Murder on Skye

Detective Lola Harris #4

by Daniel Sellers

A high-profile case. A murdered juror. A determined detective . . .

Detective Lola Harris is called to a local park where the body of a woman has been pulled out of the river. The victim has a tattoo on her wrist — a dolphin and a heart. Lola knows who she is instantly. She’s the woman half the Glasgow force have been searching missing juror, Kathryn Main.

Kathryn was on the jury that convicted celebrity entrepreneur and reality TV star, Carter Craig of a double murder. Just weeks later, the verdict was overturned. Carter Craig walked free.

Three jurors were arrested for misconduct. A fourth, Kathryn Main, disappeared.

Then, a witness comes forward, claiming to have new evidence in the original trial. Lola’s only hope of uncovering the truth lies hundreds of miles north on the Isle of Skye.

But Carter’s alibi for Kathryn’s murder is solid. He isn’t the only killer Lola is hunting.

With one juror already dead, Lola must prove Carter’s guilt and find Kathryn’s killer before they strike again . . .

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2024

Reviews

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, rounded up

Detective Lola Harris is called to a local park where the body of a woman has been pulled out of the river. Lola knows who she is instantly. She’s the woman half the Glasgow force have been searching for: missing juror, Kathryn Main. With one juror already dead, Lola must again prove Carter's guilt and find Kathryn's killer before they strike again . . .

Don't do what I did. Murder on Skye doesn't work as a stand-alone. I felt lost as I read the first portion of the book. There were so many names, and so many times back history was referred to without actually explaining any part of it. However, the more I read, the book became easier to follow. That doesn't mean I was able to figure out who the killer was, however. That was a mystery until the end. Lola was a fabulous character and I have every intention of reading the next book!

Many thanks to both #JoffeBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Running Cold. This book is #4 in the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries series, and it has an expected publication date of October 29, 2024.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder On Skye is another cracking read from Daniel Sellers. Gripping story with enough twists and turns to keep my attention throughout, Lola Harris has another tough case to crack and it's great to see her in action again.
A fantastic addition to Harris' series, Murder On Skye is definitely worth reading and I really enjoyed it.

[Yvonne Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC copy of this one and like the other 3 books in series this was another hit!
DCI Lola Harris is back with a cracking storyline investigating 2 murders linked to the high profile court case of tv wannabe Carter Craig one of them being a juror.
Lola is then led to Skye where things start to unfold where there’s not only with problems surrounding a victim but also her own colleagues. Such a fast paced storyline and a good page turner. I love how Lola is developing through these books, Murder on the Clyde , book 3 was good but again this one blows the previous one in series out the water. Cannot wait to see where Lola takes us in Book 5.

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:

I started this book yesterday, read well into the early hours and have just finished it. I have to say it is one of the most thrilling books, jam packed with action and excitement and it really keeps the pages turning. I loved it.

This time Lola really does have her work cut out. A juror in a major case has been pulled out of the river, she is known to Lola who recognises her tattoo and she’s been missing a while. The main suspect, Carter has a watertight alibi and the verdict gets overturned. Then Lola gets a break, a new witness, a woman is found who lives in Skye, can Lola solve it before carter gets to her.

What follows is an absolutely fabulous crime thriller, my heart was in my mouth as Carters’ tentacles seemed so far reaching and he was a Teflon criminal, nothing stuck! Coupled with all this aggravation she’s got the two gruesome twosome to deal with Izatt and Pierce who are the most obnoxious police officers you could wish to meet.

The description of Skye was fantastic, beautiful countryside, although somewhat bleak.

My thanks to Tia at Joffe Books for the ARC and Daniel the author for such a wonderful read.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look at me! I'm catching up with my backlog here on Goodreads! Woho! Finally! 😆

Somewhere, out of nowhere, I remembered that I had started this series, earlier this year, and thought, OK, why not continue?

I quickly came to the conclusion that maybe my attention and excitement had slacked off for a good reason. Lola might be a pretty good main character, but I'm not entirely fond of the things happening around here - except for her boss! I mean, what a breeze of fresh air it is to have a boss that does not suck in this kind of book. 🤭

All in all, I wasn't exactly wowed by this 4th book, but entertained enough to keep going (and so I did, which was a good thing, because book 5 is the best one, so far).

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for my birthday and it’s later in the series But it stands alone and is an interesting and different read set in a beautiful part of the country. The main characters are well developed and fascinating and the case itself was unusual, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and although it’s my first book by the author it definitely won’t be my last. 4.5* from me

[Grace J Reviewerlady]

Another cracking read from Daniel Sellers!

When Lola Harris is called out to another case, she immediately knows who the victim is. Following a recent court case where a reality tv star was jailed - then the verdict overturned - three of the jurors were arrested for misconduct, and a fourth one has been missing. Not any longer. When a witness comes forward with some new information, things take a turn and the focus turns to the Isle of Skye.

I like Lola Harris. She's smart, she's clever and she is definitely nobody's fool. She can think on her feet and make snap decisions all of which make this a fast paced and very exciting read which I just couldn't put down. A fabulous fourth book in a series I definitely recommend. 5*.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this book by the dark and forboding front cover ....and that title!
I could just tell that this would be a read that fits my ideal genre.

This is actually book 4 of the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries and although I did discover that I already own book 1, I hadn't had chance to read it yet....and as such, this was my first read ofnrhis series (and my first read by this autbor too!)

Obviously there was some missing continuity with the character development of our main Detective - this was totally my own doing and although I could tell, it really didn't spoil my enjoyment of this read at all.
I was expecting there to be issues, but as tends to happen with this genre, the case here was full and contained, which just left me wanting a little more backstory rather than there being a ton of references throughout that would have made this difficult!

The storyline was really well planned and presented. It was an exciting case and brought right up to date having our main suspect being a former reality star.

The author did a great job to build tension right from the start and I was hooked within the first couple of chapters.
Not totally on edge, but this was definitely no cost mystery.
There were shocks and surprises throughout and the body count certainly grows.

I really liked our detective - unlike some of the darker more brooding types we often see, Lola was just getting on with things and I loved her determination to solve the case despite others making this difficult for her!

A great read and series and one I really want to make time to catch up on in the near future.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 4 in the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries and the first in the series I have read... I absolutely wasn't disappointed!

This story follows Detective Lola trying to find new evidence to put a Celebrity back behind bars after a case of jury tampering sets him free.

The one thing that struck me about our female main character is how much I liked her! Very intelligent and determined she is exactly what you want in a crime thriller like this book.

The story is incredibly intricate and keeps you guessing, a real rollercoaster ride full of surprises with the bodies keep mounting, though!

Fantastic book and I will be going back and reading the rest of this series now!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually am a stickler for reading series in order but in this case I read number 5 before this fourth book and am so glad I did. I have really enjoyed the previous investigations of Lola Harris but this book didn't do it for me and I was so frustrated I don't believe that I would have gone on to number 5.
What started off as an interesting case, with Lola in fine form, went rapidly down hill and became completely ridiculous both in plot but more particularly in the actions of the police officers involved. And as to the lack of consequences for those actions hmmm!!!

[Lars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will now give up on this series. Stories ok but narrator’s affectations grate and create comedy characters. Authors preference for female characters went too far in this one. (Note to self to remind me what read and whether liked.)

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for Murder On Skye by Daniel Sellers

I loved reading this book which is another new author to me. I really like reading Scottish books and this one was quite intriguing. Detective Lola Harris is called to Kelvingrove Park where the body of a young woman has been found. She’s been pulled from the river. When Lola gets there, she recognises the woman straight away, she is the missing juror, Kathryn Main. She has a tattoo on her wrist of a dolphin and a heart, they take a picture to show her sister as it’s a kinder way to get a confirmation of identification. It looked like Kathryn had been garotted before ending up in the river. Kathryn had been on the jury that convicted Carter Craig, a reality TV star, for double murder. There was a band of four jurors that banded together and went against the rules and discussed the case between them before the judgement was announced. Three were arrested and Kathryn Main went missing. Carter had been freed on appeal a few weeks later, could he be behind this? Are the other jurors in danger? This is a terrific read and a great crime mystery. It’s well written and has been well planned out. The characters are good, Detective Lola Harris knows her team members strengths. The storyline is a good crime mystery. The author sets the scene well and you can imagine the scene in your mind, so you can see it all as if it is a film, it’s great! I will be reading more of this author in the future.

Blurb :

Detective Lola Harris is called to a local park where the body of a woman has been pulled out of the river. On the victim’s wrist is a tattoo. A dolphin and a heart. Lola knows who she is instantly — the woman half the Glasgow force have been searching for: missing juror, Kathryn Main.

Kathryn was on the jury that convicted reality TV star Carter Craig of a double murder. Just weeks later, the verdict was overturned. Carter walked free.

Three jurors were arrested for misconduct. A fourth, Kathryn Main, disappeared.

Then, a witness comes forward with shocking new information.

The truth lies hundreds of miles north on the windswept Isle of Skye. There, Lola discovers Carter isn’t the only killer she’s hunting . . .

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Glasgow, playboy entrepreneur Carter Craig was convicted of the murders of gangster Alex Sanderson and his girlfriend Xena but not long after he was found guilty, the verdict was overturned due to jury misconduct. Three members were arrested and the fourth, Kathryn Main, said to be the ringleader, disappeared. Friends and family say it was really out of character so was she doing it for someone else, and if so, who? It transpires she was terrified of Craig and was hiding out in a friend’s flat. That is, until she is pulled dead from the river at Kelvingrove Park, garrotted by a wire. There are links to Alex’s murder. DCI Lola Harris, together with temporary DI Anna Vaughan, DS Aidan Pierce and DC Kirstie Campbell are on the case. The original murder, investigated by Lola’s old adversary DCI Graeme Izatt will need to be reopened, and Lola is more than happy to loan him Pierce to help and then someone comes forward with new evidence. Someone with first-hand experience of Craig’s brutal misogyny and proof that shatters his alibi. Could this be what Lola needs to finally prove Craig’s guilt? Did he kill Kathryn or is there another hand at work here? And who has just murdered a prosecution witness? The trail leads her to the Isle of Skye to track down a new witness before anyone else dies.
I really like Lola. She is compassionate and empathetic, incitive, a sharp detective and has a great way with witnesses and staff alike and I’m so glad she has finally got with new partner Sandy and from under the spell of Joe, the married man she has wasted so many years of her life on. Lola is clearly brave and driven and doesn’t stand for any nonsense, for example in her dealings with the odious DS Pierce and DCI Izatt, as she battles with an exciting case full of action and intrigue. A real page-turner and a great addition to a very good series indeed.

[Book Nerdy 2020 · Rating 3 out of 5]

MURDER ON SKYE By Daniel Sellers

Detective Lola Harris is called to a local park where the body of a woman has been pulled out of the river. The victim has a tattoo on her wrist — a dolphin and a heart. Lola knows who she is instantly. She’s the woman half the Glasgow force have been searching missing juror, Kathryn Main.
Kathryn was on the jury that convicted celebrity entrepreneur and reality TV star, Carter Craig of a double murder. Just weeks later, the verdict was overturned. Carter Craig walked free.
Three jurors were arrested for misconduct. A fourth, Kathryn Main, disappeared.
Then, a witness comes forward, claiming to have new evidence in the original trial. Lola’s only hope of uncovering the truth lies hundreds of miles north on the Isle of Skye.
But Carter’s alibi for Kathryn’s murder is solid. He isn’t the only killer Lola is hunting.
With one juror already dead, Lola must prove Carter’s guilt and find Kathryn’s killer before they strike again . . .

😊What i liked -

✔ Mystery/Crime.
✔I liked the plot and storyline. I liked the whole trying to uncover the truth. Most of the characters in the books were likeable but some obviously were not. This book was full of twists and mystery over mystery. I liked that there was still a bit of mystery till the very end. This book surely kept me hooked with every turned page.

🤔What could have been better -

✔ I wish i had read the previous books because a few places i was a bit lost.


📚Who Should read :

👶Beginners
🕵️Crime Thriller Lovers

📈My Rating : 3.5/5

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Detective Lola Harris series.

This is the fourth book in the series but it works perfectly fine as a stand alone thriller. I haven't read any of the previous books but I didn't feel I was missing any major details. I do however want to read them as I thoroughly enjoyed this. It has a great action packed plot with some twists to keep you guessing. Really enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more about Lola and the team.

A high-profile case. A murdered juror. A determined detective . . .

Detective Lola Harris is called to a local park where the body of a woman has been pulled out of the river. The victim has a tattoo on her wrist—a dolphin and a heart. Lola knows who she is instantly. She’s the woman half the Glasgow force have been searching for: missing juror, Kathryn Main.

Kathryn was on the jury that convicted celebrity entrepreneur and reality TV star, Carter Craig of a double murder. Just weeks later, the verdict was overturned. Carter Craig walked free.

Three jurors were arrested for misconduct. A fourth, Kathryn Main, disappeared.

Then, a witness comes forward, claiming to have new evidence in the original trial. Lola’s only hope of uncovering the truth lies hundreds of miles north on the Isle of Skye.

But Carter’s alibi for Kathryn’s murder is solid. He isn’t the only killer Lola is hunting.

With one juror already dead, Lola must prove Carter’s guilt and find Kathryn’s killer before they strike again . . .

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the beginning this book is packed full of excitement and intrigue. The tension builds over the course of the first few chapters and doesn’t stop. The plot is carefully constructed and keeps the reader on tenterhooks all the way through. A well-known social media figure is on trial for murder. His conviction is overturned when jury corruption allegations are proven true and the accused is acquitted. Meanwhile, Lola is fighting her own battles with her old adversaries, Graeme Izatt and Aidan Pierce. Then we find out that a young woman and her child are at high risk and need protection. Flying them out to Skye is a solution but will it work?

As the story progresses, things become tense and the pace picks up. Just as the reader thinks things are going to be fine, something happens to throw everyone into jeopardy. I found myself being swept through the last dozen chapters at breakneck speed, unable to put it down as each pause leads seamlessly into the next breathtaking revelation. The ending is both extremely satisfying and terrifying in places. This is possibly the fastest I have read a book for a long time, and I enjoyed it immensely. What a shame it had to come to an end, but I’m hopeful that it isn’t the last we hear of Lola Harris. If I could have given it more than 5 stars it would most certainly have been 10.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebrity and media kingpin Carter Craig is convicted of murder but has barely even been in prison a week before it comes to light that jurors have been conspiring and now their ringleader is missing having presumed to have vanished before the police can arrest them. And with that opening, the bodies start to appear.

This story builds like a rollercoaster. It starts slow, climbing up and up and then whoosh! We’re off and then the twists and turns get a hold of you and there’s no putting it down. The story itself is excellent. Very relatable in this modern day of celebrities being celebrities purely because they’re on social media and gaining like-minded followers.

The only thing I wasn’t keen on was the detective out to make Lola’s work harder. I found that I just wanted to slap Graeme Izzit and tell him to get over himself. Anyone who actually behaved like he did many times would normally have been dragged in front of HR and found themselves on a formal warning for bullying and as the book progressed I found him more a parody that didn’t really work for me at all. I’ve only given the book 4 stars rather than 5 as a result. It isn’t enough to stop me wanting to read more Detective Lola Harris Mysteries, though, as the book is a real page turner and will defy you to try and put it down before you’ve finished it.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Lola Harris is called to a scene in a park in Glasgow, where a body of a female has been found, upon close examination, there's a tattoo and it is determined she is the missing juror, Kathryn Main. Kathryn was being sought in connection to jury misconduct and the police were looking for her. Kathryn had been a juror on Carter Craig's murder trial, and he had been found not guilty. Lola, along with DS Anna Vaughan, DCI Graeme Izatt and DS Aiden Pierce must come together to work on the investigation. :Lola is told that there is a young witness who has information regarding Carter. Lola tracks her down to the Isle of Skye and sets off to find the truth. The story is full of twists and turns, a rollercoaster of a ride in searching for the truth, page turning, and all the sub plots come to an explosive conclusion that I never saw coming. I love how Lola is a feisty, strong and fearless person and will fight to the bitter end to get to heart of the mystery.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly not a bad police procedural and I have read another in this series and enjoyed it. This book is set in Glasgow and as the title suggests, in Skye. Lola is a detective, now looking into the deathg of a juror in a murder trial. A media celebrity is now free after the evidence was contested. Later a witness is also found murdered. During the investigation, Lola is approached about the possibility of evidence which could still convict him. Lola and her team are looking into the murder of the witness and her colleagues, Graeme and Adrian are still looking at the original investigation. The team of men are convinced that Lola and her team are trying to block their investigation, instead of protecting a vunerable family.
On the whole a good read, a decent plot and characters are well portrayed. I personally found the ending too rushed and would have preferred more explanation about Lola's personal issue
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting page turner.

This is the fourth book in the DCI Lola Harris series, and Daniel Sellers has surpassed himself with this one.
The story is set in Glasgow and quickly gets going when a celebrity thug is released from gaol following an investigation into jury tampering.
DCI Harris is involved in searching for new evidence to put the suspected murderer back behind bars. A body is found floating in the Clyde and is soon identified as the ringleader involved in the jury rigging. Is it a revenge killing by the family of the original murder victim or a bizarre killing by the freed celebrity nightclub owner?
The investigation quickly ups a gear when it moves to the quiet hamlet on the Isle of Skye. The tension ups a gear, too, with surprises and clever tangles that kept me engrossed.
I can't wait for a sequel !

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A Scottish thriller and police procedural, this was the first book I had read from the series as well as by this author, and I was not disappointed. It can be read as a stand-alone, although I suggest reading the entire series in order. I had to read the first few chapters to get on page with the background info for the characters. However, after that initial catching up, I read the rest of the novel quickly. The story is fast-paced, well-written, and is an edge-of-your-seat adrenaline rush. The police procedural part is realistically described and intense while the mystery portion twists and turns as often as a back road. Will definitely read more works by this author.

Publisher Review Copy/Joffe Review Copy

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jury misconduct in the controversial trial of celebrity and TV star Carter Craig who was convicted of a double murder should not receive a death sentence for one of those jurors. But she went missing and later her body was found in the water, garroted just days after a mistrial was declared and Carter Craig set free. But Craig has as witnessed alibi. It's up to DI Lola Harris along with DS Anna Vaughan, DCI Graeme Izatt and DS Aiden Pierce to follow every lead and fingertip search wherever necessary until the surprise (to me) ending.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#MurderOnSkye by @danielsellersauthor #DILolaHarrisBk4 @JoffeBooks #WhatWouldLolaHarrisDo?
#ScotlandNoir #NetGalley

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to this series which is developing nicely. We once again start off in Glasgow at the High Court however when the defendant is acquitted, and one of the jurors dies soon after, things begin to happen including a vulnerable young woman moving to Skye to stay with relatives. The author has described Skye very aptly as like many of the Hebridean isles, it has black spots for telephones and internet, the weather turns quickly and there is no real need for a big police presence as there is rarely any crime. I have lived on an island before and it is a different way to live. Lola of course manages to get to grips with everything but only after a roller coaster of a ride!!
Overall 4.5*

Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Can be read as a stand-alone, but probably better to read all the series in order (I think this is #4).

The characters have depth and the plot is complex, which makes the novel more realistic and more interesting than many recent works. This is a police procedural, a legal thriller, a murder mystery, and a thoroughly modern slice of life, with a dash of local color describing the Isle of Skye, which I would love to visit.

Totally engaging, and I now want to read all the rest of this series, plus whatever else I can find by this author.

I received a free review copy from the publisher, and this is my honest opinion. Recommended to anyone who likes police procedural mysteries.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When detective Lola Harris is called to the spot where a body has been found she knows at once that the victim is someone everyone has been looking for. She is the juror that caused a mistrial for Carter Craig . She was exposed as one of a group of jurors in the trial who colluded together & enabled Carter to be released. Lola discovers that there is someone who can still put Carter behind bars, however she is in hiding on Skye. There is also a conflict with another detective that doesn't work well with others!

This was a fast paced police procedural. I like Lola & her team & any book set in Scotland gets a thumbs up from me. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite 5* rating from me for this excellent and gripping crime mystery. Daniel Sellers is a very skilled writer, the constant twists in the clever and complex plot required my total attention.

Lola's investigation is constantly hindered and almost destroyed by her two interfering, bullying male colleagues. I found the book unputdownable and I read it in 24 hours. Murder on Skye is the fourth in the DCI Lola Harris series, easily read as a stand-alone, but maybe even better in the correct book order. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Joffe Books and BookFunnel, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another cracking read in a series that just seems to get better and better. Lola is investigating the murder of a woman who was a juror caught up in a controversial trial which resulted in the defendant being released. It draws her back into events leading up that trial which sees her liaising with the detective that was in charge of that case.

This was gripping right from the start and I read it in the same day as I could not put it down. The story had plenty of twists all the way through building up to a thrilling finale. I particularly enjoyed the adversarial relationship she has with the other detective as their cases overlap. I can't wait for the next book.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Kept Me On The Edge of my Seat

Celebrity and TV star Carter Craig was convicted of a double murder but after suspicions were raised about some of the jurors, his sentence was overturned and he walked free. There was only one person who could prove he was around when the murders were committed but she is a young mum whose baby was the result after she was raped by him. She has fled to Skye to hide with relations in case he comes after her, it is up to Detective Lola Harris to convince her to come forward and keep her safe. I was gripped by this book and at times my heart was in my mouth. If it had been a TV show I would have been hiding behind the sofa!

[Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the detective Lola Harris books - this is the 4 thin the series but they all stand alone too. This time the plot is even more intricate with the hunt for the murderer of a member of a jury ending up in a desperate attempt to protect a child on the Isle of Skye. There are so many false leads for Lola and the reader and you will find yourself suspecting even those who appear to be helping the detectives. A nod to current affairs with a sleazy media personality initially escaping justice as he can afford the most expensive legal team…..and then there’s the jury! Justice is done by the end …but not quite in the way you’d expect!

[Sally Winsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every copper’s nightmare - a conviction overturned. A nasty piece of work back on the street, people that originally got him banged up (but conversely also responsible for the ‘miscarriage of justice’ that saw him released) being killed in a similar manner to the original crime… This, along with reckless police officers endangering the lives of potential witnesses, makes it a roller-coaster ride from beginning to end. From the streets of Glasgow to the wilds of Skye, this is a must read for any fans of the genre. This is the fourth Detective Lola Harris book, but it could easily be read as a stand alone if you haven’t read any of the previous books.