🚨Bloody but fantastic murder mystery💥

This is such a well-written story, told on two timelines, about a bloody, deadly rampage set in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, and affecting so many innocent lives. The DCI leading the investigation soon finds herself and a wide swath of public servants under attack, including some individuals she's quite close to. The scenes from a young woman's past life slowly come together with the present and reveal the who and why behind such cruel disrespect for life striking repeatedly. It's gripping, page-turner drama that kept me engrossed to the very last page.

Helen Fields is an author new to me but now on my "to follow" list. I now intend to go back and read more of the series. I was initially drawn to this book when I noted its setting since I love police procedurals, romances, just about any well-written content, really, set in Scotland. And, I must admit, the carnage that ensues here made me pause early on. But I was right there with the team as they clutched for any straws that could bring them to the killer and stop the deaths and mutilation. Plus, young Quinn's story pulled me in. Her family such a haven of warm safety and love and then, it's all upended by a chance encounter. I had such sympathy for their dilemma when justice really did seem blind!

Strongly recommended with a caution that the violence gets quite graphic.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This is the seventh entry in Helen Field’s series about Edinburgh detectives DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner, and it gets off to a highly emotive start with Ava attending the funeral of her dear friend, pathologist Ailsa Lambert. Ailsa died in a bizarre and horrible way and it is up to Ava and her team to find out why. Soon other killings occur, and it seems that Edinburgh is in the grip of a deadly bomber who is targeting police and other first responders. Meanwhile a second storyline follows a tragic tale that is somehow linked to the current rampage of horror.

This is a high voltage story that moves quickly through some well staged and quite brutal set-pieces. The pacing rarely gives up and Helen knows how to twist and turn a plot all the way to stunning conclusion. Edinburgh provides an interesting backdrop to the story and regular fans of Helen’s books will enjoy catching up with the detectives and their friends and colleagues. There is also plenty of interesting forensic detail for those who enjoy that aspect of crime fiction.

What I particularly liked: was the brisk pace and the dark grittiness of the story

What I was less keen on: the dialogue and some of the relationships did not always ring true to me, but this was not a big issue

Three and a half to four stars out of five!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an electronic copy of the book.

Wow! Book seven in the series and this is a brilliant story.
I’m kind of speechless as so much happened in this book and I don’t know where to begin.
I can’t say too much as it will spoil it but Ava and Luc have their hands full trying to find a bomber who is killing lots of people in Edinburgh.
At the beginning of the book, Ava loses someone very close to her and is determined to find the person behind these atrocities.
There’s also some ‘Before’ chapters which are cleverly interwoven into the story. They do make for difficult reading at times but it really does add to the overall story.
I can’t believe the book ended in the way it did as I’m going to really struggle to wait for the next book now - I just need to know!
A brilliant book in a brilliant series.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

A concrete five star read! I have absolutely no criticism for this book, it literally has everything a good thriller needs - including a juicy cliffhanger. A very well structured book that has two strands giving more depth to the overall story. Already getting impatient waiting for the next instalment in this series.

***Trigger warning: Domestic violence***

This was an incredible read and the author has done a fantastic job with it. I wish it had known about the DV element in it though before I started as this does trigger me, being a DV survivor, but that does not take away a thing from this book. Even though this is the 7th book in the series, it was the first one I had read and it was absolutely fine as a standalone.

Ava is a very competent police officer and when she loses one of her closest friends to a horrendous incident at her workplace, the race is on to stop one of the worst killers that Edinburgh has ever seen. Luc Callanach is a colleague who is there for Ava, every step of the way. They have the kind of close bond that I am sure most of us wish we had with someone. Natasha is the friend who closes the triangle of friendship for these three. I love these three characters!

As they try and figure out who is killing people in the nastiest of ways and what the connection is between them all, Ava has to contend with her grief in losing friends and colleagues, an overbearing supervisor and her frustration of not being able to fix the whole world's woes.

An absolutely fantastic book, complete thrilling rollercoaster.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books.

Wow! The tension and anticipation of trouble in this book is so high throughout to the very last page. Talk about a cliffhanger ending - this one leaves you with your jaw hanging open.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series (although it’s #7). It was fine as a stand-alone, but I could see how a deeper understanding of the personal and work relationships would be beneficial. The main character, DCI Ava Turner, is a strong female character which always makes me happy. She finds herself thrown into an investigation of a serial bomber in this book. The actions and the investigation were so smart. The chapters where not in linear order and focused on different characters, but rather than being confusing, it allowed the reader to see how the pieces intersected. The story was action-packed and gripping. As soon as you thought the action was dying down, it flared back up.

I had ideas on who might be behind the attacks, but I was never able to pin down one suspect. The twists, intensity and race against time had me unable to put this book down for long. This is much more than a police procedural as there were definitely psychological thriller elements too. The creepiness factor for one of the characters was so good! I loved this line:

“ Not that he had anything planned. Not that he would enter, even if he found it unlocked. Just to see. To smell her in the air.”

I thought this book was excellent and I will definitely be reading more of this series and author! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advance copy to read and review.

Helen Fields new novel One for Sorrow is an outstanding thriller in which DCI Ava Turner is personally affected by a killer who avenges injustice in devastating terms.

The Edinburgh police receive a call following a murder directing them to a location where a woman is in extreme distress. Ava and her colleagues do what they can to help but could never have anticipated what was to happen.

During the subsequent investigation Ava and Luc work together whilst looking out for housemate Natasha who is recovering from a serious illness.

Helen Fields' latest episode in the continuing story of Ava Turner is so well written with great characters and at least one truly odious villain. Felt like I had been "through the wringer" by the end !!

Gasping … for … air! Seriously! I can’t breathe. What the fu…dge was that?!

I genuinely have so much adrenaline coursing through me right now that I’m pretty sure I can provide power to a small city. Holy … haggis! Goodness me, where to even begin.

‘One For Sorrow‘ is the seventh instalment in the Turner/Callanach series. In this one, Edinburgh is in the grips of a terrorist bomber. They seem to be telling a story somehow and the body count is rising fast. Every incident law enforcement and paramedics attend puts them right in the line of danger as they walk straight into a trap. DCI Turner and DI Callanach have to find a way to stop this bomber from striking again … but at what cost?

That’s it. I’m not telling you anything else. I will share these words of wisdom that were imparted to me when I started reading this book : prepare to be shooketh. And shooketh I was, dear reader. Right from the start, ‘One For Sorrow‘ grabs you by the throat and does not let go. The opening chapters … I can’t even … I suspect that’s what it feels like to be hit by a freight train. Twice.

From that point on, it’s all systems go. Just like the team investigating the bombings, I too felt like I didn’t get a moment to catch my breath or had any idea of what was around the corner. There is so much happening, there is so much to wrap your head around. Most of all there is an abundance of emotions to go through and quite frankly, I felt utterly wrung out by the end. My crime fiction isn’t supposed to leave me with a lump in my throat and on the verge of ugly crying, FFS.

Again, I don’t want to give anything away but throughout the story there are chapters dealing with “the before”. These got under my skin like you wouldn’t believe. They make for some uncomfortable reading and left me feeling incredibly angry. Unfortunately, they’re also utterly realistic and believable, and they will leave you raging against the injustice of it all. This is something Helen Fields always does so well in this series.

The shooketh level kept rising and rising as I swiped the pages faster and faster. I thought I knew what was going on but I was never really sure. ‘One For Sorrow‘ is a nail-biter for sure, deliciously twisty, incredibly tense, massively emotional and just when you think it’s safe to come out of hiding … well … you’ll just have to find out for yourself, won’t you. Honestly, I couldn’t decide if I needed a drink (or ten) or a run around the block. All shook up.

I can’t recommend this entire series enough and it is one I will never abandon. Helen Fields is a powerhouse in the crime fiction genre and you should all be reading her books. They may not always be for the faint-hearted but they often deal with themes that haunt modern society and the characters are just magnificent. Also, you know, if you need another incentive, Luc Callanach is dreamy.

Ooh, I loved this, read most of it in one sitting but had to give in to sleep, I couldn’t wait to pick it up the next day.
Full of twists and turns, suffering and frustration.
I became very attached to some of the characters and I’m looking forward to more

4.75 Stars. Right now I’m kicking myself that One for Sorrow is my first experience of Helen Fields’ fiction. This seventh title in her DI Callanach Series was an uttlerly gripping read as a standalone, so it is clear that I have missed out on similar taut narratives and thrilling plots in the novels that preceded it. That said, it’s better to have discovered this authorial talent and fantastic series characters Callanach and DCI Ava Turner late rather than never.

DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are both dedicated to their work, colleagues, friends and each other, despite technically no longer being romantically involved. Ava is gutsy and brave to a fault; Luc is steadfast, caring, a protector. And their support network, as they lead the hunt for the bomber while battling their own grief and mental demons, is comprised of some endearingly feisty and wise characters also.

But most striking, and something I only fully realised at this novel’s conclusion, is that with each and every characterisation (even those of the least admirable) Fields achieves an uncommon level of emotional nuance and authenticity. Read full review at BookloverBookReviews.com

Wow!! Time to catch my breath after this high octane read. People are being murdered across Edinburgh and there is a race to find out who is committing these gruesome murders and why. Ava and Luc Callanach are deeply involved and Ava needs to put personal issues to one side in trying to solve the case . It is a warts and all look at how an incident can have a domino effect and love becomes an obsession

It's a very well-constructed story, a good thriller. There are two strands to this novel, and from the "before" strand, the reader knows/suspects throughout the book what the murders are related to. This element of the story was both sad and frustrating as it highlights the failings of the law to protect those who need it quite pointedly. The police investigation was tense and the crimes shocking, with a great many twists and turns in the plot, but ultimately having finished the book, it's left me feeling quite despondent and depressed!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Book 7 in the DI Luc Callanach series, set in Edinburgh, although he took a bit of a supporting role in this book with DCI Ava Turner the main protagonist. I love Luc so I missed seeing so much of him as we had in previous books but Ava’s a pretty good substitute. Another brilliant written and constructed plot with probably the largest body count I’ve seen in a book for a good while. Told in dual timelines, the present from Ava’s POV and the past, which is the lead up to the horrendous events that are unfurling.

Briefly, someone is targeting the emergency services. After losing a close friend in a targeted killing Ava is shocked when an apparently pregnant woman is found hanging from a bridge and the aftermath of her death is truly shocking. Before; Quinn has met her first serious boyfriend but his treatment of her is skewed. What, if anything, does this have to do with the current spate of multiple murders?

I’m a massive fan of this series and as usual this was a brilliant read, really fast paced and in the time honoured phrase “a real page turner.” Probably one of the darkest in the series but also quite emotional and we still have the sexual tension between Ava and Luc simmering away, then that ending… how can you leave is like that! I loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book starts with a gruesome bomb attack in Edinburgh and with further attacks happening DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are called in to investigate. Inevitably, they up against the clock to prevent more lives being lost.

Ms Fields' detective characters are excellent, (if you haven't read any before, go to it!). They come up against a pretty awful bomber and some horrible scenes - very well described.

There is no doubt talented Ms Fields' books get better each time, which is no mean feat.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read and review.

When I asked to read an early copy of One for Sorrow, I knew I'll like it because Helen is a fantastic writer. The story exceeded my expectations. It's so good, that I spent my entire Friday evening glued to a book and I had to force myself to go to bed at a reasonable hour, then I picked it up on the first available moment the next day.

DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach don't have an easy life, and now they have a bomber one the loose. What's worse, he or she is targeting emergency services and law enforcement. The murderer knows what they're doing, plans everything, watches the "show", and moves to the next victim. Before the bomb goes off, they tip-off the police, who after the first killing, know they are walking into a trap.

A series of supposedly random killings leads to dozens of officers dead. Establishing a connection is the key - but would Ava and Luc make it on time?

A breathtaking, perfectly plotted, fast-paced thriller for everyone who needs a dose of adrenaline. I ended up being so engaged in the story that everything around me disappeared, I had to know what's going to happen next! AND THIS ENDING. I DIDN'T LIKE IT. I NEED TO KNOW MORE!

Perfect for the fans of Chris Carter.

Pre-order or you'll regret it, because everyone *will* be talking about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Helen Fields for an e-ARC of One for Sorrow in exchange for an honest review.

Where to start... The only reason I didn't read this book in one sitting was having to work! Right from the start I was intrigued and hooked, and the suspense was present all the way through. The story is explosive, thrilling and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, with twists and turns a plenty. Easily a five star read that I would recommend to anyone who likes detective fiction.

The DI Callanach books are my favourite series, and being back in their world made me realise how much I had missed them. I loved the cameo from The Shadow Man, and my heart aches for certain characters I will not name to avoid spoilers. The only thing I would have changed would be to feature more Luc & Ava, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next book? Which I now need asap!

If you haven't read the Perfect series yet, do yourself a favour and pick it up - you won't regret it!

Wow wow wow what a book such a fast paced and just a generally incredible read. What didn’t this thriller cover, bombs, explosions, rape, stalking you name it one for sorrow had it covered. I was slightly apprehensive when starting this book as I didn’t realise it was part of a series however I had no problem at all reading it as a stand alone and now I cannot wait to go back and read the rest of the series.

When a serial bomber starts targeting what seems to be random members of the Scottish public it is D.I Callanach and DCI Ava Turners job to get to the bottom of who is behind this and why. It takes a while and is no simple task many of Ava’s team are lost along the way as it soon becomes clear that the bomber is prepared to take out members of the police force along the way. With the bomber one step ahead of Ava she does everything in her power to put smart the bomber however he always seems to be one step ahead of her.

This story was told from a before and now perspective and I really enjoyed trying to work out how the two fitted together and I enjoyed seeing how past events lead to current events. In my opinion this book was perfectly written it was intense, action packed and had a mind blowing twist at the end.

I love a shock ending with a massive twist and I really didn’t see that coming. I will definitely be looking out for more books by Helen Sarah Fields and cannot wait to see what more she has in store.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an advance copy of this incredible book in exchange for this review.

I received a gifted copy of ‘One for Sorrow’ by Helen Fields in return for my honest review. This is the first book I have read from this author, even though I have been keen to read one of her books for a while.

This book follows Detective Chief Inspector Ava Turner in the Major Investigations Unit in Edinburgh.

Ava is grieving for an old friend who died in unusual circumstances, and she is determined to find out who is responsible.

Whilst investigating a number of bombings occur in Edinburgh, and soon Ava and her team realise they are not safe.

Ava must stay strong for her team, work on the case and protect as many people as possible.

Who is behind these devastating explosions? Is someone out for revenge?

Wow!!! I can’t believe I haven’t read a Helen Fields book before, this book left me breathless and had me heart-broken in places.

It is intense throughout and constantly had me going ‘Oh My’, ‘No, please No’ as the shocking incidents keep coming and coming.

Not only is the storyline amazing and action packed, but I also loved the interactions between the team, and I especially loved Ava’s character.

I was a bit worried starting so far into the series, but the author made me feel as if I knew everyone and it wasn’t an issue at all. I will certainly be reading from the start to find out what I have missed though, as I would love to find out their back story a little more.

Overall, an amazing, action packed, intense crime thriller which left me breathless.

Fields returns with the seventh book in the series and her writing remains as fresh as a (murdered, bloody) daisy. From the beginning, the narrative was fast-paced, compelling and intriguing. I could not stop reading until I had solved this horrific case with Ava and Luc.

My hands were sweating as I read this book, so caught up in the plot development. It’s a racy, pacey narrative that I think is the most intense of the series yet. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, understanding the connection between Ava and Luc, plus the rest of her supporting squad, can only really be gained from reading the previous books. However, you won’t be disappointed: even after seven books, each novel remains different from one another.

I think Fields’ writing goes from strength to strength. The opening chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book and I felt like was racing with Ava and Luc to discover the perpetrator before more innocent lives were lost. In contrast to previous books, this one did not feature as much banter and light-heartedness between the officers; I think this is a reflection of the gravity of crimes that are haunting the people of Edinburgh.

The narrative switches between investigating the bombings to a timeline marked ambiguously as ‘Before’. Unlike many crime stories, we don’t truly find out the perpetrator until the police start making progress. There is no switch to the perpetrator’s perspective and this adds to the intensity of the story. Even then, I could not help but make my own predictions in a desperate attempt to assist Ava and Luc.

A book that held many surprises along the way, this was an intense, emotional thriller from start to finish. The ending was completely unexpected and I think the writer was a little naughty in how the story concluded: how am I supposed to wait until goodness knows when for the next book to be released?! Fans will be appreciative that there is still more to come for Luc and Ava.

Easily one of my favourite reads this year (and it is only February!), this is an author who I highly regard and I am completely fan-girling with excitement for Fields’ next novel. Bring it on!

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this latest book in this gritty, compelling series, there is a bomber in Edinburgh. This is a really good police procedural, featuring detectives Ava and Luc and a cast of engaging characters. Although this is part of a series, and previous books would be helpful for backstories, this can easily be read as a stand-alone. Highly recommend this book, this series, and this author.