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DI Skelgill Investigates #10
Murder at Dead Crags
A blood-curdling howl haunts moonlit Skiddaw Forest – its source the precipitous cliffs known as Dead Crags. Locals evoke the legend of the Black Dog, harbinger of misfortune, devil’s familiar – an ancient myth revived in living memory by the unexplained death of Piet Crow, controversial founder in 1959 of Dead Crags Zoo.
If the curse blighted Old Man Crow, could it now be visited upon his descendants? Elderly granddaughter Antonia is found dead beneath the crags. Her twin Vivienne survives a life-threatening ordeal. Murder? Attempted murder? Or innocent coincidence? Skelgill is torn – until a long-serving zoo hand falls victim to a rifle bullet.
Unearthly baying hound there may be, it takes a finger to pull a trigger – and human predators circle the ailing zoo and its valuable land. A property tycoon with bulldozers at the ready. A titled aristocrat who covets ancestral hunting grounds. Volatile animal rights activists that protest malpractice.
Dark clouds gather above the isolated Northern Fells – some great storm is brewing – but to divine its nature defies all logical investigation. Skelgill is drawn inexorably to Dead Crags – where presentiment prickles at his skin. But will his legendary intuition read the signs before the curse makes its final destructive strike?
If the curse blighted Old Man Crow, could it now be visited upon his descendants? Elderly granddaughter Antonia is found dead beneath the crags. Her twin Vivienne survives a life-threatening ordeal. Murder? Attempted murder? Or innocent coincidence? Skelgill is torn – until a long-serving zoo hand falls victim to a rifle bullet.
Unearthly baying hound there may be, it takes a finger to pull a trigger – and human predators circle the ailing zoo and its valuable land. A property tycoon with bulldozers at the ready. A titled aristocrat who covets ancestral hunting grounds. Volatile animal rights activists that protest malpractice.
Dark clouds gather above the isolated Northern Fells – some great storm is brewing – but to divine its nature defies all logical investigation. Skelgill is drawn inexorably to Dead Crags – where presentiment prickles at his skin. But will his legendary intuition read the signs before the curse makes its final destructive strike?
- GenresMystery
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2019
365 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Beckham
85 books460 followersBRUCE BECKHAM brings a lifelong love of the outdoors to the contemporary crime novel. An award-winning, Amazon best-selling writer and member of the UK Society of Authors, he pens fiendish plots, vivid wild scenes and compelling dramas.
His series 'Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates' now extends to 24 standalone murder mysteries and 8 boxsets, and sells across five continents, from Japan and India to Brazil and the United States of America. Over one million copies have been downloaded worldwide.
Murder at Blind Beck (#25) was released in May 2025 and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2XQ46Z
You are welcome to contact Bruce directly through the Goodreads message system or via his publisher, at this address: lucius-ebooks@live.com
To sign up for his monthly newsletter please click the website link above, or send a friend request or click 'follow' - to receive updates of free Kindle downloads and Goodreads giveaways.
His series 'Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates' now extends to 24 standalone murder mysteries and 8 boxsets, and sells across five continents, from Japan and India to Brazil and the United States of America. Over one million copies have been downloaded worldwide.
Murder at Blind Beck (#25) was released in May 2025 and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2XQ46Z
You are welcome to contact Bruce directly through the Goodreads message system or via his publisher, at this address: lucius-ebooks@live.com
To sign up for his monthly newsletter please click the website link above, or send a friend request or click 'follow' - to receive updates of free Kindle downloads and Goodreads giveaways.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 28, 2019
I finished this on the train to Oxenholme in the Lakes District. Beckham helps to get me in the mood for my visit. I enjoy the local setting and the sense of belonging that the characters have. Skelgill could do with a good shake sometimes, but he does deliver.
I like the pace that Beckham sets. The plot, for me, moves well and holds my interest. I would, however, like to see some development in the team so that it isn’t always Skelgill to the rescue.
I like the pace that Beckham sets. The plot, for me, moves well and holds my interest. I would, however, like to see some development in the team so that it isn’t always Skelgill to the rescue.
February 18, 2025
A pair of twin ladies own an antiquated petting zoo, inherited from their father years ago. Environmentalists are running around protesting the park, and everything else in the area. One of the twins is found dead, maybe from natural causes.
It gets pretty involved.
It gets pretty involved.
May 6, 2025
There is a local zoo which was started by a South African emigre years ago which is now run by two older women. When one is found dead, Skelgill must determine if she died of natural causes. Meanwhile, DS Jones is working undercover to find out who is behind an alleged animal rights group. The story draws to an exciting conclusion with Skelgill's heroics.
January 17, 2018
I am starting to find this "series" a bit tedious. While the police characters remain the same from book to book there is absolutely no character development, in fact the books are advertised as "stand-alone" mysteries. Also, I believe there is an excessive amount of description of the local scene and not enough plot.
January 14, 2018
I enjoyed being back in Beckham's wonderful setting around Cumbria and the Lakes District and I do love Inspector Dan Skelkgill and his team. But sadly I didn't like the story line here as much as some of the ones in the past.
Things improved in the last chapter and I would have given that part four or five stars for everything coming together quite neatly. But I really have a difficult time reading Beckham's narrative in present tense. To me it's as awkward and dry as listening to the hard-of-hearing descriptions on a television show.
I have recently discovered that some of my English heritage goes back to the Cumberland area. I, apparently, am a descendant of the de Hotone family of Penrith, and so I will definitely keep reading Beckham's books as long as he keeps writing them. But, oh how I wish he had discovered the joys of past tense story telling.
Things improved in the last chapter and I would have given that part four or five stars for everything coming together quite neatly. But I really have a difficult time reading Beckham's narrative in present tense. To me it's as awkward and dry as listening to the hard-of-hearing descriptions on a television show.
I have recently discovered that some of my English heritage goes back to the Cumberland area. I, apparently, am a descendant of the de Hotone family of Penrith, and so I will definitely keep reading Beckham's books as long as he keeps writing them. But, oh how I wish he had discovered the joys of past tense story telling.
April 24, 2021
I cannot recall what day I read this book and do not understand why my review did not get saved here. I started to read this again and knew instantly I was traveling a familiar road with the complete set of Wainwrights on the library shelf and then with Cassandra announcing 'One never forgets one's first crush, darling.' (referring to Skelgill) "Of an age with Skelgill she has worn well..."
Twin brothers meet their end separately but within short period of time.
Interesting entries in bird-watcher's notebook, a clock...among clues the team must sift through.
Whatever happened to my earlier review, I know I did enjoy this puzzler.
Twin brothers meet their end separately but within short period of time.
Interesting entries in bird-watcher's notebook, a clock...among clues the team must sift through.
Whatever happened to my earlier review, I know I did enjoy this puzzler.
March 1, 2018
I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.
Inspector Skelgill seems to have come around about women since the first book (the last one I read), but this series is still a little slow moving for me. Much improved on the extraneous fishing and cricket, but still a bit plodding pace for my taste. Mystery more interesting and tighter prose
Inspector Skelgill seems to have come around about women since the first book (the last one I read), but this series is still a little slow moving for me. Much improved on the extraneous fishing and cricket, but still a bit plodding pace for my taste. Mystery more interesting and tighter prose
February 20, 2018
Won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. My first book in this series gives the appearance of being written in the style of English authors in the 1950's with the descriptions of both people and places. However, the current times are brought to mind by the use of cell phones and other modern devices.
February 2, 2018
Rounded up. The plot of Crags is a bit slight of hand, the end 'twist' came out of left field, and because it is so out of sync with the style of this series wasn't believable. It also fatigues me to have Skelgill appear to have such difficulty communicating and at times even reading. How did he ever get to be a DI? Don't they have to pass written exams? Is he supposed to be an idiot savant? Solving crimes by unconscious thought? That said, when he's not behaving as if he can't tie his own shoes, Skelgill is a good enough character, even if he's often a drag on his own series.
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March 1, 2021Skelgill is not a happy DI. A woman has been found dead of apparent natural causes at Dead Crags but Skelgill has doubts. He doesn't quite know what to make of this woman's twin sister who is the remaining owner of an old zoo but he feels that she's in danger especially when one of the zoo employees ends up murdered. Then there are the outsiders. DS Jones is working undercover with a group of activists who may be more than they seem. And there's a possibility of a developer turning some beautiful land (including the land currently used for the zoo) into a resort and golf course which has the locals up in arms. There's also a beautiful woman that Skelgill keeps running into...she runs buses for day-trippers, but is she involved with the developer? Skelgill has to figure everything out before anyone else gets hurt.
A visit to the Lake District in the company of DI Skelgill is always a welcome break. This is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next novel!
A visit to the Lake District in the company of DI Skelgill is always a welcome break. This is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for the next novel!
January 16, 2018
I couldn’t get into this one yet I’ve enjoyed others in this series.
March 1, 2022
Not the best one but still good
I always like Skelgill, Jones and Layton and the circuitous plots of these mysteries. The ending was a complete twisted surprise. I am also loving the added vocabulary lists of Lakeland and Cockney terms. Some of the writer's devices are getting a bit formulaic...the descriptions of the clouds, the female sirens' choice of clothing, the pencil skirts and crisp white blouses showing off womanly charms of the well toned variety, the stodgy, fatty food choices. I always like the doggies in all their variety. Still, a good read.
I always like Skelgill, Jones and Layton and the circuitous plots of these mysteries. The ending was a complete twisted surprise. I am also loving the added vocabulary lists of Lakeland and Cockney terms. Some of the writer's devices are getting a bit formulaic...the descriptions of the clouds, the female sirens' choice of clothing, the pencil skirts and crisp white blouses showing off womanly charms of the well toned variety, the stodgy, fatty food choices. I always like the doggies in all their variety. Still, a good read.
February 26, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
A zoo is not supposed to be too dangerous. But when a woman’s body is found there things seems suspicious. Did she loose her footing or was she pushed then it would be murder?
Things are not what it seems as things are unraveled and secrets come to life. DI Skelgill uses his expertise to uncover the mystery and the curse behind the zoo.
A fast paced read with surprises along the way.
A zoo is not supposed to be too dangerous. But when a woman’s body is found there things seems suspicious. Did she loose her footing or was she pushed then it would be murder?
Things are not what it seems as things are unraveled and secrets come to life. DI Skelgill uses his expertise to uncover the mystery and the curse behind the zoo.
A fast paced read with surprises along the way.
May 2, 2018
The best yet
A really good stand alone, fast moving story with unexpected twists and turns. The involvement of age old feuds, modern day activists and secret government departments make for a really good mix and makes it hard to put down the book. But the best bit for me is at the end when Skelgill tells Smart to "..... Off", protecting both of his sergeants without taking physical action. Brilliant.
A really good stand alone, fast moving story with unexpected twists and turns. The involvement of age old feuds, modern day activists and secret government departments make for a really good mix and makes it hard to put down the book. But the best bit for me is at the end when Skelgill tells Smart to "..... Off", protecting both of his sergeants without taking physical action. Brilliant.
October 11, 2018
Book #10 in the Skelgill series. The story started out slowly, but I knew not to give up on Bruce Beckham's stories. They build to a story that causes you to read faster and faster. This series takes place in the Lake District of England...lots of mountains, cliffs, and lakes, of course. You will learn new terminology for this landscape. The clues are scattered throughout for the reader to follow. Who to trust?
March 2, 2021
Great read
These books are amongst my favourite. Reading number 12 now. The plots are great and so are the characters. The one thing that baffles me is if DI Skelgill and DI Smart are on the same level of pay check. And DI Skelgill doesn't seem to spend a lot why does he seem always struggling financially compared to Smart, with good new clothes, flashy car, etc. But I hope the keep coming alter I finish the series.
These books are amongst my favourite. Reading number 12 now. The plots are great and so are the characters. The one thing that baffles me is if DI Skelgill and DI Smart are on the same level of pay check. And DI Skelgill doesn't seem to spend a lot why does he seem always struggling financially compared to Smart, with good new clothes, flashy car, etc. But I hope the keep coming alter I finish the series.
January 9, 2018
Recommend the Skelgill 10 series
Inspector Skelgill has animal rights, MI5, undercover police, zoo animals, 2 murders, fox hunt, and if that is not enough for him, a terrorist with a bomb to find! Whew! What great stories these are! A must for your library to read again and again.
Inspector Skelgill has animal rights, MI5, undercover police, zoo animals, 2 murders, fox hunt, and if that is not enough for him, a terrorist with a bomb to find! Whew! What great stories these are! A must for your library to read again and again.
January 11, 2018
Book 10
Another addition to each series which can be read alone or in the series in order. I like the descriptive nature of the country's environment which sets the scene in Skelgill's comfort zone. Death and environmental protesters confound the object of the demonstration'real purpose. Great Read.
Another addition to each series which can be read alone or in the series in order. I like the descriptive nature of the country's environment which sets the scene in Skelgill's comfort zone. Death and environmental protesters confound the object of the demonstration'real purpose. Great Read.
January 27, 2018
Outstanding Beckham
I am enthralled by Bruce Beckham. His sparkling writing, the way he defines his characters with just a few details at different moments in the story, his inventiveness in presenting ever variable plots, his tongue in cheek humor, everything conjures interest and delight. Highly recommended.
I am enthralled by Bruce Beckham. His sparkling writing, the way he defines his characters with just a few details at different moments in the story, his inventiveness in presenting ever variable plots, his tongue in cheek humor, everything conjures interest and delight. Highly recommended.
March 3, 2018
Gripping???
This was a Kindle Goodreads gift. If you are very familiar with Cumberland English slang, like wordy text and a story line that stumbles and bumbles about you would enjoy this. The characters are not very realistic and the story was just plain boring. Sorry, this was not my cup of tea.
This was a Kindle Goodreads gift. If you are very familiar with Cumberland English slang, like wordy text and a story line that stumbles and bumbles about you would enjoy this. The characters are not very realistic and the story was just plain boring. Sorry, this was not my cup of tea.
March 3, 2018
This was a Goodreads Giveaway Kindle gift. If you are familiar with Cumberland, English slang, you like wordy sentences and a very slow moving plot; you would love this story. I felt the characters were very unrealistic, and frankly it was a really boring story with not enough oomph to interest me. Sorry but it was not my cup of tea.
March 13, 2018
Amazin
oh my goodness. I cannot get enough of this treo. I have finished 9. About the author. You are an amazing writer. I can walk in my mind through each and every area. Hear the birds, smell the fish. In just the way you describe Skelgill with his map. Can't wait till July.
oh my goodness. I cannot get enough of this treo. I have finished 9. About the author. You are an amazing writer. I can walk in my mind through each and every area. Hear the birds, smell the fish. In just the way you describe Skelgill with his map. Can't wait till July.
March 14, 2018
Excellent book! I have now read all of the Skelgill books and will have to wait until July for the next one to be released. Ugh! I want to read it now!!!! I have come to love the characters and easily picture them in their full 3-D glory! When I read them I see them as happening in a movie. Making these books into a TV series would be great!
March 19, 2018
I won this Kindle ebook from Goodreads Giveaways.
This is the third book I have read in the series. I really wanted to give this series a chance as I enjoy British mysteries. Alas, I am finding these slow and lacking in character development. Sigh. I hope others continue to enjoy them but I am moving on to other authors.
This is the third book I have read in the series. I really wanted to give this series a chance as I enjoy British mysteries. Alas, I am finding these slow and lacking in character development. Sigh. I hope others continue to enjoy them but I am moving on to other authors.
August 18, 2019
Very Different!
This mystery is too involved and intricate to describe in a few sentences! If you enjoy the series, it is a great addition because you are already familiar with the main characters and the beautiful, unusual location. Most new characters are not what they 0740945 to be! It is a thriller clear up until explosive, shocking conclusion.
This mystery is too involved and intricate to describe in a few sentences! If you enjoy the series, it is a great addition because you are already familiar with the main characters and the beautiful, unusual location. Most new characters are not what they 0740945 to be! It is a thriller clear up until explosive, shocking conclusion.
March 17, 2018
Amaze of a thriller
The characters form an interesting group. It was a it hard to understand some of the relationships as I had not read the previous titles. The story was a bit hard to stay with but it all came together at the end.
The characters form an interesting group. It was a it hard to understand some of the relationships as I had not read the previous titles. The story was a bit hard to stay with but it all came together at the end.
April 25, 2018
Great read, as are all the books in this series.
Have enjoyed all the books in this series. Enjoyed learning about the cells area and have purchased the book the detective reads in these stories.
Have enjoyed all the books in this series. Enjoyed learning about the cells area and have purchased the book the detective reads in these stories.
August 23, 2019
Great Series
I really enjoy the characters and storyline in these books. DI Skelgill is a believable policeman who knows the area he grew up in very well and always goes to great lengths to get the bad guy. This book in the series really had a surprise ending.
I really enjoy the characters and storyline in these books. DI Skelgill is a believable policeman who knows the area he grew up in very well and always goes to great lengths to get the bad guy. This book in the series really had a surprise ending.
October 25, 2019
Intriguing read
The plot of this book really gripped me. I love the way the author describes and delves into the history of the places in which he is setting the story. The endings are always a surprise.
The plot of this book really gripped me. I love the way the author describes and delves into the history of the places in which he is setting the story. The endings are always a surprise.
December 22, 2018
Better mystery than the previous two-three books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews