Perfect Remains by Helen Fields

 

DI Luc Callanach has transferred from Interpol to the Major Investigation Team in Edinburgh under a cloud. On his first day a body is discovered in a burnt out bothy and all evidence points to it being a woman missing from Edinburgh. When a second woman goes missing it becomes a race against time to find her before she turns up dead.

Back in November 2021 I read One For Sorrow, little realising it was book 7 in a series. I was completely blown away by the story and promised myself I'd read the rest of the books in the series. Over a year later I've finally got around to the first book in the series, Perfect Remains. The book is an excellent introduction to the characters of DI Luc Callanach and DI Ava Turner.

We meet Callanach on his first day with the MIT in Edinburgh and discover that his employment has ruffled a few feathers. This would be normal behaviour in many places of work, but set against the backdrop of the abduction and murder of a woman it really adds to the tension of the story. As the story progresses we slowly begin to find out the reason for Callanach's move from Interpol to Scotland and this really adds another layer to the tale, one which could have far reaching consequences.

Support against some of the hostility is offered by DI Ava Turner. Turner is a great partner for Callanach, she's tough, assertive and self-contained. Advice is offered sparingly, knowing full-well that Callanach needs to find his own footing within the team, but there is the reassurance that he has someone who is looking out for him. There is obviously a connection between Luc and Ava but it is fantastic to see that the author has avoided hints at romance.

As for the baddie, we have a seriously creepy protagonist, one of those characters who hides in plain sight. The abductions and murders are well thought through, making everything that happens very plausible. At times I was cringing, my heart racing at some of the scenes. 

Perfect Remains from Helen Fields was a brilliant introduction to the DI Luc Callanach series. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series, I just have to make sure I don't leave it a year before reading it.