DI Callanch Books in Order

Welcome to the Gritty Streets of Edinburgh

If you love police procedurals with a dark, psychological edge, Helen Fields' DI Callanach series is a must-read. Set against the moody, atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh, Scotland, the series follows the investigations of Detective Inspector Luc Callanach—a half-French, half-Scottish investigator with a troubled past at Interpol—and his colleague DI (later DCI) Ava Turner. The series is renowned for its complex character chemistry, visceral crimes, and relentless suspense.

What to Know Before You Start

Unlike some crime series where each book can be read completely independently without missing a beat, the DI Callanach books feature deep, long-running character arcs. The professional partnership and personal relationship between Luc Callanach and Ava Turner evolve significantly from book to book. Additionally, characters undergo personal trauma, career shifts, and organizational changes within Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team (MIT). For the most satisfying experience, it is highly recommended to read these books in order.

The DI Callanach Reading Order

Here is the chronological publication order of the main DI Callanach series, including the highly anticipated upcoming eighth book:

1. Perfect Remains (2017): The series debut introduces Luc Callanach as he tries to prove himself in Edinburgh after leaving Interpol under a cloud. He is thrown into a horrific case involving a serial killer who abducts women, kills them, and burns their bodies, leaving behind remains that suggest a completely different victim. Meanwhile, Luc struggles with his former Interpol colleagues' betrayal and his mother's declining health.
2. Perfect Prey (2017): Set during a lively Edinburgh festival, a prominent charity worker is murdered in front of a crowd, followed quickly by the death of a local teacher. Cryptic graffiti links the crimes, forcing Luc and Ava into a race against a killer who craves a public stage, all while the two detectives learn to trust each other's instincts.
3. Perfect Death (2018): The detectives face a particularly cruel antagonist who targets vulnerable individuals and forces them to take their own lives. As the team searches for a common thread, they realize the killer is playing a terrifying, calculated game, taking an immense emotional toll on the entire MIT team.
4. Perfect Silence (2018): A body is found frozen in the Edinburgh hills, but the horror escalates when the victim's face is mutilated. Soon, more victims appear with disturbing messages carved into their skin, putting the MIT under intense public scrutiny and placing psychological pressure on Ava as she steps up in the department.
5. Perfect Crime (2019): When a series of apparent suicides are revealed to be carefully staged murders, the team realizes they are dealing with a killer who knows exactly how to manipulate the system and cover their tracks, creating a deep sense of paranoia within the department.
6. Perfect Kill (2020): Taking Luc Callanach back to his roots in France on a joint operation, this installment explores a sinister international human trafficking ring. Meanwhile, Ava faces a deadly threat back in Edinburgh, raising the stakes to a fever pitch and highlighting Luc's struggle between his French heritage and his Scottish home.
7. One for Sorrow (2022): Edinburgh is rocked by a series of devastating bomb attacks. The bomber seems to be targeting the police force directly, and specifically Ava Turner, dragging her and Luc into their most personal and dangerous confrontation yet. (Note: This book is translated in Dutch as Perfecte wraak).
8. No One Left Alive (Scheduled for October 2026): The eighth installment takes Luc and Ava to the remote, snowbound Scottish village of Cape Wrath. When the village is cut off by a storm, they discover that every single resident has mysteriously vanished without a trace, leaving a chilling puzzle.

The Shared Universe: Crossovers and Spin-offs

Helen Fields has built a larger, interconnected literary universe centered on Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team and forensic profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine. While you can read these as separate series, reading them alongside DI Callanach enriches the overall experience:

The Dr. Connie Woolwine Series

• The Shadow Man (2021): Set in Edinburgh, this thriller introduces American forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine and DI Brodie Baarda. It takes place within the same MIT universe, featuring minor character crossovers from the DI Callanach series.
• The Institution (2023): Connie Woolwine is called to a secure psychiatric hospital to profile a killer. The book features a cameo from Ben, the talented hacker who frequently assists the MIT in the Callanach books.
• Watching You (2025): This book acts as a formal crossover event. Set in Edinburgh, Connie Woolwine and DS Lively team up with the MIT team from the DI Callanach series to hunt down a serial stalker and killer known as "The Watcher."

Other Cameos in Standalones

• The Last Girl to Die (2022): While set on the Isle of Mull and focusing on a separate investigation, the novel features a cameo by Lance Proudfoot, the opportunistic journalist who frequently causes trouble for Luc and Ava in Edinburgh.

Practical Reading Advice

If you want to experience the complete narrative arc, the absolute best starting point is Perfect Remains. If you wish to read the entire shared universe in the order the books were written, here is the integrated publication path:

• Perfect Remains (2017)
• Perfect Prey (2017)
• Perfect Death (2018)
• Perfect Silence (2018)
• Perfect Crime (2019)
• Perfect Kill (2020)
• The Shadow Man (2021) — Connie Woolwine #1
• One for Sorrow (2022)
• The Last Girl to Die (2022) — Standalone with cameo
• The Institution (2023) — Connie Woolwine #2
• Watching You (2025) — Crossover event (Connie Woolwine #3)
• No One Left Alive (Scheduled for 2026)