Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

DI Bliss #1-5

The DI Bliss Series

Rate this book

THE COMPLETE DI BLISS SERIES

"A great read for those who like a clever plot in their crime, thriller, murder and suspense reads"

"From well-developed characters to an intelligently plotted storyline and intriguing investigations, there’s a great deal to keep you hooked here."

This great value boxset includes all five books in the bestselling DI Bliss series, including:

Bad to the Bone

The Scent of Guilt

If Fear Wins

The Reach of Shadows

The Death of Justice

Discover your new favourite crime mystery series today

Bad to the Bone:

A skeletal body is unearthed in a wooded area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. DI James Bliss, together with DC Penny Chandler, investigate the case and discover that the young, female victim had been relocated from its original burial site.

The Scent of Guilt:

Twelve years after he left Peterborough under a cloud, DI Bliss returns to the city and the major crimes team. Having spent years policing organised crime, Bliss is plunged straight into the heart of a serial murder investigation.

If Fear Wins:

When a torched body is found in a country lane, DI Bliss and Chandler are called in to investigate. The detectives are drawn towards recent missing person reports and believe their victim will prove to be one of them. Bliss thinks he knows which, and fears the outcome if he is proven right.

The Reach of Shadows:

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.

The Death of Justice:

When DI Bliss arrives at the scene of the second murder, he recognises the same three-shot pattern as the first. But there is one major difference: the second victim has been decapitated, the head nowhere to be found. When a second headless corpse is discovered the following day, Bliss and his team realise the killer is on a spree – and he’s not done yet.

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.

1936 pages, ebook

Published October 7, 2019

235 people are currently reading
97 people want to read

About the author

Tony J. Forder

48 books233 followers
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

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
510 (75%)
4 stars
138 (20%)
3 stars
24 (3%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
131 reviews
November 25, 2020
Great box set of detective novels

The main character DI Bliss has something of a attitude problem as far as most of his superior's are concerned. That said, they can't argue with his passion for the job or the results he achieves. This box set sees Bliss and his team take on all manner of cases, from bent colleagues, to organised crime and dealing with MI5 and MI6 all manner of other crimes. You also get to see into their personal lives with Bliss still under suspicion, by some, of murdering his own wife years ago and the fall out from exposing some bent colleague. There's also Chandler's hunt for her daughter, abducted by her father at age 2 and taken to Turkey. The books are thoroughly entertaining and hard to put down. You get to know the characters very well and feel their pain and disappointment along with the joys they encounter along the way. Looking forward to reading more in the adventures of DI Bliss and his team.
4 reviews
February 21, 2021
D I Bliss

Excellent series of books,exciting and unputdownable. I enjoyed every minute spent reading and look forward to many more in the series.
1 review
Currently reading
June 2, 2020
So far this has been really enjoyable. Not really had chance to sit and finish it, due to personal reasons, but if the rest of the books are as good as the first one, then I’m in for a good read!
12 reviews
January 3, 2020
Awesome

I thoroughly enjoyed these books. I do hope there will be more D.I Bliss, I think there are still things unfinished in the series.
There have been some great storylines and some I think why would you do that. But at the end of this one Tony said he felt he had to... I want to disagree... but upon reflection. I do feel every decision has added to the sheer enjoyment of the series. Thank you for entertaining me. I look forward to reading more of your books.
2 reviews
November 10, 2020
Amazing books enjoyed every one, they seemed to get better and better. Can’t wait to read the next
Profile Image for Alistair Birch.
Author 4 books8 followers
November 3, 2020
This is the first time I’ve read anything by Tony Forder and I’m hooked. Not only is Jimmy Bliss a fabulous character but so to are those around him are too. Flaws, humour and great story telling. I enjoyed all five of these books immensely and have now gone and bought Tony’s other novels which I’m sure will be every bit as good. Fabulous reading.
371 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2020
Brilliant series, each different but the same Humour us characters

Thoroughly enjoyed this series, great characters (for some reason I pictured Bliss as the beast from UK chasers) each book was fast paced, full of action, and plenty to keep you guessing. Enough non pc banter between characters to make it funny and realistic . A great read
Profile Image for Philomena Callan Cheekypee.
4,020 reviews432 followers
October 26, 2020
This is the books one to five in the DI Bliss series.

Each and every one of these stories are brilliant. DI Bliss is one of my favourite detectives ever.

This is one of those authors I’ll read anything he writes.. yes he’s that good.
1 review
May 2, 2020
Of you love a book that keeps you wanting more this is a must read

Must have read from page 1 you now you are not going to be able to put it down.5 star perfect for any1 whom wants to devour a fair tactic read.
20 reviews
November 6, 2020
Brilliant

Each book gets better and better and by book 5 I was sobbing as I was so involved in the characters lives. Definitely recommend.
30 reviews
March 31, 2021
Yup, the series of books are that good

Read them, then read them again. You'll be amazed at all you missed in the first read. Nail biting at times, nerve wracking always and an edge of your seat reading adventure throughout each book.

11 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2021
Whew!

Fast moving,dynamic characters. Tony has a gift that not a lot of authors have, using the written word in such a way that you feel as if you're there. Would make a fantastic TV series.
14 reviews
August 23, 2020
I bought the set after I saw it advertised on an FB book club site. And oh boy am I glad I did. Tony Forder writes his characters with flaws but also with heart and soul. This series covers several cases worked by DI Bliss and his colleagues in and around the English town of Peterborough, not an area I am familiar with. That didn't stop me enjoying the descriptions of the area or the stories.
The first book introduces you to DI Jimmy Bliss and his DS Penny "don't call me Pen" Chandler.They have a great working relationship and friendship, leaving the reader wondering if there will be romance along the way.
Bliss is the usual authority hating detective, a device used in many books, but this doesn't detract from the stories or his ability to catch his prey. He has a past life in which his precious wife has been murdered and we learn of the unconventional marriage which plays it's part in her death. The aftermath of her demise results in his demotion to DI from DCI but he retains his job, which actually suits his abilities and personality better.
It took me a couple of books to actually start to really like him, as some of his past deeds are not noble, both personally and professionally. But as the stories unfolded and his true self revealed itself I think I fell a little bit in love with him.
I'll not go into plotlines in my review as some others have already done that, but I will admit to crying tears of sadness and joy at the end of book five.
I've enjoyed the last six weeks with Bliss and I have already purchased book six and look forward to reading that in the coming weeks.
Profile Image for Jenny.
16 reviews17 followers
August 17, 2020
This series just keeps getting better and better; The characters are likeable and have their own stories interwoven through the series which is incredibly well written and full of intrigue. The author has an amazing mind creating authentic plots that keep the readers attention gripped throughout. I’m so glad I discovered this series and can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s rare that I give books 5 stars and while the first book would be a 4 star, the rest of the series are a well deserved 5 star.
69 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2020
What a series!

A extremely well written and enthralling police procedural series with a very likeable, slightly old-school inspector and an excellent team with whom Inspector Bliss has a good relationship. Throw in multi-faceted criminals, red tape, trouble from the higher echelons of power, personal heartache and personal triumphs and this is a 5* series. I look forward to many more in the series.
60 reviews
August 17, 2020
Di Bliss 1=5

Very well written the author has aptitude in descriptive writing not many people can make me feel as if I am there beside them the plots were believable but not so easy that you would get bored all in all a very worthwhile read
Profile Image for Jean.
1,439 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2020
A great series and lovable characters
1 review
August 14, 2020
Wowed

Just finished this series and hugely enjoyed it. Great read - only one thing to say - wow!
Left wanting more, lots more
180 reviews
August 24, 2020
Action packed crime thriller box set

I found the majority of the storylines enjoyable though not all as one I felt was too political. Characters where likeable and relatable.
100 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2020
Excellent series

Enjoyed these books, but struggled with book 5. Have already downloaded the next two books. Some nice character development, Bliss seems to be mellowing!
Profile Image for Sandra Hooke.
556 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2021
Don’t waste your time

Seriously horrible, sexist, egotistical, bad temper dinosaur as lead character. Good plot ruined by stilted language and badly structured lead character.
Profile Image for Rachel.
575 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2024
One of the best police procedural series
576 reviews7 followers
November 2, 2025
Got absolutely hooked on this series, brilliant author, now to read the rest of the series.
197 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2020
Highly recommended

This was a new author to me and I'm certainly glad I found him a box set of five books at an amazing price still available on Amazon. Some people are saying the books can be read as a stand alone but I wouldn't recommend that I'd start at book one and read them in order as the author drip feeds details of the main characters that way you get to know them without overwhelming yourself. I wont bother boring you with the storylines as you can read them on the Amazon website. What I will say is that these are not the usual mundane cops and robbers stories and cover a wide range of topics so if you are ready for a new series I recommend this one and the good thing is book six and seven are ready to read so that's even better
58 reviews
February 11, 2022
compelling plot and interesting characters

When I started reading this series it seemed a bit formulaic: the smart but flawed detective with a past that haunts him; the cheeky female sidekick with good intuition but rough around the edges; the troublesome boss. What saves the series is the interesting plots and side characters, the excellent writing, and the surprises. A good read!
886 reviews9 followers
October 11, 2019
One of the best series I have ever read. Each book had me captivated with great characters, brilliant story lines and endless hours of mind blowing reading. Tony Forder is indeed one of the best writers in crime. More please.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.