Blog Tour: Tony Forder The Autumn Tree, My review

It seems like ages since I've had my Jimmy Bliss fix... but now I've read The Autumn Tree, I'm delighted to be part of the blog tour. 

The Autumn Tree in five words ...  

Humorous, Gritty, Intriguing, Poignant, Blissful

The Autumn Tree, by Tony J Forder, is the ninth book in the DI Jimmy Bliss series, but is the eighth full-length novel – December 2020’s Bliss Uncovered being a prequel novella.

 The Bliss series has seen the development of not only the lead character, but also the likes of DS Penny Chandler, DS Olly Bishop (Bish), DCs Hunt, Ansari and Gratton, as well as the much missed Mia Short. DCI Diane Warburton and Detective Superintendent Marion Fletcher remain in charge of the Major Crimes Unit at the Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough.

The Blurb

After a young woman is found strangled to death, Bliss is called to the scene. When he learns that one of his business cards was found among the victim's clothing, and he is told what was written on the back of it, Bliss is immediately troubled. The card was one of five he handed out to trafficked young women he and his team had previously rescued from a shipping container.

When he sees the victim, Bliss realises she was not one of those saved that day. So whose card does she have? Any why? And is it connected to her murder?

 The murder investigation proves to be more complex and challenging than the team could possibly have imagined. But just as they think they have it figured out, they learn that depravity has no boundaries...

 My Thoughts

I make no secret of the fact that I am a Blissful Bliss fan and am thrilled to have had the
opportunity to read an ARC of this book. There are so many good things to say about The Autumn Tree, that to be honest I was a bit stumped as to where to begin. 

The plot is tricksy, poignant, authentic and thought provoking. For me it was a delight to see a thread from an earlier novel picked up once more in The Autumn Tree and pulled to expose another aspect to trafficking, slavery and depravity.  Forder is able to explore darkness, but through humour, ensures their is a safety valve in place so we don't boil over completely. It is this sensitivity to the darkness uncovered in The Autumn Tree that makes it such a compelling and authentic read. It can easily be read as a standalone as Forder has dropped enough breadcrumbs for a new reader to fllow, but any new readers will, I'mm sure head right off to the Zon to buy the rest of the series. 

One of the triumphs of this long lasting police procedural series is the team dynamics which make you feel as if you are part of the team too. Bliss has to make adjustments in this one, but the camaraderie, gallow's humour and mutual respect amongst his colleagues are a joy to read and again serve to lighten some of the darkness. 

Every time I read a Bliss book, I think to myself 'this is the best one yet' ... and every time Forder goes on to prove me wrong, because the next one always seems to surpass the one before. This is true of The Autumn Tree. I thought Slow Slicing was unbeatable, but then the mardy auld bugger(only joking Tony)  has gone and blown it out of the park with The Autumn Tree. I've thought a lot about why that is and come to the conclusion that Forder is a master of allowing his characters to grow, age and face new obstacles in each book, which means that they remain fresh and real. Bliss is one of those characters you can engage with. Sometimes I want to yell at him for his self-destructive streak and at others I want to just go for a pint with him and help him sort out his life. Bliss is a man of contradictions and it is these contradictions, his 'dog with a bone' attitude and his unbreakable commitment to those he sees as part of his 'group' that make him such a readable, likable and frustrating character.

The Autumn Tree deals with some very dark themes, that need to be spoken about. Forder deals with them through attention to detail, lots of action, intriguing sub plots and a cast of characters that will remain with you for a long time. 

In case you're wondering ... I LOVED THIS BOOK. 5 stars from me.

Author Bio 

Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven books, 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 now continues with, The Autumn Tree, scheduled for release on 24 May 2021.

Tony’s other series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder, and Cold Winter Sun. These books were republished in April 2021.

 In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, called Fifteen Coffins, released in November 2020.

 Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently working on the first book of an intended new crime series, whose working title is The Huntsmen.

 LInks

Website: https://www.tonyjforder.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyjforder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyJForder @TonyJForder

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01N4BPT65

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16166122.Tony_J_Forder

Fantastic Fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/tony-j-forder/

Tony can also be found on Instagram.