Ghost Notes

by Doug Johnstone

A heart attack at a funeral, blackmail, murder, grief bots, affairs, the power of music and ghosts of every kind, who threaten the Skelfs' very existence. The Skelfs are back in another gripping, heartfelt and irresistible mystery.

'The persistence of love in the Skelf household, no matter what fate flings at it, is reassuring and life-affirming' The Times

'The Skelfs feel like family – their joys are my joys, their pains are my pain … Edinburgh's favourite family, bringing darkness and delight' Val McDermid

'AI remain a happily hopeless Skelfaholic' Mark Billingham

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The Skelf women have been keeping their heads down, running the family's funeral directors and private investigation businesses. But when a woman collapses at her husband's funeral and is saved by Dorothy, she finds herself drawn into the murky world of 'grief tech' – a booming new industry that creates digital avatars of the dead.

Jenny's latest case – a simple blackmail job for an old school friend – quickly spirals into chaos as the woman's tangled love life pulls Jenny towards dangerous old habits.

Meanwhile, Hannah and her wife, Indy, are confronted by the unexpected arrival of Indy's ex-boyfriend, claiming to be dying and eager for the Skelfs to arrange his funeral. But his arrival uncovers more ghosts from the past, and threatens to upend everything they've built.

As their cases collide and their personal lives spiral, the Skelfs face danger from all sides. How far will they go to protect one another, and what will it cost to finally silence the ghosts?

Warm, tense and full of heart, Ghost Notes is another masterful instalment in Doug Johnstone's award-winning, addictive Skelfs series, and the stakes are higher than ever…

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Praise for The Skelfs

**SHORTLISTED for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Book of the Year**

**SHORTLISTED for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Novel**

'Some of the best female characters in crime fiction' Sarah Hilary

'If you loved Iain Banks, you'll devour the Skelfs series' Erin Kelly

'An addictive blend of Case Histories and Six Feet Under' Chris Brookmyre

'Wonderful flawed, funny and brave' Sunday Times

'Underlines just how accomplished Johnstone has become' Daily Mail

'Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch' Gytha Lodge

'An engrossing and beautifully written tale' Herald Scotland

'One of the greats of Scottish crime fiction' Luca Veste

'Gripping and blackly humorous' Observer

'A must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists' Publishers Weekly

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2026

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

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Skelf series, and although it can be read as a standalone, I would urge the readers to read the author’s previous works (they are simply fabulous!).

The Skelfs are undertakers, but they also have an additional private investigation business.

Doroty Skelf is the matriarch of the family. During the funeral of Lewis Clayton, his widow, Evelyn, collapses. She asks Dorothy to investigate Lewis’s death (he committed suicide) and the potential cause. The family not long ago lost their teenage daughter, Millie, to cancer. Is Millie’s death linked to Lewis’s suicide?

Jenny Skelf is Dorothy’s daughter. She is approached by an old schoolmate, Robin Nugent, who is married but is having an affair with her co-worker. Someone is blackmailing Robin and she wants to know who.

Hannah is Jenny’s daughter and is married to Indy. Their marriage is fraught after an appearance of Yannis, Indy’s ex-boyfriend from long ago. Yannis tells them he is dying of cancer and wants for the Skelfs to arrange his funeral. Hannah is thrown by Yannis’s story and the fact that Indy had never mentioned him before.

The books in these series just keep getting better and better. I loved how the Skelf undertaking business had gradually progressed over the course of the series. The Skelfs used to offer ‘traditional’ burials, but they are now natural undertakers with no embalming, and instead, they offer terramation and resomation.

I was quite scared by the concept of ‘grief tech’ and using AI to create digital avatars of our deceased loved ones. I do understand how it can be helpful, but this book shows the dark side of this phenomenon.

This is another amazing book in the series.

I definitely recommend it.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Ghost Notes' by Doug Johnstone

This may be the first book I have read by this absolutely INCREDIBLE AUTHOR but it most certainly will not be my last!! It is also the seventh book in Doug's 'The Skelfs' series but can be read as a standalone.

WOW!!!! Just flipping WOW!!!! What an absolutely SPECTACULAR page turner!!! Well done Doug!!! HOW on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVED this book and I really cannot wait to go back and get stuck in to Doug's previous and future books, especially the previous and next books in this series!! What an absolutely gripping read!!

OMG!! What an absolutely EPIC twist packed and non stop page-turner!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! This book is seriously an absolutely epic, suspense filled crime thriller!! I was completely hooked from the very first page and throughout!

This book truly is an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done to Doug on an absolutely INCREDIBLELY addictive, action packed and explosive fast paced read! I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one first, and who would blame you with this eye catching cover and synopsis sucking you in, plus the fact we actually have some sun so it would make a great read for the garden while sunbathing then have no fear! There is a silver lining in reading later books in a series first. That is that after you finished and fallen in love with this book and The Skelfs, which you will, you can go back and read the previous six books in this series while you are extremely impatiently and eagerly waiting for the next book in this series to come. In fact, save yourself some time and just grab them all while your there as once you have read one book in this series you will be hooked and end up going back and getting them all anyway! Well done Doug, you have 1000% absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! There is literally nothing that I can say that will justify how good this book is and I cannot wait to meet the Skelfs again in the future books in this extremely promising series.

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IF YOU LOVE SUSPENSE, CRIME, THRILLERS OR JUST LOOKING FOR AN UNPUTDOWNABLE PAGE TURNER THEN YOU NEED TO RUN AND GRAB YOUR COPY OF THIS BOOK TODAY!!

I am absolutely shocked that I have never read any books by this absolutely incredible author before now! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this extremely talented author!! Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely fantastic page turner!!! Well done Doug!! How on Earth have I never read any of your books before? You have well and truly absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! I I have absolutely no idea how this is the first time I have read one of this incredible authors' books but I am so glad I have rectified that problem and I cannot wait to get hooked into more books by this extremely talented author, just WOW!! WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! I am not going to go into details about the actual storyline as the publishers have done an amazing job of telling you what you need to know in the fantastic synopsis so if you want to more then you will just have to grab your copy of this book today and you will not regret it. You need to seriously clear your schedules as once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and I will tell you now you may as well stop wasting your time reading this and grab your copy of this addictive action packed thriller today and I can GUARANTEE you will not regret it!!! With a storyline absolutely RAM PACKED with tension, atmosphere, emotion, funerals, mystery, twists, realism, red herrings, murder, crime, suspense, grit, drama, tension, danger, multiple layers, intrigue, realistic and complex characters, community, family, lies, multiple protagonist perspectives, secrets and SO, so so much more. I mean, seriously, What are you waiting for? This book really is an absolutely addictive, explosive, page turning, action packed and compelling storyline!! It has so many layers of mysteries and secrets for the reader to be kept guessing throughout. It is absolutely ram packed with twists, turns and red herrings throughout. Bridgestock really had me with the twists! I have read hundreds and hundreds of crime books so it is getting more and more difficult to shock me. Bridgestock well and truly hooked and trapped me!! The storyline is so compelling and immersive it had me hooked throughout so make sure you clear your schedules before stepping into the world of the Skelfs and 'Ghost Notes'!! GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you want to know more well you will just have to grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! Whatever you like to read just give this a go and you can thank me later!!! You may even discover a new favourite author just like I did! Doug weaves the storyline through the multiple protagonist perspectives of three generations of family (Gran Dorothy, Mum Jenny and Daughter Hannah) absolutely perfectly ensuring you get to see the bigger picture of what is going on with each of the family members while only drip feeding you what he wants you to know while also ensuring there is no confusion over which person you are with and what they are doing. As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive and gripping page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Doug absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! There was no way I could put this book down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to my kindle for a few hours!! I loved the fact that pour protagonists are funeral directors as well as private investigators and I was absolutely fascinated in their unique eco-friendly and natural burial services! It was intriguing to learn about and definitely gives food for thought (pun intended!)! I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!! Doug's research absolutely shines through the pages! It is a pet hate of mine where authors fail to do enough or even any research on what they write about as it can completely destroy what could have been a good read but there is absolutely no problem with that in this gripping page turner! I truly cannot wait to get stuck in to the previous and future books in this series!

Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!! The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Doug's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters regardless of how I felt about them. I cannot wait to meet the Skelfs again in the previous and future books in this series! Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! I love the fact that each of our main protagonists are strong female leads. Being female myself I love seeing strong female characters and the Skelf women are all absolutely amazing with their own pasts, battles and strengths. Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning book exactly how epic it is!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Doug's writing skills are as he completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely action packed, gripping and addictive page turner!!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a few hours!!!

Congratulations Doug on an absolutely masterful and unforgettable success. Here's to your next addictive and unique book!!! Welcome to my favourite author club and I can see this becoming a top 5 series for me!!

Overall an absolute MUST READ for anyone looking for a unique, fascinating, gripping and action packed book!

#GhostNotes #DougJohnstone #TheSkelfsSeries #OrendaBooks #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours

@DougJohnstone @OrendaBooks @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours


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[Mary Picken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I make no secret of the fact that The Skelfs series is one of my top reads of all time. Each may be read as standalone books, but together they are a compelling and persuasively drawn set of books that feature the lives of the four women who make up the Skelfs family and the Funeral and Private Investigator businesses they run.

I love these women, and in Ghost Notes Doug Johnstone puts each of them through an emotional wringer, whilst involving them in dark and dangerous activities. I identify most closely with Dorothy, the family matriarch. She is smarting from Thomas’ refusal to see her as he languishes in prison after the events in Living is A Problem.

There was a moment while reading about Dorothy, an older woman, when I genuinely felt seen, so well-drawn is her character. The others are also dealing with their own personal issues. Jenny is now firmly established in her relationship with Archie. She knows she has a good man there, but her self-destruct button is pulsing. Her lack of self esteem and her guilt over past events propels her into trouble even when she knows she’s heading towards disaster. For every step forward Jenny takes, there’s a step backwards to accompany it.

What particularly interested me this time is the idea of grief technology. Dorothy saves a woman who collapses at her husband’s funeral and subsequently becomes involved with a burgeoning industry that creates digital versions of dead people. On the surface, it is an excellent contemporary crime fiction hook; underneath, it feels perfectly suited to a series that has always asked uncomfortable questions about death, grief and what we leave behind.

Dorothy is exactly the right Skelf to lead us into this territory. She is the emotional centre of the family: compassionate, intelligent, independent and prepared to put herself in difficult situations because she genuinely wants to help people. That impulse is one of her greatest strengths, but it can also be a vulnerability. In Ghost Notes, her willingness to help draws her into a world where the boundaries between comforting the bereaved and exploiting grief are decidedly blurred.

Jenny, meanwhile, is on much shakier ground. Her apparently straightforward blackmail job for an old school friend quickly becomes complicated by the woman’s love life and pulls Jenny towards dangerous old habits. Jenny is one of the most fascinating Skelfs precisely because she doesn’t always make the sensible choice. Her motivation is never as simple as ‘solve the case’. Loyalty, curiosity, self-preservation and the pull of behaviour she knows is destructive are constantly jostling for position.

That gives her storyline an entirely different sort of tension from Dorothy’s. With Dorothy, I was wondering where this strange new technology might lead. With Jenny, I was frequently more worried about Jenny herself.

One of the pleasures of following this family over several books is that Johnstone allows consequences to accumulate. The Skelfs don’t experience some terrible trauma in one novel and emerge from the other side miraculously reset. That continuity gives the series an emotional credibility.

Taken together with Dorothy’s latest case – a man who has committed suicide after conversing with an AI grief chatbot in the form of his deceased daughter, Milly, and Jenny’s case of a former classmate who is being blackmailed, the Skelfs are once more up to their necks in danger, disaster and emotional turmoil.

Hannah and Indy face their own test when Indy’s ex-boyfriend suddenly arrives, claiming to be dying and wanting the Skelfs to arrange his funeral. His arrival drags the past into their present and threatens the life they have created together. I particularly like what this does to Hannah’s storyline because it reinforces another of the series’ recurring ideas, that death doesn’t necessarily bring an end to things. Sometimes it brings everything that was unresolved back to the surface. Hannah and Indy are happy together, but suddenly Hannah is wondering if she really knows her wife at all?

There are chilling themes throughout this book and moments of real jeopardy, alongside some much needed humour, warmth and a great deal of emotional heart. Doug Johnstone weaves some big existential questions into his stories; there are interwoven strands of both spirituality and science running through the series that make for a thoughtful read alongside the dramatic events.

The crime can be violent. The subjects can be grim. People die, grieve and behave badly. Yet Johnstone is just as interested in music, friendship, family, love and the absurdity of everyday life. The result is a tonal balance that totally works. Ghost Notes offers murder and blackmail, but also the power of music and the emotional complications of family life.

Doug Johnstone’s sense of place is also tremendous. Edinburgh is the Skelfs’ home; their funeral business, the streets they investigate and the communities they move through all contribute to the sense that these stories belong to a particular place. Here the sense of community is strong, whether that community is homeless people, refugees, or the swanky cocktail bars of the more affluent.

Verdict: A chilling and thrilling read alongside a beautiful life-affirming work. Ghost Notes is another unmissable read in a series that everyone should get into. A five star read.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to being reunited with the Skelfs with such anticipation; each book is tense, profound and poignant and Ghost Notes, the seventh instalment in the series is no exception. It is possible to read this as a standalone but you will miss the rich backstory Doug Johnstone has created and there are spoilers to previous events, so I'd recommend starting with A Dark Matter if possible – trust me, you won't regret it!
Life has moved on for the three Skelf women and their friends and family since Living is a Problem and their funeral business in particular has seen some significant changes. One of the many things I love about this series is the way it encourages readers to perhaps reconsider the finality of death. Without ever minimising grief, Doug Johnstone sensitively explores the subject and as the Skelfs move away from traditional funerals to offer more eco-friendly options, there's a comfort to be found in being reminded of our interconnectedness to one another, the past and the natural world.
The 'ghost notes' of the title refer to soft notes played between the main beats but there are other ghosts haunting the Skelfs – just not the supernatural kind. It's the ghosts of the past that cause such disruption here, particularly for Hannah and Indy. When Indy's ex-boyfriend, Yannis unexpectedly turns up, Hannah realises she doesn't know her wife's history as well as she thought and it leads to her questioning their relationship. Having previously always seemed so solid together, it's fascinating to see them negotiate this challenge to their togetherness, especially after they are threatened by another old face from Indy's past. Yannis claims he is dying of cancer and wants the Skelfs to organise his funeral but Indy doesn't trust him – with good reason, it turns out – and it's not revealed until late in the novel as to whether he has been telling the truth. In the meantime, Hannah has to confront her confusing, tumultuous feelings about Indy.
Jenny's ghosts are her own memories of her wild youth and the risky excitement she is still drawn to, despite finding love with the kind, dependable Archie. The Skelfs are also private investigators, of course, and she is approached by an old school friend, Robin, who has been having an affair with a younger colleague. She clearly hasn't been as discreet as she claims because somebody is trying to blackmail her. Now a successful property developer, Robin offers to pay four times the Skelfs usual fee and Jenny accepts, not realising what a traumatic turn the case will take. Jenny has always been the most unpredictable of the Skelf women but this emotionally draining, convoluted investigation forces her to make some difficult decisions about her own future too.
Meanwhile, Dorothy is being ghosted by her former lover, Thomas but she has a more pressing issue to contend with after she is given little choice but to investigate a recent suicide. This is the most moving strand of Ghost Notes but although the topic is heartbreaking, Doug Johnstone's empathetic writing is never mawkish or judgmental. I've seen adverts on social media that offer to make photos come to life and having lost my parents and brother, it has briefly crossed my mind to try one of them. However, I've ultimately felt it's better for the grief process to accept their deaths rather than to ask AI to produce facsimiles of them. Dorothy discovers a far more unsettling development to the grief industry here, however, when she learns that a bereaved father was able to communicate with the digital avatar of his dead daughter. Whether through cynical profiteering or wilful naivety, the dangers of encouraging grief-stricken people to try to artificially hold on to their loved ones is disturbingly examined before the tense, emotive climax.
The geography, history and architecture of Edinburgh combine to ensure it almost becomes a character in its own right but Doug Johnstone reflects upon the increasingly darker side of the city too – most notably with regards to the asylum seekers and refugees attempting to build new lives for themselves there. It's not a situation unique to Edinburgh of course. but seems especially sad for a place so renowned for being welcoming and inclusive. However, hope is found here too and in a world that often seems fractured and unforgiving, Ghost Notes is that rare gritty crime novel that reminds and reassures us of the communities of people who support and look out for one another.
With its pitch-perfect mix of light and shade, Ghost Notes is a starkly honest yet beautifully written novel from start to finish. Captivating, thought-provoking and thrilling; I highly recommend it.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this is Doug Johnstone’s twentieth book. How is it even possible that each book is so fresh and different, even when he is continuing an established series? I don’t know, but I’m so glad he does! So, here we are at the seventh instalment of the Skelf series, and if you still haven’t dipped your toe, you need to seriously be looking at your life choices…

Once again the three generations of the Skelf women: Dorothy uber cool, spiritual, drum playing, matriarch of the family- Jenny, daughter, wee bit emotionally damaged, alcoholic but ballsy and outspoken, and Hannah- granddaughter, determined, inherited all the best traits of Dorothy and Jenny but forges her own path, find themselves immersed in a whole world of trouble. Balancing the demands of their funeral business and the private investigation offshoot, Johnstone seamlessly interweaves their respective cases and emotional upheavals into a beautiful, rounded narrative that never has me favouring one strand of the story over the others in terms of interest and engagement. Once again, the differing strands of the book and the dilemmas or issues they raise work in harmony together, and with an injection of humour, peril or heart wrenching emotional turbulence, there is so much to touch on the reader’s empathy and engrossment.

I have often referred to Johnstone’s innate ability to characterise these women and make them so recognisable to other women whatever stage in your life you are at. I’m currently in my ‘Jenny years’ but if I am anyway as cool as Dorothy when I hit my older age, I would be more than delighted. I love the way Dorothy embraces and is enthused by her family, life and people and the interconnectedness of all these things, and her extremely well developed sense of empathy and respect towards the living and the dead. She embraces new ideas and never loses sight of the bigger picture on how we can all make a difference in the world. I always look forward to the emotional turbulence of Jenny who seems to zigzag between extreme emotions, and her inability to realise that her weaknesses are as essential to her character as her strengths, and that she is stronger than she thinks she is, with people who genuinely care for her. Hannah is really put through the mill in this one when an unwelcome presence from her wife’s past makes themselves known, leading to a whole heap of trouble for her, and for her seemingly unbreakable relationship. Add into the mix a weird new business model of creating avatars of the dead, a missing cat, Dorothy’s jailed lover refusing to communicate with her, and Jenny’s descent into potentially destructive old habits, and it’s all real edge of the seat stuff…

As well as the pitch perfect characterisation and plotting, Johnstone once again includes the recognisable elements of this series to date. As usual there is a recognition of the newest breakthroughs in the funeral business, and how the Skelfs embrace the greenest methods of body disposal to give back to the environment, and their continuing commitment to give those with no family or friends a dignified send off. There is the focus once again on Dorothy’s ability to bring people together, and that regardless of our differences we can all become united through recognition and acceptance of these differences and through music and friendship. As always Johnstone shows his love of Edinburgh in all its conflicting aspects, putting into focus both the good and less desirable faces of this remarkable city and its inhabitants.

What I always enjoy is the complexity of Johnstone’s books, and the way he teases out so many aspects of the human experience through his characters both in relation to how they see themselves how others perceive them, and the propensity to believe that we can all connect. I love the way he introduces us to new ideas and theories in an incredibly naturalistic and fluid way, and the way my music playlists are added to after every book too. Always a bonus. Ghost Notes is another brilliant addition to this series, and as I said in the intro this is a series more than worth your time. Highly recommended.

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[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love this series, no sense in denying it. Doug Johnstone is a brilliant writer and, starting with the Skelfs women, Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah, he has created a fabulous community into which I am happily drawn with each new book. If you ever had any qualms over how a series based around three generations of women who work as both Funeral Directors and part time Private Investigators could possibly work, well this series should end them. I appreciate that is a rather specific set of qualms to be in dispute, but here we are, and at book seven as well, one that shows no sign of losing the allure, spark of interest of intensity of emotion that has had me hooked from the very beginning.

Now I say community for a very clear reason, as whilst this is a 'Skelfs' novel, the reality is that the family unit stems far beyond that bound by genetics, and out to the various waifs and strays that they welcome into their home over the course of the books. Each of them has a very key part to play in the stories, be that as an anchor for a rather emotionally charged Jenny, such as Archie, or even as a key part of the story itself, as we have this time with Hannah's wife, Indy. Doug Johnstone's observations of character, the way in which each new personality they come into contact with informs the story and adds light and shade to what could potentially otherwise be quite a dark world, is so perfectly done, the movement from the overwhelming intensity of grief to a more joyous and celebratory community even featuring Dorothy's musical pals so carefully managed, that each transition feels natural and provides a balance that a story, essentially about loss, be it natural or otherwise, really needs.

This is actually a surprisingly intense book, and on that is very thought provoking. With several distinct threads it would be easy to lose your way, lose sight of the characters who feed into each narrative, but we are in the hands of a very skiller writer here, and that is never an issue. From exploration of 'grief tech' aka AI imagery designed to help keep the essence of deceased loved ones alive, to a case of blackmail and murder, and even the reappearance of a former boyfriend of Indy, taking both her and Hannah by surprise, it should feel busy, perhaps almost frantic, especially given that a couple of the situations escalate in ways no-one might have predicted, but it doesn't. The pace, the tension when required, is pitched perfectly, keeping me focused on the story, curious as to what might happen next, and second guessing almost everything. Just how I like it.

What really works well in this book is the recognition that each of the Skelf women has a very unique and distinct personality, a unique set of interests, that helps to underpin the narrative. From music to science, this series covers a wide array of topics that really tap into modern life. There is no getting away from Dorothy's love of music, or Jenny's love of a drink. The science is perhaps less obvious in this book, given that Hannah has stepped away from academia in favour of working in the family businesses, but it is still there, in the form of AI and computer science, perhaps unusually in the hands of Dorothy and not Hannah.

It's hard to say that I enjoyed this element of the book, as AI is a divisive subject for many reasons, but it was very thought provoking and posed some all important questions about AI ethics and how much influence bots and the like can have over the vulnerable. But I did appreciate how the subject of Jenny's reliance upon, or addition to, alcohol was explored. Carefully handled but not dressed up for anything more than it was. A destructive dependency. Once again, Mr Johnstone tackles the tough subjects head on, but in a careful, understanding way that provokes thought, perhaps even discussion, but in a way that still retains its entertainment value. That is, afterall, why we are here.

If you love to read a series balances crime, emotionally sensitive drama, backed up by brilliantly observed characters who become more like an extended fictional family with each new book, and that features a perfectly paced narrative that highlights and reflects the madness that we call modern life, I cannot recommend this series enough. Read from the beginning. It's a journey worth investing in. If you are bang up to date and this is your next read, then happy reading. You are going to love it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy crime fiction series, I'm a huge fan of fiction set in Scotland and Doug Johnstone is one of my all time favourite authors. Just the thought of a new Skelfs book is fabulous, but actually getting my hands on a copy and reading it is one of the best experiences ever. There are crime fiction series and then there's the Skelfs - with apologies to all of my other beloved series, but this one is my firm favourite.

I remember clearly, reading the first chapter of the first Skelfs book; A Dark Matter, in 2019 and getting hooked. I am still a Skelfs addict, a Skelfaholic

Once again, there are multiple turned down corners in my proof copy of Ghost Notes. This author can see right into the heart of me, as a reader. Some of his observations, especially from a woman's point of view are astonishingly sharp. Jenny's middle-age invisibility was one that really resonated with me, I really love the fact that his female characters are strong, forward thinking and empathic, but also with flaws and issues that shape them.

So, to the plot. The opening scene is at a funeral, as it often is, and as is common with the Skelfs, an incident happens at that funeral that sparks off an investigation that plunges Dorothy into a whole new world. There's a new industry - powered through AI - and providing digital avatars of dead people. This is supposed to be soothing, a way to deal with grief, but Dorothy discovers that, like most things, it's a murky, dark, dangerous place and needs to be stopped.

Whilst Dorothy is dealing with tech giants and a grief stricken family, her daughter Jenny has taken on what seems to be a pretty simple case of blackmail. However, she too stumbles into something far bigger and before long there are dead bodies and also incredible temptation.

And then there's Indy and the mysterious arrival of a blast from her past. Her wife Hannah begins to wonder if she actually knows Indy at all, as more and more about her past is exposed.

This is not a long book, yet it contains so much. The author cleverly layers each plot by having each chapter narrated by one of the women. This works incredibly well, keeping the reader on their toes and maintaining interest in each strand of the novel.

It's hard to find new words to describe this incredible series, after all, we are on book seven now so I've talked about it seven times. It's fair to say that I have never ever been let down by this series and this author. His handling of modern day issues; the social injustices of the world, the realities of advanced technology, and also the love and warmth of family is second to none. I adore this series and heartily recommend it.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always get excited whenever a new book in the Skelf series by Doug Johnstone comes out, and it seems that trouble is never far from the Skelf women. The latest book in the series is Ghost Notes, and Doug Johnstone does a brilliant job of taking us on a journey with the characters.

Dorothy is the character we meet first when, during a funeral, the deceased’s widow collapses, and Jenny helps to save her. But Dorothy is then forced into helping the woman investigate her husband’s death. This is where the idea of grief technology comes in, which is an extremely chilling and scary idea, particularly with the advances in AI in recent years. As Doug Johnstone explores this, it turns very creepy. It does provide a worrying glimpse into the future.

Jenny is who we get the most insight into in this book. She is a person who has gone through a lot in her life, and her struggles really come through, particularly with alcoholism. I really did feel for her, and it feels like, even though she is taking steps forward in her life, particularly with her new partner, she also appears to take some steps back. The scenes told from her point of view were really compelling. I love how Doug Johnstone made her feel even richer and well-rounded in Ghost Notes, adding even more depth to her character.

Hannah and her wife, Indy, also go on their own journey, especially after they are contacted by Indy’s former partner, who wants the Skelfs to arrange his funeral, which Indy isn’t best pleased about. But the more they get involved with him, the deeper they sink into the murky world he is a part of, which lands them in extreme danger.

Doug Johsntone is a writer who knows how to get right under a character’s skin. He shines a spotlight on all the women in the Skelf family in Ghost Notes. This has made Ghost Notes one of my favourite books in this series to date. He has always had a real talent for creating characters with real emotional depth, and this novel is another shining example. Fans of the Skelf women will absolutely love it, and if you haven’t discovered this series, I urge you to read these books. You will not look back.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Ghost Notes’ is a welcome return to the world of ‘The Skelfs’, who now feel like family. This is the seventh book in this wonderful series, but it can easily be picked up by a new reader. I thoroughly recommend all the books, though.

Every time I pick one of Doug’s books, I know I am going to enjoy it, and this was no exception. This deals with the rise of grief technology, an area of the internet which utterly scares me! When one of their clients collapses during a funeral, Dorothy is asked to look into the death of their husband. What emerges is an emotional and unexpected reason behind it all. He had been struggling with the death of his daughter and turned to an online service which creates avatars based on the deceased online profiles. What is produced is a vivid and realistic presence with which they can communicate. The discourse examined by Dorothy explores the monetisation of grief, the inability to let go of their grief, and how this tech can be addictive.

Jenny is asked by an old school friend to investigate the blackmail email that she has received. Soon, she is dragged into a complex scenario where nothing feels right. I really like Jenny at the moment, and the evolution of this character has been a joy to read. She is much more self-aware, content with her life, and her relationship with Archie.

Hannah, who I thought was the most solid of the three generations, is who we see have a wobble in this book. An ex-boyfriend of her wife, Indy, has turned up asking the Skelfs to perform his funeral. Indy has a visceral reaction which shocks Hannah as she thought she knew everything about Indy. Turns out that Indy has a dark past, and now they both have to face it.

This was a very quick read, and I was engrossed from the first to the last page. Doug’s writing is always engaging, and the characters are well developed and interesting. Roll on the next book!

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving with the times, the Skelfs are now “natural undertakers”, working hard to provide more eco-friendly funerals such as water cremation, human composting and their memorial woods in addition to the more traditional methods, whilst also performing private investigations on the side. Many deaths come with unresolved mysteries and their latest cases are no exception. Dorothy performs CPR on a woman who has a heart attack at her husband’s funeral. The woman says she didn’t want to be saved and Dorothy now owes her, this taking the form of finding out why her husband killed himself after the death of their teenage daughter from cancer. She is sure he was being radicalised online. Dorothy discovers the world of grief-bots but soon realises they don’t always provide long term help with the grieving process, especially as they are based on profit making purposes. An old schoolfriend of Jenny engages her to dig into who is blackmailing her over an affair with a toy boy but events take a very dark turn when bodies begin turning up, whilst Jenny takes a good hard look at her own life. Hannah also has a difficult time discovering some very unsettling facts about her wife Indy’s past which leads her to doubt the very foundations of her marriage. All in all, tough and even dangerous times for the ladies. Could any of them be out of their depth this time?
Fortunately the Skelfs have the very solid Archie and Brodie to rely on as they navigate their latest cases. Once again the many ways people deal with grief and loss are beautifully and sensitively explored by the author including this time the very topical and often murky theme of AI and the dangers it can present. Dorothy, who does so much to help others, is particularly given a hard time in this story, but the resilience of all the characters shines through in what is both a thought-provoking and still heartwarming book. I do hope there is more to come in what has become one of my favourite series.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you’ve been following an ongoing series for a while, you just know that – unless something has somehow gone catastrophically wrong – you’ll enjoy the next instalment. And so it proves: I found Ghost Notes, the seventh book in Doug Johnstone’s Skelfs series, an absorbing comfort read.

Maybe “comfort” is a strange word to associate with a novel covering addiction, suicide, extortion, murder, and more besides but, as always, the Skelf women (and the partners and employees they’ve gathered along the way) are at the centre, bending but never quite breaking.

I have such strong mental images of Dorothy, Jenny, and Hannah at this point, it’s like slipping back among old friends. This, and their continual efforts to do the right thing – whether that’s practicing environmentally-conscious body disposition, giving those who died alone decent send-offs, welcoming strangers (particularly in Dorothy’s case), or giving tough love to their clients when it’s needed – make it a pleasure to return to their version of Edinburgh.

Of all the themes that arise in Ghost Notes, addiction is common to all three women’s storylines. Dorothy discovers that a funeral client who died by suicide was addicted to interacting with an AI version of his dead teenage daughter, and sets out to hold the “grief tech” company behind it to account; a chance encounter prompts Jenny to face up to her unhealthy relationship with alcohol; and Hannah learns that her wife (and long-time Skelf employee) Indy had a whole other life she’s never told anyone about, involving drug dependence and other heavy experiences.

The “grief tech” storyline especially captured my imagination. For one thing – as Dorothy herself muses – having an AI avatar of someone who’s died might be helpful at first, but if you keep going back to it, it’s going to be harder, or even impossible to move on, plus it’s in the interests of the company running the service to keep you on as a subscriber. And that’s without the avatar going rogue and convincing the bereaved to take their own life!

For another, I find the idea that someone creating an AI avatar of me after I die really creepy. I know I won’t be here to care, and an inevitable aspect of death is losing all influence over what happens to your body and how you’re represented, but the thought of “living on”, not as my full, complex self, but how someone else perceived me and/or wanted me to be, and moving and talking in ways I might never have in life: eugh.

In Ghost Notes, the avatar is of Millie, who died of cancer in her mid/late teens. Millie Bot seems programmed to always be friendly and in want of her (its?) dad’s company (to the extent of begging him to join her in the “Afterglow”) in a way she probably wouldn’t have been as a living person weathering both adolescence and cancer treatment. She’s also doomed to stay the same age and wear the same clothes (presumably ones her dad particularly approved of) while biological Millie’s peers continue growing up, and fashion moves on. I like to think the “real” Millie would have found it pretty cringe as well.

Ghost Notes is a big-hearted and thought-provoking addition to the Skelfs series.

I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours in return for an honest review.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh in the popular Skelfs series, but somehow I hadn’t heard about these three generations of Edinburgh undertakers until the Orenda Books proof party at Capital Crime.

Absolutely inhaled it. I know many of the streets mentioned, having spent a lot of my youth in Auld Reekie, and revisited some in November when I was in the city for work.

Despite being closer in age to Jenny Skelf, I really loved both her mother, Dorothy, and her daughter Hannah and I cannot wait to read more about all of them - I picked up Books 1-6 on Kindle - and you can too at the moment for £1.99 (all six)!

At the Orenda Books panel, Doug Johnstone said that he had spent some time as a writer in residence at a funeral directors’ (which sounds like the best gig ever), and you can tell he is up on all the recent developments - ecologically friendly alternatives to burial and cremation and death tech services.

This is at the heart of Dorothy’s case in this novel - a company is creating online versions of loved ones based on their online presence, and a widow is sure that her husband has been encouraged to take his own life at the suggestion of the online avatar of their dead daughter.

Meanwhile Jenny agrees to help an old schoolmate work out who is blackmailing her and Hannah and her wife Indy are plunged into disarray when Indy’s ex Yannis shows up.

Honestly, I fell in love with this cast of characters. I can’t imagine that anyone would not.

In three words: haunting death tech

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long awaited 7th book in The Skelf’s Series, set in Edinburgh, and it’s a cracking read. It reads well as a standalone, but why would you, the whole series is excellent. For first timers the Skelfs are 3 generations of women who run a funeral directors and a private investigator firm. As always this is so well written, with a number of threads, but easy to follow and an engaging read.

Briefly, matriarch Dorothy becomes involved in the world of grief tech when a woman collapses at her husband’s funeral and shares that she believes he committed suicide at the behest of an avatar of their dead daughter! Meanwhile Dorothy’s daughter Jenny has agreed to help an old school friend who is being blackmailed and granddaughter Hannah is concerned when Yannis, her wife, Indy ex boyfriend turns up.

Grief tech. What! I was straight to Google. Who knew this was a thing? The ethical and moral issues around this must be massive. But back to the book. Not unsurprisingly this is a look at grief and the way different people choose to deal with it, or not. These are three strong and intelligent women, although Jenny doesn’t always make the best decisions, who support each other. No matter what. There are dark themes but with lighter moments to counteract them, this author really knows how to balance things in a way that makes these books very special. Another fabulous read.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
The Skelfs is one of my favourite series and with every addition grows more so. They are characters you really love, in all their mixed up human glory.
I’m sure that is exactly what everyone who reads these books also loves about them. They are three generations of women, with different thoughts, feelings and lives, and they still manage to be there for one another, to muddle through it all somehow.
My favourite is and always has been Dorothy. She’s the matriarch of the family without any of the fanfare and drama. She just keeps going. Her full Dorothy-ness shines through in this one when she investigates grief tech. Her relationship with a young man is lovely. Her reactions made me cry. This is another outstanding addition to this brilliant series. And for all the people that still like to say male authors can’t write believable women characters, look no further than this series because Doug Johnstone has the knack perfectly. I think it’s because he doesn’t say this is a female/male thing, but these are people.

Another absolutely brilliant book to add to this series. If you haven’t read the rest, they’re just above. Get to them because they are fantastic!
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive been wanting to read the Skelfs for ages. Then the random mix of a book festival, a proof, a train crash and being stuck in a coach station after midnight meant all the planets aligned!
My first reaction is why have I waited so long. 3 generations of feisty Scottish women, all strong, independent, kick arse and super cool. Running a funeral business/PI agency.
The story at the base of this was how we deal with death. The creation of AI avatars so family can continue to chat to their loved ones, and the obvious issues that causes!
The is a big look at family, aside from the Skelf women, and the long lasting impact of grief, along with drug use, betrayal and everything else in between.
I love Dougs writing style that seemed like he was personally telling me the story over a drink. Kind of upbeat and chatty despite the dark subject matter.
This is quite far into a series and it read perfectly well as a standalone, but i now really want to go and start at book 1.

[AtomicBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read quite of few of the authors other books but none in this series before so was keen to give this one a read. It was very different in many ways but the authors voice was still clear in the way that he writes and clearly cares about people, the World and his characters. I have joined this series at book 8 and although the story is standalone I always think you benefit from reading the early books and why wouldn’t you when it gives you a reason to read more great books. The characters in this book are all well written with their own unique personalities and flaws which this book pulls out slowly and carefully. This book is very on the nail with current issues as it delves into AI and it hit home for me as I had a recently read a news article about AI and how it is being used and promoted for being who have lost a loved one. This is a really good read and I definitely plan to read more in this series.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just such a great series not only delving into what a private investigator gets up to but also all things in the world of undertakers, from which I have learned so much especially with resomation. In this book with "ghost" being the key word, we are given different circumstances where it may apply and its various definitions. The main three characters of Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah plus the others in their lives are key to making the story come alive. What is quite scary is the sub plot of what technology is doing with AI bots and really questions if this is a path we would want to follow - in my view - NO! Fast paced throughout, thought provoking but always with humour and hope in the story.

[J Fearnley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Notes brings The Skelfs back to us and those familiar, wonderful characters bring back a huge sense of belonging that has the situations of these amazing women taking us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I didn’t expect nor at times quite frankly did I want! Why didn’t I expect it? This is after all The Skelfs! Of course, I shouldn’t complain, was it really a complaint? because this is the wonderfully unique, at times darkly funny yet beautiful world of The Skelfs and already I can hardly wait for the next instalment.

Full thoughts on blog

[Davinia Hinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's written from such a clever and unique perspective, so much so was just gripped.

I loved the short chapters from the different sister's points of view and I loved that the cat was called Schrodinger, that really made me chuckle.

This is my first book from Doug and my first introduction to the Skelf undertakers but it certainly won't be my last.

Very highly recommended

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought book myself at Edinburgh book festival - unsure why marked as not released yet.
Once again a fantastic look into the work of the Skelfs and their adopted family. Not only an enjoyable story but one which made me think about the power AI can have over our lives and also left with lots of food for thought on my future (hopefully distant future) funeral choices and how I will be remembered by those left on earth.
Can't wait for the short stories next year !

[Sally Boocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another engaging novel in the wonderful Skelf series. From grief bots to blackmail it doesn't get any better than this . As with all Dougs novels he pulls you in and never let's go. Highly recommended.

[eamonn cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Skelfs

8th in series and I look forward to the 9th. Characters are very real and flawed human beings but with a core of goodness that gives us all hope.

[Sas astro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another series I'm always glad to catch up with

[Elizabeth Wilding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Notes is the seventh in the Skelf series - a family of female Edinburgh undertakers & private detectives. The family dynamic has shifted & ghosts from the past are still around. Much of the plot follows multifaceted theme of ghosts - ghost particles (neutrinos), ghost bots & the effect AI is having on grief & ghosts from past relationships reappearing in lives. Doug Johnstone has incorporated new funeral techniques & ways of dealing with death as well as addressing the issues surrounding community burials for homeless people. He’s an author who has a conscience & I loved hearing him speak about his work within communities in Edinburgh at the recent literary festival.

[What-Rian-Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 8 of the Skelfs and yet another storyline I didn’t see coming! Also some big storylines in books 4-6 which I need to catch up on after this small detour into book 7.

I really enjoyed learning more about Indy’s background in this book, it was a great side story which I think has the potential to come back to cause chaos in future book. Also seeing Jenny finally reflecting on her life and behaviour.

The storyline surrounding the use of AI in grief was fascinating. Whilst I have seen a similar concept in another thriller this was so much deeper and discussed so much more detail. It had me considering the pros and in my mind the considerable cons of this type of technology. I particularly liked that it was the younger generation questioning its use and seeing the risks.

What I continue to love about this series is that reading it from the start you can’t help but feel part of the characters lives, feeling their pain and celebrating their triumphs. Whilst all these books can be read as standalones I really recommend reading them all! I will certainly be going back to finish books 4 - 6.

Overall another chilling and thrilling installment of the Skelfs. With murder, blackmail and AI grief bots it’s another must read!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! I seem to have a knack for reading the most recent book in a series first! It didn’t make a difference that I hadn’t read the others previously I don’t think - but it does mean that my TBR pile has just increased by 6 books as I really want to go back and see what I’ve missed!

As it was my first book in the series it was my first ‘meeting’ with our three main characters: Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah and I really like them. They are mother, daughter and granddaughter and they all run the family business which is a funeral service and also a private investigator business.

I think I really enjoyed the fact that they do both as it gave a really good mixture to the storyline. We had a grieving family who Dorothy had to turn from funeral director to PI to find out what had happened to the husband and father. We had Hannah’s wife’s ex boyfriend turn up to ask them to arrange his funeral as he was ill but it wasn’t that straightforward! And finally we had Jenny’s old school friend wanting her to find out who was behind the blackmail!

It sounds like a lot going on but it flowed brilliantly, I also like the fact that despite all of these things happening we also get to find out more about the three of them and their family / friends network around them which was really lovely. I’m looking forward to going back to see what I have missed!