catladylover94's review
3.0
very long winded, felt like it would never get to the point, and never get away from him bonkin some chick
cmdro's review
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gwenm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
addy1991's review
4.0
DI James Bliss, known to his friends as Jimmy, is not a rising star in the department. His superior doesn't like him and bits of his past hang like a dark cloud over him and any who get too close. A new case comes his way that has several false leads before pieces of truth are uncovered. These pieces of truth take him and his colleagues in directions that they didn't expect. These directions have him clashing with his superiors as well as the media. Will his career be over before all the pieces of this intriguing puzzle are put in place? Well written and a definite page-turner, this was a very good read! First time reading one of his books and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.
ljwrites85's review
4.0
A skeleton of a woman is unearthed in a forest, DI James ‘Jimmy’ Bliss and DC Penny Chandler are called into to investigate. With the help of the ‘bone lady’ they set out who the young woman was and why she was killed.
Out of the blue DI Bliss receives a call from a retired colleague DI Weller wanting to meet up but before they meet Weller ends up in a car crash. When a second officer turns up dead Bliss believes there could be a link between these death and the skeletal remains.
So this is the first Bliss and Chandler book, I’m reading this in preparation for the next book, The Scent Of Guilt, that comes out February.
There was never a dull moment in this book! I had everything, murder, nail biting car chases, death threats, even a little romance...I don’t think the author could have squeezed any more action into it.
DI Bliss has a tragic past, his wife was murdered before he moved to Peterborough, and is still under a cloud after a previous murder investigation went sideways. He’s also battling an unknown health condition. He seems like his own worst enemy and a bit of a loner but he’s a good policeman and I found myself liking him. I liked DC Chandler too, she’s loyal and ambitious but also seems to genuinely care about Bliss (as a friend of course).
My only issue, and it’s exceptionally minor, was I would have liked a bit more about DC Chandler’s story/background. I know her daughter was kidnapped by her ex and taken to another country but it was only touched upon briefly, I just wanted to know more!
After reading this book I can’t wait to read the next one.
Out of the blue DI Bliss receives a call from a retired colleague DI Weller wanting to meet up but before they meet Weller ends up in a car crash. When a second officer turns up dead Bliss believes there could be a link between these death and the skeletal remains.
So this is the first Bliss and Chandler book, I’m reading this in preparation for the next book, The Scent Of Guilt, that comes out February.
There was never a dull moment in this book! I had everything, murder, nail biting car chases, death threats, even a little romance...I don’t think the author could have squeezed any more action into it.
DI Bliss has a tragic past, his wife was murdered before he moved to Peterborough, and is still under a cloud after a previous murder investigation went sideways. He’s also battling an unknown health condition. He seems like his own worst enemy and a bit of a loner but he’s a good policeman and I found myself liking him. I liked DC Chandler too, she’s loyal and ambitious but also seems to genuinely care about Bliss (as a friend of course).
My only issue, and it’s exceptionally minor, was I would have liked a bit more about DC Chandler’s story/background. I know her daughter was kidnapped by her ex and taken to another country but it was only touched upon briefly, I just wanted to know more!
After reading this book I can’t wait to read the next one.
toellandback's review
5.0
A new author for me and I'm straight onto book two after this which speaks volumes! Interesting and complex characters, who you genuinely care about, each with their flaws and demons to conquer and a twisting storyline which kept me guessing. Recommended and enjoyable.
vondav's review
4.0
When the skeletal remains of a young woman are found in the woods, DI Bliss is called in to investigate. Coming back from a suspension, Bliss knows the case is going to be tough one. Not only are the bones old but the senior officers are breathing down his neck.
A crime thriller is not the same without a trouble MC and boy was Bliss troubled. Haunted by the past, Bliss always wanted to see justice done even if it meant him clashing with his superior officers. His only true friends were DC Penny Chandler and DC Bobby Dunne, both who work with him closely. The relationship between Bliss and Chandler was as close as siblings, the only one who knew about his past Chandler was always there for him, keeping him grounded when he had a wild idea. There were a couple of characters that I took an instant dislike to, one was “The Bone Lady” as I found her too forward and brash, especially as she knew some of Bliss’ past
From the moment the bones are found, Bliss and Co get down to action. Starting from nothing, you wonder how the body can be identified let a lone who murdered her. The plot was well written and it felt like you were watching one of those true crime documentaries. There were red herrings throughout to throw you off track, and I could not get over how good the ending was as I never saw it coming.
Whilst it was a slow start, due to the amount of information that had to be found, the pace soon picked up as Bliss was putting the pieces together. Set in Peterborough, this was a good example of UK Police procedure. One thing I was glad about was that Bonnie and Clyde were ok. I will defiantly carry on with this series, cause who does not love a troubled cop.
A crime thriller is not the same without a trouble MC and boy was Bliss troubled. Haunted by the past, Bliss always wanted to see justice done even if it meant him clashing with his superior officers. His only true friends were DC Penny Chandler and DC Bobby Dunne, both who work with him closely. The relationship between Bliss and Chandler was as close as siblings, the only one who knew about his past Chandler was always there for him, keeping him grounded when he had a wild idea. There were a couple of characters that I took an instant dislike to, one was “The Bone Lady” as I found her too forward and brash, especially as she knew some of Bliss’ past
From the moment the bones are found, Bliss and Co get down to action. Starting from nothing, you wonder how the body can be identified let a lone who murdered her. The plot was well written and it felt like you were watching one of those true crime documentaries. There were red herrings throughout to throw you off track, and I could not get over how good the ending was as I never saw it coming.
Whilst it was a slow start, due to the amount of information that had to be found, the pace soon picked up as Bliss was putting the pieces together. Set in Peterborough, this was a good example of UK Police procedure. One thing I was glad about was that Bonnie and Clyde were ok. I will defiantly carry on with this series, cause who does not love a troubled cop.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
5.0
Bliss and Chandler have a great working relationship. The bond between them is so enjoyable to read. Chandler is a like a mother hen around Bliss which at times he finds annoying but I think he also appreciates it.
Bliss has had a hard time of it losing his wife as well as struggling to come to terms with a health issue. He really does have a lot on his plate. I have to admit that I wasn’t to sure about him to start with. As much as I liked him, I found him in some ways to be weak but the further into the story I got, it reminded me that we are all human and by the end I loved his character.
There is another character that forms part of the team which is Dunne. It felt very much like the three musketeers with them all working on the case. I really enjoyed watching how they worked and to what each one brought to it.
Bad To The Bone is a really good crime thriller. I did not expect how twisted it would get towards the end. The majority of the story is set at a steady pace until towards the end, when I was sent hurdling at full speed. A highly enjoyable read and can’t wait for more in the series.
Bliss has had a hard time of it losing his wife as well as struggling to come to terms with a health issue. He really does have a lot on his plate. I have to admit that I wasn’t to sure about him to start with. As much as I liked him, I found him in some ways to be weak but the further into the story I got, it reminded me that we are all human and by the end I loved his character.
There is another character that forms part of the team which is Dunne. It felt very much like the three musketeers with them all working on the case. I really enjoyed watching how they worked and to what each one brought to it.
Bad To The Bone is a really good crime thriller. I did not expect how twisted it would get towards the end. The majority of the story is set at a steady pace until towards the end, when I was sent hurdling at full speed. A highly enjoyable read and can’t wait for more in the series.
clair_82's review
4.0
Bad To The Bone opens with the discovery of human remains in a wood. DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler are assigned to the investigation. Bliss decides to seek the expertise of Emily Grant AKA The Bone Woman who is a local anthropologist to obtain more information about the bones to understand whether this is a recent or historical death. It is clear early on that this final resting place for the human remains is only recent and that she resided somewhere else in the city for many years prior.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the mix between a current investigation and a cold case - the bones found in the woods opens up lines of enquiry that none of the investigative team could have predicted and at times, puts them in a difficult position. As a result of the main plot and the linked sub-plots, Bad To The Bone is full of twists and turns as more and more secrets are unearthed.
This is a great debut from Forder, a solid opening book of a new police procedural series. Forder has created well-rounded main characters - I warmed to Bliss immediately with his non-nonsense approach and also his rapport with his partner, DC Chandler. We learn very early on that Bliss is haunted by his previous murder investigation which has resulted in very difficult relationship with Superintendent Sykes, Bliss' boss so the narrative between these two opposing strong characters is a great read. As if this isn't enough, Bliss is also dealing with some personal demons. A fabulous, troubled protagonist!
Bad To The Bone is set in my hometown of Peterborough and Forder's research into the city both in the present and its past is fantastic - from individual places, links between places and the descriptions of the buildings featured in the novel. I recognised all the locations and this really brought the novel to life for me.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the mix between a current investigation and a cold case - the bones found in the woods opens up lines of enquiry that none of the investigative team could have predicted and at times, puts them in a difficult position. As a result of the main plot and the linked sub-plots, Bad To The Bone is full of twists and turns as more and more secrets are unearthed.
This is a great debut from Forder, a solid opening book of a new police procedural series. Forder has created well-rounded main characters - I warmed to Bliss immediately with his non-nonsense approach and also his rapport with his partner, DC Chandler. We learn very early on that Bliss is haunted by his previous murder investigation which has resulted in very difficult relationship with Superintendent Sykes, Bliss' boss so the narrative between these two opposing strong characters is a great read. As if this isn't enough, Bliss is also dealing with some personal demons. A fabulous, troubled protagonist!
Bad To The Bone is set in my hometown of Peterborough and Forder's research into the city both in the present and its past is fantastic - from individual places, links between places and the descriptions of the buildings featured in the novel. I recognised all the locations and this really brought the novel to life for me.
barnsey's review
3.0
After hearing only good things about this book, the first in the series featuring Detective Inspector James Bliss, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I may also have been a teensy bit swayed by its setting — Peterborough in the UK — which is where I grew up and lived for just over four decades.
Skeletal remains of a young woman are discovered in the Bretton Woods area of the city. It transpires she'd been dug up from another location and reburied. But why and by whom? Who was she and why was she killed? As the investigation proceeds, DI Bliss uncovers links that suggest senior police officers may have been involved in a cover-up. As Bliss tries to prove his suspicions, he must tread carefully — not only is his own career at stake but also that of fellow investigating officer DC Penny Chandler.
I thought it was fab reading about familiar locations — the pubs, the buildings, the roads, the suburbs — I know them all. The author, also a Peterborough resident, described them perfectly and this, for me personally, was the icing on the cake.
As with many fictional detectives, DI Bliss has 'issues'. Still coming to terms with the loss of his wife, he undergoes hospital tests to discover the cause of his searing headaches and vertigo. The results throw him yet another of life's curveballs. How he copes and the effect it has on his career remains to be seen.
I enjoyed the book and the main characters. They felt real and believable. However, frequent descriptions of women in terms of physical attractiveness and sexual desirability is never going to sit well with me. It's off-putting and unnecessary. Plus, the victim is identified far too late in the book (48% kindle edition). Despite those two niggles, it was a good read and I have very high hopes for the series.
Book Source: Purchased copy
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2HGgMDP
Skeletal remains of a young woman are discovered in the Bretton Woods area of the city. It transpires she'd been dug up from another location and reburied. But why and by whom? Who was she and why was she killed? As the investigation proceeds, DI Bliss uncovers links that suggest senior police officers may have been involved in a cover-up. As Bliss tries to prove his suspicions, he must tread carefully — not only is his own career at stake but also that of fellow investigating officer DC Penny Chandler.
I thought it was fab reading about familiar locations — the pubs, the buildings, the roads, the suburbs — I know them all. The author, also a Peterborough resident, described them perfectly and this, for me personally, was the icing on the cake.
As with many fictional detectives, DI Bliss has 'issues'. Still coming to terms with the loss of his wife, he undergoes hospital tests to discover the cause of his searing headaches and vertigo. The results throw him yet another of life's curveballs. How he copes and the effect it has on his career remains to be seen.
I enjoyed the book and the main characters. They felt real and believable. However, frequent descriptions of women in terms of physical attractiveness and sexual desirability is never going to sit well with me. It's off-putting and unnecessary. Plus, the victim is identified far too late in the book (48% kindle edition). Despite those two niggles, it was a good read and I have very high hopes for the series.
Book Source: Purchased copy
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2HGgMDP