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A review by karlou
The Scent of Guilt by Tony J. Forder
5.0
I was immediately impressed when I started reading The Scent of Guilt that Tony J. Forder has taken the rather unusual step of setting this second book in his DI Bliss series twelve years after the previous novel. It can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel but if possible I would recommend reading the series in order. Jimmy Bliss was forced to move away from Peterborough after the fall-out from the investigation covered in Bad to the Bone and after several years involved in policing organised crime, he has returned to the city to head up a murder investigation. In the intervening years he hasn't managed to completely overcome his demons but he has learned how to manage them more effectively and is taking better care of his health. He's still prone to losing his temper in the face of unreasonable authority but he at least now grudgingly accepts the unavoidable politics of the job. Meanwhile Penny Chandler is now a Detective Sergeant and has been working in London for the Sapphire Unit, investigating rape and serious assault. The pairing between the two officers is a real strength of this series and I was relieved that their reunion feels a natural progression of the cases they are investigating and not forced for the sake of the plot. The easygoing rapport between them remains but the older and wiser Bliss has come to recognise just how much he relies on Chandler. The progression in their relationship is thoughtfully explored and once again character development is an outstanding feature of this series.
The narrative is told in the third person and follows Bliss' investigation but occasionally chapters reveal the killer's movements instead and being privy to the thoughts of this twisted and dangerous individual who is driven to commit heinous acts of violence is chilling and adds an even more desperate sense of urgency to the proceedings. The two detectives face a race against time before there are more rapes and murders and the case ends up taking them to California after an extraordinary tip leads them to look into a cold case over there. Moving the action away from Peterborough could have been a risk as I felt the author's local knowledge added a sense of authenticity to the sense of place in Bad to the Bone. Thankfully the gamble pays off; the various locations and the complexities of law enforcement in America have clearly been well researched meaning these engrossing scenes are also completely believable. It's not all Californian sun however, and the conclusion back in England is absolutely breathtaking and really makes the most of a windswept, remote location.
The Scent of Guilt may be an intriguing mystery with superb characterisation and riveting action but it's also a contemplative examination of what makes somebody evil. Tony J. Forder considers some complex themes here as characters' discussions include the generational patterns of abuse and the morals of the death penalty; and the importance of relationships, whether as sources of love, trust and strength or as more toxic influences are thought-provokingly scrutinised. I thoroughly recommend this intelligent, compelling thriller and eagerly look forward to reading more books from Tony in the future.
The narrative is told in the third person and follows Bliss' investigation but occasionally chapters reveal the killer's movements instead and being privy to the thoughts of this twisted and dangerous individual who is driven to commit heinous acts of violence is chilling and adds an even more desperate sense of urgency to the proceedings. The two detectives face a race against time before there are more rapes and murders and the case ends up taking them to California after an extraordinary tip leads them to look into a cold case over there. Moving the action away from Peterborough could have been a risk as I felt the author's local knowledge added a sense of authenticity to the sense of place in Bad to the Bone. Thankfully the gamble pays off; the various locations and the complexities of law enforcement in America have clearly been well researched meaning these engrossing scenes are also completely believable. It's not all Californian sun however, and the conclusion back in England is absolutely breathtaking and really makes the most of a windswept, remote location.
The Scent of Guilt may be an intriguing mystery with superb characterisation and riveting action but it's also a contemplative examination of what makes somebody evil. Tony J. Forder considers some complex themes here as characters' discussions include the generational patterns of abuse and the morals of the death penalty; and the importance of relationships, whether as sources of love, trust and strength or as more toxic influences are thought-provokingly scrutinised. I thoroughly recommend this intelligent, compelling thriller and eagerly look forward to reading more books from Tony in the future.