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A review by _onemorechapter_
One for Sorrow by Helen Sarah Fields
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
𝑻.𝑾: Stalking, Revenge, Loss, Grieving,
💭Alright, folks, buckle up because *One For Sorrow* by Helen Sarah Fields is one heck of a rollercoaster ride of suspense, drama, and heart-pounding tension. If you’re into crime thrillers with sharp twists and a *killer* (pun intended) plot, this one’s for you.
So, we’re back with DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner—two detectives who, let's be honest, are the definition of "couple goals" if you ignore all the murders. The dynamic between them? *Chef’s kiss*. Ava’s no-nonsense, fiery, and gets the job done, while Luc is, well, let’s just say he brings the charm and the feels. Their chemistry is undeniable, and though their romance doesn’t take center stage, it’s like a slow burn simmering in the background, making you want to scream, “JUST KISS ALREADY!”
But enough about my ship—they’ve got a chilling serial killer on their hands. And this time? The stakes are *high*. We’re talking explosive, twisted, psychological mind games where no one is safe, and every chapter leaves you guessing who’s next. The villain is clever, ruthless, and totally terrifying. There’s a real sense of dread that builds up as the team scrambles to stop them before it’s too late.
But okay, real talk: Ava? She was kinda irritating in this one. I love a strong female lead as much as the next reader, but there were times in One For Sorrow where Ava’s stubbornness and constant "I can handle it all" attitude got a bit much. Like girl, we get that you’re tough, but you don’t have to push everyone away in the process. Her emotional walls were sky-high, and it made some of her decisions questionable, if not downright frustrating. Honestly, her whole lone-wolf routine just made things harder for herself and her team—Luc especially.
And while we’re being honest, I kinda saw the big reveal coming way before the final twist. Maybe it’s all the crime shows I binge-watch (or maybe I’m just a detective at heart), but I guessed who the killer was early on. Not that it ruined the book—there were still plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments—but yeah, I was definitely one step ahead of the detectives this time around, but honestly? The tension and thrills made up for it. Plus, Fields’ writing has that perfect blend of dark and emotional that keeps you invested from start to finish.
One of the things I loved most? The pacing. It’s fast, but not so fast that you feel lost. Helen Sarah Fields does a brilliant job of balancing gritty crime scenes with the emotional toll it takes on the characters. You feel their exhaustion, their fear, and sometimes, their helplessness. The supporting cast—especially Lively and Tripp—add their own flavor to the mix, making the investigation feel like a full-on team effort.
Overall, One For Sorrow is still a solid read despite Ava’s frustrating moments and the slightly predictable reveal. It’s got tension, heart, and a team of characters you can’t help but root for (even when they’re being extra). If you're into crime thrillers with strong characters, dark twists, and that gritty emotional depth, you're gonna want to pick this one up.
𝐏.𝐒 Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to emotionally recover from that ending!!
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 I hope there will be a next book in this series because it can't end like this!!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.52
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Crime Thriller, Police Procedural, Mystery, Suspense 🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: D.I. Callanach (Book 7)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes!
It is a gripping, gritty crime thriller that hits you right in the feels and keeps you on edge until the very last page. If you’re a fan of police procedurals with strong characters and pulse-pounding plots, this one’s going to be your new obsession.
💭Alright, folks, buckle up because *One For Sorrow* by Helen Sarah Fields is one heck of a rollercoaster ride of suspense, drama, and heart-pounding tension. If you’re into crime thrillers with sharp twists and a *killer* (pun intended) plot, this one’s for you.
So, we’re back with DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner—two detectives who, let's be honest, are the definition of "couple goals" if you ignore all the murders. The dynamic between them? *Chef’s kiss*. Ava’s no-nonsense, fiery, and gets the job done, while Luc is, well, let’s just say he brings the charm and the feels. Their chemistry is undeniable, and though their romance doesn’t take center stage, it’s like a slow burn simmering in the background, making you want to scream, “JUST KISS ALREADY!”
But enough about my ship—they’ve got a chilling serial killer on their hands. And this time? The stakes are *high*. We’re talking explosive, twisted, psychological mind games where no one is safe, and every chapter leaves you guessing who’s next. The villain is clever, ruthless, and totally terrifying. There’s a real sense of dread that builds up as the team scrambles to stop them before it’s too late.
But okay, real talk: Ava? She was kinda irritating in this one. I love a strong female lead as much as the next reader, but there were times in One For Sorrow where Ava’s stubbornness and constant "I can handle it all" attitude got a bit much. Like girl, we get that you’re tough, but you don’t have to push everyone away in the process. Her emotional walls were sky-high, and it made some of her decisions questionable, if not downright frustrating. Honestly, her whole lone-wolf routine just made things harder for herself and her team—Luc especially.
And while we’re being honest, I kinda saw the big reveal coming way before the final twist. Maybe it’s all the crime shows I binge-watch (or maybe I’m just a detective at heart), but I guessed who the killer was early on. Not that it ruined the book—there were still plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments—but yeah, I was definitely one step ahead of the detectives this time around, but honestly? The tension and thrills made up for it. Plus, Fields’ writing has that perfect blend of dark and emotional that keeps you invested from start to finish.
One of the things I loved most? The pacing. It’s fast, but not so fast that you feel lost. Helen Sarah Fields does a brilliant job of balancing gritty crime scenes with the emotional toll it takes on the characters. You feel their exhaustion, their fear, and sometimes, their helplessness. The supporting cast—especially Lively and Tripp—add their own flavor to the mix, making the investigation feel like a full-on team effort.
Overall, One For Sorrow is still a solid read despite Ava’s frustrating moments and the slightly predictable reveal. It’s got tension, heart, and a team of characters you can’t help but root for (even when they’re being extra). If you're into crime thrillers with strong characters, dark twists, and that gritty emotional depth, you're gonna want to pick this one up.
𝐏.𝐒 Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to emotionally recover from that ending!!
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 I hope there will be a next book in this series because it can't end like this!!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.52
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Crime Thriller, Police Procedural, Mystery, Suspense 🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: D.I. Callanach (Book 7)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes!
It is a gripping, gritty crime thriller that hits you right in the feels and keeps you on edge until the very last page. If you’re a fan of police procedurals with strong characters and pulse-pounding plots, this one’s going to be your new obsession.