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Bob Skinner #17
Death's Door
The nation's sharpest cop, DCC Bob Skinner, desperately wants to stop a serial killer...
When two young female artists are murdered in what looks like ritualistic killings, the pressure is on to find a highly professional murderer. What is the link with the art world? Is the killer a disgruntled art critic? A twice-jilted lover? The arrival of the father of one of the victims, millionaire businessman Davor Boras, brings in the big guns of the Home Office, MI5 and the CIA. It's not long before Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner gets called back to the frontline. With an estranged son, a dubious assistant and connections in very high places, what is more important to Boras: business or family? There's too much at stake - there's going to be bloodshed - and Skinner's men are at risk of getting caught in the crossfire...
When two young female artists are murdered in what looks like ritualistic killings, the pressure is on to find a highly professional murderer. What is the link with the art world? Is the killer a disgruntled art critic? A twice-jilted lover? The arrival of the father of one of the victims, millionaire businessman Davor Boras, brings in the big guns of the Home Office, MI5 and the CIA. It's not long before Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner gets called back to the frontline. With an estranged son, a dubious assistant and connections in very high places, what is more important to Boras: business or family? There's too much at stake - there's going to be bloodshed - and Skinner's men are at risk of getting caught in the crossfire...
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
28 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
98 books247 followersQuintin Jardine (born 1945) is a Scottish author of three series of crime novels, featuring the fictional characters Bob Skinner, Oz Blackstone, and Primavera Blackstone. He was educated in Motherwell and in Glasgow where he studied at what was then the city’s only University. After career as a journalist, government information officer and media relations consultant, he took to the creation of crime fiction.
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 26, 2024
Quintin Jardine writes a number of serial style books about recurring characters. One of his recurring characters is Bob Skinner, the Deputy Chief Constable for the Edinburgh area of Scotland. By all accounts he's typical of most detectives these days. He bends rules when he needs to, and breaks them when he has no other alternative, but unlike most rule breaking cops, is liked by those he works with (and so has few of the flaws that are typically associated with the flawed detective).
The problem with this book is that Skinner doesn't appear in much of the book. Imagine having a Rankin book with a marginalised Rebus or a Christie crime novel with a marginalised Poirot or Marple and you've got an idea of what to expect here.
In this book, a police procedural if you hadn't guessed, Skinner's subordinates investigate the shooting deaths of two Edinburgh artists, the murder of one of their boyfriends, and the killing of a mutual friend of theirs.
While they do this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims, who has effectively put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
The book isn't bad, but it has three major problems as I see it. Firstly, it feels like a story that you've walked into, part way through. It's interesting, but you get the sense that there's this whole back story you're missing.
Secondly, it's almost too procedural. Anyone who has read more than a couple of detective novels in the past 10yrs (or watched a Law and Order episode for that matter) will knows that there are certain things that the police have to do (and that they face several problems during an investigation). This book covers every one of those problems (or feels like it does), and that slows the book down somewhat, which might be a problem for some people.
Finally it's missing its' central character, which to my mind is never a good sign, and one of his more significant replacements dies 75% of the way through, which doesn't help things I don't think.
In short, this isn't a bad book, but I'm inclined to suspect that Skinner's absence is the 1000lb gorilla in the room that no one mentions. So if you want to "get into" the Bob Skinner series, I wouldn't start here (as the Irish say about travel directions).
The problem with this book is that Skinner doesn't appear in much of the book. Imagine having a Rankin book with a marginalised Rebus or a Christie crime novel with a marginalised Poirot or Marple and you've got an idea of what to expect here.
In this book, a police procedural if you hadn't guessed, Skinner's subordinates investigate the shooting deaths of two Edinburgh artists, the murder of one of their boyfriends, and the killing of a mutual friend of theirs.
While they do this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims, who has effectively put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
The book isn't bad, but it has three major problems as I see it. Firstly, it feels like a story that you've walked into, part way through. It's interesting, but you get the sense that there's this whole back story you're missing.
Secondly, it's almost too procedural. Anyone who has read more than a couple of detective novels in the past 10yrs (or watched a Law and Order episode for that matter) will knows that there are certain things that the police have to do (and that they face several problems during an investigation). This book covers every one of those problems (or feels like it does), and that slows the book down somewhat, which might be a problem for some people.
Finally it's missing its' central character, which to my mind is never a good sign, and one of his more significant replacements dies 75% of the way through, which doesn't help things I don't think.
In short, this isn't a bad book, but I'm inclined to suspect that Skinner's absence is the 1000lb gorilla in the room that no one mentions. So if you want to "get into" the Bob Skinner series, I wouldn't start here (as the Irish say about travel directions).
July 31, 2012
An excellent story, well crafted and cleverly told. We are taken deeply into the lives and loves of the Edinburgh Police Division and maybe their are a few too many characters, but they all have a tale to tell. I enjoyed the clever building of suspense and the skill of DCC Bob Skinner to uncover the dastardly plot. Having only recently discovered this fine author I am working my way through his enormous work load. A great read!
September 10, 2020
4 1/2 - 5 star read. Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner series is one of the best police procedurals/mysteries/thrillers I've read and I am so enjoying the books. This book was #17 in the series. Bob Skinner is on sabbatical and his team has to deal with the discovery of the bodies of two young women, artists, and another body. It seems as if there is a serial killer on the loose and he is very cunning. The father of one of the victims is an extremely wealthy man with connections and he adds to the mix. One of the things I enjoy the most about this series is the strong character development and the story lines that mingle with the police business. In this book, a beloved character faces extreme happiness and devastating news. Can't wait to read #18. A very good and fast paced read.
October 11, 2019
Another out of order Bob Skinner mystery. Two artists are dead and their bodies laid out as in some sort of ritual. Investigation proves they knew each other and also had an older boyfriend in common. Skinner doesn’t appear too much in this book until the end where his gut tells him that the murderer’s suicide wasn’t suicide at all. Further investigations find that MI5 is involved and some things need to be covered up but Skinner pursues relentlessly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2020
DCC Bob Skinner, Edinburgh Scotland, steps out of sabbatical to assist his team in solving a perplexing serial killer case.
Quintin Jardine has a suave knack in taking you behind all of the case details, into the daily lives of the officers involved.
I've been a staunch Bob Skinner fan from the first Jardine novel read.
Quintin Jardine has a suave knack in taking you behind all of the case details, into the daily lives of the officers involved.
I've been a staunch Bob Skinner fan from the first Jardine novel read.
January 9, 2019
Enjoyable read delves into a dreadful series of murders and also into an untouchable family. Politics at the highest level clash with police work, but when one of his own officers die, Skinner is determined to rout out the evil however highly they are protected.
September 7, 2018
A good yarn, if far fetchec. But I'm over detective stories for a while.
July 21, 2020
A good read continuing Jardine’s improvement over the last few books. Oddly enough, the relative absence of Skinner for most of the book adds to story - always leaves you wondering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2022
Very good
May 2, 2023
Brilliant!
As soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. It’s very well written and was a fabulous read.
As soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. It’s very well written and was a fabulous read.
February 25, 2024
This is a really good series
June 3, 2016
This is easily the best book I've read this year (ok so it's only March, but still).
Managed somehow, again to pick a book from a series and not even one remotely close to the beginning of said series. But what a book. How this has not been turned into a BBC mystery series akin to Prime Suspect is a mystery in itself. It has all the right components , interesting and competent police men and women, very strong presence at the forefront, (so strong that Bob Skinner the lead man in question is on sabbatical and doesn't show up until the book is 3/4 the way done.) Very believable characters with real lives, relationships and problems, and in the end a kick ass police procedural.
Too bad I'm on one of my read through-the-alphabet things, or I might be forced to binge read the whole series. Well done Mr. Jardine!
Managed somehow, again to pick a book from a series and not even one remotely close to the beginning of said series. But what a book. How this has not been turned into a BBC mystery series akin to Prime Suspect is a mystery in itself. It has all the right components , interesting and competent police men and women, very strong presence at the forefront, (so strong that Bob Skinner the lead man in question is on sabbatical and doesn't show up until the book is 3/4 the way done.) Very believable characters with real lives, relationships and problems, and in the end a kick ass police procedural.
Too bad I'm on one of my read through-the-alphabet things, or I might be forced to binge read the whole series. Well done Mr. Jardine!
Read
May 14, 2012I had a hard time getting into the story. I liked what I read of the first few pages at the library.
For starters, there were too many 'personal' stories that got me confused. I was tempted to draw out who's who. The writing was good but I did not like that he carried on the personal lives from book to book. This is part of the Bob Skinner series.
The investigation was what I interest me and I like it. Plus, it involved of two artists which kindles my inspiration to paint one day.
The ending was what the title was all about - a death at the door. A major player is at the door of a very serious cancer case.
For starters, there were too many 'personal' stories that got me confused. I was tempted to draw out who's who. The writing was good but I did not like that he carried on the personal lives from book to book. This is part of the Bob Skinner series.
The investigation was what I interest me and I like it. Plus, it involved of two artists which kindles my inspiration to paint one day.
The ending was what the title was all about - a death at the door. A major player is at the door of a very serious cancer case.
May 5, 2012
This series just keeps getting better! I love the continuing stories about the recurring characters and especially the super-human skills and qualities of Bob Skinner. This book (#17) was compelling throughout, and by turns both funny and sad. The evil characters are truly evil -- I found myself on the edge of my seat often. One of the favourites dies, and I can't wait to get hold of the next book to see how the life of some of the others unfolds. I'm wearing out my Edinburgh A to Z, following the adventures.
December 8, 2014
Not bad...I had trouble keeping the characters straight. Would probably have been better to start with the first book in this series. Also, I hate it when a main character gets killed off! Injury is okay, but don't kill the character!
February 20, 2009
What an amazing book. Very emotional story with another brilliant plot. I cant believe I am nearly at the end of this series; it has been a addictive read through these books.
July 7, 2009
A police procedural (surprise!) from Scotland with a nasty twist of plot in the end.
December 21, 2011
Although I like the Bob Skinner Series. Great stories great characters. The most annoying thing about these sort of carry on books is the amount 0f characters in a single story.
Read
April 16, 2019Skinner doesn’t really get involved until the case is solved or is it????
Jardine introduces new characters and sadly surprises us by reducing the cast as well.
Lots of surprising reveals as the storyline continues.
Jardine introduces new characters and sadly surprises us by reducing the cast as well.
Lots of surprising reveals as the storyline continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews