Murder In School

DI Skelgill Investigates #2

by Bruce Beckham

When a long-serving master at one of England’s leading public schools is found drowned in Bassenthwaite Lake, Detective Inspector Skelgill is called in to investigate his apparent suicide.

It soon becomes clear that senior members of staff are not all that they seem, and – while the school closes ranks – that Skelgill is scratching at the surface of a secretive power struggle for control of its highly lucrative operation.

A second violent suicide promises to throw the police off the scent, and the sudden mysterious disappearance of a VIP pupil threatens to cause panic in their ranks. In a race against time, Skelgill must piece together the clues, or face the unthinkable consequences of a third tragic death on his watch.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Procedural, Crime, Detective

268 pages, ebook

First published February 7, 2014

About the author

BRUCE 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.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chief sends Skelgill and company to a public (private here in the states) school, where the headmaster has drowned. Maybe a suicide, but then, maybe not.

Skelgill meanders around the school, trying to found anything out, and more weird things start to happen.

Pretty good, but a bit more conspiratorial than usual.

[T.A. Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very weak plot and the reasoning for why everything took place was a bit nonsensical.

There are an awful lot of sleuthing activities that are interesting to read but which yield no value to the mystery and are inexplicable as to what their purposes are, or why the MC Inspector had in mind by doing them. They are simply there to add pages.

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in School is an enjoyable and clever murder mystery. This is the first Inspector Skelgill book that I have read and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Bruce Beckham
Published: 07/02/2014

I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions.

I hadn't read any of the Inspector Skelgill Investigations but after reading this one (the second one in the series) I will definitely be reading more of this series.I thought that it was expertly written by a clearly very talented author. In this book he is investigating a suspicious drowning that occurs in the local Bassenthwaite Lake.
This novel is full of all the essentials that are needed for a great mystery novel, the characters are very well described so that while you are reading the novel you can picture them in your mind and try to figure out who the culprit is. The style of writing in this book is slightly different from any other murder mystery book that I have read as this one doesn't have flashbacks it is all in chronological order. This does make the novel easier to read as it flows very nicely.
This book is one that is very hard to put down as you can't wait to find out who did it, the ending of this book kept up to the excellence of the rest of the novel. If you like murder mystery books then this one will definitely be one that you will enjoy. I have found myself a new author and I cannot wait to read more books by this author!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for me as I wound up with a very big smile after truly enjoying this book for many good reasons. First, the writer is intelligent and is gifted in composition...including and excluding just the right amount of information to keep one in the dark as to who could be behind the murders at a select school, followed by the abduction of one of the young students, the son of Skelgill's Chief.

Beckham also possesses the talent for describing natural scenes as well as people, allowing the reader to feel as though they can hear the fish jump and can easily picture the characters so well portrayed. There are some notable experiences described including a brief and speedy trip with Jones to Singapore, approved by the Chief. From that point, the investigation back at the school for the two initial murders is slow but methodical with a healthy portion of fun and more than enough bacon rolls.

Highly Recommend this series!
Kindle Unlimited

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I liked the analysis of how Skelgill solves crime. The analogy of fly-fishing - the instinct based in accumulated knowledge, often not consciously known, makes sense. I liked the puzzle elements. The setting - both The Lakes and the school, and the skilfully woven theme of protecting privilege.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so after my introduction to Di Skelgill it was straight on to the second.

Like the first, this one was so easy to slip into and, reading one after the other, I realised the nice Taj Mahal link between them.

DS Leyton has returned to duty as Skelgill's number two but that doesn't stop him maintaining his working relationship with DS Jones who will be helping him on a unusually vague assignment to investigate the suicide of an old master at The Oakthwaite, a very selective Public school.

There's is still subtle humour together with plenty of atmospheric scene setting.

Skelgill's passion for fishing paints glorious pictures of Bassenthwaite Lake as dawn breaks and the siting of the numerous bacon buttie vans could be useful for potential visitors to the area.

A good storyline with frequently changing persons of suspicion. However the lack of a vital piece of information until later in the Book makes early DIY sleuthing a bit difficult. So just sit back and enjoy

After it took me so long to start this series , its now onto number 3, I think.

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two apparent suicides and a missing child lead Skelgill and company to investigate at an upscale public school with a long and rich past. Getting past the lack of cooperation and snobbery of the headmaster, discovering the facts from the red herrings, and hashing out what is really going on at the school is a struggle for the police, but Skelgill is equal to the task.

I really enjoyed reading this one. Again, Beckham's descriptions are just beautiful and I felt like I could see exactly what Inspector Skelgill saw as he looked at the Lake District scenery. The characters were more fully developed, the mystery was suitably frustrating and interesting at the same time, and I'm getting more into Skelgill's head to understand how he puts things together. I'm hoping the rest of the series is as good as this one.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character is ok and I especially like DS Jones who makes occasional appearances in this book. However, the plot is very slow moving and there is too much about fishing and food. The author also has a somewhat unusual writing style with lots of passive voice and past tense.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent book in the Inspector Skelgill series. What I particularly liked was that it came right on the heels of the first story which means I don't need to be concerned that when I get to book 13 Skelgill will be retired (Bosch)

In this episode Skelgill & pals (DSs Jones & Leyton) are asked to look into a suicide at the local posh boarding school. Things quickly appear odd and get odder by the moment.

In the previous book I called out the author for getting too detailed about a cricket match. In this book there was another similar experience and I was so disinterested in it I can't recall it for review purposes except to say I was probably skimming that part of the story.
Thus the 4 stars.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a good "whodunnit" and this was a nice introduction to this author's writing. A+ for plot twists! Set in the UK, and written by a British author, it has lots of British terms and innuendo. I read it easily in 2 evenings and would recommend.

One thing I really liked is that the chapters proceed in chronological order -- no flashbacks. For this reason it is a pretty straight-forward and easy to follow read. The plot has just enough characters to be interesting and not too many to keep straight. The writing style is solid. Nothing gory and minimal sexual innuendo (a good read for those who like to concentrate on who did it and not on the gruesome details or the sexual conquests of the investigators).

The books starts and ends well -- in places between these poles it gets a little bogged down waiting for something to happen. The officers are "investigating" but even they are not sure why. The ending ties up the loose ends nicely, but it is easy to get impatient waiting. In large part, the author attributes the delay to Skelgill simply waiting for all the pieces of the mystery to gel in his head, which is not a particularly great explanation.

I was the random recipient of an advance reader's copy of this book through Goodreads; I have no connection with this author or publisher and this is my honest opinion about this work.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I find the third person, present tense, narrative irritating and distracting, I found the makings of a good story in the first book in the series of which this is the 2nd. I had slightly more of a problem with this one, yes, there is once again the framework for a good story but there were things about it which were just too incredible. Why on earth would the Chief Constable tell a DI to investigate an apparent suicide without giving him any information on why she thought it needed investigating and not allowing him to tell anyone he interviewed that he was investigating it so that he needed to invent a reason for asking questions about it. Her actions become even more illogical later in the story but to explain that would give away some of the plot. It just wouldn’t happen.

I am torn over the extensive descriptions of the Cumbrian scenery, they do give a flavour of the area and help to a certain extent but are somewhat overdone, distracting from the action of the story and as for the descriptions of fishing . . definitely too much detail and far too often. It strikes me that the activities which DI Skelgill is passionate about, are the passions of the author and he is, frankly, indulging himself. I found that on occasion, I could skip a couple of pages and miss nothing of the happenings, so therefore, I did.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beckham is into his stride with this book, the second in his Inspector Skelgill series. He is more in control of his material, moves the plot along at a good pace and continues to amuse with his reflections on life and his repartee with colleagues.

Skelgill is a man whose passions are fly-fishing and walking the fells of the Lake District and both contribute to his detective skills - through his intuitive sensing of how different elements come together to catch a fish and through the work that his brain does unconsciously as he fishes or walks. I enjoyed the way Beckham developed these aspects of his character.

I was initially disappointed that his previous offsider, Emma Jones, had gone back to her old position but Skelgill’s regular sidekick, DS Leyton, turns out to be an amusing character in his own right and an excellent foil. Detective fiction is full of such duos and this seems to be another successful one. The writer also manages to reintroduce Jones at various stages of the story so that the sexual frisson developed in the first novel is allowed to continue - but not too far (yet!)

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A suspicious drowning in Bassenthwaite Lake brings Skelgill to investigate if it's a suicide or murder. Then another suspicious death and the disappearance of a student has Skelgill certain things are not right at the school.. He asks DS Jones to assist with the investigation and they soon figure it out. Bruce Beckham is a well gifted writer. His story flowed easily and was quite enjoyable. I did have a little bit of a problem with some of the words and descriptions since we are from different countries and there is different usage of certain words and different words that were new to me. If you like murder mysteries, take a look at this one.

I thank the author for sending me an electronic version of his book.

[Judy Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Murder Mystery!

A Good Murder Mystery!

I like this series because there's no blood and guts. If it were made into a movie the kids could go see it. At the same time, I've never been able to determine the murderer. That's okay as it's suspenseful right up to the end. Great characters in DI Skelgill and DC Jones and Leyton.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. The detectives are distinctive. Unfortunately, I didn't warm to them and I lost interest in the investigation.

[Mahendra Palsule · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak plot. Few suspects. Most of the time in the book Inspector Skelgill is wandering around not doing much. Boring book, never gripped me.

[Viragored · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read books in a series back to back, but I did this one. Again I enjoyed the story, the way the plot progresses, the false leads and red herrings leading up to the final unravelling of the mystery. Old-school police procedural is a style I really enjoy reading.
When I reviewed the first book in the series, I commented on the writing style - it's ponderous in places. This one still has its share of heavy and complex sentences, but it felt like an easier read so I thought I might be growing accustomed to the author's style. Then I read a comment he'd made that ten years separate his writing of the first two books in the series and he had substantially changed his writing style in that time - and this book is much better for it. If only he'd shift from passive English to active English sentences I'd be delighted to put the fifth star on my review. Having to re-read a five-line sentence full of asides is a bit of a downer for me even though the story is enjoyable.
But overall it's worth reading. I'll soon read the next one in the series and hope to enjoy it even more than this. The characters are growing, the settings well-described, and the story-line works well.
My favourite line in the book? The final line, which says so little yet so much: "She can have the sofa bed."

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Inspector Skelgill book.
He has lost (his possible love interest from the first book) Sergeant Jones and is paired with his usual partner Sergeant Leyton.
The pair are asked by their chief to look into a suicide at an exclusive school. Why exactly they are to do this is not made clear to them.
Before they have got very far in their investigation another death occurs and then a child goes missing. Skelgill, though he has his trusty sidekick, takes every opportunity to poach Sergeant Jones from the case she is on to help out as the case begins to meander about. Are they investigating murder or kidnapping or both? Are the Head and deputy of the school to be trusted? Why did the Chief of Police insist they look into an apparent suicide. Will Skelgill and Jones succumb to more than a peck on the cheek?
Full of interesting characters and the wonderful scenery of the Lake District as Skelgill fishes and hill climbs his way around his home patch to get to the bottom of what is going on.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is much to like in this series. After two books, I'm already fond of the hero, Cumbria's DI and local fisherman, Daniel Skelgill as well as the new girl in his life, DS Emma Jones. The setting for the mysteries, the beautiful Lakes District of Northern England, I find absolutely enchanting. Even though I have never been there, my material grandfather was born not far away in Barrow-in Furness and subsequently, the area calls to me.

The only "fly" so to speak is that the author has insisted on writing these mysteries in present tense which I absolutely hate. Also I can't quite figure out the point of view being used. Unfortunately it looks like he is going to continue so I will just have to muddle through however many there are left. But no matter how interesting they could be, it spoils it for me enough that so far I can only give them 3 stars. Written in third person, past tense, no doubt I would probably give them a 4 star rating. Too bad.

[JD Crittendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want a Bacon Roll!

Detective Inspector Skelgill and his detective Sergeants Jones and Leyton are ask to investigate a suicide at a prestigious school, Oakthwaite by his boss, the Chief who happens to have a son enrolled at the school. Within the next few days, another employee commits suicide and the Chief’s son goes missing.
This is a somewhat slow paced murder mystery with lots scenic details, you can almost smell the woodland and grassy knolls or fells. Inspector Skelgill is methodical and a bit leisurely investigator. Every detective now days have quirks, Inspector Skelgill like to eat. By the end of the story I wanted one of those bacon rolls. It’s a English thing.
If you like Agatha Christie’s murders mysteries, you will like author, Bruce Beckham style and pacing. This is the second novel in the Inspector Skelgill series, I will definitely be reading more of Inspector Skelgill.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in this series for me, and I am thoroughly enjoying this detective, who is an avid fisher and outdoors man in the Lake District of England. He's a bit of a character and plays the bumbling detective well when necessary, but his instincts are generally spot on. In this one he is sent by the Chief to investigate a suicide at an exclusive private school where her son is a student. Before it's all over there is another alleged suicide and the disappearance of the Chief's son to investigate. I have seen some reviewers say they find the story slow, but I enjoyed the gentle pace, and loved the analogy between Skelgill's fishing instincts and his investigating instincts. If you like slightly cerebral mysteries set in England, you might want to take a look at this series.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice little story.

I'm starting to get a good feeling about Skelgill. I'm warming up to his persona. This is the second in the series and it was very enjoyable. It seems as though the Author leaves quite a few loose ends in his wrapping up a story and I find that troubling. Other than that small irritation, the story was all-time and a very interesting plot with twists and "red herrings" create some obvious distraction. Although the jaunt to Singapore was somewhat unnecessary. I guess it helps in developing the relationship between Skelgill and his Sergeant. I Will be continuing this series. There certainly are a number of books. It's nice that Mr. Beckham isn't for want of inspiration.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the Editor's Note clearly states that this novel (and all others in the series) is a "stand-alone whodunit", I take issue with that descriptor. The novels are part of a series, and each novel builds on the reader's knowledge of the characters and the environment in which they work. The building background helps the reader predict how Skelgill and his colleagues will react to new challenges.

I'm not sure about the credibility of the plot of this one but I enjoyed it none-the-less. Much less of the conversation was in local dialect, which was a bit of a relief, but possibly that was because Skelgill interacted with fewer locals. Skelgill himself comes across as a multi-skilled (physically) rough diamond, tough, but likeable. 

I can feel myself becoming addicted...

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why it took so long to get through this second installment of DI Skelgill. Too much tramping through the moors and private school campus with no real clues as to what is going on. Also, the passages about fishing and Skelgill's methodology in seeking out the big ones and their locations seemed too long and convoluted. Much like the book itself--too many characters and too little clarity to the connections between them and the two murder victims. Felt like lots of wasted time and muddled thinking with the only real action taking place in the last 25 pages. What's the relationship between Skellgill and Jones, anyway?

Will move to the third book, only because I liked the first and hope this one is a fluke of circular, convoluted prose.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is as much as you would expect from a crime novel set in the British Lake District. Detective Inspector Skegill is an outdoors man, liking nothing better than being on Grassmere fishing or out running on the fells. His Sergeant, by contrast, is an overweight Londoner happy to plod and be with his family and pick up pieces later. There is also Detective Sergeant Jones, who might become a love interest in future stories. Set in the tight-knit community of an English Public School and Grassmere, there is soon a surfeit of bodies, a seemingly unconcerned headmaster, and then a missing boy. All the ingredients that might be expected. A good listen from Audible and narrated by Jonathan Kebble.

3 stars.

[Pamela Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why, yes I will have a bacon roll. It was bacon rolls all round as DS Leyton returns from his annual holiday and is back to being Skegill’s regular partner. There is a lot going on at the local private school where the teachers think they are above the law, where 2 apparently suicides occur and the kidnapping of Skegill’s boss’s son. All this and he still manages a flying visit with DS Jones to Singapore.

Once again the beauty of the lakes is highlighted, the humour is at its driest and our trio are most definitely on the case in between feeding their faces and drinking copious amounts of tea that is.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Bruce Beckham Inspector Skelgill book. Based in the Lake District, one of my favourite places. One of the teachers from a private school by Bassenthwaite Lake is found drowned. Is it suicide or is it murder? When a second apparent suicide takes place, the mystery thickens. A nice wee trip around Cumbria, also fitting in London and Singapore. Bruce Beckham knows the Lake District well. I had forgotten that Bassenthwaite Lake is basically a very large puddle. Plenty more in the series to check out. I love discovering new authors.

Ray Smillie

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Detective Skelgill mystery!

Bruce Beckham's Detective Skelgill is such a fun character. He is always hungry, loves to fish, and always solves the case. His methods are often unusual and confusing to the other officers. He is tasked to determine if a death at an exclusive school is suicide or murder. During the investigation there is a second suicide or murder. Next, a student is missing who happens to be the police chief's son. There are lots of suspects and lots of questions to keep the reader's interest. A very good read.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such Excellent Writing!

Here is a consummate master of the English language and its many dialects and idioms. Love the Cockney Rhyming Slang thrown in too. A wonderful whodunnit at a posh public school whose archaic ways are a mystery to the locals, except for the police chief who has a son attending. Delicious local Lake District colour and some fine plotting and characters. One line I loved: "...her lips glisten like a sticky crimson flytrap..." tho I still can't figure out who the woman was. Perhaps the reporter???