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DI Bliss #1
Bad to the Bone
Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
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.
A witness is convinced that a young female was struck by a vehicle back in the summer of 1990, and that police attended the scene. However, no record exists of either the accident or the reported victim. As the case develops, two retired police officers are murdered. The two are linked with others who were on duty at the time a road accident was reported.
As Bliss and Chandler delve deeper into the investigation, they start to question whether senior officers may have been involved in the murder of the young women who was buried in the woods.
As each link in the chain is put under duress, so is Bliss who clashes with superiors and the media.
When his team receives targeted warnings, Bliss will need to decide whether to drop the case or to pursue those responsible. Will Bliss walk away in order to keep his career intact or will he fight no matter what the cost? And is it possible the killer is much closer than they imagined?
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.
A witness is convinced that a young female was struck by a vehicle back in the summer of 1990, and that police attended the scene. However, no record exists of either the accident or the reported victim. As the case develops, two retired police officers are murdered. The two are linked with others who were on duty at the time a road accident was reported.
As Bliss and Chandler delve deeper into the investigation, they start to question whether senior officers may have been involved in the murder of the young women who was buried in the woods.
As each link in the chain is put under duress, so is Bliss who clashes with superiors and the media.
When his team receives targeted warnings, Bliss will need to decide whether to drop the case or to pursue those responsible. Will Bliss walk away in order to keep his career intact or will he fight no matter what the cost? And is it possible the killer is much closer than they imagined?
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First published April 29, 2017
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About the author
Tony J. Forder
48 books232 followersTony 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
July 20, 2020
Bad to the Bone is the first novel in the DI Jimmy Bliss series, which I’d been aware of for over a year having seen many favourable mentions in the UKCBC Facebook group. I’d read and very much enjoyed two of the author’s other books, and had picked this up for free during a promotion sometime, so was looking forward to starting a promising new police procedural series. This turned out to be a well written thriller, but unfortunately I am so repelled by the sleaziness of the main character that I won’t be reading any more.
Jimmy Bliss is a detective in Peterborough, which is a middle-sized city North of London, who is still grieving after his wife was murdered several years earlier. Bones have been found in local woodlands, which turn out to be those of a young prostitute reported missing sixteen years earlier, who was known to service members of the police force. When retired officers start dying, Bliss and his team must face the unthinkable - is the killer one of their own?
Forder is an excellent storyteller and has crafted a suspenseful if somewhat formulaic mystery - although not so predictable that I guessed who the baddie was. Bliss is smart, driven, moderately tortured, and struggling with a potentially debilitating illness, so I do not understand why an author would choose to make him so unappealing: he literally sizes up every woman he meets in terms of her physical or sexual attractiveness. This is written in close third person past style, so it’s couched as a description, but it’s clear that it’s what Bliss is thinking. I can understand it when it’s the potential love interest - is this case the friendly local anthropologist Emily:”The dark auburn curls of her hair spilled out over the shoulders of a red knee-length coat, beneath which she wore grey trousers. She looked every bit as good as he remembered. Bliss was suddenly glad he had called.” That’s fine.
But here’s the pathologist “A cheery, somewhat plain woman in her mid-thirties, Barker habitually wore short black skirts beneath her unbuttoned white lab coat, and was rumoured to favour stockings in winter. Every time he was in her company, Bliss pleaded with himself to keep his gaze fixed firmly on her face, and every time those pleas fell on deaf ears. Aside from having great legs, Anne Barker also had an uncanny knack of catching him out whenever his eyes strayed.”
A woman who’s just lost her husband: “Allison Weller was a much smaller person than her husband had been. A number of years younger, too. She looked to be in her late forties, and would have been attractive with a few more pounds on her slender frame.”
And so it goes on - the journalist, various witnesses, even his counsellor. No male characters are described in such a subjective way.
Even his fellow officers - of Mia: “Today her hair was tied up and clipped neatly in place, causing her, Bliss thought, to look like some porn-seeker’s ultimate librarian or schoolteacher fantasy. Not that he knew anything about that sort of thing, of course.” and “There were a lot of politically correct young coppers in the job these days, but Penny Chandler wasn’t one of them. So far it had made for a good working partnership, and Bliss believed a firm, relaxed friendship had been established. Her being easy on the eye was a pleasant bonus, not that he’d ever take that line of thought any further.” He muses later on that he wouldn’t make a move on Penny because it might endanger their working relationship. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the same self-control when a happy hooker he’s interviewing as a witness offers him a freebie. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s revealed to be a Daily Mail reader. Now I don’t mind flawed or broken heroes/anti-heroes, but there are too many good Detective series out there to continue reading about one who makes me nauseous.
Finally, a comment about animal abuse or cruelty: for me, targeting the protagonist’s pet is such a cheap ploy that it amazes me that authors haven’t worked out how much it upsets readers and that they just shouldn’t do it. In this case (spoiler alert) Bliss’s dogs emerge unscathed, but had they been cats I would’ve given up then and there.
If it weren’t for these issues I would’ve happily bought the rest of the series, which is currently on offer for £0.99 for five books (sadly not that price in NZ but still very reasonable) so if you think I’m an over-reacting feminist crazy-cat lady, then you’d probably enjoy this. I haven’t read any other reviews that mention them so maybe it is just me?
Jimmy Bliss is a detective in Peterborough, which is a middle-sized city North of London, who is still grieving after his wife was murdered several years earlier. Bones have been found in local woodlands, which turn out to be those of a young prostitute reported missing sixteen years earlier, who was known to service members of the police force. When retired officers start dying, Bliss and his team must face the unthinkable - is the killer one of their own?
Forder is an excellent storyteller and has crafted a suspenseful if somewhat formulaic mystery - although not so predictable that I guessed who the baddie was. Bliss is smart, driven, moderately tortured, and struggling with a potentially debilitating illness, so I do not understand why an author would choose to make him so unappealing: he literally sizes up every woman he meets in terms of her physical or sexual attractiveness. This is written in close third person past style, so it’s couched as a description, but it’s clear that it’s what Bliss is thinking. I can understand it when it’s the potential love interest - is this case the friendly local anthropologist Emily:”The dark auburn curls of her hair spilled out over the shoulders of a red knee-length coat, beneath which she wore grey trousers. She looked every bit as good as he remembered. Bliss was suddenly glad he had called.” That’s fine.
But here’s the pathologist “A cheery, somewhat plain woman in her mid-thirties, Barker habitually wore short black skirts beneath her unbuttoned white lab coat, and was rumoured to favour stockings in winter. Every time he was in her company, Bliss pleaded with himself to keep his gaze fixed firmly on her face, and every time those pleas fell on deaf ears. Aside from having great legs, Anne Barker also had an uncanny knack of catching him out whenever his eyes strayed.”
A woman who’s just lost her husband: “Allison Weller was a much smaller person than her husband had been. A number of years younger, too. She looked to be in her late forties, and would have been attractive with a few more pounds on her slender frame.”
And so it goes on - the journalist, various witnesses, even his counsellor. No male characters are described in such a subjective way.
Even his fellow officers - of Mia: “Today her hair was tied up and clipped neatly in place, causing her, Bliss thought, to look like some porn-seeker’s ultimate librarian or schoolteacher fantasy. Not that he knew anything about that sort of thing, of course.” and “There were a lot of politically correct young coppers in the job these days, but Penny Chandler wasn’t one of them. So far it had made for a good working partnership, and Bliss believed a firm, relaxed friendship had been established. Her being easy on the eye was a pleasant bonus, not that he’d ever take that line of thought any further.” He muses later on that he wouldn’t make a move on Penny because it might endanger their working relationship. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the same self-control when a happy hooker he’s interviewing as a witness offers him a freebie. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s revealed to be a Daily Mail reader. Now I don’t mind flawed or broken heroes/anti-heroes, but there are too many good Detective series out there to continue reading about one who makes me nauseous.
Finally, a comment about animal abuse or cruelty: for me, targeting the protagonist’s pet is such a cheap ploy that it amazes me that authors haven’t worked out how much it upsets readers and that they just shouldn’t do it. In this case (spoiler alert) Bliss’s dogs emerge unscathed, but had they been cats I would’ve given up then and there.
If it weren’t for these issues I would’ve happily bought the rest of the series, which is currently on offer for £0.99 for five books (sadly not that price in NZ but still very reasonable) so if you think I’m an over-reacting feminist crazy-cat lady, then you’d probably enjoy this. I haven’t read any other reviews that mention them so maybe it is just me?
June 19, 2019
I read a previous standalone book by this author and enjoyed it (Degrees of Darkness) so I thought I'd try this one. The basic plot idea was very good - bones found which may indicate a crime some years ago but who could be involved in it. That worked for me. However DI Bliss spent an awful lot of time introspecting about his life, his work, his past etc and this slowed the book down a lot for me. Throw in some very stereotypical blokey behaviour - eyeing up anything female etc etc - which feels very dated these days and I can't honestly say I enjoyed this book much. Not sure I'd read another.
October 3, 2018
This is book one in the DI Bliss and DCI Chandler series. I absolutely loved this book.
When a skeletal body is found DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler get more than they expect when they start investigating. The young victims remains were found to be relocated and once Bliss and Chandler looked into it they find out the young girl was knocked down In 1990. The investigation gets complicated when two retired police officers who are connected with others who were on duty are murdered.
This is a really well written police thriller. The twists and turns just kept on coming. Towards the end my head was in a spin in a good way. I just couldn’t believe what was happening.
I’ve gotta day I loved the place references as I live kinda close to some of them.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
When a skeletal body is found DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler get more than they expect when they start investigating. The young victims remains were found to be relocated and once Bliss and Chandler looked into it they find out the young girl was knocked down In 1990. The investigation gets complicated when two retired police officers who are connected with others who were on duty are murdered.
This is a really well written police thriller. The twists and turns just kept on coming. Towards the end my head was in a spin in a good way. I just couldn’t believe what was happening.
I’ve gotta day I loved the place references as I live kinda close to some of them.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 28, 2017
DI James Bliss along with DC Penny Chandler are called in to investigate the discovery of human bones. What they eventually discover is that the female skeleton has not always been buried there ... and she has been dead at least 15 years.
A witness, all those years ago, swears that he saw a young female involved in an accident, but there are no records of any accident. And when two retired cops are murdered, they discover a link between them and the victim.
When Bliss and his team start getting warnings, things really heat up. Trying to protect his team, he gives them the opportunity to back away. Bliss has discovered that one man, high up in law enforcement, was probably involved in these murders.
Who was this victim and why would someone want her dead? Did the murdered cops pose a threat to the murderer? With corrupt cops in the picture, who can they trust?
Will Bliss walk away in order to keep his career intact or will he fight no matter what the cost? And is it possible the killer is much closer than they imagined?
This is the first-time reading of this author for me ... and it won't be the last. This is a well-written Brit crime thriller with a credible story line and unforgettable characters. It's well paced .. giving the reader a chance to catch their breath as the bodies continue to fall and Bliss is not only worried about his job ... but his life, as well.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of BAD TO THE BONE. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 28, 2019
Awful.
October 12, 2017
Bad To The Bone by Tony Forder
Bliss is one of the most authentic detectives I've come across in a long time. Not only did I invest in his character and the journey he took me on, but I learnt to trust his judgement as he tried to solve the case of the murdered girl, whose bones had been hidden and buried not once but twice!
I admit that I did, on occasion, try to second guess the relentless sleuth, but he proved too clever for me, delivering his verdict on the case only at the last minute. I'm not an avid reader of crime and police procedural novels but this was an easy read and all the more enjoyable because it was set in my hometown of Peterborough with many of the city's landmarks receiving a mention.
Forder is a talented author, who lent authenticity to every word that was written. I really felt the detective's pain and loss, Also, he wasn't afraid to show more a more conventional side to his personality in the way he tried to protect his female sidekick. You certainly get the impression that Bliss has old fashioned morals at heart; but just when you think you know him—he reveals a darker, more secretive element of his personal life, making him all the more complex and interesting.
I could see Bliss’ character easily transferring to the small screen in a way that would easily equal Robert Galbraith's (AKA JK Rowling) troubled detective Strike in The Cuckoo’s Calling.
Can't wait for book 2 if there is going to be one, Bliss is a guy you'd want to have around in a crisis. Definitely gets a recommend from me and any Peterbourian out there should grab a copy now and claim Forder as their own before he is stolen away from us.
Bliss is one of the most authentic detectives I've come across in a long time. Not only did I invest in his character and the journey he took me on, but I learnt to trust his judgement as he tried to solve the case of the murdered girl, whose bones had been hidden and buried not once but twice!
I admit that I did, on occasion, try to second guess the relentless sleuth, but he proved too clever for me, delivering his verdict on the case only at the last minute. I'm not an avid reader of crime and police procedural novels but this was an easy read and all the more enjoyable because it was set in my hometown of Peterborough with many of the city's landmarks receiving a mention.
Forder is a talented author, who lent authenticity to every word that was written. I really felt the detective's pain and loss, Also, he wasn't afraid to show more a more conventional side to his personality in the way he tried to protect his female sidekick. You certainly get the impression that Bliss has old fashioned morals at heart; but just when you think you know him—he reveals a darker, more secretive element of his personal life, making him all the more complex and interesting.
I could see Bliss’ character easily transferring to the small screen in a way that would easily equal Robert Galbraith's (AKA JK Rowling) troubled detective Strike in The Cuckoo’s Calling.
Can't wait for book 2 if there is going to be one, Bliss is a guy you'd want to have around in a crisis. Definitely gets a recommend from me and any Peterbourian out there should grab a copy now and claim Forder as their own before he is stolen away from us.
May 1, 2017
Bliss and Chandler have a great working relationship. The bond between them is so enjoyable to read. Chandler is a like a mother hen around Bliss which at times he finds annoying but I think he also appreciates it.
Bliss has had a hard time of it losing his wife as well as struggling to come to terms with a health issue. He really does have a lot on his plate. I have to admit that I wasn’t to sure about him to start with. As much as I liked him, I found him in some ways to be weak but the further into the story I got, it reminded me that we are all human and by the end I loved his character.
There is another character that forms part of the team which is Dunne. It felt very much like the three musketeers with them all working on the case. I really enjoyed watching how they worked and to what each one brought to it.
Bad To The Bone is a really good crime thriller. I did not expect how twisted it would get towards the end. The majority of the story is set at a steady pace until towards the end, when I was sent hurdling at full speed. A highly enjoyable read and can’t wait for more in the series.
Bliss has had a hard time of it losing his wife as well as struggling to come to terms with a health issue. He really does have a lot on his plate. I have to admit that I wasn’t to sure about him to start with. As much as I liked him, I found him in some ways to be weak but the further into the story I got, it reminded me that we are all human and by the end I loved his character.
There is another character that forms part of the team which is Dunne. It felt very much like the three musketeers with them all working on the case. I really enjoyed watching how they worked and to what each one brought to it.
Bad To The Bone is a really good crime thriller. I did not expect how twisted it would get towards the end. The majority of the story is set at a steady pace until towards the end, when I was sent hurdling at full speed. A highly enjoyable read and can’t wait for more in the series.
June 12, 2018
3.5 stars
April 29, 2017
Bad to The Bone is a competent police procedural in the ilk of recent TV series ‘Unforgotten’. Written in third-person, past-tense (an inspired choice of narrative for this particular plot), the novel is pacey whilst managing to maintain a suspenseful edge throughout. Forder’s characters display some nicely-timed humour to bring a touch of lightness when it’s needed most. The dialogue in this novel is good, particularly from Bliss, who I liked immediately as a lead character,
Forder does, however, employ a little too much telling rather than showing for me. At times I felt the background relayed in chunks of exposition could’ve been conveyed more imaginatively but this didn’t detract from the flow of the novel, the quality of the writing, or the pace. The characterisation was unfailingly and consistently excellent, a particular strength for Forder actually, and there’s plenty of evidence of a writer who is developing a new skill-set by the novel’s end, which was particularly strong at it’s reveal.
A pacey, invigorating read that offers plenty of thrills and a solid entry into the genre.
Forder does, however, employ a little too much telling rather than showing for me. At times I felt the background relayed in chunks of exposition could’ve been conveyed more imaginatively but this didn’t detract from the flow of the novel, the quality of the writing, or the pace. The characterisation was unfailingly and consistently excellent, a particular strength for Forder actually, and there’s plenty of evidence of a writer who is developing a new skill-set by the novel’s end, which was particularly strong at it’s reveal.
A pacey, invigorating read that offers plenty of thrills and a solid entry into the genre.
June 9, 2018
Dark, Despairing British Procedural
The mystery storyline and police procedural are nicely-plotted, the setting appropriately rainy, the atmosphere bleak, and in the beginning the pacing was almost too leisurely. The side plots are overly dramatic, and much of the drama is contained within the circle of police personnel and ranking officers. The drama is exacerbated by the MC whose psychological problems burden his personal and professional life.
I understand the author’s need to create a complex character, but there are only so many negative qualities that I, as a reader, will tolerate if I am to empathize with the MC.
That said, I skimmed the MC’s personal + professional drama when it morphed into melodrama. I finished this book, because I wanted to know who the murderer was and how she/he was caught.
3 stars. This was a 2 star book, but there was a very good plot twist at the end, so I added a star.
The mystery storyline and police procedural are nicely-plotted, the setting appropriately rainy, the atmosphere bleak, and in the beginning the pacing was almost too leisurely. The side plots are overly dramatic, and much of the drama is contained within the circle of police personnel and ranking officers. The drama is exacerbated by the MC whose psychological problems burden his personal and professional life.
I understand the author’s need to create a complex character, but there are only so many negative qualities that I, as a reader, will tolerate if I am to empathize with the MC.
That said, I skimmed the MC’s personal + professional drama when it morphed into melodrama. I finished this book, because I wanted to know who the murderer was and how she/he was caught.
3 stars. This was a 2 star book, but there was a very good plot twist at the end, so I added a star.
March 19, 2018
Nice story all wrapped up at the end. I liked the different acronyms for procedures not found in American crime series. Will read the next one. Bliss is a piece of work
April 12, 2018
This is a tremendous start to a new series and I love the non-PC humour in it as well. That's a breath of fresh air, I have to say !! I got a real kick of some of the things spoken aloud.
I liked DI Bliss, although some of his personal habits left a little to be desired. Something very fascinating to this reader was the mention of Meniere's Disease, as I suffer with that as well, and the author possibly does, too, since he knew quite a lot about it......certainly as much as your local ENT department does. Mine are forever trying to find me a diagnosis but usually come back to that so his words rang very, very true to me. DC Chandler and DS Dunne were other favourites. Both nice people he has to work with. DC Strong could possibly feature more in ensuing books, too, I hope. Bliss's ongoing, fractious relationship with his boss I found highly amusing as well.
I did spot the odd mistake but nothing horrendous, I'm happy to relate. The publisher does provide an email address in the end-note to provide them with anything readers may notice so I'm doing just that. The worst thing I really noticed was a distinct lack of paragraph breaks. It made for some confusing reading at times as it just jumped to another place or time entirely on the very next line.
It doesn't tell us what year this is based in but, if my maths is right then it's around 2006. I'd wondered as a telephone box was mentioned along with pubs still having smokers in.....ahhhh, those were the days.....
I did smile at Bliss mentioning his wife being impetuous by buying 2 puppies yet in the next breath he describes his sudden purchase of a boat....and clearly couldn't see the similarities !! I agree wholeheartedly with him about Del Amitri, though.....a terrific group.
I'm definitely going to be reading the next in this series and I look forward to it.
I liked DI Bliss, although some of his personal habits left a little to be desired. Something very fascinating to this reader was the mention of Meniere's Disease, as I suffer with that as well, and the author possibly does, too, since he knew quite a lot about it......certainly as much as your local ENT department does. Mine are forever trying to find me a diagnosis but usually come back to that so his words rang very, very true to me. DC Chandler and DS Dunne were other favourites. Both nice people he has to work with. DC Strong could possibly feature more in ensuing books, too, I hope. Bliss's ongoing, fractious relationship with his boss I found highly amusing as well.
I did spot the odd mistake but nothing horrendous, I'm happy to relate. The publisher does provide an email address in the end-note to provide them with anything readers may notice so I'm doing just that. The worst thing I really noticed was a distinct lack of paragraph breaks. It made for some confusing reading at times as it just jumped to another place or time entirely on the very next line.
It doesn't tell us what year this is based in but, if my maths is right then it's around 2006. I'd wondered as a telephone box was mentioned along with pubs still having smokers in.....ahhhh, those were the days.....
I did smile at Bliss mentioning his wife being impetuous by buying 2 puppies yet in the next breath he describes his sudden purchase of a boat....and clearly couldn't see the similarities !! I agree wholeheartedly with him about Del Amitri, though.....a terrific group.
I'm definitely going to be reading the next in this series and I look forward to it.
May 18, 2018
Good crime thriller that keeps you coming back for more.The storyline moves at a even step while the ending was at full. throttle.
December 21, 2019
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Malvagio fino all'osso è il libro di apertura della nuova serie thriller inglese DI Bliss. Contea di Cambridgeshire a Peterborough: è qui che l'ispettore James Bliss si è trasferito dopo aver lasciato Londra, la sua carriera e il suo passato. Quando delle ossa vengono ritrovate nei boschi, Bliss e l'agente Penny Chandler iniziano ad investigare, il cadavere è stato spostato e l'ispettore vuole scoprire soprattutto il perché. A questo punto potrei riportare la trama ma è già più che esaustiva nella sinossi e per me che amo scoprire l'evoluzione dei fatti solo durante la lettura è decisamente troppo dettagliata. Il ritrovamento delle ossa porterà ad investigare su un cold case risalente al 1990, una serie di omicidi di agenti in pensione creano un collegamento inaspettato e fanno partire un'indagine che sin dall'inizio fa fatica a decollare. La narrazione è accurata e descrittiva, l'ambientazione fredda e umida della contea è vivida e molto presente, lo stile è asciutto e pulito, i dialoghi mostrano un'ironia sottile tipica inglese ma è la parte riflessiva incentrata sulla voce narrante del protagonista che la fa da padrone. L'evoluzione narrativa sulle indagini è per gran parte del libro rallentata perché incentrata prevalentemente sul protagonista di cui riusciamo a scoprire il passato che lo tormenta, le vicissitudini infelici che lo portano ad essere schivo e meditabondo, malinconico e alquanto pessimista. Un uomo a mio avviso davvero triste e sfortunato a cui capita di tutto sia professionalmente che nella vita privata. Il peso dei sensi di colpa e del bagaglio emotivo che si porta addosso lo rendono un personaggio complesso e affascinante al tempo stesso. Le sue interazioni con i colleghi e i personaggi secondari mostrano tutte le sue sfaccettature così come l'integrità e le capacità intuitive. Quindi abbiamo una storia che ci presenta nella sua totalità il protagonista e ci incuriosisce sui risvolti dei romanzi futuri per vedere cosa accadrà nella sua vita non facile. I personaggi secondari sono ben caratterizzati e sono parte integrante del quadro che rappresenta il lavoro e la vita privata dell'investigatore. La parte investigativa è interessante quando decolla, tanti pezzi iniziano ad incastrarsi e i fili intrecciati collegati tra loro prendono una forma più chiara che conducono a una risoluzione per me inaspettata...
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Malvagio fino all'osso è il libro di apertura della nuova serie thriller inglese DI Bliss. Contea di Cambridgeshire a Peterborough: è qui che l'ispettore James Bliss si è trasferito dopo aver lasciato Londra, la sua carriera e il suo passato. Quando delle ossa vengono ritrovate nei boschi, Bliss e l'agente Penny Chandler iniziano ad investigare, il cadavere è stato spostato e l'ispettore vuole scoprire soprattutto il perché. A questo punto potrei riportare la trama ma è già più che esaustiva nella sinossi e per me che amo scoprire l'evoluzione dei fatti solo durante la lettura è decisamente troppo dettagliata. Il ritrovamento delle ossa porterà ad investigare su un cold case risalente al 1990, una serie di omicidi di agenti in pensione creano un collegamento inaspettato e fanno partire un'indagine che sin dall'inizio fa fatica a decollare. La narrazione è accurata e descrittiva, l'ambientazione fredda e umida della contea è vivida e molto presente, lo stile è asciutto e pulito, i dialoghi mostrano un'ironia sottile tipica inglese ma è la parte riflessiva incentrata sulla voce narrante del protagonista che la fa da padrone. L'evoluzione narrativa sulle indagini è per gran parte del libro rallentata perché incentrata prevalentemente sul protagonista di cui riusciamo a scoprire il passato che lo tormenta, le vicissitudini infelici che lo portano ad essere schivo e meditabondo, malinconico e alquanto pessimista. Un uomo a mio avviso davvero triste e sfortunato a cui capita di tutto sia professionalmente che nella vita privata. Il peso dei sensi di colpa e del bagaglio emotivo che si porta addosso lo rendono un personaggio complesso e affascinante al tempo stesso. Le sue interazioni con i colleghi e i personaggi secondari mostrano tutte le sue sfaccettature così come l'integrità e le capacità intuitive. Quindi abbiamo una storia che ci presenta nella sua totalità il protagonista e ci incuriosisce sui risvolti dei romanzi futuri per vedere cosa accadrà nella sua vita non facile. I personaggi secondari sono ben caratterizzati e sono parte integrante del quadro che rappresenta il lavoro e la vita privata dell'investigatore. La parte investigativa è interessante quando decolla, tanti pezzi iniziano ad incastrarsi e i fili intrecciati collegati tra loro prendono una forma più chiara che conducono a una risoluzione per me inaspettata...
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
April 30, 2017
Bad To The Bone opens with the discovery of human remains in a wood. DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler are assigned to the investigation. Bliss decides to seek the expertise of Emily Grant AKA The Bone Woman who is a local anthropologist to obtain more information about the bones to understand whether this is a recent or historical death. It is clear early on that this final resting place for the human remains is only recent and that she resided somewhere else in the city for many years prior.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the mix between a current investigation and a cold case - the bones found in the woods opens up lines of enquiry that none of the investigative team could have predicted and at times, puts them in a difficult position. As a result of the main plot and the linked sub-plots, Bad To The Bone is full of twists and turns as more and more secrets are unearthed.
This is a great debut from Forder, a solid opening book of a new police procedural series. Forder has created well-rounded main characters - I warmed to Bliss immediately with his non-nonsense approach and also his rapport with his partner, DC Chandler. We learn very early on that Bliss is haunted by his previous murder investigation which has resulted in very difficult relationship with Superintendent Sykes, Bliss' boss so the narrative between these two opposing strong characters is a great read. As if this isn't enough, Bliss is also dealing with some personal demons. A fabulous, troubled protagonist!
Bad To The Bone is set in my hometown of Peterborough and Forder's research into the city both in the present and its past is fantastic - from individual places, links between places and the descriptions of the buildings featured in the novel. I recognised all the locations and this really brought the novel to life for me.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the mix between a current investigation and a cold case - the bones found in the woods opens up lines of enquiry that none of the investigative team could have predicted and at times, puts them in a difficult position. As a result of the main plot and the linked sub-plots, Bad To The Bone is full of twists and turns as more and more secrets are unearthed.
This is a great debut from Forder, a solid opening book of a new police procedural series. Forder has created well-rounded main characters - I warmed to Bliss immediately with his non-nonsense approach and also his rapport with his partner, DC Chandler. We learn very early on that Bliss is haunted by his previous murder investigation which has resulted in very difficult relationship with Superintendent Sykes, Bliss' boss so the narrative between these two opposing strong characters is a great read. As if this isn't enough, Bliss is also dealing with some personal demons. A fabulous, troubled protagonist!
Bad To The Bone is set in my hometown of Peterborough and Forder's research into the city both in the present and its past is fantastic - from individual places, links between places and the descriptions of the buildings featured in the novel. I recognised all the locations and this really brought the novel to life for me.
January 14, 2018
A skeleton of a woman is unearthed in a forest, DI James ‘Jimmy’ Bliss and DC Penny Chandler are called into to investigate. With the help of the ‘bone lady’ they set out who the young woman was and why she was killed.
Out of the blue DI Bliss receives a call from a retired colleague DI Weller wanting to meet up but before they meet Weller ends up in a car crash. When a second officer turns up dead Bliss believes there could be a link between these death and the skeletal remains.
So this is the first Bliss and Chandler book, I’m reading this in preparation for the next book, The Scent Of Guilt, that comes out February.
There was never a dull moment in this book! I had everything, murder, nail biting car chases, death threats, even a little romance...I don’t think the author could have squeezed any more action into it.
DI Bliss has a tragic past, his wife was murdered before he moved to Peterborough, and is still under a cloud after a previous murder investigation went sideways. He’s also battling an unknown health condition. He seems like his own worst enemy and a bit of a loner but he’s a good policeman and I found myself liking him. I liked DC Chandler too, she’s loyal and ambitious but also seems to genuinely care about Bliss (as a friend of course).
My only issue, and it’s exceptionally minor, was I would have liked a bit more about DC Chandler’s story/background. I know her daughter was kidnapped by her ex and taken to another country but it was only touched upon briefly, I just wanted to know more!
After reading this book I can’t wait to read the next one.
Out of the blue DI Bliss receives a call from a retired colleague DI Weller wanting to meet up but before they meet Weller ends up in a car crash. When a second officer turns up dead Bliss believes there could be a link between these death and the skeletal remains.
So this is the first Bliss and Chandler book, I’m reading this in preparation for the next book, The Scent Of Guilt, that comes out February.
There was never a dull moment in this book! I had everything, murder, nail biting car chases, death threats, even a little romance...I don’t think the author could have squeezed any more action into it.
DI Bliss has a tragic past, his wife was murdered before he moved to Peterborough, and is still under a cloud after a previous murder investigation went sideways. He’s also battling an unknown health condition. He seems like his own worst enemy and a bit of a loner but he’s a good policeman and I found myself liking him. I liked DC Chandler too, she’s loyal and ambitious but also seems to genuinely care about Bliss (as a friend of course).
My only issue, and it’s exceptionally minor, was I would have liked a bit more about DC Chandler’s story/background. I know her daughter was kidnapped by her ex and taken to another country but it was only touched upon briefly, I just wanted to know more!
After reading this book I can’t wait to read the next one.
February 16, 2018
This is set in and around Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. DI Bliss and DC Chandler are called to investigate a jumble of bones that have been unearthed. A local bone expert is called to give initial thoughts and they discover that this is not the first time that these remains have been buried.
I have read a couple of Tony’s books and one thing I find is the addition of important extra observational details, these add a good amount of believable and realistic feel to the story. The characters of Bliss and Chandler are really likeable, they both have great backstories, though not your usual stereotypical ones. Tony has given them a great working dynamic with a mentor and student aspect to them, also giving them their own support system for each other. The fast pace of the plot starts off quite simply, but by the end you realise that this is not a simple story. It is complex with twists, turns, red herrings and scenarios I really didn’t expect to come across. I love it when this happens! Given the complexity of the story, Tony keeps it all under control and kept my attention from the very first page to the very last one. There are several other characters in the story, some of these are more like extras. They have their roles to play but he does not go into too much extra detail with them, this meant it was easier to follow as I didn’t get to caught up with the minor players.
A great read that I found more enjoyable as I lived in Peterborough about 20 years ago, this is where the research and extra details become such an important part of any book, for me it reminded me of the area I knew. I also liked the way Tony has given Bliss a love of music, various song titles crop up through this book, I am assuming that some aspects of the author have made an appearance here. I also now have George Thorogood’s song stuck in my head with the title of this book 🎶 😁
A book I definitely recommend to readers of police procedural crime, thriller, murder and mystery. I am looking forward to The Scent of Guilt, Book 2 in the series very soon.
I have read a couple of Tony’s books and one thing I find is the addition of important extra observational details, these add a good amount of believable and realistic feel to the story. The characters of Bliss and Chandler are really likeable, they both have great backstories, though not your usual stereotypical ones. Tony has given them a great working dynamic with a mentor and student aspect to them, also giving them their own support system for each other. The fast pace of the plot starts off quite simply, but by the end you realise that this is not a simple story. It is complex with twists, turns, red herrings and scenarios I really didn’t expect to come across. I love it when this happens! Given the complexity of the story, Tony keeps it all under control and kept my attention from the very first page to the very last one. There are several other characters in the story, some of these are more like extras. They have their roles to play but he does not go into too much extra detail with them, this meant it was easier to follow as I didn’t get to caught up with the minor players.
A great read that I found more enjoyable as I lived in Peterborough about 20 years ago, this is where the research and extra details become such an important part of any book, for me it reminded me of the area I knew. I also liked the way Tony has given Bliss a love of music, various song titles crop up through this book, I am assuming that some aspects of the author have made an appearance here. I also now have George Thorogood’s song stuck in my head with the title of this book 🎶 😁
A book I definitely recommend to readers of police procedural crime, thriller, murder and mystery. I am looking forward to The Scent of Guilt, Book 2 in the series very soon.
August 31, 2019
A fairly easy book to read - the writing is on the good side of average. I just wish procedural crime authors wouldn't insist on inflicting all kinds of misfortune on their poor, benighted 'hero' cops!
There were good points: it held my interest, so I didn't get bored; the characters were well drawn on the whole and the story moved along reasonably smoothly - although it possibly would have benefited from a bit less soul-searching and self flagellation from the main protagonist.
I might read more by this author at some point, but it wouldn't be top of my list.
There were good points: it held my interest, so I didn't get bored; the characters were well drawn on the whole and the story moved along reasonably smoothly - although it possibly would have benefited from a bit less soul-searching and self flagellation from the main protagonist.
I might read more by this author at some point, but it wouldn't be top of my list.
June 5, 2020
Maljka - per RFS
.
Avete presente il momento in cui a metà libro scatta la convinzione di avere già individuato l’assassino e quindi sorge il dubbio se è il caso di continuare la lettura o meno? Ecco, con questo libro non avverrà!
Ammetto che avevo un sesto senso, un vago presentimento su chi potesse essere il colpevole, ma non ero certa circa le sue motivazioni.
L’incontro con questo romanzo è avvenuto con una dinamica davvero curiosa che mi ha convinta a leggerlo: durante la giornata dei gatti l’autrice ha postato un foto su Facebook dalla quale si vedeva solo parzialmente la copertina.
Un titolo studiato magistralmente per catturare l’attenzione di tutti gli amanti di thriller, parole che fanno pensare a una storia raccapricciante imbevuta di malvagità dall’inizio alla fine.
L’agente James Bliss, nonchè il protagonista indiscusso (da cui trae il nome la serie stessa) del romanzo, è un poliziotto con 23 anni si esperienza alle spalle, 20 dei quali passati nel MET, la polizia della zona chiamata “Grande Londra”. La sua partner è l’agente Penny Chandler, una ragazza senza alcuna paura, che non si fa scrupoli a non rispettare le regole imposte dal codice d’onore pur di scoprire i colpevoli.
Un ruolo altrettanto importante per le indagini è quello della “Donna delle Ossa”, colei per la quale ogni elemento dello scheletro non ha segreti. Un personaggio importante anche per il rapporto d’amore che la lega all’agente Bliss.
Ci troviamo in un bosco a Bretton Woods, nella contea del Cambridgeshire, una cittadina a nord del centro della città di Peterborought, dove casualmente dei ragazzini dissotterrano delle ossa che si scoprono essere di una ragazza scomparsa ben 16 anni prima.
La situazione si complica quando un testimone afferma che nell’estate del 1990 una giovane è stata investita da un’auto, che a seguito dell’incidente la polizia siaintervenuta, ma che tuttavia non esista alcun verbale in merio.
Con il progredire del caso, un paio di agenti in pensione vengono uccisi. I due pare avessero legami con i colleghi coinvolti al momento della segnalazione dell’incidente stradale avvenuto durante quel lontano periodo.
Le indagini non sono semplici: le squillo o le tossicomani sono all’ultimo gradino della catena sociale. A chi mai potrebbe interessare fare chiarezza su un caso del genere? A nessuno, a parte chi ha realmente compiuto il misfatto e ha tutto da perdere e niente da guadagnare. Ogni anello della catena subisce pressioni, compreso l’ispettore, che si scontra con i superiori e i media.
Un libro scritto magistralmente e dalle ambientazioni cupe.
La scrittura fluida e piena di colpi di scena vi terrà incollati fino all’ultima parola di questo fantastico primo capitolo della serie.
L’agente Bliss è colui che ho amato più di tutti per il suo carattere deciso e per il non temere lo scontro con i vertici del potere pur di fare chiarezza. Ho apprezzato soprattutto il suo lato “umano” caratterizzato dai difetti e dagli errori che non lo fanno apparire come un super eroe ma bensì un uomo come tanti, con il giusto grado di intuito e di logica. Nonostante la continua adrenalina è un romanzo ricco di introspezione, che scava nel passato dei personaggi consentendo di comprenderli davvero. Anche i non protagonisti sono molto ben caratterizzati.
Nulla viene lasciato al caso, anche le descrizioni delle ambientazioni tipicamente inglesi dai toni lugubri e bui.
Insomma, un libro che ho divorato e che mi ha fatto scoprire un autore che d’ora in poi seguirò… ne consiglio sicuramente la lettura!
.
Avete presente il momento in cui a metà libro scatta la convinzione di avere già individuato l’assassino e quindi sorge il dubbio se è il caso di continuare la lettura o meno? Ecco, con questo libro non avverrà!
Ammetto che avevo un sesto senso, un vago presentimento su chi potesse essere il colpevole, ma non ero certa circa le sue motivazioni.
L’incontro con questo romanzo è avvenuto con una dinamica davvero curiosa che mi ha convinta a leggerlo: durante la giornata dei gatti l’autrice ha postato un foto su Facebook dalla quale si vedeva solo parzialmente la copertina.
Un titolo studiato magistralmente per catturare l’attenzione di tutti gli amanti di thriller, parole che fanno pensare a una storia raccapricciante imbevuta di malvagità dall’inizio alla fine.
L’agente James Bliss, nonchè il protagonista indiscusso (da cui trae il nome la serie stessa) del romanzo, è un poliziotto con 23 anni si esperienza alle spalle, 20 dei quali passati nel MET, la polizia della zona chiamata “Grande Londra”. La sua partner è l’agente Penny Chandler, una ragazza senza alcuna paura, che non si fa scrupoli a non rispettare le regole imposte dal codice d’onore pur di scoprire i colpevoli.
Un ruolo altrettanto importante per le indagini è quello della “Donna delle Ossa”, colei per la quale ogni elemento dello scheletro non ha segreti. Un personaggio importante anche per il rapporto d’amore che la lega all’agente Bliss.
Ci troviamo in un bosco a Bretton Woods, nella contea del Cambridgeshire, una cittadina a nord del centro della città di Peterborought, dove casualmente dei ragazzini dissotterrano delle ossa che si scoprono essere di una ragazza scomparsa ben 16 anni prima.
La situazione si complica quando un testimone afferma che nell’estate del 1990 una giovane è stata investita da un’auto, che a seguito dell’incidente la polizia siaintervenuta, ma che tuttavia non esista alcun verbale in merio.
Con il progredire del caso, un paio di agenti in pensione vengono uccisi. I due pare avessero legami con i colleghi coinvolti al momento della segnalazione dell’incidente stradale avvenuto durante quel lontano periodo.
Le indagini non sono semplici: le squillo o le tossicomani sono all’ultimo gradino della catena sociale. A chi mai potrebbe interessare fare chiarezza su un caso del genere? A nessuno, a parte chi ha realmente compiuto il misfatto e ha tutto da perdere e niente da guadagnare. Ogni anello della catena subisce pressioni, compreso l’ispettore, che si scontra con i superiori e i media.
Un libro scritto magistralmente e dalle ambientazioni cupe.
La scrittura fluida e piena di colpi di scena vi terrà incollati fino all’ultima parola di questo fantastico primo capitolo della serie.
L’agente Bliss è colui che ho amato più di tutti per il suo carattere deciso e per il non temere lo scontro con i vertici del potere pur di fare chiarezza. Ho apprezzato soprattutto il suo lato “umano” caratterizzato dai difetti e dagli errori che non lo fanno apparire come un super eroe ma bensì un uomo come tanti, con il giusto grado di intuito e di logica. Nonostante la continua adrenalina è un romanzo ricco di introspezione, che scava nel passato dei personaggi consentendo di comprenderli davvero. Anche i non protagonisti sono molto ben caratterizzati.
Nulla viene lasciato al caso, anche le descrizioni delle ambientazioni tipicamente inglesi dai toni lugubri e bui.
Insomma, un libro che ho divorato e che mi ha fatto scoprire un autore che d’ora in poi seguirò… ne consiglio sicuramente la lettura!
May 31, 2020
Arriva in Italia un'altra serie poliziesca: il protagonista, James Bliss, è l’ennesimo ispettore tormentato, triste e diciamolo con un suo discreto ma forte fascino sexy.
Un’altra serie poliziesca, un altro carismatico ispettore, mi chiedo se ne sentisse il bisogno.
Forse no, infatti non è certo un libro campione di originalità, ma il suo lavoro lo svolge ed egregiamente.
L’indagine è stata molto divertente, mi sono appassionata nel raccogliere gli indizi con i protagonisti, mi è piaciuto arrovellarmi e fare ipotesi, ho apprezzato i colpi di scena e le prove che rimettevano tutto in discussione. “Malvagio fino all’osso” è un bel giallo.
Un’inchiesta difficile e traballante come provato e traballante è il segugio che la segue: Bliss è intelligente, allergico alle regole ma onesto e molto molto malandato, sia emotivamente che nel fisico, cosa che, diciamolo, ho adorato ;).
Si vedrà la ricostruzione certosina e appassionante di un caso vecchio sedici anni, pochissimi elementi, “quattro ossa” e poco altro trovati in un bosco, nessuno interessato a venirne a capo, anzi più si andrà avanti nelle indagini più si profilerà un’indagine suicida che non conviene a nessuno tenere in piedi.
Nelle scene del distretto conosciamo la squadra che affianca Bliss, le tensioni, le alleanze, le antipatie e anche il simpatico “incazzometro”.
Nelle scene casalinghe vediamo l’uomo, Jimmy, in tutta la sua fragilità, con i suoi amatissimi cani e film, i fatti presenti si mischiano ai ricordi, al passato. A mano a mano che vengono fuori nuovi particolari sulle ossa scopriamo anche gli scheletri sordidi e inconfessabili dell’ispettore.
Un uomo che ha un indubbio fascino sulla parte femminile e di molte donne è circondato, dalla moglie morta tragicamente, alle testimoni che tratta con garbo da gentiluomo fino alla Donna delle Ossa, la dottoressa che con schietta malizia gli tende la mano per uscire dalla sua vita monacale, chissà se riuscirà nel difficile intento…
La prima parte del libro è interessante e coinvolgente, senza tentennamenti i fatti e i protagonisti vengono presentati con buona verve narrativa, si inizia a vedere il quadro generale senza andare a fondo.
La seconda, che a conti fatti si svolge in pochissimi giorni, è densissima di scoperte che portano a girare le pagine senza sosta, una parte trascinante che porta di corsa alla scoperta del responsabile di quelle vecchie ossa.
Il finale di questo libro lascia il nostro eroe con molte più ammaccature di quando avevamo iniziato, ma con la voglia di guardare avanti che gli mancava totalmente nella prima battuta, un segnale di speranza e la voglia di leggere il seguito delle vicende dell’ispettore, i suoi collaboratori della Donna delle ossa e ritornare nei brumosi boschi di Peterborough.
“C’erano momenti in cui odiava essere se stesso, intrappolato nella propria mente desolata. Ogni cosa veniva filtrata in tonalità cupe, ogni sentimento era contaminato dalla disperazione.”
Un’altra serie poliziesca, un altro carismatico ispettore, mi chiedo se ne sentisse il bisogno.
Forse no, infatti non è certo un libro campione di originalità, ma il suo lavoro lo svolge ed egregiamente.
L’indagine è stata molto divertente, mi sono appassionata nel raccogliere gli indizi con i protagonisti, mi è piaciuto arrovellarmi e fare ipotesi, ho apprezzato i colpi di scena e le prove che rimettevano tutto in discussione. “Malvagio fino all’osso” è un bel giallo.
Un’inchiesta difficile e traballante come provato e traballante è il segugio che la segue: Bliss è intelligente, allergico alle regole ma onesto e molto molto malandato, sia emotivamente che nel fisico, cosa che, diciamolo, ho adorato ;).
Si vedrà la ricostruzione certosina e appassionante di un caso vecchio sedici anni, pochissimi elementi, “quattro ossa” e poco altro trovati in un bosco, nessuno interessato a venirne a capo, anzi più si andrà avanti nelle indagini più si profilerà un’indagine suicida che non conviene a nessuno tenere in piedi.
Nelle scene del distretto conosciamo la squadra che affianca Bliss, le tensioni, le alleanze, le antipatie e anche il simpatico “incazzometro”.
Nelle scene casalinghe vediamo l’uomo, Jimmy, in tutta la sua fragilità, con i suoi amatissimi cani e film, i fatti presenti si mischiano ai ricordi, al passato. A mano a mano che vengono fuori nuovi particolari sulle ossa scopriamo anche gli scheletri sordidi e inconfessabili dell’ispettore.
Un uomo che ha un indubbio fascino sulla parte femminile e di molte donne è circondato, dalla moglie morta tragicamente, alle testimoni che tratta con garbo da gentiluomo fino alla Donna delle Ossa, la dottoressa che con schietta malizia gli tende la mano per uscire dalla sua vita monacale, chissà se riuscirà nel difficile intento…
La prima parte del libro è interessante e coinvolgente, senza tentennamenti i fatti e i protagonisti vengono presentati con buona verve narrativa, si inizia a vedere il quadro generale senza andare a fondo.
La seconda, che a conti fatti si svolge in pochissimi giorni, è densissima di scoperte che portano a girare le pagine senza sosta, una parte trascinante che porta di corsa alla scoperta del responsabile di quelle vecchie ossa.
Il finale di questo libro lascia il nostro eroe con molte più ammaccature di quando avevamo iniziato, ma con la voglia di guardare avanti che gli mancava totalmente nella prima battuta, un segnale di speranza e la voglia di leggere il seguito delle vicende dell’ispettore, i suoi collaboratori della Donna delle ossa e ritornare nei brumosi boschi di Peterborough.
“C’erano momenti in cui odiava essere se stesso, intrappolato nella propria mente desolata. Ogni cosa veniva filtrata in tonalità cupe, ogni sentimento era contaminato dalla disperazione.”
April 20, 2017
“ It didn’t look like much of a corpse. Other than the skull, of course. That was a bit of a giveaway. The bones themselves, clumps of moist soil clinging to them like leeches, looked more like an array of dead branches and twigs than the remains of a human being” What a first paragraph! How to start a story with such a vivid description. DI Bliss has his work cut out and from the start is a likeable character. He has a past and a major loss that he is only just beginning to come to terms with. I like crime stories where we know some of the character behind the job and this does this extremely well. A strong lead, with a presence but a sense of humour and a life. This is a well told tale that has been thought out, several threads coming together with excellent descriptions. A twist here and there and something to make you gasp (or at least it did me!). I look forward to more about DI Bliss.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
May 17, 2019
A cracking read with great characters. DI Jimmy Bliss and DC Penny Chandler are a superb duo. They certainly have each other's backs. Jimmy Bliss hasn't had an easy time , with the murder of his wife and now diagnosed with an illness. The plot was intriguing and cleverly written. So many suspects after the discovery of a young woman's remains.
A gripping read from start to finish . So looking forward to reading more in this series.
A gripping read from start to finish . So looking forward to reading more in this series.
February 20, 2019
A good British police procedural set in Peterborough. I thought it was quite well written and the plot was very good with some twists at the end that I did not see coming with the story well resolved.
Want to read
February 24, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/24/2018)! 💝
September 18, 2017
Thought this story utterly fantastic. Kept me hooked until the last word!
The best book I have read for a long while.
So many twists and turns and I didn't find any of it predictable.
Found the characters and their personal lives and back stories quite original. I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters too.
Really cannot wait to read more from this author!!
The best book I have read for a long while.
So many twists and turns and I didn't find any of it predictable.
Found the characters and their personal lives and back stories quite original. I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters too.
Really cannot wait to read more from this author!!
March 25, 2018
Yes it was pretty good and the story was excellent. I just thought the delivery could have been more dramatic although it got pretty exciting towards the end. I was also thinking - is this the same Tony J. Forder who wrote Degrees of Darkness that evoked such a visceral reaction in me and had me glued to my seat reading like a dervish? Apparently so. The style was quite different.
Nevertheless, DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler shine in this story. They are investigating the discovery of human bones from a female who has been dead around 15 years. The body has also been moved from its original resting place. Its soon discovered that the body is likely to be that of a young woman who was knocked down in a hit run accident all that time ago. As Bliss and Chandler look into the accident things start to get complicated. Two retired policemen associated with the accident investigation are murdered and it seems like something big is being covered up. Just how big remains to be seen. Soon Bliss and his team receive threats to leave well alone. Despite the risks, Bliss persists at quite some personal cost as the story races to its shocking conclusion.
Nevertheless, DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler shine in this story. They are investigating the discovery of human bones from a female who has been dead around 15 years. The body has also been moved from its original resting place. Its soon discovered that the body is likely to be that of a young woman who was knocked down in a hit run accident all that time ago. As Bliss and Chandler look into the accident things start to get complicated. Two retired policemen associated with the accident investigation are murdered and it seems like something big is being covered up. Just how big remains to be seen. Soon Bliss and his team receive threats to leave well alone. Despite the risks, Bliss persists at quite some personal cost as the story races to its shocking conclusion.
May 27, 2018
Some aspects of this book did not appeal to me, the swearing, and the conflicts with senior management..The plot was very good, it flowed well. I really liked most of the characters, a quite tense story at times. Will try reading more from this author.
January 12, 2020
Rubbish. Started off quite well but really too much padding. English book but written more like American author would. Something impersonal about reading an ebook as well.
December 21, 2019
Recensione a cura di Luceliu
Ritorno tra voi per raccontarvi "Malvagio fino all'osso" di Tony J. Forder.
Un thriller avvincente che inizia con il ritrovamento di ossa umane, che grazie all'antropologa Emily Grant scopriremo essere di una giovane donna.
Le indagini vengono affidate all'ispettore James Bliss, reduce da una sosponsione per un' indagine finita con risultati negativi.
Ad affincarlo in questa indagine che non sarà per niente una passeggiata, troviamo l'agente Penny Chandler e Bobby Dunne.
Ci saranno delle morti misteriose che intrigheranno e renderanno ancora più intricata questa indagne che già di per se era faticosa.
Non sarà per nulla facile, ci saranno troppe coincidenze che isospettiranno l'ispettore Bliss che sarà sempre più preoccupato e isofferente.
Che vi posso dire io ho amato questa storia,lho trovata intrigante, avvincete e mi ha tenuta agganciata al libro e non lho mollato fino alla fine.
Personaggi costruti benissimo e con cura di dettagli anche sul piano psicologico, descrizioni e ambientazioni curate nei minimi dettagli.
Si inzia a leggere il libro e ti ritrovi catapultata all'interno della storia stessa a chiederti chi ci sia dietro a tutte queste morti.
Uno stile fluido, scorrevole e accurato, un libro che mi ha entusiasmato e che consiglio a tutti.
E ricordatevi che questo è il primo volume e che ci saranno altre avventure dell'ispettore Bliss.
Consigliatissimo!!!!
Per me cinque coccole
Ritorno tra voi per raccontarvi "Malvagio fino all'osso" di Tony J. Forder.
Un thriller avvincente che inizia con il ritrovamento di ossa umane, che grazie all'antropologa Emily Grant scopriremo essere di una giovane donna.
Le indagini vengono affidate all'ispettore James Bliss, reduce da una sosponsione per un' indagine finita con risultati negativi.
Ad affincarlo in questa indagine che non sarà per niente una passeggiata, troviamo l'agente Penny Chandler e Bobby Dunne.
Ci saranno delle morti misteriose che intrigheranno e renderanno ancora più intricata questa indagne che già di per se era faticosa.
Non sarà per nulla facile, ci saranno troppe coincidenze che isospettiranno l'ispettore Bliss che sarà sempre più preoccupato e isofferente.
Che vi posso dire io ho amato questa storia,lho trovata intrigante, avvincete e mi ha tenuta agganciata al libro e non lho mollato fino alla fine.
Personaggi costruti benissimo e con cura di dettagli anche sul piano psicologico, descrizioni e ambientazioni curate nei minimi dettagli.
Si inzia a leggere il libro e ti ritrovi catapultata all'interno della storia stessa a chiederti chi ci sia dietro a tutte queste morti.
Uno stile fluido, scorrevole e accurato, un libro che mi ha entusiasmato e che consiglio a tutti.
E ricordatevi che questo è il primo volume e che ci saranno altre avventure dell'ispettore Bliss.
Consigliatissimo!!!!
Per me cinque coccole
July 25, 2019
When the remains of a long-dead female are found, DI Bliss calls in an expert: sassy, beautiful bone doctor, Emily Grant, who is able to give the case a head start and Bliss the promise of getting to know her better.
Bliss has to try to find out who, how and why, whilst dealing with an incompetent boss who is gunning for him; though he has side-kick DC Penny Chandler to help push him in the right direction, especially in terms of his love life. The story goes on to reveal Bliss has an interesting and tragic back-story, which explains in part his close relationship with Chandler.
This is a well-written book with a good array of interesting characters, which fit the typical police procedural model. Dialogue is superb and the characters well crafted.
I would definitely read another by this author.
Bliss has to try to find out who, how and why, whilst dealing with an incompetent boss who is gunning for him; though he has side-kick DC Penny Chandler to help push him in the right direction, especially in terms of his love life. The story goes on to reveal Bliss has an interesting and tragic back-story, which explains in part his close relationship with Chandler.
This is a well-written book with a good array of interesting characters, which fit the typical police procedural model. Dialogue is superb and the characters well crafted.
I would definitely read another by this author.
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