BLISS IS BACK… AND THIS TIME HE’S TWICE THE THREAT.
Jimmy Bliss’s first unsolved case is proving to be a puzzle. Despite an original investigation and subsequent case reviews, the police still do not have a suspect in the 1999 murder of a local
authority worker. The only lead Bliss and his three new colleagues have is the recent unearthing of the murder weapon. But when that takes them no further, they realise their only chance of success is
to find fresh evidence missed in the original case.
The reinvestigation is starting to look hopeless when in steps a shadowy figure from Jimmy’s past.
The man has a favour to ask, and Bliss a debt to repay. With his loyalty put to the test, can he be convinced the request is genuinely for the greater good?
Meanwhile, the violent executions of two young drug runners are the first lethal blows in a war between organised county lines drug gangs. Bliss is asked to act as the Senior Investigating Officer.
Working with his Major Crime Unit colleagues, he professes to align himself with one of the gangs to ensure a peaceful end to hostilities. But will they call his bluff and see his act for what it is?
Bliss’s strategy prompts an unexpected reaction in one psychopathic loose cannon, resulting in threats of violence and the spread of fear. And when those threats become actions, will Jimmy and
his colleagues be caught in the line of fire…?
Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, Endless Silent Scream, Slow Slicing, The Autumn Tree, Darker Days to Come, The Lightning Rod, and What Dies Inside Us will be joined in autumn 2024 by Something More to Say. There is also a prequel novella available called Bliss
Uncovered.
Tony’s other books include two action-adventure thrillers, Scream Blue Murder and Cold Winter Sun, featuring reluctant hero Mike Lynch. Also, The Huntsmen and The Predators, feature DS Royston Chase, DC Claire Laney, and PCSO Alison May, both police procedural novels set in Wiltshire. 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.
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 book #12 in his bestselling Jimmy Bliss series.
His first love was music, and he is currently gobbling up as many remastered vinyl albums as he can. Tony has played guitar since his early childhood, and
despite selling off his collection at one point he has somehow managed to reacquire a new range and is up to 5 without knowing how.
All of Tony’s links can be found on Linktree
My thoughts: this was very, very good. I’m planning on getting my dad (who is very particular) the series for Christmas, I think he’d love the Jimmy Bliss books.
Bliss is working with a team of retired experts, including former detectives, on cold cases, putting their years of knowledge and experience to use reviewing cases the police couldn’t solve at the time, along with new technology like DNA. But this murder seems to have some very old school reasons as the motive – greed and power. Bliss just needs to connect all the dots so his tip off from an old “friend” is legitimate for the courts.
He’s also been asked to act as SIO on the murders of two teenage drug dealers, probably part of a county lines operation, and the three gangs that want control of the city are headed for war if Bliss can’t sort it all out.
The writing is compelling, the story gripping and the characters brilliantly drawn, it was one of the best crime thrillers I’ve read recently. Add it to your tbr, you won’t be sorry!
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 