Hello lovelies! Today as part of the re-publication celebrations, I’m re-sharing my review of Degrees of Darkness by Tony J Forder! It’s from way back in 2017 during my first year reviewing here on On The Shelf Reviews. It is also still one of my favourite novels by Tony Forder! Now a little about the book:
Title: Degrees of Darkness by Tony J Forder
Date Re-Published: 5th February 2021
Publisher: Spare Nib Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Description:
From the bestselling author of the addictive DI Bliss series and the compelling standalone novel, Fifteen Coffins, comes a dark, psychological journey into the nightmare world of a serial killer.
Nothing is ever entirely black or white.
Pre-teen girls are being abducted from their homes and their families murdered. When Frank Rogers, ex-DI with the Metropolitan Police, is told that his own daughter is missing, his son a victim, he sets aside his grief to help old colleagues investigate the case.
Soon Frank’s face is all over the news. And in an unexpected turn of events, the killer contacts the police to say he is willing to talk. But only to Frank.
When the body of the first abducted girl is discovered, Frank realises the investigation has become a race against time to save his daughter’s life.
In order to solve the case, Frank must work out how the killer is choosing his victims. To do that, he must first enter the killer’s mind. But is Frank able to drag himself into its darker reaches? And if so, will he be able to pull himself back?
First published by Bloodhound Books in 2017. Republished by Spare Nib Books February 2021.
You can buy your copy here: http://tiny.cc/gbm7tz
Review:
Frank Rodgers used to be a policeman until he quit and became a debt collector. He is pulled back into police work when his ex-wife and son are brutally murdered and his daughter goes missing. But she is not the first. Frank wants to make sure she is the last.
I have not read a more aptly named book this year. Degrees of Darkness is indeed a very dark book. It covers a lot of distressing subjects like murder, kidnapping and child abuse. It’s not for the faint of heart!
The serial killer in this book is one of the creepiest and most disturbing I have read for a while but I found them utterly fascinating.
As for the story, it really builds to a nail biting ending, you hope and pray that Frank gets his daughter back.
My only complaint was that it featured taxidermy, which featured in a book I read earlier this year, and frankly is one of those subjects that makes me a little queasy. (I know I read a lot about murder, I don’t quite know why taxidermy effects me so much).
Overall, a well written and fascinating book, and one I’d recommend to fans of Chris Carter.
About The Author:
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. These are currently unavailable, but will be back in 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 Bliss #8, The Autumn Tree.
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.
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