Book Description
An Inspector Sony Russell Mystery – book one
Blood on the Tide is a story of the sea and boats, murder and Nazis and takes the reader through post-war France and Germany.
When a gruesomely mutilated body trussed up in a distinctive fashion washes up on a lonely stretch of the south coast in the 1950s, DI Sonny Russell is soon struggling to unravel an intriguingly knotty puzzle. And as more bodies, similarly tortured, appear he begins to realise that, for some at least, the war is far from over.
A trail of intrigue leads him to Europe where he befriends a French detective and together they set out to track down the villains.
Publication Details
Author: Chris O’Donoghue
Book Title: Blood on the Tide
Series: An Inspector Sonny Russell Mystery – book 1
Publisher: Boghopper Books
Publication Date: 24 September 2017
Format: Paperback
ASIN: B075WZ4K5X
Pages: 292
About the Author
Chris O’Donoghue is an author and writer whose work has been inspired by crime writers including Val McDermid, Alan Hunter and Ian Rankin. He has also written numerous articles for specialist railway periodicals. Chris lives by the sea in East Sussex, where he writes about his experiences and observations on his blog. Away from writing, he also has a passion for garden design and has won three medals at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.
You can find out more about Chris and his books on his website.
My Review
Blood on the Tide wasn’t the sort of crime novel I would normally have reached for, largely because historical crime and stories set around the war and post-war years aren’t usually my first choice. But one of the things I enjoy about being a book reviewer is the opportunity to step outside my usual reading habits, and this turned out to be a really enjoyable way to do exactly that.
Set in the 1950s, the novel immediately gave me the feel of the Dr Blake Mysteries, with its post-war setting and traditional whodunit atmosphere. It was a refreshing change from the contemporary crime fiction I usually find myself reading, and I really enjoyed getting to know the world the story created.
The writing was another highlight for me. There are some exciting twists along the way, while the descriptive detail really brings the period to life. I particularly appreciated how much care had clearly gone into creating the 1950s setting; it felt convincing without overwhelming the mystery itself.
And then there was Aggie. 🐶 Regular readers will know that I’m always rather pleased when a book comes with a dog, and Chris O’Donoghue’s Jack Russell certainly added an extra little something for me. It was lovely to see her included as part of the story rather than simply being there for the sake of it.
Overall, Blood on the Tide was a really enjoyable introduction to a genre that I wouldn’t normally choose for myself. It delivered an engaging mystery, an atmospheric setting and a wonderfully traditional cosy detective feel.
I came away from this one looking forward to seeing where the next instalment would take the story, and I’m pleased that stepping outside my usual reading choices paid off.
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