Other highlights of my read included Dr Connie Woolwine’s appearance (from Helen Fields’ standalone The Shadow Man). The conversation she has with Luc in the bar is a stand-out. Also, I really enjoyed Dr Carlisle’s appearance - I am looking forward to seeing him again at some stage. Emmet Vinsant, wealthy industrialist, offers Sofia a job in one of his gaming houses. He knows more about Sofia’s past than he has revealed. Brought up as part of a travelling fair, she’s an expert at counting cards and spotting cheats, and Vinsant puts her talents to good use. His demands on her grow until she finds herself with blood on her hands. Thank you, NetGalley, Harper 360, and Avon, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

One for Sorry by Helen Fields is the 7th book in the DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner series. I wasn’t aware of this but didn’t spoil the enjoyment as you can read this as a standalone. Firstly massive thank to Avon books and netgalley for the oppurtunity to read an early copy of this book. To my delight we meet tough, no-nonsense and straight-talking Connie Woolwine again, the forensic psychologist commissioned to do a psychological profile of the murderer. It’s only been a month since I read book six, but it’s been two years since it was released. So for those that read it at that time, this has been a long time coming! Was it worth the wait?While the tension is high in the investigation in the present, clues can also be found in the chapters set in the before chapters. The alternating story lines work well in this novel as each have their own separate plot and clues while they become more anxious and suspenseful. Both lead to an explosive ending. The writing is excellent and the pacing is taut and brisk.

Fields cleverly got me hooked into this story immediately, and from the very first chapter, I was forming incorrect assumptions. It’s one of the best things about her books — the way I can see some of the pieces, make some connections, but never quite figure out the whole story until it’s all laid out for me. The bomber gives the police tips and leads them into traps, and even after they know what to expect, they have no choice but to respond. Not just a police procedural, not just a psychological thriller, not just a few twists and turns, but all that combined and then put on steroids. That’s the best description I have for One for Sorrow by Helen Fields. This may be the most intense book I’ve ever read, and certainly is the most intense one I’ve read in the recent past. Not only is there good, solid police work shown being completed, complete with personality clashes and departmental divides, the psychological tension is enormous; and that’s before you get to the twist that turns the whole thing on its edge. I loved how real this story felt! Its amazing to me really how an author can do what they do. And Helen did the dang thing with this one.I absolutely loved this book. It can be read on its own, but do yourself a favour and read the entire series .’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the first book not to feature 'perfect' in the title, and that makes sense as there is a real change in tone in this book. It is every bit as thrilling and pacey and intense as its predecessors, but you can feel something just a little ... different about it. It's hard to put a finger on it, but there is no doubt by the end of the book that nothing can or will be the same. There is side story about a young woman named Quinn MacTavish which slowly blends into the plot line. All of her chapters are titled Before. Love the police procedural genre and there is a thriller element here, mental illness is certainly a factor in the plot as well. Did I guess the identity of the bomber? No, I did not. The ending leaves you ready for the next book but I will satisfy myself with catching up through books 1 -6 for now. The beginning of the book establishes two important storylines. Initially there is the police procedural storyline, which starts with a painful view of the coroner's death, captured on tape and being viewed by DCI Ava Turner. If you don’t like violent details, you may want to stop here, because this is just the beginning. DCI Turner is immediately drawn into battle with her superior officer over whether or not she will run the case, a discussion that gets cut short with an urgent call into headquarters requiring available resources to assemble at the scene. The police work and the graphic violence are part and parcel throughout this storyline of the book. Book 7 (!) and I’m utterly hooked. During this series, Helen Fields has crafted not just some amazing plots but some really loveable characters that I for one, look forward to reading about in each book. Technically, Ava and Luc are two characters that you shouldn’t adore. They’re just too perfect! Even their flaws make them endearing. But the way in which Helen writes them makes them inexplicably engaging. I had a massive ‘whoop whoop’ moment on the arrival of Connie Woolwine!

Though she once walked in life, now all that there is to identify the woman are a bit of clothing and her dental records. It’s a sad state of affairs and the crime is simply tragic while at the same time extremely vexing and distressing for those who knew her.

Helen Field's DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner series keeps up dramatic suspense in the latest installment. While it is interesting to begin the series with the first book, each can be read as a stand-alone. Well I could go on and on about how much I loved this latest book but all I can really say is please do yourself a big favour a read this one , it can be read as a stand-alone but it’s a shame to miss the previous books. Perfect Remains is the first book in the D.I. Callanach mystery series. In this debut story, readers get the chance to meet the main character for the first time.

First of all, thank you so, so much Avon books for sending me this book. It was through Netgalley and Avon books that I first came to discover Helen Fields and she's been my favorite author ever since. The way the author switches point of view from current to 'before' through the chapters was very clever, it worked well for the unveiling of the storyline. I loved how the time lines came together towards the end, brilliantly done.I should point out, while mental and emotional trauma plays a chillingly large role in this story, the gruesome nature and vivid depiction of the physical trauma perpetrated is confronting too. But, if like me, you are a fan of TV programs like Silent Witness, this is the book for you. But with the threat – and body count rising –Neither Ava nor Luc know whether they will live long enough to tell the tale…