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DI Skelgill Investigates #21
Murder on the Farm
NEW FOR 2023 – STAND-ALONE, #21 IN THE SERIES. MEET MAVERICK BRITISH DETECTIVE DI SKELGILL... "A COMPELLING BRITISH CRIME MYSTERY."SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL ... A reality documentary crew is on the hunt for a victim. An unsolved murder from the 1970s that could leave the authorities red-faced. Celebrity criminologist Professor Simeon Freud plans to bask in the glory.
Posing as a researcher, DS Jones joins the production team, but Skelgill must work in the shadows. His instincts rebel – not least that his protégé is prey to a narcissist on the one hand and a killer on the other.
As evidence mounts, his unease is there an altogether more sinister explanation, a cover-up that will not just embarrass the police force, but shake its very foundations?
And will Skelgill get there first?
BRUCE BECKHAM is an award-winning author and copywriter. A resident of Great Britain, he has travelled and worked in over 60 countries. He is published in both fiction and non-fiction, and is a member of the UK Society of Authors.
His series ‘Inspector Skelgill Investigates’ features the recalcitrant Cumbrian detective Daniel Skelgill, and his loyal lieutenants, long-suffering Londoner DS Leyton and local high-flyer DS Emma Jones.
Set amidst the ancient landscapes of England’s Lake District, this expanding series of standalone murder mysteries has won acclaim across five continents, with over 1 million copies downloaded, from Australia to Japan and India, and from Brazil to Canada and the United States of America.
"Great characters. Great atmospheric locale. Great plots. What's not to like?"Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars
Posing as a researcher, DS Jones joins the production team, but Skelgill must work in the shadows. His instincts rebel – not least that his protégé is prey to a narcissist on the one hand and a killer on the other.
As evidence mounts, his unease is there an altogether more sinister explanation, a cover-up that will not just embarrass the police force, but shake its very foundations?
And will Skelgill get there first?
BRUCE BECKHAM is an award-winning author and copywriter. A resident of Great Britain, he has travelled and worked in over 60 countries. He is published in both fiction and non-fiction, and is a member of the UK Society of Authors.
His series ‘Inspector Skelgill Investigates’ features the recalcitrant Cumbrian detective Daniel Skelgill, and his loyal lieutenants, long-suffering Londoner DS Leyton and local high-flyer DS Emma Jones.
Set amidst the ancient landscapes of England’s Lake District, this expanding series of standalone murder mysteries has won acclaim across five continents, with over 1 million copies downloaded, from Australia to Japan and India, and from Brazil to Canada and the United States of America.
"Great characters. Great atmospheric locale. Great plots. What's not to like?"Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars
- GenresMystery
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2023
About the author
Bruce Beckham
157 books464 followersBRUCE BECKHAM brings a lifelong love of the outdoors to the contemporary crime novel. An award-winning, Amazon best-selling writer and member of the UK Society of Authors, he pens fiendish plots, vivid wild scenes and compelling dramas.
His series 'Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates' now extends to 24 standalone murder mysteries and 8 boxsets, and sells across five continents, from Japan and India to Brazil and the United States of America. Over one million copies have been downloaded worldwide.
Murder at Blind Beck (#25) was released in May 2025 and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2XQ46Z
You are welcome to contact Bruce directly through the Goodreads message system or via his publisher, at this address: lucius-ebooks@live.com
To sign up for his monthly newsletter please click the website link above, or send a friend request or click 'follow' - to receive updates of free Kindle downloads and Goodreads giveaways.
His series 'Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates' now extends to 24 standalone murder mysteries and 8 boxsets, and sells across five continents, from Japan and India to Brazil and the United States of America. Over one million copies have been downloaded worldwide.
Murder at Blind Beck (#25) was released in May 2025 and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2XQ46Z
You are welcome to contact Bruce directly through the Goodreads message system or via his publisher, at this address: lucius-ebooks@live.com
To sign up for his monthly newsletter please click the website link above, or send a friend request or click 'follow' - to receive updates of free Kindle downloads and Goodreads giveaways.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 5, 2026
A cold case is the subject of a podcast, and the team is investigating. A 17 year old was shot while making a delivery, and all signs point to Percy, a man who shot his best friend, went to prison, and is now free. The podcasters are paying him to review the crime along with a psychologist, who delights in baiting the obnoxious Percy. DS Jones is helping with the podcast undercover. Skelgill and the team put together the complicated set of circumstances of the case, and even get help from intrepid reporter Kendall Minto.
December 25, 2025
Skelgill and crew investigates a botched 40 year old case. Several people went to jail, but it's still unkown what happened.
Wading through all the description at the beginning was a real slog before the book actually starts.
Wading through all the description at the beginning was a real slog before the book actually starts.
July 15, 2023
Forty-year-old mysteries solved in absentia.
A pair of shotgun killings a year apart are brought to an almost satisfactory solution by a flamboyant TV detective/show host and a veteran Police Inspector who appears mentally sluggish until the surprising end. Good book; deserving of a read.
A pair of shotgun killings a year apart are brought to an almost satisfactory solution by a flamboyant TV detective/show host and a veteran Police Inspector who appears mentally sluggish until the surprising end. Good book; deserving of a read.
July 11, 2023
I have read this new book in the DI Skelgill series twice, first in the paperback edition and now in the Kindle edition. On both reads I was thoroughly engrossed from beginning to end. I found the plot both timely (centered around a podcast and a decades-old cold case) and riveting. And it was as ever a delight to spend time with the three intrepid detectives as they work to unravel the mystery. The climax was unexpected, surprising and totally satisfying. It was on the second read that I was able to see how masterfully Bruce Beckham constructed his story, with hints galore, recognized in hindsight. And his writing is as fine as ever. I do love this series and recommend it to anyone who will listen.
August 8, 2023
The 21st in this excellent series.
It must be hard to come up with something different each time within such close parameters. This time it is with the introduction of a film crew reconstructing an old case. As it seems almost a joint operation with the police, Jones becomes a production assistant to assist the flow of information both ways.
As well as the old murder, the team is working in secret on orders from 'above' to look at the handling of the original case and the Officer involved.
With Jones working with the TV team, Skelgill and Leyton do the leg work and their banter is as good as usual but I admit that I missed the interplay with Jones this time.
Keep them coming.
It must be hard to come up with something different each time within such close parameters. This time it is with the introduction of a film crew reconstructing an old case. As it seems almost a joint operation with the police, Jones becomes a production assistant to assist the flow of information both ways.
As well as the old murder, the team is working in secret on orders from 'above' to look at the handling of the original case and the Officer involved.
With Jones working with the TV team, Skelgill and Leyton do the leg work and their banter is as good as usual but I admit that I missed the interplay with Jones this time.
Keep them coming.
July 18, 2023
Excellent, as always
DI Skelgill books are amongst my favourites. This one didn’t disappoint. At the begging I am always a bit confused but as it goes on I get into the plot and really enjoy it. I was surprised that Skelgill was more worried than hungry in this one. And I was very happy to see more of Sg. Leyton , he always seems a bit lost behind Sg. jones, that generally takes over, this time it was his turn, and he didn’t disappoint either. I’ll be waiting for the next one.
DI Skelgill books are amongst my favourites. This one didn’t disappoint. At the begging I am always a bit confused but as it goes on I get into the plot and really enjoy it. I was surprised that Skelgill was more worried than hungry in this one. And I was very happy to see more of Sg. Leyton , he always seems a bit lost behind Sg. jones, that generally takes over, this time it was his turn, and he didn’t disappoint either. I’ll be waiting for the next one.
July 15, 2023
The most complex book in the Skelgill series to date delivers highly creative plotting and unique characters beyond imagining in this murder mystery like none other. I will definitely have to read this book a second time.
The team is assigned to work with a documentary outfit filming and sensationalizing events that led to murders and unsolved thefts.
There is a continual thread of the brightest wit as Skelgill and team work toward uncovering the truth.
Kindle Unlimited
The team is assigned to work with a documentary outfit filming and sensationalizing events that led to murders and unsolved thefts.
There is a continual thread of the brightest wit as Skelgill and team work toward uncovering the truth.
Kindle Unlimited
July 22, 2023
Unusual Start Unusual End
Wasn’t entirely sure what was going on when I started reading Murder on the Farm. It was not the usual Bruce Beckham beginning to one of Skelgill’s mysteries. However, the format was quickly sussed and then the unique play between the characters ensued. Right up to the end I had the guilty party in my sights, only for Beckham to twist the ending into something most unexpected!
Wasn’t entirely sure what was going on when I started reading Murder on the Farm. It was not the usual Bruce Beckham beginning to one of Skelgill’s mysteries. However, the format was quickly sussed and then the unique play between the characters ensued. Right up to the end I had the guilty party in my sights, only for Beckham to twist the ending into something most unexpected!
November 5, 2025
I’m inclined to agree with those who suggest a hard edit. I can accept the limitation of the ending: enough is resolved for me, and surely many cold cases must finish thus. It need not, however, have taken so long and involved so much tedious discourse to get there. I like the ordinariness of the explanations, the often mean motivations and the help rendered unwillingly and unwittingly. It is a tribute to ordinariness. It could, however, have been achieved more economically.
June 5, 2026
again, excellent
I love this series. The camaraderie between the three main characters is delightful. Skelgill’s thought processes always bring the case to a satisfactory conclusion. Additionally, I like the fact that if there is any unsavory behavior, it is alluded to rather than explicitly described. All in all these books are easy reads, quite enticing and pull the reader in until the end.
I love this series. The camaraderie between the three main characters is delightful. Skelgill’s thought processes always bring the case to a satisfactory conclusion. Additionally, I like the fact that if there is any unsavory behavior, it is alluded to rather than explicitly described. All in all these books are easy reads, quite enticing and pull the reader in until the end.
August 11, 2023
I almost gave up on it.
It dragged for way too long for me. I got bored with it. But I kept reading anyway. Finally about 80% along, the action picked up and my interest picked up as well. If the mid-third of the story could have moved along quicker, it wouldn't have been so boring for me. I have really liked all the Skelgill books until this one.
It dragged for way too long for me. I got bored with it. But I kept reading anyway. Finally about 80% along, the action picked up and my interest picked up as well. If the mid-third of the story could have moved along quicker, it wouldn't have been so boring for me. I have really liked all the Skelgill books until this one.
July 18, 2023
love the series.
Bruce Be khan writes in-depth characters whose strengths and foibles are relatable. The twists and turns keep you guessing and reading on. I’m just sad that I have to wait 6 months for the next book!
Bruce Be khan writes in-depth characters whose strengths and foibles are relatable. The twists and turns keep you guessing and reading on. I’m just sad that I have to wait 6 months for the next book!
July 22, 2023
DI Skelgill gets better
Another really good read. A cold case is being looked at by a media company, in the background DI Skelgill and his team are also working on the case, will it be solved and by which team?
Another really good read. A cold case is being looked at by a media company, in the background DI Skelgill and his team are also working on the case, will it be solved and by which team?
July 24, 2023
Another Skelgill another fascinating tale
I look forward to each and every story of DI Daniel Skelgill.
The latest is somewhat different but nonetheless intriguing.
A cold case for Skel and his very different colleagues.
I look forward to each and every story of DI Daniel Skelgill.
The latest is somewhat different but nonetheless intriguing.
A cold case for Skel and his very different colleagues.
September 2, 2023
A different story this time. Instead of finding dead bodies DI Skelgill and his DS's are given an old case to research while it's being filmed. They check and interview all the people that were involved with the murders.
March 13, 2024
After reading book 20 and hating it, I was a little apprehensive about reading this one. Beckham came through though with an absolute gem. Great story with a view into Skelgill and his human side. Loved the characters and the ending was perfect!
May 28, 2024
Love this author but not this book
ThIs novel was sadly very boring. They mention the same evidence over and over, etc., etc.
The characters were very anti-social and not what I wanted.
ThIs novel was sadly very boring. They mention the same evidence over and over, etc., etc.
The characters were very anti-social and not what I wanted.
September 14, 2024
Good but hard to get into
I normally like the Skelgill novels, but this one was a bit hard going.The plot seemed to take a long time to develop. There weren't as many scenes out in nature, either. I will keep reading them, however.
I normally like the Skelgill novels, but this one was a bit hard going.The plot seemed to take a long time to develop. There weren't as many scenes out in nature, either. I will keep reading them, however.
July 12, 2023
Who killed Will Featherston and why??? After much dialogue we must declare this story finally over!!! I enjoyed the story and recommended the book.
July 13, 2023
Clean Mystery
I have enjoyed reading this story and the previous stories in this series. Look forward to reading more by this author.
I have enjoyed reading this story and the previous stories in this series. Look forward to reading more by this author.
July 16, 2023
Different style
Another great Skelgill story. Very different format. Interesting and very thought provoking. I had no idea where it was going to end up. Highly recommend!
Another great Skelgill story. Very different format. Interesting and very thought provoking. I had no idea where it was going to end up. Highly recommend!
February 3, 2024
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series. All the characters are credible, interesting and developing. The plot lines are good and the setting always interesting.
I have really enjoyed this series. All the characters are credible, interesting and developing. The plot lines are good and the setting always interesting.
July 31, 2024
My least favourite in the series so far. Could do with some serious editing, of about 100 pages. Going nowhere slowly with an unsatisfactory ending
August 18, 2024
Clever. I never saw the twist coming. Highly recommended!
September 21, 2024
skelgill series still entertains
Takes a while to get going but second half flies along. Characters again hold the story together - loved the pike fishing.
Takes a while to get going but second half flies along. Characters again hold the story together - loved the pike fishing.
July 28, 2025
Competent.
September 14, 2023
I enjoy following all of DI Skelgill's investigations. I'm already looking forward to the next book in January!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews