Today I am sharing my review of SOMETHING MORE TO SAY by Tony J Forder as part of the Blog Tour. This is book 12 in the brilliant Detective Bliss series. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for inviting me onto the tour.
Something More To Say
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…?
Purchase Link – http://tiny.cc/SMtS
My Review
A new addition to the Detective Bliss series. The books work well as stand alone especially this one as it is the first since Bliss started his new role.
Bliss has retired from the Police and is now a civilian heading up a cold case team, but also heading up cases for his old team as SIO. I was unsure how this new role would work out in practice but it does seem to work effectively although it seems strange to have one person in charge of two completely different cases at the same time. In this book it did work so I am keeping an open mind.
The cold case is the murder of a man that was never solved. As Bliss gets to know his new team and start to delve into the evidence from the time of the first investigation it becomes clear that cold cases require much more drudge detective work than live cases. However, Bliss is not to be disheartened and he is determined to succeed where the first team failed. As the case progresses it becomes clear there is much more to this murder than any of them first envisaged.
Meanwhile, his old team are investigating the horrific murder of two young drug runners. Why were these two young lads murdered with such hate and violence? Bliss realises there is a drug war brewing and if they don’t act quickly then the deaths of the two boys will just be the tip of the iceberg.
I really enjoyed catching up with Bliss. I love the banter between him and Penny along with the rest of the team and I also like how even the top of the hierarchy are prepared to listen to his thoughts. The team are all well defined characters but still have more to give and I like how they are all realistic with their flaws.
It was a little strange reading about two cases in tandem but made a refreshing change. It still had the suspense and twists and turns built into both as I expect from Tony’s books.
A very gripping read and one I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copy of this book.
Tony J Forder: Author Bio
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.
Links
All of Tony’s links can be found on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TonyJForder
