Regular visitors to the blog cannot have failed to notice me raving about Fifteen Coffins, the fabulous standalone from author Tony J Forder, published last November. On the strength of that, I bought all the books in Tony's DI Bliss series, which I think numbered seven at the time, plus a prequel. Being the chaotic, disorganised soul I am, I haven't got around to them yet, but Tony kindly offered me the chance to read and review number eight in the series, The Autumn Tree, as a standalone (until I catch up). I said yes.
The Blurb
When dark desires have no limitations, anything is fair game.
After a young woman is found strangled to death, Bliss is called to the scene. When he learns that one of his business cards was found among the victim's clothing, and he is told what was written on the back of it, Bliss is immediately troubled. The card was one of five he handed out to trafficked young women he and his team had previously rescued from a shipping container.
When he sees the victim, Bliss realises she was not one of those saved that day. So whose card does she have? And why? And is it connected to her murder?
The murder investigation proves to be more complex and challenging than the team could possibly have imagined. But just as they think they have it figured out, they learn that depravity has no boundaries...
The Autumn Tree was published on 24th May 2021 by Spare Nibs Books and is available here.
My Review
I came into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Jimmy Bliss or his background and wanted to see if The Autumn Tree worked as a standalone. It absolutely does. Sure, there were things I didn't know because I hadn't read his history but that was to be expected. When I am reviewing books which are part of a series, I always suggest that the reader will have a richer experience starting at the beginning. And I have no doubt that this applies here, however, I was able to enjoy the book just fine because whatever I needed to know was in the book. The other 'stuff' just made me more determined to catch up with the series properly.!
I came into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Jimmy Bliss or his background and wanted to see if The Autumn Tree worked as a standalone. It absolutely does. Sure, there were things I didn't know because I hadn't read his history but that was to be expected. When I am reviewing books which are part of a series, I always suggest that the reader will have a richer experience starting at the beginning. And I have no doubt that this applies here, however, I was able to enjoy the book just fine because whatever I needed to know was in the book. The other 'stuff' just made me more determined to catch up with the series properly.!
DI Jimmy Bliss has been demoted to DS. It doesn't really matter why (well, it does to Jimmy, of course) because what's important here is the relationship he has with the team. They are all struggling not to see him as the boss, including the new man in charge, who frequently defers to Bliss. There's clearly a lot of respect there. Jimmy is fair but firm, loves his job and is willing to bend the rules occasionally if he feels it necessary. There is a sub plot where we see Bliss very much doing his own thing. He comes across as really well rounded and really enjoyable to read. I LOVED his relationship with his partner and best friend Penny Chandler. I don't see enough deep platonic relationships between men and women in books, which I think is a shame. But these two, they just get each other, look out for each other and their banter is epic. Such a great duo. And those lighter moments, together with similar exchanges with other members of the team, are very much needed. Because the subject matter here is dark. Very dark.
When his business card is found on the dead body of a young woman Bliss is immediately worried as it is one given to a group of women trafficked to work in the sex industry who were rescued in a previous case. Bliss can't help but wonder if this woman was in a similar situation and this gives him a starting point. From there though, the investigation goes off in some unexpected directions. The storyline deals with the more specialised end of the sex trade, the sort of services found on the Dark Web (loved the TOR name trivia) and there is a graphic scene included but it is done in context. Things get very tense as they build towards a pretty heartbreaking denouement.
I loved Tony's writing, as I knew I would after Fifteen Coffins, and felt like I was a fly on the wall watching Jimmy and the rest. There was some beautifully descriptive writing and I noted a couple of examples but there were plenty of others:
'...bracelets of discoloured flesh.'
'...the demons clawing their way to her soul.'
Of course, The Autumn Tree is a crime novel, and one that deals with true darkness and depravity, but, for me, this is as much a book about relationships - between Bliss and Pen, his team, his superiors, the women in his life and the criminals he encounters every day. It's beautifully written with an engaging, entertaining central character and a full and varied supporting cast. The storyline is a difficult one, sensitively handled, but might not be for everyone. But I loved it and can safely say that Jimmy Bliss has himself a new fan! And delighted there was a wee cliffhanger at the end... Now, where did I put the other eight books?
The Author
Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven books, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, Endless Silent Scream, and Slow Slicing, were joined in December 2020 by a prequel novella, Bliss Uncovered. The series now continues with The Autumn Tree, scheduled for release on 24 May 2021.
Tony’s other series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder, and Cold Winter Sun. These books were republished in April 2021.
In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, called Fifteen Coffins, released in November 2020.
Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently working on the first book of an intended new crime series, whose working title is The Huntsmen.
Author Social Media Links
Website: https://www.tonyjforder.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyjforder/
Twitter: @TonyJForder https://twitter.com/TonyJForder
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01N4BPT65
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16166122.Tony_J_Forder
Fantastic Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/tony-j-forder/
Tony can also be found on Instagram.
Tony’s other series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder, and Cold Winter Sun. These books were republished in April 2021.
In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, called Fifteen Coffins, released in November 2020.
Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently working on the first book of an intended new crime series, whose working title is The Huntsmen.
Author Social Media Links
Website: https://www.tonyjforder.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyjforder/
Twitter: @TonyJForder https://twitter.com/TonyJForder
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01N4BPT65
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16166122.Tony_J_Forder
Fantastic Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/tony-j-forder/
Tony can also be found on Instagram.
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