The Scent of Guilt

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of The Scent of Guilt, the second novel to feature DI Jimmy Bliss and DS Penny Chandler.

On the eve of his first official day at the Peterborough station Bliss is called out to a murder scene where a pensioner has been stabbed to death and her finger nails removed. This is the killer's third victim so he is now leading the hunt for a serial killer. Chandler, seconded to the Met's Sapphire Unit, comes back to Peterborough to interview rape victims and makes a breakthrough observation linking the two cases.

I enjoyed The Scent of Guilt which is a fast paced procedural with plenty going on in terms both of action and the investigation. I like the fact that with no forensics or witnesses it is the minor anomalies and deductive reasoning that provide the solution. The trip to California is an interesting sideline with both action and investigation but highly improbable in these straitened times. The plotting is well done with good pacing on the reveals, tension and action.

I was less keen on the characterisation which doesn't ring true to me. Bliss is a man with several tics, he has a chronic illness, a murdered wife and no respect for authority. I like the way he is able to defend his position logically and articulately but it makes his emotional over reliance on Chandler difficult to understand or believe. There is a hint about chemistry between them but who knows? His DCI's animosity towards him is even more difficult to understand or believe. She is a senior police officer who certainly didn't get to that position by prejudging people on the basis of rumours and half truths which apparently does. Chandler is the smart one on the team, able to make links and draw inferences that elude the others but she too has a troubled past.

The Scent of Guilt is a solid read. 3.5* rounded up to 4* for the plotting.

Well #BOOM here is a kick ass introduction for me to a new series to get my teeth into! I hadn't read the first in the series and it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all, it worked well as a standalone.

DI Bliss has returned to Peterborough and it is clear that he has a bit of a reputation. There are several hints that perhaps he's not always been the most popular in the force but he is determined to prove he has changed. He's just in the door when he is handed an extremely high-profile case and despite senior management support it would appear that DCI Edwards, in reality is not really that supportive after all! You can feel the tension between these two seep out the pages but just what has DCI Edwards got against him other than the fact that he's been given the case that she wants to head up? Is there more underlying her dislike of Bliss?

Bliss's partner, Penny Chandler, had been promoted to DS where she was working in the Met but she arrives back in Peterborough to investigate links between rape cases she has been working on. Now, there is obviously some background with these two. Bliss is delighted to have his sidekick back working alongside him; he has a huge emotional reliance on her. I connected with Bliss immediately, I really liked him, I like that he is flawed and has an over reliance on Chandler - she's like an emotional crutch to him.  I liked his  approach to life, there is a toughness which seems very much at odds with his self-care approach to his health problems. He is definitely a man who is not afraid to connect with his emotional side and there is something very endearing about this man! Hell, more than endearing, I think I have a major #CharacterCrush going on here! He has issues with authority, which can be problematic when you are in the police I guess, but I loved his attitude, this man sure knows the right battles to pick and he's not afraid to raise his head above the parapet when required!

What a duo the author has created with Bliss and Chandler, even the pairing of the names sounds just right, these two go together like gin and tonic , they are meant to be; there is a connection that sends sparks flying out the book here but time will tell if there is ever going to be anything more than this between them.

Tony Forder has created not only a dynamite duo but the storyline was fast paced, energetic and intelligent, taking us from Peterborough to California as a potential connection is established between the crimes happening in the UK and historical cases in the USA.

Ok so it might little far-fetched that UK forces would have a budget to send him over to US on what appears to be very shaky evidence, but hey it's fiction, right? So get that belief and suspend it  a little and just sit back and enjoy the ride! And when I say enjoy it, I mean sit back and really enjoy it because this is clever stuff going on here! Again, the author shows a clear skill in the development of relationships between characters. Robbie Newman, the American Cop assigned to Bliss when he arrives in America, throws him a few surprises but I really got a sense of a genuine partnership and gelling between the two characters from the outset. I'd like to see this relationship developed as the series goes on.

The author has tackled two very sensitive subjects in this novel, murder and rape. He has approached these topics with a sensitivity for which he is to be commended. It can be too easy to sensationalize in crime fiction but Tony Forder has demonstrated a more person centred and humane approach to policing when investigating crimes which throw up some chilling background stories. We do get to hear the voice of the perpetrator(s) throughout the book and they are creepy as hell and Bliss does well to contain himself and some of those anger issues throughout the investigation.

The Scent of Guilt is a clever and twisted novel that will have you reading well past your bedtime and if it is the first in the series you have read, it will have you jumping over to Amazon to buy the first and heading over to Twitter to nag the author to get the next written. It had my breath caught, my brain hooked and my senses in overdrive; twists and turns will keep you hooked til the very last page. Read it!
My review will be posted on my blog #Chapterinmylife as part of the Blog Blitz

The Scent of Guilt is the second book in the DI Bliss series. As the book is set twelve years after the first book, Bad to the Bone, you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. As it's a good book though you will probably want to go back and read it and see how it all starts.

Whilst I enjoyed Bad to the Bone, I have to say The Scent of Guilt just blew me away. Bad to the Bone was the authors debut novel and he has written a few books since then and for me, with The Scent of Guilt, you can really see how much the author has grown as a writer. The story just flows perfectly and his talent just oozes through the pages. It was brilliant and seemed so effortless which made it even more enjoyable.

Bliss I was slightly unsure of in the first book as there were parts of him that I couldn't relate to but with time, and like a good wine, he has certainly improved with age. The working chemistry between him and Chandler is just mesmerising and I couldn't tear myself away from the pages. 

A crime involving rape is never going to be something that is easy to read. I really have to applaud the author with his writing skills in getting the victims feelings across to the reader. I'm not sure what research he may have done but he totally nailed it for me and parts made for some really emotional reading. 

The Scent of Guilt is very much a game of cat and mouse with some shocking twists and turns. The author has raised the bar very high with this book and I literally can not wait to see what he has in store for us next.

#TheScentOfGuilt by Tony J Forder
17 February 2018

I received this book from #NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review but I loved the book so much that halfway through the book I looked up the author and found out that this was the second book in a series. Right then and there I bought the first in the series “Bad to the Bone” and as soon as I finish this I am starting on the other one. The book has everything you could ever want in a book: great story line, great and interesting characters that just keep you glued to the book. I did realize that this was going to be a favorite so I tried to space it out as long as I could but only lasted 3 days. There was one thing that bugged me a bit and that was the multiple references to DI Bliss’s disease, Menuiere which I had never heard about and Kindle didn’t recognize it either. I ended up looking it up in a dictionary just because of the frequent references. But out of that whole book that was the only thing I didn’t get and the rest of the book so made up for that tiny bit. Tony Forder is now one of my favorite British authors along with Bruce Beckham and Peter Grainger. I am looking forward to hopefully many more in this series. I already see a glimmer of an idea for DI Bliss’s mother in Ireland and her group of new widows. Truly a remarkable book which I will happily recommend far and wide.

I really enjoyed this book despite realising it was the second DI Bliss book. I loved the relationship he had with Penny professionally and personally they worked really well together. I could tell he had demons but that only made his character more believable.. I hope to read more by this author

I have books on my shelf unread by this author. I’m now asking myself Why!

Although this is book 2 in a series I was assured that it can easily be read as a standalone. I can confirm that.

I am assuming that DI Bliss was in the previous book, but this is a new case. I’m thinking I’ve just missed out a bit on his life.
DI Bliss has returned to the place he worked before. He’s landed into a (what looks like) random murders however, there was some sticky moments when I thought he was standing on Edwards toes as she wanted to lead.
I thought he handled that situation pretty dam well.
That’s where I’m guessing from book 1 that Bliss personality was harsher and he’s calmed down a bit. It was a remark that Edwards had said to him.

The cases of the murders are not straight forward and what made a change for me was ( don’t judge me lol) the victims were not the usual young girl per sa. They were latter age.
So this intrigued more.

The first case upon finding the body made me cross my legs, I kid you not.
This author writes really well, his words get inside your head where you are being shown snapshots, that’s the only way I can personally describe it.

The finale was awesome.

Definitely reading more from this author.
I need to fit his other books in to my schedule and take them off my bookshelf.


Thanks to the author Tony Forder for providing me with great thought provoking matter and to Bloodhounds for my copy via Net Galley

Another superb novel from the excellent Bloodhound Books and the impressive Tony J Forder. Having very much enjoyed Bad To The Bone, I was looking forward to reading this and was not at all disappointed. DI Jimmy Bliss is back in Peterborough and tasked with solving the murders of a number of old ladies. His erstwhile partner Penny Chandler is seconded to London but her current case brings her back and she links up again with bliss. The writing is taut, the story gripping and the ending very satisfying. More please!

Oh my dayz. After reading Bad to the Bone which is book one in the DI Bliss and DCI Chandler series I couldn’t resist jumping into this and I’m delighted I did.

Many years have passed and DC Jimmy Bliss is back in Peterborough investigating a serial murder. Penny Chandler is in London investigating sexual crimes. When two rapes are reported in Peterborough Chandler volunteers to investigate. Are the murder and rape investigations connected in some way??

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The storyline was really thought out. I loved how some of the characters we read and loved in book one were back to help with the investigation.
I’ve read every book this author has written. If your looking for a well written police thriller then I highly recommend you set time aside and devour these books. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Scent of guilt by tony j forder.
Twelve years after he left Peterborough under a cloud, DI Bliss returns to the city and the major crimes team. Having spent years policing organised crime, Bliss is plunged straight into the heart of a serial murder investigation. 
A fantastic read with great characters. Couldn't put it down. 5*

Great book. Brilliant storyline and excellent main characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.

Loved this book. It was a very exciting thriller which was fast paced with a strong plot and brilliant main characters. I am now going to read this authors other books. Highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Tony J. Forder for the copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

This is a great book and had me on the edge of my seat, especially at the end.
DI Bliss is back in Peterborough and is asked to take charge of a new team dealing with some gruesome murders.
DC Chandler has been seconded elsewhere but comes back to interview some rape victims so she gets to catch up with Jimmy.
I haven’t read the first book in this series but it’s clear the working relationship between DI Bliss and DC Chandler is a good one. Neither of them it seems feels complete without the other, so when the two cases seem to be linked they end up working together again.
We also get to know some of the thoughts of the murderer but without giving away his identity which I liked.
It’s a real race against time in the final few chapters and I loved it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

The introduction to DI Bliss was in Tony J Forder’s first novel Bad to the Bone. The fact that I had not read this earlier novel did not impact on my enjoyment of this, the second which sees Bliss’s return to Peterborough following a stint in policing organised crime. Clearly Bliss had his shortcomings in the earlier novel in which he struggled with his temper, his health, and as with all good detectives, he struggles with bureaucracy and politics within the institution.

On the eve of his return to duties he is called to investigate a murder of an older woman and he is confronted with his immediate superior who makes it abundantly clear that she is not happy with his appointment. Bliss is delighted to discover that Penny Chandler (his partner in the first novel) who has been working in London investigating rape and serious assaults is working on a rape case in Peterborough. Their investigations are closely linked and the two re-establish a good working relationship.

As the plot unfolds it becomes clear that Bliss is dealing with a serial killer. But are the rape cases and the murders linked? Their investigations lead them to the USA and a cold case.

Written in the third person from Bliss’s perspective we are privy to his thoughts and motivations with occasional input from the killer’s perspective. This is a really well thought out plot, covering police procedure but with flashes of insight and brilliance. The characterisation is excellent, in particular that of Bliss. We witness his frustration, anger and his humanity in dealing with the widower of a murder victim, and his vulnerability when he examines his own role as a widower. In counterpoint to this, we see his awareness of the opposite sex and his ponderings on what actions/words would be deemed appropriate or more importantly not appropriate.

I heartily recommend this book. I cannot see why anyone would not like it. If police procedurals are your bag and you like a good story with some great characters, grab it fast and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Twelve years after leaving Peterborough and the Major Crimes Team, DI Bliss is back in familiar surroundings. On his first day, he's thrown head first into what looks to be a serial killer investigation when the body of an elderly woman is found. Meanwhile, DI Bliss's former colleague DS Chandler has been working on rape investigations. When her most recent case leads her back to Peterborough, she thinks there may be a connection between the rapes and the murders. Their search for the killer will lead them to America and back again.

As far as this murder investigation goes, The Scent of Guilt reads perfectly well as a stand-alone but I do feel you'd miss out on quite a bit of background regarding, for instance, DI Bliss's health, which is explained in the first book in this series Bad To The Bone. I'm glad I managed to squeeze that one in before I read this one, even though I must admit the twelve year gap threw me off a little bit in the beginning and I thought I'd missed a book somewhere. Things have obviously changed in the last twelve years and some of the people DI Bliss used to work with have been replaced. Not all of them are happy to see him return and it's not all plain sailing.

The chase for the serial killer is incredibly thrilling. The detectives quite quickly zero in on a potential suspect but are they right in doing so? Is there a rapist and a killer? Or is there only one person responsible for both vile acts? What is the motivation behind these attacks and why now? All these questions must be answered, preferable before there's another victim. But when DI Bliss jets off to America, is he putting his own investigation into jeopardy? I didn't have a clue but I really enjoyed trying to figure it out.

I love that part of this book is set in America. Cold cases are always fascinating to me and having the chance to work on this puzzle alongside Bliss, trying to find some kind of connection to what's happening back in the UK, really held my attention throughout. The Scent of Guilt is a well plotted and suspenseful crime thriller. The pace starts off a little slow but ramps up as you go along and ultimately ends with a most satisfying conclusion.  Another great addition to this series and I hope Bliss and Chandler will return soon!

EXCERPT: The elderly woman lay on her back, arms and legs spread out as if she were forming a large X. The hood of her beige parka was like a saucer for her spilled blood. In the unnatural light it gleamed like a halo of slick crude oil. Other than a couple of minor abrasions, her face was untouched. Across the rest of her body there were too many puncture wounds and lacerations to count, but it looked to Bliss as if there must be several dozen. He squatted down beside her body to take a closer look. The victim’s green tartan skirt had been yanked up to her waist, tights shredded and her vulva brutalised, most likely with the same weapon that had punctured the flesh so cruelly. The remainder of the wounds appeared to be randomly distributed, though her breasts had been left completely unscathed. The final sickening debasement, was that all ten nails had been ripped from her fingers.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Twelve years after he left Peterborough under a cloud, DI Bliss returns to the city and the major crimes team. Having spent years policing organised crime, Bliss is plunged straight into the heart of a serial murder investigation.

Meanwhile, Penny Chandler has been promoted to DS and has been working in London on the Met’s sexual crimes team. But when two rapes are reported on her old patch in Peterborough, Chandler volunteers to interview the victims.

Chandler joins the hunt for the attacker and soon notices a possible link between the rapes and Bliss’s murder investigation. Could the same man be responsible?

Just as both cases seem to stall, a call comes in from an ex-policeman who knows of unsolved cases in the USA with a similar MO. Bliss finds himself travelling to California to hunt for a killer whose reach may have stretched further than anyone could possibly imagine.

But in order to catch the murderer, Bliss must discover the killer’s motive. A motive which should have remained buried in the past…

MY THOUGHTS: Stone the crows! That was a journey and a half!

Despite The Scent of Guilt being the second book of the DI Bliss and DC Chandler series, it reads well as a stand alone. I do feel that I missed out on some background information on Bliss’s life, but it is not essential to this story. But having whetted my appetite, I am going to go back and read the first in the series, Bad to the Bone (also the title of one of my favorite George Thorogood songs!).

Bliss, who admits to being 'a grumpy bastard', has a reputation for insubordination, for going his own way, for swimming against the tide, and for bringing situations crashing down around his own ears. Yet, his team is fiercely loyal to him and there is a certain chemistry between Bliss and Chandler about which they are fiercely in denial.

Bliss has been through the wringer in his personal life; he is childless, his wife murdered as a consequence of his actions, and suffering from Meniere's Disease, he has a deep understanding of people's grief and at times exhibits quite a philosophical side.

An interesting character and a great plot that leaves me begging for 'more please, Mr Forder.'

Please note: No crows were harmed in the writing of this review.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Scent of Guilt by Tony J Forder for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

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Although this book can be read as a stand alone I strongly advise you to not only read the first book in the series, Bad to the Bone, but also everything else Tony Forder has written. So you may guess now that I am a bit of a fan. There is just something about his writing that makes the stories feel like they could be headlines in the daily papers or I could switch on the tv to Sky News to see if one or another of these crimes have been solved. They just feel so real but with the added bonus of me feeling part of the team and having inside knowledge of how it is all coming together or not!

I was delighted that DI Bliss was back and that DS Chandler would be joining him too on their old patch. Unfortunately it was because a couple of recent horrific murders of older women and the brutal rapes of young women were possibly linked. Now this attacker certainly has issues with women, not to mention the very weird relationship that he really has. Cor Blimey this is a story of how life events really mix you up, play with your mind and down right wreck your life from the chance of ever being normal.

To say that there is a little bit of friction at the station just wouldn’t really cut it. I mean it has been years since DI Bliss was near the place but I felt like cowering in a corner myself. The frustration in him was quite electric and at some point I just knew that fuse would pop.

Tony Forder always manages to get across the horrific violence in these crimes by using the detectives in the investigation to talk about the injuries rather than the actual assaults and murders as they are happening. I still feel I got all of the facts of what these women have gone through without being a real witness to the crime as it happens. It makes it easier reading.

There is a part of the book where the feelings and emotions of dealing with rape are raised. It is only touching the surface but makes some very valid points.

This is a fabulous read again, with heart in your mouth moments that just seal the deal on this little beauty. Loved it!

This book was excellent. Smart writing. Characters are great. Work well together and make a great team. Great storyline. Held my interest from page one. Can't wait to read more by author and more in this series.

Wow! This author has a gift for writing that few other authors possess. The plot was fast-paced and the characters were well-developed. This is the 2nd book in a series, but the writing is so well done that it could be read as a standalone book.