Living is a Problem

The Skelfs #6

by Doug Johnstone

Drones, gangland vendettas, a missing choir singer, disturbances in the cemetery, PTSD, panpsychism, and secrets from the past … This can ONLY mean one thing! The Skelfs are back, and things are as nail-biting, tense and warmly funny as ever!

'Hurroo! The Skelfs — Edinburgh funeral directors and part-time private eyes — are back … the persistence of love in the Skelf household, no matter what fate flings at it, is reassuring and life-affirming' The Times Book of the Month

_______________

The Skelf women are back on an even keel after everything they've been through. But when a funeral they're conducting is attacked by a drone, Jenny fears they're in the middle of an Edinburgh gangland vendetta.

At the same time, Yana, a Ukrainian member of the refugee choir that plays with Dorothy's band, has gone missing. Searching for her leads Dorothy into strange and ominous territory.

And Brodie, the newest member of the extended Skelf family, comes to Hannah with a Something or someone has been disturbing the grave of his stillborn son.

Everything is changing for the Skelfs … Dorothy's boyfriend Thomas is suffering PTSD after previous violent trauma, Jenny and Archie are becoming close, and Hannah's case leads her to consider the curious concept of panpsychism, which brings new danger … while ghosts from the family's past return to threaten their very lives.

Funny, shocking and profound, Living Is A Problem is the highly anticipated sixth instalment of the unforgettable Skelfs series – shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Novel and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Book of the Year – where life and death become intertwined more than ever before…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2024

About the author

Doug Johnstone is a writer, musician and journalist based in Edinburgh. His fourth novel, Hit & Run, was published by Faber and Faber in 2012. His previous novel, Smokeheads, was published in March 2011, also by Faber. Before that he published two novels with Penguin, Tombstoning (2006) and The Ossians (2008), which received praise from the likes of Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin and Christopher Brookmyre. Doug is currently writer in residence at the University of Strathclyde. He has had short stories appear in various publications, and since 1999 he has worked as a freelance arts journalist, primarily covering music and literature. He grew up in Arbroath and lives in Portobello, Edinburgh with his wife and two children. He loves drinking malt whisky and playing football, not necessarily at the same time.

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a shadow of a doubt,  Doug Johnstone is one of the finest writers that Scotland has produced, be it within the crime fiction genre, or equally as illustrated by his recent foray into speculative fiction. His fiction is always challenging, always thought provoking, and always written with a nuance and sensitivity that I have seldom seen so consistently from any other writer. This series of books, of which Living Is A Problem is the sixth instalment, is merely further proof of my bold claim, and once again the glorious Skelf family find themselves wrestling with the inherent sadness, difficulties and joy of life, love, grief and death.

Strap yourselves in, we have a lot to get through...

I always experience a frisson of excitement at the release of a new book in this series, so, of course, I could not wait to immerse myself back into the world of The Skelfs: Natural Undertakers and Private Investigators as they have newly re-named their day-to-day business. Again, Johnstone restructures the narrative to put a slightly bigger focus on one of these redoubtable women, and Dorothy- the matriarchal head of the clan- comes into a sharper focus in this book, with her daughter Jenny, and her granddaughter Hannah on a more moderately even keel in this instalment. I can only reiterate the skill and sensitivity with which Johnstone writes these characters, and to quote the great Sigourney Weaver:

“I’m always asked why I play strong women and I always think that’s such a weird question because I just play women and women are strong and women don’t give up. You know why? We can’t. We have to do it”

and this is exactly the strength that he brings to this triumvirate of women, forging through life, taking on all comers and keeping as true to their beliefs, personal moral compass' and defending the underdog, no matter what danger this leads them into. Dorothy is starting to ruminate more on her own longevity, revisiting her life and choices with more regularity, but reassuringly regretting little. She is still solely focussed on bringing people together and connecting them with music, embracing their differences so that these differences become their communal strength. Her seemingly strong relationship with ex-detective Thomas Olsson is under an inordinate amount of strain, and the events of the previous book hover menacingly over the occurrences in this one, with some heart-rending outcomes. She also becomes increasingly embroiled in the disappearance of a Ukrainian woman, which leads to some disturbing revelations, and even more worryingly has a vengeful, murderous police officer on her tail.

Jenny, at last, is experiencing some kind of equanimity in her life, with her beautifully tentative, but blossoming relationship with Archie, an employee of the Skelfs. I've enjoyed the gradual building up of this romantic interlude, and empathise with Jenny's questioning of, and ruminating on, her actually being deserving of this shred of happiness, and how quickly she believes that she'll mess it up. Having experienced a series of coercive and damaging entanglements with men, Jenny is desperate to break the cycle, but can she? Oh, and she also finds herself on the receiving end of the same vengeful, murderous police officer...

Actually said vengeful, murderous police offer is nothing if not consistent, as he's also set his sights on Jenny's daughter Hannah, who pleasingly is confortably settled with her wife Indy, but still eager to satisfy her innate curiosity about this world and beyond. She finds another outlet for her intellect exploring panpsychism ( a whole different way of connecting with the world and everything within it, which is absolutely intriguing but sometimes problematical. Yes I've been reading more about it) She is also helping Brodie (one of Dorothy's strays and now an employee) with some personal issues, which led me to thinking about the male characters from a different perspective.

I think it's interesting that all three main male characters, Thomas, Archie and Brodie, are only really observed by us through the prism of Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah, and their interactions with them, and don't really inhabit much of a space where we see them as kind of independent constructs with their own interior monologues. Thomas is obviously going through the mill, but we only see this in his interaction with Dorothy, Archie is seen mostly through the slightly misty love goggles of Jenny, but he is a total darling, and Hannah is a conduit for Brodie's problems and insecurities. I'm fascinated by this structure and how it works in terms of the characterisation and narrative throughout not only this book, but in retrospect the whole series to date.

During the series, there has been a consistent keeping up with the very latest innovations in the funeral business and new ways of marking the passage of life to death and beyond. I find this absolutely fascinating, and the powerful impetus on the part of the Skelfs, spearheaded by Dorothy in particular, to leave a green legacy with little environmental impact in their wake. From repurposing land to plant trees providing a natural burial site, stopping the use of chemicals, water cremation/resomation, or the revelatory mushroom suit burial, the subject of death becomes far less portentous, as it can be so readily incorporated into a positive plan for the future, and giving back to a planet so mindlessly pillaged in the past and present. The Skelfs know that none of them will probably see the fruits of their environmental endeavours, but their selfless willingness to experiment and innovate speaks volumes about their integrity as a family and as a business.

And then there's Edinburgh. Beautiful, multi-faceted and complicated Edinburgh, that Johnstone makes into a character all of its own. He has much to say about the gentrification of more areas of the city, how this impacts on the populace, and the provision of housing and services for those with less. He also takes us on an exploration of its secret nooks and crannies, and how they have fed into the history of this wonderful city, and revealing places that may go largely unnoticed. The city is portrayed as a living, breathing organism at the heart of the book, and only adds further to the enjoyment of reading.

Lastly, and congratulations for making it to the end of my diatribe, I can't stress enough what an utterly brilliant and satisfying read Living Is A Problem is.

Actually scratch that, and just go ahead and indulge yourself in the whole Skelf series.

You won't regret it for a single second. Just perfection.

[Wendy Greenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Undertakers run by three generations of women, who have a sideline as private eyes.

It is so wonderful to slip back into the lives of Dorothy, in her 70s and a drummer. Jenny ex-alcoholic who killed her abusive husband and Hannah, married, gay and an astrophysicist. Johnstone really insinuates the reader into this very niche world on the streets of Edinburgh.

This is a continuation of their stories and surrounding events and is as dark, quirky and page turning as the others in the series.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skelfs are back in another tense and gripping thriller.

There are major changes to the business. Instead of being ‘Funeral Directors and Private Investigators’, the Skelfs are now ‘Natural Undertakers and Private Investigators’. They have moved away from the toxic embalming and are now undertaking climate-friendly funerals, such as mushroom suits, terramation (human composting), and no more embalming. Well done, Skelfs!

Fraser Fulton’s funeral is interrupted by a drone spraying pepper spray all over the mourners. Fraser was serving time for an attempted murder in nearby Saughton Prison, and Jenny investigates whether a rival Edinburgh gang could be responsible.

Meanwhile, a woman from Dorothy’s band goes missing. She’s called Yana and is a refugee from Ukraine. She fled to the UK with her two children, Olena and Roman, and her mother-in-law, Veronika. Yana’s husband died fighting for his country. Dorothy knows that this behaviour is very unlike Yana’s. Why would a woman abandon her children?

Meanwhile, Hannah feels lost after completing her PhD in astrophysics. When Brodie, a man working for the Skelfs, tells her that his son’s grave was disturbed, she takes on his case. Brodie immediately suspects his ex, Phoebe, who is the baby’s mother. Is he right?

When a second funeral is interrupted by a drone, can the explanation lie closer to home? The women have no idea that their lives may be in danger and that someone is watching their every move…

This is the sixth installment in the Skelfs series. You can read it as a standalone novel, but I wholeheartedly recommend that you read the previous books in the series, as they all connect.

I loved this book. In the past, I admired how the Skelfs were heading towards more eco-friendly funerals, but now they have all gone natural. I just wish that more undertakers would move in the same direction. Embalming is such a harmful process to the environment, not to mention, quite undignified for the deceased.

I really liked the links to panpsychism, a notion that the universe and all of its elements are conscious. This shows how philosophy and physics intertwine and can complement each other.

Overall, it’s a fabulous book with an explosive ending. What will happen to the Skelfs? Time will tell.

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first five books, I've discovered I just can't get enough of Doug Johnstone's Skelf series. If anything, I found it even more enjoyable than the first five books, due to the fact that now I'm familiar with the characters, and they have become almost like friends. If ever there was a 'character-rich' series, this is it.

With a unique family dynamic, and an unusual family business, this series had me hooked from the beginning. The Skelf women are memorable, moral, and endearingly authentic.

In addition to the family's personal stories, I enjoyed following the cases they were working on throughout the book, and how the women support one another. In this novel all three Skelf women have interesting, and at times dangerous cases, with some carry-over from the previous book.

Set in Edinburgh, the novel explores themes of parental grief, PTSD, police corruption, environmentalism, and the importance of family ties.

The author's obvious affection for his home city permeates the entire novel - as does his love of music and science. Johnstone has managed that unique balance of tension and comfort, poignancy and humour, that makes his books so enjoyable.

Written with empathy and skill, this crime novel displayed a richness in characterization along with unique and clever plotting that makes this series stand out from its peers.  The books read like a pleasing cross between crime thriller and literary fiction. I continue to find the three strong female protagonists fascinating, and I am eager to read more about their lives and exploits in further books. I'm definitely an ardent Skelfs fan.  The ending of this novel holds both sadness and hope. The entire series is brilliant,  life-affirming, quality literary crime fiction.  Highly recommended!

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better than #5, but readers still have to believe lots of impossible things before (and after) breakfast.

[J Fearnley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drone attacks Funeral attendees!

Jennifer and Archie are officiating at a graveside when a drone attacks the funeral goers with pepper spray! The dead man, Fraser Fulton, is a convicted killer is this an act of revenge? Much to her son’s annoyance the widow, Ellen, asks Jenny to investigate. Can she get to the bottom of the matter or will there be a gangland bloodbath?

Jenny and Archie’s relationship is going along well.

Yana is missing!

Dorothy is at choir practice when she is approached by two of the choir. Their friend Yana seems to have disappeared, will Dorothy investigate?

Meanwhile, Dorothy’s beau Thomas, is not recovering well from the injuries and trauma he sustained during the last episode of the Skelfs. He retired from the Police but is suffering from PTSD.

Child’s grave vandalised!

The latest recruit into The Skelfs business, Brodie, is meeting with the groundskeeper at the cemetery when he visits the grave of Jack, his stillborn child. There is an odd disturbance of the ground beneath the grave. Once he is sure it’s not been made by any kind of animal he’s certain it’s his ex girlfriend has done it and asks Hannah to help.

Hannah has completed her PHD but through one of her lecturers is accessing further learning and attends a lecture on IIT and finds it fascinating. The lecturer gives Hannah her card and indicates she is looking for recruits. Indie, Hannah’s partner, is growing more and more into her role in the undertaker work.

Oh my, The Skelfs are back!

It’s been a while since the big case in the last book and Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah seem to be coping but Thomas definitely isn’t! Jenny checks out the Fulton’s rival but when the next funeral is attacked by a drone the three of them know it’s nothing to do with gang land rivalry. If only it was! No, this is definitely the work of Webster. The cop who raped and murdered and then, when suspicion fell firmly on his shoulders, tried to kill Dorothy and Thomas! What a nightmare it was. It’s been bad enough seeing Webster and his sidekick, Low, out on bail and a trial seems a long way off. Now this!

When Low dies having committed suicide it makes getting a guilty verdict or even a trial for Webster seem much more difficult.

As each of the Skelf women pursues their case they find themselves in uncomfortable and dangerous situations which they believe are the result of Webster trying to intimidate them. Jenny takes some direct action which leads to her being confronted by Webster. Each time they report anything to Griffiths the detective in charge of the investigation into Webster and Low nothing seems to be done about it and then they are told that evidence has gone missing!

Tomas is on a downward spiral and Dorothy isn’t getting through to him. With all that is going on Dorothy is questioning whether she has the strength to carry on in the Skelf business.

Hannah gets more concerned about Brodie and asks a new acquaintance to intervene. When she finally discovers who is behind the incident at Jack’s grave it turns into an opportunity to help not only Brodie but all the family who have been grieving.

Jenny’s relationship with Archie is testing boundaries she never thought she could get through. She seems to be more content than she ever has been. The business with Webster has her angry and determined to get evidence to get him convicted. It seems someone else has similar determination but has a different intent!

Throughout the book there are fascinating new ideas being put into practice in the undertaking side of the Skelf business and this along with the work being done on a piece of land is making it a very exciting project. It’s really interesting and sounds like a really good way to move forward. They are continuing to have community funerals for those who appear to have no family and I love this side of the Skelf business being threaded through the investigation side.

Hannah’s continued interest in furthering her education also brings some interesting insights into how the world, life could and is in many cultures viewed. It helps her with Brodie and gives her ‘food for thought’. Indie’s background already accepts many of these ideas. I really enjoy reading about the two of them and how they support each other, communicate and resolve issues.

As each of the investigations are resolved Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah along with their extended family are left with just one problem – Webster. Nothing seems to be happening with the police investigation. Jenny decides on a confrontational approach without telling the others but is unable to do it as an incident at a funeral makes it impossible. What next?

Hope the thing that always seems to be ingrained into the world of the Skelfs is taking a big hit in this story.

The whole case demonstrates how difficult getting convictions is especially when those being investigated are part of the process, are in this instance police officers and this is something that actually seems to be happening more often in today’s world. It’s deeply troubling and disturbing that there seems to be so many incidents were those who are supposed to be stopping crime, helping people, victims are in fact the perpetrators but because they are part of the process their colleagues are not willing or are coming across barriers that make it almost impossible to get any kind of justice, to make a case against these perpetrators. It’s not too much of a stretch to think that this could make someone take things into their own hands!

In a tense and dangerous situation there is a resolution that none of the Skelfs – or readers – could have imagined and leaves everyone reeling!

Oh the Skelfs! What another wonderful story Doug Johnstone has written. It’s a fantastic read and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thanks
Huge thanks to Anne at RandomThingsTours for the invite to read and share my thoughts on Living Is A Problem by Doug Johnstone and to Orenda Books for an eARC for the Blog Tour.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one could ever accuse the Skelfs of being an ordinary, run-of-the-mill family or, for that matter, being boring. Far from it. They don't look for trouble, but trouble finds them. It's almost as if trouble deliberately seeks them out.
Following on from The Opposite of Lonely, Living is a Problem sees the Skelf women try to move on with their lives, and bring the undertaking side of their business kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Events from the past aren't about to let them go, however. Drone attacks, stalking and a hit-and-run are just some of what follows.
Living is a Problem is a fast paced, action packed thriller that is sometimes funny, oft times poignant.
If you haven't read this series, do yourself a favour and start reading it right now. You really are missing out.

[Lesley Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I hadn't read the previous book from the series, I was able to read this and understand what had happened which led to the events in this one. The different plot lines are perfect for the narrative structure and the characterisation.
I enjoy the descriptions of Edinburgh and I found all the details about the possibilities of changes to the future of the undertakers'
more environmentally friendly disposal of the dead very interesting. I found this aspect of the novel both informative and fascinating.
Overall I enjoyed this book.

[Yvette Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this series. 3 women running an undertakers and are investigators also. Love how the series has developed I don’t want it to end. Even though it is a short book don’t be fooled there’s lots in it. I would recommend this series, great stories and great characters.

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh me, oh my! The thing with the Skelf books is that you always learn new and interesting things.

Not only do we get to delve into private investigations of an horrific nature, but we get to learn about the mysteries of the funeral business.

I love all the characters in these stories, I wish I could drum like Dorothy, be smart like Hanna, be wild like Jenny and above all, have such close-knit friends.

This latest tale will take you further down the line with Thomas, will explore the interconnectedness of the whole of life and death and, bring love to your hearts.

I don't use my wind phone often, but it is here always.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skelf women are coping well given the recent shocking acts of corrupt members of Edinburgh's police force, and are back in the thick of their unconventional business interests, combining funeral services and private investigations. When a drone attack brings chaos to a funeral they are conducting, their personal and professional interests clash once again.

Jenny fears this is the start of gangland violence on Edinburgh's streets, as two rival gangs vie for territory. Looking into the matter has her brushing shoulders with some very shady characters from the city's criminal fraternity. Dorothy has a new case of her own too, trying to find Yana, the Ukranian refugee from her community choir, who has mysteriously gone missing. This investigation proves to be a lot more complex, and dangerous, than she realises. It does not help that she is distracted by her concerns about her boyfriend Thomas (now retired from the police force), who is struggling with PTSD following the attempt on his life. Meanwhile, Hannah has finished her studies and is fascinated by the concept of panpsychism. She begins to wonder if this might be relevant to the problems of the newest member of the extended Skelf family, Brodie, who has come to her for help after the disturbance of the grave of his stillborn son.

Times are changing for them all, and the ghosts of the past are not yet ready to let go of the Skelf family...

Living is a Problem, the sixth outing for the fabulous Skelf women, finds them on the cusp of more changes in their lives. Matriarch Dorothy, her daughter Jenny, and Jenny's daughter Hannah, are all involved in the multi-generational balancing act that comprises running an undertakers in parallel with a private investigation service, alongside Hannah's partner Indy, and the waifs and strays Dorothy has collected - Archie, and new staff member, Brodie. And, in that brilliant way Johnstone has, it is not long before both sides of the business clash to drive thrilling plot twists on the atmospherically described streets of Edinburgh.

The hanging threads of the previous book, The Opposite of Lonely, drive this novel, with the corrupt cops who so nearly brought tragedy to the Skelfs' door now on a mission to pervert the course of justice. Johnstone is in top form with burgeoning storylines that emerge from mysterious drone attacks, evoking that pit-of-the-stomach fear that took me right back to the dark days of Craig's murderous games (Jenny's evil ex-husband). I was afraid for every member of my beloved Skelf family once again... with good cause.

As the eco-funeral business takes off, in fascinating detail, the suspense-filled investigations of Dorothy, Jenny, and Hannah play out in chapters following their separate points of view - Jenny's being integral to the revenge-fuelled, ghosts of the past, focus of the story; Dorothy's connecting to the Ukranian war in a surprisingly intimate way in terms of family strife and domestic violence; and Hannah's embarking on a mind-bending voyage into panpsychism, mental health, and changing attitudes towards the loss of a child.

In typical Johnstone style, the personal struggles of the characters are embedded in the warp and weft of the overall tapestry he weaves, with a hefty thwack of emotion in every strand. His favourite subjects of human connection and loneliness are explored with a deft hand, and he examines ideology around consciousness to thought provoking effect - especially when it comes to Eastern vs Western philosophies, and how this translates into what we consider 'normal' behaviour. He also touches nicely on different experiences of coping with grief, and attitudes towards periods of mourning, and continues to open up the discussion about what happens to us when we die in the most engaging way possible.

Let us not forget the wonderful characters. Johnstone has some lovely surprises on the character development front in this book. Uncharacteristically for matriarch Dorothy, whose faith in humanity is normally so strong, this story has her questioning her own judgement - particularly when it comes to Thomas, as the gulf between them grows wider, and she wonders if she has ever really known him at all. In contrast, her daughter Jenny, formerly the troubled member of the family, is in a more stable place than she has ever been, and her growing closeness with steady Archie is one of my favourite parts of the story. Can there be a happy ending for them both? Time will tell... Granddaughter, Hannah's storyline is arguably the quietest this time, albeit one of the most heart-wrenching, but the insight this gives on the hitherto little known Brodie is absolute gold. And as for Thomas... well no spoilers from me, but 'gripping' does not even cover where Johnstone takes him in this sixth adventure...

Six books in and this series continues to tick every box on my list of literary wants. Impact, aching emotion, tension, dark humour, absorbing subject matter (mushroom suits... who knew?), and vivid characters to love and loathe... the Skelf books have it all. More please!

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a time when it looked as though the Skelfs series was going to be a trilogy. Thankfully, Doug Johnstone couldn't let his remarkable characters go and so we've continued to be treated to this piercingly insightful series which consistently manages to devastate and console us – often on the same page. It isn't completely necessary to have read the previous novels in the series as the most pertinent aspects of prior storylines are unobtrusively included to bring new readers up to speed. However, the emotional weight of what takes place here will probably be felt more keenly by those who have read the previous books. I would particularly recommend reading The Opposite of Lonely as it's the consequences to events in that novel which have such an impact here.
As the series has progressed, the funeral director side of the Skelf's business has evolved; they now describe themselves as natural undertakers, no longer embalm bodies and instead of providing expensively wasteful non-sustainable wood and brass coffins, they offer resomator water cremations and mushroom-suit burials. However, while it's customary for each new Skelfs book to open with an unorthodox funeral, what takes place at the service for local gangster Fraser Fulton has nothing to do with the new direction of the family-run undertaking firm. When a drone attack leaves both mourners and those attending in an official capacity in tears, Jenny suspects a gangland feud is to blame. Jenny has, with good reason, been the most troubled of the three Skelf women for much of the series but she is finally on a more even keel and thanks to her friendship with Archie, ready to chance trusting another person. She is still a natural risk-taker, however, and persuades the Fulton family to allow her to investigate whether a rival family of gangsters is to blame.
The truth isn't as straightforward and this time it's the previously almost indefatigable Dorothy who reaches her nadir. Although a missing Ukrainian woman who sings with the refugee choir that performs with Dorothy's band provides her with a case to investigate, it's her personal life which is particularly significant. This is the most melancholic we've seen the nonconforming matriarch of the family but as her boyfriend, Thomas's PTSD drives a widening breach between them, she starts to question everything she believes in. Male mental health is an important theme in Living is a Problem, especially regarding the reluctance of some men to seek help – sometimes with tragic circumstances.
On a related theme, Hannah is asked to investigate who might be disturbing the grave of Brodie's stillborn son. Brodie has only recently started working for the Skelfs after struggling to come to terms with his tragic loss in The Opposite of Lonely. As Hannah learns more unsettling revelations about Brodie, she begins to wonder whether he is more damaged than they believed but after attending a lecture on Integrated Information Theory given by a visiting professor and practising Buddhist priest, she begins to re-examine her beliefs about consciousness. One of the most enjoyable features of this series are the existential discussions and challenging theories explored, often with Hannah as our conduit. It's clear that she is struggling to find her place after finishing her PHD but she remains open to new concepts, even something as perplexing to Western minds as panpsychism.
It eventually leads to one of the most moving moments in the book, in a scene which emphasises another of the many admirable aspects of Doug Johnstone's writing. He never belittles death but through his empathetic, non-judgemental portrayal of different people going through the grieving process, he reminds us that death is universal and a topic we should be able to discuss openly and positively. Of course, Living is a Problem is still an exciting crime thriller and all three of the Skelf women find themselves facing danger before the twisted need for bitter revenge culminates in a tense, heartbreaking confrontation.
Even at its most shocking though, Living is a Problem is imbued with hope and the coming together of people at a communal funeral is a touching, uplifting conclusion to a book which is a rollercoaster of emotions throughout. This is character-driven crime fiction at its most intelligent and perceptive; Living is a Problem is another outstanding novel by an author who never fails to deliver.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth in the Skelfs series about the three Skelf women, funeral service directors/private investigators and “magnets for trouble, for grief and trauma and stress and violence.”

As in the previous books, chapters alternate among the three women. Dorothy, the matriarch, is asked to find Yana, a Ukrainian refugee, widow, and member of the choir that sings with Dorothy’s band. She has gone missing, leaving behind her two children. When Jenny, Dorothy’s daughter, oversees a funeral which is attacked by a drone, she fears the beginning of a gangland vendetta but discovers the target may be the Skelfs themselves. Hannah, Jenny’s daughter, is asked by Brodie, the newest member of the Skelf team, to investigate who has been disturbing his son’s grave.

And of course there are the personal lives of the protagonists. Dorothy’s friend Thomas is now retired from the police force but is suffering from PTSD after the violent trauma in The Opposite of Lonely. Jenny’s relationship with Archie, a stabilizing force in her life, seems to be evolving into something more intimate. Hannah becomes interested in panpsychism, the theory that consciousness is “a measurable, physical entity” which is “inherent in everything.”

A visit with Dorothy, Jenny, and Hannah is always enjoyable. Over the series, it has been interesting to see the evolution of their personalities. In particular, it is great to see Jenny move away from being, as she acknowledges, “a self-centred and self-destructive bitch.” She now tries to be more like her mother, to help others and be more empathetic, though she still describes herself as “a sarcastic and confused middle-aged cow”: “Be more Dorothy, Jenny thought for the millionth time.”

Again the importance of connection is emphasized: “every tiny interaction of your life mattered” and people should try “connecting to each other as if your lives depended on it.” The advice offered is that “No one knows what you were carrying, what you had inside you. No one can ever really know someone else, that’s the truth. So how can we judge anyone?” Hannah speculates further, emphasizing the connection between the living and the dead: “What of this dead person’s consciousness, where did it go? If consciousness was in everything, in every atom, quark and electron, eventually this person would be scattered across the universe. Would those atoms retain a memory of what it was like to be them? Did that mean that everyone on the planet was one big brain?” And Dorothy agrees: “What disrespected the dead was living in a way that denied the connection between people and the planet, the living and the dead.”

Johnstone’s books are not just entertaining but also informative. The Skelfs decide that they will no longer embalm the dead. They encourage the use of coffins made of “biodegradable stuff like willow, cardboard, bamboo and wool” and “resomations, natural burials, mushroom suits, human composting, planting trees.” I had heard of water cremation but not about mushrooms suits. Though I’m not so certain about human composting: “Jenny looked at the food on the table, imagined that all this had been grown and fertilised by the remains of loved ones. What better way to celebrate the deceased than by consuming them, making them a part of you.”

My one quibble is overuse of the trope of police incompetence. More than once the police are slow to react or to believe. Would an emergency operator not take someone’s call seriously? There’s a hit and run but “police officers showed eventually” and “said there would be CCTV, but didn’t seem in a hurry to check it”? And I find it difficult to believe that Don Webster is still working in the police department given the charges he faces. There’s even a suggestion of police corruption: “a cop arresting a cop at a cop’s funeral, good luck with that.”

As one would expect, there is considerable suspense because, more than once, the women find themselves in a dangerous situation. But the book also has a multi-layered plot, endearing characters, wonderfully detailed descriptions of Edinburgh, and thematic depth. I definitely recommend it and look forward to the next installment in the Skelfs series.

Please check out my book blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://substack.com/@doreenyakabuski) for over 1,100 of my book reviews.

[Mary Picken · Rating 5 out of 5]

By now, readers of my blog will know that I hold Doug Johnstone’s writing in high esteem, and never more so than in his Skelf series. I love these women, whose voices are authentic; whose actions are understandable and who never get the chance to leave behind the consequences of their actions.

These books feel like real life, and just as in our lives, what happens in one book is carried with these characters throughout the whole series. But it is more than an endearing set of authentic characters and a fantastic sense of place and time that makes me love this series. It is also that I take ideas and understanding away from it. I think I now have a better idea of how to handle grief. I certainly understand much better the kinds of natural burial choices that I hope will be open to me when my time comes.

There is something about the daily handling of death in the Skelfs Natural Undertakers and Private Investigations business that makes the reader feel part of a natural life process; and in so doing, allows you to face up to its inevitability and be less afraid.

I also love the interwoven strands of both spirituality and science that are omni-present, especially through the younger two women, Hannah and Indy. Hannah is the scientist; a rational physicist who nonetheless looks for messages from the cosmos. Indy’s customs and belief system are not Western, but offer a wider spiritual guidance that makes more sense to a non-practicing Christian.

The events of the previous books have taken a toll on all these women and not just on the women. Dorothy’s partner, Thomas Olsson has been left badly injured and has retired from the Police. But the real impact on him is mental; Thomas is now withdrawn, pessimistic and sceptical about the ability of the Police to convict the perpetrators of the horrible crimes he stopped; but where he almost lost his life in the process. Dorothy can’t reach him through the barriers he is putting up and it is heart-breaking to see her efforts to get him to talk to her rebuffed so strongly.

Meanwhile, Yana, a Ukrainian member of the choir that sings with the band in which Dorothy is a drummer, has gone missing and Dorothy promises to try and find her.

Someone is messing with their funerals, too. Jenny thinks she knows where the trouble is coming from, but can she really bring two warring tribes together? At least Jenny is now much steadier. She’s given up drinking too much, too quickly and she and Archie seem to be getting on well. Brodie, the team’s newest member thinks he knows who has been digging at the grave of his stillborn son, but Hannah’s not so sure.

Each of these problems is followed through to its, often surprising, conclusion. Edinburgh and its environs are explored with observations on the nature of the people who live in the better off environs contrasting with those who live cheek by jowl with the well-off but whose conditions are less than ideal. From trendy cafés to dump sites, the Skelfs live and breathe Edinburgh as much as it lives through them.

Everything we know and see comes through the eyes of these women and the intuition that guides them. They’re not always right, but the instinct to bring people together; to act for the common good is what drives both parts of their business and what gives them the strength to see it through.

Living Is A Problem does not shy away from putting some characters through the wringer and exposing them to brutal violence and threats of worse, but for all that it is a beautiful life-affirming work that leaves you with huge respect for its creator.

This is a must read series for me, and again, if you haven’t tried it, I urge you to do so.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a slim novel - under 300 pages - don't be fooled, Johnstone packs it full to the brim with plot, character work and so much emotional power I'm surprised it doesn't punch its way out through the cover.
This time, it's Jenny who is overseeing the funeral of the opening pages, in the cemetery beside Saughton prison, for a man who has gone from cell to coffin - rudley interrupted by a drone attack on the mourners. Jenny is determined to investigate, though it turns out things aren't as clear-cut as the grieving family believes.
Dorothy is rehearsing with The Multiverse band and choir, and finds choir member Yana - living with a family in Edinburgh with her children and mother-in-law after fleeing the war in Ukraine - is missing. Dorothy thinks the worst, but the reality is much more complex.
Elsewhere, Hannah is figuring out what do to after finishing her PhD. Astrophysics has helped her make sense of the world so far, but a lecture including the panpsychism idea that the universe and everything in it has consciousness is blowing her mind afresh. Can the speaker help her help Brodie, a newer member of the funerals business who has a disturbing tale to impart? The answers to his questions are far larger than anyone had realised.
So, the private investigations whiteboard in the kitchen is rapidly filled - but the funeral director side of the business is strong too, with the family firmly moved towards offering greener options, with the Skelfs something of a conduit to the death positive movement which is growing in popularity.
But while the plot of Living Is A Problem fizzes along, Johnstone gives us a tour of Edinburgh the tourists will never see, and the lighter moments sparkle, it's the characters that make this series so special to so many people.
The Skelf women have all been put through the wringer over the course of the series, but they are healing. Here, it's Dorothy's partner Thomas whose psychological pain is as obvious as his physical issues; both the fallout from an attack in the previous novel. His refusal to talk about it drives a wedge between the pair, and the pressure eventually explodes with catastrophic consequences that will echo for a long time.
Elsewhere, Jenny gets a reminder that one's point of view very much depends on where you stand, which feeds neatly into the fact we see the men of the novel through the eyes of the women in their lives: Thomas, Archie and Brodie are rounded characters, but we don't get inside their heads. Our picture of them comes through their interactions and relationships with Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah - these are the people Johnstone is most interested in exploring, whose thoughts he wants to share. (There's even some cheeky moments showcasing the female gaze...)
I have once again run out of ways to tell you why you should read this novel and this series. Let me put it this way: if you haven't read a Skelfs novel, or any Doug Johnstone novel, you really need to fix that. The man is brilliant and you have a gap in your world the size of a supermassive black hole if you're not reading his books.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot put into words just how much joy the Skelfs series has brought to me. Five years ago Doug Johnstone introduced us to the women of the Skelf family in the first book; A Dark Matter, and every year since then, we have been treated to more from this incredible and unusual group of women. This has to be one of the best crime fiction series ever written.

Living Is A Problem opens at a funeral, as most of the books do. This is a huge funeral for a member of a well known Edinburgh family, but it doesn't end well. The events of the day lead to investigations by the Skelf that will ultimately find them in more danger.

Dorothy, her daughter Jenny, and granddaughter Hannah are the Skelfs. They run a business that is a combination of Undertakers and Private Investigators; may seem strange, but so often the two businesses are linked. Over the series, Jenny has had what can only be described as a pretty shit time, but in this book she's beginning to find herself. Settling down with Archie and contemplating her life so far. Her daughter Hannah is happily married to her wife Indy, and tentatively exploring the world of panpsychism. It is Dorothy who appears to have changed a little. Usually the strong, fearless, head of the family, in this story she appears to be thinking more of her past, and her current age and maybe limited future.

Once again this is a multi layered and complex story, with threads ranging from gangster in-fighting, the the plight of refugees in the city, to the terrible effects of grief that has been long stored and never talked about. Johnstone deals with each issue with compassion and sensitivity, including relevant social issues into his story, exploring the most terrible things that humans can do to each other, but also shining a light on family, on love, on supportive communities and the need to ensure that justice is done.

The reader is taken through the streets of Edinburgh, visiting those areas that tourists never see. The areas where everyday people live their lives. The places that are not all fresh paint and fancy eating places. It is the reality of the setting that really creates such depth and authenticity to the novel.

There's a lot going on. The Skelf family and those closest to them are thrown curve balls that would totally fell a lesser family. Dorothy has a lot to contend with especially, seeing the man who brought her happiness after widowhood decline so far is painful, for her, and for the reader. Seeing Jenny's new found happiness is something of a surprise, but it's so good to see a softer side to her after years of toughness and suffering.

Once again, I have been totally transfixed when reading about my all time favourite Edinburgh family. Their troubles are vast, but their sense of honour is bigger. Another amazing addition to this wonderful series. Highly recommended.

[UKDana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still coming to terms with the near-death attacks by a local police officer, the Skelfs find themselves investigating the disappearance of a Ukrainian refugee, gangland warfare and a case very close to home.

A new addition to the Skelf series by Doug Johnstone is always a highlight of the year. Book 6 in the series, Living Is A Problem, is probably my favourite. I'm still not sure how a book about three women who run a funeral business and solve crimes works, but it does. I suspect part of it is that the books make you think; think about your place in the universe and about connections. The other element is enlightening the reader about death, normalising conversations about the topic and making you aware of how the business of death has moved with the times and that we now have far more options available to us.

As usual, the book opens at a funeral service, this time around it's for the head of one of Edinburgh's criminal gangs. More often than not the opening chapters of the series have a humorous element, this time around the tone is far more serious and sees Jenny desperately try to prevent open warfare between rival gangs.

Dorothy finds herself struggling to help her partner Thomas. Following the attacks at the end of the previous book, The Opposite Of Lonely, Thomas is in a dark place, refusing any type of counselling. The sense of community Dorothy gets from being involved in a collective of musicians has certainly helped her to come to terms with the brutal attack, but it has also brought her a new case. Yana, a Ukrainian refugee, who is part of the choir has gone missing, leaving behind her children.

Hannah is trying to decide what to do next after finishing her PhD in astrophysics. Helping out at the funeral home she learns that Brodie, one of their employees, is worried that someone has attacked the grave of his stillborn son. As Hannah investigates she uncovers more about Brodie and also becomes intrigued by panpsychism (the belief that everything is conscious).

The investigation by each member of the family leads to greater problems for each of them, but overshadowing it all is the threat posed by Don Webster, the police officer who almost killed Dorothy and Thomas. This threat fills you with a sense of foreboding as you read, wondering where the danger will surface next.

It was lovely to see Jenny being kinder to herself and in a happy place. However, Doug Johnstone, has this knack of showing us that in the universe everything is connected and there needs to be balance. With one of the family discovering happiness, another seems to pay the price, leading to an ending that left me quite bereft.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK

[Peter Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naturally we have the dramatic off kilter start to the story which we now expect. This time it is a drone attack with a pepper spray payload at an interment, of a well-known crook who died in Saughton prison, that threatens to start a gang war. If you are looking for a mediator to defuse the situation then Jenny Skelf wouldn’t be top of that list, but she is changing.

Jenny’s friendship with Archie is getting ever closer with remarkable effects. Jenny is becoming mellower, finding stability and finally looks like putting the past behind her. Archie is really coming out of his shell and loving life which is incredible when as a Cotard’s Syndrome sufferer he literally believed himself dead in the first story A Dark Matter. His is a journey to enjoy over the six stories and the little affectionate touches such as the carving of a netsuke are a delight. They seem to be bringing the best out of each other.

Thomas is in a bad way, surprisingly for an ex-cop, unable to process the harrowing and violent trauma visited on them in the last story The Opposite of Lonely. He is clearly suffering from PTSD but refuses to get help or counselling, trying in that typically mannish way of dealing with his own problems his way. This results in a lot of soul searching and self-recrimination, turning a vibrant, confident man into a broken shadow of his former self. Uncharacteristic decisions start to drive a wedge between him and Dorothy.

Dorothy gets drawn into searching for a member of the refugee choir, Yana, who has gone missing leaving her children and mother-in-law behind. This is a search that is going to lead to conflict, but Dorothy feels forever compelled to help people.

Her PhD now complete, Hannah is still pondering her future and is drawn to a Japanese professor who champions the concept of panpsychism which changes her perspective. This proves helpful when Brodie has an issue that needs resolving.

Being a funeral director is no dead-end job and the Skelf’s are proving this by embracing the future and new ways of working. They are no longer embalming, freeing much of Archie’s time, now they are promoting ecological burials, water cremations, composting and burial in mushroom suits. They are fully committed to their natural burial site, busy planting trees and rewilding for future generations.

This is a relatively short novel but as ever manages to pack so much in with various story threads and the whole gambit of emotions. The prose has a warmth to it, but even so, it packs a punch with a danger infused conclusion which is heightened by the short chapters and changing point of view with skilfully added cliffhangers. The humour is naturally dark, how could it not be, drawing from life’s absurdity and the inevitability of death, but it treats the fictional dead with respect.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skelf women are back in Doug Johnstone’s latest thriller, Living is a Problem. Doug Johnstone knows how to write a unique situation only the Skelfs could experience. Jenny is presiding over the funeral of Fraser Fulton, who died from a heart attack while in prison. His family are part of a well-known criminal organisation. While watching the proceedings a drone appears and starts spraying pepper spray at the shocked funeral crowd. Jenny offers her services to the family to help them find out who did this, particularly when they are adamant about not getting the police involved. Jenny wants to stop things escalating further. But this also made me wonder how much danger Jenny would be putting herself in, by getting involved with this family, and the people who may have organised the drone attack.

I’m always excited whenever there’s a new Skelf book out as the Skelf family definitely feel like old friends now. For those of you who are new to the series, the Skelf women are Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah. They run a funeral home but also operate as private detectives. Doug Johnstone really delves into their characters in this latest book, and we experience their thoughts, their fears, which Doug Johnstone uses to bring them to life in a brilliant way. I loved it at the beginning when Jenny is speaking to the family about helping them find out who did this, when she tells Fraser’s son, what she has achieved leaving him lost for words. They are all at separate stages in their life, Hannah is happily settled with her wife, Indy; Jenny is settling down with her partner, Archie and Dorothy is thinking more of her limited time on this earth. Dorothy really has been the anchor of the family throughout the series, but in this book she is beginning to show a more vulnerable side, particularly in her thoughts about the environment and I really liked this. I loved that she is helping people come together through music, which has become her passion, but when one of the members of the group disappears, Dorothy becomes determined to find her. I really felt as though I connected with them all on a deeper level in this book, and their character arcs kept me gripped as the plot progressed.

Things are never easy for the Skelf women though, and if you’re a fan of this series, you’ll know what I mean. In this book they are dealing with a police officer who is hunting them down, intent on extracting revenge, and old, painful memories from the past, continue to haunt them. This drives the tension in the book and I was glued to the page, as I waited to see what was going to happen.

I have read and loved every book in this series, and I thoroughly enjoyed Living is a Problem. Doug Johnstone takes us on another terrific journey through the beautiful streets of Edinburgh and in the lives of Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah. Long may the Skelf series continue.

[Rich B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing stories of the Skelfs, Edinburgh’s (and possibly the world’s!) finest undertaker / private investigation firm.

I enjoyed this, as it has likeable characters and (mostly) uses a positive, life-affirming tone without ever resorting to schmaltz or sentimentality.

As usual, there are several storylines to follow as each chapter switches perspective among the 3 Skelf women. However, the one storyline here that doesn’t play out positively is a little jarring and also requires you to believe a character who you’d built a picture of in your head as being one way turns out to have a whole other darker side to them. I’m not sure I “liked” this development, though I could see what the author was trying to do with it.

Apart from that, this series runs on the strength of the 3 main characters - Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah - and they’re all on fine form here.

They each pick up different “cases” as part of their undertaking and private investigating. There’s the story of a family of Ukrainian refugees where the mum has disappeared, and people fear the worst has happened. There’s also the discovery of a disturbance at the grave of the stillborn son of Brodie, the young guy they took on in the last book. If that’s not enough, two of the Skelf’s funerals are disrupted by drone attacks, which may or may not involve local gangs. These stories are nicely realistic human stories that are handled with grace and empathy.

However, there’s also the lingering threat from the corrupt cop, Webster, who they outed in the previous book. He’s still free as the cops gather evidence against him, and he has his sights set on bringing down the Skelfs.

This becomes the lead story as the book ends, but it’s probably the weakest of the stories here. It’s hard to believe how much he gets away with the other cops seemingly powerless to stop him.

Plus, there’s the character of Thomas, Dorothy’s ex-policeman boyfriend, who goes in a very different direction in this book. I kinda got it, but part of the challenge here is that we only get Dorothy / Jenny / Hannah’s POV, so we never really know what’s going on inside the heads of secondary characters like Thomas. Or Brodie. And, in fact, Archie, the dour but solid undertaker who, gets a bit of a happier, positive storyline in this one.

If you liked the previous books, you’ll like this one, as it moves most of the characters along and has some nice, mostly self-contained tales of life (and death) in Edinburgh. An enjoyable read.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skelf women Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah have been through a lot in the last five books of this series and Doug Johnstone isn’t letting them have an easy life in Living Is a Problem either. If you haven’t read any of the books (first of all, why not?) then you need to know that the Skelfs are a family of female undertakers with a side-line in private investigations.

One thing I enjoy about this series is that you actually get several stories for the price of one as each of the women are following their own line of investigation. Dorothy is investigating the disappearance of a Ukranian refugee, Jenny is investigating who might be attacking funerals with drones which leads her into very dangerous territory and Hannah is looking into who is disturbing the grave of a colleague’s still-born son. With the narrative passing between the three in turn in short, snappy chapters, it’s a book that’s a pacy read.

My favourite thing about the Skelf books is the Edinburgh setting. There isn’t just a passing mention to the Castle or the Royal Mile to let you know you are in Edinburgh. Doug Johnstone includes parts of the city that may not usually get a mention and which will bring a smile of recognition to local readers. For non-locals, you’ll be in no doubt that this isn’t the touristy side of Edinburgh but a real place where people work and live – and die of course. Locals will enjoy following the Skelfs as they drive past Jock’s Lodge, Lochend and Restalrig for example and visit the various Edinburgh cemeteries. Even the primary school my daughters went to gets a mention. I was walking past Seafield Crematorium recently and musing about where the new (fictional, I think) Seafield Memorial Woods might be. It was interesting finding out about the new eco-friendly ways the Skelf family were turning to as ways to dispose of the deceased, being respectful both to the body and the environment.

I’ve said before that a skelf is a Scots word for a splinter, something that gets under your skin. Well, the Skelf women have certainly got under my skin and I will happily read more about their continuing investigations and complicated lives. Living is a Problem is a excellent addition to the series: fast-paced, gripping and surprisingly poignant too.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A drone attacks an entire funeral party, including Jenny and Archie, with pepper spray as convicted villain Fraser Fulton is laid to rest. Immediately the family accuses rival gang the Conways. They refuse to involve the police so Jenny offers to investigate to prevent a war breaking out in Edinburgh. One of the choir of refugee women and band that Dorothy plays with, The Multiverse, is reported missing. Yana, a Ukrainian widow, has vanished, leaving behind her two children and mother-in-law and Dorothy fears the worst, whilst ex-detective Thomas is suffering badly with his mental and physical scars gained during the case of two rogue police officers last year. The shadows of Low and Webster still hang over them. Brodie, the newest member of their team who is now in charge of the communal funerals project, discovers the grave of his stillborn son Jack has been disturbed and immediately blames ex-girlfriend Phoebe but is there more to it? As Hannah looks into this, she is alarmed to learn that Brodie hears voices. Could this be a form of panpsychism, the theory that everything in the universe is conscious and alive? When a second drone attacks another funeral, the Skelfs realise they may be the real targets, and a very surprising arrest by the police plunges them all into a nightmare. With lots of strange and unnerving events to unravel, will the women get to the truth and come through all this unscathed?
Moving with the times, the Skelfs are now “natural undertakers”, working hard to provide more eco-friendly funerals such as water cremation, mushroom suits, human composting and their memorial woods in addition to the more traditional methods. They really encompass a lovely variety of approaches to saying goodbye to a loved one, and the many ways people deal with grief and loss are beautifully and sensitively explored by the author. I seem to learn about something new and fascinating in each book. There’s much sadness in this latest story and both the reader and the Skelfs are really put through the wringer, but there is also joy and some very uplifting parts. I do hope there is more to come in this series – these ladies are far too good to lose!

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

For every Skelfaholic, this is a great opportunity to catch up with the lives of the Skelfs and see what scrapes they get into. If you haven’t read them yet, do go back and start at book one, because although you can read them alone, having the background helps and really, why wouldn’t you with crime fiction of this calibre?
Doug Johnston is so good at writing characters you feel you know. Not women or men particularly, as people often ask. But just fully formed characters. There are aspects of every character that you can totally identify with and feel their struggles. I love how Johnstone also asks the biggest questions in the most subtle of ways. You’re never preached at, but a question can be posed that really makes you think.
This book has several big questions. Some that we as a society need to answer before it’s too late and others that you wonder if we’ve shot ourselves in the foot just once too often.
I am always on the edge of my seat wondering are we going to lose a Skelf or do we have to mourn a fictional character who feels real, as these women feel like they are part of the family, part of reality. I won’t say what happens as it’d spoil the story. I do know I always tear through these stories wanting them to be never ending.
My favourite Skelf is Dorothy. The matriarch of the family and the one who holds everyone else together. She’s the older woman every woman wants to be. Sometimes too wise for her own good. Overall the togetherness of the Skelfs is fantastic. A basically very different group of people, who are either born into or have been ‘adopted’ by the Skelfs and learning that they are never alone. All different people, cultures, and beliefs are equal here. As it should be.
There were pieces of the book as always that made me cry. These were funny, sad, tender and utterly beautiful moments spread throughout the story. This is part of the stories I love. The basic humanity in the everyday.
If you haven’t read the Skelfs and if you haven’t read any Doug Johnstone books, pick one up sharpish!
With thanks to Anne Cater, Orenda Books and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Living is a Problem, the sixth novel by Doug Johnstone about a family of private investigators/undertakers, it initially seems that the Skelfs truly are back to business as usual this time, facilitating their customarily innovative funerals and looking into respective cases of a disturbed grave, a missing Ukrainian refugee, and a drone attack at one of their services.

However, this has never been a “monster of the week” series, where characters appear to recover from and forget life-threatening events with unbelievable ease – something I’ve long admired about it.

It soon becomes apparent that one of the villains from The Opposite of Lonely is determined to make life difficult for the Skelfs, and may not even be brought to justice. Meanwhile, matriarch Dorothy’s boyfriend Thomas is behaving in concerning ways due to his trauma from that episode. Can Dorothy pull him back from the brink before he does something he can’t come back from?

Well, Doug Johnstone has done it again. I read most of Living is a Problem in one sitting, utterly agog. With three generations of interesting characters who always have plenty going on, Skelfs stories are naturally “all killer, no filler”, and this latest addition is no exception.

I always say this, but something that really appeals to me about these books and has me permanently looking forward to the next one is that each one teaches me new and fascinating things about biology and the universe.

This time around, it was human composting and mushroom suits; the discovery of mothers’, children’s, and siblings’ cells in one another’s bodies; and the similar-but-different ideas of Integrated Information Theory (IIT), panpsychism, and animism.

As ever, these don’t feel forced, being put to use as part of the story practically, as well as in service of its wider questions and messages about what it means to be a living human when suffering and death are unavoidable parts of the package (hence the title, lifted from Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies, a Biffy Clyro song Dorothy and her band perform at a communal funeral for a homeless fan).

These include questions around how we’re “expected” to grieve in particular situations versus the different, sometimes inconvenient and messy ways people actually grieve; the limitations of “dead” (the dead live on in the minds of the living, continue to influence our behaviour, and still have biological impact); and different ways of responding to mental disturbances such as hearing voices, or PTSD.

Therefore – much as you’d expect from a crime novel – there are hard-hitting themes and scary scenes of conflict and violence. However, there’s also the classic dark humour and odd bit of slapstick, as well as lovely, life-affirming parts where characters reach new levels of understanding and closeness in their relationships, and are brought together by performing or loving music.

Living is a Problem is a particularly gripping, fascinating, and transcendent addition to the Skelfs series.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a delight to catch up with the amazing Skelf family, told form the points of view of the three Skelf women, After previous events they work to move on the business- now renamed Undertakers & Private Investigators. Dorothy, the matriarch is the central character in this tale. Her relationship with Thomas is breaking down after previous events as he is suffering from PTSD & refuses to get help & she becomes involved in the search for a young woman from Ukraine from her refugee choir who has disappeared, Her daughter Jenny is becoming closer to Archie who has worked with them for years, & her daughter Hannah, having finished her PhD is exploring the concept of universal consciousness, something her wife Indy fully understands. They are also trying to investigate why someone is interfering with Brodie's still-born son's grave & who was behind two drones interfering with two funerals, First by spraying the mourners with pepper spray & then flying into the Skelf's chapel spraying liquid manure!

Doug Johnstone brings the characters & Edinburgh to life. I was really fascinated by all the wonderful eco ways they are dealing with the dead- really wish that was available in Shetland for when I pop my clogs! He is an amazing storyteller & I can't wait to see what is next for them.

Just a silly footnote- am I the only one who feels that the names Jenny & Hannah are the wrong way round? Even after all this time it takes a while to set the right person to the name!!

[Sue Purbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored finding myself entwined in the lives of the delightful Skelf women again: 70-something Dorothy, who chases mysteries, plays the drums and finds love; her daughter, Jenny, who describes herself as a sarcastic and confused middle-aged cow; and her granddaughter, Hannah, who’s feeling a little lost, and is open to new philosophies that challenge her scientific mind. Living is a Problem is part gentle comedy and part philosophical look at modern life. Ultimately it’s a celebration of three generations of strong women. I love the way the Skelfs have become so aware of taking care of the planet, and their attempts to ensure their businesses are as eco-friendly as possible. I was sure author Doug Johnstone was imagining mushroom suit burials and natural water cremations, but Google tells me otherwise. I was delighted that Jenny seems to be finding stability and happiness, while saddened by the dynamics playing out in Dorothy’s life. Always the community-minded, free-spirited, wise matriarch, she now finds herself in an awful position, and we see glimpses of anger and even questioning of the family’s undertakings. I loved the dive into panpsychism, the suggestion that we all carry our families within us, and the ultimate hopefulness about human life. Johnstone’s gift is to make his readers consider the mysteries of life and death in a gentle, funny, intelligent and thought-provoking way.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always a lovely feeling when you have the next book in The Skelfs series to read, rejoining this quirky, fascinating family of women.

Once the reader grasps the unusual concept of undertakers also being private investigators, it all begins to feel surprisingly appropriate. The cases that arise in the book, seem to demonstrate this point quite clearly.

The Skelf women, grandmother Dorothy, daughter Jenny and granddaughter Hannah are as unique and unusual as you might expect. All have faced trials and tribulations to get to this point (I remember so clearly the opening of Book 1!) but all care fiercely about each other, appreciating the qualities and skills each brings to the table.

This book sees old adversaries reappear, causing problems, but also the consolidation of extending the family to include employees within the firm like Archie and Brodie. I particularly love the way grief is openly discussed and rationalised.

The cases bring a realistic level of fascination and intrigue. Alongside this we see the undertakers move forward in their thinking, changing the ‘traditional’ methods of dealing with death with its limited choices of burial or cremation, changing their business ethos to cause less damage to our planet. I challenge anyone not to be fascinated by the variety of options covered and also the impact of our choices.

The way the Skelfs contribute positively to society, with their advice and, for instance, arranging funerals and wakes for people who appear to have died alone. This book celebrates life, living and accepting, grief and death. It deals with such real and palpable issues, how do parents grieve for children, trauma leading to PTSD, immigration, police corruption and environmentalism.

Doug Johnstone demonstrates real skill as a writer, drawing empathy, compassion and understanding from readers. This family feels so real, as does the Edinburgh setting, described beautifully, showing areas that visitors may never be aware of.

Love this series! Long may it continue!

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, I always look forward to a new Skelfs book! This is book six in the series and I've honestly never been disappointed by one yet.

Living is a problem really hit me emotionally, and I had a little sniffle here and there.

If you don't know the series, it's set in Edinburgh and it's told from the perspectives of the three Skelf women, Dorothy, her daughter Jenny and her daughter Hannah. Then multiple storylines weaved through the story. In this story there's funeral sabotage, grave tampering and a missing woman.

Before reading this book, though, I would highly recommend you reading at least the previous book in the series as some of the storyline carries over.

There are some heavy issues in the novel, Doug Johnstone I've noticed is never one to shy away from them, including grief, loneliness, child death and PTSD but they're handled with care and consideration which is what always makes these books stand out for me.

Poor Dorothy, the matriarch of the family, really goes through it in this book. Usually it's Jenny that something always seems to go wrong for but she now seems to have passed this on to her mum! After the events of this book, I'm interested in seeing how things work out for Dorothy.

Definitely a series I'd recommend if you love strong female characters, intriguing mysteries underpinned with great emotional depth.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth in the Skelfs series so all the familiar characters are there. The family crosses three generations which adds depth to the characterisation. As funeral directors and private investigators, they have several story strands which spread through their lives and the familiar black humour is there. In this story, you discover that the Skelfs have been changing their approach as funeral directors and taking on an environmental angle.

Beneath the humour and the different crime strands, there are some profound ideas about life and death and the nature of consciousness. There is an exploration of grief and loss and how different people cope with it. Brodie's story is particularly touching with all the emotions arising from the loss of a baby. The grave of his stillborn child has been disturbed. You see the difficulty that different people have in communication about this loss. This has been a wonderful series and at the heart of as always is the Skelf family.

In short: stunning crimefiction
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good series and if you haven’t read it you are missing out. Book 6 in The Skelf Series - featuring the matriarch Dorothy, her daughter Jenny and Jenny’s daughter Hannah. Told from the POV’s of the three Skelf woman this is a well written book with a very original plot and a compelling read. The family run two companies alongside each other, a funeral directors and a private investigator business. This would read as a a stand-alone but I would recommend the whole series as these ladies have led a very interesting life!

Briefly, the book opens at a funeral, that of a crime boss, when a drone flies overhead and sprays the guests with pepper spray. Jenny speaks to the family and agrees she will speak to the rival crime family. Dorothy’s partner, former police officer Thomas, is suffering from PTSD following events in the last book and whilst searching for a missing woman Dorothy is worrying about his increasingly erratic behaviour. And Hannah is trying to find out who disturbed the grave of a stillborn child.

As always there is plenty going on from environmental funerals, which is explained in a fair bit of detail, to panpsychism - yes I had to google it too! I love these three wonderful strong women, although this time Dorothy seems to be feeling her age and being more aware of her mortality. There is a lot of emotion, even more than usual, and a lot of sad events. A fabulous read.