It is a pleasure to share my review today for The Lightning Rod by Tony Forder. I have been a fan of this author’s books since reading y first Jimmy Bliss book a few years ago. Now we are onto book 10 and it is just getting better and better.

My huge thanks to Tony and also Donna at DLM Book Tours for arranging my e-copy of the book and also for my spot on the Blog Tour.

When he strikes, nothing can protect you.

DI Bliss attends the aftermath of an apparent murder-suicide – but the scene tells him and his colleagues something very different occurred. Now the Peterborough Major Crimes Unit face an adversary like no other.

They have no idea why his victims had to die. They have no idea who he is. They have no idea where he might strike next – only that he will.

But while the killer is cunning, leaving no evidence for them to find, his biggest mistake might be in underestimating the team now hunting him. Because when Jimmy Bliss is on the case, all bets are off.

MY REVIEW

When you have been involved in a series from the beginning you become aware of the changes, for Jimmy Bliss, it is his age. He is coming to retirement and there are tentative conversations about what he wants to do next. He has been a copper for years, it’s what keeps him going, that and the team he works with. With all his years on the job, it is inevitable that there will be a blast from the past at some point. Then there is the current case, it is one that could have repercussions for some of the other officers in his team. It appears an old case is not what they initially thought it was.

Once again the author has put DI Jimmy Bliss right in the thick of things, he does have a habit of this, but then this is exactly what Bliss would do himself. Letting the main character of Bliss at the lead of an investigation and getting his hands dirty is what Bliss is all about. While he may lead, he also listens, well maybe not all the time, but when it is an idea from his team he does. He will need his team and other officers from around the country to help work this case out.

There is no indication that an old case may have been wrong until a similarity is spotted. This then goes through the chain of command and there are procedures in place that must be followed. Where there is one similarity there must be another somewhere surely! Where has this person been, how has he honed his skills and more importantly where is he going to strike next?

This is such an intriguing story as there is not much in the way of clues, there are very few red herrings either. This makes this story a huge mystery, but one that is still evolving as more is learnt. This will have a huge impact on several areas and when I mention The Met and Firearms Officers being involved then you know this one is serious.

While the author has kept on track with the investigation, he has allowed for some personal time for Bliss. It is something that the author knows his character needs as it is at this time his brain cells start to work a little better. But thinking a crime through does not mean it is right.

This is a tough one for the Peterborough team. Is it a suicide murder, murder or something else? It is an intense story and in the first few chapters, I was a bit worried as it wasn’t as easy to get the flow of the story as I normally would. This one took a few chapters to grow on me but when it did it was a belter. It does have a different feel to it, while there is violence, the odd beating up and chase, it also has something else lurking. What is Bliss going to do next, he can get an extension for another couple of years, and he could walk away and retire or is there something else?

A fabulous 10th book in the series and one that is addictive as the first one. This is a series that I am obviously going to recommend that you read in order, but I do think this one would work well as a standalone.

An intense, dangerous and life-threatening time is on the cards for Bliss. If you are a fan of police procedural and crime thrillers then this is definitely one for you. It is one I would also definitely recommend.

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Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx