Secrets and Lies

Bob Skinner #36

by Quintin Jardine

The latest Bob Skinner mystery from the legendary Quintin Jardine.'The legendary Quintin Jardine . . . such a fine writer' DENZIL MEYRICKAn expensive mobile home, abandoned in a new housing development, reveals a fearful secret when finally it is opened by the decomposed body of a former colleague. But what became of Sandra Bulloch after she left the police service? What chain of events led to her murder?DCI Lottie Mann is tasked with finding the killer of her former boss, and investigation that draws Bob Skinner into its web, just as a second mystery develops for him in his new Spanish base..

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

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

[Victoria Stewart]

Not his best work

The first half of the book consisted of a long list of characters, their backstories and their convoluted relation to each other. For anyone who has followed the Skinner series this far already knew most of this. Once we got past all the introductions, the story began to make a bit of sense. There were so many twists and turns and false leads, and although I got to the end - I can't remember now whodunnit!

[Jane Watson]

Good book - I haven’t read a Quintin Jardine for ages, so it was good to read about the old characters from the earlier books. As always it was a good read, fast paced and amusing, keeping the tension going. Might have to revisit the ones I’ve missed!

[J L NICOL]

Bloody Motorhome

Brilliant story from oor Quintin. Just the right amount of crime throughout but lovely to find new characters along with the older ones.
After reading this book it has been brought home to me that I have read all of his books since the 80s and have enjoyed everyone of them.
This new book is recommended although there are lots of spelling mistakes which detracts from the reading which is a shame. His proof readers take note!!
Hopefully his next book will answer what happens to the Sgt?

[Guy Hamilton]

Having read all 35 Bob Skinner books , the 36th novel secrets and lies yet again delivered a brilliant story with a backstory based on an earlier book in the series (A brush with death) involving there death of a boxing legend.
This new story extends the time line to the present and the discovery of the dead body of the boxer's fiancee and ex associate of Bob Skinner in a motorhome.
A cast of the usual Police ,'Sauce ' etc as well as Bob Skinner obviously.
As always this bppk left me wanting more and the final page twist hopefully will be part of book 37!!

[Christine Rennie]

Secrets and lies by Quintin Jardine is the latest Bob Skinner mystery and the storylines are still as good as the earlier Bob Skinner books.
This storyline concerns a decomposed body found in a luxury motor home and no one knows who it is.eventually it is discovered to be a former colleague and DCILottie Mann is charged with finding out who murdered her.
It Is a fascinating story with two possible suspects, until the very unexpected twist at the end.
Highly recommended

[Mrs Burrow]

secrets to be revealed

My goodness this was a confusing read in places with all those shady characters from a previous story affecting Sandra Bulloch.
I’ll have to reread that one.
Left in limbo at end … so looking forward to next episode where hope justice can be served, after such a shocking denouement. Can the secrets and lies continue?

[Fiona Wilson]

I read this almost on one sitting, stopping only due to the necessity of sleep! Plenty of twists throughout, and enough of Skinner to satisfy me. It was good to see other characters taking the reins so much. A cliffhanger ending and one which has me already anticipating the next book.

[Colette Copeland]

I had high hopes for this book, despite the convolution and trying to keep up with the many characters, but when I got to the end... what a let down. So, the serial killer gets away with it?? No, thank you.

[Claire]

Absolutely brilliant as always from this author.

[Inger Strand]

Loves him …

[Michael Annis]

Superb read but surprising ending on to the next one

[Polly Dymock]

Superb as always

When one thinks it’s impossible, Quintin Jardine comes out with another book that beguiles, intrigues and stuns the reader. As always, every book is a winner.

[Mikaela Weir]

I loved the story line, kept me captivated the whole time
Some chapters it was hard to follow which character you were reading about - wish they were named under the chapter #

[Catherine]

Wow oh wow Quintin you just keep getting better and better. Murdered policewoman. Twists and turns and back again.

[JOHN BARLOW]

A complex case for the Serious Crime Squad of Scotland, involving 3 continents. Several aspects emerge, especially the end. Very Good.

[Glenis Barnes]

Detailed and slow yet still interesting. Never guessed the ending - wow - keep reading to you get there

[Sheila]

A good yarn but the Spanish mystery was rather contrived so Skinner once again could enter the story. However so many characters to keep track of. Not just the usual characters that appear in the Skinner series but a multitude of new at every turn.
The least likely suspect did it and I’ve forgotten steady who that was!

[Andrew]

Another excellent novel from a master storyteller that keeps up the pace until quite literally the last page.