Blood Red City Blog Tour

TITLE:  Blood Red City
AUTHOR: Rod Reynolds
PUBLISHER: Orenda Books
PUBLISHING DATE: June 11, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: A witness with no victim. A crime with no crime scene… 

When crusading journalist Lydia Wright is sent a video of an apparent murder on a London train, she thinks she's found the story to revive her career. But she can't find a victim, much less the killers, and the only witness has disappeared. Wary she's fallen for fake news, she begins to doubt her instincts – until a sinister call suggests that she's not the only one interested in the crime. 

Michael Stringer deals in information – and doesn't care which side of the law he finds himself on. But the murder on the train has left him exposed, and now he'll stop at nothing to discover what Lydia knows. 

When their paths collide, Lydia finds the story leads through a nightmare world, where money, power and politics intersect … and information is the only thing more dangerous than a bullet. 

A nerve-shattering and brutally realistic thriller, Blood Red City bursts with energy and grit from the opening page, twisting and feinting to a superb, unexpected ending that will leave you breathless. 

MY THOUGHTS: I've said several times that Orenda Books is one of my favorite thriller publishers and once again, they have failed to disappoint with Blood Red City.  The story takes place in the midst of a summer heatwave making it a near-perfect summer read.

Blood Red City featured Lydia, a crusading journalist always searching for the truth and Stringer, a "fixer" of all things dark and seedy.  Lydia is sent a video of a murder but she is unable to find evidence the crime occurred at all.  She's on a mission to determine if it was "fake news."  On the other hand, Stringer is looking at the situation from the opposite side of the law and he is having difficulty doing his job as well. The two team up to figure out what is going on - well, as good as two people from different sides of the law can.

I really enjoyed Lydia and quite liked the dynamic between her and Stringer.  I do tend to love a seedier noir tale from time to time and this book fit the bill.  It's quite evident that the author is writing about a town he knows and loves and London does tens to strike me as a character of its own.

If you liked action-packed books that keep you on the edge of your seat, then check this one out.  I will definitely be reading more from Reynolds in the future.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rod Reynolds is the author of four novels, including the Charlie Yates series.  A lifelong Londoner, in 2020 Orenda Books will publish the first book set in his hometown, Blood Red City.  Rod previously worked in advertising as a media buyer and holds a MA in novel writing.  Rod lives with his wife and family and spends most of his time trying to keep up with his two daughters.