#D.I. Bliss 10

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Lightning Rod by Tony J. Forder

D.I. Bliss #10

 Every book in this series that I have read has been a tour de force and worth every moment spent reading it. Once again Bliss has shown his strength, led his team, and solved the original case that opens the story…what a WILD ride this one was!

 What I liked:

* D.I. Jimmy Bliss: widow, owner of Max – a golden retriever rescue dog, leader of a homicide team, intrepid, older, and considering his future

* Reconnecting with the team and finding out how they are doing

* Learning what an ‘urgent case review’ is, when it is done, by whom, and why it might be carried out

* The murder-suicide scene that proved to be more…and what it led to

* The police procedural aspects of the story

* Getting glimpses into the personal lives of some of the characters

* Being able to hate the bad guys and wondering what makes them tick

* Knowing I would NOT like to have been in the shoes of some who met up with the ‘fixer’

* The last chapter and wondering about the impact it had on the characters in that chapter as well as perhaps others

* Hoping that there will be another book in the series and wondering what will happen in it.

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Knowing that the crimes and evil in this book is all too common in real life

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to the author and DLM Book Tours for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

       BLURB

 DI Bliss attends the aftermath of an apparent murder-suicide – but the scene tells him and his colleagues something very different occurred. Now the Peterborough Major Crimes Unit face an adversary like no other. They have no idea why his victims had to die. They have no idea who he is. They have no idea where he might strike next – only that he will. But while the killer is cunning, leaving no evidence for them to find, his biggest mistake might be in underestimating the team now hunting him. Because when Jimmy Bliss is on the case, all bets are off.

 UK link : https://is.gd/XquRr4

USA link : https://amzn.com/dp/B0B529XN3P

      AUTHOR BIO

 Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven novels, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, Endless Silent Scream, and Slow Slicing, were joined in December 2020 by a prequel novella, Bliss Uncovered. The series continued with The Autumn Tree and Darker Days to Come, and The Lightning Rod will be released in December 2022.

Tony’s other early series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder and Cold Winter Sun. These books will hopefully be joined in 2023 by The Dark Division.

In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, Fifteen Coffins.

The Huntsmen, released in October 2021, was the first book in a new crime series, set in Wiltshire. It featured DS Royston Chase, DC Claire Laney, and PCSO Alison May.

Tony's first 8 novels were originally released by a publisher specialising in crime fiction. In 2020, Tony decided to strike out on his own, and subsequently negotiated the return of all publishing rights to himself. Each of those 8 books has subsequently been re-released under his own imprint, Spare Nib Books.

Tony lives with his wife in West Sussex, UK, and is a full-time author. He is currently working on the second DS Chase novel, The Predators.

Links

All of Tony’s links can be found on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TonyJForder

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Slow Slicing by Tony J. Forder

D.I. Bliss #7

 Grim, gritty, gruesome, and grisly the opening scene was powerful, made me cringe, and wonder what type of warped mind could carry out the torture described. I wondered how the police would figure out the who, what, when, why and where and how long it would take for the tortured to die, be found or the case solved. Though dark the story rings true. Once again, I wondered how people who deal with homicides manage to sleep at night and live normal lives. That said…I couldn’t put this book down once I began reading and was almost relieved when it ended. At the end I wondered what direction Bliss would head in the future.

 What I liked:

* D.I. Bliss: an older policeman with experience, wisdom, and his own way of getting results. He is a good leader that does what it takes even though sometimes it gets him into trouble. In some ways I get the feeling he is tired of the job but in others I see he is not fully burned out…or at least not quite yet.

* Chandler: Bliss’s work partner who seems to help ground him. She is younger and has a backstory of her own but is a powerful presence in Bliss’s life.

* Bliss’s team: work together well and are an interesting collection of people

* Wharburton and Fletcher: women higher up the police ladder than Bliss who seem to have cooler heads and behave wisely as they seem often to be trying to rein Bliss in.

* The police procedural aspects of the story

* The writing, plot, pacing and revelations as the story was told

* The interwoven elements and side stories related to leaks, newspapers, romances, etc

* Molly: a young girl from the previous book that I was able to catch up with

* The idea that Bliss might have a future with a happy ending that may include a romantic partner

* That there was a resolution to the case

* Knowing that there will be another D.I. Bliss book to look forward to

 What I did not like:

* Knowing how twisted minds can become and the pain some are willing to bestow on others

* That D.I. Bliss keeps being in the hot seat despite the results he achieves

* Feeley: I get a sense this person is out to get D.I. Bliss and am not sure his focus on Bliss is rational

 Did I enjoy this book? Hmm…tough one to read but I did enjoy it

Would I read more in the series? Yes, definitely!

 Thank you to the author and BOTBS for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

    BOOK DESCRIPTION

 The bestselling author of the compelling DI Bliss crime series is back with another stunning novel.

WHEN DEATH BECOMES THE KINDEST CUT OF ALL When slices of flesh and body parts are discovered in different areas of the country, DI Bliss and his team are tasked with running the operation. After Bliss realises the victims have been subjected to a specific form of torture, it leads him to a cold case involving the brutal and bloody murder of a woman in London twenty-six years earlier. As the team discover links between their victims, the murdered woman, and gangland crime, they begin a dangerous investigation into both the past and the present. But Bliss is stumped, unable to decide if the current spate of mutilations are acts of revenge or the result of ageing criminals seeking to hide their despicable actions. Following a leak to the media, Bliss’s reaction may have dire consequences. With the hunt for the victims at fever point, Bliss uncovers evidence steering him in the direction of one particular individual. The only problem being, his prime suspect is the one person it cannot possibly be. When Bliss orders a sting operation, the astonishing truth is revealed. And that’s when things really start to go wrong…

The stunning DI Bliss series of fast-paced police thrillers will appeal to fans of authors like Michael Connelly, Joy Ellis, Peter James, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons. Tony J Forder is also the bestselling author of Degrees of Darkness, Scream Blue Murder and Cold Winter Sun.

   AUTHOR BIO

 Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling crime thriller series featuring detectives Jimmy Bliss and Penny Chandler. The first six books, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, and Endless Silent Scream, will be joined on 10 August 2020 by Slow Slicing, and in December by the DI Bliss prequel novella, Bliss Uncovered.

Tony’s dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, was also published by Bloodhound Books. This is a stand-alone serial-killer novel. Scream Blue Murder, an action-adventure thriller, was published in November 2017, and received praise from many, including fellow authors Mason Cross, Matt Hilton and Anita Waller. The sequel, Cold Winter Sun, was published in November 2018.

In November, Tony will release a new standalone suspense thriller set in California, called Fifteen Coffins. Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently editing a new novel, and has also started on Bliss #7, Slow Slicing.

Links

Website: https://www.tonyjforder.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyjforder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyJForder @TonyJForder

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01N4BPT65

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16166122.Tony_J_Forder

Fantastic Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/tony-j-forder/

Tony can also be found on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyjforder/