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Rebecca Connolly #2
The Blood is Still
When the body of a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is discovered on the site of the Battle of Culloden, journalist Rebecca Connolly takes up the story for the Chronicle.
Meanwhile, a film being made about the '45 Rebellion has enraged the right-wing group Spirit of the Gael which is connected to a shadowy group called Black Dawn linked to death threats and fake anthrax deliveries to Downing Street and Holyrood. When a second body – this time in the Redcoat uniform of the government army – is found in Inverness, Rebecca finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mystery. Are the murders connected to politics, a local gang war or something else entirely?
Meanwhile, a film being made about the '45 Rebellion has enraged the right-wing group Spirit of the Gael which is connected to a shadowy group called Black Dawn linked to death threats and fake anthrax deliveries to Downing Street and Holyrood. When a second body – this time in the Redcoat uniform of the government army – is found in Inverness, Rebecca finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mystery. Are the murders connected to politics, a local gang war or something else entirely?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
81 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Skelton
41 books138 followersDouglas has been a shelf stacker, bank clerk, tax officer, factory worker, advertising salesperson, taxi driver (for two days), wine waiter (for two hours), journalist and criminal investigator. His early books were all in true crime or criminal history but now he writes fiction, beginning with the Davie McCall series. The final book in the series, OPEN WOUNDS, has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2016, alongside such authors as Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Lin Anderson, Doug Johnstone and James Oswald.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 18, 2025
Decent mystery containing a few interesting characters with the Jacobite battle at Culloden Moor providing an historical backdrop. Unfortunately there is a bit of an odd and clumsy climax to the story.
March 9, 2025
**Read 4.5 STARS!**
At first I would like to say that this action-packed crime thriller is the 2nd volume of the, so far for me, wonderful "Rebecca Connolly" series.
Secondly there's at the beginning of the book a short phrase from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Tender Is the Night", as an inspirational background to this story.
Thirdly the author's storytelling is superb, all characters come splendidly to life in this book about human tragedy in an effort to come clean with one's own life, family tragedies, and murder to compensate for a youth lost.
The story starts off when a dead body is found in an 18th Century Highland dress on the site of the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746), and Rebecca Connolly of the fictional weeklie "Highland Chronicle" will follow up this story, also encouraged by her former boss Elspeth.
After some time a second dead body is discovered in a cemetery near a famous Kirk, and that body is of a supposed child abuser, and these two lethal actions will reveal in a heartrending aftermath the perpetrator and the reason why of these killings, whether past and present, while in between these deaths a local criminal family will come into the picture, until they will fall out with each other with fatal consequences in the end.
What is to follow as a whole is an eventful and very humanlike crime thriller, with lifelike people and police procedures, combined with a great storyline and ending with a superbly executed plot.
Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this very engaging series, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "A Gripping Emotional Bloody Encounter"!
At first I would like to say that this action-packed crime thriller is the 2nd volume of the, so far for me, wonderful "Rebecca Connolly" series.
Secondly there's at the beginning of the book a short phrase from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Tender Is the Night", as an inspirational background to this story.
Thirdly the author's storytelling is superb, all characters come splendidly to life in this book about human tragedy in an effort to come clean with one's own life, family tragedies, and murder to compensate for a youth lost.
The story starts off when a dead body is found in an 18th Century Highland dress on the site of the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746), and Rebecca Connolly of the fictional weeklie "Highland Chronicle" will follow up this story, also encouraged by her former boss Elspeth.
After some time a second dead body is discovered in a cemetery near a famous Kirk, and that body is of a supposed child abuser, and these two lethal actions will reveal in a heartrending aftermath the perpetrator and the reason why of these killings, whether past and present, while in between these deaths a local criminal family will come into the picture, until they will fall out with each other with fatal consequences in the end.
What is to follow as a whole is an eventful and very humanlike crime thriller, with lifelike people and police procedures, combined with a great storyline and ending with a superbly executed plot.
Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this very engaging series, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "A Gripping Emotional Bloody Encounter"!
May 9, 2024
The 2nd Rebecca Connolly story and a worthy sequel to the original. The plot involving drug dealers, historic abuse and a side of political intrigue entertains and provides enough twists and turns, but it is the returning characters that make it a worthwhile read, especially Rebecca. Look forward to continuing the series and seeing what she gets up to next.
March 11, 2020
This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year, so my expectations were high. And I knew by the end of first chapter that I was reading something special.
The Blood is Still is a follow up to Thunder Bay but can easily be read as a standalone. It is a completely new storyline, and whilst events that took place in Thunder Bay are referenced, the reader is always given enough information (but you should read Thunder Bay anyway because it's terrific).
A body is found on Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness, in full historical Highland dress. There is nothing on the body to identify him or his murderer. And no clue as to why. DCI Val Roach has her work cut out. Journalist Rebecca Connolly is keen to get ahead of the story before her competitors do but is being hampered by changes afoot at The Chronicle. And she is also distracted by another story - a community's outrage when they hear that a paedophile is due to be housed in their neighbourhood. Spirit of the Gael, or Spoiraid, a right-wing political group led by charismatic Finbar Dalgleish, seems to be linked to both stories.
This is an intelligent, gripping story with great attention to detail which builds steadily throughout. There are so many exquisitely drawn characters. Mo Burke, matriarch of the criminal Burke clan, who is leading the community campaign. Living in Inverness but with Glasgow through her veins, she is fierce, proud and loyal. John Donahue, ex cop and head of security for the film set - arrogant, aggressive and not used to being told what to do. There are too many to mention but they all have the little details to flesh them out, to make them human, relatable. For me, Nolan Burke and Rebecca's former boss Elspeth, both colourful characters, are standouts.
This is a tale steeped in history but right bang in the present. Skelton switches effortlessly between describing the eerie silence and stillness of Culloden Battlefield, the heated conversations in Mo Burke's kitchen and the scuffles at a community protest. The writing is reflective in places, almost lyrical in others. A couple of beautiful examples:
'... a red shirt, a scream of colour in a room that was a conversation in browns and dust.'
and
'... there was the sun ... bursting through in a brilliant flash, striping the sky with colours and bathing the serrated surface of the water in a golden spotlight.'
There is also a lovely observation about a butterfly hair clip. And of course, there are other darker examples but, you know, spoilers.
It's shot through with dark humour, and some lighter moments, often provided by Chaz's partner Alan. There's a wee sneaky mention of one of the author's previous books and I thought I maybe recognised the traits and characteristics of one or two other crime writers. It's educational too - not only did I learn about Scottish history, I also learned about getting horsed and going sadfishing.
The crimes at the centre of the book are brutal and shocking. The reasons behind them equally shocking, and deeply sad. Hints are given to the reader little by little through distressing flashbacks. The denouement is tense, terrifying and, in its final moments, poignant. I had an unexpected lump in my throat.
In the coming days and weeks other reviewers will find better words to describe this book. But for me, it shows how versatile a writer Skelton is and that he is just going from strength to strength. It's a triumph. I absolutely loved it and everyone should read it!
The Blood is Still is a follow up to Thunder Bay but can easily be read as a standalone. It is a completely new storyline, and whilst events that took place in Thunder Bay are referenced, the reader is always given enough information (but you should read Thunder Bay anyway because it's terrific).
A body is found on Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness, in full historical Highland dress. There is nothing on the body to identify him or his murderer. And no clue as to why. DCI Val Roach has her work cut out. Journalist Rebecca Connolly is keen to get ahead of the story before her competitors do but is being hampered by changes afoot at The Chronicle. And she is also distracted by another story - a community's outrage when they hear that a paedophile is due to be housed in their neighbourhood. Spirit of the Gael, or Spoiraid, a right-wing political group led by charismatic Finbar Dalgleish, seems to be linked to both stories.
This is an intelligent, gripping story with great attention to detail which builds steadily throughout. There are so many exquisitely drawn characters. Mo Burke, matriarch of the criminal Burke clan, who is leading the community campaign. Living in Inverness but with Glasgow through her veins, she is fierce, proud and loyal. John Donahue, ex cop and head of security for the film set - arrogant, aggressive and not used to being told what to do. There are too many to mention but they all have the little details to flesh them out, to make them human, relatable. For me, Nolan Burke and Rebecca's former boss Elspeth, both colourful characters, are standouts.
This is a tale steeped in history but right bang in the present. Skelton switches effortlessly between describing the eerie silence and stillness of Culloden Battlefield, the heated conversations in Mo Burke's kitchen and the scuffles at a community protest. The writing is reflective in places, almost lyrical in others. A couple of beautiful examples:
'... a red shirt, a scream of colour in a room that was a conversation in browns and dust.'
and
'... there was the sun ... bursting through in a brilliant flash, striping the sky with colours and bathing the serrated surface of the water in a golden spotlight.'
There is also a lovely observation about a butterfly hair clip. And of course, there are other darker examples but, you know, spoilers.
It's shot through with dark humour, and some lighter moments, often provided by Chaz's partner Alan. There's a wee sneaky mention of one of the author's previous books and I thought I maybe recognised the traits and characteristics of one or two other crime writers. It's educational too - not only did I learn about Scottish history, I also learned about getting horsed and going sadfishing.
The crimes at the centre of the book are brutal and shocking. The reasons behind them equally shocking, and deeply sad. Hints are given to the reader little by little through distressing flashbacks. The denouement is tense, terrifying and, in its final moments, poignant. I had an unexpected lump in my throat.
In the coming days and weeks other reviewers will find better words to describe this book. But for me, it shows how versatile a writer Skelton is and that he is just going from strength to strength. It's a triumph. I absolutely loved it and everyone should read it!
July 25, 2023
I’d say 3.5.
I still preferred the first one but I think I’d also give this one a 4 if it wasn’t because I got really confused with a lot of stuff and fancy names.
No more thoughts tbh… just sad because my girl Rebecca deserves so much, give this woman a therapy session istg
I still preferred the first one but I think I’d also give this one a 4 if it wasn’t because I got really confused with a lot of stuff and fancy names.
No more thoughts tbh… just sad because my girl Rebecca deserves so much, give this woman a therapy session istg
August 10, 2021
3.5 stars
December 27, 2020
Rebecca is covering a demonstration; the local council want to place a sex offender, caught with child porn on his computer, in a neighborhood nicknamed the Ferry. Mo Burke, the matriarch ruling her family's crime business, fronts the demonstration. A local candidate, super conservative and racist attends.
While talking with Cruz, freelance photographer, they receive a tip about a murder.
DCI Roache is called to handle the case. A man dressed in traditional highland dress, murdered with historical sword. No leads. No identity.
Rebecca teams up with her previous boss, Elsbeth to investigate this murder. She befriends a historical consultant for a movie being filmed.
Meanwhile Rebecca has caught the attention of the oldest Burke son. Though he has taken part in his family's business, Nolan wants out.
I could not put this book down. The characters. Plot. Suspense. Twists. Loved it.
Highly recommend.
While talking with Cruz, freelance photographer, they receive a tip about a murder.
DCI Roache is called to handle the case. A man dressed in traditional highland dress, murdered with historical sword. No leads. No identity.
Rebecca teams up with her previous boss, Elsbeth to investigate this murder. She befriends a historical consultant for a movie being filmed.
Meanwhile Rebecca has caught the attention of the oldest Burke son. Though he has taken part in his family's business, Nolan wants out.
I could not put this book down. The characters. Plot. Suspense. Twists. Loved it.
Highly recommend.
April 23, 2022
Ein Jahr nach den Ereignissen des ersten Bandes kocht in einem Stadtviertel von Inverness der Volkszorn, als ein Sexualtäter nach Verbüßen seiner Haftstrafe in die Nachbarschaft ziehen soll. Inverness ist seine Heimatstadt. Der Protest wird angeheizt von Maureen/Mo Burke, deren Familie bisher allein durch kriminelle Geschäfte hervorstach, und dem bekannten Rechtspopulisten Finbar Dalgliesh. Die Journalistin Rebecca Connolly beobachtet die auffällig kleine Gruppe von Demonstranten, voller Anerkennung, wie geschickt Mo Burke ausdrückt, was ihre Nachbarn hören wollen und selbst nicht auszusprechen wagen. Wer als Zeuge des Aufmarschs an Mos kriminelle Söhne und ihren in Haft befindlichen Mann denkt, müsste darüber grübeln, wessen Interessen Mo mit ihrem Kreuzzug gegen den neuen Nachbarn vertritt. Von Finbar Dalgliesh ist zu erwarten, dass er allein an seiner Wiederwahl ins schottische Parlament interessiert ist und „den einfachen, hart arbeitenden Schotten“ dafür instrumentalisiert …
Nordöstlich von Inverness wird gerade ein Film über die Schlacht von Culloden gedreht. Als auf dem historischen Schlachtfeld ein Toter in historischem Kostüm gefunden wird, fragen sich die Ermittler im Team von DCI Valerie Roach nach der Botschaft, die der Täter damit vermitteln will. Warum muss am historischen Schauplatz einer Schlacht in der Gegenwart Blut fließen? In einem dritten Handlungsfaden sind Skeltons Leser den Ermittlern stets einige Schritte voraus; denn hier erinnert sich eine noch unbekannte Person, wie sie als Kind gefangen gehalten und Opfer sexueller Gewalt wurde. Sollten die damals untätigen Zeugen der Taten noch leben, gäbe es hier ein starkes Rachemotiv.
Gleich mehrere interessante Frauen finden sich zu ungewöhnlicher Kooperation zusammen: Journalistin Rebecca, deren Zeitung vor der Pleite steht, ihre betagte Berufskollegin Elspeth McTaggart, die sich noch immer nicht vom Recherchieren und Netzwerken trennen kann, die erfahrene Valerie Roach auf ihrem neuen Posten als Polizeichefin und schließlich als Expertin für den historischen Hintergrund die habilitierte Historikerin Anna Fowler. Zwischen den Medien und der Polizei entbrennt inzwischen ein Wettlauf mit allen Mitteln um Informationen, ohne die der Tod des Mannes auf dem Schlachtfeld nicht aufgeklärt werden kann.
“Das Grab in den Highlands“ bietet - stilistisch gelungen - mit seinen verschiedenen Handlungssträngen ein komplexes Setting, in dem sich Presse, Polizei und einige Aktivisten in die Quere kommen. Am Ende ist Rebeccas berufliche Situation beim Chronicle so unsicher wie zuvor. Sie musste jedoch einsehen, dass Alleingänge als Ermittlerin selbst für eine Polizistentochter gefährlich werden können.
Nordöstlich von Inverness wird gerade ein Film über die Schlacht von Culloden gedreht. Als auf dem historischen Schlachtfeld ein Toter in historischem Kostüm gefunden wird, fragen sich die Ermittler im Team von DCI Valerie Roach nach der Botschaft, die der Täter damit vermitteln will. Warum muss am historischen Schauplatz einer Schlacht in der Gegenwart Blut fließen? In einem dritten Handlungsfaden sind Skeltons Leser den Ermittlern stets einige Schritte voraus; denn hier erinnert sich eine noch unbekannte Person, wie sie als Kind gefangen gehalten und Opfer sexueller Gewalt wurde. Sollten die damals untätigen Zeugen der Taten noch leben, gäbe es hier ein starkes Rachemotiv.
Gleich mehrere interessante Frauen finden sich zu ungewöhnlicher Kooperation zusammen: Journalistin Rebecca, deren Zeitung vor der Pleite steht, ihre betagte Berufskollegin Elspeth McTaggart, die sich noch immer nicht vom Recherchieren und Netzwerken trennen kann, die erfahrene Valerie Roach auf ihrem neuen Posten als Polizeichefin und schließlich als Expertin für den historischen Hintergrund die habilitierte Historikerin Anna Fowler. Zwischen den Medien und der Polizei entbrennt inzwischen ein Wettlauf mit allen Mitteln um Informationen, ohne die der Tod des Mannes auf dem Schlachtfeld nicht aufgeklärt werden kann.
“Das Grab in den Highlands“ bietet - stilistisch gelungen - mit seinen verschiedenen Handlungssträngen ein komplexes Setting, in dem sich Presse, Polizei und einige Aktivisten in die Quere kommen. Am Ende ist Rebeccas berufliche Situation beim Chronicle so unsicher wie zuvor. Sie musste jedoch einsehen, dass Alleingänge als Ermittlerin selbst für eine Polizistentochter gefährlich werden können.
April 16, 2020
Wow!! This book was an excellent read. A gritty, dark thriller that leads you down several paths, which twist and turn to lead you into places you don’t expect to be taken, at all.
I laughed because there are some incredibly talented dark pieces of humour. I cried at what haunts Rebecca the main character, but also at some of the moments, written so cleverly and with deep human understanding by the author.
Douglas Skelton has immense insight into the human character, what haunts us, what we want to escape, who we want to be.
If you enjoy deep, dark, gritty thrillers with very real characters who you actually like, even some you probably shouldn’t like, you know you have a very talented author. Thanks for the latest instalment in this great new series.
I laughed because there are some incredibly talented dark pieces of humour. I cried at what haunts Rebecca the main character, but also at some of the moments, written so cleverly and with deep human understanding by the author.
Douglas Skelton has immense insight into the human character, what haunts us, what we want to escape, who we want to be.
If you enjoy deep, dark, gritty thrillers with very real characters who you actually like, even some you probably shouldn’t like, you know you have a very talented author. Thanks for the latest instalment in this great new series.
December 3, 2020
This was excellent. Second in the Rebecca Connolly series and set in Inverness. It starts with a body found on the battlefield of Culloden-just outside Inverness. We have a gangster family, a right-wing populist politician with possible links to another group who might be terrorists and much else besides.
This was all very well put together and well written. A number of strands to the story were always present and it was difficult to see where it was headed. In the end it all resolved itself fairly quickly and not in a way you might have predicted. Really good and looking forward to more of these.
This was all very well put together and well written. A number of strands to the story were always present and it was difficult to see where it was headed. In the end it all resolved itself fairly quickly and not in a way you might have predicted. Really good and looking forward to more of these.
December 23, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for a review copy of The Blood is Still, the second novel to feature Inverness based reporter Rebecca Connolly.
When a murdered body is found at the Culloden battlefield Rebecca knows there is a big story. Is the murder linked to the film re-enacting the events of the 1745 battle or to the nationalist Spioread Nan Gàidheal who object to the film’s depiction of them or to something else entirely? Rebecca is determined to find out but must divide her time between this and the protests about housing a sex offender in the local community, protests led by Mo Burke, matriarch of the most prominent local crime family and whose son is showing interest in Rebecca.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood is Still and was glued to the pages from start to finish. I can’t say I was overly enthusiastic about its predecessor, Thunder Bay, but this is a different league. The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Rebecca and DCI Val Leach, the investigating detective, but Nolan Burke gets the odd scene and there are some stream of consciousness chapters from an unnamed victim of sexual assault. I can’t say that I paid these latter excerpts much attention as their relevance is not immediately obvious but they do raise speculation as to who their narrator is.
There is plenty going on in this novel with the murder and then a second one, the history associated with it, the link to nationalism and the question of what to do with sex offenders and yet it all merges seamlessly into a riveting narrative. The vignettes of the various supporting characters are spot on from the self serving justification of the paedophile to the oleaginous piety of the politician using racism to rabble rouse, via criminal paranoia and violence. I found it impressive that so much can be summed up in so few words.
I liked the way the plot gradually brings all these disparate strands together into a surprising conclusion that seems, somehow, more sad than uplifting. I like my conclusions to satisfy by meting out justice to the bad guys and giving the good guys a win, but in this case the win is tinged with regret.
The Blood is Still is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When a murdered body is found at the Culloden battlefield Rebecca knows there is a big story. Is the murder linked to the film re-enacting the events of the 1745 battle or to the nationalist Spioread Nan Gàidheal who object to the film’s depiction of them or to something else entirely? Rebecca is determined to find out but must divide her time between this and the protests about housing a sex offender in the local community, protests led by Mo Burke, matriarch of the most prominent local crime family and whose son is showing interest in Rebecca.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood is Still and was glued to the pages from start to finish. I can’t say I was overly enthusiastic about its predecessor, Thunder Bay, but this is a different league. The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Rebecca and DCI Val Leach, the investigating detective, but Nolan Burke gets the odd scene and there are some stream of consciousness chapters from an unnamed victim of sexual assault. I can’t say that I paid these latter excerpts much attention as their relevance is not immediately obvious but they do raise speculation as to who their narrator is.
There is plenty going on in this novel with the murder and then a second one, the history associated with it, the link to nationalism and the question of what to do with sex offenders and yet it all merges seamlessly into a riveting narrative. The vignettes of the various supporting characters are spot on from the self serving justification of the paedophile to the oleaginous piety of the politician using racism to rabble rouse, via criminal paranoia and violence. I found it impressive that so much can be summed up in so few words.
I liked the way the plot gradually brings all these disparate strands together into a surprising conclusion that seems, somehow, more sad than uplifting. I like my conclusions to satisfy by meting out justice to the bad guys and giving the good guys a win, but in this case the win is tinged with regret.
The Blood is Still is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
December 6, 2020
Than you Negalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the eARC.
This can be read as a standalone, but I was glad to have read the first in the series.
A body is found in the battlefield of Culloden, at the reenactment field, dressed in 18th Century Highland dress. Rebecca Connelly, journalist, is on the story immediately. Not many days after, another body, dressed similarly, is found at another historical site.
This story features the aftermath of child molestation and the horrifying after effects. It also
has an interesting mobster family. The setting is great, I love Scotland.
I like Rebecca, she sure is headstrong, but understandably so, risking her job at every turn, but determined to do what she thinks is right. I was hoping goodlooking bad boy Nolan, part of the mob family, would succeed in wooing her!
The ending is a surprise, at once a good and a sad one... can't wait for no. 3. Definitely recommended. 4 Stars rounded up to 4.5.
This can be read as a standalone, but I was glad to have read the first in the series.
A body is found in the battlefield of Culloden, at the reenactment field, dressed in 18th Century Highland dress. Rebecca Connelly, journalist, is on the story immediately. Not many days after, another body, dressed similarly, is found at another historical site.
This story features the aftermath of child molestation and the horrifying after effects. It also
has an interesting mobster family. The setting is great, I love Scotland.
I like Rebecca, she sure is headstrong, but understandably so, risking her job at every turn, but determined to do what she thinks is right. I was hoping goodlooking bad boy Nolan, part of the mob family, would succeed in wooing her!
The ending is a surprise, at once a good and a sad one... can't wait for no. 3. Definitely recommended. 4 Stars rounded up to 4.5.
October 1, 2021
Rebecca Connolly journalist for the Chronicle is worried about her job there are changes at the top. While investigating a local child molester being rehoused she meets the Burkes a local crime family. This will lead Rebecca to murder with links to the past and the battle of Culloden. All these links will lead Rebecca to more intrigue and danger that her job paid for. It will all lead to an exciting ending with Rebecca and her friends at the very centre. A story that leads you too the very heart of police and journalists liaising. Contacts made and recognising the truth amongst the lies. Second in a series well worth sticking with.
March 1, 2021
This issue-oriented sequel to Thunder Bay delves into several social issues. Are newspapers still relevant? How do you provide housing for ex-cons when no one wants them? And then there are drug gangs and families. Finally, it touches upon how individuals deal with permanent loss.
Rebecca Connolly works for a print newspaper in Scotland, but it the London staff that seem to be running it into the ground. When a man in full Highland dress (think Braveheart) is found with a claymore through his chest on the historic site of Culloden, the rare murder creates a great deal of interest. Rebecca is supposed to work in the office, but it is not exactly her style.
Her explorations take her into a drug family that challenges her view of good and bad people. Deep within the police department, there are layers of control that are not readily apparent (not unlike the world of newspapers).
Rebecca is an interesting character who juggles life, love, and career with zeal. This is filled with Scottish words which helps establish the setting. There are man-woman relationship angles, but nothing sensual. All in all, a good series that is sure to keep producing.
Rebecca Connolly works for a print newspaper in Scotland, but it the London staff that seem to be running it into the ground. When a man in full Highland dress (think Braveheart) is found with a claymore through his chest on the historic site of Culloden, the rare murder creates a great deal of interest. Rebecca is supposed to work in the office, but it is not exactly her style.
Her explorations take her into a drug family that challenges her view of good and bad people. Deep within the police department, there are layers of control that are not readily apparent (not unlike the world of newspapers).
Rebecca is an interesting character who juggles life, love, and career with zeal. This is filled with Scottish words which helps establish the setting. There are man-woman relationship angles, but nothing sensual. All in all, a good series that is sure to keep producing.
February 19, 2021
I just finished book 2 in the Rebecca Connolly thriller series by Douglas Skelton. This author is quickly becoming one of my favourites.
He spins a compelling story and when you think you've figured out who the guilty party(ies) is/are, he twists the plot and leaves you shaking your head.
I can't wait for the third book in the series to become available for preorder in Canada.
He spins a compelling story and when you think you've figured out who the guilty party(ies) is/are, he twists the plot and leaves you shaking your head.
I can't wait for the third book in the series to become available for preorder in Canada.
March 10, 2020
I knew from the opening paragraph that The Blood is Still was going to be a winner. Atmospheric conditions on a historic battle ground, finely tuned prose and a suspenseful, layered plot are going to do it for me every time.
In The Blood is Still, Skelton has produced an absolute cracker of a story and married it with strong, well-drawn characters, contemporary politics and a plot that will keep you hooked right to the end.
Second books in a series can be tough to write, but Skelton has really pulled this off after the success of Thunder Bay, the first in the Rebecca Connolly series. The Blood is Still is easily read as a stand-alone, but I’m guessing that by the time you have read it, you’ll be racing back to the bookshop to buy Thunder Bay!
Rebecca Connolly is a journalist and Skelton uses his first-hand knowledge of journalism to paint a realistic (and horribly depressing) picture of life in today’s digital first journalistic world where being tied to your desk is more important than going out making contacts and clickbait is what really matters to shareholders.
The backdrop of Inverness and the surrounding area makes for a strong sense of place and Skelton uses the history of the area to great effect in what is a contemporary novel dealing with some difficult themes.
Rebecca Connolly is keen to get a jump on her competitors when the dead body turns up on Culloden moor. But the unpleasant Head of Security on the nearby film set, ex-cop John Donahue is giving no access and saying nothing so she’s going to have to find other ways to get an entry into this story. At the same time, some local residents led by the unlikeliest of community leaders is causing a ruckus about a registered sex offender whom they believe will be homed in their development. The Ferry isn’t the most salubrious of places but it is home to the Burkes, father in prison, matriarch Mo ruling the roost and her two boys, Nolan and Scott, helping her to keep all their criminal enterprises on the go. Mo has taken up the cudgels on behalf of the community of Inchferry and she’s determined that no sex-offender is coming anywhere near her turf.
This is grist to the mill of Spirit of the Gael, a fanatical right-wing political racist group whose leader, Finbar Dalgleish, knows just how to jump onto this bandwagon and make it his own. Though it hasn’t yet been proven, Rebecca knows there’s a connection between Spirit of the Gael and New Dawn, a provisional terrorist group, even if the sharp suited Dalgleish denies it.
In the background, the reader knows that something deeper is going on. The voice of a child occasionally breaks in to the action, plaintive and unsettling, jarring with the narrative arc and yet underpinning it.
Rebecca has to walk a fine line between getting the story and keeping her bosses happy, but it’s a line that’s crumbling with every step she takes. When a second body is found, Rebecca finds herself in the midst of danger and with an unlikely ally.
Skelton has written a very well woven and beautifully layered plot with characters who raised an emotional response in me, leading to a visceral response to the ending that left me both sad and surprised.
Verdict: The Blood is Still is a compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind. Absolutely unmissable.
In The Blood is Still, Skelton has produced an absolute cracker of a story and married it with strong, well-drawn characters, contemporary politics and a plot that will keep you hooked right to the end.
Second books in a series can be tough to write, but Skelton has really pulled this off after the success of Thunder Bay, the first in the Rebecca Connolly series. The Blood is Still is easily read as a stand-alone, but I’m guessing that by the time you have read it, you’ll be racing back to the bookshop to buy Thunder Bay!
Rebecca Connolly is a journalist and Skelton uses his first-hand knowledge of journalism to paint a realistic (and horribly depressing) picture of life in today’s digital first journalistic world where being tied to your desk is more important than going out making contacts and clickbait is what really matters to shareholders.
The backdrop of Inverness and the surrounding area makes for a strong sense of place and Skelton uses the history of the area to great effect in what is a contemporary novel dealing with some difficult themes.
Rebecca Connolly is keen to get a jump on her competitors when the dead body turns up on Culloden moor. But the unpleasant Head of Security on the nearby film set, ex-cop John Donahue is giving no access and saying nothing so she’s going to have to find other ways to get an entry into this story. At the same time, some local residents led by the unlikeliest of community leaders is causing a ruckus about a registered sex offender whom they believe will be homed in their development. The Ferry isn’t the most salubrious of places but it is home to the Burkes, father in prison, matriarch Mo ruling the roost and her two boys, Nolan and Scott, helping her to keep all their criminal enterprises on the go. Mo has taken up the cudgels on behalf of the community of Inchferry and she’s determined that no sex-offender is coming anywhere near her turf.
This is grist to the mill of Spirit of the Gael, a fanatical right-wing political racist group whose leader, Finbar Dalgleish, knows just how to jump onto this bandwagon and make it his own. Though it hasn’t yet been proven, Rebecca knows there’s a connection between Spirit of the Gael and New Dawn, a provisional terrorist group, even if the sharp suited Dalgleish denies it.
In the background, the reader knows that something deeper is going on. The voice of a child occasionally breaks in to the action, plaintive and unsettling, jarring with the narrative arc and yet underpinning it.
Rebecca has to walk a fine line between getting the story and keeping her bosses happy, but it’s a line that’s crumbling with every step she takes. When a second body is found, Rebecca finds herself in the midst of danger and with an unlikely ally.
Skelton has written a very well woven and beautifully layered plot with characters who raised an emotional response in me, leading to a visceral response to the ending that left me both sad and surprised.
Verdict: The Blood is Still is a compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind. Absolutely unmissable.
February 16, 2022
Rebecca Connolly is an investigative reporter for the Inverness Chronicle which is undergoing massive change as a result of the internet and changing times. When a body dressed in tartan and with a claymore through his chest is discovered on Culloden battlefield, Rebecca starts looking for clues. Meanwhile, there's trouble with the Burke crime family, one son of which is loosely affiliated with a white nationalist movement. The other son, Nolan, wants out of his life of crime and hopes a relationship with Rebecca might be the path out.
I found the pacing uneven; parts were very slow, but overall it's an interesting mystery. I liked the historical ties to the murders as well as the descriptions of Inverness and Scotland. I was surprised at the actual murderer but a bit disappointed with the ending, so a mixed bag for me. Still, I'd read more from this author.
I found the pacing uneven; parts were very slow, but overall it's an interesting mystery. I liked the historical ties to the murders as well as the descriptions of Inverness and Scotland. I was surprised at the actual murderer but a bit disappointed with the ending, so a mixed bag for me. Still, I'd read more from this author.
July 29, 2023
Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Investigative journalist Rebecca Connolly returns in this riveting, immersive thriller from the author of Thunder Bay—for readers of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, and Denise Mina
When a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is found dead on the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie led his forces to a rout seared into Scottish memory, Rebecca Connolly takes up the case for the Chronicle. A controversial film about the rebellion and battle is being shot nearby, and it has drawn the ire of the right-wing nationalist movement Spirit of the Gael. Is there some link between the murder—the weapon used to impale the man leaves no doubt it was murder—and Spirit of the Gael or the shadowy militant group New Dawn, thought to be associated with them?
Meanwhile, in the working-class part of town, Rebecca's assignment to cover a protest against the placement of a convicted child molester into the community leads her to Mo Burke, the unlikely protest leader. Mo is a formidable woman, but she is also the matriarch of a known crime family and usually prefers to shun the spotlight. What has drawn her out? And what of her two grown sons, who share in the family business? The older one, Nolan, with Ben Affleck good looks, is clearly intrigued by Rebecca, as she is by him, despite her better instincts to steer clear of their dangerous, violent world.
And then another body is found, this one wearing the Redcoat uniform of the victorious British army.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: There's a theme developing here...huge casts of characters, this time with lots of Scots Gaelic spellings for many things, people, organizations. Rebecca, our sleuth, stumbles into another community buzzsaw as she covers the protests against a convicted pedophile being housed in a working-class neighborhood that happens to be the turf of a crime family...in its most literal sense. The matriarch, Mo, is an understandably publicity-shy person. She has broken her public silence to lead the protests against the pedophile's housing among her people. Add in a right-wing politico out to woo voters to his vile cause by stoking paranoia (*sigh* in Scotland, too?) to a terrorist organization sowing fear and distrust plus a major motion picture using the touchy site of the Battle of Culloden and we're away!
The narratives are as expected loaded with wonderfully observed and described moments, people, emotions, and places. Possibly a bit harder to take in with equanimity are the anonymous narratives of a survivor of sexual assault. I was put off by them, but as the ending unfolded, I understood why Author Skelton made that particular choice. Be aware that it exists in the narrative, but also that it serves a plot purpose beyond prurience.
Journalism is undergoing a lot of changes in the internet age. Rebecca's job is, she feels, unstable because there have been some executive ownership shifts at her paper. What that means for her future is, clearly, to be determined...along with her interesting taste for local crime-family man Nolan. His mother, redoubtable Mo, isn't at all pleased with her son because he's done with crime and because he's been clear with her that he's not going to back away from fascinating, exciting Rebecca. This conflict is very clearly going to cost all concerned a lot of tears, stress, and heartache. *eager hand-rubbing*
The deaths at Culloden and the ugly truths undergirding their choice of methods and victims are part and parcel of the changes Brexit and the forces underlying it have revealed in Scottish society. The passions that nationalism, or I suppose tribalism is closer to the meaning I want, evokes in people are never more blatant than when History puts on her Mythmaking apron and brews up social poisons of stunning strength. What Author Skelton does with this, as with Mo and her criminal family, is scrape off the filthy film of facile propagandizing (he reserves that for Finbar the politico) for a clear-sighted look at why people adhere to often deeply destructive Causes and ideals. Means are never separable from ends. Ends are never separable from needs. Needs dictate the means at one's disposal. Round and round we go, where we'll stop nobody knows...even up to the moment that death results from in/actions that seem perfectly reasonable on their face.
There's a truly terrible sacrifice demanded by Justice, of course, and it strains everything in Rebecca's journalistic world, as well as in her emotional core. The journalist's liaision she of necessity maintains with the police is costing her dearly, and won't stop in the future. Her enemies have chosen her, as she would prefer not to make enemies at all. But that's what makes the complexity and enmeshment of the reader's intellect in the casuistries Rebecca must purvey, or puncture, or both in turn, so worth the effort.
You won't be surprised that I can't give five stars to a series mystery, given the nature of the beast is to scratch the ma'at rash that murder represents erupting on the body politic. Treading the same ground comes with costs. One of them is breaking new ground, so this four-and-a-half star read is as close to five as I myownself feel I can come.
I will say that the ending is both condign and very sad. It sets us up for some dark future probabilities and honestly I can't wait to see them.
The Publisher Says: Investigative journalist Rebecca Connolly returns in this riveting, immersive thriller from the author of Thunder Bay—for readers of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, and Denise Mina
When a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is found dead on the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie led his forces to a rout seared into Scottish memory, Rebecca Connolly takes up the case for the Chronicle. A controversial film about the rebellion and battle is being shot nearby, and it has drawn the ire of the right-wing nationalist movement Spirit of the Gael. Is there some link between the murder—the weapon used to impale the man leaves no doubt it was murder—and Spirit of the Gael or the shadowy militant group New Dawn, thought to be associated with them?
Meanwhile, in the working-class part of town, Rebecca's assignment to cover a protest against the placement of a convicted child molester into the community leads her to Mo Burke, the unlikely protest leader. Mo is a formidable woman, but she is also the matriarch of a known crime family and usually prefers to shun the spotlight. What has drawn her out? And what of her two grown sons, who share in the family business? The older one, Nolan, with Ben Affleck good looks, is clearly intrigued by Rebecca, as she is by him, despite her better instincts to steer clear of their dangerous, violent world.
And then another body is found, this one wearing the Redcoat uniform of the victorious British army.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: There's a theme developing here...huge casts of characters, this time with lots of Scots Gaelic spellings for many things, people, organizations. Rebecca, our sleuth, stumbles into another community buzzsaw as she covers the protests against a convicted pedophile being housed in a working-class neighborhood that happens to be the turf of a crime family...in its most literal sense. The matriarch, Mo, is an understandably publicity-shy person. She has broken her public silence to lead the protests against the pedophile's housing among her people. Add in a right-wing politico out to woo voters to his vile cause by stoking paranoia (*sigh* in Scotland, too?) to a terrorist organization sowing fear and distrust plus a major motion picture using the touchy site of the Battle of Culloden and we're away!
The narratives are as expected loaded with wonderfully observed and described moments, people, emotions, and places. Possibly a bit harder to take in with equanimity are the anonymous narratives of a survivor of sexual assault. I was put off by them, but as the ending unfolded, I understood why Author Skelton made that particular choice. Be aware that it exists in the narrative, but also that it serves a plot purpose beyond prurience.
Journalism is undergoing a lot of changes in the internet age. Rebecca's job is, she feels, unstable because there have been some executive ownership shifts at her paper. What that means for her future is, clearly, to be determined...along with her interesting taste for local crime-family man Nolan. His mother, redoubtable Mo, isn't at all pleased with her son because he's done with crime and because he's been clear with her that he's not going to back away from fascinating, exciting Rebecca. This conflict is very clearly going to cost all concerned a lot of tears, stress, and heartache. *eager hand-rubbing*
The deaths at Culloden and the ugly truths undergirding their choice of methods and victims are part and parcel of the changes Brexit and the forces underlying it have revealed in Scottish society. The passions that nationalism, or I suppose tribalism is closer to the meaning I want, evokes in people are never more blatant than when History puts on her Mythmaking apron and brews up social poisons of stunning strength. What Author Skelton does with this, as with Mo and her criminal family, is scrape off the filthy film of facile propagandizing (he reserves that for Finbar the politico) for a clear-sighted look at why people adhere to often deeply destructive Causes and ideals. Means are never separable from ends. Ends are never separable from needs. Needs dictate the means at one's disposal. Round and round we go, where we'll stop nobody knows...even up to the moment that death results from in/actions that seem perfectly reasonable on their face.
There's a truly terrible sacrifice demanded by Justice, of course, and it strains everything in Rebecca's journalistic world, as well as in her emotional core. The journalist's liaision she of necessity maintains with the police is costing her dearly, and won't stop in the future. Her enemies have chosen her, as she would prefer not to make enemies at all. But that's what makes the complexity and enmeshment of the reader's intellect in the casuistries Rebecca must purvey, or puncture, or both in turn, so worth the effort.
You won't be surprised that I can't give five stars to a series mystery, given the nature of the beast is to scratch the ma'at rash that murder represents erupting on the body politic. Treading the same ground comes with costs. One of them is breaking new ground, so this four-and-a-half star read is as close to five as I myownself feel I can come.
I will say that the ending is both condign and very sad. It sets us up for some dark future probabilities and honestly I can't wait to see them.
September 23, 2025
So lala. Zu viele Personen und zu viele Klischees.
Als Audiobuch gehört.
Als Audiobuch gehört.
April 20, 2022
Rätsel um einen toten Highlander
Ziemlich viele Themen bringt Douglas Skelton in seinem Buch "Das Grab in den Highlands" um die schottische Reporterin Rebecca Connolly zusammen: Leichen in historischer Tracht an historischen Orten, Rechtpopulisten, ein Stadtteil, der sich gegen den Zuzug eines verurteilten Sexualstraftäters stellt, organisierte Kriminalität, toxische Männlichkeit, Machokultur und der Niedergang der Zeitungskultur. Das ist dann auch bei 432 Seiten Länge mitunter etwas viel, um allen Themen gerecht zu werden und am Ende stiften einige Details eher zusätzliche Verwirrung als sich in den Plot einzufügen, lenken im Gegenteil von den tatsächlichen Hintergründen ab.
Auf dem historischen Schlachtfeld Culloden wird die Leiche eines unbekannten Mannes gefunden, in Highlander-Tracht, durchbohrt von einem Highlander-Schwert. Reporterin Rebecca stößt eigentlich nur auf den Fall, weil sie Chauffeursdienste für den befreundeten Fotografen Chaz leistet - die beiden berichteten eigenttlich von einer Kundgebung in einem eher übel beleumdeten Stadtteil von Inverness, auf der Mo Burke, die Mutter eines kriminellen Familienverbands, gegen den Zuzug eines Pädophilen auf die Straße ging. In einem widerwillig gewährten Interview erfährt Rebecca, dass das Thema Missbrauch für Mo ein sehr persönliches ist.
Eingeschoben in die Handlung sind Rückblenden aus der Sicht eines namen- und geschlechtslosen Kindes, das von einem Mann regelmäßig missbraucht wird, während die übrigen Familienangehörigen das Geschehen ignorieren. Um wen es sich handelt, darüber lässt der Autor die Leser lange Zeit grübeön und sorgt dafür, dass stets mehrere Interpretationsmöglichkeiten bestehen.
Ob Douglas Skelton eine Medienvergangenheit hat, weiß ich nicht, aber er schildert das Dilemma der Printbranche ausgesprochen realitätsnah: Die Kürzungen und der Personalabbau, die Content-Manager, die an die Stelle von Redakteuren sehen, die neuen Entscheider, die Klickzahlen generieren wollen und es gar nicht gerne sehen, wenn Reporter vor Ort recherchieren statt am Telefon Informationen abzufragen und sich der nächsten Fließbandproduktion zuzuwenden. Auch die Konkurrenz von Journalisten verschiedener Medien um Exklusivinformationen, dass Spannungsverhältnis zwischen Medienvertretern und Ermittlern, die sich einerseits brauchen und andererseits misstrauen - doch, das entspricht schon sehr dem "richtigen Leben".
Die Kriminalbeamtin Valerie Roach verkörpert diese Ermittlerseite, ähnlich wie Rebecca eine Frau, die sich immer wieder mit Macho-Kultur innerhalb des eigenen Berufsstands behaupten muss. Bei den vielen Fäden des Plots wirkt "Das Grab in den Highlands" mitunter fast überfrachtet. Besonders die atmosphärische Schilderung der Highlands und der verschiedenen Gegenden von Inverness hat hier überzeugt. Nebenbei gibt es auch noch Hintergründe der schottischen Geschichte, bei denen der berühmte "Bonnie Prince Charlie" gar nicht so gut weg kommt. Mich hat der Ausgang überrascht, ich hatte eine etwas andere Konstellation überlegt. Douglas Skelton hat es auf jeden Fall geschafft, beim Lesen Hochlandnebel, Heidekraut und das kehlige schottische Englisch vor meinem inneren Auge (und Ohr) entstehen zu lassen.
Ziemlich viele Themen bringt Douglas Skelton in seinem Buch "Das Grab in den Highlands" um die schottische Reporterin Rebecca Connolly zusammen: Leichen in historischer Tracht an historischen Orten, Rechtpopulisten, ein Stadtteil, der sich gegen den Zuzug eines verurteilten Sexualstraftäters stellt, organisierte Kriminalität, toxische Männlichkeit, Machokultur und der Niedergang der Zeitungskultur. Das ist dann auch bei 432 Seiten Länge mitunter etwas viel, um allen Themen gerecht zu werden und am Ende stiften einige Details eher zusätzliche Verwirrung als sich in den Plot einzufügen, lenken im Gegenteil von den tatsächlichen Hintergründen ab.
Auf dem historischen Schlachtfeld Culloden wird die Leiche eines unbekannten Mannes gefunden, in Highlander-Tracht, durchbohrt von einem Highlander-Schwert. Reporterin Rebecca stößt eigentlich nur auf den Fall, weil sie Chauffeursdienste für den befreundeten Fotografen Chaz leistet - die beiden berichteten eigenttlich von einer Kundgebung in einem eher übel beleumdeten Stadtteil von Inverness, auf der Mo Burke, die Mutter eines kriminellen Familienverbands, gegen den Zuzug eines Pädophilen auf die Straße ging. In einem widerwillig gewährten Interview erfährt Rebecca, dass das Thema Missbrauch für Mo ein sehr persönliches ist.
Eingeschoben in die Handlung sind Rückblenden aus der Sicht eines namen- und geschlechtslosen Kindes, das von einem Mann regelmäßig missbraucht wird, während die übrigen Familienangehörigen das Geschehen ignorieren. Um wen es sich handelt, darüber lässt der Autor die Leser lange Zeit grübeön und sorgt dafür, dass stets mehrere Interpretationsmöglichkeiten bestehen.
Ob Douglas Skelton eine Medienvergangenheit hat, weiß ich nicht, aber er schildert das Dilemma der Printbranche ausgesprochen realitätsnah: Die Kürzungen und der Personalabbau, die Content-Manager, die an die Stelle von Redakteuren sehen, die neuen Entscheider, die Klickzahlen generieren wollen und es gar nicht gerne sehen, wenn Reporter vor Ort recherchieren statt am Telefon Informationen abzufragen und sich der nächsten Fließbandproduktion zuzuwenden. Auch die Konkurrenz von Journalisten verschiedener Medien um Exklusivinformationen, dass Spannungsverhältnis zwischen Medienvertretern und Ermittlern, die sich einerseits brauchen und andererseits misstrauen - doch, das entspricht schon sehr dem "richtigen Leben".
Die Kriminalbeamtin Valerie Roach verkörpert diese Ermittlerseite, ähnlich wie Rebecca eine Frau, die sich immer wieder mit Macho-Kultur innerhalb des eigenen Berufsstands behaupten muss. Bei den vielen Fäden des Plots wirkt "Das Grab in den Highlands" mitunter fast überfrachtet. Besonders die atmosphärische Schilderung der Highlands und der verschiedenen Gegenden von Inverness hat hier überzeugt. Nebenbei gibt es auch noch Hintergründe der schottischen Geschichte, bei denen der berühmte "Bonnie Prince Charlie" gar nicht so gut weg kommt. Mich hat der Ausgang überrascht, ich hatte eine etwas andere Konstellation überlegt. Douglas Skelton hat es auf jeden Fall geschafft, beim Lesen Hochlandnebel, Heidekraut und das kehlige schottische Englisch vor meinem inneren Auge (und Ohr) entstehen zu lassen.
January 29, 2021
Watching a protest in Inverness led by Mo Burke, matriarch of a local criminal family, which is swiftly usurped by Finbar Dalgliesh, lawyer and leader of a growing right-wing political movement, reporter Rebecca Connolly is taking notes and waiting for the chance to get a quote from those whipping up the crowd about the rehousing locally of a sex offender released from prison. The contrast between Mo and Dalgliesh is sharp - the former all unfocussed anger, the latter all polished manipulation - though there's more than meets the eye to both.
Before Rebecca can grab her quote and get back to the office, a photographer friend persuades her to come with him to Culloden, where a body has been found - a recently-deceased one, wearing period Highland dress. And the murder weapon appears to have been a claymore...
As Rebecca and freelance colleague Elspeth dig into the murder, the Burke family and the work of Dalgliesh's movement - Spioraid nan Gaidheal, "Spirit of the Gael" - Skelton drops in some quietly awful interludes from the point of view of a child who is locked away and suffering. These short chapters both act as pauses while Rebecca's chase speeds up, and are a reminder - a warning? - that the past affects the present, it cannot be forgotten.
Another protest whipped up by Dalgliesh is a real masterclass from Skelton - what feels like a small scene gradually builds up and out into a perfectly poised setpiece, with a real sense of danger to Rebecca and photographer Chas, and also a portrait of how a community's worries and fears can be manipulated and misinterpreted by outsiders whether media or otherwise.
Skelton, a former journalist with a string of true crime books to his name, has honed his fiction writing skills across the darkness of the Davie McCall series, the sharp quipping Dominic Queste novels and slick New York-set thriller The Janus Run. With Thunder Bay he embarked on a new road and grabbed a 2019 McIlvanney Prize longlisting for his troubles. With The Blood Is Still, all those writing styles and skills have been distilled down into a simply superb novel, with plot, pace, character and place all working clockwork-smooth; each element in the right place at the right time.
The last chapters see the slow ratcheting up of tension as Rebecca finds out the links between everything that has happened, with what I can only describe as one hell of an ending. There are chills from the revelations and the weather both; a poetic feel to the descriptions of place and elements in contrast to the quietly-revealed horrors wrought by humans. And finally, a chink of hope, for we all need that in dark times.
Before Rebecca can grab her quote and get back to the office, a photographer friend persuades her to come with him to Culloden, where a body has been found - a recently-deceased one, wearing period Highland dress. And the murder weapon appears to have been a claymore...
As Rebecca and freelance colleague Elspeth dig into the murder, the Burke family and the work of Dalgliesh's movement - Spioraid nan Gaidheal, "Spirit of the Gael" - Skelton drops in some quietly awful interludes from the point of view of a child who is locked away and suffering. These short chapters both act as pauses while Rebecca's chase speeds up, and are a reminder - a warning? - that the past affects the present, it cannot be forgotten.
Another protest whipped up by Dalgliesh is a real masterclass from Skelton - what feels like a small scene gradually builds up and out into a perfectly poised setpiece, with a real sense of danger to Rebecca and photographer Chas, and also a portrait of how a community's worries and fears can be manipulated and misinterpreted by outsiders whether media or otherwise.
Skelton, a former journalist with a string of true crime books to his name, has honed his fiction writing skills across the darkness of the Davie McCall series, the sharp quipping Dominic Queste novels and slick New York-set thriller The Janus Run. With Thunder Bay he embarked on a new road and grabbed a 2019 McIlvanney Prize longlisting for his troubles. With The Blood Is Still, all those writing styles and skills have been distilled down into a simply superb novel, with plot, pace, character and place all working clockwork-smooth; each element in the right place at the right time.
The last chapters see the slow ratcheting up of tension as Rebecca finds out the links between everything that has happened, with what I can only describe as one hell of an ending. There are chills from the revelations and the weather both; a poetic feel to the descriptions of place and elements in contrast to the quietly-revealed horrors wrought by humans. And finally, a chink of hope, for we all need that in dark times.
May 3, 2020
What i really loved about Thunder Island, was the way in which Douglas Skelton captured that sense of isolation and the atmospheric conditions of of the setting, as well as creating a story drew you in from the very start. Although the setting has very much changed this time around, moving from the Island of Stoirm to a more urban landscape of Inverness, well as urban as Inverness gets, there is no doubting the intrigue of the story which captures you immediately , leaving you with a whole host of questions that can only be answered by following the story to its very dramatic conclusion.
Like, Thunder Island, The Blood Is Still is a story that very much has its roots in the past, and not just because the first victim is found clothed in the garb of an eighteenth century soldier and left on the Culloden Battlefield. There are moments in the book that see us switch from the present day in which our protagonist, journalist Rebecca Connolly, tries to get to the heart of the murder, story, to passages which are very clearly memories of a young child who has had a very traumatic past. These scenes are hard to read, but handled with absolute care, keeping the really dark moments away from the page but lacing them with enough tragedy and emotion to make my heart break and my blood boil. It is clear that these passage link into the present day somehow, but they why, and the who, remain cleverly hidden.
This is not just a story about a murder though, and Rebecca's investigation also centre on a growing tension within a local community who are fighting against proposals to rehome a sex offender on their streets. The way in which Douglas Skelton captures the passion and the anger of the residents is pitch perfect, and you can feel the temperatures rising and the anger flare as you read on. One of the main instigators of these protests, Mo Burke, has her own reasons for wanting this stopped, but is hardly the most trustworthy of characters herself. Between her and her two sons, Noland and Scott, they make for a fearsome family and yet still they perhaps lack the truly abhorrent qualities of ultra-right wing politician, Finbar Dalgleish, a man who sees to represent all the worst traits of humanity and whose followers demonstrate the worst levels of violence, prejudice and intolerance. Between them all, they bring a real tension to the read, creating scenes which had me on edge and during which I could feel my pulse racing.
Rebecca is a character I find fascinating and the more I learn about her, the more I enjoy reading these stories. She is tenacious, driven largely by gut instinct. She is very career centric, harking back to the days of old style journalism and, this time, set to be thwarted by the company she works for wanting to adopt a far more forward thinking and twenty-first century productivity driven approach to the job. Naturally this causes a conflict that is fun to watch and acts as a kind of catalyst for all that is to come. But as forward and intrepid as Rebecca is career wise, she is the opposite emotionally, and her reticence to engage in relationships is explored further in the book. It all builds to create a better understanding of her as a person, of what drives her and what holds her back and she is a character I like more and more with each book.
This is a multi-faceted story, one that took me by surprise if I am honest. Towards the end of the book, after a scene full of jeopardy and intensity, there is one particularly tender, and unexpected, moment that actually made me quite emotional. There is a touch of the old romantic in that Mr Skelton I think, and the poignancy of those final scenes was delivered to perfection. Once again this is a book that delivered everything - great characters, mystery, tension, atmosphere and a myriad of emotions and I loved it.
Like, Thunder Island, The Blood Is Still is a story that very much has its roots in the past, and not just because the first victim is found clothed in the garb of an eighteenth century soldier and left on the Culloden Battlefield. There are moments in the book that see us switch from the present day in which our protagonist, journalist Rebecca Connolly, tries to get to the heart of the murder, story, to passages which are very clearly memories of a young child who has had a very traumatic past. These scenes are hard to read, but handled with absolute care, keeping the really dark moments away from the page but lacing them with enough tragedy and emotion to make my heart break and my blood boil. It is clear that these passage link into the present day somehow, but they why, and the who, remain cleverly hidden.
This is not just a story about a murder though, and Rebecca's investigation also centre on a growing tension within a local community who are fighting against proposals to rehome a sex offender on their streets. The way in which Douglas Skelton captures the passion and the anger of the residents is pitch perfect, and you can feel the temperatures rising and the anger flare as you read on. One of the main instigators of these protests, Mo Burke, has her own reasons for wanting this stopped, but is hardly the most trustworthy of characters herself. Between her and her two sons, Noland and Scott, they make for a fearsome family and yet still they perhaps lack the truly abhorrent qualities of ultra-right wing politician, Finbar Dalgleish, a man who sees to represent all the worst traits of humanity and whose followers demonstrate the worst levels of violence, prejudice and intolerance. Between them all, they bring a real tension to the read, creating scenes which had me on edge and during which I could feel my pulse racing.
Rebecca is a character I find fascinating and the more I learn about her, the more I enjoy reading these stories. She is tenacious, driven largely by gut instinct. She is very career centric, harking back to the days of old style journalism and, this time, set to be thwarted by the company she works for wanting to adopt a far more forward thinking and twenty-first century productivity driven approach to the job. Naturally this causes a conflict that is fun to watch and acts as a kind of catalyst for all that is to come. But as forward and intrepid as Rebecca is career wise, she is the opposite emotionally, and her reticence to engage in relationships is explored further in the book. It all builds to create a better understanding of her as a person, of what drives her and what holds her back and she is a character I like more and more with each book.
This is a multi-faceted story, one that took me by surprise if I am honest. Towards the end of the book, after a scene full of jeopardy and intensity, there is one particularly tender, and unexpected, moment that actually made me quite emotional. There is a touch of the old romantic in that Mr Skelton I think, and the poignancy of those final scenes was delivered to perfection. Once again this is a book that delivered everything - great characters, mystery, tension, atmosphere and a myriad of emotions and I loved it.
January 12, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#thebloodisstill #douglasskelton #arc #suspense #mystery #NetGalley #skyhorsepublishing
This book is number 2 of a series. It didn't feel like it. I didn't know all about the main character but the way the author revealed tidbits about her, it felt as though it was part of the mystery itself. This book can definitely be read as a stand alone, as I read it. I am definitely going to go back and read the first in the series as well. And I'll be following this author for more books in the future.
This book is told in 3rd person and concentrated on 3 main characters, Rebecca the reporter, DCI Roach newly transferred and Nolan drug dealer who wants out. I think it's been a while since I've read a book in 3rd person. You got to hear their thoughts and feelings. I liked being able to learn more about just the one main character. I think that's why I like when books in first person rotate between characters from chapter to chapter.
There never seemed to be a lull in this story. Never did I feel bored by it. And at 85% it picked up even more. At 93% I changed my kindle to % until the end of the book, not just chapter. I wanted to finish this last night. But I didn't manage to stay awake. 😕 So I finished this morning.
Since this book takes place in the Highlands of Scotland there is some great little accents going. I LOVE when it is included in dialogue. I will rarely go back for a second book without it. Not only did the dialogue include it, #douglasskelton described what region it originated and whether it was considered high or low class. The accents and these descriptions lend to the authenticity of the story.
I have a pretty good vocabulary. And if I don't know a word, I can usually decode what it's basic mean is but this book introduced me to batch of new words. Normally when I see this many words that are new to me I feel as thought an author is trying to prove they are smarter reader. I didn't feel this here.
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #bookrecommendation #bookreview #booknerdigan #bookish #booknerdbookreviews #bookaddict #bookaholic
#thebloodisstill #douglasskelton #arc #suspense #mystery #NetGalley #skyhorsepublishing
This book is number 2 of a series. It didn't feel like it. I didn't know all about the main character but the way the author revealed tidbits about her, it felt as though it was part of the mystery itself. This book can definitely be read as a stand alone, as I read it. I am definitely going to go back and read the first in the series as well. And I'll be following this author for more books in the future.
This book is told in 3rd person and concentrated on 3 main characters, Rebecca the reporter, DCI Roach newly transferred and Nolan drug dealer who wants out. I think it's been a while since I've read a book in 3rd person. You got to hear their thoughts and feelings. I liked being able to learn more about just the one main character. I think that's why I like when books in first person rotate between characters from chapter to chapter.
There never seemed to be a lull in this story. Never did I feel bored by it. And at 85% it picked up even more. At 93% I changed my kindle to % until the end of the book, not just chapter. I wanted to finish this last night. But I didn't manage to stay awake. 😕 So I finished this morning.
Since this book takes place in the Highlands of Scotland there is some great little accents going. I LOVE when it is included in dialogue. I will rarely go back for a second book without it. Not only did the dialogue include it, #douglasskelton described what region it originated and whether it was considered high or low class. The accents and these descriptions lend to the authenticity of the story.
I have a pretty good vocabulary. And if I don't know a word, I can usually decode what it's basic mean is but this book introduced me to batch of new words. Normally when I see this many words that are new to me I feel as thought an author is trying to prove they are smarter reader. I didn't feel this here.
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #bookrecommendation #bookreview #booknerdigan #bookish #booknerdbookreviews #bookaddict #bookaholic
February 19, 2022
Whilst covering a demonstration by locals Rebecca Connolly is called away when a body wearing ancient highland clothing is found on the Culloden battle site. When a second body is found also wearing similar ancient clothing Rebecca is left wondering what the connections between the two victims are. If this isn’t enough for her to be dealing with she still has more investigations into the demonstration and the reasons behind them, bringing her to the attention of the Burkes, a family you really don’t want to cross.
Rebecca certainly has her work cut out for her trying to get to the bottom of the murders and also covering the growing unrest regarding the rehousing of a paedophile in the local area. If that isn’t enough her job may also be on the line with a restructure taking place at the newspaper she works for. She is a person who wants to do the best she can to get the facts of the story even if that can put her life and her career in danger. Her close friends Chaz and Alan are there supporting her and giving some of the lighter moments in the story.
As before the story is predominantly told through the eyes of Rebecca and you can see the relationships between herself, the local historian and the investigating DI develop throughout although both in their own way will ultimately betray her and put her in harm’s way. With clear issues with trust her circle of friends is small, and events are not doing much to prove that she should change this anytime soon. The interactions between Rebecca and Nolan Burke are quite interesting as you can see that there is definitely something developing, but due to family loyalties and past actions no matter what they may both want it is not a relationship that will ultimately go anywhere.
The Blood is Still is much more that a murder investigation and with parts of the book told from the viewpoint of a child that is clearly being abused by someone who should be protecting them are some of the more chilling parts of the story. Just who this is and how it all fits in with the present day only become clear at the end as the various strands all finally link together, and it may not be what you expected. With so many potential suspects and with the victims themselves having secrets this is the perfect follow up to Thunder Bay and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Rebecca certainly has her work cut out for her trying to get to the bottom of the murders and also covering the growing unrest regarding the rehousing of a paedophile in the local area. If that isn’t enough her job may also be on the line with a restructure taking place at the newspaper she works for. She is a person who wants to do the best she can to get the facts of the story even if that can put her life and her career in danger. Her close friends Chaz and Alan are there supporting her and giving some of the lighter moments in the story.
As before the story is predominantly told through the eyes of Rebecca and you can see the relationships between herself, the local historian and the investigating DI develop throughout although both in their own way will ultimately betray her and put her in harm’s way. With clear issues with trust her circle of friends is small, and events are not doing much to prove that she should change this anytime soon. The interactions between Rebecca and Nolan Burke are quite interesting as you can see that there is definitely something developing, but due to family loyalties and past actions no matter what they may both want it is not a relationship that will ultimately go anywhere.
The Blood is Still is much more that a murder investigation and with parts of the book told from the viewpoint of a child that is clearly being abused by someone who should be protecting them are some of the more chilling parts of the story. Just who this is and how it all fits in with the present day only become clear at the end as the various strands all finally link together, and it may not be what you expected. With so many potential suspects and with the victims themselves having secrets this is the perfect follow up to Thunder Bay and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
December 13, 2020
A body, clad in full Highland dress, lies on Culloden battlefield, stabbed to death with an antique sword. A mother and her two sons, suspected of masterminding the drug trade in their working class neighborhood, protest the relocation of a convicted sex offender to a nearby apartment. They are supported by an alt-right wing of a conservative political group. How can these events be related? In The Blood is Still, Douglas Skelton skillfully and suspensefully
weaves all these and Scottish history into a mesmerizing thriller.
Rebecca Connolly, a reporter for the Highland Chronicle, learns of the Culloden murder while she is covering the protest. Although the police, led by DCI Val Roach, try to keep the details of the killing from the press, Rebecca is given access when she trades information given to her by sources. One of her sources is Nolan Burke, son of Mo and brother to Scott, the drug dealing kingpins of Inchferry. There’s a definite attraction between Nolan and Rebecca but a relationship seems impossible. Then violence erupts in Inchferry and another costumed body is found.
The Blood is Still is the second in a series featuring Rebecca Connolly but it can be read as a standalone mystery. It’s atmospheric and full of well described characters “Finbar Dalgliesh..was as oily as the sea around the Exxon Valdez. And if he was here, he smelled votes.” I’m looking forward to the third in this riveting series. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Skyhorse Publishing and Douglas Skelton for this ARC.
weaves all these and Scottish history into a mesmerizing thriller.
Rebecca Connolly, a reporter for the Highland Chronicle, learns of the Culloden murder while she is covering the protest. Although the police, led by DCI Val Roach, try to keep the details of the killing from the press, Rebecca is given access when she trades information given to her by sources. One of her sources is Nolan Burke, son of Mo and brother to Scott, the drug dealing kingpins of Inchferry. There’s a definite attraction between Nolan and Rebecca but a relationship seems impossible. Then violence erupts in Inchferry and another costumed body is found.
The Blood is Still is the second in a series featuring Rebecca Connolly but it can be read as a standalone mystery. It’s atmospheric and full of well described characters “Finbar Dalgliesh..was as oily as the sea around the Exxon Valdez. And if he was here, he smelled votes.” I’m looking forward to the third in this riveting series. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Skyhorse Publishing and Douglas Skelton for this ARC.
December 31, 2020
I received a copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I took a chance on this one because it was given a glowing recommendation from Ian Rankin. I love Ian Rankin's books, so I figured...
This is the second in a series. Reading the first seems like it would be beneficial, but I didn't find it necessary. It reads easily as a stand-alone.
You know how, sometimes, you can tell right from the first few pages if you're going to like a book or not? Just from the tone and the writing style? This was one that got me from the get-go. It's written in a similar style to some of my favorite authors, Rankin among them. (I want to say Tartan Noir, but apparently the term can be kind of disparaging, so I guess I shouldn't? There is a certain region-specific vibe, though, and a certain slightly cynical hard-boiledness. I dig it.) I thought I was going to like it, and I did.
This was really good. A few different plot threads that may or may not be connected, an interesting and compelling cast of characters, including a sympathetic but not overwritten lead, and good, solid writing. Even a few sort of funny moments, which is always nice in an otherwise grim and gritty story. The killings were inventive but not unrealistic. The author wasn't afraid to take risks and make surprising decisions. I actually really enjoyed it, and will definitely seek out the first book, and any subsequent.
I took a chance on this one because it was given a glowing recommendation from Ian Rankin. I love Ian Rankin's books, so I figured...
This is the second in a series. Reading the first seems like it would be beneficial, but I didn't find it necessary. It reads easily as a stand-alone.
You know how, sometimes, you can tell right from the first few pages if you're going to like a book or not? Just from the tone and the writing style? This was one that got me from the get-go. It's written in a similar style to some of my favorite authors, Rankin among them. (I want to say Tartan Noir, but apparently the term can be kind of disparaging, so I guess I shouldn't? There is a certain region-specific vibe, though, and a certain slightly cynical hard-boiledness. I dig it.) I thought I was going to like it, and I did.
This was really good. A few different plot threads that may or may not be connected, an interesting and compelling cast of characters, including a sympathetic but not overwritten lead, and good, solid writing. Even a few sort of funny moments, which is always nice in an otherwise grim and gritty story. The killings were inventive but not unrealistic. The author wasn't afraid to take risks and make surprising decisions. I actually really enjoyed it, and will definitely seek out the first book, and any subsequent.
January 19, 2021
The Blood Is Still by Douglas Skelton is a timely mystery set in Scotland. This second outing in the Rebecca Connolly series can be read as a standalone.
Rebecca Connolly is an investigative journalist who becomes intrigued by two cases. The first involves a local family whose matriarch Mo Brooks unexpectedly puts herself in the spotlight. When a child molester is about to be released from prison, she and her neighbors protest a plan to house him in their neighborhood. But when local far right politician Finbar Dalgliesh shows up, the demonstration takes a darker turn. Mo is also displeased by her son Scott's recent actions and ties to Dalgliesh . And her other son Nolan is on the cusp of making a big decision.
The other case is the discovery of a murder victim on a historic site. Detective Chief Inspector Valerie Roach is assigned to the case and the last she wants is sensationalized press coverage. Rebecca and her former boss and current friend Elspeth McTaggart join forces to cover the story. With a change in management at her paper, Rebecca is eager to scoop other reporters. With the help of Historian Anna Fowler, Rebecca learns information that might help DCI Roach in her investigation. But what will Roach offer in exchange for this detail that might help break her case open?
With plenty of action, The Blood Is Still is a riveting mystery with a topical storyline. Rebecca is a bit contemplative as she ruminates on personal events that have occurred recently. She is also possibly approaching an unanticipated crossroad as her newspaper undergoes yet another management change. DCI Roach is an outstanding addition to the cast of characters. She is a highly intelligent woman whose dedication has consequences in her personal life. Rebecca's stories and Valerie's investigation move at a brisk pace. With shocking plot twists, Douglas Skelton brings this brilliant mystery to a shocking conclusion. Old and new fans will enjoy this newest addition to the Rebecca Connolly series.
Rebecca Connolly is an investigative journalist who becomes intrigued by two cases. The first involves a local family whose matriarch Mo Brooks unexpectedly puts herself in the spotlight. When a child molester is about to be released from prison, she and her neighbors protest a plan to house him in their neighborhood. But when local far right politician Finbar Dalgliesh shows up, the demonstration takes a darker turn. Mo is also displeased by her son Scott's recent actions and ties to Dalgliesh . And her other son Nolan is on the cusp of making a big decision.
The other case is the discovery of a murder victim on a historic site. Detective Chief Inspector Valerie Roach is assigned to the case and the last she wants is sensationalized press coverage. Rebecca and her former boss and current friend Elspeth McTaggart join forces to cover the story. With a change in management at her paper, Rebecca is eager to scoop other reporters. With the help of Historian Anna Fowler, Rebecca learns information that might help DCI Roach in her investigation. But what will Roach offer in exchange for this detail that might help break her case open?
With plenty of action, The Blood Is Still is a riveting mystery with a topical storyline. Rebecca is a bit contemplative as she ruminates on personal events that have occurred recently. She is also possibly approaching an unanticipated crossroad as her newspaper undergoes yet another management change. DCI Roach is an outstanding addition to the cast of characters. She is a highly intelligent woman whose dedication has consequences in her personal life. Rebecca's stories and Valerie's investigation move at a brisk pace. With shocking plot twists, Douglas Skelton brings this brilliant mystery to a shocking conclusion. Old and new fans will enjoy this newest addition to the Rebecca Connolly series.
December 30, 2020
Rebecca Connolly, a journalist, and DCI Val Roache (with occasional help from other) alternately tell this twisty tale of murder, anger, gangs, and well, so much else. A body found on the battlefield at Culloden starts this off- who is he and why was he murdered? Is it connected to a film being made there? And then there's Mo Burke, whose crime family sort of rules their area except that when the council wants to house a sex offender there. That's where the politics come in and the Spirit of the Gael, a right wing group that has ties to a more violent organization. This is complex, with several threads that pull together. Skelton paints a portrait of Scotland, especially Inverness, in shades of grey. It's gritty, yes, and dark but also, occasionally you might fund yourself smiling, I was a fan of the first book; this will be fine as a standalone as the locale and the cases (and most of the people) are different. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Excellent read.
February 23, 2024
A costumed highlander pinned to the Culloden battlefield by a claymore, and more murders to follow finds investigative reporter Rebecca Connolly and DCI Val Roach butting heads as each struggles to identify the murderer. Skelton keeps us guessing for a long time with subplots about pedophiles being settled into post prison homes, a movie set, drug dealers, terrorists, undercover cops, and two sinister organizations.
This 2nd episode in the Rebecca Connolly series is absolutely as compelling as the 1st, and possibly even better. It also reads well as a free standing thriller. I couldn't set it down.
This 2nd episode in the Rebecca Connolly series is absolutely as compelling as the 1st, and possibly even better. It also reads well as a free standing thriller. I couldn't set it down.
March 29, 2024
I do like a crime novel which involves a journalist and this 2nd in the Rebecca connolly series did not disappoint.
As a new executive comes into manage Rebecca's paper it marks a change to expectations of the journalists, selling adverts rather than investigation.
When a body is discovered on the culloden battlefield dressed in jacobean garb the mystery involves a local film crew. At the same time a local criminal family object to an sex offender being located in the area while a far right politician highjacks the protests. Rebecca gets involved leading to both personal and professional risk. Good read.
As a new executive comes into manage Rebecca's paper it marks a change to expectations of the journalists, selling adverts rather than investigation.
When a body is discovered on the culloden battlefield dressed in jacobean garb the mystery involves a local film crew. At the same time a local criminal family object to an sex offender being located in the area while a far right politician highjacks the protests. Rebecca gets involved leading to both personal and professional risk. Good read.
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