** advanced copy received via Netgalley **

Author : Helen Fields
Title : Perfect Death
Series : DI Callanach #3
Pages : 448
Publisher : Avon UK
Publication date : January 25, 2018

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.

After having read the previous two books in this series, I’ve come to expect a dark and gruesome story with a level of originality from Helen Fields. This third instalment is no different and the DI Callanach series just keeps getting better!

For one, there’s an absolutely fascinating killer on the loose. Charming, manipulative and apparently completely invisible. A killer whose pleasure comes from watching other people’s pain and grief. If that’s not original, I don’t know what is!

But there’s more! A former colleague is found dead. Is this a suicide or did something far more sinister happen? Newly promoted DCI Ava Turner may just find out some things she’s not exactly prepared for and some team members may even find themselves in danger. Meanwhile, DI Luc Callanach suddenly finds himself face to face with his mother. What does she want after all this time?

This is another well-paced, addictive and gripping addition to the series. With various layers, investigations and excellent character development, this had me hooked. Getting some insight into how a killer’s brain works is both utterly thrilling, creepy and terrifying. I also adore this team of detectives and how amidst all the gloom and doom, the author manages to throw in a dash of humour and sarcasm via the fabulous character of DS Lively. It’s this combination of things that keeps me coming back for more.

If Helen Fields wasn’t already on my list of go-to authors, she most certainly would be now. It’s going to be a long and excruciating wait for the next book but I know it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, you can catch up! Do yourself a favour and pick up these books, if you haven’t already. For the full experience, start at the beginning so you don’t miss out on truly interesting background stories. I promise this is one of the best crime thriller series out there and you won’t regret it!

Perfect Death is published on January 25th!

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