Debut crime series by former criminal barrister to Avon

Avon is to publish a debut crime series set in Edinburgh by a former criminal barrister, Helen Fields.

Editorial director Helen Huthwaite acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to three novels by Fields from Caroline Hardman at Hardman & Swainson. 

The first, Perfect Remains, introduces half-French, half-Scottish former Interpol officer Luc Callanach, and detective inspector Ava Turner, on the hunt for the killer of several prominent women. Unbeknown to the police, the bodies they find are a ruse; the women are still alive – at least for the time being - in the basement of their kidnapper’s house.

The author spent 13 years working as a criminal barrister in London before making the move to become a writer and producer for a film production company.

Huthwaite said: “It is a rare thing to find a crime novel as compelling and authentic as Helen Field’s Perfect Remains on the submission pile. The quality of Helen’s writing is second-to-none, and combined with a storyline that will have fans of The Fall hooked, it’s clear that Helen is a huge new talent just waiting to be unleashed. We couldn’t be more proud to welcome her to the Avon list.”

Avon will publish Perfect Remains in December 2016. German rights have been sold to Luebbe.