Perfect Remains – DI Callanach Series Book #1

Author: Helen Fields
Genre: Thriller, Crime Fiction
374 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 2017

Synopsis
Perfect Remains by Helen Fields is a gripping thriller that follows the story of DI Luc Callanach as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in Edinburgh, Scotland. The novel begins with a prologue in which a woman named Elaine Buxton is kidnapped and held captive in a dark, dank cellar. She is tortured by her captor, who is obsessed with perfection and believes he can create the perfect woman by sculpting her body.

The story then shifts to DI Luc Callanach, who has recently relocated to Edinburgh from Interpol in France after a scandal. He is still adjusting to his new life and job when he is assigned to investigate the case of a missing woman, Elaine Buxton. As Callanach delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers that Elaine is not the only woman to have gone missing in mysterious circumstances.

Callanach teams up with his colleague, DS Ava Turner, and together they uncover a pattern of disappearances that suggest a serial killer is at work. As they race against time to catch the killer before he strikes again, Callanach and Turner find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Perfect Remains is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its complex characters, twisted plot, and dark, atmospheric setting, it is a must-read for fans of the genre.

My review
Perfect Remains by Helen Fields is a gripping serial killer thriller and I was hooked from the first chapter. This story had twists I didn’t see coming and Fields quickly became one of my favorite British crime fiction writers. The story is intense and chilling, with a plot that is both intricate and suspenseful. The characters, especially DI Luc Callanach and DS Ava Turner, are well-developed and relatable, and I found myself rooting for them as they battled to solve the case.

One of the things I loved most about the book was its dark and atmospheric setting in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fields does a fantastic job of bringing the city to life, and the eerie backdrop added an extra layer of tension to the story.

The pacing of the book is perfect, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next. The ending was satisfying and tied up the loose ends nicely, and I couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Overall, Perfect Remains is a superbly crafted crime thriller that delivers both thrills and emotional depth. Fields has created a compelling world and a cast of characters that will stay with me long after finishing the book. I highly recommend Perfect Remains to anyone looking for a complex and gripping read, especially for fans of British crime fiction.

My recommendation: definitely read this book and the series!