Cover Image: Perfect Crime

Perfect Crime

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This is book five of the Luc Callanach series about a French detective working for the Edinburgh MIT. I had not read any of the previous books but didn’t have any problem reading this as a stand-alone, although am sure it would’ve been even better had I known the characters - especially the relationship with Ava. I intend to go back and start the series from the beginning - once I catch up a bit with my ridiculous TBR.

A young man stands on a bridge contemplating suicide, but is talked down by a counsellor. Weeks later he is found dead after a fall from a castle. Other deaths follow, each more gruesome than the last, and the MIT team, led by DCI Ava Turner, discover that each victim had previously attempted suicide. Meanwhile Callanach visits one of the men who raped his mother, decades earlier, and may or may not be his father, but finds he has advanced dementia, so is shocked to hear that he was murdered the same night. Luc and Ava, good friends as well as work colleagues, finally let their defences down to reveal their true feelings, but a chance discovery smashes their trust, perhaps forever.

This was an excellent police procedural with entertaining but believable characters and an exciting serial killer plot line. I lived in Edinburgh for ten years so loved hearing all the place names, still so familiar even years later. There is gore and one overly detailed sex scene (for a crime thriller) but it wasn’t gratuitous and I suspect long-term fans of the series will have been waiting for this. The reveal to both mysteries was a surprise even with a fairly limited suspect pool, as there were enough red herrings to keep the reader on their toes, and the main killer’s reason not something I had heard of before.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review. Perfect Crime is published today.

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I finished this book a few days ago. I normally write reviews the same day but I needed to think on this one. I was not a fan. When I first read the synopsis I was intrigues but after reading a few pages I knew that this book was going to take suicide and turn it into an entertainment aspect and not the mental health crisis that it is. It is very graphic and violent. Aside from that, it is highly predictable. I knew who the killer was at the beginning of the book. This is my first book in the series so I did miss out on the previous relationship issues of the main characters but I did't care for that either. It was if it was only in the book to add some tension that wasn't even needed for the progression of the storyline. The book did not feel plausible in the least. When reading a book you should be immersed in it and was too distracted by the writing style and questioning the logic and plausibility of the book.

I am not sure who I would recommend this too. Maybe to the people that read the prior books and feel invested in the relationship of the main characters.

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This is the fifth book in a series I hadn't read, so it took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked - I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the series.

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Ahh Luc, Luc, mon petit chou! Jet’aime, je te veux toujour just like your crazed stalker Astrid. Yes, I too have become obsessed with D.I. Luc Callanach, formerly of Interpol now of Police Scotland. DI Callanach comes to us courtesy of the fine crime stories of Helen Sarah Fields. Perfect Crime is the fifth book featuring DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner.
In Perfect Crime it becomes evident the elaborately staged suicides are not what they seem, even though the victims have a history of suicide ideation. At first the victims appear to be the victims of their own sick minds, forever affecting those who view them. Then it becomes apparent that although each victims could have committed such a crime against themselves, there is always a giveaway that says no, no way Jose, think again. Fortunately the pathologist and the MIT squad of Police Scotland do just that.
Meanwhile Luc is once again suspected of another heinous crime, but not to worry. His closest friend and confidant stands with him until… ohhhhh wait a minute. His enemies on the MIT squad are still there to harass and bait…ohhhhh wait a minute. Luc’s whole world has gone topsy turvey, with roles reversed every which way.
There are two storylines to follow, or three if you count Luc and Ava’s non- relationship relationship. The first, the gruesome killings of the “failed” suicides is brilliant and imaginative. The second storyline, the murders of the men who raped Luc’s mother before he was born, was more pedestrian. There are enough red herring in Perfect Crime to keep the reader guessing and involved.
It is hard to chose which is more outstanding in the Callanach series, the crimes or the characters. There is DI Callanach, the model handsome detective who can’t seem to catch a break, and his boss and good friend DCI Ava Turner. Det. Superintendent Overbeck is present in all her blazing glory, while Dr Alisha Cahill, pathologist, is still around to equally boss and mother Ava. Crime blogger and best friend to Luc, Lance Proudfoot, again adds to the mixture his extraordinary bad luck, or good luck, depending on which outcome you look at.
The ending is exciting and fiery, because sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Then again, sometimes she doesn’t. The next book will be very welcome indeed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review

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We begin with a Mr. Stephen Berry in the midst of committing suicide on top of a bridge. But soon he is helped down by a suicide prevention counsellor. Yet within a week he is found dead, and though it looks like suicide, both DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are drafted in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed…But before they can conclude that investigation, more bodies pile up. All former suicide patients and on first glance they seem to have been successful in it. Yet there is something wrong in the way these suicides are committed and as more bodies are found, it becomes clear there's a serial killer on the loose. 

Since I am late to the party, the relationship between Callanach and Turner is not something I can comment on except it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb. It is smoothly integrated into the storyline and contributes to the plot. The problems that arise between the boss and their subordinate is aptly captured as well. The serial killer is definitely not a run of the mill kind and does have a unique spin to them. There was a subplot I felt was unnecessary. Its fast paced yet drawn out to understand the characters more fully. The other characters who have been in the series for long also make their presence felt despite not having read the other four books.

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I read this book having not read the previous four. I found alot going on at once for it to grab a hold of me. I will definitely give the other books a go.

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I love this series of books so when I had the chance to read a copy before publication date I jumped at the chance! I was not disappointed another excellent book in the Luc Callanach series. I can’t wait for the next one.

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Four and a half stars!!
Reading this title was like revisiting old friends! I have read all the other books in the series and enjoyed (Perfect Prey not quite as much) as the characters develop and their relationships cause laughter and sometimes despair!! There is laugh out loud humour, suspense, intrigue, red herrings and a race to try and avert more disaster at the end ... everything you could wish for. This series just gets better and I was reading late into the night to finish this episode. Now the wait for the next one!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley/Helen Fields/Avon Books UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Another great book in this series.
Luc and Ava are called to investigate the death of someone who has seemingly thrown themselves off the top of a castle, but all is not what it seems.
Ava is injured trying to obtain evidence and gets closer to Luc while he tends to her wounds.
Another body is soon discovered and again it looks like suicide but on closer inspection it’s not.
We get an insight into the killer’s mind and it’s not a pretty sight.
It seems they are targeting those that are vulnerable and have contemplated taking their own lives.
Alongside this story is another involving people from Luc’s past and he’s confused about what is happening around him.
This is a gripping crime thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat. The final few chapters will take your breath away.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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A serial killer who kills people who have been saved from suicide? How twisted is that? A very unique story line from a well known author who keeps readers happy. This is not the first book in this series but it's a good stand alone. Read the prior books to find the development of the main characters. You won't be sorry!

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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.

We are back with Luc Callanach snd Ava Turner! For anyone who has read the series, this is the book you have been waiting for! There are so many personal developments for them in this, and it made for truly compelling reading and I loved seeing two characters I adore have so many changes happen to them.

Plot wise, this is every bit as gruesome and intense as I now expect from Fields. The drama begins at the start and continues in its intensity all the way through. This felt very clever as well and I enjoyed how Fields brings them altogether. As usual 'Perfect Crime' is a thrilling, complex read and one that I loved. Having said this, the plot did feel formulaic, having read Fields' other books this was disappointingly obvious. Now the plot was sensational and perfect for the plot direction but I felt I worked it out too soon, which was a real shame. This is not a major issue but it would have been nice to have some major twists thrown at me.

'Perfect Crime' is another gritty, intense read from Fields. There is disappointment in the obviousness but Fields more than makes up for this with the personal developments for Luc and Ava.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy.

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I've never read any of the books in this series (Callanach), but I am clearly missing out. The plot of this mystery/thriller really kept me guessing and I feel I never lost interest during the investigation - especially when it came to the insight of the killer. I didn't guess the ending at all! I definitely want to go back and read some of the previous books in this series from this author.

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Perfect Crime - the perfect read! God this is brilliant. I received an invitation to read Perfect Remains from Netgalley and upon finishing it I immediately purchased the next three books in the series and now I’ve finished this the 5th Perfect Crime. Such a great opportunity to read all five books back to back - I’m going to miss Luc and Ava in my life! As before this book has unusual clever plots. The first main plot is excellent and although I had spotted the villain I disregarded him. The second main plot is intertwined with the sub plot, and oh the subplot!!! No spoilers but one part made my heart sing and break all in the space of a few pages. Cracking addition to a fabulous series

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Just love this series and this was one of the best yet. Even more encouraging is the possibility of another instalment, as it's left beautifully open at the end.
Great story here, somewhat macabre, but well crafted. Who is preying on the vulnerable and suicidal? In a parallel narrative, who and why is killing men linked to Luc's past?
Great stuff.

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Detective Inspector Luc Callanach has decided to stay in Scotland. He is in love with Detective Chief Inspector Ava Turner but she doesn't know it. And he has made friends with the other staff members since his move from France. They are looking into a murderer that is killing people violently. They are trying to figure out what the victims have in common.
I really enjoyed this mystery and look forward to reading more in the series.

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"...the problem with suicide is the amount of suffering it takes to get to the point of ending it all. A second of agony at the end doesn't even come close to being a concern for most..."

There's a serial killer on the loose and this maniac is targeting people who have either tried to, or voiced a desire to kill themselves. And they're dying in the most gruesome ways. DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are investigating the murders while also trying to figure out who has implicated Callanach in the deaths of two men who figured in his past. NO SPOILERS.

This is the fifth in a great police procedural series though this one has a lot more romance than previous books. The grisly details are all there with some interesting psychopathology in this outing. I'd urge you to read from the beginning in order to understand the evolution and history of Luc Callnach and his transfer to Scotland's MIT from Lyon, France as well as to get the picture of his interest in Ava Turner. If only she wasn't so "perfect", I'd like her character a bit more! I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next -- PERFECT DARK as I'll be wanting to be first in line to read it! The other characters that make up the team are becoming more fleshed out with each new release and I'm happy to get to know them all better.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.

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This is a really good series. This book had two stories running at the same time. There is plenty of action and and suspense. I really like the way the characters are developing and I will be looking out for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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I hadn't read any of the books of this series, but as soon as I started PERFECT CRIME, I felt like the two main characters: Luc Callanach and Ava Turner were already like family. This is a compuslive, tense and emotional police procedural which is perfect for fans of the genre and series like Katerina Diamond's Imogen Grey & Adrian Miles.

You don't need to worry about this one: the book is fast-paced from the beggining. The first scene featuring a man who wants to kill himself but isn't so sure about his fate had me turning the pages dying to know what would happen. And the following scene featuring DI Callanach... let's say I was immediately gripped.

PERFECT CRIME follows two different storylines: one about an 'Angel of death" who kills people who tried to commit suicide and another, even more mysterious, featuring a very personal case for Callanach. Both cases were great, but what I loved the most about this book was the focus on Luc and Ava's relationship. I enjoyed their witty dialogues, their banter and the way their relationship evolved.

I wish I had read the previous books in the series because there were some mentions of old cases that seemed as gripping as this one was and I think this is one of those series that is worth reading from the beginning. Can't wait for the next novel to keep discovering more about Luc and Ava

P.S: I am from Spain and I believe almost no one here is called Selina, in fact, it's not a Spanish name at all, I certainly don't know anyone with that name. I don't know if I missed something and she was from somewhere else, but that was a bit weird for me.

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Absolutely loved this! Full review will be up soon. Helen did an amazing job. Looking forward to her next work!

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What do you get when a socially camouflaged lunatic with a God complex starts finishing off the deeds of would-be suicide attempts? DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner with few clues and no links immediate links between victims. Their work has them navigating all areas of the city hoping to net the maniac, dangerously, with one of their own as bait. Fast paced and well-written.

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