Perfect Silence (D.I. Callanach, #4) by Helen Sarah Fields

May 20, 2018 Sandy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-cops, scotland, series, serial-killer, arc-from-netgalley, crime, police-procedural, suspense, societal-issues, abuse

Well, that didn’t take long. You only have to read a few pages of book #4 to get a pretty good idea of what you’re in for. And it’s kinda scary.

When DCI Ava Turner & DI Luc Callanach respond to a call, they aren’t prepared for what they find. But how could they be? A young woman’s body is found on a road but there’s nothing accidental about how she died. And she won’t be the last.

Meanwhile, someone is attacking drug addicts on Edinburgh’s streets. Lost in their own worlds, most are unable to pro Well, that didn’t take long. You only have to read a few pages of book #4 to get a pretty good idea of what you’re in for. And it’s kinda scary.

When DCI Ava Turner & DI Luc Callanach respond to a call, they aren’t prepared for what they find. But how could they be? A young woman’s body is found on a road but there’s nothing accidental about how she died. And she won’t be the last.

Meanwhile, someone is attacking drug addicts on Edinburgh’s streets. Lost in their own worlds, most are unable to provide the cops with any helpful info but a single clue points Ava’s team in one particular direction & man, does that open a can of worms.

Speaking of the team, the gang’s all back. DCI Av Turner, DS Lively, DC Salter, DC Max Tripp & of course, DI Luc Callanach. Ladies & gents, I give you your MIT. There’s a lot going on here. A twisted killer (and their eerie calling card), obnoxious rich kids, office politics & the MC’s personal lives (or lack thereof).

Ava has been boss for a while now & grown into the role so she & Luc are in a better place. Budgets, a demanding boss & office politics continue to drive her daft but she may be surprised to find out who has her back. Investigations aside, I really enjoyed the secondary characters in this one. DS Lively is at his cheekiest, we get more acquainted with (boss from Hell) Det. Superintendent Overbeck & newcomer DS Pax Graham is introduced. Now there’s a man who knows how to make an entrance.

Both cases have several twists & lead the team to some dark places. Most of the book has an even pace as we follow the investigations until ramping up for the big finale. My only quibble was Ava’s tendency to speechify. The plight of the homeless &/or drug addicted is centre stage & Ava frequently laments their treatment by society in general. She’s always worn her heart on her sleeve but comes across as a bit naive sometimes given her position & length of time on the job. On the other hand, when that passion is directed at her boss, it makes for an entertaining read.

It’s a solid instalment in this popular series & a couple of dangling threads at the end ensure fans will be waiting for #5. ...more

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Jul 28, 2018 Matt rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Helen Sarah Fields, and Avon Books UK for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Helen Sarah Fields has been developing this strong police procedural series over the past few years, which mixes some unique characters against the backdrop of some vicious murders that will keep the reader wondering well into the story. When a young woman is discovered murdered, her body dumped like a First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Helen Sarah Fields, and Avon Books UK for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Helen Sarah Fields has been developing this strong police procedural series over the past few years, which mixes some unique characters against the backdrop of some vicious murders that will keep the reader wondering well into the story. When a young woman is discovered murdered, her body dumped like a pile of rubbish, DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner are understandably concerned. However, when the body is shown to have a doll-like piece of skin carved from both the abdomen and back, things get a little more concerning. Thus begins a panicked search for a killer that Police Scotland can only hope will be brief. When a second woman goes missing, she is seen to have left her baby in a pram. The baby is eventually located, with a raggedly stitched doll of human skin tucked next to her. Callanach and Turner think that this may be the start to a gruesome killing spree and it is only getting started. Meanwhile, there is a new drug on the streets named Spice, which turns its users into zombies, at least for a time. Those in the homeless population are turning up carved with a ‘Z’ on their cheek while under the influence. Turner and the rest of her team are trying to see who might be targeting this vulnerable population, finding a clue that takes them on a goose chase through the richer families of Edinburgh. DCI Turner must not only wrestle with these two cases, but a superior who will stop at nothing to meddle and cut her down. Edinburgh is rocked by these crimes and the killer may be trying to push a religious extermination of their own to cleanse the streets. Fields continues with her stellar writing that will have series fans begging for more. Recommended to those who have been intrigued by the DI Callanach novels to date, as well as those who like a well-paced police procedural that does not lose stream throughout.

While there are many police procedural series on the market today, Helen Sarah Fields has found a way to produce unique stories with a handful of strong characters. Using Edinburgh as an interesting backdrop, the stories exemplify the strength of Police Scotland as they face a number of bone-chilling cases. Fields again turns her focus on DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner, developing their characters as well as abilities to solve crime. Callanach continues to impress since his move from INTERPOL, showing that he has a strong dedication to the police work required to solve these complex cases. As with the previous novels, Callanach’s struggles with issues in his personal life bleed into the present through a well-paced narrative that highlights these struggles. The series reader will know precisely what is going on and find much interest in how it is handled herein. Turner is forced to continue her struggle with being catapulted up the ranks, where she is now able to oversee the Major Investigations Team (MIT). However, this has led to a number of other issues, including trying to define her relationship with Callanach, who now answers to her, as well as the issues of being put under the microscope by an equally determined Superintendent. Fields effectively shows how Turner seeks to find a balance in a position that is rife with controversial decisions. The story is strong and Fields is able to weave together a powerful crime thriller with clues and dramatic case development peppers amongst the ever-intensifying chapters. These cases are full of dark criminal elements and will surely keep the reader up well into the night. Another strong effort by Fields will keep me reading as long as she has ideas put to paper.

Kudos, Madam Fields, for another wonderful novel in this series. I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for your fans.

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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... ...more

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Jun 15, 2018 Gary rated it really liked it

This is the 4th book in the DI Luc Callanch series by author Helen Fields. I have only previously read one other book in this series and did not feel this detracted from my enjoyment or understanding in anyway.
When the body of a young girl is found dumped on the roadside on the outskirts of Edinburgh a terrifying discovery is made by the pathologists when they examine the her remains. The outline of a doll carved into the victim’s skin.
The team of DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach struggle to ...more

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Jul 01, 2018 Helga rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime, netgalley, mystery, series

“Human beings don’t have any limits when they’re broken. It’s the damage you can’t see on the surface that’s the most dangerous.”

This series keeps getting better and better. Helen Fields is one talented, imaginative and resourceful author and she never disappoints. With well-sketched characters and clever, dark, bone-chilling and compelling story-lines, D.I. Callanach series have easily become one of my top favorites. All of her books are emotionally-charged and I feel at home with all the chara ...more

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Dec 15, 2019 Amanda rated it really liked it

This is the fourth book in the D.I Luc Callanch series. Although I have not read any of the others I soon found myself gripped by this book. I will read the others as it seems like there are some great characters with their own backstories that I have missed out on.

This is a great story, young girls are being kidnapped, they are kept tied up and they all have a doll like shape carved from their abdomens, before they are abandoned left to die on a road. Their skin and hair is made into a gruesom ...more

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Aug 04, 2020 Alayne Emmett rated it it was amazing

Oh wow these books keep getting better and better. This one was gripping and as with these books the last 100 pages are so exciting that you don’t want to stop reading until you reach the end. When you do you will close the book with a sigh and a smile on your face, as I did.
I highly recommend these books if you like crime books, you’ll enjoy this one.

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Jun 09, 2018 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: faves-so-far-this-year

With Perfect Silence, Helen Fields takes us to the fourth instalment in this dark and disturbing police procedural series. This is exactly the kind of crime that I am completely in love with. Every single book has been intelligent, incredibly dark and disturbing and wonderfully written. As usual, I am in awe of Helen Fields and want to sing her praises to the world. It is quite an achievement to have created such a deliciously strong series.

Helen Fields’ imagination takes us to a very chilling p With Perfect Silence, Helen Fields takes us to the fourth instalment in this dark and disturbing police procedural series. This is exactly the kind of crime that I am completely in love with. Every single book has been intelligent, incredibly dark and disturbing and wonderfully written. As usual, I am in awe of Helen Fields and want to sing her praises to the world. It is quite an achievement to have created such a deliciously strong series.

Helen Fields’ imagination takes us to a very chilling place. The story features our duo of Callanach and Turner seeking a psychopathic serial killer in Edinburgh. This is one unique monster. Shades of Ed Gein. With a touch of Hannibal. This killer kidnaps woman and removes portions of skin. The skin is used to craft a doll, as a likeness to the victim. This is stomach churning. It is the stuff of nightmares. It is grotesque. It is horror. The press label him ‘The Baby Doll Killer’. Field’s skill as a writer gives us the human stories of the victims, as we follow Callanach and Turner through this compelling investigation. At the same time, we see homeless users of the new drug Spice targeted and assaulted in the city.

Field’s strength as a writer is the way she writes her key players. Her characterisation is superb and subtle. Her dialogue is clever. We hear from Callanach and Turner, plus others in the team. The balance is just right. We know about their private lives. Field does not turn them into stereotypes, with irritating issues. They have intelligent discussions on drugs, homelessness and on religion. These are all very credible characters, with faults. We still have the potential for Callanagh and Turner to develop their relationship, into something more romantic. Callanagh has begun to move on from the false allegations made against him. Our pair have stopped socialising, which is a shame.

Perfect Silence continues, with the same high quality plotting and chilling drama that we have come to expect from Fields. PERFECTION in a book. DARK. DISTURBING. NIGHTMARISH. COMPELLING. This is one of the best series out there, by a truly talented author. Long may it continue. I need more.

Highly recommended ...more

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Sep 17, 2019 Pat (not getting friend updates currently) rated it really liked it

4.5 stars. An almost perfect book. And please don't ask - I can't remember why it was not quite perfect. All I do remember is that I'm loving this series and will almost certainly read it all again one day. But, joy, I still have book 5 to go. ...more

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Sep 27, 2018 Ann Girdharry rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime-suspense-thriller

This is the fourth book in the series starring DC Luc Cavanagh and DCI Ava Turner and their police colleagues.

A young woman is found dead at the roadside with a gruesome cut-out of a doll shape taken from her skin. Soon, the doll itself appears at the sight where a second victim has been taken. And so starts a chain of killings and torture. Can Luc and Ava find the perpetrator against all the odds? How many young women will be lost before they catch up with the killers?

For me, there were two pa This is the fourth book in the series starring DC Luc Cavanagh and DCI Ava Turner and their police colleagues.

A young woman is found dead at the roadside with a gruesome cut-out of a doll shape taken from her skin. Soon, the doll itself appears at the sight where a second victim has been taken. And so starts a chain of killings and torture. Can Luc and Ava find the perpetrator against all the odds? How many young women will be lost before they catch up with the killers?

For me, there were two particular strengths to the story-telling, I’d even call them outstanding.

The first is we get to know the victims.
Yes, this is pretty gruesome but it’s also very human. The girls that are taken will tell us their own story. Warning - some of this is dark because we are with them when they are captured and killed. But for me, it was one of the strengths of the book because the victims are real. You’ll see this in the very first chapter which is brilliant yet horrible – terrific thriller content.

The second thing I liked were the strong main characters and supporting cast.
Of the supporting characters, Chief Superintendent Daisy Overbeck was my favourite. She’s so nasty and authoritarian and she and Ava will almost come to blows. I liked the way this shows DCI Ava’s spirit. As Overbeck says, it also shows Ava’s naivety when it comes to dealing with the higher echelons of the police hierarchy.

DI Luc was less of a strong character but he was still likeable. I’ve not read the other books in this series so I don’t know his backstory. Maybe this made me less sympathetic to him. Still, Luc and Ava have a real feel to them and they each have their own failings and strengths. (The only part of this that started to annoy me a tad was Ava’s plight as a single woman which is heavy emphasised in contrast to Luc’s new relationship with the glamorous Sabrina.)

In all, this was a great story.
There's a thread left dangling at the end, which I suppose will lead to a follow-up book. I thought it was a shame it wasn't all tied up. that said, it’s still a great story and it merits 5 stars. One of the best (and possibly THE best) police procedural I’ve read this year.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. This is my honest review. ...more

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May 03, 2018 Janet Newport rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-books, netgalley, 2018-reads

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this arc.

I loved this book!. And the good news.... Helen Fields has written 3 previous books in this series! Which have been downloaded to my kindle from Amazon. The housework can wait a while longer while I enjoy some serious binge reading.

This is a fast paced story, police procedural placed in Scotland. It's nicely twisted and pretty gory, but I also adore Angela Marsons' and Stuart MacBride's stories so gory doesn't bother me a bit. I loved the charac ...more

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May 22, 2018 Liz Barnsley rated it really liked it

I love this series. It is dark as you like, highly compelling with truly scary mystery elements and an excellent core cast who engage you further with every new novel.

In Perfect Silence our team are once more on the hunt for a killer. What I really enjoy about these are the emotional levels that the author gets in there – you really feel for the victims you pray for a good ending for them and you are with the investigative team every step of the way.

Luc is definitely a clever and complex charact ...more

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Nov 02, 2018 Skyler Autumn rated it it was amazing

THIS SERIES IS AMAZING!!!

I am so bummed I have to wait till Spring for the next installment.

RTC.

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Feb 25, 2018 Siobhan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When I won Perfect Remains in a Goodreads giveaway I had not expected to find myself a new addiction. Sure, I enjoyed the first book, but I wasn’t obsessed in the way I am with some series starters. Then came Perfect Prey, and I was a goner. Perfect Prey blew my mind, and I knew I would be diving into each new DI Callanach book the moment I could. Thus, I devoured Perfect Death to cement my addiction to the series before starting the wait for Perfect Silence.

Although Perfect Silence is the fourt When I won Perfect Remains in a Goodreads giveaway I had not expected to find myself a new addiction. Sure, I enjoyed the first book, but I wasn’t obsessed in the way I am with some series starters. Then came Perfect Prey, and I was a goner. Perfect Prey blew my mind, and I knew I would be diving into each new DI Callanach book the moment I could. Thus, I devoured Perfect Death to cement my addiction to the series before starting the wait for Perfect Silence.

Although Perfect Silence is the fourth book in the DI Callanach series, like any good crime series it works perfectly fine as a standalone novel. You understand certain elements a lot more if you have read the prior books – you especially appreciate the character driven plots a lot more with prior knowledge of the series, whereas the mystery element works fine alone – but you do not need to have read the prior books to see how wonderful this book is. Still, I would recommend reading the series in order, as I’m sure upon finishing this one you’ll be desperate to go back for more.

If I’m being completely truthful, Perfect Silence is not my favourite book in the series. That award goes to the second book, Perfect Prey, as it was insanely good. Perfect Silence is a good book, a solid four-star read, but it is not my favourite. However, any DI Callanch book is a good book, so do not be put off by the fact this one was not my favourite.

Like the prior books in the series, Perfect Silence offers plenty of goodness. We have a dark and gory crime, one that sucks you in deep and leaves you questioning how everything comes together. We have another criminal element that looks at more social aspects of life. We have great character development, in regards to personal life, relationships, and their working lives. In fact, this one offers up plenty of interesting elements for the future books in the series. I’ll admit to having worked out some of the elements that came into play regarding the personal lives of characters and the way relationships developed, yet it did not lessen my enjoyment any – and I’m certainly interested in seeing how things progress in the future.

I’m also super intrigued by the way this one ended. I cannot help but cross my fingers in the hope the way events ended in this book means they’ll be more in the future from certain characters. I will not say much for fear of offering spoilers, but I love it when crime series return to elements from earlier books, and I’m hoping such will be the case later in the DI Callanch series.

There is no doubt in my mind that the DI Callanch series is one of my favourite crime series. There are plenty of wonderful British crime thrillers out there, but this is certainly within my top five series. I’m obsessed, there is no other way to say it.

I need book five, and I need it pronto. ...more

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Apr 27, 2018 Elaine Tomasso rated it really liked it

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of Perfect Silence the fourth novel to feature Edinburgh based DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callenach.

When Zoey's body is found on a remote country lane nothing can prepare Ava and Luc for the horror they are about to see. Zoey was left alive but the horrific excision of a doll shape from both her front and back mean that she would never survive. When a doll made of Zoey's skin is found in the pram with the baby Lorna abandoned when I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of Perfect Silence the fourth novel to feature Edinburgh based DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callenach.

When Zoey's body is found on a remote country lane nothing can prepare Ava and Luc for the horror they are about to see. Zoey was left alive but the horrific excision of a doll shape from both her front and back mean that she would never survive. When a doll made of Zoey's skin is found in the pram with the baby Lorna abandoned when she disappeared they realise they are looking for a madman. In the meantime someone is attacking homeless drug users, leaving a Z cut into their faces. Never has the team felt so busy.

I thoroughly enjoyed Perfect Silence which is a good mix of investigation, office politics and a little home life, not much obviously as they are so overworked. The Babydoll Killer, as dubbed by the press, investigation is horrible in what is done to the victims so I would want Ms Fields' imagination and the motive a bit hard to swallow in anything but fiction but the novel is well done and is a gripping read. I like that the team start with virtually no clues and gradually build a working hypothesis until they are in a position to develop a suspect. It might sound boring but Ms Fields injects a sense of urgency and positivity at each small development that had me hooked from start to finish. The Zorro case as they call the slashings is a different beast with the hierarchy, in the form of Superintendent Overbeck, showing much less interest. This leads to clashes which provide some of the best moments in the novel as Ava doesn't mince her words.

The characterisation is strong with DS Lively again providing the humour and Superintendent Overbeck the bite and a few surprises. Ava and Luc haven't changed much over the series and the will they/won't they scenario continues apace. Ava is hotheaded, compassionate and determined on justice whereas Luc is just there in this novel without offering much apart from support and strong investigative skills.

Perfect Silence is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
...more

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Jul 23, 2018 Janet rated it liked it

I have really enjoyed the previous books in the series so was really excited to get to book four.

It starts with the body of a young girl being found on a roadside on the edges of Edinburgh. At the postmortem it is discovered that a doll like figure has been carved into the flesh. Baffled DI Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are then horrified to learn that a ragdoll made from human skin has been discovered. Connections are now being made and steps are taken to try and stop this gruesome killer from ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Nancy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-read

Thank you Goodread's Friends for helping me select this one to read! Loved it, and you were correct you don't need to read 1-3 to enjoy it. ...more

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Apr 15, 2019 Kat Dietrich rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2019, series-ongoing

Perfect Silence by Helen Fields is the fourth in the 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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Mar 18, 2019 Joann rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, kindle, drama, murder, mystery, books-in-a-series, page-turners, english-drama, fiction, mystery-series

This is my "go to book" series when I am striking out with others. I always know this author will deliver a book that I can get into right away. The author does a great balance between policing and a focus on the crimes at hand and also on the personal lives and back-stories of our characters. She also managed to put two different plots together in this read and neither plot was compromised because of her excellent writing. Yes, it might be a bit gory at times, but I still find myself learning l ...more

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May 19, 2018 RachelW (BamaGal) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc

Another nice entry in a UK police procedural series I have really come to enjoy. If I had one complaint, it would be that the bad guys are somewhat stereotypical. But given how much I enjoy the plot lines and regular characters, it’s a small complaint.

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Aug 28, 2018 Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles rated it it was amazing

I would like to thank Avon Book UK and darling Sabah for inviting me to be part of this exceptional blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is unbiased and reflects my sole opinion.

All is silence in my head. A deafening silence and a never-ending scream.

Perfect Silence was my first meeting with the DI Callanach series and my first try at Helen Fields’ work.

Oh My God, why on earth did I wait this long??!

Before starting this novel, I could feel the nasty pulse

I would like to thank Avon Book UK and darling Sabah for inviting me to be part of this exceptional blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is unbiased and reflects my sole opinion.

All is silence in my head. A deafening silence and a never-ending scream.

Perfect Silence was my first meeting with the DI Callanach series and my first try at Helen Fields’ work.

Oh My God, why on earth did I wait this long??!

Before starting this novel, I could feel the nasty pulse of a reading slump run through my blood. We all have remedies to help with this issue. I shut it up with one of the most exceptional and skillfully plotted police procedural books I have ever read.

Now that I have finished it, I am all happy and eager to put my hands on the rest of the series but don’t be fooled, this is not an easy read! Maybe I am faint-hearted. It is okay. I do read lots of crime fiction, though, so I am used to decomposing bodies and nightmarish visions. But Helen Fields gave my stomach a hard time and my brain some indelible images.

The opening gave me the chills. Claustrophobic, oozing fear and pain, it had a huge impact on me. So huge I just couldn’t stop reading. Even when things got bad. Really bad. Really bloody. Completely and insanely awful. ‘Wow what is happening?????’ awful.

So why did I keep on reading?

Because Helen Fields has the power to create unescapable atmospheres in which she puts perfectly-crafted and human protagonists through heaven and hell (more of the latter than the former!) and all you want to do is let your eyes run through the stunning narrative. Stronger than tobacco or cake, Helen Fields turns her series into an addiction: her writing style flows like teardrops on the pane on a quiet Sunday night.

I won’t rehash what the blurb says. Bodies are mutilated then discovered minus a few skin parts. If, in the hands of a less capable writer, this scenario would have made me put down the book and never touch it again, Helen Fields superbly balances facts and sensitivity, cleverness and respect, through the characters handling this case. I cringed and chuckled, I was appalled and shocked. I could feel the empathy sliding from the tip of my fingers into the book. Usually, you get everything you need from a novel. In this case, the reader’s feelings are bound to penetrate the pages. A shared experience. I can’t explain it any other way.

What a joy to meet Ava Turner and Luc Callanach! As a fellow French, I was quite happy to see how Luc was portrayed, with layers and a complicated background, without any big clichés, but the right jokes about Scotland and France! A real pleasure and a needed respite from the heavier subjects within the novel. Ava won my heart quite fast! I was not aware there was room for another favorite female main characters, but I fell in love with this hard-boiled, not-taking-crap-from-anyone cop with a big heart, a conscience, and cracks in the walls of her life. No, the combination isn’t new, but there is a freshness to Ava, a little X-factor that makes it so fascinating to follow her step and watch her live and struggle.

On top of those two brilliant characters, you can count on a real team full of surprises, to say the least! My favorite thing in crime fiction! I love first impressions proved wrong, weird situations, and above it all, real authenticity coming from every person making this series alive. Chapeau bas, Mrs Fields!

Intertwined with the dead bodies coming from nowhere and scaring the hell out of me lies another case, and with it, the critical question of society and how cases can be treated differently depending on who is involved. I simply adored the fact that the author took the time to approach such a matter on top of everything else happening! Two clocks running, an unnerving pattern, a game of death for the greater good. I still shiver at the motives behind every action, every woman’s fate, and every wrong turns life can take.

Perfect Silence deals with dark souls but brings shining lights to get rid of the shadows. A pure and phenomenal crime fiction. Definitely my Book of the Month!

...more

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Sep 13, 2018 Eva rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Three words : read this NOW! You can thank me later.

If you’re a crime fiction fan, then the DI Luc Callanach series is undoubtedly one you should be reading. I’ve loved and enjoyed this series from the start and anxiously await a new addition every time because I just know I’ll be in for a treat.

That said though, if you’re of the faint-hearted variety, this may not quite be for you as you’ll need a bit of a strong stomach for this one. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’ve read any of Three words : read this NOW! You can thank me later.

If you’re a crime fiction fan, then the DI Luc Callanach series is undoubtedly one you should be reading. I’ve loved and enjoyed this series from the start and anxiously await a new addition every time because I just know I’ll be in for a treat.

That said though, if you’re of the faint-hearted variety, this may not quite be for you as you’ll need a bit of a strong stomach for this one. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’ve read any of the previous books.

The body of a young woman is found. Her death seems to have been a particularly gruesome one and the silhouette of a doll is carved into her skin. Detectives are having a hard time finding any clues or leads and then the doll made of skin is found near to where another young woman has gone missing. There’s no doubt there’s a serial killer roaming the streets. They’re playing a horrific game and are obviously on a mission. Can DI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach find the culprit before another young woman goes missing?

Perfect Silence is dark, chilling and disturbing, as I’ve come to expect from this series. Some chapters are written from the victims’ point of view, which were heartbreaking to read and made me choke up. It felt all too easy to imagine what it would be like to find yourself stuck in such a horrendous situation.

As for the serial killer, Helen Fields kept me guessing until the end. I couldn’t at all figure out their identity, their motivations or how they were selecting their victims in the first place. The race to find this murderer is incredibly tense and the ultimate reveal and somehow rather fascinating reasoning behind it all, left me a little open-mouthed.

I feel it’s also worth mentioning that I’ve been Team Luc from the start but I must say, in this instalment it was Ava who stole the show for me. She’s always been a bit of a character I couldn’t quite put my finger on but this time around she completely won me over. I loved seeing a different side to her, sympathised with her, rooted for her and often got the wrong end of the stick, just like she did. But there is so much to admire about her.

This series has been blowing my mind since the very beginning and I feel it’s only been getting better with each book. Intensely gripping and massively engrossing, this is another belter from Helen Fields and I absolutely can’t wait for book five and more from Luc and Ava. You should all add this series to your TBR’s or shopping baskets right now, as it is indeed quite “perfect”. ...more

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Aug 26, 2018 Caitlyn Lynch rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime

Perfect Silence is the fourth book in the DI Callanach series, and full disclaimer; I haven’t read the other three. Luc Callanach is the hero of the title, a French former Interpol officer now working as a detective inspector on the Major Incident Team (MIT) in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are quite a few references to events happening to Luc, his boss Ava and other members of the MIT, but I didn’t find it was necessary to have read previous books to understand what was going on here. This stands ...more

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May 30, 2018 Marina rated it it was amazing

When I started reading the book, my first thought was, did I stumble upon a horror movie? Because the story begins with a young woman held as a prisoner who desperately tries to escape her kidnapper. Then her body has been found dumped with the silhouette of a doll carved in the victim’s skin. Very creepy! And when another woman, former drug addict, disappears leaving her baby behind, Ava and Luc are horrified to discover a doll made of human skin in the baby’s bed. The investigations shows that When I started reading the book, my first thought was, did I stumble upon a horror movie? Because the story begins with a young woman held as a prisoner who desperately tries to escape her kidnapper. Then her body has been found dumped with the silhouette of a doll carved in the victim’s skin. Very creepy! And when another woman, former drug addict, disappears leaving her baby behind, Ava and Luc are horrified to discover a doll made of human skin in the baby’s bed. The investigations shows that the skin belongs to the previous victim and they know that the mother of the baby is not just an escaped drug addict, but she is held prisoner of a serial killer!

In the same time a new drug is on the street market and many of the homeless drug users end up with slashed Z on their faces. They don’t know nothing about who attacked them or when. The new drug acts something like Rohypnol and someone is taking advantage of the poor homeless people on the street whom nobody believes anything, no one cares about them. But Ava and Luc do care. Every life matters! The investigation takes them to a private school where elite kids think that they are untouchable, where showing force and bullying the weaker means glory and prestige.

Ava, Luc, Lively, Salter, the whole team is here again. D.C.I. Ava Turner is the boss, but she is everything but bossy. She acts little bit more mature than in the previous books and she is not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right, even if that means losing her job. D.I. Luc Callanach is having a relationship now, there is a lovely woman with Spanish origin, and maybe this time he can put the false rape allegation behind and finally be the person he used to be. The two investigations seem not connected, but maybe they are. The police team is working hard on both. I liked the plot, loved the story. Helen Fields is an excellent storyteller and plot twister! She combined the two criminal cases to create a perfect balance in the story that I wasn’t able to put down till the last page! There were moments when the hair on my neck literally stood up. Like in the horror movie! I absolutely love Luc Callanach Series and can’t wait for the next one! Totally recommended! ...more

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Aug 16, 2018 Madhu N rated it liked it

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

My first book by this author. I enjoyed this book and plan to go back and read the previous ones .

The details of the harm done to women was bit gory for me and hence reduced a star. Otherwise a good plot.

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May 29, 2018 Cheryl rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was an instant hit with me. I felt a if I had been with Ava and DI since the beginning. Yet, this is my first introduction to them both. I enjoyed this book so much that I can't wait to pick up copies of the prior novels to read.

Ava and DI work well together. Both are strong characters and intelligent. When one would get an idea the other one would get inspired as well. Additionally, they are in relationships. I kind of got to know DI's relationship a little better. These relationship ...more

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Oct 16, 2018 Kelly Lacey rated it really liked it

If you follow my blog you will know that Helen Fields first novel in this series Perfect Remains, ignited my new found love of crime fiction. I have followed the journey of Luc and Ave from book one onwards.

Set in Edinburgh this police procedural bring something extra to the table. The descriptions of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas are spot on. I love that I can visualise everything as it happens as I know the places. Well, not all of them, some are very dodgy areas indeed.

In book three Per ...more

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Aug 24, 2018 Deborah rated it really liked it

I hadn't realised this was part of a series when I requested it and though there were things I'd obviously missed in the first three books, it didn't impact at all on my enjoyment of the fourth in the Scottish police series. In fact, it made me keen to read the previous installations... even though I guess I know some of what must eventuate; but I loved the characters and am confident enough in Fields' ability to spin a good yarn that I'm keen to spend more time with her creations.

Fields achieve I hadn't realised this was part of a series when I requested it and though there were things I'd obviously missed in the first three books, it didn't impact at all on my enjoyment of the fourth in the Scottish police series. In fact, it made me keen to read the previous installations... even though I guess I know some of what must eventuate; but I loved the characters and am confident enough in Fields' ability to spin a good yarn that I'm keen to spend more time with her creations.

Fields achieves that great balance between policing and a focus on the crime/s at hand AND on the personal lives and backstories of our characters. She also manages to unfurl two plots at once without them merging in some inexplicable way or it 'doing my head in' because one is underdone.

I really liked our two leads: DCI Ava Turner and (her underling) Luc and gather some of the other key players... fellow coppers as well as a skirting-the-law computer hacker, a journalist and a reverend have featured previously along with Ava's best friend Natasha.

It reminded me of JD Robb's In Death series and Martha Grimes Richard Jury / Melrose Plant books, which have strong ensembles and aren't overly reliant on one or two characters.

Fabulous characters aside, the plot(s) themselves are interesting though the main storyline (and crimes) are somewhat macabre. I should mention I also found it very sad, as Fields puts us in the victims' heads and even the short time we spend with them is enough to realise young lives -and their hopes and dreams - are being snuffed out. (And that's just not fair...)

The secondary plot is centred around a 'new' synthetic drug I'd not heard of.... Spice. I googled it in case it was just fictional and akin to the 'ice' epidemic oft-discussed here in Australia but apparently Spice (the zombie drug) is an alternative to cannabis but resulting in effects more like LSD.

The investigating team has a sense it could be a vigilante and (in retrospect) I guess there's a similarity between the two sets of crimes - both a combo of punishment and sick pleasure... though which is which?!

I obviously very much enjoyed this book and - when my TBR pile diminishes, or I take a break on the reviewing front - I'd like to read some previous books in the series. ...more

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Sep 21, 2018 Donna Maguire rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime-mystery-suspense, net-galley-books-read, kindle-read, 2018-books-read

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

This is the fourth book in the series and I loved catching back up with Luc and Ava! The plot in this book is great, I was gripped from the beginning and it kept me fully engaged right to the books brilliant ending.

I love the writing style in this series it is addictive and I love the interaction between Luc and Ava as they try to crack the cases that they find themselves attached too.

This book has the same dark themes as previous books and some could find ...more

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Oct 05, 2018 The Tattooed Book Geek (Drew). rated it really liked it

As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...

On an isolated road, a body of a young woman is discovered. It is a grisly death and upon inspection of the body, it is found that the shape of a doll has been carved out of her skin on both her front and her back.

There are no breakthroughs with the killing and the MIT are struggling to uncover any firm leads to follow when another young woman is reported as missing. Whilst investig ...more

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Feb 23, 2019 Lainy rated it really liked it

Time taken to read - 2 days (as and when able)

Pages - 432

Publisher - Avon Books

Source - Review Copy

Blurb from Goodreads

When silence falls, who will hear their screams?

The body of a young girl is found dumped on the roadside on the outskirts of Edinburgh. When pathologists examine the remains, they make a gruesome discovery: the silhouette of a doll carved in the victim’s skin. And when a macabre ragdoll is found nestled beside an abandoned baby, DI Luc Callanch learns the killer’s horrifying ...more

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