled people who have contemplated or tried suicide are ending up dead. At first it does look self inflicted but with each successive death it becomes clearer that a murderer is afoot. But this is no ‘dark angel’ scenario, the killings are getting quite brutal. At the same time DI Luc Callanach has identified the two men who raped his mother many years ago. He has emailed her the information in France but she doesn’t reply straight away. He visits one of the men who is in a care home with dementia but realises the man is not lucid and leaves in disgust. It then transpires that the man is found dead, asphyxiated with a cushion. Luc knows he didn’t do it but he cannot investigate this one. When the second man dies, things get very uncomfortable for Luc.
Luc and Ava...ah Luc and Ava, will they ever get together? There is some movement on that front but I can’t say more as it is such an integral part of the story. By this time you have some idea of who the killer could be but events start to happen at a blistering pace and a young policewoman and Luc’s journalist friend find themselves at the mercy of of a killer whose mind is off on another planet. The ending is suspenseful and quite poignant. Although it doesn’t finish on a cliffhanger, it sort of does and I now deeply into the next book.
In this book troubled people who have contemplated or tried suicide are ending up dead. At first it does look self inflicted but with each successive death it becomes clearer that a murderer is afoot. But this is no ‘dark angel’ scenario, the killings are getting quite brutal. At the same time DI Luc Callanach has identified the two men who raped his mother many years ago. He has emailed her the information in France but she doesn’t reply straight away. He visits one of the men who is in a care home with dementia but realises the man is not lucid and leaves in disgust. It then transpires that the man is found dead, asphyxiated with a cushion. Luc knows he didn’t do it but he cannot investigate this one. When the second man dies, things get very uncomfortable for Luc.
Luc and Ava...ah Luc and Ava, will they ever get together? There is some movement on that front but I can’t say more as it is such an integral part of the story. By this time you have some idea of who the killer could be but events start to happen at a blistering pace and a young policewoman and Luc’s journalist friend find themselves at the mercy of of a killer whose mind is off on another planet. The ending is suspenseful and quite poignant. Although it doesn’t finish on a cliffhanger, it sort of does and I now deeply into the next book.
April 20, 2019
Let me just start my review by saying that if you’re not reading this series, I am judging you like a big, bad judging thing! This is one of the best crime fiction series out there and you are sorely missing out!
Perfect Crime is the fifth instalment in the DI Luc Callanach series and by now, these characters feel like family and I am always excited about spending more time with them. Before you ask, no, you really shouldn’t treat these as stand-alones. Start from the beginning. I promise you won’t regret it!
Things kick off when Stephen Berry is getting ready to jump off a bridge. Luckily, a suicide prevention counsellor manages to talk him down but a week later, Stephen is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are called in to investigate whether Stephen killed himself or was murdered. But the deaths do not stop there …
Meanwhile, Callanach is finding himself in hot water when he visits someone in a care home who is later found dead. I won’t say anything else about that so I don’t spoil things for those who haven’t read the previous books (shame on you! 😂) but I will say I really enjoyed this second thread of the story. Switching back and forth between the two investigations really held my attention.
I mentioned these characters feel like family by now so when they hurt, I hurt. And there is a lot of “hurt” going on in this one. Relationships shift, some characters managed to surprise me, others infuriated me and through it all are original, frightening and gruesome deaths as I’ve come to expect from this series.
I very early on figured out what was going on but that didn’t ruin things for me at all. I became so absorbed in the investigation that I almost forgot about my suspect. Helen Fields always delivers gripping, compelling, thrilling and tense stories full of intriguing (and sometimes totally crazy) characters. This is one of those series that just keeps getting better and better and I can’t wait to see what Helen Fields comes up with next but I know it will be awesome once again. Highly recommended!
Perfect Crime is the fifth instalment in the DI Luc Callanach series and by now, these characters feel like family and I am always excited about spending more time with them. Before you ask, no, you really shouldn’t treat these as stand-alones. Start from the beginning. I promise you won’t regret it!
Things kick off when Stephen Berry is getting ready to jump off a bridge. Luckily, a suicide prevention counsellor manages to talk him down but a week later, Stephen is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are called in to investigate whether Stephen killed himself or was murdered. But the deaths do not stop there …
Meanwhile, Callanach is finding himself in hot water when he visits someone in a care home who is later found dead. I won’t say anything else about that so I don’t spoil things for those who haven’t read the previous books (shame on you! 😂) but I will say I really enjoyed this second thread of the story. Switching back and forth between the two investigations really held my attention.
I mentioned these characters feel like family by now so when they hurt, I hurt. And there is a lot of “hurt” going on in this one. Relationships shift, some characters managed to surprise me, others infuriated me and through it all are original, frightening and gruesome deaths as I’ve come to expect from this series.
I very early on figured out what was going on but that didn’t ruin things for me at all. I became so absorbed in the investigation that I almost forgot about my suspect. Helen Fields always delivers gripping, compelling, thrilling and tense stories full of intriguing (and sometimes totally crazy) characters. This is one of those series that just keeps getting better and better and I can’t wait to see what Helen Fields comes up with next but I know it will be awesome once again. Highly recommended!
February 2, 2022
Jaaaahhhhhh, meer, meer meer!!!! Wat een ge-wel-dig boek was dit weer. Vanaf het eerste "perfecte" deel ben ik fan van Helen Fields, en ze blijft sindsdien mijn verwachtigen overtreffen. Zo dankbaar dat ik dit boek vooruit mocht lezen van Ambo Antbos. Ik kan alleen maar zeggen: lees deze boeken als je houdt van geweldige, geweldadige, psycholische thrillers. De dynamiek tussen Luc en Ava zorgt elk boek weer voor een geweldige rode lijn, waardoor je de boeken écht op volgorde moet lezen. En in dit deel krijg je weer alles waar je hoopte en meer. Dit zijn voor mij echt dé perfecte boeken. Een thriller waarbij je op het puntje van je stoel zit tijdens het lezen! Precies zoals het hoort. Ik verlang nu alweer naar het volgende deel... Keep them coming!
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September 22, 2020
Ooh this was a good one, actually it was brilliant. I didn’t guess who it was how was murdering people until near the end. These books just keep getting better and better. The great thing is that they continue on from the previous one so, it’s best if you read them in order. One more left in this “perfect” series.😂
April 6, 2025
I am so obsessed with that series! it's just keeps on getting better and better.
Callanach and Turner are superb characters. Admittedly, I just want to bash their heads together and make them see sense but that would be violent and we don't condone violence. But oh I do hope that there is more ahead of them because I do think they do work together so well.
Helen Fields wrote a brilliant story in Perfect Crime and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Callanach and Turner are superb characters. Admittedly, I just want to bash their heads together and make them see sense but that would be violent and we don't condone violence. But oh I do hope that there is more ahead of them because I do think they do work together so well.
Helen Fields wrote a brilliant story in Perfect Crime and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
April 3, 2022
PERFECT CRIME is the fifth book in the DI Luc Callanach series. To me, it was a perfect 4.0 star story. There was enough happening overall to keep me reading, although not steadily because sometimes the plot dragged a bit. But then it would pick up and again hold my interest.
This one ties up some loose ends left hanging from the first two books in the series. Although these loose ends are primarily concerned with Luc’s backstory, it is DCI Ava Turner who leads much of the investigation — to the extent that it is becoming the DCI Ava Turner series. I don’t care much for this shift in direction as I have grown progressively disillusioned with Ava as the series continues. Initially, in the first book, she was more likeable than Luc, but starting with the second book, she turned surly, and with the third book and her promotion to DCI, she became rude and inconsiderate.
My main criticism of this novel, however, has to do with the dialogue. Although set in Scotland, no one sounds Scottish when they speak. I suppose this was true of the earlier books in the series as well, but I became aware of it while reading this instalment because I was simultaneously reading a book by a real Scottish author and the difference in dialogue was striking. The author of the Luc Callanach series, Helen Fields, is not Scottish and, to the best of my knowledge, has made, at most, a few visits to the region. This shows in her lack of knowledge about the area and the way her characters speak. Most authors set their stories in the locale where they grew up and/or have lived for many years. There is a reason for this — when the characters speak, they sound natural. For some reason, Fields did not set her stories in the part of the U.K. that she knew best. It is like an American author who decides to place all their stories in Australia, or a U.K. author who prefers to use Los Angeles as the setting for a series. It generally isn’t done because it comes across as unnatural.
This one ties up some loose ends left hanging from the first two books in the series. Although these loose ends are primarily concerned with Luc’s backstory, it is DCI Ava Turner who leads much of the investigation — to the extent that it is becoming the DCI Ava Turner series. I don’t care much for this shift in direction as I have grown progressively disillusioned with Ava as the series continues. Initially, in the first book, she was more likeable than Luc, but starting with the second book, she turned surly, and with the third book and her promotion to DCI, she became rude and inconsiderate.
My main criticism of this novel, however, has to do with the dialogue. Although set in Scotland, no one sounds Scottish when they speak. I suppose this was true of the earlier books in the series as well, but I became aware of it while reading this instalment because I was simultaneously reading a book by a real Scottish author and the difference in dialogue was striking. The author of the Luc Callanach series, Helen Fields, is not Scottish and, to the best of my knowledge, has made, at most, a few visits to the region. This shows in her lack of knowledge about the area and the way her characters speak. Most authors set their stories in the locale where they grew up and/or have lived for many years. There is a reason for this — when the characters speak, they sound natural. For some reason, Fields did not set her stories in the part of the U.K. that she knew best. It is like an American author who decides to place all their stories in Australia, or a U.K. author who prefers to use Los Angeles as the setting for a series. It generally isn’t done because it comes across as unnatural.
February 20, 2021
I don’t know what was worse about this book - the incompetent policing or the over-dramatic romance. Both..both were the worst. I’ll start with the detective work or rather the complete lack thereof. Ava Turner shouldn’t be allowed to be a mall cop much less head up the major crimes division. There were so many idiotic plot devices that it was almost cringeworthy. No guard on Janet Monroe after using her as bait? Believing some 20-year-old YouTube star wannabe was a sophisticated, organized criminal? Taking more than five seconds to figure out it was Astrid? 🤦🏼♀️
And then there’s the romance novel set within this crime novel. All I can say about that is that Ava is just as lame in her personal life as she is at work despite the fact that gorgeous, to die for men keep throwing themselves at her (if only she shaved her legs more often maybe she could find love). 🙄
The only positive part of the book was the killer. Despite being painfully obvious who he was he still was quite interesting and well written. Too bad the objects of his lethal intentions couldn’t have been really, super good-looking police detectives.
And then there’s the romance novel set within this crime novel. All I can say about that is that Ava is just as lame in her personal life as she is at work despite the fact that gorgeous, to die for men keep throwing themselves at her (if only she shaved her legs more often maybe she could find love). 🙄
The only positive part of the book was the killer. Despite being painfully obvious who he was he still was quite interesting and well written. Too bad the objects of his lethal intentions couldn’t have been really, super good-looking police detectives.
March 16, 2022
Stephen Berry staat op het punt van een brug af te springen. Hij ziet het leven niet meer zitten, maar op het laatste moment weet een psycholoog hem ervan te weerhouden. Een week later wordt Stephen echter dood aangetroffen onderaan een klif...
Inspecteur Luc Callanach en hoofdinspecteur Ava Turner worden op de zaak gezet en onderzoeken of Stephen zelf is gesprongen, of dat hij over de rand is geduwd... Als ze dieper graven, ontdekken ze al gauw meer zaken waar een luchtje aan zit.
Er is een vrouw die dood in bad is aangetroffen en een man die door elektrocutie om het leven is gekomen. Het lijkt alsof iemand deze sterfgevallen zorgvuldig heeft uitgedacht. Wie zit er achter deze moorden? Callanach en Turner hebben geen idee hoe dicht ze zich bevinden bij de moordenaar. Lukt het ze deze persoon op tijd te stoppen voordat er nog meer slachtoffers vallen?
'Perfecte misdaad' is inmiddels al het vijfde deel in de D.I. Callanach-serie, geschreven door Helen Fields. De cover nodigt meteen uit om te gaan lezen. Het verhaal begint pakkend: de zelfmoordpoging van Stephen. Al gauw weet iemand uit het publiek hem van gedachte te laten veranderen, maar toch wordt hij een week later dood gevonden. Heeft Stephen alsnog zelfmoord gepleegd of is het moord?
Door deze gebeurtenis wordt de spanning meteen goed opgebouwd. Je voelt dat er iets niet klopt aan de dood van Stephen en als niet veel later ook nog een dode vrouw in bad wordt gevonden rinkelen alle alarmbellen. Wie is deze seriemoordenaar en wat zijn de motieven?
Ava en Luc spelen weer een hele grote rol in dit verhaal en samen zoeken ze uit wat er aan de hand is, maar dat valt niet mee.
Het verhaal steekt wederom weer prima in elkaar. De schrijfstijl is vlot, de spanning is goed aanwezig en het plot is verrassend. Dit vijfde deel was er dus weer eentje om van te genieten. In juli komt zelfs het zesde deel (Perfecte moord) uit. Ik kijk er in elk geval al enorm naar uit!
Beoordeling: 4,5 ⭐️
Inspecteur Luc Callanach en hoofdinspecteur Ava Turner worden op de zaak gezet en onderzoeken of Stephen zelf is gesprongen, of dat hij over de rand is geduwd... Als ze dieper graven, ontdekken ze al gauw meer zaken waar een luchtje aan zit.
Er is een vrouw die dood in bad is aangetroffen en een man die door elektrocutie om het leven is gekomen. Het lijkt alsof iemand deze sterfgevallen zorgvuldig heeft uitgedacht. Wie zit er achter deze moorden? Callanach en Turner hebben geen idee hoe dicht ze zich bevinden bij de moordenaar. Lukt het ze deze persoon op tijd te stoppen voordat er nog meer slachtoffers vallen?
'Perfecte misdaad' is inmiddels al het vijfde deel in de D.I. Callanach-serie, geschreven door Helen Fields. De cover nodigt meteen uit om te gaan lezen. Het verhaal begint pakkend: de zelfmoordpoging van Stephen. Al gauw weet iemand uit het publiek hem van gedachte te laten veranderen, maar toch wordt hij een week later dood gevonden. Heeft Stephen alsnog zelfmoord gepleegd of is het moord?
Door deze gebeurtenis wordt de spanning meteen goed opgebouwd. Je voelt dat er iets niet klopt aan de dood van Stephen en als niet veel later ook nog een dode vrouw in bad wordt gevonden rinkelen alle alarmbellen. Wie is deze seriemoordenaar en wat zijn de motieven?
Ava en Luc spelen weer een hele grote rol in dit verhaal en samen zoeken ze uit wat er aan de hand is, maar dat valt niet mee.
Het verhaal steekt wederom weer prima in elkaar. De schrijfstijl is vlot, de spanning is goed aanwezig en het plot is verrassend. Dit vijfde deel was er dus weer eentje om van te genieten. In juli komt zelfs het zesde deel (Perfecte moord) uit. Ik kijk er in elk geval al enorm naar uit!
Beoordeling: 4,5 ⭐️
May 5, 2019
3.5* rounded to 4*.
Dear Reader,
I love this series,the warm and comforting camaraderie between the MIT members,the professional relationship between Luc and Ava,the ‘will they-won’t they?’ aspect that loiters,like an elephant in the room between them and their endearing respect for each other.
I treated myself to this book as I was eagerly anticipating the new caseloads,the red herrings and curious about what would happen between Luc and Ava.
While I enjoyed it and felt deeply for Luc and his recent discovery of his history,I’m left feeling a little disappointed with the storyline,as a whole.
I can’t quite put my finger on it but I feel that the resolution of Luc’s story was a little rushed and wished that his and Ava’s relationship hadn’t hit a bump in the road,quite so soon.
I guess I wanted her to realise that this was an opportunity to grasp happiness with a partner that matched her keen intellect,one that whispered of personal fulfilment,respect and promise.
I do think she overreacted and given time,she should have grasped the opportunity to talk things through with Luc,like a mature,intelligent woman would have done.
Having said that,I’m already looking forward to reading book six and seeing what befalls each MIT member!
Dear Reader,
I love this series,the warm and comforting camaraderie between the MIT members,the professional relationship between Luc and Ava,the ‘will they-won’t they?’ aspect that loiters,like an elephant in the room between them and their endearing respect for each other.
I treated myself to this book as I was eagerly anticipating the new caseloads,the red herrings and curious about what would happen between Luc and Ava.
While I enjoyed it and felt deeply for Luc and his recent discovery of his history,I’m left feeling a little disappointed with the storyline,as a whole.
I can’t quite put my finger on it but I feel that the resolution of Luc’s story was a little rushed and wished that his and Ava’s relationship hadn’t hit a bump in the road,quite so soon.
I guess I wanted her to realise that this was an opportunity to grasp happiness with a partner that matched her keen intellect,one that whispered of personal fulfilment,respect and promise.
I do think she overreacted and given time,she should have grasped the opportunity to talk things through with Luc,like a mature,intelligent woman would have done.
Having said that,I’m already looking forward to reading book six and seeing what befalls each MIT member!
October 13, 2019
4-5 ⭐️
I think one of the reasons that I’ve continued to read this series is the strength of the characters who I’ve liked since book one. Luc Callenach- je t’aime! In my head he looks like Gregory Fitoussi (Spin, Spiral two outstanding French TV series and recently Riviera.) so that’s a very pleasant picture. DCI Ava Turner is a terrific character too, as are all the others in the MIT team in glorious Edinburgh.
The book has an excellent start and it continues to be a rollercoaster ride with the occasional tensing of knuckles. I think this is the best book in the series so far as the team try and work out if apparent suicides are as they initially appear or if the victims have been murdered and why two men connected to Callenach are dead. In between the white knuckling there is some good banter and some tender moments too, some humour to alleviate the tension and two seriously messed up perpetrators. Although some parts of the climax of the book are perhaps a tad far fetched I honestly didn’t care because they are so darned original.
Overall, a good twisty read with the added bonus of excellent characterisation.
I think one of the reasons that I’ve continued to read this series is the strength of the characters who I’ve liked since book one. Luc Callenach- je t’aime! In my head he looks like Gregory Fitoussi (Spin, Spiral two outstanding French TV series and recently Riviera.) so that’s a very pleasant picture. DCI Ava Turner is a terrific character too, as are all the others in the MIT team in glorious Edinburgh.
The book has an excellent start and it continues to be a rollercoaster ride with the occasional tensing of knuckles. I think this is the best book in the series so far as the team try and work out if apparent suicides are as they initially appear or if the victims have been murdered and why two men connected to Callenach are dead. In between the white knuckling there is some good banter and some tender moments too, some humour to alleviate the tension and two seriously messed up perpetrators. Although some parts of the climax of the book are perhaps a tad far fetched I honestly didn’t care because they are so darned original.
Overall, a good twisty read with the added bonus of excellent characterisation.
May 31, 2019
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
I only started the DI Callanach series with the previous book, book four, Perfect Silence and I really enjoyed it. Even though I started the series late I was easily able to pick it up (as a standalone/starting point I felt it worked well, likewise, Perfect Crime works well as a starting/point/standalone too as you can enjoy the unfolding investigations on their own merits and even without prior knowledge of them the characters help to draw you in). It was a compelling read that included a gruesome story and in DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner, it featured a duo of stellar main characters who were ably supported by the rest of the MIT. It was a slice of deliciously decadent darkness and I was only too happy to go back for a second helping with the newly released book five, Perfect Crime which is, again, another slice of decadent darkness by Fields.
Stephen Berry is found dead, it looks like suicide, he has a history of mental illness and a week before he jumped to his death from off the tower at Tantallon Castle he had tried to kill himself by climbing a bridge with the intention of jumping before a counsellor intervened and talked him down. But, something is off about the apparent suicide, it doesn’t feel right, Stephen seemed to be improving after his failed attempt and then, a week later he is dead and the MIT (Major Investigation Team) are unsure whether it is suicide, murder or misadventure. Then, there is a second death, an older woman is found in her bath and it also looks like suicide. At first, the two deaths are thought to be completely unrelated, just two sad tragedies of people who didn’t want to live anymore and then there is another death. This time, a man has been electrocuted and again, on the surface, it looks like another apparent suicide…but it isn’t and there is something far more sinister at play.
There is a ruthless killer haunting, plaguing the streets of Edinburgh, a calculating killer who preys on the vulnerable, a killer who is killing people, murdering them in carefully orchestrated ways to make it look like each of the victims committed suicide.
Along with the investigation into the killings, there is also a secondary investigation running concurrently meaning MIT is split between the two. This second investigation involves DI Callanach who, after delving into his family past, visiting a nursing home to see an old acquaintance of his family unwittingly finds himself part of the investigation as, like a ghost, the past can haunt you.
The characters created by Fields and those who populate her story are detailed, they have depth. The supporting members of MIT as well (Detective Superintendent Overbeck whenever she appears is hilarious and along with DS Lively who is more muted this time around but still has a few cheeky lines spread throughout are both personal favourites of mine) as Callanach and Turner. Both of whom are damaged, tattered, torn and frayed at the edges from life and the events they have had to live through. Simply, they are characters to care about. There’s a closeness to the relationship that has developed between Callanach and Turner, transcending that of people who work together, they are friends, they share a bond and you want to see them get together, to admit what the reader already knows and to take that step from friends to something more. Yes, even me with my blackened and corroded darkened heart wants to see it happen. They tiptoe around their feelings, they dance to avoid looking deeper and it definitely isn’t plain sailing for the pair in Perfect Crime and they have some stormy waters to face.
The story told in Perfect Crime leads down some disturbing roads and includes some sensitive subject matter. The killer (I will say that I did guess who the killer was very early on and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book at all) preys on those who are vulnerable, those who, in the past, have wanted to give their life away, who have found themselves drowning in the depths of despair, struggling to keep afloat on the turbulent tides of life and ultimately, those who pulled through, who endured, who survived…who had survived until their life was taken not by their own demons but by a pitiless killer. It is a delicate topic to broach, including mental health and particularly suicide in a story in the name of entertainment and I give Fields credit for tackling such a delicate and, sadly still taboo subject. The topic is used to help create what is an unsettling read but it isn’t over sensationalised by her and she handles it in a dignified and respectful manner.
Fields writing flows well, it is addictive, easy to read and compelling in equal measure. She includes a dark humour that suffuses the pages and she doesn’t shy away from describing the gruesome acts of killing either with some very descriptive scenes included. She manages to find the sweet spot, to strike the balance between maintaining and developing the relationships between the characters and the investigations that take place meaning that both old and new readers alike will find Perfect Crime easily accessible with lots to enjoy. Add in a building tension throughout that aids in the addictive qualities of the story as both the investigations build towards their respective climaxes and as the book itself moves towards its conclusion and you have a gripping and unputdownable read on your hands.
I only started the DI Callanach series with the previous book, book four, Perfect Silence and I really enjoyed it. Even though I started the series late I was easily able to pick it up (as a standalone/starting point I felt it worked well, likewise, Perfect Crime works well as a starting/point/standalone too as you can enjoy the unfolding investigations on their own merits and even without prior knowledge of them the characters help to draw you in). It was a compelling read that included a gruesome story and in DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner, it featured a duo of stellar main characters who were ably supported by the rest of the MIT. It was a slice of deliciously decadent darkness and I was only too happy to go back for a second helping with the newly released book five, Perfect Crime which is, again, another slice of decadent darkness by Fields.
Stephen Berry is found dead, it looks like suicide, he has a history of mental illness and a week before he jumped to his death from off the tower at Tantallon Castle he had tried to kill himself by climbing a bridge with the intention of jumping before a counsellor intervened and talked him down. But, something is off about the apparent suicide, it doesn’t feel right, Stephen seemed to be improving after his failed attempt and then, a week later he is dead and the MIT (Major Investigation Team) are unsure whether it is suicide, murder or misadventure. Then, there is a second death, an older woman is found in her bath and it also looks like suicide. At first, the two deaths are thought to be completely unrelated, just two sad tragedies of people who didn’t want to live anymore and then there is another death. This time, a man has been electrocuted and again, on the surface, it looks like another apparent suicide…but it isn’t and there is something far more sinister at play.
There is a ruthless killer haunting, plaguing the streets of Edinburgh, a calculating killer who preys on the vulnerable, a killer who is killing people, murdering them in carefully orchestrated ways to make it look like each of the victims committed suicide.
Along with the investigation into the killings, there is also a secondary investigation running concurrently meaning MIT is split between the two. This second investigation involves DI Callanach who, after delving into his family past, visiting a nursing home to see an old acquaintance of his family unwittingly finds himself part of the investigation as, like a ghost, the past can haunt you.
The characters created by Fields and those who populate her story are detailed, they have depth. The supporting members of MIT as well (Detective Superintendent Overbeck whenever she appears is hilarious and along with DS Lively who is more muted this time around but still has a few cheeky lines spread throughout are both personal favourites of mine) as Callanach and Turner. Both of whom are damaged, tattered, torn and frayed at the edges from life and the events they have had to live through. Simply, they are characters to care about. There’s a closeness to the relationship that has developed between Callanach and Turner, transcending that of people who work together, they are friends, they share a bond and you want to see them get together, to admit what the reader already knows and to take that step from friends to something more. Yes, even me with my blackened and corroded darkened heart wants to see it happen. They tiptoe around their feelings, they dance to avoid looking deeper and it definitely isn’t plain sailing for the pair in Perfect Crime and they have some stormy waters to face.
The story told in Perfect Crime leads down some disturbing roads and includes some sensitive subject matter. The killer (I will say that I did guess who the killer was very early on and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book at all) preys on those who are vulnerable, those who, in the past, have wanted to give their life away, who have found themselves drowning in the depths of despair, struggling to keep afloat on the turbulent tides of life and ultimately, those who pulled through, who endured, who survived…who had survived until their life was taken not by their own demons but by a pitiless killer. It is a delicate topic to broach, including mental health and particularly suicide in a story in the name of entertainment and I give Fields credit for tackling such a delicate and, sadly still taboo subject. The topic is used to help create what is an unsettling read but it isn’t over sensationalised by her and she handles it in a dignified and respectful manner.
Fields writing flows well, it is addictive, easy to read and compelling in equal measure. She includes a dark humour that suffuses the pages and she doesn’t shy away from describing the gruesome acts of killing either with some very descriptive scenes included. She manages to find the sweet spot, to strike the balance between maintaining and developing the relationships between the characters and the investigations that take place meaning that both old and new readers alike will find Perfect Crime easily accessible with lots to enjoy. Add in a building tension throughout that aids in the addictive qualities of the story as both the investigations build towards their respective climaxes and as the book itself moves towards its conclusion and you have a gripping and unputdownable read on your hands.
September 19, 2019
3.5 Stars
January 4, 2019
4 and 1 / 2 stars
DI Luc Callanach is back in his latest adventure in seeking a killer. His boss DCI Ava Turner is there to assist him in his investigation.
Stephen Berry is about to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge, but a kindly suicide prevention officer talks him down. Now a mere week late, Stephen is dead by falling from a cliff top. Suicide or was he pushed? Luc and Ava are assigned to look into the case. What they discover is far worse than just one person’s death – or murder as it was later discovered.
Luc and Ava begin their investigation and soon it grows very serious indeed as more suspicious “suicides” turn up. Some methods of death are so outrageous as to hardly be believed. As they follow leads and clues, they zero in on a suspect. Newspaper journalist Lance Proudfoot joins the team doing surveillance and notices some very interesting things about a potential the suspect.
In an exciting and action-filled denouement, the case is drawn to a conclusion. A near tragedy is averted.
And a real bombshell is dropped at the close of the book…
Ms. Fields’ books just keep getting better and better. This is perhaps the best one yet. I do recommend that they be read in order of the publication to get the full backstories of the individual characters. There were some surprises in this book, the biggest one being the identity of the killer. Caught me out on that one! The book is well written and plotted and although it started out a little slowly, it picked up nicely as the police investigation got going. I like Luc and Ava but they really need to work on some issues if they are going to continue to work together. The team, for the most part gets along well and I appreciate that. I don’t like stories in which the police officers are backbiting and lying to one another. Well done, Ms. Fields and please write another in this series soon!
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
DI Luc Callanach is back in his latest adventure in seeking a killer. His boss DCI Ava Turner is there to assist him in his investigation.
Stephen Berry is about to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge, but a kindly suicide prevention officer talks him down. Now a mere week late, Stephen is dead by falling from a cliff top. Suicide or was he pushed? Luc and Ava are assigned to look into the case. What they discover is far worse than just one person’s death – or murder as it was later discovered.
Luc and Ava begin their investigation and soon it grows very serious indeed as more suspicious “suicides” turn up. Some methods of death are so outrageous as to hardly be believed. As they follow leads and clues, they zero in on a suspect. Newspaper journalist Lance Proudfoot joins the team doing surveillance and notices some very interesting things about a potential the suspect.
In an exciting and action-filled denouement, the case is drawn to a conclusion. A near tragedy is averted.
And a real bombshell is dropped at the close of the book…
Ms. Fields’ books just keep getting better and better. This is perhaps the best one yet. I do recommend that they be read in order of the publication to get the full backstories of the individual characters. There were some surprises in this book, the biggest one being the identity of the killer. Caught me out on that one! The book is well written and plotted and although it started out a little slowly, it picked up nicely as the police investigation got going. I like Luc and Ava but they really need to work on some issues if they are going to continue to work together. The team, for the most part gets along well and I appreciate that. I don’t like stories in which the police officers are backbiting and lying to one another. Well done, Ms. Fields and please write another in this series soon!
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
January 15, 2026
~2.5~
I am being generous with the 2.5 stars due to the context of the series as a whole. Otherwise, this particular installment would have sunk like the Titanic. The who-done-it was really obvious and the murder scenes sensationally macabre.
This story focused more on Luc and Ava as a couple than on the cases, and it suffered for it.
First of all, if I wanted a sex scene in the middle of my mystery novel, I'd read romantic suspense. This series is not billed as such, so why the hell did I have to skim through ten plus pages of his finger in her "wetness"? Pass the brain bleach, please. I don't read MF romance for a reason and feel violated.
Add to that the complete lack of trigger warnings: It was so fucking tragic, I could barely cope.
Plus, Ava behaved like a completely different person. Like, who is this woman treating Luc like shit, pointing fingers, taking life-threatening risks, doing a complete about face, behaving like an unhinged lunatic? I hated Ava here, legit, LOATHED her. How do you come back from that?
P.S. How many times did we need to read about Ava's hairy legs?? FFS, shave or embrace it, but stop your bitching.
I am being generous with the 2.5 stars due to the context of the series as a whole. Otherwise, this particular installment would have sunk like the Titanic. The who-done-it was really obvious and the murder scenes sensationally macabre.
This story focused more on Luc and Ava as a couple than on the cases, and it suffered for it.
First of all, if I wanted a sex scene in the middle of my mystery novel, I'd read romantic suspense. This series is not billed as such, so why the hell did I have to skim through ten plus pages of his finger in her "wetness"? Pass the brain bleach, please. I don't read MF romance for a reason and feel violated.
Add to that the complete lack of trigger warnings: It was so fucking tragic, I could barely cope.
Plus, Ava behaved like a completely different person. Like, who is this woman treating Luc like shit, pointing fingers, taking life-threatening risks, doing a complete about face, behaving like an unhinged lunatic? I hated Ava here, legit, LOATHED her. How do you come back from that?
P.S. How many times did we need to read about Ava's hairy legs?? FFS, shave or embrace it, but stop your bitching.
April 25, 2025
*Gruesome*
This was a bumpy ride with so much packed in. It was hard to put down, both nail-biting and engaging at the same time.
In this instalment, a possible suicide victim is rescued and talked out of jumping. However, he turns up dead. This death appears to be an open and shut case, but something about it raises DCI Ava Turner’s hackles.
With Di Luc Callanach in tow, they investigate. But more sinister cases turn up, each one more terrifying than the last.
Partway through, Di Callanach has to be taken off a case due to a personal matter he’s dealing with. The reason for this is his past meeting with his present. I won’t spoil it, but this ends up deadly.
The cases are piling up, and when they think they have the suspect in custody, they realise it’s a misdirection. This causes a race to stop the killer. But the shock is this: the deranged suspect is hiding in plain sight, helping victims under the cover of his deception. This perpetrator believes that with every life he takes, he is growing in strength as their life enters him. He calls himself the crow.
Not for the faint of heart.
‼️Triggers‼️
*Suicide*
*Stalking*
*Gruesome killings*
This was a bumpy ride with so much packed in. It was hard to put down, both nail-biting and engaging at the same time.
In this instalment, a possible suicide victim is rescued and talked out of jumping. However, he turns up dead. This death appears to be an open and shut case, but something about it raises DCI Ava Turner’s hackles.
With Di Luc Callanach in tow, they investigate. But more sinister cases turn up, each one more terrifying than the last.
Partway through, Di Callanach has to be taken off a case due to a personal matter he’s dealing with. The reason for this is his past meeting with his present. I won’t spoil it, but this ends up deadly.
The cases are piling up, and when they think they have the suspect in custody, they realise it’s a misdirection. This causes a race to stop the killer. But the shock is this: the deranged suspect is hiding in plain sight, helping victims under the cover of his deception. This perpetrator believes that with every life he takes, he is growing in strength as their life enters him. He calls himself the crow.
Not for the faint of heart.
‼️Triggers‼️
*Suicide*
*Stalking*
*Gruesome killings*
August 12, 2024
Labai įdomiai susiskaitė ir nebuvo nuobodu. 👌
Patiko 🥰
Patiko 🥰
April 19, 2019
I finished this book a few days ago. I normally write reviews the same day but I needed to think on this one. I was not a fan. When I first read the synopsis I was intrigues but after reading a few pages I knew that this book was going to take suicide and turn it into an entertainment aspect and not the mental health crisis that it is. It is very graphic and violent. Aside from that, it is highly predictable. I knew who the killer was at the beginning of the book. This is my first book in the series so I did miss out on the previous relationship issues of the main characters but I did't care for that either. It was if it was only in the book to add some tension that wasn't even needed for the progression of the storyline. The book did not feel plausible in the least. When reading a book you should be immersed in it and was too distracted by the writing style and questioning the logic and plausibility of the book.
I am not sure who I would recommend this too. Maybe to the people that read the prior books and feel invested in the relationship of the main characters.
I am not sure who I would recommend this too. Maybe to the people that read the prior books and feel invested in the relationship of the main characters.
November 28, 2019
When a link between suspected suicide victims reveal potential murder, DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner become embroiled in a dangerous cat and mouse chase with a seriously deranged unknown suspect. Confidential issues force the two detectives in opposite directions, threatening their personal and professional relationship, compromising their cases and quite possibly allowing a psychopath to kill again. This series is for fans of MJ Arlidge and Robert Bryndza.
August 9, 2025
Detektyvinė linija man tikrai labai patiko, bet tų asmeninių dramų tarp Luko ir Avos tikrai galėtų būti ir mažiau. Viena už jas viena žvaigždute mažiau, nes manęs neįtikino tam tikri Luko poelgiai, Avos aklumas ir naivumas bei jų negebėjimas normaliai pasikalbėt.
March 12, 2022
Ik hou hier zo vannn 🤩 Mijn recensie op Samenlezenisleuker:
https://samenlezenisleuker.wordpress....
https://samenlezenisleuker.wordpress....
July 23, 2022
Helen Fields - perfecte misdaad
💔💔💔💔💔
Wat een boek weer!
Ik ben al fan vanaf deel 1 & het wordt precies alleen maar beter!
Meer van dit! Ik kan niet wachten… ❤️
💔💔💔💔💔
Wat een boek weer!
Ik ben al fan vanaf deel 1 & het wordt precies alleen maar beter!
Meer van dit! Ik kan niet wachten… ❤️
March 24, 2025
Setting: Edinburgh, Scotland; modern day.
This the the fifth book in the Edinburgh-set crime series featuring DI Luc Callanach and his former colleague, now boss, DCI Ava Turner.
As the story opens, Stephen Berry is about to jump off the Forth Road Bridge until he is talked down by a suicide prevention counsellor working for a local voluntary service. Yet, a week later, Stephen is dead following an apparent suicide from the walls of Tantallon Castle. Suspecting that all is not as it seems, Luc and Ava investigate but there is no clear evidence against it being a suicide. But, as other potential suicide victims are found dead in mysterious circumstances - apparently suicide but with all the signs of having been 'staged' - the police find themselves liaising with the suicide prevention charity organisers to try to establish common links between the victims.
Meanwhile, Luc's past yet again comes back to haunt him as one of the suspected rapists of his mother from many years before dies in his retirement home shortly after Luc has been to visit him...
This was another great episode in this superb series, the added enjoyment for me being the familiar setting of Edinburgh and surrounding area where I used to live and work. Can't wait to see what is next for Luc and Ava, both on a professional level and a personal one as the chemistry between them remains a theme in the books - 9.5/10.
This the the fifth book in the Edinburgh-set crime series featuring DI Luc Callanach and his former colleague, now boss, DCI Ava Turner.
As the story opens, Stephen Berry is about to jump off the Forth Road Bridge until he is talked down by a suicide prevention counsellor working for a local voluntary service. Yet, a week later, Stephen is dead following an apparent suicide from the walls of Tantallon Castle. Suspecting that all is not as it seems, Luc and Ava investigate but there is no clear evidence against it being a suicide. But, as other potential suicide victims are found dead in mysterious circumstances - apparently suicide but with all the signs of having been 'staged' - the police find themselves liaising with the suicide prevention charity organisers to try to establish common links between the victims.
Meanwhile, Luc's past yet again comes back to haunt him as one of the suspected rapists of his mother from many years before dies in his retirement home shortly after Luc has been to visit him...
This was another great episode in this superb series, the added enjoyment for me being the familiar setting of Edinburgh and surrounding area where I used to live and work. Can't wait to see what is next for Luc and Ava, both on a professional level and a personal one as the chemistry between them remains a theme in the books - 9.5/10.
January 9, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of Perfect Crime, the fifth novel to feature DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner of the Edinburgh Police.
When Counsellor Rune Mclure stops Stephen Berry from committing suicide it seems like a win but when Stephen is found dead a few weeks later at the foot of Tantallon Castle nobody doubts it was suicide until the pathologist notices some anomalies. When more bodies of people with a history of self harm turn up the team have no doubt they are hunting a serial killer. In the meantime Luc is the last man to see a murder victim, a man he has a grudge against, before he is murdered and comes under suspicion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Perfect Crime which is a good procedural with a couple of interesting subplots. The novel is mostly told from Ava and Luc’s points of view with the odd foray into the unnamed killer’s thoughts. Normally I’m not a big fan of this approach but it works well here. The killer has an unusual mindset so what he has to say is more interesting than the usual drivel and had me hooked. The switch between Ava and Luc is more pertinent in this novel than others as they have differing views on certain subjects so it gives the reader a wider perspective. I liked the two main plots, both of which are well conceived and original, as they had me guessing throughout and I still didn’t have a clue until the reveals. I found myself feverishly turning the pages to find out what was coming next.
I was less convinced by the emotional aspects of the novel. Luc and Ava have been fighting an attraction for the whole series but in this novel it’s a case of one step forward and two steps back. At some points it seems to take over the novel and worse, it seems contrived.
Perfect Crime is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Counsellor Rune Mclure stops Stephen Berry from committing suicide it seems like a win but when Stephen is found dead a few weeks later at the foot of Tantallon Castle nobody doubts it was suicide until the pathologist notices some anomalies. When more bodies of people with a history of self harm turn up the team have no doubt they are hunting a serial killer. In the meantime Luc is the last man to see a murder victim, a man he has a grudge against, before he is murdered and comes under suspicion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Perfect Crime which is a good procedural with a couple of interesting subplots. The novel is mostly told from Ava and Luc’s points of view with the odd foray into the unnamed killer’s thoughts. Normally I’m not a big fan of this approach but it works well here. The killer has an unusual mindset so what he has to say is more interesting than the usual drivel and had me hooked. The switch between Ava and Luc is more pertinent in this novel than others as they have differing views on certain subjects so it gives the reader a wider perspective. I liked the two main plots, both of which are well conceived and original, as they had me guessing throughout and I still didn’t have a clue until the reveals. I found myself feverishly turning the pages to find out what was coming next.
I was less convinced by the emotional aspects of the novel. Luc and Ava have been fighting an attraction for the whole series but in this novel it’s a case of one step forward and two steps back. At some points it seems to take over the novel and worse, it seems contrived.
Perfect Crime is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
April 9, 2019
"...the problem with suicide is the amount of suffering it takes to get to the point of ending it all. A second of agony at the end doesn't even come close to being a concern for most..."
There's a serial killer on the loose and this maniac is targeting people who have either tried to, or voiced a desire to kill themselves. And they're dying in the most gruesome ways. DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are investigating the murders while also trying to figure out who has implicated Callanach in the deaths of two men who figured in his past. NO SPOILERS.
This is the fifth in a great police procedural series though this one has a lot more romance than previous books. The grisly details are all there with some interesting psychopathology in this outing. I'd urge you to read from the beginning in order to understand the evolution and history of Luc Callnach and his transfer to Scotland's MIT from Lyon, France as well as to get the picture of his interest in Ava Turner. If only she wasn't so "perfect", I'd like her character a bit more! I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next -- PERFECT DARK as I'll be wanting to be first in line to read it! The other characters that make up the team are becoming more fleshed out with each new release and I'm happy to get to know them all better.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.
There's a serial killer on the loose and this maniac is targeting people who have either tried to, or voiced a desire to kill themselves. And they're dying in the most gruesome ways. DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are investigating the murders while also trying to figure out who has implicated Callanach in the deaths of two men who figured in his past. NO SPOILERS.
This is the fifth in a great police procedural series though this one has a lot more romance than previous books. The grisly details are all there with some interesting psychopathology in this outing. I'd urge you to read from the beginning in order to understand the evolution and history of Luc Callnach and his transfer to Scotland's MIT from Lyon, France as well as to get the picture of his interest in Ava Turner. If only she wasn't so "perfect", I'd like her character a bit more! I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next -- PERFECT DARK as I'll be wanting to be first in line to read it! The other characters that make up the team are becoming more fleshed out with each new release and I'm happy to get to know them all better.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.
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