The following reviews are all taken from either Amazon, Goodreads or from Blogsites, and can be independently verified. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who took time to both read and review Bad To The Bone. I am more grateful than you will ever know.

Scream Blue Murder

"Forder didn't spare the horses when writing Scream Blue Murder. This book rockets along, a breathless action-packed ride. Perfect reading for fans of Simon Kernick and Jeff Abbott." Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter thrillers.

“An action packed, twisty thriller. Great stuff." Mason Cross, author of the Carter Bale series of thrillers.

"My five star review of Scream Blue Murder, by Tony Forder. There should be a ten star button...

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that Tony Forder is an extraordinarily talented author. This novel gallops along at a hell of a pace with a storyline that delves into the darkness of the Home Office, MI5, and other assorted government agencies, combined with the precociousness of a six year old little girl called Charlie. No further spoilers, but I would urge you to buy this book – there’s something special about it, and it’s a full five stars from me. I can’t wait for the next Forder novel; for me, he is one of those authors that merit an automatic click, without reading the blurb. Go for it!" Anita Waller, bestselling author of 34 Days.

"Scream Blue Murder is a fast paced read that had me hanging on for dear life!"

"I loved Mike and I mean LOVED! What a fabulous character. He is a character that goes from strength to strength. Troubled, grumpy but oh so loveable."

"Scream Blue Murder is an adrenaline fuelled read that will have you on the edge of your seat. With plenty to keep you hooked and a few surprises in store makes this one unmissable crime thriller."

"This is an author to look out for, as he can turn his pen to different genre styles within the Crime Fiction Umbrella. This is an extremely well written, action packed book. With great opening scenes to set up the plots."

"This is a dark story, that evolves in to a monster of a crime read, I was thoroughly engrossed in the way the story evolved, it is a thriller with a unique difference, that should be shouted about."

Degrees of Darkness

'This is an awesome read that for me that put it on a scare factor alongside Stephen King and Thomas Harris. The heart breaking opening will make most readers just stand back and take a breath. Frightening, terrifying and imprinted on your mind for every time you say goodnight to your children before you double-check and triple check your doors are locked and bolted again.'

'This book is simply brilliant from start to finish. I loved everything about it, from the memorable, unique and identifiable characters to the wonderfully deep, twisted and well thought-out plot.'

'Beautifully written, had me hooked right from the start. Plot had me completely gripped trying and failing to second guess.'

'The opening to this story definitely sets a terrifying scene and I have to admit to double checking the locks before I went to sleep.'

'There are plenty of edge of your seat moments that made me gasp in shock but also made me want to keep on reading without stopping.'

'When the story is shown from Laura's perspective you can really get a sense of the situation she is in and also her strong survival instinct. From Tony J Forder's descriptions it really puts the reader right in that environment with Laura's character as if you are experiencing it with her.'

'I was hooked on this book pretty quickly, literally a few pages and there I was, Hooked! It was as I read about a killer being in the house of the victim. What unfolds after that is a brutal psychological game of cat and mouse between an ex-cop and the killer.'

'I would highly recommend this book to readers who like their psychological thrillers to be dark and sinister, with layers of plots. If this is you …..Get this book, you will not be disappointed.'

'What a fabulous story from the opening scene it just exploded into a world of pure crazy in the mind of one of the most damaged and twisted serial killers that I have read.'

'This really is a writer at his best.'

'Loved it! loved it! Loved it!'

'I have to say Degrees of Darkness takes this author to a whole new level..I read this in one day...This is absolutely superb storytelling... A dark chilling psychological read...'

'It was superbly written with great characterisation and some genuine edge of your seat moments.'

'From start to finish I felt I was reading this in the edge of my seat while holding my breath. It really is that kinda read.'

'If you're looking for a gripping read then I really do recommend this read. I found this to be a compelling yet gruesome read. Great praise to this author. I'm looking forward to reading more from him.'

'Wow read this over the weekend, couldn't put it down! The style if writing gripped me from the start. Highly recommend...'

'The voices of the characters were spot on, and the eeriness of where Laure was kept captive and some of the scenes where stomach clutching, but brilliantly written to bring in the reality and horror. A cleverly written story which weaved and flowed with expertise.'

'Tony has created a character who is evilness personified.'

'The book is well written gripping and gets right into your mind and feelings as you are taken on a fast paced journey through a book it is impossible to put down.'

'The characters are absolutely perfect. '

'An absolutely brilliant page turner that will give the reader much to think about.'

'If you like a sick and twisted serial killer then they really don't come more twisted than in this book. A definite must read for fans of this genre.'

'The book is well written gripping and gets right into your mind and feelings as you are taken on a fast paced journey through a book it is impossible to put down. '

'The characters are absolutely perfect. The author has built compassion and a dogged determination to survive into complex and realistic characters. He takes this realism to a whole new level as we learn how much a person can endure before there comes a breaking point and how that breaking point can cause a domino effect of actions that it is difficult to stop.'

'Degrees of Darkness is a gripping read that I felt compelled to finish. It does make for uncomfortable reading in parts but I felt I owed it to Frank and Laura to see how it ends and I'm so glad I did. If you like a sick and twisted serial killer then they really don't come more twisted than in this book. A definite must read for fans of this genre.'

'“I am the dark, and you should fear me…” As soon as I read this line at the start of the book, I knew it would be one that I wouldn’t want or be able to put down! I read the book in one sitting and was completely enthralled in the story! The writing style was spot on, the pace was great and the characters were brilliant – I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime read – 5 stars from me and definitely looking forward to more of the same from this author!!'

'The serial killer in this book is one of the creepiest and most disturbing I have read for a while but I found it utterly fascinating.
As for the story, it really builds until a nail biting ending, you hope and pray that Frank gets his daughter back.'

'Degrees of Darkness certainly took me on a journey to the dark-side and beyond! This is an intensely chilling book. The author suckered me in from the beginning and never really let go. My heart was in my mouth a lot of the time.'

'This is a gritty police crime thriller and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. There are several gruesome situations played out but the seemingly innocent ‘milk’ incident has put me off for life! The utter repulsion stayed with me for days such was the quality of the writing!'

'Let me just say that is expertly written. The author takes us on a tumultuous and gripping ride that you cannot step out of until you have reached the end.'

'Degrees of Darkness is an engrossing and haunting thriller!.'

'Oh my gosh why have I not 'found' this author before? Highly recommended and I shall be following this author from now on. Hope we see a lot more of his work.'

'This book has you wondering "what next" the whole way through. A dark mixture of horror and mystery to keep you guessing.
Highly recommended.'

'A fantastic read.I couldn't put it down.Read it in 3 days.The main character is a very sick individual. Looking forward to the next book.'

Bad To The Bone

"Thought this story utterly fantastic. Kept me hooked until the last word! The best book I have read for a long while. "

"Simply, a great read. Fans of Michael Connelly and Mark Billingham will enjoy this."

"Bloodhound Books has done it again! Tony J Forder is a new writer to me and this is a stunning novel to start with. "

"One of the best of my recent reads, I can hardly wait until next year for the follow-up!"

"Brilliant - loved it!"

"Takes a lot to shock me. This one actually made me exclaim out loud. Excellent. Later on he does it again."

"Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. full of twists and plots. "

"Bent police officers, prostitution, murder, it’s all in this book I really couldn’t put down. The pace is fast, the characterisation superb, and the storyline is full of twists and turns. An excellent book, and I look forward to reading more in this series."

"I’ve been reading a lot of crime fiction of late and have been incredibly lucky to be gifted some fabulous reads. Bad To The Bone continued that trend with a story that sucked me in and thrilled me throughout. The writer Tony Forder with great skill led me down a narrative path to where I thought I would figure out the mystery at the heart of this novel, but he wrong footed me. Then he led me through a series of twists and turns, left agape at the final relevation."

"Its a story about murder, criminals and the police, but its also a story about friendship, jealousy, corruption and secrets. Murder is portrayed as an act of self protection, a self indulgent act from the belief that one life has more worth than another. Not all murderers are crazy twisted psychopaths, some are people caught in a moment of madness, otherwise living normal lives. It’s a complex set of behaviours, that many simply can’t fathom out, Tony Forder can and does in Bad To The Bone. He will make you look around you at friends, colleagues, the man who fixes your car, even your neighbours and question what they are capable of. Anyone of the characters in this book could be the killer. I have met a few killers in my time and some leave you feeling chilled, while others make you take a step back and wonder how they, so friendly, so full of regret, could be guilty of such a crime! Tony Forder brings this across with great skill and an instinctive understanding of a killers motivation for his crime."

"He has delivered a first class novel, full of characters who are complex, believable and who you want not to be the one capable of killing another. It is a story full of false turns, edgy and reeking of nerve tingling tension."

"This is a great debut from Forder, a solid opening book of a new police procedural series. "

"Forder has created well-rounded main characters – I warmed to Bliss immediately with his non-nonsense approach and also his rapport with his partner, DC Chandler."

"This is the first book I’ve read by Tony J Forder and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last! This is a Cambridgeshire based police procedural, well written and researched ..."

"A good solid crime thriller that will keep you guessing till the very end."

"Written in third-person, past-tense (an inspired choice of narrative for this particular plot), the novel is pacey whilst managing to maintain a suspenseful edge throughout. Forder’s characters display some nicely-timed humour to bring a touch of lightness when it’s needed most. The dialogue in this novel is good, particularly from Bliss, who I liked immediately as a lead character."

"A pacey, invigorating read that offers plenty of thrills and a solid entry into the genre."

"Bliss and Chandler have a great working relationship. The bond between them is so enjoyable to read. "

"A highly enjoyable read and can’t wait for more in the series.!

"What a first paragraph! How to start a story with such a vivid description."

"This is a well told tale that has been thought out, several threads coming together with excellent descriptions. A twist here and there and something to make you gasp (or at least it did me!). "

"Fabulous plot brought to life by excellent writing with a twist you don't see coming. Couldn't put it down and can't wait for DI Bliss to re-appear."

"Books like Bad to the Bone breathe new life into a sometimes stale genre and remind me why I’m such a fan of these types of novels. It was full of dark humor, well drawn characters and plenty of surprises to knock me off balance."

"Bliss and Chandler are partners and they had such a warm, genuine relationship. Forder did an excellent job of developing their friendship and I liked that they had each other’s backs at any cost. Bliss’ backstory was especially well crafted and by the end I felt like I had a true sense of what type of person he is. "

"One: it’s well written. Very well written. Forder is clearly a writer, who cares about words and getting them in the right order and using the right word in the right place. And he’s good at painting word pictures too."

"Tony has brought us a new Police Procedural Series, that has a powerful start and impressive characters. A plot that thickens and lures you within the first few pages and keeps you there. I am looking forward to see what happens next...."

"Great descriptive writing that gets into the mind of the characters..."

"This book drew me in fast, and kept me dangling wanting to read it speedily purely to piece together the clues"

"DI Jimmy Bliss is at times brass with a dry humour and a shady past that some may find difficult to swallow but do stay with him. He is definitely one I shall remember and want to get to know better."

"This is a cracking police procedural extremely well researched. At times quite technical but wow did it get my interest as a fascinating read."

"The story itself was brilliant, what begins with a cover up in the past soon becomes clean up in present day. Someone is determined to get away with murder. More please."

"Holy moly!!! This is not what I was expecting from this book! Right from the start I was sucked into the story, and it completely threw me. The combination of realistic police procedural combined with dark humour, intrigue and suspense literally had me up all night!"

"The plot has been well planned out and carefully executed, I was wondering where it was going however all the threads are neatly woven together in the last third of the book to give a solid, satisfying ending."

"The book moves at a steady paces which picks up towards the end, and with every twist along the way it sends you speeding to the end on a rollercoaster ride."

"Bad to the Bone is a fantastic start to a new series with a great cast of characters. I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens next for Bliss and Chandler"

"This is a cracking police procedural extremely well researched. At times quite technical but wow did it get my interest as a fascinating read. The story itself was brilliant..."

"Really enjoyed this storyline. Liked the characters feel as if I know them personally and can't wait for a sequel."

"Thoroughly enjoyable read, had me turning the pages to find out what happened next."

"A new author for me but up there with the best of them - looking forward to the next one."

"A very good read! Oozes great potential for a TV Drama!!!"

"I don't normally write reviews but this book is deserving of one. A good storyline with engaging dialogue and interesting characters. Will be keeping an eye out for more by T J Forder."

"A classy thriller with great characters in the form of DI Bliss and DC Chandler. Well worth the read, and I look forward to more from this author."

"A truly gritty detective thriller that lays a labyrinth of deception and keeps you guessing to the end. I would love to see this as a series."

"One of the best books I have read could not put it down spent many a late night let have some more Tony."

'Really enjoyed this book. Brilliant storyline, well written, couldn't put it down! Loved the characters!'

'Five stars to Mr.Forder....kept me right on the edge...'

'A very good read with a twist in the end , I could not put it down.'

'I was taken aback back the ending as it comes as a complete surprise. Yes, would highly recommend this .'

Degrees of Darkness

Bad To The Bone

TONY J FORDER