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A review by clair_82
The Scent of Guilt by Tony J. Forder
5.0
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, [b:Bad to the Bone|33282277|Bad to the Bone|Tony J. Forder|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491931489s/33282277.jpg|54006756], so I was absolutely thrilled to hear about the next book and to be on its blog blitz. Unfortunately, due to being unwell, I was unable to post my review on my scheduled date but here it is, better late than never.....
The Scent of Guilt is twelve years after Bad To The Bone and we pick up with DI Bliss upon his return to Peterborough. Whilst this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book to get an understanding of what led to Bliss leaving Peterborough in the first place and to get a background to his relationship with Chandler and his chain of command. If Bliss was expecting a gentle return to the Peterborough team, he was wrong because pretty much when Bliss arrives in Peterborough, the body of a female is found throwing him straight into a serial killer investigation. Prior to his return, the team have been investigating the deaths of two others to no avail so when a third body turns up with the same MO, Bliss and the team are put under immense pressure to find the perpetrator.
What I really liked from Bad To The Bone was the rapport that Bliss and DC Chandler had so I was pleased to see that Chandler was to also feature in this book as don't think it would have been the same without her - someone has to keep Bliss in check! Chandler and Bliss haven't been working together since his departure from the city twelve years ago however they have remained on friendly terms - during which time she has promoted to DS and working on the Met’s sexual crimes team in London.
As to be expected from the nature of the plot, there are scenes in this book that are difficult reading but Forder deals with these brilliantly and sensitively. What particularly stood out to me were the scenes between Bliss and an elderly gentleman who has had his wife taken away from him in the worst possible way - the dialogue between these two men is both harrowing and heartwarming.
The Scent of Guilt is a brilliantly complex and gripping police procedural investing in parallel the murders of older women alongside the rapes of young women - both are which are portrayed sensitively with an authentic voice. I look forward to book three to pick up again with Bliss and Chandler.
The Scent of Guilt is twelve years after Bad To The Bone and we pick up with DI Bliss upon his return to Peterborough. Whilst this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book to get an understanding of what led to Bliss leaving Peterborough in the first place and to get a background to his relationship with Chandler and his chain of command. If Bliss was expecting a gentle return to the Peterborough team, he was wrong because pretty much when Bliss arrives in Peterborough, the body of a female is found throwing him straight into a serial killer investigation. Prior to his return, the team have been investigating the deaths of two others to no avail so when a third body turns up with the same MO, Bliss and the team are put under immense pressure to find the perpetrator.
What I really liked from Bad To The Bone was the rapport that Bliss and DC Chandler had so I was pleased to see that Chandler was to also feature in this book as don't think it would have been the same without her - someone has to keep Bliss in check! Chandler and Bliss haven't been working together since his departure from the city twelve years ago however they have remained on friendly terms - during which time she has promoted to DS and working on the Met’s sexual crimes team in London.
As to be expected from the nature of the plot, there are scenes in this book that are difficult reading but Forder deals with these brilliantly and sensitively. What particularly stood out to me were the scenes between Bliss and an elderly gentleman who has had his wife taken away from him in the worst possible way - the dialogue between these two men is both harrowing and heartwarming.
The Scent of Guilt is a brilliantly complex and gripping police procedural investing in parallel the murders of older women alongside the rapes of young women - both are which are portrayed sensitively with an authentic voice. I look forward to book three to pick up again with Bliss and Chandler.