From the bestselling author of the DI Bliss series comes an enthralling mystery thriller.

The truth can set you free – or bury you.

When FBI Agent Sydney Merlot returns to her home town in northern California to wind down her late father’s PI business, she soon finds herself on the wrong side of the aftermath of a high school shooting.

Sydney’s childhood friend – who is now county sheriff – plus the local PD, the mayor’s office, and most of the town’s inhabitants, are convinced the horror ended when the gunman was killed. Now they just want to be left alone to mourn. But Sydney has other ideas – and she is not alone.

While having to work through her own personal grief, Sydney is openly intimidated and receives anonymous threats. After discovering she is under surveillance, she begins to fear for her life. During her investigation she gains several allies, but as the days pass, Sydney doesn’t know who to trust, and which new friends might actually turn out to be foes...

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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.

Tony’s other series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder, and Cold Winter Sun. 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 which was released just last November.

Tony lives with his wife in Peterborough, UK, and is now a full-time author. He is currently working on Bliss #8, The Autumn Tree.

Review

I loved this book - it was so compelling, empathic on an emotive subject, great pacing and a brilliant resolution to boot! I had never read one of this author’s books before but I will definitely will be from now on.

Sydney returns to her hometown, after the sad passing of her PI father. She is running down his business when a client comes in and asks her to prove his sons innocence. There had recently been a school shooting and it was this boy who was shot by the Sheriff after being identified as the shooter. However, his father is determined that someone persuaded his son to head out dressed as the shooter as he was found unarmed. Sydney accepts the case and instantly finds herself up against seemingly the whole town as they believe they have resolved this horrible event.

I loved Sydney as a character as she was feisty and stuck to her guns but also showed empathy and loyalty. I liked her relationship with the Sheriff and it was great to see it tested but without the cliche of attraction etc. The tension in this novel was extremely well paced and the kept you reeled in right until the very end. I would love to see this become a series as there is definitely room for this to happen! Bring on more Sydney!

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