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.
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?
My Thoughts:
This is the first book I have read by Tony J Fodler and I enjoyed it, through reading it I felt that this book was the ending of a series. Tying up lose ends so I’ll be interested to know if the author plans to continue this series?
I liked and could relate to the characters. Though DI Bliss is going through a tough time his team rally around him and almost carry him through the case. I could feel the depression and almost desperation the character felt when things were starting to spiral out of control. Part of me wished that the DI would take the offer of help from his team but I guess he is stuck in his own ways.
I especially enjoyed the relationship between DI Bliss his partner Penny Chandler. At times they came across more as father and daughter than partners but it works.
One criticism I did have though was at times the book seemed to drag on. Whether this is because I am more used to more “action” lead novels I don’t know. The novel served its purpose in passing time on the way to work especially since my change in transportation.
I will certainly be looking out for more books from Tony and I’m certainly tempted to get hold of past DI Bliss and Detective Penny Chandler books.
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Tony J Forder is the author of the critically acclaimed, internationally best-selling crime thriller series featuring detectives Jimmy Bliss and Penny Chandler. The first three books, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, and If Fear Wins, are now joined by The Reach of Shadows, published in January 2019.
Tony’s dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, was also published by Bloodhound Books. This is a stand-alone novel. Another book that was written as a stand-alone was Scream Blue Murder. This was published in November 2017, and received praise from many, including fellow authors Mason Cross, Matt Hilton and Anita Waller. Before it had even been published, Tony had decided to write a sequel, and Cold Winter Sun was published in November 2018.
Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author.
A Story About A Girl 