When Maggie Campbell realised that her son, Bart, was missing he was already 200 miles away and just waking from a chemically-induced sleep. Maggie knew straight away that something was wrong. Bart might be twenty but he was considerate of his mother and wouldn't have stayed out all night without letting her know. Besides, he didn't have his phone with him and he wouldn't have gone far without that. It's not long before Bart realises that he's alone, trapped in a shipping container and on his way to France, where his fate has already been decided.

Elenuta is trapped, but not in quite the same way. She's been trafficked from Romania and is now in a flat in Dumbryden Gardens in Edinburgh. Finlay did his best to keep his girls clean - that was best for business - but there was hardly any comfort in the flat and there was a constant threat that you would be chosen for 'the race' - and the girls who were chosen never seemed to return.

Meanwhile, in Paris, DI Luc Callanach, on loan to the French authorities from Police Scotland, is part of a team working on the discovery of the body of a twenty-year-old male on a building site. All his internal organs have been removed, with knowledge, if not much skill.

Back in Edinburgh, DCI Ava Turner, head of the MIT, thought that she'd found a way of forgetting about the end of her relationship with Luc Callanach, but sleeping with another DI on the Major Incident Team wasn't her brightest idea, particularly as Pax Graham is rather smitten with her - and she's no less smitten with Callanach. Then the bodies really start piling up.

It used to be that I made a point of not joining crime series once they'd really become established on the grounds that it wasn't fair on the author, but as series get longer and it's harder to pick up that initial publishing contract I found myself slipping into series where I'd missed the early books. Then there's the problem of not realising that the series is already at book six, which is what happened with Perfect Kill. It struck me that there were quite a few allusions to what looked like a very sound backstory, but I didn't realise that we were so far in, which will tell you that the book will read perfectly well as a standalone.

And it was a good read, apart from one quibble. I liked the characters and the plot is well-thought-out, but there are some graphic scenes of sexual violence. If this doesn't generally worry you then you can put this down to me being an elderly wuss with a soft heart. Either way I'd like to thank the publishers for making a copy available to the Bookbag.

First book by this author & I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fantastic plot & chAracters I’m going to have to read more in this series. I would recommend to anyone.

I love this series of books by Helen Fields with the irresistible Ava and Luc. This is a complex book with two stories running alongside each other that eventually clash together. I was getting a very slightly bored half way through with the minutiae of details and knowing that I wasn't anywhere near a conclusion, kept on going as I knew that Helen would have something amazing up her sleeve, so persevered and am so glad that I did. The other area that took us off track were the long conversations between Natasha and Ava. Being a cancer patient myself I can see the authenticity of everything that Tash was feeling, it just got quite sickly. Thank goodness for the ending, which was perfect all round for those involved including an unsung hero in Lively. Can't wait for the next instalment.

Firstly I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was brilliant as all Helen Fields' books are, it gripped me from the beginning and spat me out at the end. At times some parts were difficult to read due to the subject matter, but I think that is because you become so involved with the characters that you don't want to read about bad things that may happen to them. I will as always be recommending this book to everyone I know.

I’d like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Perfect Kill’ by Helen Fields in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Bart Campbell, a hard-working twenty-year-old college student, regains consciousness he finds himself chained to the floor in a shipping container. DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are working separate cases, Luc is in France liaising for Police Scotland in a human trafficking case and the harvesting of body organs whilst Ava is in Scotland where body parts are found in pig pens.

I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Helen Fields’ previous thrillers but for some reason ‘Perfect Kill’ doesn’t do anything for me. It’s good to read of Ava and Luc again, their continuing relationship and friendship with Natasha, but I prefer it when they’re both working together in Scotland. Some parts of the story are gruesome and quite disturbing and make for difficult reading, but I’ve promised to be unbiased in my review and this is my opinion only. Although I haven’t enjoyed this one, I’ll still look forward to the next in the series.

It was my first book by this author, and I got more than I expected, even after the many glorious reviews I'd read.
It's part of a series but can be read as standalone without any problems.
It's a thriller, and it's not one for the sensitive mind! The book had no length, and I connected with the characters quite good. It was no waste of time at all.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy!

Edinburgh’s Major Investigation Team are back at it again and readers are once again plunged into a gritty, gruesome, and truly unsettling installment of Helen Fields’ DI Luc Callanach series.
Fields delivers an unflinchingly realistic portrayal of human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting and, as evident in her previous books, never fails to highlight the disturbing reality for the victims of these crimes. Never one to shy away from the gory details, Fields does so whilst simultaneously portraying the strength of the human spirit when faced with the impossible and survival instincts kick in.
Although separated for the majority of the book, Luc and Ava are brought back together not only because of the ongoing investigations in both Edinburgh and Paris, but their love for their friend, Natasha, who has received some life-changing news. One of my favourite parts of this series are the relationships between all three characters. Natasha continues to be the glue that holds Luc and Ava together as well as the voice of reason amongst the awkwardness and unease.
Luc and Ava are still dealing with the aftermath of their short-lived intimacy back in Perfect Crime (Book #5). Part of me was surprised by where we find Ava in her first appearance in this book, but the other part of me - the more reluctant part, I suppose - saw it coming. It will be very interesting to see the dynamic between certain characters as the series progresses.
I enjoyed getting to see Luc and Jean-Paul work together, it was refreshing to see Luc back with Interpol and doing some old fashioned police work in France, allowing him to deal with some of his demons.
Without a doubt, DS Lively shines in this particular installment. His compassion and kindness towards the trafficked victims really tugs at the heartstrings. Fields has done a wonderful job developing his character since Perfect Remains (Book #1). In addition, I hope we get to see more of DS Tripp and DC Swift in future installments.
Overall, the book is fast-paced, well-researched, and a delight to read. If you’re looking for a real page-turner complete with great characterisation, then look no further.
I would like to thank Helen Fields, Avon Books UK, and the NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This author is one who captures human trafficking like no other. Wow, I miss certainly be reading more books. Powerful,gripping,karma. Certainly had me thinking of the things the poor would go through whilst it still goes on in this day. Utterly outstanding book.

This is only my second Helen Fields book but I felt like I caught right up and remembered most of the characters. It's an intense read for sure with lots of graphic and vivid scenes depicting the lives of women affected by human trafficking. Several murders, organs removed for a cult-like, gruesome ritual, and lovable characters who are flawed but will steal your heart. Definitely not the last book by Fields I'll be reading!

I think I might have to have a look for some more by this author.


To say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. I found myself reading it, in any amount of spare time that I had. Whether, that was at work or home any spare time was taken with it.


Set between Paris and Edinburgh. With twists and turns, that has highly selective abductions on pseudo-medical grounds from Scotland to France and sex trafficking Eastern European women on the return journey.



Everything, has to come to a climax, and this delivers on all accounts. I don't want to give anything away. So, all I can say is that if your interested. Go and get this book.



Rating: 4.2 / 5.0


Status: Completed

I’ve only read a couple in the series and I really have to seek out the others as I’m really into these two detectives now. Both are investigating separate crimes that involve, murder, kidnapping, organ snatching and trafficking. What would be a difficult read in another authors voice, this one flows smoothly, quickly and interestingly with just enough of the trafficking explanation for readers not too familiar with the concept. This is a really character driven book, a stand alone, that would give you a more enriching reading if you have some more understanding of their personal relationship from previous books. Jumping onto Kindle now to catch up! What a great writer.

I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning. The tension between Luc & Ava plays a big part in the books and I thought that Luc being back in France working as Scotland's liason with Interpol that tension might not be there. How wrong I was. This book is every bit as enthralling as the previous ones in the series.

Loved it.

I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

What a fantastic book. Truly gripping, action packed and easy to follow. There's so much information given, many different stories told and yet you're still able to keep hold of the full picture. This is made possible by the way the chapters have split narrative between the main characters/storylines.

After I read the last book (5) I said I would try to read the books that came before it, and as of yet that hasn't happened. But I'm so glad I didn't wait to read this book. It was so captivating throughout and really difficult to put down. If I could have read it in one sitting I would have. I'd highly recommend and am looking forward to any books that may follow.

‘Perfect Kill’ by Helen Fields is the latest in the DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach series, set mostly in Edinburgh with occasional forays into France. Devoted readers will know that Luc recognises that these two ‘had been dancing around the edges of a relationship for a couple of years. Just when it had finally seemed about to start, he’d screwed up and Ava had lost faith in him.’ Nowhere is this more obvious than at the beginning of this novel as Ava rushes away from an ill-judged night with one of her colleagues. Naturally the Ava/Luc dynamic is still of interest to readers but it does take a back sear for much of the narrative as the two are caught up in some extraordinary people trafficking events on both sides of the Channel.
Fields never pulls her punches when describing difficult scenes within her stories. The abject misery in which the sex slaves live, the brutality and callousness of the men who ‘mind’ them and the appalling ways in which they are bought and sold are depicted vividly. However, the writing is not gratuitous. The author is merely reminding he readers that such atrocities happen and that good people are working hard to put a stop to them.
The ‘body parts’ element of the narrative feels a little more far-fetched. Are there really people out there who are prepared to deal in such a complicated trade, bearing in mind that so much could go wrong at each step of the way? However, whilst this slightly tenuous thread is central to the plot’s warp and weave, it does not detract from the overall effect. Above all, in the final chapters of the story, Fields reminds us that most people are brave, kind, thoughtful and caring. She leaves us hoping that we’ll see more of these attributes in her next Turner/Callanach novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

A dark and tad bit gruesome and it is somewhat over the top in that aspect but did cover fairly decent police investigation procedures. Very character driven and thorough plot but it doesn’t really stand apart from other thrillers. Don’t get me wrong the book is good but not gripping in the kind of way that really keeps you pulled into the storytelling. I think it just starts a bit to slow and is bogged down with just a touch to much of the mundane side of police-work but still remained compelling. I would continue to read the series although I would like to see a better balance of not just cunning brutal violence but cunning and driven detective work. I feel a great deal of detail is focused on the killer. Don’t get me wrong that’s awesome but I want to see the evolution of the detective becoming as cunning and stealthy as the killers with much less tedious day to day job dilemma. The constant procedures makes the book a bit tedious and sadly detracted from what has all the meaty bones of a top notch thriller.

This was a crazy book that took you on a wild ride. I loved it from start to finish. I don't normally enjoy books that follow a detective but this one worked and I really enjoyed it.

Luc Callanach & Ava Turner are further apart than ever. Luc is working with Interpol in France after a Scottish citizen was found dead there having had all of his organs removed. Ava is in Scotland working on the case of Bart Campbell, a young man who disappeared after finishing his shift at a restaurant. There appear to be remarkable similarities between Bart’s disappearance and the body in the case Luc is working on.
Ava’s case leads her into the world of people trafficking and Luc’s takes him into the world of Organ theft. The cases seem to be becoming intertwined and Luc and Ava have to work together even with all the miles between them in order to save more lives being lost.
I enjoyed this but not quite as much as the previous one. I prefer it when Luc and Ava work cases together as I think their relationship dynamic is outstanding and when they are working different cases especially in different countries some of that is lost.
Will still recommend it as a very good read though.

Helen Fields never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Surprises and mysteries at every turn. Young people both male and female going missing. Girls being kept prisoners for prostitution, and being hunted down like animals. There is so much more going on. I don't want to say anymore, you'll just have to read and find out.

I love this series of detective books by Helen Fields and the newest addition Perfect Kill did not disappoint. Detectives Ava and Luc return for the newest story, which involves two crimes based on sex workers and illegal organ harvesting. I really enjoyed this book and can't more from the series in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

Oh dear!! You know it’s going to be bad when you discover your new best duo and it’s already 6 in! This means I will be up a lot reading the previous ones!
I may be late to this party - but it didn’t make it any less enjoyable!
Awful topic and tough to read in places, but what a rollercoaster! I am still reeling! Outstanding and cannot wait to read the first ones!