No products in the cart.
One for Sorrow by Helen Fields
I’m currently blaming myself for just having read One for Sorrow before discovering Helen Fields’ novels. It is obvious that I have been missing out on the same razor-sharp storylines and exciting plots in the novels that came before this seventh book in her DI Callanach Series. Nevertheless, it’s better to have discovered this writer’s skill later rather than never because Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are wonderful series characters.
DCI Despite technically no longer being a couple, DI Luc Callanach and Ava Turner are committed to their jobs, coworkers, friends, and each other. Ava is fearless and daring to an extreme; Luc is dependable, considerate, and a protector. And they have some adorably feisty and intelligent individuals in their network to lean on as they lead the search for the bomber while battling their own grief and mental troubles. “When you’re able, you need to make time to understand how privileged you are to have felt such pain. Too few of us ever find a love that devastates us like that.”
But what really stands out—and something I didn’t completely appreciate until the book’s conclusion—is that Fields achieves an exceptional level of emotional nuance and sincerity in each and every characterization, even those of the least likeable.
The terrifyingly commonplace nature of the incidents that collectively set off the bomber’s destructive deeds also lends the story a realistic, real-world flavour. One for Sorrow is a masterful exploration of the anxiety and dread that even the most mundane sliding door situations may arouse by Fields, who clearly has a deep understanding of the human brain. She gets right into it by incorporating a seemingly innocent children’s nursery rhyme about counting magpies into the book summary before the first page has even been turned. For those who are unfamiliar with this rhyme, It concludes:
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss,
Eleven for health,
Twelve for wealth,
Thirteen beware it’s the devil himself.
By calling readers’ attention to details that are kept unspoken throughout the book, Fields keeps the suspense and tension at a high level. Most notably, the way she juggled the chronological revelation of historical events that led to the bombing spree with Ava and Luc’s desperate search for the bomber in the present. Indeed, clever writing.
It’s important to note that, despite the chillingly significant part that mental and emotional trauma plays in this novel, the graphic details and upsetting portrayal of the physical pain inflicted are also upsetting. But this book is for you if, like me, you enjoy TV shows like Silent Witness. One for Sorrow, Helen Fields’ emotionally compelling and profoundly thought-provoking murder novel, is a compelling read.
About The Book
One for sorrow, two for joy
Edinburgh is gripped by the greatest terror it has ever known: a lone bomber is targeting victims across the city, and no one is safe.
Three for a girl, four for a boy
In their jobs, DCI Ava Turner and DI Luc Callanach deal with death every day. But when it becomes clear that every bomb is a trap designed to kill them too, the possibility of facing it themselves starts to feel all too real.
Five for silver, six for gold
With the body count rising daily and the bomber’s methods becoming ever more horrifying, Ava and Luc must race to find out who is behind the attacks – or pay the ultimate price…
Seven for a secret never to be told…
With twists and turns you’ll never see coming, prepare to be gripped by this devastatingly good thriller. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride and M J Arlidge.
The Review
One for Sorrow
10 Score
The first book I read by Helen Fields was visceral in its intense detail. This one is almost numbing with its widespread destruction and loss. Parts are so incredibly poignant, and whether or not you see where the tale is heading, it still holds its card close to the chest and will shock you.
PROS
- Brilliant and heartbreaking.
- Unputdownable!
- Electrifying police procedural.
- A tense and suspenseful ride.
CONS
- A disappointing change to the norm.
- Ludicrous plotting.
- Uninteresting characters.
- Horrible ending.
Related Posts
Queen of the Blood Throne by Rhiannon Hargadon
The captivating debut book "Queen of the Blood Throne" by Rhiannon Hargadon transports readers to a realm of magic, mystery,...
Stuck in Her Head by Kylie Wang
Kylie Wang's engrossing young adult book "Stuck in Her Head" explores the intricacies of adolescence, relationships, and mental health. Wang...
House of Bastiion by K.L. Kolarich
When I read a book and find myself thinking about the characters and the plot long after the final word,...
Starseer by Katya Hernández
Hernandez's "Starseer" takes readers to a meticulously constructed universe where time and space are put to the test. The narrative...
Trenzle
Where Trends are made and discovered
Trenzle is your official source of discovering the latest people, work, and ideas that deserve to trend. Discover Authors and their books, Creators and their work, People and their opinions, and Stories from around the globe.
Learn more