When millionaire Leo Speight is found poisoned, Scotland's toughest cop is called in to solve the high-profile case...
Skinner joins his old team in a complex murder investigation in the twenty-ninth gripping mystery in Quintin Jardine's bestselling crime series. Praise for Jardine's compelling novels: 'A masterclass in how murder-mysteries ought to be written' Scots Magazine When millionaire Leo Speight is found poisoned at his Ayrshire mansion, Police Scotland has a tough case on its hands. Speight was a champion boxer with national hero status, and a long list of lovers and friends stand to benefit from his estate. Did one of them decide to speed things up? Or was jealousy or rivalry the motive? The Security Service wants to stay close to the investigation and they have just the man to send in: ex-Chief Constable Bob Skinner. Skinner might have retired from the police, but solving crimes is in his blood. Combining forces with DI Lottie Mann and DS Dan Provan of Serious Crimes, he's determined to see Speight's murderer put away for a long time. But there's a twist even Bob Skinner couldn't see coming... Available in audiobookBefore I start I will say this is one of my all time favourite crime series. I have read every single Bob Skinner book in order. This however is the first time I decided to get the book on both Kindle and Audio. It was great being able to flick from one to the other. I sat reading and when I had to get up to do things, I just turned it over to audio. The narration of the book was done magnificently. The different characters and their accents were brilliant. I will also add that for the best experience, read this series in order. It's so much better having a back story to the many many characters there are. So book 29, wowzerzzz… I loved this book just as much as I have all the others, I love the character of Bob Skinner, for me he's the Scottish Alex Cross. He's a first class Character with lots of baggage. He's the sort of man you want on your side and not against you. I'm loving how now in later books, the other characters are playing bigger parts in the story, although Bob Skinner is still around as he is now working for the Security Service. Millionaire Leo Speight is found poisoned Lottie Mann and Dan Proven are to head the team into finding his killer. Lottie is struggling with personal issues and despite this she still manages to be a great detective. She has her long time partner Dan watching her back at all times, in work and out. When you also have Big Bob on your side, any little problems can soon be ironed out. I'm loving how in these books the centre stage is not all for Bob Skinner, in his last book the character focus was all around Commander Neil McIlhenney and in book 27 the focus was around Bob's eldest daughter Alexis Skinner, this time around the character focus is more around Lottie Mann and Dan Proven. It's great being back with characters that feel like old friends. I did say in my review for book 27 that a spin off series featuring Alex Skinner would be awesome. I still think that. I am lucky enough to have just received an ARC of book 30, so I can't wait to dive into that one now I have finished this one. An OUTSTANDING series, where the quality of writing and storytelling has just gotten better. Sometimes with long running series you can start getting a bit bogged down with them, they start to fade off the more books are written. Well that's certainly not the case with this series.
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Will you look her in the eyes, just before she dies? A terrifying crime thriller that will set your pulse pounding. Perfect for fans of M. J. Arlidge, Robert Bryndza, and Angela Marsons.
On the streets of London, a vicious killer is using social media to turn murder into entertainment . . . I, Killer has posted two photos of his first victim online - Before Death and After Death. They've gone viral before DCI Fenton's team even discovers the body. Soon, another victim's photo is similarly posted . . . and so begins the killer's following. DCI Fenton is determined to discover the identity of I, Killer before another innocent life is claimed. Then the case takes a dark turn, and Fenton's search becomes a matter of life or death for him and his young daughter. But as I, Killer's body-count rises, his number of online followers is growing - and he loves to give his fans what they want . . .
I, Killer has posted two photos of his first victim online - Before Death and After Death. They've gone viral before DCI Fenton's team even discovers the body.
When the body is discovered, it is the body of Lauren Bishop. It's tasked to DCI Fenton and his team to try and find this killer. #Ikiller is trending on social media and he seems to be gaining a fan club that is feeding his ego. He needs to keep his fan's happy and give them what they want, which to him means more killings, more pictures posted online. This turned into a really good crime thriller, there was certainly enough going on to keep you interested in the story, and the odd twist to keep you guessing and leave you wanting more. A very well put together story that I think most crime fans would enjoy. I liked how social media was used, a very up to date storyline. DCI Fenton not only has his job to work on, he's also a single father. Balancing the job and parenting seems a little to much for him at time. I liked this aspect of the story as it made him seem more of a real person, a believable character. I would have liked to get to know DCI Fenton a little more, I don't think we got everything about him as a person, so hopefully this is going to become a series of books where we get to know him better. I think he's going to be a great character going forward. I look forward to reading more of this series. The Killing House - Claire McGowan #Review #PaulaMaGuire #Book6 @headlinepg @inkstainsclaire25/3/2018
Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire returns in THE KILLING HOUSE, the sixth novel in Claire McGowan's series. For fans of Sharon Bolton's DAISY IN CHAINS and Elly Griffiths' THE WOMAN IN BLUE. Peter James calls her novels 'astonishing, powerful and immensely satisfying'.
When a puzzling missing persons' case opens up in her hometown, forensic psychologist Paula Maguire can't help but return once more. Renovations at an abandoned farm have uncovered two bodies: a man known to be an IRA member missing since the nineties, and a young girl whose identity remains a mystery. As Paula attempts to discover who the girl is and why no one is looking for her, an anonymous tip-off claims that her own long-lost mother is also buried on the farm. When another girl is kidnapped, Paula must find the person responsible before more lives are destroyed. But there are explosive secrets still to surface. And even Paula can't predict that the investigation will strike at the heart of all she holds dear.
I have read and enjoyed all 6 books in the Paula Maguire series. It's been a great journey with her.
Book 6 is just as good, if not better than the others. I felt this time around one or two things were settled. Although there certainly is scope for a lot more of Paula Maguire, her character is first class. She's by no means perfect, yet wants to do the right thing, most of the time. She has a knack of getting herself into quite a bit of trouble at times. After moving to London to start a new life with her young daughter, it's not long before Paula ends up back in Ballyterrin. Back to the old ways in no time. Paula has returned when she was asked to help try to identify two bodies. The bodies have been found buried on a farm that is currently being renovated. It soon comes to light that Paula's mother, who as been missing for many years could have a link with this farm. Is Paula finally going to be able to solve the mystery of her missing mother, and find out once and for all if she is 'Dead or Alive'. Claire McGowan has certainly created a series here that drags you in, as each book ends you just can't wait for the next one. Superb writing that draws you in right from the word go.
From the Richard and Judy bestselling author Sarah Hilary. The phenomenal Marnie Rome returns in the outstanding follow up to the critically acclaimed SOMEONE ELSE'S SKIN.
Two young boys. Trapped underground in a bunker. Unable to understand why they are there. Desperate for someone to find them. Slowly realising that no-one will... Five years later, the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins. Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to them. For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this...
I'm still at it, still playing catch up with series i've neglected. Its forever ago since I read book one, and with book 5 due out soon, I thought it time I played catch up.
Here we are with book 2, a great start and story that held my attention from the word go. Back with DI Marnie Rome and her sidekick Noah Jake. This time around they are investigating the discovery of two children found in an underground bunker. But the Who, the what and the why is what they need to figure out. A difficult case to deal with and it's going to need every bit of super power they posess to get through it. A brilliant, interesting read the book kept my attention all the way through. I'm looking forward to the next one now.
A shocking murder at the Palace of Westminster draws Edinburgh's toughest cop into a complex new case...
Skinner is plunged into a web of politics and enemies in STATE SECRETS, the twenty-eighth mystery in Quintin Jardine's bestselling crime series. Not to be missed by readers of Ian Rankin and Peter May. Praise for Quintin Jardine's gritty novels: 'Well constructed, fast-paced...many an ingenious twist and turn' Observer Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is long out of the police force but trouble has a habit of following him around. So it is that he finds himself in the Palace of Westminster as a shocking act befalls the nation. Hours before the Prime Minister is due to make a controversial statement, she is discovered in her office with a letter opener driven through her skull. Is the act political? Personal? Or even one of terror? Skinner is swiftly enlisted by the Security Service to lead the investigation. Reunited with Met Police Commander Neil McIlhenney, he has forty-eight hours to crack the case - before the press unleash their wrath. There are many in the tangled web of government with cause to act. But the outcome will be one that not even Skinner himself could predict...
5* Read
Back with good old Bob. OHHH I do love a Bob Skinner book. Here we are at book 28 and I’m by no means sick of this series, if anything with each and every book I left wanting another one, then another one. I was late to the Skinner party so was very fortunate to read the first few back to back, I wish I could just be starting over with them all again now. I love how each book especially now we are so far into a series seems to bring back in a character that maybe you haven’t heard to much from in previous books. This time it’s the lovely gentle giant of Neil McIlhenney. Neil is now a Met Police Commander, It’s a good while since he and Bob have worked side by side. Its great how it just doesn’t seem to matter that Bob Skinner is no longer in the police force, the former Chief Constable still seems to be the go to guy when a big job needs big responsibilities. And this is certainly a big job, a top secret job that only someone with Bob’s experience could handle. A shocking murder at the Palace of Westminster has Bob and Neil working to a very tight time frame to try and figure out who could possible want to kill the Prime Minister just hours before she was to make a controversial statement. Was this act meant to silence the PM for good, or was it personal. Bob and Neil have this huge case on their hands yet as things need to be kept top secret they are working with limited means. And with only 48 hours of media blackout, can they get anywhere near uncovering the truths before the media find out just what exactly has happened. OH my Lord! What a read and a half that was. I loved every bit of this book. I was seriously engrossed from the very beginning and did not want to stop reading until I was at the end. Unfortunately real life gets in the way and occasionally I actually had to put the book down and do real life, stuff. I think any Bob Skinner fan will seriously enjoy this book, but any fans of crime fiction need to read this series. I also think it would be better reading in order, I think with a series this good that has gone on for 28 books then you owe it to yourself to know the back history of some of the characters. Bob Skinner Book 27
When supermodel Annette Bordeaux is found battered and strangled in her Edinburgh flat, former Chief Constable Bob Skinner's old team instantly have a global case on their hands.
The victim's husband, world-renowned footballer and recent Merrytown FC signing, is quickly discounted as a suspect. But there are others in the club with less watertight alibis... Two years out of the game, Skinner can't help getting his hands dirty. And as his old team work to convict the prime suspect, his own daughter, Alex, is the lawyer tasked with leading the defence. The opposing sides must work to find the culprit while the press watch on. But in this game, no one can be trusted, and there are murkier deeds still to uncover before the final whistle blows...
I can't believe this is book 27. Its been great following Bob Skinner for all these years, and I'm still enjoying the books now.
I was thrilled when this come through my letterbox, thrilled to receive a review copy. Bob Skinner has always made me think of A Scottish Alex Cross only better. He's one hell of a character and it's been an amazing journey so far with him through 27 books, I'm certainly hoping this series continues for a long time to come. This book features more of Bob's eldest Daughter Alexis Skinner. And it's brilliant to see her coming into her own now. I could almost see a spin off series featuring Alex. Now that would be awesome. Bob is now officially retired from the police force. But that certainly doesn't stop him from being a formidable character and still getting involved in cases. And this is certainly a difficult case, we are not looking for a killer, in this book. The police think they all ready know who it is. This is more a case of trying to prove why the accused didn't do it. In doing that Bob and Alexis are trying to figure out who really did. I have to admit I had no idea all the way through. Brilliantly written to leave you guessing right up to the end. It's great also to see all the familiar characters from previous books, and all the mini Bob Skinner clones coming into their own. This is a first class series of books and I have no problems recommending them to any crime fiction fan. I do believe this book could be read as a stand alone, but for me it's always better to read a series in order. Quintin Jardine certainly knows how to tell a story. Book 28 is available to pre-order now.
Have you read any of the Bob Skinner Books?
What do you think of them? Share your views in the comments below.
BROKEN is the second book in the DI Kate Burrows series: the only time Sunday Times bestseller Martina Cole has written from the perspective of the Old Bill. The 'undisputed queen of crime writing' (Guardian), Martina's unique, powerful storytelling will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Patricia Cornwell.
Children in Grantley are disappearing. At first they are found unscathed, but when one meets a dark end DI Kate Burrows knows the clock is ticking. Pushed to her limits, Kate needs the support of her lover now more than ever. But ex-gangster Patrick Kelly has troubles of his own. It's her toughest case yet, but Kate will stop at nothing to solve it. Even if it breaks her.
Broken is the second book to feature Di Kate Burrows. I first read this book Eleventy billion years ago. Or maybe around 17 years ago when it first come out.
I have decided to do a re read of this series so far, ready for Martina's new Book Damaged which is due out later this month. Having just finished the first book in my reread marathon, I couldn't wait to start this one. It's funny how much of a book you actually forget, and it was great being back with DI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly. This is proving to be a tough case for Kate, Children are going missing, It seems their mothers are seen trying to get rid of them. The children turn up and of course the Mothers deny everything. Can Kate and her team figure out what is going on, can they get anywhere with such a complex case, when it turns out things really are not as they seem, the case ramps up a level, and finding the answers become a little tougher. As well as work mounting up and becoming difficult, Kate is faced with problems with here gangster lover Patrick Kelly. Can this bond they think they have together ride out the storm, before the storm turns nasty. Another gripping read, and onto the next one, Hard Girls for me next. Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave a comment below and let us know. |
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