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Dead Man’s Tale: the thrilling new crime novel in the acclaimed Bob Skinner series
'The legendary Quintin Jardine . . . such a fine writer' DENZIL MEYRICK
The gripping new mystery in the bestselling Bob Skinner series from the acclaimed Quintin Jardine.
His native Scotland stands on the cusp of a new era of international expansion under its charismatic new leader, but former top cop Sir Robert Skinner is settled happily in Spain with his family, fully engaged in a new and unexpected career. He is focused on a business issue, only to be drawn suddenly homewards as a family member finds himself a witness to a homicidal attack, and under fire himself.
Skinner drops everything to rush to his stricken son's aid. Pulled back into his old world he finds himself facing the aftermath of a shocking crime only to see it evolve into a mystery as great as any he has ever faced. When kidnap follows murder, and the investigation expands in range and complexity, can Bob and his onetime police protégé ACC Sauce Haddock run the perpetrators to ground?
Praise for Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner
'Scottish crime-writing at its finest, with a healthy dose of plot twists and turns, bodies and plenty of brutality' SUN
'Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine's narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn' OBSERVER
The gripping new mystery in the bestselling Bob Skinner series from the acclaimed Quintin Jardine.
His native Scotland stands on the cusp of a new era of international expansion under its charismatic new leader, but former top cop Sir Robert Skinner is settled happily in Spain with his family, fully engaged in a new and unexpected career. He is focused on a business issue, only to be drawn suddenly homewards as a family member finds himself a witness to a homicidal attack, and under fire himself.
Skinner drops everything to rush to his stricken son's aid. Pulled back into his old world he finds himself facing the aftermath of a shocking crime only to see it evolve into a mystery as great as any he has ever faced. When kidnap follows murder, and the investigation expands in range and complexity, can Bob and his onetime police protégé ACC Sauce Haddock run the perpetrators to ground?
Praise for Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner
'Scottish crime-writing at its finest, with a healthy dose of plot twists and turns, bodies and plenty of brutality' SUN
'Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine's narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn' OBSERVER
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
40 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
98 books244 followersQuintin 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2025
Huge fan of this series and this one was no exception.
December 20, 2025
Another excellent entry in this series. where a lot of crime series start withering as the lead character gets older and retires or gets promoted, Quintin Jardine has managed to keep the character relevant to the plot and the interactions with the police characters don't feel clumsy or unbelievable, and I always eagerly await the next instalment of this now 37 book series and long may it continue.
January 4, 2026
he’d to put down
I’m a big fan of Quintin Jardine Skinner series. Read most of the series more than once. This book was one of his best. More twists and turns when I wasn’t expecting them. Loved reading about the regular characters as well as some recently introduced. I wanted to just keep reading until I finished it.
I’m a big fan of Quintin Jardine Skinner series. Read most of the series more than once. This book was one of his best. More twists and turns when I wasn’t expecting them. Loved reading about the regular characters as well as some recently introduced. I wanted to just keep reading until I finished it.
February 1, 2026
Loved the ‘crimes’ well written, good characters and well paced for me.
However, being one of a series with the characters having long histories it was not easy to keep up with old references. It was like being the newbie in a club, not understanding the in jokes.
Overall I did enjoy the storyline, my goodness the travelling was hard to keep up with.
However, being one of a series with the characters having long histories it was not easy to keep up with old references. It was like being the newbie in a club, not understanding the in jokes.
Overall I did enjoy the storyline, my goodness the travelling was hard to keep up with.
November 7, 2025
Great story. Given how the previous book ended this one started in the perfect place and just got better as it went on. Old favourite characters from previous books and newer characters from recent books - coming together in a well paced story. Quintin Jardine’s books never disappoint me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews