Perfect Prey (A DI Callanach Thriller, Book 2)

Helen Fields

Jul 2017 · A DI Callanach Thriller Book 2 · 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!

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Welcome to Edinburgh. Murder capital of Europe.

In the middle of a rock festival, a charity worker is sliced across the stomach. He dies minutes later. In a crowd of thousands, no one saw his attacker.

The following week, the body of a primary school teacher is found in a dumpster in an Edinburgh alley, strangled with her own woollen scarf.

D.I. Ava Turner and D.I. Luc Callanach have no leads and no motive – until around the city, graffitied on buildings, words appear describing each victim.

It’s only when they realise the words are being written before rather than after the murders, that they understand the killer is announcing his next victim...and the more innocent the better.

Ratings and reviews

Slow to start I must say, but then I couldn't put it down. It does all get resolved a bit too quickly then near the end though. like, everything solved and sorted within what seems like a couple of hours. I would recommend it though.

This is the second in the DI Callanach series and I was looking forward to this so much after reading the first one. I was NOT disappointed. A series of murders are rocking Edinburgh with both their brutality and the completely different MOs making it look as though there could easily be 4 murderers at large, each trying to outdo the other. Couple this with a cyber-crime unit from Scotland Yard descending on Police Scotland and life is more than usually chaotic for our old friends DI Ava Turner and Luc Callanach. Helen Fields brings a great blend of both personal anecdote from the characters and the grotesque, often disturbing, machinations behind murder. The story arc is judged excellently and there is a presumption that you already know the history of the main protagonists but enough background detail is given to flash out the characters for the first time reader. Just enough to not spoil it for people following this series of books, this is a boon as so many authors now spend half the book telling you things you already know. The descriptions of the crime scenes are vivid and some may see these as a detriment. I see it as a logical progression in crime story telling and it only follows on from the sudden explosion of Scandi Noir on our screens and bookshelves. The difference being the crime itself and the subsequent body display are there to serve to tell us of the murderers mindset and choices regarding the act itself and what it means to them - not just for shock and awe. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am somewhat trepidatiously awaiting the third - can Ms Fields keep the momentum up? I sincerely hope so!

Exciting thriller. Was looking forward to Luc and Ava's relationship developing. Major hurdles!

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.