Expectant by Vanda Symon

I am delighted to share my review of Expectant by Vanda Simon as part of the blog tour. This is the latest entry, the first for 12 years, in the Sam Shephard series, . Many thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation and to Orenda Books for my review copy.

The Blurb

The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave.

Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together and the realisation dawns that the killer’s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy.

For Sam, the case becomes personal, when it becomes increasingly clear that she is no longer safe, and the clock is ticking…

Expectant is published by Orenda Books and came out on 16th February 2023.

My Review

Although this is the first Sam Shepherd for a while, here in the UK we've only had to wait a couple of years since the release of Bound, the fourth in the series. I haven't read that one but I had read the previous three, 
Overkill, The Ringmaster, Containment, and Vanda's standalone novel Faceless. With a series, I always feel you get a richer reading experience when you start at the beginning and read in order. However, I didn't feel having missed the previous book impaired my enjoyment of this one, and it works perfectly as a standalone as anything you need to know is there,or you pick it up on the way. So you'll be fine if this is your first Bands Simon read. 

In a previous review for this series I quoted Shakespeare (that doesn't happen often, I tell ya!) - 'Though she be but little, she is fierce.' This quote always comes to mind when I read Sam Shephard. She's a little pocket rocket, and doesn't let anyone walk over her. Here we find her a good bit bigger, a rocket running rather slower, as she is heavily pregnant and stuck behind a desk. But she can't help being affected by, and getting involved in, the current case, the murder of a heavily pregnant woman. Whilst not overly graphic, the murder scene is horrific and shocking. My heart was in the pit of my stomach. I think it probably shocks everyone who reads it but for mothers, of which I am one, it hits particularly hard. And for Sam too, who can't help but worry for her own bump. But it doesn't stop her getting stuck in to the case, investigating previous cases involving pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies. Some of these are heartbreakingly tragic. With no real clues to work from this is solid police work, with a bit of (clearly well researched) science thrown in. But as progress is finally made, things take a turn for the dangerous...

I love Sam. She's real and relatable, here affected by raging pregnancy hormones. But it's admirable that she doesn't let that affect her police work, often heaping extra worry on fellow team member Paul, her partner and father of her baby. I loved her conversation with Maggie, her best friend and biggest cheerleader, where she airs all her worries  and Maggie responds to them all methodically and with well reasoned arguments. And as someone who has been pregnant twice (with problematic births) I so understood those worries! Other stand out characters for me were Timi, a young man who did the right thing even though he knew it would probably get him in to trouble, and DI Johns, for all the wrong reasons! Goodness me, that man is an ass! I understood one of his decisions but none of the others. 

This is a slow burner, focusing on police work, team work, and methodically working through evidence. But that doesn't mean it's not gripping or horrific because it is that too. But this is full of humanity. There is one moment of joy for Sam and the team (soured only by DI  Johns, of course) and I cheered out loud at that moment. And the denouement, when it comes, is terrifying, but it's hard not to have some compassion for the perpetrator. 

Expectant is a fabulous police procedural full of excitement, ups and downs and imbued with heart and humanity. There is a strong sense of place, I could picture the bars, streets and alleyways of Dunedin clearly. The denouement will break your heart then mend it again. I loved it and am off to find a copy of Bound to fill my missing gap in Sam's story. Please, do check this series out. 

The Author

Vanda Symon lives in Dunedin, New Zealand. As well as being a crime writer, she has a PhD in science communication and is a researcher at the Centre for Pacific Health at the University of Otago. Overkill was shortlisted for the 2019 CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award and she is a four-time finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel for her critically acclaimed Sam Shephard series. The fourth in the series, Bound, was shortlisted for a Barry Award. Vanda produces and hosts Write On, a monthly radio show focusing on the world of books at Otago Access Radio.When she isn’t working or writing, Vanda can be found in the garden, or on the business end of a fencing foil.

The Forcing by Paul E Hardisty

I am delighted to share my review of The Forcing by Paul E Hardisty as part of the blog tour. It's an outstanding novel - more on this below. Thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me and to The publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

Frustrated and angry after years of denial and inaction, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off disaster, a government of youth has taken power in North America, and a policy of institutionalised ageism has been introduced. All those older than the prescribed age are deemed responsible for the current state of the world, and are to be ‘relocated’, their property and assets confiscated.

David Ashworth, known by his friends and students as Teacher, and his wife May, find themselves among the thousands being moved to ‘new accommodation’ in the abandoned southern deserts – thrown together with a wealthy industrialist and his wife, a high court lawyer, two recent immigrants to America, and a hospital worker. Together, they must come to terms with their new lives in a land rendered unrecognisable. 

As the terrible truth of their situation is revealed, lured by rumours of a tropical sanctuary where they can live in peace, they plan a perilous escape. But the world outside is more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. And for those who survive, nothing will ever be the same again…

My Review

This was my first book by Paul E Hardisty but, I tell you what, it certainly won't be my last! Blimey, this is some book! Set in a near future that could so easily be ours, Hardisty paints a picture of a world in chaos. Climate damage, financial collapse, political denial, violent wars. There has been an uprising of young people who deem the older generation responsible for this terrible mess. And they are probably right. David (Teacher/Teach) and his wife May are amongst those rounded up relocated from Calgary to Texas. Teach accepts they have been part of the problem and deserve to be punished in some way. May, not so much. And it's hard for them as their son Lachlan is part of the youth government implementing these hard rules. But their new home is nothing like either of them could have imagined so when a possible escape plan appears they know they must take the opportunity. Because there might not be another one. 

Honestly, I don't really know what to say about this book. It was my first read of the year and has stuck with me since. Obviously this is a work of fiction set in the near future but the author is an environmental scientist with many years of experience so he knows what he's talking about. And I think we're all aware of the damage we've done and are still doing to our planet. Someone in the book, sorry I can't recall who just now, talks about decisions made about energy production etc 'Faster, cheaper, disaster. Cheaper, faster. Always the same. Over and over. Again and again.' Do we do different now? And we've seen our young people stand up and demand action, demand better. Step forward Greta Thunberg. So I don't think this scenario is too far fetched. It, or something similar, could easily happen. And that should scare us, force us into action.

I loved Teach. A good, decent man who has looked after his family, his home and his students. But a man who accepts that he has been part of the problem. May was much harder to like but she had her own problems. The group dynamic in their shared new home was really interesting, a sort of microcosm of society. Seven people, different ages, gender, races, sexuality,  backgrounds, attitudes, and watching them interact and work together, or not, was fascinating. 

Although The Forcing has lots to say about climate damage and the like, it is in no way boring. It's full of action and peril, and there were moments when I held my breath. And it's also beautifully written, almost lyrical in parts. I highlighted so many phrases when I was reading it but I'll just share a couple so you can see what I mean. 

'She smiles at me, each windblown mile of the past etched in her face, her eyes a timeless miracle.'

'Fear etched in their faces. Arthritis like sand in their joints. Regret piled heavy on brittle bones.'

The Forcing is a book for our time. A stark reminder of the damage we are doing to the planet and the price generations to come might have to pay. But it's so much more than that. It's a super tense action thriller written with heart. It's bleak, yes, but also beautiful and hopeful. Read it, you won't regret it. 

The Author

Canadian Paul Hardisty has spent twenty-five years working all over the world as an environmental scientist and freelance journalist. He has roughnecked on oil rigs in Texas, explored for gold in the Arctic, mapped geology in Eastern Turkey (where he was befriended by PKK rebels), and rehabilitated water wells in the wilds of Africa. He was in Ethiopia in 1991 as the Mengistu regime fell, survived a bomb blast in a café in Sana’a in 1993, and was one of the last Westerners out of Yemen at the outbreak of the 1994 civil war. In 2022 he criss-crossed Ukraine reporting on the Russian invasion. Paul is a university professor and CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). The four novels in his Claymore Straker series, The Abrupt Physics of Dying, The Evolution of Fear, Reconciliation for the Dead and Absolution, all received great critical acclaim and The Abrupt Physics of Dying was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger and a Telegraph Book of the Year. Paul drew on his own experiences to write Turbulent Wake, an extraordinary departure from his high-octane, thought-provoking thrillers. Paul is a keen outdoorsman, a conservation volunteer, and lives in Australia.

The Flight by Heather J Fitt

Today I'm happy to share my review of The Flight, the second book from author Heather J Fitt following her debut last year.. This is another standalone thriller. My thanks to Overview Media for the invitation and for my review copy.

The Blurb 

A young mother is trapped with a killer thirty thousand feet up, in this gripping mid-air murder mystery by the author of Open Your Eyes.

On a plane to Barbados, nurse Melissa sits with her young son, Theo. On the same flight, up in first class, are a bride- and groom-to-be, heading for their tropical wedding destination, accompanied by family and friends.

When two members of the wedding party die in mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that a killer is on board. Trapped in the cabin thousands of feet above the Atlantic, tensions mount as accusations fly—and when little Theo seems to vanish into thin air, this bizarre flight becomes even more turbulent . . .

Will Melissa be able to use her medical knowledge to find her son and bring a cold-blooded killer to justice before it’s too late?

My Review

I enjoyed Heather's debut, Open Your Eyes, so was keen to read this one. The Flight is a very different book, with all the action taking place at 30,000 feet and a finite list of not only victims but also perpetrators.

Melissa is already stressed at the airport, trying to entertain her toddler son ahead of their long flight to join a friend in Barbados, when she is spoken to unkindly by an very rude, entitled woman. The woman's son apologises on his mother's behalf but Melissa is very upset by the episode. So she is horrified to later find, as the only person with medical experience on the flight, she is called to deal with an emergency in first class and encounters the very same woman and other members of her party. And everything goes downhill from there. On the flight, you understand, not in the book! 

The atmosphere is very claustrophobic by the very nature of the setting. And there is only a limited number of players. I liked Melissa, she's a very sympathetic character. And whilst I have never flown with a toddler I have travelled in other ways with them and, man is it stressful! So, I get her. She is just trying to mind her own business and is pulled into something she doesn't want to be involved with. I loved the nastier characters in this even if I wanted to seriously take them to task! And I loved the peak into first class which, on this particular flight, is very luxurious. 

Heather has obviously done her research for this book and it shows and feels authentic enough. There are a few quite chilling chapters from the point of view of the perpetrator and I was kept guessing throughout. I thought I had it sussed, and I kind of did but not quite, and there were a couple of shopping surprises along the way. 

The Flight is an enjoyable, easy read that I whizzed through quickly. It has some high adrenaline moments and a real whodunnit feel that will keep you guessing. It's been great seeing Heather go in a completely different direction with this book and I look forward to where the next one takes her. 


The Author

 

Heather was born in Scotland and after moving around Europe with her parents and sister, settled in Hampshire where she met her husband, Stuart.

After leaving the rat-race in 2018, Heather re-trained as an editor and proof-reader and entered the world of publishing. These days she works as a part-time freelancer and a part-time Commissioning Advisor for Bloodhound.

Heather was inspired to start writing her novel by the authors who have become her closest friends. Now the ideas are flowing she has plans to write several more over the coming years.

When she isn’t reading, Heather enjoys spending her time watching sport – especially her beloved rugby – and exploring the British countryside with Stuart.

Heather’s debut novel was published by Bloodhound in Summer 2021.

For regular bookish updates, you can follow Heather on Twitter: @LifeBookish

Belly Woman by Benjamin Black

For my first review (I know, it's been a slow start!) I'm going for a non-fiction book for a change, so welcome to my stop on the tour for Belly Woman: Birth, Blood and Ebola, The Untold Story by Dr Benjamin Black. Huge thanks to Kelly Lacey at Love Books Tours for my invitation and to the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

‘This book will stay with me for years.’ –ADAM KAY, author of This Is Going to Hurt

What happens to pregnant women when a humanitarian catastrophe strikes?

Belly Woman shines a light on a story often left untold.

May, 2014. Sierra Leone is ranked the country with the highest death rate of pregnant women in the world. The same month, Ebola crosses in from neighbouring Guinea. Arriving a few weeks later, Dr Benjamin Black finds himself at the centre of an exponential Ebola outbreak. From impossible decisions on the maternity ward to moral dilemmas at the Ebola Treatment Centres. One mistake, one error of judgment, could spell disaster.

An eye-opening work of reportage and advocacy, Belly Woman chronicles the inside journey through an unfolding global health crisis and the struggle to save the lives of young mothers. As Black reckons with the demons of the past, he must try to learn the lessons for a different, more resilient, future.

‘A must-read for our times – riveting, illuminating and humbling.’ — Aminatta Forna, author of The Memory of Love and The Devil That Danced on the Water

‘An inspirational story of compassion and dedication in the face of a brutal epidemic.’ Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story

‘Brave, moving, and vital. . . Read it.’ — Damien Brown, author of Band-Aid for A Broken Leg


Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1911107577
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62565364-belly-woman

My Review

Belly Woman, pronounced 'be'leh 'uman', is Krio (one of the main languages in Sierra Leone) for a pregnant woman. 

Early summer 2014 the Ebola virus passed into Sierra Leone from Guinea. Obstetrician Dr Black was on his way from London to Sierra Leone, travelling with NGO Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF). But he wasn't going to fight Ebola, nobody expected it to reach Gondama, where he was to be based. Rather he was going to help with the care of pregnant women as Sierra Leone which already had one of the highest mortality rate for this societal group. He could not have imagined how these two issues would come together. This is his personal account of two very tough years. 

Through this book we get to witness the horror of the Ebola virus, the sad personal stories, the inadequacies of the medical facilities, the difficulties encountered by pregnant women, the risk of disease, complications and death. But also the unwavering commitment of medical professionals, their unwillingness to give up, their determination to do their best and, where possible, improve things through sexual education and birth control. 

This is the account of someone on the ground, right in the middle of the storm. It's told in a very matter of fact way but you can feel the author's frustrations, and his anguish, sometimes guilt, at some of the difficult decisions he had to make, the pride in, and admiration for, those working along side him. The local staff who worked ceaselessly and provided continuity when the international staff took breaks and moved around deserve so much credit. Dr Black too, for helping establish a way forward for treating pregnant women and educating communities. 

This was a really worthwhile read, but a tough, hard hitting one too. It's raw, it's real and it's bloody.  I needed to harden my heart to read it, otherwise I would've been in floods of tears at so many of the stories told here. And there are many we didn't hear, out in the wider communities. The author says at one point 'Every admission was a tragedy not being told.'  But it's also a story of dedication, humanity, hope and determination, and that's the takeaway  for me. 

The Author

Dr Benjamin Oren Black is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in London and a specialist advisor to international aid organisations. His focus on sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare for populations in times of crisis has taken him to many countries. Benjamin has supported the response to various infectious disease outbreaks since the West African Ebola epidemic. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic he provided frontline healthcare to pregnant women and helped develop international guidelines. Benjamin also teaches medical teams around the world on improving sexual and reproductive healthcare to the most vulnerable people in the most challenging of environments.

Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023

So, in typical Suze fashion, I'm late (although earlier than last year - just) in saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one. Happy New Year, lovely people! I hope you all had an enjoyable, stress free festive break.

I wanted to recap my year a bit and talk about some of my favourite moments and some of my favourite books, and talk about a couple of the things I'm looking forward to next year.

2022 wasn't a great year for me. In February, I left a job which, for the main part, I loved, because of my poor mental health and I haven't worked since then. Anxiety has impacted every area of my life but I've been supported by fantastic people and that's enabled me to continue to do some of the things I love. I am so thankful for these wonderful family members and friends, many from our brilliant bookish community - you know who you are - thank you. ❤

But there were highlights and they were good ones! I managed three book festivals. In May, I went to the Cromarty Crime & Thriller Weekend for the first time, postponed from 2020, and finally met author Matt Johnson, a meeting five years in the making. I was an early reader for his fab new book Crow 27 which I haven't reviewed yet but is well worth checking out. In August I went to Bute Noir with my gorgeous friend Pauline - her first visit to Bute & her first book festival - and we had a brilliant time. And in September, of course, I went to Bloody Scotland - some difficult moments, but great people around me. And I took my brother to his first ever book event - the launch of The Good Husband by Abigail Osborne.

I had the privilege of editing M R (Michael) Mackenzie's most recent standalone Bury Your Secrets. I haven't included it in my list below for fear of bias but do check it out because it's ace. I was again lucky enough to be a reader for the Bloody Scotland McIllvanney Prize and also took part in a couple of editions of the Bloody Scotland Book Club on Facebook. You can catch these and all the other previous sessions on the Bloody Scotland YouTube channel. Well worth taking a look - loads of recommendations of fabulous crime fiction from home and abroad. The sessions are nerve-wracking but fun and I hope I might be asked back to do some more.

Away from the book world I took the holiday of a lifetime, with my ex-husband of all people (I know, right?!) and spent three weeks in Cambodia and Vietnam during October and November. The holiday was a huge deal for me and at points I doubted I'd manage it. But I did, it was absolutely amazing, and I'm proud of how I did. Coming back was hard though when the tiredness hit me and, for various reasons, I wasn't particularly upbeat at the end of the year.

My reading suffered this year. I only read 60 books (was aiming for 100), reviewed less than that and read nothing at all in December, which is incredibly unusual for me. 

But I have read some GREAT books and have compiled a top ten for the year from the ones I have reviewed.

In the order I read them, the first seven are:

Demon by Matt Wesolowski

There is an element of horror, otherworldliness, stuff that simply can't be explained, happening to all sorts of people. Real shiver down the spine stuff. And the crime being discussed is, at least on the surface, truly horrific. But Matt has also delivered thoughtful, passionate and sometimes blistering comment on justice, rehabilitation, vilification by the press, education, social services, politics & the power of social media. Demon is an absolutely cracking, totally absorbing, dark & atmospheric read which shows us that we don't have to look to the spiritual or ghostly to find the horror in the world. Full review here.


Six Wounds by Morgan Cry

Six Wounds is a sun-soaked, action-packed thriller which grabs you at the get go & pulls you along for the ride. The storyline is spot on, the pacing is perfect, the rising tension occasionally lightened by sunshine & humour. Throw in a smart, sassy protagonist & a colourful supporting cast and you have a fabulous romp of a book. Far more fun than it has any right to be! Highly recommended. Full review here.

Quicksand of Memory by Michael Malone

Quicksand of Memory is a study of memory, how it affects us, how we all view & remember things differently. Realising that not everything we believed was true. It's a story of love, friendships - healthy and toxic, heartache, revenge, pain and hope. There are some real shocks in this book, and some uncomfortable moments for the reader, but it is so beautifully written & full of flawed, human characters that you will care about, root for and cry over, written with care & compassion. Just a gorgeous book. Full review here.

Nothing Else by Louise Beech

Nothing Else is a beautiful look at love, loss, pain and longing. About home, belonging, family and bonds that can't be broken. About two little girls sitting together on a piano stool trying to shut out the bad, the music that shaped them and the bond that ties them. It's heartbreaking in places but in others your heart will soar with the music. It's moving and emotional. It hasn't replaced This Is How We Are Human as my favourite Louise Beech novel read so far but I loved it and would happily recommend it. Full review here.

Dark Objects by Simon Toyne

Dark Objects is a tale of obsession, murder, trauma, confronting the past and maybe a little bit of healing. It's intelligent, twisted, tense and fast moving with some really interesting, diverse characters. I loved it. Full review here.


Where Demons Hide by Douglas Skelton

For all its good humour and light touches, Where Demons Hide is a beautifully written tale of the worst of humanity, of grief, anger, hate, greed and desperation and will send a shiver down your spine more than once. Full review here.


The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainen

The Moose Paradox is madcappery and mayhem, with some genuine peril thrown in. Add to that an awkward love story and one of my favourite protagonists ever and it is everything I could ask for. Loved it! Full review here.


My top three for the year:

Tasting Sunlight by Ewald Arenz

Tasting Sunlight was a delight to read. A gorgeous story of friendship, understanding and belonging. And of the importance of slowing down, appreciating nature and finding joy in the small things. Loved it. Full review here.

The Shot by Sarah Sultoon

We see the devastation of war up close, the damage, the pain, the grief. And we see the heartbreaking impact of it all on two souls in the middle of the maelstrom. An action packed, heartstopping, heartbreaking thriller, The Shot is not an easy book. Often uncomfortable reading, it's hard to call it enjoyable. But my goodness, it is incredibly powerful & impactful, & absolutely worth reading. A book that will stay with me for a very long time. Full review here.


And in my top spot for 2022 is An Honourable Thief by Douglas Skelton

It's beautifully written, Skelton has a way with words. The storyline itself has everything you could ask for - part crime story, part spy thriller and part epic adventure. There's politics and plenty of fighting, secrets, lies and betrayal. A public hanging and a visit to the battlefield at Sheriffmuir. And a man coming home, facing family and friends for the first time in years. It's not an easy homecoming and there were moments my heart ached for Jonas and one that brought tears to my eyes. Full review here.

And so to 2023. Since time began, my new year resolution every year has been 'Get my shit together!'. Well, that's worked out well, hasn't it! 😂 As I mentioned earlier, I'm not bouncing into the new year with as much vim and vigour as I'd hoped. So instead of a resolution, I've set some more (hopefully) achievable goals for various aspects of my life. I won't bore you with them but they've been chosen with positivity and progress in mind. And I have a fab wee break to Reykjavik to look forward to at the end of March with my ex and the kids. 

Reading wise, I will be taking part in fewer blog tours (something I need to do for a while) this year and trying to read some of my own collection. Early reads I'm looking forward to are Me and The Monkey: Chronicles of The Monkey God part 2 by Andy Darby, The Bleeding by Johana Gustawsson and Dark Hearts by Doug Johnstone, all of which were planned December reads. The good news is that after that barren month I'm already on my second book of January. There will be re-reads of some fabulous books that I read too quickly last year, and didn't review, starting with Emily Noble's Disgrace by Mary Paulson-Ellis, The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by CS Roberton (two very different books on the same subject) and The Cursed Girls by Caro Ramsey.

Later on in the year, I'm looking forward to a new book from Tony Kent, catching up with the Connor Fraser series by Neil Broadfoot and another TWO new books from the aforementioned Mr Skelton, who is officially a writing machine! Children of the Mist is the next book in the Rebecca Connolly series and A Thief's Justice will be the new Jonas Flynt book. I missed the blog tour for Sarah Sultoon's new book, Dirt, so will definitely be catching up with that, and I'm eager to read The Space Between Us by Doug Johnstone. And, finally, I hope we'll see something new from Mason Cross/Alex Knight because it's been a while. Oh, and my one bookie resolution is to remember to copy my reviews over to Amazon and Goodreads because not doing that helps no-one.

So that's it. An up and down year behind me but trying to be positive as we move into this new one. Big thanks to all of you for sticking with me, I so appreciate it, and hope you'll stay around a while longer. Much love. xx

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

Suicide Thursday by Will Carver

Today I 'm helping to close off the tour for Suicide Thursday, another grea unique, challenging read from Will Carver. Huge thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation & to the publisher for my review copy.

 

The Blurb

If words could kill…

Eli Hagin can’t finish anything.

He hates his job, but can’t seem to quit. He doesn’t want to be with his girlfriend, but doesn’t know how end things with her, either. Eli wants to write a novel, but he’s never taken a story beyond the first chapter.

Eli also has trouble separating reality from fiction.

When his best friend kills himself, Eli is motivated, for the first time in his life, to finally end something himself, just as Mike did…

Except sessions with his therapist suggest that Eli’s most recent ‘first chapters’ are not as fictitious as he had intended … and a series of text messages that Mike received before his death point to something much, much darker…

 

My Review

This is the sixth of Will's books I've read after Nothing Important Happened Today, Hinton Hollow Death Trip,  The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & The Daves Next Door (sorry, when I started this list I hadn't realised I'd read so many! 😂) all of which have been published since the back end of 2019. And I think I opened every one of those reviews with something along the lines of 'I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to review this book!' Because Will Carver writes books like nobody else and his books are really, really hard to review! 

Suicide Thursday is no different - I don't know how I'm going to review it! Set over a couple of weeks around Suicide Thursday, it focuses on Eli, his girlfriend Jackie and best friend Mike. Several other characters feature but these three form our main cast. It's not a plot spoiler to say Mike kills himself. On a Thursday. But the story focuses on the behaviour of the three main players before and after (for the survivors) Suicide Thursday. There's also the matter of some really alarming texts sent to Mike prior to death. And afterwards, actually. 

The first thing I should say is that will not be for everyone, as you will have gathered from the title. And the scene is graphic. But Suicide Thursday has got lots to say about friendship, desperation and determination, and the power of words.

Eli is such an interesting character. He hates his job, which is one he could be reasonably successful at if he put his mind to it. He wants to finish with Jackie, most of the time anyway, but can't seem to do it. And he really, really wants to write a novel but can't seem to manage that either. Ideas aren't the problem, they come thick and fast, but rather getting past the first chapter. He's got a library of first chapters, some of which we get to read - would love to read more, but no second chapters. He discusses all these things with his therapist and their sessions are something else. Mike's death hits him hard but he's maybe a little jealous because Mike actually got to finish something. It's a really interesting idea. 

Text exchanges on Mike's phone are interspersed throughout the book and I found them quite distressing, and really wanted to know who was sending them.  They are very dark. Mike seems like a lovely man who has just lost all hope. Men's mental health is not discussed enough and whilst this is fiction, and it's shocking, it's a reminder to us all to check in on our friends. But it's also a reminder to be careful what we say.

The story jumps backwards and forwards around Suicide Thursday but the chapters all indicate where we are. You have to keep your wits about you though! From the peripheral characters I loved the two Teds, I could just picture them, and my heart went out to Mike's dad. 

Sorry, this review is very bitty! Told you it was hard! Suicide Thursday is less aggressive than some of Will's other books with no direct addresses to the reader. He does have a lot to say, however, about religion, in this case Catholicism.  But he tells a tale incorporating love and loss, friendship and heartbreak, mental health, darkness and desperation, release and grief. And the power of words. Is there a happy ending? You'll need to read it to find out. This is a dark, challenging and shocking novel, but not without its lighter moments, and well worth a read.

The Author

Will Carver is the international bestselling author of the January David series and the critically acclaimed, mind-blowingly original Detective Pace series that includes Good Samaritans (2018), Nothing Important Happened Today (2019) and Hinton Hollow Death Trip (2020), all of which were ebook bestsellers and selected as books of the year in the mainstream international press. Nothing Important Happened Today was longlisted for the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award 2020 and Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Hinton Hollow Death Trip was longlisted for Guardian Not the Booker Prize, and was followed by three standalone literary thrillers, The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous (both optioned for TV) and The Daves Next Door. He lives in Reading with his family.