The sexy Frenchman is again involved in a complicated serie of murders - except that only he thinks they are murders - to everyone else, they look like suicides.
In this series we have a lovely brooding dark French policeman sent to Edinburgh for various political reasons, who takes a long time to settle and make friends. But by this book in the series he is settling down - a little, but his friendships are stretched in this bizarre series of what are classed as suicides.
I very much like this series of novels. They tick all the right boxes. A brooding hero. A series of complicated crimes that only he can solve. And good storytelling with chills and gasps as accidents happen etc. Would make good TV.

What a story. This one was good. Keeping me on the edge of the chair wondering which way it was going to play out. Couldn’t put it down it was interesting and kept your interest all the way through it

Helen Sarah Fields you are KILLING me.

Perfect Crime is a compelling crime thriller, I was hooked from page 1 and want to cry when I realised I was on the last page.

My love for Luc Callanach grows with every book, he has really grown since the first book. It adorable how much he cares for Ava.

It's time to talk about the cases, one is connected to Luc and the other is strange death by people with history of suicides. I feel sorry for Luc he seems a little bit cursed. The second case is really interesting as in resolves around people that have either tried to commit suicide or thought about it ending up dead. The motives is one I have not read in a crime fiction book before.

Helen Sarah Fields writing style is really easy to read, I can picture every moment in my mind.

Perfect Crime is full of action, drama, romance, suspense wrapped in a crime mystery.

Thank you NetGalley, Helen Fields and Avon Books UK for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Stephen Barry is ready to end his life by jumping off a bridge when a suicide prevention counselor convinces him that his life is worth more. But a week later Stephen is found dead at the bottom of a cliff and Ava and Luc are investigating whether he jumped or was forced off the side of the cliff. As they investigate, more supposed suicides start rolling in and they are gruesome unlike any other suicide attempt before them. Little do the detectives know, but the killer is gaining confidence with every kill and won’t stop unless put behind bars.

I love these novels so much and I can’t help but look forward to every installation of Ava and Luc! This novel was no different from all the others; it was quick paced, gruesome and interesting. I flew through it and every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, another death would throw a wrench into my prediction. I love Ava and Luc’s characters and how their relationship progresses through each and every novel. This novel was my favorite so far of all the others in the series and I was heartbroken with the ending and can’t wait to see what the next one brings. I need Ava and Luc to be together, I don’t think I have ever rooted for two people to be together in my life! I would definitely recommend picking up this novel if you enjoy a good detective procedural novel!

Out April 18th!

Another brilliantly written, all consuming plot from start to finish in this great series. Helen manages to write such compelling gruesome storylines. Could not put it down. Be warned

I have never read a book by Helen Fields before and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was drawn in from the beginning and never saw any of the twists coming. I will definitely be reading more in this series. The fact that it was set in my favourite city intrigued me even more.

I nearly cried when I finished this. It’s brilliant. Suicides talked down. Then found dead. But they have been murdered. Will be looking out for more by this author.
5/5 on goodreads

The PR blurb for this novel promised so much, but I’m afraid that this book did not really make a great impact upon me, due to some ridiculous story lines.

This is the 5th in a series of books set around the same characters, and whilst I can reasonably expect some passing references to their previous interactions - in this book, I felt that far too much time was spent on their previous personal relations.

Very early in the book, the female lead (a DCI named Ava) took preposterously dangerous personal risks whilst looking for evidence – at night, in stormy weather, and at great height.

By enormous “coincidence” a journalist “happens” to get himself involved in a dangerous plotline

But for me (having previously worked as a crime scene examiner – and with 7 years experience as the overall head of forensics for a UK police force) - Ava’s actions towards the end of the book just beggar belief.

I appreciate that this is a novel, and literary licence is to be expected, but this would never be believable from a person of her rank and experience. !

This is the fifth book in the series and whilst you don't have to have read the others I think it would help. I had read the first and felt that this was adequate. There are some references to the others but the main understanding would be the characters - especially Luc and Ava's history/chemistry.

I really enjoyed this book, as much as the first although this time I felt it was a lot more obvious as to who the criminal was which was disappointing. In the first book you clearly know and it is a case of waiting for the police to catch up but in this book they were a bit clueless.

I really enjoy all the other characters too - Natasha and Max especially. The plot was interesting and well written my only hesitation on giving it 5 stars was that by the end I was bored of the whole will they won't they with Ava and Luc which looks like it will drag on to the next book!

I would recommend Fields if you enjoy Gerritsen because to me it is the same vibe.

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

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is Book 5 in the D I Callanach thriller series and each book in the series just gets better. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading book 6, The Perfect Dark.
The storyline was extremely clever and introduced new team police members, who will no doubt appear in the next book in the Perfect series.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in Luc and Ava’s relationship.
Highly recommended.

Perfect Crime Helen Fields

Helen Fields has written a blinking good police procedural thriller, this is #5 in the DCI Ava Turner, DI Luc Callandach from Edinburgh Police. Although it can be read as a standalone police drama in my humble opinion they are actually better read in chronological order to allow the reader to understand the dynamics of these two and the rest of the team.

I really appreciated the powerful and sensitive way that the author deals with the issue of depression and suicide. We are in a time when/where suicide figures are at an all time high and the author has made a conscious effort not to glamorise it to make it an easy read for us.

There are a couple of more personal stories running alongside the main story. We have a ‘Ross and Rachel, will they won’t they?’ scenario as well as DI Callandachs hunt for the person responsible for the attack on his mother. I’m hoping that their relationship status is resolved one way or another, as I wouldn’t like it to take over the books.

This book starts with Stephen Berry being talked down from a suicide by Counsellor Rune Mclure but sadly he was found a week later at the bottom of a cliff. Was he pushed or did he jump? That’s the question for Ava and Luc. After more bodies rack up under similar circumstances, it soon becomes apparent that they have a serial killer in their midst.

As if a serial killer wasn’t enough we have another body one the scene that is linked to Luc, causing them to break protocol which subsequently this leads to him being suspended from duty.

A gripping read and I will happily recommend this to anyone who will listen to me.

Read in advance for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Publishers

Good book - although I haven’t read the first 5!
I liked the charecters - and the relationship they have. I pretty much guessed who the killer was early on - but that didn’t spoil it for me.
I have read better, but it made me want to pick up the previous books.

Whilst it was very obvious all along as to who the killer was, this book did keep me entertained and intrigued throughout. I don't love that Callanach and Ava ended this novel on bad terms, but looking forward to reading how the next one follows on from that point.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series. Relatable characters. This police dept. cares for one another.
Helen Fields has an extraordinary way of telling a story. Fantastic mystery series. Looking forward to the next installment!

This is my second book by Helen Fields. I am really enjoying the dynamic between DI Callanach and DI Ava Turner - particularly appreciating the changes over the intervening books.

An interesting investigation of the murder of ‘suicides’ - I was drawn in and forced to keep reading! I will definitely be reading more.

Helen Fields has done an excellent job for a slightly different crime novel. The murderer has some serious issues but the direction of where he came from was such a great twist!!!

Perfect Crime by Helen Fields
Reviewed for Netgalley before release day.

This is the 5th book in the D. I Callanach series and with each book, I like them more and more. They just keep getting better.
You can of course pick up any of the books and read them in any order, but the back stories make much more sense if you read them chronologically.

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…

This book took me straight into the basis of the story, which again there are two cases going on simultaneously. There is always something happening which has kept me guessing. I found myself saying out loud ‘yes, no oh no’, quite a bit.

Helen Fields always seems to deliver emotion for me in this series and this book did not disappoint!

Fear (caught myself holding my breath)
Shock, the revelation of who what where and how (I realised I was reading faster, hoping I was wrong and will it all be ok)
and excitement because I was so ‘sold’ on something going right for a certain character.

The characters are familiar to me from the previous books. Yet there is still more to their characters to learn, I found.

I was not in the least bit disappointed by this book and it has the beginning of the next book in the series to tease and entice me, which it did!

I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Available April 18th

It took me longer than usual to read this book, not because I didn't find the story interesting and even catchy from time to time but because of the format of the ARC. The lines were broken unevenly, two chapters were doubled, not having a table of contents, not knowing how many chapters are there in the book...
But I liked the characters and the fast-paced story well enough, so I'm looking forward to reading the sequel (maybe in a better format!)

I loved this fast paced thriller! I have read all the other books in this series and this one is just of high quality. An excellent read. Highly recommended. Five stars from me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Helen Fields for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.