The Lightning Rod by Tony Forder

Today I'm helping to close off the blog tour for The Lightning Rod, the tenth DI Bliss novel from Tony J Forder. My thanks to Donna Morfett at DLM Book Tours for inviting me and to Tony for my review copy of the book.

The Blurb

DI Bliss attends the aftermath of an apparent murder-suicide – but the scene tells him and his colleagues something very different occurred. Now the Peterborough Major Crimes Unit face an adversary like no other.

They have no idea why his victims had to die. They have no idea who he is. They have no idea where he might strike next – only that he will.

But while the killer is cunning, leaving no evidence for them to find, his biggest mistake might be in underestimating the team now hunting him. Because when Jimmy Bliss is on the case, all bets are off.


Purchase Links

UK link : https://is.gd/XquRr4
USA link : https://amzn.com/dp/B0B529XN3P

My Review

This is the tenth Jimmy Bliss novel from Tony but only the third one I've read after The Autumn Tree and Darker Days To Come. I've also read the first Chase and Laney novel, The Huntsmen, and loved standalone Fifteen Coffins. I have all his other books but haven't had the chance to catch up yet. But back to Bliss. Whilst I do prefer to start a series at the beginning, I've had no problem jumping into this one with books eight, nine and ten. The Lightning Rod works absolutely fine as a standalone, everything you need is here but you can tell this is a cast of characters, a team, who have grown together through the books.

Bliss is called to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide. But the crime scene manager won't let Bliss's team into the site because something just isn't sitting right with him. When they are eventually allowed on site there is no evidence that could help trace the killer which gives them very little to work with. But they're a crack team and as the case expands they liaise with other forces and bodies. And away from work Jimmy bumps into a face from his past. 

This is very much a police procedural, concentrating on a complex investigation. The focus is on the team as they struggle to make headway, and it describes much of donkey work involved in such an inquiry. But it never gets bogged down or feels slow, and it's not without excitement and peril. But for me, this book is about the team, the people in it and their relationships, particularly Bliss and his partner Penny Chandler. 

Jimmy Bliss is a very likeable chap - a stand up, decent man who is fiercely loyal to his team, and as a result, they are very loyal to him. He's a beautifully drawn character, as are the rest of the team. And I particularly love his relationship with Penny. They are two people who are comfortable in their own skin and comfortable with each other. Their banter is testament to this. But there is nothing each wouldn't do for each other. And I find it refreshing to see such a relationship between a man and a woman which is purely platonic, just a wonderful friendship. I don't see many of those in books. And the rest of the team is really well described and I feel that after three books, I'm really started to get to know them.

I can't not mention Jimmy's turn of phrase, which is often funny, even in the  serious moments and often vaguely rude. Let me give you a couple of examples: 

'...sweating like a glassblower's arse' 

'A monkey and my left nut says there's be...'

There are plenty more examples but you can discover those for yourselves! 

The storyline follows the complex investigation, high points and low, and the frustrations that go along with that. Procedure is well explained and feels authentic.  There is a sub plot revolving Jimmy outside of work and The two come together quite catastrophically, with some quite graphic scenes towards the end. A well explained, interesting story built around a strong cast of characters. And as Bliss approaches retirement age there is a wee hint of what he might do next so that's exciting. A solid entry into the DI Bliss collection from this talented author. 

The Author

Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven novels, 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 continued with The Autumn Tree and Darker Days to Come, and now The Lightning Rod.

Tony’s other early series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder and Cold Winter Sun. These books will hopefully be joined in 2023 by The Dark Division.

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.

The Huntsmen, released in October 2021, was the first book in a new crime series, set in Wiltshire. It featured DS Royston Chase, DC Claire Laney, and PCSO Alison May.

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. He is currently working on the second DS Chase novel, The Predators.


Links

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