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Perfect Death

(D.I. Callanach #3)

Helen Sarah Fields (Goodreads Author)

4.27 · Rating details · 2,864 ratings · 241 reviews

Theres no easy way to die

Unknown to DI Luc Callanach and the newly promoted DCI Ava Turner, a serial killer has Edinburgh firmly in his grip. The killer is taking his victims in the coldest, most calculating way possible engineering slow and painful deaths by poison, with his victims entirely unaware of the drugs flooding their bloodstream until its too late.

But how do ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages

Published January 25th 2018 by Avon

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Feb 06, 2018 Matt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobook

Helen Fields is back with another instalment of her popular Police Scotland series, where DI Luc Callanach has a new case to handle that will challenge everything he knows about policing. Callanach continues to adjust to his position within Police Scotland, much different from his INTERPOL days. After his colleagues recent promotion, Callanach is adjusting to a new professional relationship with DCI Ava Turner, who has been forced to learn the ropes swiftly. While Callanachs attention is drawn Helen Fields is back with another instalment of her popular Police Scotland series, where DI Luc Callanach has a new case to handle that will challenge everything he knows about policing. Callanach continues to adjust to his position within Police Scotland, much different from his INTERPOL days. After his colleague’s recent promotion, Callanach is adjusting to a new professional relationship with DCI Ava Turner, who has been forced to learn the ropes swiftly. While Callanach’s attention is drawn to an apparent victim of hypothermia, Turner receives disturbing news that her Chief Inspector has taken his own life in an apparent act of suicide. Unable to see what signs she might have missed, Turner liaises with her superior’s family, only to make a number of disturbing discoveries. Callanach tries to piece together his own case, but nothing is adding up. Just as he is making some progress, he receives a personal visitor who comes with a pile of unsolicited news that rocks him to the core. Trying to make sense of what he’s come to learn, Callanach goes somewhat rogue and keeps Turner at arm’s length in the middle of an important part of the investigation, earning him some ire from his DCI. When a few more cases of unexplained illnesses show signs of outside interference, Callanach and Turner realise that there may be a serial killer lurking in the shadows, their victims varied to the point that no similarities exist. With Edinburgh abuzz, Police Scotland must make some headway to locate this killer while also trying to better understand the Chief Inspector’s drastic final act. Fields has not lost any of the momentum with this series and is sure to appease series fans and those who love intense police procedurals.

I am happy to be able to continue this high-impact series that almost fell into my lap not too long ago. Fields is able to pull on all aspects of a well-developed police procedural without getting bogged down by too much of the frivolous banter. Fields has developed her characters perfectly and brings life to them with her subtle development of their personal foibles alongside their abilities to solve cases. DI Callanach continues to show why he is the perfect fit for the Major Investigative Team, while remaining highly vulnerable as he struggles to piece together some personal travesties that have befallen him. He contrasts nicely with DCI Turner, who is not only still compartmentalising the horrors of her past traumas, but also seeking to make a name for herself in a male dominated industry. Fighting to show compassion while not being deemed incapable, Turner puts on a hard exterior and demands much of her team. The rest of the characters work well to build a strong foundation for the story, which gets better as it builds. This more unique aspect of a serial killer lurking in plain sight is sure to work well for the dedicated reader, who gets glimpses into their own struggles while also watches as the victim total grows. I have loved all three of the series novels and am eager to get my hands on the fourth, set for release this coming summer. Those who enjoy this type of book should make a little more space on their to be read shelf, for they will not be disappointed.

Kudos, Madam Fields, for keeping things intense and allowing readers to bask in a well written procedural.

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/... ...more

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Jan 23, 2018 Kirsty ❤️ rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 22, 2018 Skyler Autumn rated it really liked it

4 Stars

I can't stop, won't stop reading this series it so good. The perfect autumn detective read.

Review to Come

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Jan 02, 2018 Christine rated it it was amazing

Oh hooray! I am so over the moon to get my hands on Perfect Death. I was aching for more, after finishing Perfect Prey. This is one of the series that I have been raving about for some time. This is one of the hottest new series out there. Perfect Death follows on beautifully from Perfect Remains and Perfect Prey. This is quality crime drama. It is the very welcome return of Scottish duo, DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach.

If you are new to the series, I recommend starting with book one, Oh hooray! I am so over the moon to get my hands on Perfect Death. I was aching for more, after finishing Perfect Prey. This is one of the series that I have been raving about for some time. This is one of the hottest new series out there. Perfect Death follows on beautifully from Perfect Remains and Perfect Prey. This is quality crime drama. It is the very welcome return of Scottish duo, DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach.

If you are new to the series, I recommend starting with book one, Perfect Remains. We slowly get to know and love Ava and Luc and their colleagues. DS Lively provides the blessed moments of comedy. With Ava and Luc, we get close colleagues with the potential for more. Think Mulder and Scully. Think underlying sexual tension. Fabulous. All of that and some dark bloody crime to give you the shivers.

Perfect Death sees Ava in a bit of an emotional muddle, with a new promotion and the sad loss of her friend, Begbie. Ava and Luc must navigate their special friendship, whilst Ava is the boss in work. DCI Ava Turner is distraught when her former colleague DCI Begbie is found dead in his car. It looks like he has taken his life. Ava launches her own private investigation, to get to the truth. This soon escalates and puts Ava in danger. Luc is assigned a bizarre case and has to contend with a visit from his estranged French mother. A teenage girl is found dead, due to hyperthermia. This could be accidental. But we are in Edinburgh and this is the Perfect series. Nothing is not as clear cut as it is seems. It is challenging and sinister, with a dark murderous figure in the background. Will Ava and Luc get to the truth to prevent further suffering?

Perfect Death is confident and bold. It cleverly gives you multiple perspectives, which take a while to tie together. It is a reflection on death and suffering. We see Ava's emotional response to the death of a close friend. Luckily, she has the gorgeous Luc to support her. We all need a Luc in our lives. Then we have a twisted killer, who is getting turned on by death and is feeding emotionally off the pain of the relatives. Chilling and disturbing.

Brilliant. Thought-provoking. Utterly perfect!

Highly recommended. ...more

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Jan 19, 2018 Sandy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: police-procedural, suspense, crime, arc-from-publisher, gangsters, series, british-authors

Edinburgh homicide detectives DI Luc Callanach & DCI Ava Turner are back. With Avas promotion, any chance of a romantic relationship has been scuppered & their friendship has suffered as well. In this outing they will be forced to rely on each other as they come up against a devious & damaged killer.

Climbing the ladder with Police Scotland has been a lot harder than Ava thought. Turns out its the small things she misses the most. No more casual chat with the crew, no more drinks Edinburgh homicide detectives DI Luc Callanach & DCI Ava Turner are back. With Ava’s promotion, any chance of a romantic relationship has been scuppered & their friendship has suffered as well. In this outing they will be forced to rely on each other as they come up against a devious & damaged killer.

Climbing the ladder with Police Scotland has been a lot harder than Ava thought. Turns out it’s the small things she misses the most. No more casual chat with the crew, no more drinks after work & no more movie nights with Luc. Comradery is hard to come by & to top it off, her boss is a bitch on wheels. Office politics is a blood sport & Ava longs to actually work a case. She’s about to get her wish.

It all begins when the naked body of a young woman is found on Arthur’s Seat. With no obvious wounds, it appears to be death by misadventure. But as Luc investigates, small discrepancies begin to add up. Then the head of a charity organization dies under mysterious circumstances. Both families are gutted & the body count is just beginning.

Meanwhile Ava is left reeling after her former boss & mentor is found dead of apparent suicide. But he left a few surprises behind that threaten not just his family but the department itself. Ava has no choice but to secretly investigate his death & it’s not long before she’s in well over her head.

In alternate chapters we meet a killer whose methods & pathology will make your skin crawl. He’s a busy guy. Tension rises as we watch his meticulous plans take shape & you may find yourself yelling “Run away!” to characters who are unwittingly caught in his web. Because we know more than the police, watching them flounder for clues is excruciating & you truly have no idea who will be the next victim.

Running along side the 2 investigations are personal story lines for the 2 MC’s. Luc, in particular, is stunned when his estranged mother turns up to deliver some surprising news. It’s a cracker & no doubt this will unfold further in future books.

Familiar faces return to add colour to the story. Journalist Lance Proudfoot, Luc’s secret weapon, is back although by the time the dust settles he may think twice before offering his services again. And DS Lively continues to steal every scene with his blunt & humorous dialogue.

My only nitpicky comment is Ava’s tendency to go haring off without back-up into situations that are clearly dangerous. It’s an effective plot device to raise tension but her decisions seem out of sync with a police officer of her standing/experience & you’re left thinking “Wow, that’s a really bad idea”.

This is a fast paced & eminently readable story full of characters who have become old friends. The criminal investigations peak simultaneously for an explosive finish & I look forward to Perfect Silence. ...more

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Dec 26, 2017 Eva rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After having read the previous two books in this series, Ive come to expect a dark and gruesome story with a level of originality from Helen Fields. This third instalment is no different and the DI Callanach series just keeps getting better!

For one, theres an absolutely fascinating killer on the loose. Charming, manipulative and apparently completely invisible. A killer whose pleasure comes from watching other peoples pain and grief. If thats not original, I dont know what is!

But theres more! A ...more

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Apr 22, 2019 Gary rated it really liked it

This is the 3rd book in the DI Callanach series by author Helen Fields. These books can be read as stand alone but I always like to read them in order to fully enjoy the sub plots etc.
I think that one of the strengths of this series are the characters. In DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach there is excellent chemistry. This book has Ava in a bit of an emotional turmoil, dealing with a recent promotion and the sudden loss of her friend DCI Begbie. DCI Ava Turner is distraught when her former ...more

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Mar 29, 2019 Kat Dietrich rated it really liked it

Shelves: series-ongoing, read-in-2019

Perfect Death by Helen Fields is the third in the DI Luc Callanach series.

Series Background: (Warning May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Luc Callanach is half French and half Scottish, living most of his life in France, and working for Interpol. Due to a false rape allegation made by co-worker Astrid Borde, he leaves France, his job, his friends, his mother. Very few are sad to see him go. With some assistance from his bosses, he heads to Edinburgh to take command of a homicide team. ...more

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Jun 16, 2018 Helga rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, crime, series

You can never have enough Callanach indeed!

A teenagers naked body is found in a remote area. Cause of death seems to be hypothermia, but further tests show the presence of a large amount of drugs in her body.

A woman is rushed to the hospital after days of having flu-like symptoms. She dies under suspicious circumstances. Cause of death: drug overdose.

Are the two cases connected? What is the motive for the killings? Is this manipulative psychopath going to strike again?

Helen Fields never ...more

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Jan 13, 2018 Mandy White rated it liked it

Shelves: net-galley

There is is serial killer on the loose in Scotland and it is up to Callaghan and Turner to stop them while also dealing with major issues in their personal lives.

This was an enjoyable book, but being book 3 in the series and the first I have read I felt that I was missing a lot of back story. I think I will go back and read the first 2 books.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions

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Oct 30, 2018 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018

Totally addictive!
Utterly compelling!
Just loved it!
Highly recommended!
Can't wait for next book in the series!

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Jan 29, 2018 Kelly Lacey rated it it was amazing

So back in early last year, I went to a Blackwells Bookstore event. I had just started my blog I wanted to review some local bookish events. So when it said two crime authors were featuring I was delighted. They were Helen Fields and Paul Finch, two authors I had never read before.

The event was eye opening and Ive said it many times in previous posts that hearing Helen Fields discuss how book one in the series Perfect Remains came to fruition, reignited my love of crime fiction. I had swayed So back in early last year, I went to a Blackwell’s Bookstore event. I had just started my blog I wanted to review some local bookish events. So when it said two crime authors were featuring I was delighted. They were Helen Fields and Paul Finch, two authors I had never read before.

The event was eye opening and I’ve said it many times in previous posts that hearing Helen Fields discuss how book one in the series Perfect Remains came to fruition, reignited my love of crime fiction. I had swayed away to more chick lit and women’s fiction. So when I started to read Perfect Remains on my way home, sat on a cold bus, I was transported into this police world with a sexy French cop. It was so gory and fast-paced I was addicted. So if there were a Helen Fields fan club I would have the Platinum package as I adore her writing.

Getting onto book three Perfect Death, as the heavy envelope flopped through my letterbox I knew by the label that this was it. Thank goodness I hadn’t had to wait long as Perfect Prey (book 2) had only been out in the summer.

So I started it yesterday and finished it today. I will go for the superficial and talk about the cover. So the cover I have used in my featured image and Bookstgram shot is an ARC copy, about A5 size so it’s a slightly enlarged version.

Here is how your copy will look:

Perfect Death: The new crime book you need to read from the bestseller of 2017 (A DI Callanach Thriller, Book 3) by [Fields, Helen]

So I am happy that each book in the series is called Perfect something and this cover is superb. It really reflects the storyline. I will have to get a copy to match my others on my bookcase.

So in book three, we are thrown back into the lives of Ava and Luc. What I like is the consistency between all three books. They all have the same level pace and the characters don’t suddenly change personalities. They are the roots that you cling to whilst reading as the whirling madness engulfs you page after page.

This book has much less gore than the previous two, was I disappointed? No, I was just surprised it enabled me to focus much more on the storyline which is very intense from page 1. I felt like this book was emotionally driven. It didn’t need the shock value of the gore it wasn’t about all that, it really was about the team and them growing together. We got to invest more in the characters. I see them like a movie in my head and I feel like I really know them more after reading Perfect Death.

As well as my love of the writing, I really enjoy that Edinburgh and its surrounding areas are heavily featured in the books. So much so that when I am walking around Edinburgh and I see a place mentioned in the book, it flings the characters to the four front of my mind and makes the stories come to life. I know how it feels to walk over a certain bridge or go down a little side street. I love having those moments.

I loved this book, it wasn’t what I was expecting, it was SO much more! The books can be read as standalone but I thoroughly encourage you to buy the set of three for your kindle and meet Luc and Ava from the start.

A cracker of top-notch crime fiction. Helen Fields stories have the ability to chase me under the covers with all the lights on. Deeply disturbing crime fiction that you just can’t help but want MORE. Bravo! Roll on book four……

For more of my review visit lovebooksgroup.blog ...more

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Dec 17, 2017 Liz Barnsley rated it really liked it

Wow another stonking good read here in the Callanach series from Helen Fields - dark and twisted but with a really authentic edge, these are the books you bang through because you get so involved with all that is going on.

There were two sides to this beautifully plotted tale - both strands working well together to give an addictive and cleverly unpredictable read - Helen Fields writes with a strong emotional core that makes you feel the characters pain. Here we have a hidden poisoner - by the ...more

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Oct 21, 2018 Denise added it · review of another edition

"There were different types of pain...the pain of loss...shocked pain...the slow dull ache of reality...followed by the mewling baby, self-pity."

There's someone in Edinburgh who enjoys sharing grief that others experience. An evil serial killer is wanting to get up close and personal with those who've experienced the death of a loved one. This sociopath wants to offer comfort -- so much so that maybe that monster is responsible for the deaths in the first place?

DI Luc Callanach and the newly "There were different types of pain...the pain of loss...shocked pain...the slow dull ache of reality...followed by the mewling baby, self-pity."

There's someone in Edinburgh who enjoys sharing grief that others experience. An evil serial killer is wanting to get up close and personal with those who've experienced the death of a loved one. This sociopath wants to offer comfort -- so much so that maybe that monster is responsible for the deaths in the first place?

DI Luc Callanach and the newly promoted DCI Ava Turner are busy in the MIT. They've got a couple of poisoning deaths on one hand and a possible corruption case on the other. The teams divide to conquer and come quite close to blowing it all up as they face off some very dangerous people. These investigations are going to require tons of time and their best efforts as leads are met with dead ends and danger is lurking on every call-out. Callanach and Turner face some threats to their tenuous and fragile personal relationship as well. But Turner is Callanach's superior and she won't let him forget it. Both struggle with their own demons as they work to bring some justice in these two, big unrelated cases.

I love this series. So much so that I had to buy this one so that I could read it before downloading and reviewing the next installment, PERFECT SILENCE. I've read all 3 so far, in order, and would urge you to do the same so that you get the full picture of the two main characters. Both are quite unique and are becoming more real with each book. I really enjoy the camaraderie between them and enjoy their friendship and mutual respect. I almost feel as if I know them and I can't wait to see what happens next. Though the story is full of action, police procedural detail, and suspense, I feel so tense worrying about how things are going to play up that it creates a lot of tension. Instead of speeding up to get to what I hope is a successful conclusion, I slow down because I'm too worried that some member of the team will be hurt or lost and I don't want to face that. Anyway, if you're looking for great crime thrillers, this series has it all and I recommend it. ...more

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Oct 18, 2017 Siobhan rated it really liked it

Last year I won Perfect Remains in a Goodreads giveaway, after debating whether or not I wished to pick up the book, quickly finding out this was a series I would want to continue. At first, I wasnt sure about Perfect Remains but it soon won me over. It wasnt the strongest four-star rating I have ever handed out, but it guaranteed I would be back for more. Perfect Prey, on the other hand, blew me away. I enjoyed it so much more than I enjoyed the first book, leaving me desperate for book three. Last year I won Perfect Remains in a Goodreads giveaway, after debating whether or not I wished to pick up the book, quickly finding out this was a series I would want to continue. At first, I wasn’t sure about Perfect Remains but it soon won me over. It wasn’t the strongest four-star rating I have ever handed out, but it guaranteed I would be back for more. Perfect Prey, on the other hand, blew me away. I enjoyed it so much more than I enjoyed the first book, leaving me desperate for book three. In fact, I was close to giving Perfect Prey a five-star rating – only holding back because of small elements. Thus, I went into Perfect Death with very high expectations.

Although Perfect Death is the third book in the DI Callanach series, it can be read as a standalone novel. As with any crime thriller, there is a start and an end point with the crime, ensuring you get closure. However, I would recommend you read the prior books first. Lots happens in relation to the personal lives of the characters, and to completely understand this you need to read the prior books. Not only are references made to events in the past, but certain elements build upon what we found out in the prior books. I’m not saying you cannot enjoy this without the prior books, I’m simply saying you’ll get a better experience if you read this series in order.

I’ll be completely honest about this one, I was uncertain at first. As I said, after the high of book two, I was expecting really big things for book three. However, when I started this one I feared a repeat of book one. Sure, I enjoyed the first book; however, I wasn’t completely happy with it. It was a book that won me over, not one that grabbed me from the very first page. In that sense, book three was like book one, but I did enjoy this one much more.

You see, it took a few chapters before this one completely sucked me in. I enjoyed seeing our characters again, but the story seemed to be rather slow moving. I think Perfect Prey has ruined me, leaving me with unrealistic expectations of what I can expect with each new Helen Fields book. They will all be fun reads, of that I’m sure, but I cannot expect to be sucked in at such a rapid pace ever time. With these stories, with the crimes Helen Fields writes, you need to stick around. Things build slowly, we get introduced to a lot of things throughout, and you need to take your time with things.

Once you reach a certain point, though, you’re lost to the story. Everything starts to come together and things build at a crazy rate. More and more is added, until you reach a climax that will leave you desperate for the next book. You fall in love with the characters, you get sucked in by the crime, and everything comes together so well. It may take a while, but once the book grabs you it refuses to let go.

Without a doubt, Perfect Death was another fun addition to the DI Callanch series. I’m already extremely excited for Perfect Silence – I’ll be grabbing it as soon as I can. ...more

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Oct 04, 2018 Sally Whiteside rated it it was amazing

This series just gets better and better for me. I love this author as much as Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza to name a couple. Cannot wait to see what is next in the series.

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Feb 05, 2018 Donna Maguire rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime-mystery-suspense, book-reviews, 2018-books-read

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I loved the characters and the setting (I am a big fan of books set in Scotland). The plot for the book was superb, the writing style was spot on for the genre with just the right amount of detail for me, it was gritty, it gripped me and I loved it.

Personally I do think you need to have read the books in order to get the most out of the book (this is the third book in the series and the previous two are also very, very good).

For me this is one of the best ...more

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Dec 06, 2017 Nicole rated it it was amazing

I'm so pleased this author has another book out already (January 2018) Perfect Death has Luc Callanach investigating a young girl's death of hypothermia. Meanwhile a sudden death has Ava Turner reeling, will she be able to roll with the punches that keep coming?
To be honest I could not put this down. I love the Edinburgh jaunty friendship of the team & DS Lively had me giggling many times.
I really want this made into a tv series.
However it was the last 50 pages that had me terrified for ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 Karen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another brilliant read from Helen Fields.
L just love these books, fast paced, great plots and wonderful characters

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Dec 27, 2017 Yvonne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, crime-thriller, psychological, fiction, mystery, crime-mystery

Helen has pulled off another brilliantly twisted and intricate plot as we are reunited with Callanach, Turner, Ailsa, Lively and Tripp. Bringing some events from previous books into this story to give a little more information on the established characters. The story is set in Edinburgh when the body of a young women is found in the area known as Arthurs Seat, initially thought to have died from hypothermia. But from experience of reading Helens previous books, it was never going to be as simple ...more

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Dec 03, 2017 Louise rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 19, 2018 Laura Rash rated it really liked it

A bit of a twist on a serial killer story here. Ive enjoyed binge reading the first three books in this series & am impatiently waiting for book 4. ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Julie Lacey rated it it was amazing

This is a brilliant book and it seems the series is getting better and better.
I love both Luc and Ava and whilst Ava is now his superior, they still gave a great working relationship.
The killer in this book is very disturbed and its not until near the end that you find out why hes been killing people.
Hes very meticulous and weaves his way into his victims lives and leaves untold grief in his wake.
Theres also a death of someone close to Ava and Alisa and the repercussions of this are felt ...more

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Feb 16, 2018 Dani rated it liked it

I loved the first two books, especially DC Callanachs character but I did not enjoy this book as much. The story felt quite extreme and unbelievable. I wondered if the book had been rushed to get it out following the success of the first two. I would still read the next book but hoping that there is a return to the standard of the first books. Im also not so sure how long I can cope with the will they/wont they dynamic between Callanach and Turner - its a bit Ross and Rachel from Friends! ...more

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Aug 27, 2018 Will T rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime

Another hold-your-breath, grip-the-barriers, rollercoaster ride of a book, rattling along, building momentum and sending you in different directions with a sudden, unexpected jerk every few pages. As it glides to a halt you get off with your knees weak and your hands shaking. Phew! Now, where's the next one? Ah, right here on my Kindle's little ferris wheel...

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Jan 25, 2018 Annette rated it it was amazing

After reading the first two in the series this book certainly didn't disappoint. There are two investigations to follow, one is in connection with DCI Turners former boss who is found dead in his car shortly after retirement. This death leads to an investigation which is connected to the seedier side of Edinburgh with drugs, prostitution and violence an everyday occurrence. The other investigation is looking into two suspicious deaths with little to go on. DI Luc Callanach has some personal ...more

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Sep 19, 2019 Kay Woolford rated it really liked it

Typical I find a book that is number 3 in the series 🙃

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one day.

The book started to pick up pace about half way through but I need to read the first 2. As there's references to incidents I domt understand.

But it was still a good read, it's not often theres a book about someone who poisons others, it was good to read something different.

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Feb 08, 2018 Charmaine Saliba rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Loved it, this series is getting better with every book. It is faced paced and couldnt put it. I not ashamed to confess that I have a crush for DI Luc. If you love a gruesome psychological thriller this is for you.
DI Callanach was called on a crime site, when he got there he found the body of a young women. She was naked in December weather. It seems that the girl ends up have some fun and things got out of control. Meanwhile DCI Tuner, newly promoted was called on another crime scene and was ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 Noodles78 rated it it was amazing

Really enjoying this series. I like both detectives equally, the crimes are twisted and perplexing so I don't guess who did it right away and the sexual chemistry is just right.

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Nov 28, 2017 Elaine Tomasso rated it really liked it

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of Perfect Death, the third novel to feature DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner of the Edinburgh Police.

Ava is struggling to settle into her new role as DCI, feeling the loneliness of management and missing the camaraderie of her colleagues. Perhaps this is why she refuses to accept the verdict of suicide in the death of her former boss DCI Begbie and starts an off the books investigation. Luc is investigating the apparently I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of Perfect Death, the third novel to feature DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner of the Edinburgh Police.

Ava is struggling to settle into her new role as DCI, feeling the loneliness of management and missing the camaraderie of her colleagues. Perhaps this is why she refuses to accept the verdict of suicide in the death of her former boss DCI Begbie and starts an off the books investigation. Luc is investigating the apparently accidental death of a teenager from hypothermia but the more he investigates the more things don't add up. Then he is hit with a personal bombshell which leaves him reeling.

I enjoyed Perfect Death which is a high octane, tense and violent read. It is, however, not without its flaws and can be frustrating at times. It is a choppy read as it is told from multiple points of view and the two cases run concurrently so there is a constant shift in perspective as well. I never felt as if I got settled in. I also felt that both plotlines and the characters' actions and reactions stretched my credulity to breaking point as none of them seem plausible.

If, however, you do as I did and stop trying to see reality in the novel it is a good read. There is plenty going on and it is intriguing enough to make you read on for answers. There is more violence than you usually see in a police procedural but it doesn't seem gratuitous, more reflective of the gangland setting. The novel's strength lies in its characterisation. Ava and Luc are good protagonists, both strong and feisty characters and the hint of an attraction between them gets stronger as the series progresses. The star of the show, however, is the insubordinate and irreverent DS Lively who lives up to his name with some great one liners and a real Scottish attitude to authority. I was a bit disappointed that the bombshell information Luc received was more or less ignored in the rest of the novel. I assume that it will be explored in future novels but seems a bit superfluous in this one.

The Perfect Death is a good read. ...more

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About Helen Sarah Fields

Helen Sarah Fields

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An international and Amazon #1 best-selling author, Helen is a former criminal and family law barrister. Every book in the Callanach series claimed an Amazon #1 bestseller flag. Her next book, the sixth in the series, 'Perfect Kill' is due out on 6 February 2020. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and last year released legal thriller 'Degrees of Guilt'. Her previous audio book 'Perfect Crime' ...more

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D.I. Callanach (6 books)

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Quotes from Perfect Death

“I hate the Chief, though I still miss him,” — 0 likes

“He had a policy of enjoying every cup of tea he drank. The way Lively figured it, you never knew which brew might turn out to be your last.” — 0 likes

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