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Bob Skinner #28
State Secrets
A shocking act of violence at the Palace of Westminster draws Edinburgh's toughest cop into a complex new case...
Skinner is plunged into a web of politics and enemies in STATE SECRETS, another compelling and utterly addictive mystery from bestselling author, Quintin Jardine. Not to be missed by readers of Ian Rankin and Peter May.
Praise for Quintin Jardine's gritty 'Well constructed, fast-paced...many an ingenious twist and turn' Observer
Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is long out of the police force but trouble has a habit of following him around. So it is that he finds himself in the Palace of Westminster as a shocking act befalls the nation.
Hours before the Prime Minister is due to make a controversial statement, she is discovered in her office with a letter opener driven through her skull.
Is the act political? Personal? Or even one of terror?
Skinner is swiftly enlisted by the Security Service to lead the investigation. Reunited with Met Police Commander Neil McIlhenney, he has forty-eight hours to crack the case - before the press unleash their wrath.
There are many in the tangled web of government with cause to act. But the outcome will be one that not even Skinner himself could predict...
What readers are saying about STATE
' From start to finish it is a brilliant story written by a person of pure literary genius '
' Gripping, complex and seemingly impossible to resolve until the carefully-crafted finale '
' Twists and turns abound in this Skinner tome. You will not be disappointed as Bob continues to investigate and intimidate in his usual style'
Skinner is plunged into a web of politics and enemies in STATE SECRETS, another compelling and utterly addictive mystery from bestselling author, Quintin Jardine. Not to be missed by readers of Ian Rankin and Peter May.
Praise for Quintin Jardine's gritty 'Well constructed, fast-paced...many an ingenious twist and turn' Observer
Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is long out of the police force but trouble has a habit of following him around. So it is that he finds himself in the Palace of Westminster as a shocking act befalls the nation.
Hours before the Prime Minister is due to make a controversial statement, she is discovered in her office with a letter opener driven through her skull.
Is the act political? Personal? Or even one of terror?
Skinner is swiftly enlisted by the Security Service to lead the investigation. Reunited with Met Police Commander Neil McIlhenney, he has forty-eight hours to crack the case - before the press unleash their wrath.
There are many in the tangled web of government with cause to act. But the outcome will be one that not even Skinner himself could predict...
What readers are saying about STATE
' From start to finish it is a brilliant story written by a person of pure literary genius '
' Gripping, complex and seemingly impossible to resolve until the carefully-crafted finale '
' Twists and turns abound in this Skinner tome. You will not be disappointed as Bob continues to investigate and intimidate in his usual style'
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2017
50 people are currently reading
139 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 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 26, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline for an advance copy of State Secrets, the 28th novel to feature ex Chief Constable Bob Skinner.
Bob is in London being sounded out for a peerage when Amanda Dennis, his old friend and now head of MI5, asks him to drop his meeting and help her with a very sensitive investigation. The prime minister has been found dead in her parliamentary office with a letter opener wedged in her skull. Due to the sensitivity of the matter Bob seconded to MI5 and asked to investigate alone. He insists on having Commander Neil MacIlheny of the Met, one of his old team, assist and together they navigate the treacherous waters of Westminster, uncovering some spectacular secrets along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed State Secrets as I am a big Bob Skinner fan. The plot, while fantastic, is not beyond the realms of possibility and that makes for scary reading. I was not so keen on the setting as I prefer to see them set in Scotland where I have a chance of understanding the geography and meeting other old friends from Bob's team and I'm not fond of politics in my reading matter - there is nothing any author can imagine that can be worse than the self serving reality we see every day.
I don't know enough about politics to know if any of the other characters are thinly painted disguises but it was not difficult to recognise a pre-election Jeremy Corbyn in Merlin Brady, the novel's Labour leader. It is obvious, however, that Mr Jardine had endless fun drawing these characters and the situations they get themselves into as none of them come out of the novel in a particularly good light.
Bob Skinner is rough, tough and very rude - I shudder at some of the things he says and marvel at how he always gets his revenge on those who cross or disrespect him. This comeuppance is sheer brilliance. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with him in real life but he is one of my favourite characters - smart and determined to get the bad guys in his own inimitable way (think bulldozer).
State Secrets is not the best novel in the series but it is still a very good read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Bob is in London being sounded out for a peerage when Amanda Dennis, his old friend and now head of MI5, asks him to drop his meeting and help her with a very sensitive investigation. The prime minister has been found dead in her parliamentary office with a letter opener wedged in her skull. Due to the sensitivity of the matter Bob seconded to MI5 and asked to investigate alone. He insists on having Commander Neil MacIlheny of the Met, one of his old team, assist and together they navigate the treacherous waters of Westminster, uncovering some spectacular secrets along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed State Secrets as I am a big Bob Skinner fan. The plot, while fantastic, is not beyond the realms of possibility and that makes for scary reading. I was not so keen on the setting as I prefer to see them set in Scotland where I have a chance of understanding the geography and meeting other old friends from Bob's team and I'm not fond of politics in my reading matter - there is nothing any author can imagine that can be worse than the self serving reality we see every day.
I don't know enough about politics to know if any of the other characters are thinly painted disguises but it was not difficult to recognise a pre-election Jeremy Corbyn in Merlin Brady, the novel's Labour leader. It is obvious, however, that Mr Jardine had endless fun drawing these characters and the situations they get themselves into as none of them come out of the novel in a particularly good light.
Bob Skinner is rough, tough and very rude - I shudder at some of the things he says and marvel at how he always gets his revenge on those who cross or disrespect him. This comeuppance is sheer brilliance. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with him in real life but he is one of my favourite characters - smart and determined to get the bad guys in his own inimitable way (think bulldozer).
State Secrets is not the best novel in the series but it is still a very good read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
December 14, 2017
Back with good old Bob.
OHHH I do love a Bob Skinner book. Here we are at book 28 and I’m by no means sick of this series, if anything with each and every book I left wanting another one, then another one. I was late to the Skinner party so was very fortunate to read the first few back to back, I wish I could just be starting over with them all again now.
I love how each book especially now we are so far into a series seems to bring back in a character that maybe you haven’t heard to much from in previous books. This time it’s the lovely gentle giant of Neil McIlhenney. Neil is now a Met Police Commander, It’s a good while since he and Bob have worked side by side.
Its great how it just doesn’t seem to matter that Bob Skinner is no longer in the police force, the former Chief Constable still seems to be the go to guy when a big job needs big responsibilities. And this is certainly a big job, a top secret job that only someone with Bob’s experience could handle.
A shocking murder at the Palace of Westminster has Bob and Neil working to a very tight time frame to try and figure out who could possible want to kill the Prime Minister just hours before she was to make a controversial statement.
Was this act meant to silence the PM for good, or was it personal.
Bob and Neil have this huge case on their hands yet as things need to be kept top secret they are working with limited means. And with only 48 hours of media blackout, can they get anywhere near uncovering the truths before the media find out just what exactly has happened.
OH my Lord! What a read and a half that was. I loved every bit of this book. I was seriously engrossed from the very beginning and did not want to stop reading until I was at the end. Unfortunately real life gets in the way and occasionally I actually had to put the book down and do real life, stuff.
I think any Bob Skinner fan will seriously enjoy this book, but any fans of crime fiction need to read this series. I also think it would be better reading in order, I think with a series this good that has gone on for 28 books then you owe it to yourself to know the back history of some of the characters.
OHHH I do love a Bob Skinner book. Here we are at book 28 and I’m by no means sick of this series, if anything with each and every book I left wanting another one, then another one. I was late to the Skinner party so was very fortunate to read the first few back to back, I wish I could just be starting over with them all again now.
I love how each book especially now we are so far into a series seems to bring back in a character that maybe you haven’t heard to much from in previous books. This time it’s the lovely gentle giant of Neil McIlhenney. Neil is now a Met Police Commander, It’s a good while since he and Bob have worked side by side.
Its great how it just doesn’t seem to matter that Bob Skinner is no longer in the police force, the former Chief Constable still seems to be the go to guy when a big job needs big responsibilities. And this is certainly a big job, a top secret job that only someone with Bob’s experience could handle.
A shocking murder at the Palace of Westminster has Bob and Neil working to a very tight time frame to try and figure out who could possible want to kill the Prime Minister just hours before she was to make a controversial statement.
Was this act meant to silence the PM for good, or was it personal.
Bob and Neil have this huge case on their hands yet as things need to be kept top secret they are working with limited means. And with only 48 hours of media blackout, can they get anywhere near uncovering the truths before the media find out just what exactly has happened.
OH my Lord! What a read and a half that was. I loved every bit of this book. I was seriously engrossed from the very beginning and did not want to stop reading until I was at the end. Unfortunately real life gets in the way and occasionally I actually had to put the book down and do real life, stuff.
I think any Bob Skinner fan will seriously enjoy this book, but any fans of crime fiction need to read this series. I also think it would be better reading in order, I think with a series this good that has gone on for 28 books then you owe it to yourself to know the back history of some of the characters.
October 30, 2024
I got this book out of the library a bit at random as I wanted to try a new author. It turns out that I stumbled upon a gem.
The main characters were developed well, the political intrigue really spiced up the murder story and it was really easy to read.
As a result I am going back to the first book in this long series in hope that all of Quentin Jardine’s books are good.
The main characters were developed well, the political intrigue really spiced up the murder story and it was really easy to read.
As a result I am going back to the first book in this long series in hope that all of Quentin Jardine’s books are good.
January 24, 2018
Personally, I think that Bob Skinner is well past his sell by date. Neither the plot or the characters were plausible for me
October 10, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is book 28 in the Bob Skinner series and I have read pretty much all of them. Obviously I would usually start a series book review advising that you go back and read the previous ones before this, and I would also suggest this here as there is an awful lot of background and character development to be had from doing this. That said, I do recognise that there are 27 previous books here and that might not be practicable. Luckily, the main story contained within this volume is complete and, although there is a lot of history between the main characters herein, most of this is summarised sufficiently for newcomers to the series to play catch-up to a certain extent.
OK so to recap, Skinner is still out of the police. Still working part time in the media, he answers an invitation to go south to London for a meeting at the Palace of Westminster having been headhunted for a different role. As his meeting is ending, he receives a phone call that pretty much turns everything upside down as there has been an incident; the Prime Minister (PM) has been found with a letter opener embedded in her skull. Skinner is swiftly seconded to the Security Services and requests that old friend and colleague Neil McIlhenney join him as he tries to cut through the red tape to investigate what has happened. All the time keeping the news from the press and the public. Is the incident connected to a controversial speech the PM was about to make on Defence or is there something much more sinister going on? With politicians involved, who knows!
I guess it's always hard when a series has gone on as long as this one has insofar as the character can't stay the same. They age, they mature, marry, divorce, have kids, rinse and repeat, but one of the things they don't do, especially in the police, is stay in the same job so long. The author has, quite rightly, progressed his main character up through the levels until he can go no more with the force, especially with the changes to structure over the border. So, I guess he has to throw something different into the mix now Skinner is away from the force. Although his reason for coming down south is valid, I couldn't help feeling this situation was a little contrived to squeeze a bit more yardage out of a series that maybe has run it's best. That said, once I got my head around all the many characters and their positions on the political spectrum, it was a pretty decent read. Personally, I am not that familiar with or interested in the nitty gritty of politics and all the shenanigans that go with, so it did take me a fair while to get to grips with what was going on.
Anyway, I plodded through and the ins and outs of what was happening with the investigation did interest and intrigue me but I am also afraid that, apart from the absolute ending, the who and why of what happened in the PM's office did leave me a bit flat.
That said, as I have been with the series pretty much from the beginning, and with things with Skinner ultimately left as they were, I am not quite ready to jump ship and abandon it just yet. Luckily, Skinner has remained true to everything I know and love about him as a character so at least that was consistent. I just hope that the author puts him in a more appealing situation to me next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This is book 28 in the Bob Skinner series and I have read pretty much all of them. Obviously I would usually start a series book review advising that you go back and read the previous ones before this, and I would also suggest this here as there is an awful lot of background and character development to be had from doing this. That said, I do recognise that there are 27 previous books here and that might not be practicable. Luckily, the main story contained within this volume is complete and, although there is a lot of history between the main characters herein, most of this is summarised sufficiently for newcomers to the series to play catch-up to a certain extent.
OK so to recap, Skinner is still out of the police. Still working part time in the media, he answers an invitation to go south to London for a meeting at the Palace of Westminster having been headhunted for a different role. As his meeting is ending, he receives a phone call that pretty much turns everything upside down as there has been an incident; the Prime Minister (PM) has been found with a letter opener embedded in her skull. Skinner is swiftly seconded to the Security Services and requests that old friend and colleague Neil McIlhenney join him as he tries to cut through the red tape to investigate what has happened. All the time keeping the news from the press and the public. Is the incident connected to a controversial speech the PM was about to make on Defence or is there something much more sinister going on? With politicians involved, who knows!
I guess it's always hard when a series has gone on as long as this one has insofar as the character can't stay the same. They age, they mature, marry, divorce, have kids, rinse and repeat, but one of the things they don't do, especially in the police, is stay in the same job so long. The author has, quite rightly, progressed his main character up through the levels until he can go no more with the force, especially with the changes to structure over the border. So, I guess he has to throw something different into the mix now Skinner is away from the force. Although his reason for coming down south is valid, I couldn't help feeling this situation was a little contrived to squeeze a bit more yardage out of a series that maybe has run it's best. That said, once I got my head around all the many characters and their positions on the political spectrum, it was a pretty decent read. Personally, I am not that familiar with or interested in the nitty gritty of politics and all the shenanigans that go with, so it did take me a fair while to get to grips with what was going on.
Anyway, I plodded through and the ins and outs of what was happening with the investigation did interest and intrigue me but I am also afraid that, apart from the absolute ending, the who and why of what happened in the PM's office did leave me a bit flat.
That said, as I have been with the series pretty much from the beginning, and with things with Skinner ultimately left as they were, I am not quite ready to jump ship and abandon it just yet. Luckily, Skinner has remained true to everything I know and love about him as a character so at least that was consistent. I just hope that the author puts him in a more appealing situation to me next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
February 24, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is long out of the police force but trouble has a habit of following him around. So it is that he finds himself in the Palace of Westminster as a shocking act befalls the nation.
Hours before the Prime Minister is due to make a controversial statement, she is discovered in her office with a letter opener driven through her skull.
Is the act political? Personal? Or even one of terror?
Skinner is swiftly enlisted by the Security Service to lead the investigation. Reunited with Met Police Commander Neil McIlhenney, he has forty-eight hours to crack the case - before the press unleash their wrath.
There are many in the tangled web of government with cause to act. But the outcome will be one that not even Skinner himself could predict...
I am a strong believer in the idea that authors need to retire characters after a certain number of books. This is the 28th novel featuring Bob Skinner - and I don't think it is much different in style than the first book in the series.
Is this a good book? For sure. It has all the trappings you would expect from a British crime novel. What it lacks is that something special that elevates it from a good book to a great one.
Will I read more of this series? Probably not. I haven't read all 28 of these but I think I have read enough to know that some things never change...
Paul
ARH
Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is long out of the police force but trouble has a habit of following him around. So it is that he finds himself in the Palace of Westminster as a shocking act befalls the nation.
Hours before the Prime Minister is due to make a controversial statement, she is discovered in her office with a letter opener driven through her skull.
Is the act political? Personal? Or even one of terror?
Skinner is swiftly enlisted by the Security Service to lead the investigation. Reunited with Met Police Commander Neil McIlhenney, he has forty-eight hours to crack the case - before the press unleash their wrath.
There are many in the tangled web of government with cause to act. But the outcome will be one that not even Skinner himself could predict...
I am a strong believer in the idea that authors need to retire characters after a certain number of books. This is the 28th novel featuring Bob Skinner - and I don't think it is much different in style than the first book in the series.
Is this a good book? For sure. It has all the trappings you would expect from a British crime novel. What it lacks is that something special that elevates it from a good book to a great one.
Will I read more of this series? Probably not. I haven't read all 28 of these but I think I have read enough to know that some things never change...
Paul
ARH
January 9, 2021
I have to say that I wasn't convinced at the start - I thought that Jardine was going down the slightly fancilful MI5 rabbit hole again, and away from good old fashioned investigation.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by how this book turned out. It was good to see McIlhenney making a return and Jardine did well in catching us up to date with progress. I remain impressed how Jardine has kept Skinner 'in the polis' even when he's no longer a Police Officer.
I am still not convinced by the first person story telling, and like it even less when it changes from one character to another with just a font change.
As with most of the books later in the series, this works well as a stand alone or as part of the series. This is something that Jardine does well in my opinion.
All in all, not a bad read. The only reason it didn't get five stars is because of the first person story telling.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by how this book turned out. It was good to see McIlhenney making a return and Jardine did well in catching us up to date with progress. I remain impressed how Jardine has kept Skinner 'in the polis' even when he's no longer a Police Officer.
I am still not convinced by the first person story telling, and like it even less when it changes from one character to another with just a font change.
As with most of the books later in the series, this works well as a stand alone or as part of the series. This is something that Jardine does well in my opinion.
All in all, not a bad read. The only reason it didn't get five stars is because of the first person story telling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2017
This was a nostalgia read for me - can this really be the 28th in the Bob Skinner series? I read perhaps the first 5 or 6 about 20 years ago, liked them very much but then somehow lost sight of them. I can’t judge how the series has progressed so read this as a stand-alone. Having got over a slight disappointment that the action didn’t take place in Edinburgh, I found the detailed descriptions of the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street fascinating if a little claustrophobic. It took me some time to get the politicians fixed in my mind, despite the nods to real-life personalities, but then I was riveted by the manoeuvring and the fast pace of the action. The ending came out of nowhere.
With thanks to Headline via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
With thanks to Headline via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
October 28, 2017
Bob Skinner has come to see if the offer to be a part of the present government is something he is interested in doing. His timing seems to be just right to help with seeing who stabbed the Prime Minister just before she is to announce a new secret warfare concept that will put Britain a head of the rest of the world. There is a coverup going on but can Bob and his helper Commander Mclhenney find out who and why it is happening. They have only been given 2 days to find out. Many secrets are uncovered in the interviews on cabinet members but are they pertinent to what happened. Very good read and those who already read about Skinner will continue to enjoy reading what he is up to in this edition.
October 15, 2017
On the eve of a major announcement by the British PM, a shocking event occurs: the PM is found on the floor of her office, a letter opener buried through her skull. Former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is known for being a no-nonsense investigator. When he is asked to lead the investigation, he knows that it won’t be easy. The battle for control is already heating up when the PM succumbs to her injury and dies. This forces Skinner to work even faster to solve the crime before Parliament descends into chaos, while standing up to those in power who want his investigation halted.
State Secrets by Quintin Jardine is the 28th entry in Jardin’s best selling series featuring Bob Skinner. This is the first book I’ve read by Jardin and I was impressed. The plot was engaging and fast-moving, two elements I look for in the books I read. Jardin has developed his characters well and they interact in a way that few authors can accomplish successfully. I fully intend to go back and read all the Skinner novels, as well as his other series. I would give this book 5/5 stars.
*A copy of this book was the only consideration given for this review.*
State Secrets by Quintin Jardine is the 28th entry in Jardin’s best selling series featuring Bob Skinner. This is the first book I’ve read by Jardin and I was impressed. The plot was engaging and fast-moving, two elements I look for in the books I read. Jardin has developed his characters well and they interact in a way that few authors can accomplish successfully. I fully intend to go back and read all the Skinner novels, as well as his other series. I would give this book 5/5 stars.
*A copy of this book was the only consideration given for this review.*
June 14, 2020
Tedious, convoluted and long winded I found it difficult to 'get into' this one.
Fans of Skinner will no doubt enjoy this installment but I found reading it a chore. To be fair, the intricacies of the British political system are not my cup of tea. Readers who enjoy politics and a bit of intrigue may well feel this novel merits a higher rating.
About a third of the way through, I suspected the 'how' and it was gratifying to be proved right. Those familiar with Jardine's writing will not be surprised by how things end.
Ultimately this book was little better than 'average' despite featuring likeable characters and being well written.
Fans of Skinner will no doubt enjoy this installment but I found reading it a chore. To be fair, the intricacies of the British political system are not my cup of tea. Readers who enjoy politics and a bit of intrigue may well feel this novel merits a higher rating.
About a third of the way through, I suspected the 'how' and it was gratifying to be proved right. Those familiar with Jardine's writing will not be surprised by how things end.
Ultimately this book was little better than 'average' despite featuring likeable characters and being well written.
October 13, 2017
This is book 28 in the Bob Skinner series and I never tire of them. Lots of background information in this one but it is a complete stand alone. Set in the Palace of Westminster, with plenty detail and political characters. Took me some time to get to grips with all the politicians and the setting was just a bit claustrophobic, rather than the streets of Edinburgh. The ending was a bit unexpected but if you like political thrillers, with great detail, you will enjoy this book. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
October 27, 2017
.
So Skinner does it again....this time the Scottish Detective (Retired) is called upon to solve a most horrific murder. Book 28 of this series made compelling reading....the murky world of politics is exposed but the steady hand of Bob Skinner once again brings into sharp focus the sometimes very fuzzy picture that is World Government. A brilliant crafted book by one of my favourite authors.
So Skinner does it again....this time the Scottish Detective (Retired) is called upon to solve a most horrific murder. Book 28 of this series made compelling reading....the murky world of politics is exposed but the steady hand of Bob Skinner once again brings into sharp focus the sometimes very fuzzy picture that is World Government. A brilliant crafted book by one of my favourite authors.
January 16, 2018
An interesting murder mystery which takes place mostly in the British Houses of Parliament following the assassination of the British prime minister. An engaging story, marred mainly by the chief character, an investigating cop who is simply a foul-mouthed bully. The author seems to take pride in creating a very unlikeable character but otherwise the story is well-crafted albeit bogged down by descriptive sections which have little re the story but do add to the book's length.levance to
November 5, 2019
Page turner. Skinner happens to be in London, Westminster on invitation from the Leader of the Opposition regarding a seat in the House of Lords. At the same time the Prime Minister is found with a paper knife inserted into her brain. Skinner is drawn into the following enquiry as a consultant director MI5. He engages the help of Commander McIlhenney of the Met, his old colleague from Edinburgh.
Convoluted tale with many names of politicians and their devious ways.
Convoluted tale with many names of politicians and their devious ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
Quintin Jardine writes like no other! Reading any of his "who-done-it" novels is like watching a movie; just enough hinting, detailed where you need it and subtle where not, perfect tempo to keep pages turning. 'State Secrets' is all of that! The British Prime Minister is found dead (or is she?), apparently murdered (or was she?)... Retired Inspector Bob Skinner is pulled into the case. A first class thriller, keeping you speculating until literally the last two pages!
November 4, 2021
4 stars. Book # 28 in the Bob Skinner mystery series started off slowly with a lot of political stuff. But when the body of the Prime Minister is found, Bob is called on to lead the investigation. With 48 hours to crack the case, he and Neil McIlhenny discover a lot of suspects and some skullduggery but there are plenty of twists and turns before the end of the book to keep me turning pages to find out what exactly happened. A good read with a slow build but a great ending.
November 27, 2021
Definitely a thriller. I picked up the book serendipitously at the library yesterday, and started to read it. After a few chapters, I thought it was starting to sound familiar, so looked it up on GR, to find that I had read it almost 3 years ago. However, I couldn't remember the "who done it" details, so flipped to the last ten chapters or so & re-acquainted myself with the book. I know that I have read a number of previous books in the series over the years, but it has been quite a while.
October 19, 2017
It would have been a 4 given the plot wasn't quite as good as previous ones. Characterisations of the main players was up to standard and I enjoyed the book.
Where it fell down for me was the inelegant pushing of Jardines own politics coupled with some poorly drawn caricatures of current politicians.
Where it fell down for me was the inelegant pushing of Jardines own politics coupled with some poorly drawn caricatures of current politicians.
January 15, 2018
This was book 28, in the Bob Skinner series and again the writing is faultless. This book was in a different venue than other books because it started in the House of Commons and the victim was the Prime Minister.
Another clever book by Quintin Jardine and again it is only at the end that justice is served.
Highly recommended.
Another clever book by Quintin Jardine and again it is only at the end that justice is served.
Highly recommended.
September 13, 2020
I found this book difficult to get into and at times difficult to follow. Several unlikeable characters blurred into one forcing me to regularly stop and remind myself who was who. The general storyline was enjoyable, if a little far fetched in the end. Overall it was ok but a rather long winded description of 48 hours in the life of Bob Skinner.
February 3, 2018
Another interesting plot and "case", most unusual; taking place in current geopolitical time, with death of British prime minister in her office. Is it murder? Good pace, lots of scheming and tension, with a few unexpected twists thrown in.
November 11, 2018
Easy read and great storytelling as always
Been reading Bob Skinner books for many years. Every book is a gem. Quintin Jardine is such a good storyteller and the attention to detail is excellent. Highly recommend this series.
Been reading Bob Skinner books for many years. Every book is a gem. Quintin Jardine is such a good storyteller and the attention to detail is excellent. Highly recommend this series.
July 3, 2019
A great read as always! I'm very invested in the regular characters - I cried when Stevie Steele died... I realized though that I've missed a number of books, probably because I'm a devoted library member and neither of my "locals" seems as interested in Bob as I am.
December 12, 2019
Skinner delves into the world of politics. Everyone wants him in some capacity. But a death in parliament forces Bob to put on his cop hat and dove a crime. Past friends are reunited and working together. Past loves meet again but all is well in the Skinner household.
August 30, 2017
Always an enjoyable series but not one of his best.
September 5, 2017
I received my copy from NetGalley
Excellent as ever. A real page turner that kept me intrigued right till the end
Excellent as ever. A real page turner that kept me intrigued right till the end
October 25, 2017
State secrets
What ever Bob Skinner tackles, he sorts! When Quinton Jardine created his Scottish cop he created a character that is superlative in every way
What ever Bob Skinner tackles, he sorts! When Quinton Jardine created his Scottish cop he created a character that is superlative in every way
November 7, 2017
Absolutely brilliant. Love this author and absolutely love the Bob Skinner series. Book 28 Just gets better and better
December 1, 2017
Surprise ending
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