Perfect Death (A DI Callanach Thriller, Book 3)

Helen Fields

Jan 2018 · A DI Callanach Thriller Book 3 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Don’t miss the new, devastatingly good thriller from Helen Fields, The Institution. Coming March 2023 – available to pre-order now!

‘Relentless pace, devilish cleverness and a laser-sharp focus on plot.’ Chris Brookmyre

‘Without doubt, this is one of the best detective series I have read.’ Woman’s Way Magazine

There’s no easy way to die...

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

But how do you catch a killer who hides in the shadows? A killer whose pleasure comes from watching pain from afar? Faced with their most difficult case yet, Callanach and Turner soon realise they face a seemingly impossible task...

‘A very sinister premise and an intriguing killer’s voice. Highly recommended.’ James Oswald

Ratings and reviews

2.5 Stars I was actually quite disappointed in this book. The first two DI Luc Callanch books are tautly written and suck you in to the depraved underbelly of Edinburgh quite nicely. There is a lot of dwelling on the attractiveness of the DI and his "past" but these seems to become almost voyeuristic in the third book and it did make me feel rather uncomfortable at times. The book itself follows the tried and tested format of flashes from the protagonists point of view, but just enough so we can see he is selecting a new victim and a tiny glimpse of why. Then we flip back to the investigation, or maybe a glimpse of "life outside the job" which almost inevitable seems to involve copious amounts of alcohol and questionable personal choices. What I would give right now for a reasonably well balanced senior police officer. The side thread of the possible corruption and suicide of a formed DCI just confuses things and leads to some of the most ridiculous scenarios imaginable. Honestly since Ava became a DCI I think her brain has deserted her, let alone a sense of self-preservation. Follow this up by Callanach and Lively dashing to Glasgow like a pair of idiots and the strangely comic book violence they meet up with there and it all rather falls apart. The idea behind the main murder story in the book is a good one and should have been enough to carry the story on it's own. We really don't need all the extra bells and whistles - especially when so poorly executed. I have the fourth book already so I really hope it is an improvement on this one.

Great anytime you put the two detectives together. Bit this got a 4 instead of 5 star they lost their sparkle like forgot there they werent friends go back to 2nd bpok to remember.

Not as good as the first two in the series. Still a great read! I did find it very predictable, ruining it for myself far to early on in the book, however I still couldn't put it down! Very keen for the next book

About the author

Helen Fields studied law at the University of East Anglia, then went on to the Inns of Court School of Law in London. After completing her pupillage, she joined chambers in Middle Temple where she practised criminal and family law for thirteen years. After her second child was born, Helen left the Bar.

Together with her husband David, she runs a film production company, acting as script writer and producer. Perfect Remains is set in Scotland, where Helen feels most at one with the world. Helen and her husband now live in Los Angeles with their three children and two dogs.