The Reach of Shadows

DI Bliss #4

by Tony J. Forder

Discover a bestselling crime series that will have you gripped from the explosive start to the heart-pounding conclusion.

Recovering from injuries sustained in a road collision, DI Bliss is taken directly from hospital to a fresh crime scene and ordered to investigate the vicious stabbing and murder of Jade Coleman.

When Bliss realises the victim had reported being stalked, and that two of his own team had been drafted in to take her statement, he is given the unenviable task of interviewing both of his detectives.

Increasingly it appears that the stalker may be their killer. However, several other people soon become part of the team’s suspect list.

Bliss also finds himself being questioned about his own past and has to battle to defend himself whilst continuing to investigate the murder.

Soon more questions arise.

Why would anybody target Jade Coleman?

Why are the team unable to identify the victim’s close female friend?

And why did Jade recently leave her job without any explanation?

With his work cut out, and his team under pressure, can Bliss solve the case before more victims show up?

Or will the shadows of his own past reach out and drag him under before he can succeed?

Also available in the bestselling DI Bliss Series:

Bad to the Bone

The Scent of Guilt

If Fear Wins

Tony J. Forder is also the best-selling author of Degrees of Darkness and Scream Blue Murder. The stunning DI Bliss series are fast-paced police thrillers which will appeal to fans of authors like Michael Connely, Joy Ellis, Faith Martin, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons.

Genres: Crime, Thriller

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2019

About the author

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, What Dies Inside Us, Something More to Say, and The Honourable Rogue. 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. 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.

Tony is currently working on Jimmy Bliss books #14, The Stonemason’s Song.

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

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reach of Shadows, the fourth book in the superb DI Jimmy Bliss series, is the best instalment so far, and each time somehow they simply get better and better. This has swiftly become one of my go-to series', as know I can trust Mr Forder to produce nail-bitingly tense and exasperatingly exciting crime fiction; this book is no exception. As always the plot is multilayered with a main storyline and a minor side story added in for good measure, and the detail paid to each makes them both as gripping as each other. Forder is also incredibly adept at giving the reader plenty of surprises and twists and turns that are not only unpredictable but come at you thick and fast.

I was pleasantly surprised that even though this is quite a long novel it never lost momentum or became boring, and I was never tempted to skim read at any point. The action-packed nature of the story propels it forward and it doesn't lose steam until you close the cover. You can tell this has been carefully concocted and constructed by a master of his craft, not to mention a master of the most engrossing suspense. The investigations and procedures unfurl in an authentic manner and seem to represent the way police operate in the real world. Everything happens slowly and meticulously as they build up a case and dig deeper until they find exactly what they're looking for.

I cannot close the review without mentioning the characterisation; it's magnificent! The dynamic between main protagonists DI Bliss and DS Penny Chandler adds a lighthearted facet to the story as they enjoy throwing banter back and forth. Bliss is such a beautifully flawed human character which I always appreciate, and he is an intelligent, witty and tenacious investigator, but he is certainly underappreciated by his superiors.

Tony Forder has to be one of the most criminally underrated writers in the business, so if you're a fan of gritty crime fiction, detective novels and/or police procedural's you need to read this series pronto. I can pretty much guarantee your enjoyment, and although each of these novels work perfectly as standalones to get the best experience and see these characters grow and evolve I'd recommend reading them chronologically. Thoroughly recommended.

Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Jimmy Bliss is still recovering in hospital from being run down by a vehicle in a hit and run accident at the close of the previous novel when he is called out to the murder of a woman called Jade Coleman. Jade had recently reported a stalker and the consensus is that the stalker may have killed her. But when Bliss looks into similar stalking reports he is suddenly not so sure.

Meanwhile Internal Affairs have reopened the investigation into the murder of Bliss’s wife, Heather, 17 years ago. He was cleared of her murder back then and doesn’t understand why it is on the table again. Suspecting that someone has it in for him, Bliss must manoeuvre very carefully or he could end up not just losing his job but actually going to prison for murder.

Poor Bliss has never been so physically and emotionally battered but somehow he must find his way to solve the current murder and clear his name for once and for all.

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Bliss is back in Book 4 and he's really got his hands ..and head ... full. Recovering from a hit and run accident, he goes directly from the hospital to a crime scene. A young woman has been brutally killed in her own home.

The victim had reported that she was being stalked. It's up to Bliss to talk to the two members of his team who had taken her statement shortly before she died.

They are seriously looking at finding the stalker .. and then two more women are attacked in their homes. They were lucky ... they survived.

So what links these victims? Why are two left alive after killing the first woman? Bliss and his team delve deeply into the lives of the women and what they find adds many names to the suspect list.

Bliss further gets stressed when Internal Affairs starts looking at his past .. especially the murder of his wife 17 years previously. Although Bliss was cleared of the murder, why would they be looking again this far down the road?

Will the shadow of his own past reach out and drag him under before he can solve what might be his last case?

Tony Forder is a relative new author to me .. and he's fast becoming one of my favorites. The 4th book of this series is well written with well drawn characters. Although 4th in the series, it reads easily as a stand alone, however, I strongly recommend starting with the first. There are many nuggets that give these characters depth and credibility.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was exceedingly happy when I heard this author was releasing another DI Bliss book. If you haven’t read this series what are you waiting for. Although the books can be read as a standalone don’t do it. Starting from book one you actually go on a journey with Bliss and Chandler. I felt as if I was with them throughout. I had a sincere interest in what was happening.

I’m not gonna rehash the blurb for you. The author has written a lengthy enough blurb to give you an insight of what to expect.
I will say I felt as if there was two stories going on at the same time- the investigation and DI Bliss private life. I can’t honestly say which I enjoyed more... both were brilliant. The author did a great job of combining these stories together. Read it and see for yourself.

I’m so sad to finish this book. My fingers are crossed for more of Bliss and Chandler as I’m not ready to say goodbye to them yet.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series. I feel that if you enjoy police thrillers that this is a must read. Actually if you enjoy reading this is a must read.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of The Reach of Shadows, the fourth novel to feature DI Jimmy Bliss of Peterborough police.

When Bliss stupidly chases a would be burglar from his house he is run down in the process, suffering broken ribs and concussion. To his surprise on leaving hospital he is not taken home but to a crime scene. Jade Colman has been stabbed to death in her bedroom and while Bliss takes all murders seriously he can’t understand the level of scrutiny on this case until he finds out that Jade had not only reported a stalker but had been interviewed about it by members of his team. With little to go on the investigation is hard going and if that weren’t enough “The Complaints” are taking an interest in him again.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Reach of Shadows which is an absorbing read with a bit of everything. It is a long novel but it never flags with plenty of plot twists and developments to keep the reader engrossed throughout. I like the way the team start with nothing in their murder investigation and painstakingly build a case piece by piece and think that the slow nature of it and the team’s frustration bring a realism to proceedings, showing that it’s not always bish, bash, bosh case closed. IOPC’s interest in Bliss brings tension to the novel as both Bliss and the reader firstly wonder at their interest and any evidence they may have, then who is behind it and lastly how he’s going to escape. It’s exciting stuff and very well done.

The characterisation is strong in the novel. Bliss and his work partner, DS Penny Chandler, seem closer than ever and their banter provides some light relief amid the tension of Bliss’s problems. I like Bliss who is a smart investigator with a tendency to mess up in the eyes of his bosses. What I really admire is his ability to read people and plan ahead accordingly - a skill I wish I had - and the way The author uses it to create some slick twists and tidy resolutions. He has also turned a corner in his relationships with his co-workers which have moved on from strife to lovefest.

The Reach of Shadows is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was exceedingly happy when I heard this author was releasing another DI Bliss book. If you haven’t read this series what are you waiting for. Although the books can be read as a standalone don’t do it. Starting from book one you actually go on a journey with Bliss and Chandler. I felt as if I was with them throughout. I had a sincere interest in what was happening.

I’m not gonna rehash the blurb for you. The author has written a lengthy enough blurb to give you an insight of what to expect.
I will say I felt as if there was two stories going on at the same time- the investigation and DI Bliss private life. I can’t honestly say which I enjoyed more... both were brilliant. The author did a great job of combining these stories together. Read it and see for yourself.

I’m so sad to finish this book. My fingers are crossed for more of Bliss and Chandler as I’m not ready to say goodbye to them yet.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series. I feel that if you enjoy police thrillers that this is a must read. Actually if you enjoy reading this is a must read.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

‘Three days on, are you any closer to finding out who murdered our daughter?’ Tony Coleman asked. His hands were resting palm down on the bed, fingers splayed as if he were about the leap into action at any moment. The shock was palpable in every line of his face, and the man’s glazed eyes told Bliss that so much grief was yet to sink in. It was looking at faces just like this throughout his career that caused Bliss to take his cases personally. He never forgot a murder victim , but it was the expression on the faces of those they left behind that haunted him most of all.

Some time back, I noticed a strong link between how a novelist depicted the grieving of a murder victim's family (particularly if it features the family identifying the body) and my overall reaction to the book. It's the little things that are the most telling, right? Now, by the time I got to this father, I was already pretty sure that Forder knew what he was doing with this book, but it was nice to get the confirmation.

There is so much going on in this novel that it's hard to know where to start. The book opens with a bang, with DI Bliss finding someone prowling around his house in the middle of the night. He pursues them on foot, in totally inappropriate clothing for such a thing. His pursuit is only called off when he's struck by a car while crossing the road. When DS Chandler, his partner, comes to the hospital to bring him home, she tells him they have a stop to make -- at a murder scene. He's been ordered there despite his need to recover from the injuries sustained by being hit by a car.

Bliss is informed later that the reason he's being pressured to work on this while recuperating is that the victim, Jade Coleman, had recently filed a complaint with the police about a stalker -- and two of Bliss' detectives had interviewed her. Nothing came of this complaint, and now she's dead. So did they miss something? What should these two have done better/differently?

So Bliss has quite a few plates spinning right away -- recovering from a concussion, broken ribs, etc.; solve a murder; ensure that the stalker investigation isn't going to blow up in anyone's face; when a few more plates are introduced: The Independent Office for Police Conduct (a replacement for The Complaints department) is looking into some of his cases -- recent, and less-so. In fact, their investigation goes back over a decade, to when Bliss had been investigated for -- and exonerated from -- his wife's murder. Bliss' superiors are supporting him, and encouraging him to defend himself however is necessary -- but he wants to find Coleman's murderer, too. Bliss does keep the more senior members of his team in the loop about the IOPC investigation and they all want to help him as they can. So we have a whole lot of detectives trying to do a whole lot in a very short time.

Now, I haven't read the previous three DI Bliss novels, and I don't know what kind of overlap those books have with the particulars of the IOPC investigation -- I think if I had more of a history with Bliss I could've cared more about this story, I could've appreciated the dangers he was in. Now, you never want the protagonist of the book you're reading to be framed for a crime (especially if you get the sense that they're one of the good guys in the world), but I just don't have the investment to really care. So my primary concern was the Coleman case (and it was ultimately Bliss' too).

The ways in which I wanted to be invested, but couldn't, in the storylines about Bliss' past were matched in the ways I was invested in Coleman's case -- there were some very believable red herrings dealt with, and Forder faked me out more than once. I'm not saying I got fooled by the same red herrings that distracted the detectives, but that Forder makes the reader thing he's doing X with the plot while he's setting up a Y. I was pretty impressed with the way he kept the characters and readers on their toes with the various stages and phases of the Coleman investigation while dealing with the crisis prompted by the Bliss investigations.

There is a great supporting cast around Chandler and Bliss -- all of whom I wanted more time with -- either above or below them in rank. I don't know that if the book wasn't quite as busy as this one if we'd have got to enjoy more of them, or if this is typical of the series. I can't think of one of them I wouldn't mind a few more pages with. Bliss is a very interesting character -- he's a good man and an old-school cop who's doing his best to adapt and evolve into the modern concept of a detective. Chandler is a loyal friend, partner and sidekick -- who could be more, who could (and maybe should) be a DI herself, but it perfectly content where she is. Watching them navigate the challenges of leadership and the pressures from above as tools to solve Coleman's murder as well as being obstacles to efficient detecting is a lot of fun.

This really is a well-written, well-conceived and well-executed book -- I think most of my lack of engagement (not that I wasn't pretty engaged, I just think the book expected/deserved more on my end) comes from the fact that I was getting to know Bliss, Chandler and the rest. As I've said -- the novel was just built on a lot of history, and not having any familiarity with that history, I couldn't care as much as I should have. If I had the foundation, I'd have liked it more -- and I already liked it a good deal. I do think this is a fine jumping on point -- as long as you go into it knowing that you're coming late to the party and won't care about missing some things. Because of the way that this book seems to have wrapped up that stage of Bliss' life, I'm not sure I want to go back and read the first three books (but I might), but I do want to see what happens in Bliss' future -- I haven't talked much about Chandler, but I'm very interested in what lies in her future.

So, to wrap up, this is a strong novel that I couldn't appreciate as much as I wanted to -- but I really liked and it made me want to read more about these characters. My guess is you'll react the same way (unless you've had the good sense to try these novels before hand -- you are in for a treat).

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the book) they provided.


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[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

One stunning read. DI Bliss hears something whilst in his house, he thinks there is someone in the garden and a sound of something like tape ripping which is rather odd. A chase ensues and he gets hit by a car and breaks a few ribs in the process. On being released from hospital his colleague has been instructed to take him to a crime scene- that of a murdered young woman. When he hears that detectives have interviewed her shortly before her death as she reported having a stalker, he realises that there is a bigger picture. I like Bliss, he is a character that you feel very comfortable with and he has a good relationship with his DS- Chandler who has her own things going on. Many years ago her estranged husband abducted their then 2 year old daughter and took her to his homeland of Turkey. Des[ite trying everything possible and even an annual trip there, Penny Chandler has been unable to find their whereabouts. It’s threads like this that to me give characters real character. That they are not just about the story but have a life and feeling and emotions like the rest of us and Tony does this very well. We know that there is possibly more about Bliss being run over- again another important side story line, done so well that they don’t detract from the main plot.Bliss’s years of success come back to bite him in the form of the IOPC so there is lots going on in this book. Not too much to muddy each storyline just a nice balance to keep things moving, the old grey matter nicely ticking along and a cleverly thought out plot. A brilliant, brilliant read which I highly recommend. 5**
For more reviews please see my blog
http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
Amazon Top 1000 reviewer.

[Janet Newport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for this arc.

I loved this read. A truly convoluted mystery that starts as an amorphous blob and a slow build up to it's ultimate solution. Meanwhile DI Bliss more than proves he can take a lickin' and come back kickin"... just to kick the pacing up a bit. The usual office politics meander through the story.. just to really keep up the interest level. Bliss's ability to keep all the interested parties at bay while he gets the case solved amazed me. But this book had a second story running through it as well. Bliss was finally able to put to rest an old case that kept him haunted for years (that was nice). The back and forth between Bliss and Pen was fun as well. The man has a heart. Definitely for fans of Ian Rankin's Rebus!

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reach of shadows

A very good and interesting book. This series is great. Well written and a page turner. Be sure to read the books in this series before this one

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

While chasing a backyard intruder across town in his nightclothes, fifty-six year old DI Jimmy Bliss is hit by a car. His Sergeant, Penny “Pen” Chandler, picks him up from the hospital two days later and she is not a happy camper. She tells him instead of taking him home she is supposed to take him to the scene of a crime.

The murdered woman is Jade Coleman. This crime has political implications that Bliss doesn’t yet know about. When speaking to his boss he learns that Jade had a stalker and that Jade was interviewed by two detectives on Bliss’ team.

The team begins their investigation. They interview neighbors, friends and others but can’t seem to identify an unidentified woman who knew Jade.

I like the way the author gives the reader a glimpse of Bliss and Pen’s home life. I appreciate the chance to get to know the characters outside of the job. Bliss lives in near isolation, unable to even unpack the boxes he moved from his previous residence. But he seems happy, especially in his job. I like it that his team gets along well and pulls together. I like his supervisory skills. This book is well written and plotted. It is an entertaining novel and moves along quite nicely. I believe that this is my first Tony Forder book and I’ll go to Amazon to look for others by him.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reach of Shadows is the fourth book in the DI Bliss series, and once again I seem to have stumbled my way into the middle of it. What I will say is though, you really don’t need to have read books 1 – 3 to fully enjoy this one as at no point did I feel that I was missing any information or past plot.
The book opens with DI Bliss chasing a would be intruder from his home only to be knocked down in the process. On his release from hospital, instead of being taken home to recuperate, he is taken to a crime scene. Jade Coleman has been murdered, but as it turns out, she had previously reported that she had felt that she was being followed. It’s up to Bliss and his team to determine if the two events are linked and the force failed her by not following up on her complaint or if it was just an unlucky coincidence. On top of this, Bliss finds himself under the scrutiny of the IOPC as his past comes back to haunt him in a big way.
Despite the book having two different parts to it, I was in no way distracted by this. Having read books in the past where a second storyline was introduced to essentially be treated as a page filler then forgotten I was pleased to see that both storylines were dealt with, with the same attention to detail and relevance. Jimmy Bliss is definitely a copper of the old guard however you can see that in his own way he is trying to embrace the new way of policing and all the procedures that go with it. Even he can see that some of his old colleagues should be relegated to the past and stay there. He has a real connection with his DS – Penny Chandler. They have each other’s back on more than one occasion. His team also seem very loyal to him and are even willing to put their own careers on the line in order to save his. I loved the easy way they had with each other to the point of ribbing each other on a regular basis despite the seriousness of the situations they found themselves in.
What I found refreshing was that at no time did the author fall into the trap of – murder, convenient motive, found the culprit, arrest them. The investigations took a few different avenues as the team slowly picked at the victim’s life, giving it a more realistic feel to it and at the same time keeping the reader interested.
As I said, you don’t have to have read all the books to enjoy this one, I certainly hadn’t, but then again why miss out on a very engaging and well written series by not starting at the beginning?

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth fantastic instalment in the DI Jimmy Bliss series of police procedurals, and this really is a series that needs to be read in order to the most out of it (although each book works well on its own as the past events are explained to a certain extent). The book starts with Bliss chasing someone breaking into his house in the middle of the night and getting run over. Even that is not enough to keep him down and on his release from hospital he is immediately embroiled in the hunt for a killer. Is the woman's reported stalker the culprit or is there more to this case? Jimmy's personal life has never been straight forward since the murder of his wife Hazel and also due to his occasional old fashioned less than pc conduct. But overall he is a good detective and boss with a loyal team who respect him, and in this story that becomes even more crucial to his continuation in the job. As the murder investigation continues, faces from the past reappear and cause problems both professionally and personally for Bliss. Will they prove too much to conquer this time? This story is very well plotted and written as I have come to expect from this author with even room for a little humour, and I can thoroughly recommend this to everyone!

[Judith Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book No 4 in the series. Inspector Bliss has returned to Peterborough. He is currently recovering after a chase through the night has him colliding with a speeding car and being left in the road. On the day he is released from the hospital, he is sent to a particularly gruesome murder scene.

His team works tirelessly to solve the case but there seems little to follow through. No clues, no suspects.

Meantime, Bliss comes to the attention of the IOPC (the Independent Office for Police Conduct). Initially, they give him no idea why he has been singled out for their attention and advise him they are looking at all his old cases to determine whether there have been times when he has acted against protocol. But eventually, he hears that the real reason they are investigating him is that they have more information concerning his wife’s murder.

This sets Bliss on the trail of old friends, old villains and ex-colleagues until he comes to the truth.

This is a well-written book, with plenty to keep the reader involved and intrigued. I would recommend it and if asked, would give it four stars.

Note - I was given a copy of the book by the publishers Bloodhound Books and in response I choose to write this review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to be able to read the ARC under no obligation, for the fourth book in the DI Bliss series. What a compelling read. Having followed the series throughout I have grown very much attached to the well developed and lovable characters. DI Jimmy Bliss being as stubborn as ever and close friend DS Penny Chandler forever keeping him in check, the banter between them is extremely amusing and keeps the book very much alive and real. Bliss is certainly not having a good time at the moment. His career is in jeopardy as his past comes up to bite him hard. Having only just been released from hospital after a recent road traffic incident and not in the best of health he is thrown straight into a suspicious murder case of a young woman, brutally killed in her own home. With more than one thing or another going on in his life and so many worries he is undoubtely forever grateful to his close knit and loyal team. Very tense from start to finish with lots of nail biting moments, intrigue, drama, with twists and turns that will have you forever looking for answers.....I know someone who can find them! A brilliant book and a well deserved five stars.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reach of Shadows
(DI Bliss, #4)
by
Tony J. Forder

The Reach of Shadows is the fourth (of 6) in Tony Forder’s DI Bliss series and probably the best to date. Again Bliss finds himself in trouble, on several fronts, but still has Chandler and the rest of his loyal team to help when required.

This time it is Jade Coleman who is murdered by a home invader, stalker, or her pervert neighbour. The only other piece of information I can add is that she was an activist, or sorts, which may, or may not, have something to do with her murder. While Bliss and his team are trying to solve this crime, 'fresh' evidence is discovered (against Bliss) and he becomes the target of an Internal Affairs investigation into his past deeds.

Tony Forder has this and another storyline as ongoing background stories throughout the Bliss series. One of these plots seems to be concluded in The Reach of Shadows. I have enjoyed these later books of the Bliss series and look forward to reading books 5 and 6 later in the year.

I rated The Reach of Shadows as a five star read.

At the time of writing my review other Goodreads readers had awarded The Reach of Shadows an average of 4.63 stars, from 278 ratings and 54 reviews.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts with DI Bliss fearing someone is trying to break into his house in the early hours, he gives chase and ends up being hit by a car in a hit and run. Once he is is patched up, DS Penny Chandler collects him and they head straight to the scene of a murder. Who could possibly want quiet and reserved Jade Coleman dead and why had someone been stalking her? How long will it take Bliss and the team to find the killer?
During the case, Bliss soon finds out that IOPC (The Independent Office for Police Conduct) are investigating him. It doesn’t take him long to realise that they are really there due to new information regarding his wife’s murder. Can Bliss get to the bottom of what is going on as well as dealing with Jades murder?
I could not put this book down, mainly due to all the twists in the story. The writer has included some great characters and we get to see more of some of the other members of Bliss’ team. Great plausible plots in a book that is action packed. This is a great series and I highly recommend this book.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A police force, a team, a very credible DI and his partner find themselves under scrutiny. The force because a woman who reported a possible stalker has been murdered, the team because they totally support the DI, and DI Bliss because of a chronic disorder, recent injuries, and accusations of misconduct of nearly twenty years ago.
Much background is related in a coherent manner that keeps the reader on target and not lost in wondering about the previous books in the series. This leaves us free to enjoy the bright and personable characters, plot twists, red herrings, and sly humor. The plot is actually credible and the characters realistic. The unraveling of the apparent connection between assault victims and the past of the only one to be murdered is ingenious!
I loved it! Remember, the past will get you.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bloodhoundbooks.com via Netgalley.com. Thank you!

[Emily Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th novel in the fabulous Bliss and Chandler series and well worth a read. I love the chemistry of the duo in previous books and this new one doesn’t disappoint either. It’s a touch more emotional and I quite liked that.
Bliss is investigating the death of a girl who reported being stalked weeks previously. Along side this murder Bliss is dealing with his past coming back to haunt him, dredging up emotions of his wife Hazel. Previous books in the series have skimmed over this but we get to find out everything here.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really feel Tony brought the characters to life. There were little sprinkles of humour too which is definitely a thumbs up for me. The odd line that made me smile. I like that in all the darkness.
I look forward to the next instalment!

[Eve Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book.
This book had me reaching for the tissues in the first chapter, and wanting to tell Bliss that he wasn't alone that I was with him 😢
The rest of the book is fast paced, with murder and stalker.
Throw in an investigation into Bliss, which just angered me and made me want to punch the idiots from the IOPC, they have no right going after my hero 😡😡
Tony J Forder's attention to detail and the fact that a murder investigation isn't solved in a day is brilliant, he doesn't sugar coat it or hurry it along which makes for an absolutely brilliant book.
I'm so glad that Bliss managed to come out unscathed, well mostly.
Bring on the next book and see what Bliss has to conquer, I know I'll be with him every step of the way, in every book until the very last page, in the last book.
But until then I'm going to continue enjoying Bliss my hero 🕵️‍♂️💝

[Jon Dayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reach of Shadows. Tony J Forder delivers yet again.
D.I. Bliss is back with the twists and turns we the readers have come to expect. If you have read the previous DI Bliss books then this one fills in some of his past and gives Bliss closure. Whilst solving a murder someone from his past is out to get him. Absolutely brilliant read, the characters just get better and better. A great stand alone book but if like me you started at the beginning of the series which I did, you will love where the Bliss series is going.
I read the first Bliss book and like others thought that these characters warranted being a series, then we were right and what a series they are when is the next is all I can say
Great writing, great characters brilliant story line.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to meet up with DI Bliss and the crew again. I had been waiting for this one to hit audible and must have missed its release. This book has a couple of stories within a story and they both really worked. Bliss is definitely feeling his age in this one and his body certainly takes a beating many times, but one thing you can't do is batter this man's spirit, and that is what I love about him. Tony J Forder always delivers and The Reach of Shadows certainly didn't disappoint. I can't wait for more from this series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being hit by a car, and hospitized for several days DI Bliss is called out to crime scene - the murder of a female Jade Coleman. Was it the stalker that she had reported or are there more suspects to be revealed. But what of the rumours that have followed Bliss for nearly twenty years - is he the murderer of his wife - an internal investigation may reveal the truth.
A thoroughly enjoyable well-written story with credible characters.
A NetGalley Book

[Christopher Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to fault this one. Really good police procedural and the fourth (hopefully not the last) in the DI Jimmy Bliss series. The writing has got better as this series progresses. The dialogue here is very good, very sharp. A book with two main strands. One is a murder of a young woman in Peterborough and the other is the fallout from events in the distant past that come back to haunt DI Bliss in the present. Very enjoyable read.

[Ella Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Bliss once again embarks on a journey to figure out who did what and why in his own inimitable fashion whilst staving off shadows of his past. Support from surprising places is offered. Past shadows also come back to haunt his sidekick Penny, whose search gets a kickstart in the right direction. Exactly the right balance of dark and light with a well thought out plot.

[Chris Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! I have always enjoyed the Jimmy Bliss series but in this fourth instalment Tony Forder has taken his writing and plotting to a new level. The central crime is intriguing but I found the personal aspects of the novel even more enthralling, both his relationship to Pen but especially his desire to absolve himself of supposed past misdemeanours. Brilliant!

[Nicole* Nicole* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this author's books and this book didn't disappoint. It is the 4th book in the DI Bliss series but it can be read as a stand-alone, although I'm sure once you have met Bliss and Chandler you'll want to read the previous books too. If you are looking for a page turner that is full of twists, drama and characters with depth. I highly recommend this book.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Tony Forder.
These books do run along together but can be read as stand alones, though why you’d want to read them alone & not follow the full series, just don’t, read them all! Well worth it
There are interesting happenings, personal & case wise in this book. You get to learn more and follow as everything takes off.
Definitely worth a read.

[Sheila Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished the 4th DI Bliss.Tony Forder never fails.
I loved the other 3 in the series but The Reach of Shadows, was brilliant,tense,twists,turns, and finally getting his wife’s murderer.it certainly deserves 5 stars.
Thank you Tony, can’t wait for the next one.

[Claire lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Di Bliss is back and doesn't disappoint in book 4 in the series. Bliss is like a "old pair of slippers. That you love and don't want the book to end.
It's fast paced both his personal life and work you know all the characters as old friends. Bliss is as stubborn as ever.
Love this series. x