First, their pathologist is killed, then another attack is clearly aimed at police and paramedics. Edinburgh has to face a brutal serial killer who is not targeting the public to cause general panic but only aims at the forces. DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach are confronted with death every day – but not the death of their colleagues and friends. It is obvious that the cases are linked, but they simply cannot find the thread that holds them all together, they only know that it is just a question of time until the bomber hits again, taking more lives of those who help others every day.

Helen Field’s latest case for her Edinburgh team is full of twists and demands everything from her protagonists. This time, it is personal, Ava is affected directly by the death of her friend and still grieving when she needs all her wits to hunt down the serial killer. “One for Sorrow” is already the seventh novel in the series and in my opinion definitely the best. It had me gripped immediately and I kept speculating about the identity of the killer, following wrong leads cleverly laid out again and again.

There are two time levels in the novel. On the one hand, we follow the police investigation which is always several steps behind their enemy. The killer is knowledgeable and perfectly follows his plan. What I liked especially was the scene where they ask a profiler to help them to identify the person behind it all. It made absolutely sense and was highly informative and interesting to follow the line of argumentation.

On the other hand, there is a kind of totally gone wrong love story about a young woman named Quinn and her boyfriend who, instead of accepting the breakup, turns into a freaking stalker. It is obvious that this is the missing link to the bombings, yet, you need to see the whole picture of Quinn’s story to understand the motive behind it all.

A suspenseful and highly emotional mystery I hardly could put down.

I have found a new crime thriller series to follow - Helen Fields' series DI Luc Callenach. The description of One for Sorrow attracted me as did the setting in Scotland. What I didn't pay attention to was the fact that this is book 7 in the series. Arrgh! I do this all the time, start with the wrong book.

The good news is I am completely captivated by the characters DI Luc Callenach and DCI Ava Turner and plan to purchase all six previous books. The writing style is spot on, grabbed my attention and I read every time I had a chance to open my Kindle.

The plot involves a bomber in Edinburgh leaving a trail of bodies with every crime. Revenge drives the bomber and you'll slowly see the pattern and worry about favorite characters with every threat. Ms. Fields' doesn't play it safe with the elimination of a few favored cops so you won't be able to guess who may suffer with the next target. The crimes are brilliantly described.

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.

Publication date is February 17, 2022 by Avon Books U.K. Genre: General Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review, all opinions are mine. Loved the book.

Sharing with Joy's Book Blog for British isles Friday.

In the past month two things have devastated me mentally and emotionally. The first is the 10 minute version of All Too Well by Taylor Swift. The second is this book by Helen Fields.

One For Sorrow is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’m nearing the 150 mark for books read. I was pacing the room as I devoured this, I couldn’t sit down I was so tense.

With this story, Luc and Ava face a challenge like none before. A killer who wants them to be aware of what he’s doing and make them feel powerless to stop him as he leaves carnage across the city. From the first page you can feel the stakes have been raised. This isn’t just fast paced it’s a rollercoaster and every page seemed to have a new twist, a new moment that left me shocked. This killer favours bombs and creates traps so devious and cunning it makes you feel that you’re walking a tightrope. There were chapters where I swear I didn’t breathe. The dark mind of this bomber leads to one of my favourite parts of the book, the arrival of Dr Connie Woolwine a profiler from Fields excellent book The Shadow Man. She is an incredible character and though only plays a small part in this book she leaves a big impression. Her conversation with Luc has such emotional impact and the foreshadowing is exquisite.

This case is personal, it cuts deep and Ava is determined to catch this killer by any means necessary. You’re by her side, feeling her sadness, pain and fear. After seven books we really know Luc and Ava, we love them and going through this gave me emotional whiplash.

In many ways it feels like things have been building to this book and it finally explodes. There is pain, joy, death and an ending so shocking I might never recover.

Five stars isn’t enough

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

Helen Fields never disappoints me. From the beginning of this series to Book #7, she sends us on a rollercoaster ride, that we may never wake up from. One of their own is murdered and that sends them on a trail that even DCI Ava Turner and Luc Callanach never thought they would encounter in their careers. The killer is sending them messages, where and when he or she will kill next. This is personal, and Ava and Luc will leave no stone unturned! Even if it kills them!
I hope I don't have to wait too long for #8 in this series?
Helen Fields is a treasure in the book world. I love this series, as well as her stand alone books. Bravo! 5 out of 5 for me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this new book from Helen Fields!

5⭐️

#7 DI Callanach series

Yay! Luc is back 💕 with Ava Turner, with the next in the ‘Perfect’ series. I am a big fan of this series.

It has 2 time frames, the before one unravels with its relevance to the present.
The present is told from Ava’s POV.

From the outset it is fast paced and action packed, more so than the other books. It’s compelling reading,with a very good plot progression.

Ava and Luc are likeable, there’s still the will they won’t they sexual tension. I felt engaged with Quinn and her issues.

What a rollercoaster read!! OMG strap yourself in for this one. For me it’s the best of the series, and there have been some crackers!
The tension at times was off the charts! It’s very emotional too. I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you Avon, and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review One for Sorrow from Helen Fields. Despite being a huge mystery fan, and a lover of detective series, this is my first, but not last, from this author.I do not feel that my reading was held back by not being familiar with the series, nor would it be fair for that to impact my review. I LOVED how this was so tensely paced, I was riveted by the plot and the unfolding of the events, and found the events and characters real and well described.
A few points that stood out:
1. I liked that this was not just about murder but something more than that. I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers and find myself drawn to ones that aren't just about dead women/serial killers (though I love those too).
2. I appreciated that I could read this as a standalone but it was clear that this fit in with previous books and a set of well developed characters. I appreciate an author who can write in a way that satisfies new to the series readers and also please fans of the series.
3. As noted, the pacing was good, I appreciate mysteries that don't get bogged down in too many twists and turns and are instead bringing the reader along with the investigation, the author does not pull tricks that make the reader feel mislead.
4. I love great storytelling in a mystery/procedural, mysteries can be strong examples of quality writing and character developing and this is a nice example of what I look for in a strong, "I will recommend this", mystery.

Thank you again Avon, I am increasingly a fan of your authors and the mysteries and thrillers you support.

A good thriller set in and around Edinburgh. The crimes are original and do not make for easy reading. There are a couple of stories running through the book . You get the feeling that they are related, but the links are not obvious. Parts are very sad and you feel the frustration of some of the characters. There are twists in the plot and the ending was somewhat unexpected
Thank you to Net Galley fort he ARC in exchange for an honest review

⭐⭐⭐.7 (rounded up)
This is book #7 in the DI Callanach series.
I have only read one other author:, Helen Fields novel;. In my comments about that book and Ms. Fields’ writing, I wrote ~ “She has a very creative mind. Story is original and creative!”

Yes! Same with this story; the plot is different. In fact, in this story Ava Turner is emotional and physically effected by the way our sociopath/murder is planting explosive devices.
It is a page turner ~ but have to admit, I had to stop at times. I am a big fan of psychological thrillers and Mystery Thrillers and okay with dark and creepy but not so much a fan of disturbing crime investigation.
One evening while reading this story, I stopped and actually download a Christmas story, as I wanted to read something pleasant before going to sleep.

There is so much going on in this story you need to read the rest!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 17. 2022.

Wow - I was absolutely gripped by this book and couldn’t put it down!

It was my first read from this author, so I read One for Sorrow as a stand-alone, even though it was part of a series. This didn’t matter - the characters were engaging and the storyline flowed well.

I will be reading the next one!

One for Sorrow is the seventh addition in the fantastic DI Luc Callanach series by Helen Fields. It is a welcome addition but can also be easily read as a standalone.
The story begins with DCI Ava Turner attending a funeral - the funeral of her best friend and within a few pages we are witnesses to the horrific death and Ava's promise to avenge her murder. The story moves swiftly to the realisation that this is just the first in a series of attacks against Police Scotland and Ava's whole life will be under threat.
Along with the rapid progression of the story, we learn of young Quinn and how her tragic tale, has lead to these events.
The dual aspects of the tale are brilliantly tied together and as the story races to it's epic conclusion, I found myself actually sympathising with the killer despite all of the cruelty that they had caused. Only an experienced author could write to carefully as to portray the killer in this manner. I do only have one question - when is the next book? I need to know what happens to Luc!!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this electrifying, gripping police procedural/psychological thriller. I have read four of Helen Field's books and found them exciting and engrossing. One For Sorrow surpassed her previous excellent mysteries with its shocking twists and revelations. Its jaw-dropping surprises made it difficult to put down and kept me engaged throughout. The conclusion was grim and shattering, and hope to see it addressed in a future book.

This is the 7th book in the DI Luc Callanach series. He worked for Interpol in the past and was based in France. He returned to Scotland after his reputation was ruined by a false accusation. He now works alongside DCI Ava Turner in the Major Investigation Team based in Edinburgh. Both are dedicated detectives, supportive of each other in their investigations, and empathetic with crime victims. Ava is suffering both emotionally and physically from the impact of the newest crimes. This impedes any personal relationship with Luc from progressing to the next level.

A fiendish, crazed serial killer is placing victims on display in a most bizarre manner. It becomes horrifyingly evident that this is a plot to kill first responders who attend to the victims by setting up mass bombings. Numerous paramedics and police, bomb experts have been injured or killed by hidden explosive devices. Ava and Luc realize that their lives and the lives of many others are in jeopardy when trying to save the next victims. The city is terrorized.

Interspersed with this complex and difficult police investigation is the story of a naive young woman, Quinn. She had been in a relationship with a boyfriend who became manipulative and controlling. When she realized her supportive, loving family was correct in predicting that the relationship was an unhealthy one, she broke up with him. From this point, he becomes obsessive, stalking her, and worse. Her story adds a frightening and emotional element that is integral to the plot.

The detective team strongly believes that they know the identity of the bomber, but are they correct in their theory? They need more evidence to make an arrest. The twists and discoveries are shocking, and its conclusion completely unforeseen. Recommended for readers who enjoy a complicated thriller with compelling characters and plenty of surprises.

I've followed this series from the start. And excluding #2 and #6, they have always been enjoyable - the will they won't they on off relationship between Ava and Luc worked and was a good contrast to the crimes they were investigating.

This book feels different. The action is fast paced from the start, but this is interspersed with (initially very twee) 'before' chapters relating to a separate group of characters who we slowly learn are integral to the ongoing investigation. There's little conversation between Luc and Ava other than 'are you ok, yes I'm fine' type chat.

One thing I've always found a bit awkward with this series is the dialogue... A 12 Scottish boy can sound the same as a pensioner. Few characters have their own voice - Lively and Overbeck being the two enjoyable exceptions.

The Luc, Ava, Natasha friendship triangle was an absolute bore - no I want to look after you, no let me look after you, no please I must look after you... And the constant witty remarks Natasha makes are so cringe. They just don't work and none of those friendships seem real.

I had to suspend disbelief a few times during the book... You have to accept that a death happens and within weeks an assistant in the procurator fiscals office has declared it a suicide... without an inquest, without any investigation or speaking to the family.... just 'yep, that looks like suicide to me, issue the full death certificate'. You have to accept two suicides being declared very swiftly and a few huge dollops of police incompetence in order for the very tight time line to work. (Fair enough accepting the police incompetence because that in the end is the theme of the book).

But the thriller aspect was good fun and kept me turning the pages. And that's all anyone really needs this to be, a page turner. The action scenes are suspenseful and punchy. And I would read the next one... so overall... I should just lighten up and stop expecting so much from crime fiction!

Gripping. Scary. Enthralling. Unputadownable. Loved it. I’m not one for vicious murders preferring my Murders grim free. This was great. Well down to the author. Really enjoyed it.

As ever Helen Fields has produced a classic crime thriller. It has the usual cast but it is written as a before and after the crimes. It is very well written with some unique ways of murdering someone remotely, which gives food for thought. I loved it and had great difficulty putting it down. She shows as ever an in-depth knowledge of policing as well as pathology. Not a book to sit and gather dust!

I’m at a loss for words to describe this book. It was actually one of the most horrifying books I’ve ever read. Brutal and vicious to the core. My heart raced from page one. The past/present writing started off seemingly mild but escalated quickly. Once we got to the root of the story the brutality made sense to me. I found the perp was not a shocking surprise despite is not being alluded to. As a parent my perspective on this story went from sheer heart stopping terror to anger and sadness… sometimes in the same chapter. This is one of those books where I hate to say it.. the villain is also the hero. Well done, well told, gripping and nightmare inducing.

A fantastic read most unusual and. Quite terrifying way to extract revenge,lot’s of twists and turns from beginning to end kept me enthralled right to the very end and even then a final twist leaving the reader wondering what comes next

I've read several of Helen Fields' books now and I am always impressed, so much so that I would easily think of her as one of those authors that I would happily seek out and pick up any of her future or previous releases.
You just know that you will enjoy them.
Even though I wasn't aware that this book was part of a series, it can definitely be read on its own.
This really did hold my attention the whole way through.
I enjoyed how many twists and turns there were, most of which I did not see coming.
After that ending I will certainly need to read the next book in the series!
It may not be my favourite Helen Fields book but I still very much enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I didn’t want it to end! It had me gripped from the first page! A five star recommendation. I love this author and I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series.

Many thanks to netgalley and Helen Fields for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

One for Sorrow is the 7th book in Helen Fields' Callenach and Turner series . I've really enjoyed this series with it's "complicated" pair of lead characters circling around each other throughout seemingly determined not to have any kind of normal relationship with each other despite their obvious mutual attraction.

The "will they.won't they" continues in this episode, and even appears to reach some kind of conclusion, as they try to track down a mad bomber and thwart his run of atrocities. This time it's personal as the first attack kills a close friend and it become s apparent that the villain of the piece is not only killing individuals but using their deaths to lure the police into fatal traps.

As Luc and Ava race against time the second thread of the book tells the story of the events that provoked the Bomber into his rage-filled campaign of terror.
While I enjoyed the book I did think it went over the top as far as the crimes and there's a lot of stream of consciousness dialogue with characters indulging in what James Lee Burke calls, "speechifying" and it veers dangerously into "Soap" territory.
That said it's a very good read,but not in my view one of the best in the series. .

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I have not previously read this author and when I requested it wasn't aware that it was part of a series. I wasn't sure if I would have trouble understanding what was going on since I hadn't read the prior books - nope, not a problem at all! There is a ton of action and suspense and extremely fast-paced! I thought I knew what was going to happen but boy was I wrong. You will not be able to put this down once you start. I now need to go back and read all the prior books as this was that good! Thank you for turning me on to a new series/author.