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Bob Skinner #18
Aftershock
Still reeling from the tragic death of a much-loved colleague, Detective Chief Constable Bob Skinner and his men soon discover that a disturbed serial killer is still at large and very close to home. The body of a young woman has been found on a golf course. It has been there for 10 days, and it is the middle of a steamy summer holiday; she's not a pretty sight. But the way she has been laid out is uncannily familiar. The body has been composed,” just like the bodies of three other young women in a previous case. Could it be the work of a copycat killer? Further investigation finds that the woman was having a relationship with the son of a Tory MP, and that her ex-boyfriend is a policeman with a reputation as a serious womanizer. Now Skinner must find the killer as fear spreads through Edinburgh, and politicians begin to raise their heads.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
26 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
97 books243 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 17, 2024
Quintin Jardine writes a number of serial style books about recurring characters. One of his recurring characters is Bob Skinner, the Deputy Chief Constable for the Edinburgh area of Scotland. By all accounts he's typical of most detectives these days. He bends rules when he needs to, and breaks them when he has no other alternative, but unlike most rule breaking cops, is liked by those he works with (and so has few of the flaws that are typically associated with the flawed detective).
The problem with this book is that Skinner doesn't appear in much of the book. Imagine having a Rankin book with a marginalised Rebus or a Christie crime novel with a marginalised Poirot or Marple and you've got an idea of what to expect here.
In this book, a police procedural if you hadn't guessed, Skinner's subordinates investigate the shooting deaths of two Edinburgh artists, the murder of one of their boyfriends, and the killing of a mutual friend of theirs.
While they do this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims, who has effectively put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
The book isn't bad, but it has three major problems as I see it. Firstly, it feels like a story that you've walked into, part way through. It's interesting, but you get the sense that there's this whole back story you're missing.
Secondly, it's almost too procedural. Anyone who has read more than a couple of detective novels in the past 10yrs (or watched a Law and Order episode for that matter) will knows that there are certain things that the police have to do (and that they face several problems during an investigation). This book covers every one of those problems (or feels like it does), and that slows the book down somewhat, which might be a problem for some people.
Finally it's missing its' central character, which to my mind is never a good sign, and one of his more significant replacements dies 75% of the way through, which doesn't help things I don't think.
In short, this isn't a bad book, but I'm inclined to suspect that Skinner's absence is the 1000lb gorilla in the room that no one mentions. So if you want to "get into" the Bob Skinner series, I wouldn't start here (as the Irish say about travel directions).
The problem with this book is that Skinner doesn't appear in much of the book. Imagine having a Rankin book with a marginalised Rebus or a Christie crime novel with a marginalised Poirot or Marple and you've got an idea of what to expect here.
In this book, a police procedural if you hadn't guessed, Skinner's subordinates investigate the shooting deaths of two Edinburgh artists, the murder of one of their boyfriends, and the killing of a mutual friend of theirs.
While they do this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims, who has effectively put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
The book isn't bad, but it has three major problems as I see it. Firstly, it feels like a story that you've walked into, part way through. It's interesting, but you get the sense that there's this whole back story you're missing.
Secondly, it's almost too procedural. Anyone who has read more than a couple of detective novels in the past 10yrs (or watched a Law and Order episode for that matter) will knows that there are certain things that the police have to do (and that they face several problems during an investigation). This book covers every one of those problems (or feels like it does), and that slows the book down somewhat, which might be a problem for some people.
Finally it's missing its' central character, which to my mind is never a good sign, and one of his more significant replacements dies 75% of the way through, which doesn't help things I don't think.
In short, this isn't a bad book, but I'm inclined to suspect that Skinner's absence is the 1000lb gorilla in the room that no one mentions. So if you want to "get into" the Bob Skinner series, I wouldn't start here (as the Irish say about travel directions).
February 5, 2014
Quintin Jardine is a major Scottish crime writer who hails from Motherwell in Scotland. He was born there on 29th June 1945 and educated at University of Glasgow. He now lives in Scotland and in Spain.
Quintin Jardine writes a number of serial style books about recurring characters. The one I like best is Bob Skinner, the Deputy Chief Constable for the Edinburgh area of Scotland. Another Quintin Jardine review on my blog at bookreviewstoday.wordpress.com/2013/0....
Jardine's character Bob Skinner is one of my favourite fictional detectives. Skinner bends rules when he needs to, and breaks them when he has no alternative. He is also respected and liked by those he works with.
However, this is not my favourite Bob Skinner book. The problem with this novel is that Skinner does not appear in much of the book.
This book focuses on police procedure. Skinner’s subordinates are investigating the deaths of two Edinburgh artists who have been shot. The boyfriends of one of them, and a mutual friend of theirs has also been killed.
While the police investigate this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims. He has put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
Although I like many of Jardine's books better than this one, it is still well worth a read.
Quintin Jardine writes a number of serial style books about recurring characters. The one I like best is Bob Skinner, the Deputy Chief Constable for the Edinburgh area of Scotland. Another Quintin Jardine review on my blog at bookreviewstoday.wordpress.com/2013/0....
Jardine's character Bob Skinner is one of my favourite fictional detectives. Skinner bends rules when he needs to, and breaks them when he has no alternative. He is also respected and liked by those he works with.
However, this is not my favourite Bob Skinner book. The problem with this novel is that Skinner does not appear in much of the book.
This book focuses on police procedure. Skinner’s subordinates are investigating the deaths of two Edinburgh artists who have been shot. The boyfriends of one of them, and a mutual friend of theirs has also been killed.
While the police investigate this, they have to contend with the multi-millionaire father of one of the victims. He has put a bounty on the head of the murderer at a press-conference organised by the police.
Although I like many of Jardine's books better than this one, it is still well worth a read.
January 2, 2016
I enjoyed this but found it hard to follow all the different characters, who have already been introduced in previous books, but this was my first in this series. I would read more though, as it was a good story and I liked the Edinburgh setting.
August 31, 2016
Like Scot Mysteries, but got as far as chapter twelve and realized that it is just rehashing earlier storylines. Maybe I should have started with an earlier book in the Skinner series.
July 22, 2019
Something just isn't working for me with this character, Skinner. Can't get hooked & don't find his universe believable. Moving on...
June 26, 2012
This book follows closely behind the previous Bob Skinner book -- Death's Door -- and picks up unfinished or incomplete parts of its complex story. I'm so glad that Quintin Jardine continues to write books in this series, because after eighteen of them I still can't wait to begin the next. There are always surprises and humorous moments sprinkled in among the rapid-fire work of the police of Edinburgh -- love them!
November 28, 2020
4 1/2 - 5 star read. This is book #18 in Jardine's excellent Bob Skinner series. When a young woman is found murdered, it points to a modus operandi in other cases, except Skinner and his team have already closed that case, with the murderer dead and one of their own killed. When more cases happen, Skinner starts to realize that perhaps something is going on, and when he also realizes that he is being set up to look like a potential murder suspect, he has to act quickly. Like the other books in this series, this one was well written and complex with great character interaction and a very interesting storyline. I enjoyed this excellent book.
August 18, 2020
Good read. Lots going on. Another artist is found murdered in Edinburgh even though the assumed perpetrator of other murdered female artists was already found dead in Northumberland - earlier book. Skinner is on sabbatical and at his home in Spain when he discovers another murdered artist. Details point to him as being close by when ‘all’ are killed. Is he a suspect?
Police are also on the trail of Drazen Boras who killed Stevie Steele with an explosive device at the home of the dead perpetrator, a journalist.
Police are also on the trail of Drazen Boras who killed Stevie Steele with an explosive device at the home of the dead perpetrator, a journalist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2018
A first for me
I have read many of Quintin Jardine's books. Bob Skinner and his colleagues are firm favourites. I have read them as I come across them...in no particular order...and have never been put off by that. Until I read the 17th book. I knew I had to get the answers that had yet to come so immediately bought book 18.
I would hate to try to find a path through the author's mind...convoluted, twisting and more red herrings than an Edinburgh chipshop.
Marvellous.
I have read many of Quintin Jardine's books. Bob Skinner and his colleagues are firm favourites. I have read them as I come across them...in no particular order...and have never been put off by that. Until I read the 17th book. I knew I had to get the answers that had yet to come so immediately bought book 18.
I would hate to try to find a path through the author's mind...convoluted, twisting and more red herrings than an Edinburgh chipshop.
Marvellous.
October 31, 2017
Single again DCC Bob Skinner is on holiday in Spain when an apparent copy copy cat killer is killing female artists in the same manner as the man who killed Stevie Steele. Maggie Steele starts her own investigation while on maternity leave and prosecutors blow several cases. Throw in a policeman who abuses and stalks women for a good read.
December 4, 2019
I had not read author before so felt like I started half way through a story. Slow to get into but a good plot .
August 1, 2020
An excellent sequel, very well written. All the way through you know somethings not right but you’re left guessing until the very last minute! Jardine seems to be getting better and better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2022
Very good
August 11, 2023
Really good read, plenty of twists and turns. Characters are good and it's easy to get involved in their different storylines. It was an easy read and easy to follow the different threads.
February 9, 2024
In the Bob Skinner series. A good read.
February 26, 2024
Great series
July 30, 2011
A young girl is found murdered on a golf course. The Edinburgh police see a lot of familiarity with a recently closed case. is there a copy cat on the lose or was the crime pinned on the wrong man in the first place?
The book is the second is a series and not having read the first I found myself floundering among the myriad of different relationships. Trying to keep straight in my head who was married to whom, who was divorced and who had swapped partners left it difficult to actually concentrate on the story. Perhaps this would have been better read in the correct order. There were so many prominent characters but I didn't manage to find one who was likeable and sympathetic. This is a short novel and should have been a quick read but I often put it down and didn't pick it back up for days. Not one of my most enjoyable reads of the year.
The book is the second is a series and not having read the first I found myself floundering among the myriad of different relationships. Trying to keep straight in my head who was married to whom, who was divorced and who had swapped partners left it difficult to actually concentrate on the story. Perhaps this would have been better read in the correct order. There were so many prominent characters but I didn't manage to find one who was likeable and sympathetic. This is a short novel and should have been a quick read but I often put it down and didn't pick it back up for days. Not one of my most enjoyable reads of the year.
April 16, 2016
Read this book after a Rebus novel which made me think how loving and cheerful all Quintin Jardine's police are. Having said that, I really like how Jardine creates a network of police that grows with each new novel and it is great to see old faces in his novels. Well most of them and even those that aren't are often given a good side. But it is a good read that keeps you going and the last twist caught me by surprise. The story is about a murder that reminds DCC Skinner and his boys of the artists who were murdered by Daniel Ballester but that case seemed closed when Ballester apparently suicided. As Skinner is in Spain with his new lover The First Minister at the time of the murder there is some European scenes too.
August 28, 2010
Same people slightly different stories but somehow I still enjoy them.
August 4, 2013
always good, love his books and takes me back to Edinburgh
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews