Hour Of Darkness

Bob Skinner #24

by Quintin Jardine

The body of a murdered woman is found washed up on Cramond Island near the mouth of the River Forth. Days later detectives are called to a flat in Edinburgh; the kitchen is covered in blood, and the occupier is missing.

When the name of the woman from Cramond Island is revealed, it stirs unwelcome memories for those who knew her, Chief Constable Bob Skinner most of all. Now based in Glasgow, he has no reason to become involved in the case. Yet he does, unwittingly setting in motion a course that leads him to the toughest choice of his life, putting him in the midst of a personal nightmare, both life-threatening and career changing.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Detective

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Quintin Jardine (born 1945) is a Scottish author of three series of crime novels, featuring the fictional characters Bob Skinner, Oz Blackstone, and Primavera Blackstone. He was educated in Motherwell and in Glasgow where he studied at what was then the city’s only University. After career as a journalist, government information officer and media relations consultant, he took to the creation of crime fiction.

His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain

Reviews

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Jardine consistently writes books you want to read and Hour Of Darkness is no different. Bob Skinner might be in Glasgow now but he still takes a keen interest in Edinburgh and the discovery of the identity of a headless torso leads the detectives to tap his memory of long ago events (all covered in Grievous Angel, a flashback book). At the same time "Bandit" MacKenzie, a top Edinburgh, but formerly Glasgow, policeman has gone AWOL. This sets the scene for a top class novel. Told alternately in first (by Bob Skinner) and third (all other events) person you get the best of both worlds - the distance and perspective to pull the narrative together and the intimacy of Skinner's thinking and dilemmas. Woven in to this is Skinner's and the detectives' home lives which makes them much more rounded and understandable characters and it was nice to see Bob Skinner lose some of his arrogance and self certainty, start to put others first and even second guess himself and some of his rather dubious past decisions.
This novel has a vast spread of characters, almost all of whom have appeared in previous novels, and I think it may be confusing to new readers. To get the best from it I think you should try and read some of the previous novels first. For series readers this is a real treat.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. The huge cast of characters is a little off putting though, and I found myself having to re-read parts, just to remember who the characters were. Worth a read - just be prepared to concentrate! :)

[Liv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank god I have finally finished this book!

I nearly gave up with it so many times. So boring and confusing.

He said this and she said that. WHO IS SAYING WHAT?! So so confusing. I couldn’t tell you what’s happened in the book.

I was so glad to finish it

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

gave up on page 75, the problem was not his writing or plot but this is obviously a long series of books involving a lot of the same characters who have a lot of history together and it was just too confusing. would try one of his early books

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hour of Darkness by Quintin Jardine is my first reading by this author. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding of the dead woman in this novel.
The centre of this story is a white woman's body has been washed up on the Cramond Island near Edinburgh. She had been tangled up in a ship's propeller. She was missing her head, her right arm and shoulder and part of her left arm. The woman was found naked, no clothes, no jewellery and no hands. Which now means that no indentification can be made until an autopsy.
The questions the detectives are asking is why was she in the water?. Did she commit suicide or had she been skinny-dipping?. The detectives now need to find out the DNA match for this victim and the motive as to why was the woman in the water?.
A fast-paced story with many twists and turns.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven’t read this series before. While the character of Skinner is interesting and the resolution was twisty in a good way, I got lost in the number of characters - and then giving them nicknames! Jeez - so confusing. Kind of lost interest. Others have said that this isn’t representative of his writing.

[stan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, Quentin
This was one of your worst book. I just could not get past the first 20 pages I do not appreciate the lengthy
descriptions of the various liaisons with the Skinner tribe awful.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman's naked body is found washed up on Cramond Island near Edinburgh. She has been mutilated by a ship's propeller, leaving no means of identification.

Days later detectives are called to a flat in Edinburgh. the kitchen is covered in blood, and the occupier is missing. When the Cramond island woman's name is revealed it stirs old, unwelcome memories for those who knew her, Chief Bob Skinner most of all.

But Skinner is based in Glasgow, and he has no reason to become involved in the case. yet he does, unwillingly setting in motion a course that will lead him to a personal nightmare and the toughest choice of his life.....

There's no evil beyond his comprehension,nothing so dark that he can't see its detail'

[Anthony]

Well what a disappointing book first of all there were so many characters in this tombe I lost track of who was who about half way through, and how many wives the bloke had It does not compare with his earlier novels in the Bob Skinner series I think perhaps he is losing his way with the character and would be advised to perhaps start with a completely new set of fictional characters set some where completely different. Whist appreciating that I couldn't do anything at all like this to have achieved the amount of readers he has he must have started out with so many good ideas perhaps its time he took some time out. So I don't think I will be reading any more of his books any time soon.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I read the books in the correct order I might have more chance of retaining all the characters. The police are usually fine but it appears they partner swap too but the criminals always have convoluted family relationships. And then there is a police/criminal family relationship with Skinner and Haddock to add. Too much. Curb your enthusiasm please Quintin on relationships and endless descriptions.
This one was a little anticlimactic as I had already read in a further Skinner novel that Ignacio was Skinner’s son with Mia. Mia Sparkles? Really!
Two themes running it through it, the torso of a woman washing up on shore and the disappearance of a unlikeable policeman and his wife.

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow..so many people and soooo many names!! Like living in BC's Kootenay area..this is so and so-his mother is such and such and her father was that guy and he was married to someone and she had 3 kids and and and....!! (yes..I have lived there!)
A couple of funny quotes:
"The way he put it, via Sandra Bulloch, was that it's as sensitive as a haemophiliac wi' haemorrhoids."
"...sorry, my old habits die harder that Bruce Willis."
Anyhow..Thanks for the good read, Quintin Jardine.

[Christopher Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, especially for people that have read the series from the start - several old stories come together. Having said that I think it would work juts as well for a first time reader.

I'm not a huge fan of Bob telling parts of the story in the first person - I find it jarring moving from first person to third person and back again. That being said Jardine is a great story teller so makes it work.

All in all well worth a read.

[Laraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Book #24 in the excellent Bob Skinner series was chockablock with storylines and interesting ones at that. When a woman's mutilated body is found in the water near Edinburgh, Bob becomes involved when he finds out who the woman is. His teams swing into action and Bob monitors it closely. But when it becomes personal, Bob is in for a big surprise and a shocker of an ending. Can't wait to read the next book in this terrific series. It never disappoints.

[Denise Haney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read one of this series, and with this one drawing from a very early one, it was confusing as there were so many character from the past and a complicated storyline.
Not one of my favourites.

[MR M J HIRST · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is written in a different format to other Skinner books I have read. He is in the background of most of the story only taking a lead towards the end of the book. This is the only book in the series that I didn't enjoy.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read in which Bob Skinner learns more than he expected when a murder victim is revealed as closer to him than he could have assumed

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

More complex than necessary with undefined characters.. I'd give it 2.5 stars but the ending is just absurd.

[Ljohnston]

Another skinner thriller. Ghosts from the past come back to haunt Bob and his love life consequences are revealed. Changes are in the horizon and Bob needs to be making some decisions

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters. Dissapointing.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.

[Outlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective series set in Edinburgh that's gritty and well written, yet another all round winner.

[Lynn Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This author just keeps getting better and better. I loved how it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slow burner

[Jill's Book Cafe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quintin Jardine's new Bob Skinner novel sees the Chief Constable faced with a case that calls every part of his life into question.

The body of a murdered woman is found washed up on Cramond Island near the mouth of the River Forth. Days later detectives are called to a flat in Edinburgh; the kitchen is covered in blood, and the occupier is missing.

When the name of the woman from Cramond Island is revealed, it stirs unwelcome memories for those who knew her, Chief Constable Bob Skinner most of all. Now based in Glasgow, he has no reason to become involved in the linked cases. Yet he does, unwittingly setting in motion a course that will lead him into a personal nightmare and the toughest choice of his life... (Description supplied by Publisher)

Bob Skinner is back, although this time he’s based in Glasgow in his new role as Chief Constable of Strathclyde. As he gets to grip with his new role, he is also coming to terms with his re-blossoming relationship with Sarah Grace, the former second Mrs Skinner.
While in theory his new position means he’s hands off, he becomes embroiled in an ongoing murder case in Edinburgh as it involves a former adversary. Running parallel to this investigation is the problems being caused by the disappearance of the new Superintendent and his wife.

While I enjoyed the book, as I’m already a Bob Skinner fan, I must admit I found the cast of characters a bit bewildering and hard to keep up with, particularly in relation to the extended family/consorts of the murdered woman (though that could equally well be due to my age and inability to concentrate!). I also felt there was a lot more emphasis of explaining who was who in relation to Bob Skinner and the police structure than I remember from previous books. This I’m sure is due in part to trying to fill in the background for new readers, and also maybe in part to Skinner not being the main investigator.

I’m not sure how future books will work if he maintains his position as Chief Constable, as his character for me, works best when he is directly involved in investigations. Although the ending does leave his future undecided so who knows. At least it means we hopefully have another book to look forward to.

I received a review copy of this book via Net galley in return for an honest review.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first authors I discovered many years ago when I first started reading crime fiction was Quintin Jardine. I read a few of his books but since then haven't read any. So when I saw this book on bookbridgr I thought now was as good a time as any to get reacquainted with this character! It takes a very talented author to consistently write a new book each year featuring the same character and keep the story both interesting and fresh. I can't speak for previous books but this is book number 24 and certainly held my interest throughout. Jardine as with all authors writing long series such as this has the trouble of satisfying previous readers by continuing Skinner's story but also introducing new readers to Skinner who might not have read a Jardine book before.

At the start of the book we are introduced to a new detective sergeant, 'Sauce' and we learn than the body of a woman mutilated by a ship's propellor was in fact stabbed six times in the chest beforehand but is unidentifiable. We then follow Bob Skinner who is in Spain with his ex-wife, pathologist Sarah Grace and they appear to be back together. I am intrigued to read previous books as it appears Skinner may be coming to the end of his career, there's talk of a promotion which would mean less work in the field and of him receiving and refusing a Knighthood. There are also huge developments regarding his personal life in the book especially towards the end of the book.

There is also a huge cast of characters, many of whom I liked and many of whom I wished I knew more about. Specifically Bob's extended family, for example his brother in law who at the start of the book was going after the same promotion as Skinner despite being considered by most to be his protege. Skinner's daughter however, a lawyer, is pushing her partner to go for the promotion over her father. Jardine is of course a master storyteller and a fantastic writer and this book was no different. I was kept guessing throughout the book which is always a bonus in crime fiction. The book is full of twists and turns which definitely kept me on my toes. Ultimately it has left me wanting to read previous Skinner books and this is something I will be trying to as soon as possible! Highly recommend this one.

Thanks to bookbridgr for the review copy

[Kerry Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

A body is found washed up on the beach but missing a head or arms. Chief Constable Bob Skinner is plunged into an investigation which will reveal many skeletons from his past and the pasts of others.

I must say I find this book quite hard to review. I have read all the Oz and Primavera Blackstone novels and I did enjoy them but I have never braved starting the Skinner series because frankly I have a large enough TBR pile as it is. However, there haven't been any Prim Blackstone's recently so I thought I would start with this latest Skinner and see what I thought of them.

As other reviewers have mentioned, there is an enormous cast of characters. Perhaps if you have read the series from the start this is less of an issue and Quintin Jardine does give a small background on them to get you up to speed but I still found it completely confusing to try and place everybody. I also find the device of switching between first and third person quite hard to get used to particularly, I think, because I have not come through the ranks with Skinner and do not know him well as a character. Starting from the beginning of the series I may not have felt this way.

The story itself is fairly straightforward and predictable and I had worked out what had happened about three quarters of the way through. This is not an issue in itself if I had felt really engaged in the story, but to be honest, I didn't! I think this may be one for Skinner fans, and it may be unfair of me to review it without having read the rest and I may start from the beginning at some point. But not any time soon.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hour Of Darkness (Bob Skinner Mysteries Book 24)


I can't believe I waited so long to read this book, Its been on my to read list for ages.
However when I started reading it, it was like re visiting old friends. As each of the characters were mentioned everything started to come back from the 23 books I had previously read.
I have had a fictional crush on Bob Skinner for some time... lol.. I just think he's amazing. lol. Kind of like the Scottish Alex Cross.
As usual, this is a bloody good story, and the book flows along nicely. Leaving you wanting to read it at every opportunity.
I have enjoyed over the years the life of Bob Skinner, family, Friends, work colleagues and relationships, are as much part of the stories as the crimes themselves.
There are quite a number of characters in this book, I really feel having read all the previous books helped with this, so If you are going to read them, I would advise you do so from the very beginning
.

[Arthur Okun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed a few books in the Bob Skinner series----Chief Constable in Glasgow,Scotland.
However,after the naked lady was found in the water being stabbed six times I became restless.
Maybe confused. There at least ten officers that seemed to compete for Bob Skinner's attention.
There were plots among plots. A Detective Superintendent who was paranoid and went missing
and so was his wife. And Bob skinner had three wives and he was living with one ,she was a pathologist.
And Skinner found a son he never knew he had. Ho0Hum. I must find anotheer book

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far, far too many characters. Every member of the Scottish police seems to get a mention, as do the endless interrelated Edinburgh gangsters, half of whom seem to be dead but still get rolled into the story. I also wasn't a fan of the way most of the plot seemed to develop through dialogue - two characters telling each other what was going on rather than letting us see for ourselves.

Other than that, not a bad detective story. Not great, but worth a read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not been so keen on some of the more recent Skinner books but for me this one was a welcome return to a good story. My only criticism would be that some of the in depth description of the family of the murdered woman seemed to get a bit overly complicated at times. It was, however, good to see what is happening in the lives of the Skinner offspring and his colleagues. Given how the book ends I will be interested to see what book 25 brings!