What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Skelgill Investigates #12
Murder on the Run
STAND-ALONE MURDER MYSTERY, #12 IN THE SERIES. MEET MAVERICK BRITISH DETECTIVE DI SKELGILL... "MAD, BAD AND JUST A LITTLE BIT COZY."WHEN DI SKELGILL TAKES under his wing a talented fell-runner – his underprivileged cousin, Jess – little does he realise in what jeopardy he places her. For Cumbria is being targeted by the infamous ‘county lines’ drug gangs.As turf wars break out, Jess inadvertently finds herself in the crossfire – but family ties blind her to the danger of her association with Skelgill.As the body count increases, Skelgill finally recognises the threat to his young protégé – but is it too late to save her?BRUCE BECKHAM is an award-winning author and copywriter. A resident of Great Britain, he has travelled and worked in over 60 countries. He is published in both fiction and non-fiction, and is a member of the UK Society of Authors.His series ‘Inspector Skelgill Investigates’ features the recalcitrant Cumbrian detective Daniel Skelgill, and his loyal lieutenants, long-suffering Londoner DS Leyton and local high-flyer DS Emma Jones.Set amidst the ancient landscapes of England’s Lake District, this expanding series of standalone murder mysteries has won acclaim across five continents, with over 1 million copies downloaded, from Australia to Japan and India, and from Brazil to Canada and the United States of America."Great characters. Great atmospheric locale. Great plots. What's not to like?"Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2019
357 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Beckham
87 books461 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 27, 2021
Skelgill's family plays a large role in this book, starting off with wake for late great uncle, Ernie Graham, 94, where he disobliges by not drinking and excuses himself as quickly as possible from family entanglements. However, he spends many pages training and encouraging young Jess for the race he holds the record for. Fell racing is something he knows, but every step of the way there is a dark force stalking with the intention of stopping both Jess and Skelgill. The other concentrated effort for the police team is anticipating and thwarting drug movement and control being fought out between two motorcycle club gangs.
January 13, 2019
At times, a tad boring, but the part about his family was somewhat interesting although the ending was not surprising. The books have fallen into a predictable formula. The scenery and the local landscape help.
February 12, 2022
I am reading these out of order because I won this in Goodreads giveaway. I only gave it three stars because I found it somewhat confusing. Too many characters that I had trouble keeping straight, but that would most likely not be the case for someone familiar with the series.
It did meet my enjoyment criteria for good British police procedural fiction, A likeable detective, an intelligent plot and a few laughs.
I am going to start the series from the beginning and see how it grows.
It did meet my enjoyment criteria for good British police procedural fiction, A likeable detective, an intelligent plot and a few laughs.
I am going to start the series from the beginning and see how it grows.
August 18, 2021
Although advertised as a stand alone, part of the enjoyment in these books is the history and interaction of the stable of characters. Take my tip and start at the first one.
It was almost a case of Outlaws and Inlaws as Skelgill met his extended family at the funeral of his Great Uncle at the start of this next in this captivating series.
This story is all about Drug gangs , Motorbike Chapters and Fell racing to name but a few and of course lets not forget the Collie with the green tail. D.I. Smart is up to his usual tricks and isnt above a bit of 'wife swapping'. The inquisitive reader doesnt realise the full reason behind this until very late in the read.
One of the main villains isnt difficult to spot but the full story doesnt come to light until the denouement. Excitement aplenty in this one and about as far from a peaceful days fishing on Bassenthwaite lake as you could get.
What Morse was to Oxford, Vera to the North East and Perez was to the Shetlands, surely Skelgill is to the Lakes. Why hasnt a TV series been commissioned yet? But who would you have play Skelgill?
I dont know why I have held off a 5* for so long .I thoroughly enjoy reading this as I have the rest of the series with their background excursions into the many aspects of country living. What eventually persuaded me? Maybe it was one of the 'Coniston Nutty Dainties' just warmed on top of a mug of hot tea that I enjoyed as I started this final session of the book.
It was almost a case of Outlaws and Inlaws as Skelgill met his extended family at the funeral of his Great Uncle at the start of this next in this captivating series.
This story is all about Drug gangs , Motorbike Chapters and Fell racing to name but a few and of course lets not forget the Collie with the green tail. D.I. Smart is up to his usual tricks and isnt above a bit of 'wife swapping'. The inquisitive reader doesnt realise the full reason behind this until very late in the read.
One of the main villains isnt difficult to spot but the full story doesnt come to light until the denouement. Excitement aplenty in this one and about as far from a peaceful days fishing on Bassenthwaite lake as you could get.
What Morse was to Oxford, Vera to the North East and Perez was to the Shetlands, surely Skelgill is to the Lakes. Why hasnt a TV series been commissioned yet? But who would you have play Skelgill?
I dont know why I have held off a 5* for so long .I thoroughly enjoy reading this as I have the rest of the series with their background excursions into the many aspects of country living. What eventually persuaded me? Maybe it was one of the 'Coniston Nutty Dainties' just warmed on top of a mug of hot tea that I enjoyed as I started this final session of the book.
March 28, 2019
I think this is my favourite so far. It focuses on Skelgill’s mind as he observes analyses and concludes. I enjoyed the close attention to a finely tuned process of someone who knows a community intimately taking note of anomalies in the landscape, in behaviours and attitudes in order to keep that community safe. Beckham recreates this with skill. As well as an insight into rural policing, this gives the reader a much more engaging view of Daniel Skelgill than the stereotype of obsessive fishing and junk food eating.
More please!
More please!
March 5, 2019
Another incomparable Inspector Skelgill mystery set in the Lakes Region of England. Great story arc, outstanding characters and interesting dialogue. A quick review of the glossary in the the front greatly assists those who are not familiar with the local dialect. Totally enjoyable, allows the reader to get a glimpse of the challenges of law enforcement in rural England. Quite a contrast for those who have seen the BBC series "Scott & Bailey" (available on Amazon Prime) from Manchester setting.
Read
January 23, 2019Worth Waiting For.
I waited several months on the waiting list for this book and it was well worth the wait.
Bruce Beckham never misses a chance to give us a mind trapping investigation and at the same time take us for a fine tourist hike through the magnificent lake district.
A very interesting show of modern culture melding into the old traditions of the Lake District adds another attractive aspect to a gripping novel.
I waited several months on the waiting list for this book and it was well worth the wait.
Bruce Beckham never misses a chance to give us a mind trapping investigation and at the same time take us for a fine tourist hike through the magnificent lake district.
A very interesting show of modern culture melding into the old traditions of the Lake District adds another attractive aspect to a gripping novel.
March 10, 2019
Running Drugs
A community where everyone may be your relative, the black sheep and all, Detective Skelgill finds a young relative neglected by her mother has a great gift of running. Drugs are finding there way into this community and perhaps his relatives may have a hand in the business. Bruce Beckham writes, I am sure, with a twinkle in his eyes as Detective Skelgill speaks of his love of his community, family and food.
A community where everyone may be your relative, the black sheep and all, Detective Skelgill finds a young relative neglected by her mother has a great gift of running. Drugs are finding there way into this community and perhaps his relatives may have a hand in the business. Bruce Beckham writes, I am sure, with a twinkle in his eyes as Detective Skelgill speaks of his love of his community, family and food.
January 15, 2019
Running never so entertaining
Have recommended these books to friends and family. Descriptions of Cumbria and the beauty of the Lakes etc. Best travel brochure ever. Plus no profanity which so prevalent in so many books today. Characters become one friends. Always smile after finishing his books. Have read them all.
Have recommended these books to friends and family. Descriptions of Cumbria and the beauty of the Lakes etc. Best travel brochure ever. Plus no profanity which so prevalent in so many books today. Characters become one friends. Always smile after finishing his books. Have read them all.
February 19, 2019
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
Once again DI Skelgill is back in action taking on the bad guys. This time he has a protégé, his underprivileged cousin Jess whom he puts unknowing in jeopardy. Drug gangs can be dangerous and deadly as they try to keep one step ahead or end up dead.
As bodies start to pile up can he rescue Jess before it is too late? An action pack read.
Once again DI Skelgill is back in action taking on the bad guys. This time he has a protégé, his underprivileged cousin Jess whom he puts unknowing in jeopardy. Drug gangs can be dangerous and deadly as they try to keep one step ahead or end up dead.
As bodies start to pile up can he rescue Jess before it is too late? An action pack read.
February 16, 2019
What can I say other than: Is it July yet?
Knowing I've come to the end of the line of currently published DI Skelgill mysteries, I've read #12 as slooooowly as I can and LOVED every minute of this book. Keep'em coming!
Knowing I've come to the end of the line of currently published DI Skelgill mysteries, I've read #12 as slooooowly as I can and LOVED every minute of this book. Keep'em coming!
January 17, 2019
A Great Read!!
A page turner from start to finish. Very entertaining This is a book that once you pick in up, the only time you put it down is when you finish it.
A page turner from start to finish. Very entertaining This is a book that once you pick in up, the only time you put it down is when you finish it.
April 29, 2019
Another exciting romp in the rugged yet beautiful Lake District. As it begins, DI Skelgill is not having a great day. He's attended the funeral of an elderly family member and followed on to the local pub to raise a glass to the deceased. Skelgill chats with some of the relatives, including the new widow, and quickly has his fill of the crowd so he escapes for a quick fell walk where he encounters a young cousin running a trail in preparation for an annual race that Skelgill had run and won, setting a record for time, in the past. Intrigued, he offers his help in training the young girl.
His bad day gets worse when he discovers one of his relatives seems to be scamming the widow and to add insult to injury, he finds out he has to work under DI Smart, his rival and a thoroughly horrid man, on a cross-county drugs case. And to top that off, DS Jones is assigned to work more directly with Smart, who makes her very uncomfortable. Could things get worse? Of course they can.
Skelgill starts out slowly, but keeps his focus on his local scene because he's certain that is the key. In a case that may implicate a family member, that includes multiple murders of drug mules, and that involves two rival biker gangs, Skelgill is up to his neck in confusion.
As always, I really enjoyed reading another adventure in the Skelgill series. The introduction of various parts of his family and the mentoring relationship he forms with Jess was especially interesting. I was fairly certain I knew who the key was to all of this, but didn't figure out all the details until the very end. Can't wait for the next book in this series!
His bad day gets worse when he discovers one of his relatives seems to be scamming the widow and to add insult to injury, he finds out he has to work under DI Smart, his rival and a thoroughly horrid man, on a cross-county drugs case. And to top that off, DS Jones is assigned to work more directly with Smart, who makes her very uncomfortable. Could things get worse? Of course they can.
Skelgill starts out slowly, but keeps his focus on his local scene because he's certain that is the key. In a case that may implicate a family member, that includes multiple murders of drug mules, and that involves two rival biker gangs, Skelgill is up to his neck in confusion.
As always, I really enjoyed reading another adventure in the Skelgill series. The introduction of various parts of his family and the mentoring relationship he forms with Jess was especially interesting. I was fairly certain I knew who the key was to all of this, but didn't figure out all the details until the very end. Can't wait for the next book in this series!
September 2, 2023
another winner!
Bruce Beckham has done it again. He’s created a book I can’t put down. Every Skelgill investigation is better than the one before. The DI is the epitome of a hard-shelled officer, but beneath that tough exterior is a man sworn to protect and defend. His heart softens for his countryside, critters, and colleagues. In this case, it finds room for family as well. I really like Skelgill. Beckham’s characters are as realistic as your neighbors. His plots are conceived with today’s headlines in the background. Really important to this reader is than the books are exceptionally well-edited. Realistic characters, exciting plots, and great proofreading—a writing trifecta.
Bruce Beckham has done it again. He’s created a book I can’t put down. Every Skelgill investigation is better than the one before. The DI is the epitome of a hard-shelled officer, but beneath that tough exterior is a man sworn to protect and defend. His heart softens for his countryside, critters, and colleagues. In this case, it finds room for family as well. I really like Skelgill. Beckham’s characters are as realistic as your neighbors. His plots are conceived with today’s headlines in the background. Really important to this reader is than the books are exceptionally well-edited. Realistic characters, exciting plots, and great proofreading—a writing trifecta.
March 11, 2022
Another Good One
I was a bit confused in the beginning with the car dealership and the relative's car but it sorted itself out. More sultry women throwing themselves at Skelgill, drugs, poisonings, training for the fell race, dogs, motorcycle gangs and cross-county wars, unexpected dangers at every turn, fry ups and bacon rolls, treacle scones, tea coming out the gills, guns, you name it.... Excitement galore! And more of Beckham droll writing: "...they (tourists) consume bar meals like fastidious mantises dissecting their prey." On to the next.
I was a bit confused in the beginning with the car dealership and the relative's car but it sorted itself out. More sultry women throwing themselves at Skelgill, drugs, poisonings, training for the fell race, dogs, motorcycle gangs and cross-county wars, unexpected dangers at every turn, fry ups and bacon rolls, treacle scones, tea coming out the gills, guns, you name it.... Excitement galore! And more of Beckham droll writing: "...they (tourists) consume bar meals like fastidious mantises dissecting their prey." On to the next.
September 18, 2023
This book read so much differently than all his previous ones. Although murder is involved, it is not the forefront of the story. Family dynamics and drugs are. It was a nice change and made for very interesting reading.
I am usually a fast reader, however it takes me an average of a week to complete one of the books in this series. Thankfully there is a section in the beginning to teach me the language. I am also collecting recipes that I will attempt to create.
On to book 13 ….
I am usually a fast reader, however it takes me an average of a week to complete one of the books in this series. Thankfully there is a section in the beginning to teach me the language. I am also collecting recipes that I will attempt to create.
On to book 13 ….
August 5, 2025
Skelgill was a champion runner in his younger days until he was injured. Now, he sees the same potential in 17 year old Jess, and trains her for the big race. Meanwhile, someone is providing drugs laced with fentanyl, and the team is working with the Manchester officers to find the source. Could it be a local motorcycle gang? Could it be affiliated with a larger and more organized group? Recommended for fans of British police procedurals.
August 19, 2019
Wow!
Exciting, nonstop thrills! Lots of events happening-- what is connected and what is not? D I Skellgill, his team, and Manchester police investigate drug gangs infiltrating Cumbria. Terrific adventure, well written, and Skellgill is at his maverick, go-it-alone best! Great read.
Exciting, nonstop thrills! Lots of events happening-- what is connected and what is not? D I Skellgill, his team, and Manchester police investigate drug gangs infiltrating Cumbria. Terrific adventure, well written, and Skellgill is at his maverick, go-it-alone best! Great read.
March 7, 2020
Slow starting
Hi Bruce, I know you want an honest report from me and it was slow getting I t this one until around 1/3 of the ways in. At half way in I was getting more curious than the first half but finished the last half in 24 hours. I love the Inspector and his motorcycle cousin and their rivals. I ride myself and was hoping for the parts they played in your sto.
Hi Bruce, I know you want an honest report from me and it was slow getting I t this one until around 1/3 of the ways in. At half way in I was getting more curious than the first half but finished the last half in 24 hours. I love the Inspector and his motorcycle cousin and their rivals. I ride myself and was hoping for the parts they played in your sto.
October 25, 2021
Aggravating
This book is just annoying. Granted I was put on notice by the glossary in the front. But really if you are going to market a book in the US, write it in English. An occasional colloquial ism is fine but this feels like a foreign language text. Even worse the characters are unlikable and the plot is boring.
This book is just annoying. Granted I was put on notice by the glossary in the front. But really if you are going to market a book in the US, write it in English. An occasional colloquial ism is fine but this feels like a foreign language text. Even worse the characters are unlikable and the plot is boring.
December 20, 2021
My fave so far
I’ve been working my way through the series and have enjoyed every single book, but I think this one has been my favorite so far. It was nice to see another side of Skelgill, looking after his extended relations. I can’t wait to get started on the next one!
I’ve been working my way through the series and have enjoyed every single book, but I think this one has been my favorite so far. It was nice to see another side of Skelgill, looking after his extended relations. I can’t wait to get started on the next one!
September 21, 2022
This one was darker than many and harder to follow. I have gotten used to the stream-of-consciousness style in the present tense. But sometimes the threads of what was really happening got a bit tangled.
September 8, 2023
I seriously LOVE this series!
I have read as many of the Skelgill books as I can get my hands on. I lovr everything about them and I hope there are many more. If you like myteries set in England/Scotland that are complex and involve realistic characters then give these a go ;-)
I have read as many of the Skelgill books as I can get my hands on. I lovr everything about them and I hope there are many more. If you like myteries set in England/Scotland that are complex and involve realistic characters then give these a go ;-)
July 23, 2019
I really loved this one! We could see a bit more of Skelgill the way he is, with some of his family and his friends.
January 4, 2020
As usual Bruce Beckham doe not let us down.
January 30, 2020
The author's writing style is completely different than any other British Police Procedurals and I find it tends toward the opaque. Plot is ok.
October 29, 2021
Best one yet
The breathtaking scenery, the complicated plot and revealing information about our hero made for a very enjoyable read. Best Skelgill yet.
The breathtaking scenery, the complicated plot and revealing information about our hero made for a very enjoyable read. Best Skelgill yet.
November 17, 2021
I love Skelgill's kindness to the girl. The ending was perfect.
July 19, 2022
Good one
It seems that Skelgill has a human side! FINALLY! A little personal growth! Makes me like him more, and the book is the best one yet.
It seems that Skelgill has a human side! FINALLY! A little personal growth! Makes me like him more, and the book is the best one yet.
Currently reading
August 30, 2023Author gift, first I have read of this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews