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Bob Skinner #10
Thursday Legends
For Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner, the Thursday night football game at the local gym has long been an unbroken ritual. With each match the players are a little older, a little slower, but as fiercely competitive as a gang of teenagers. Until the savagely mutilated body of a former player is found, and suddenly the Thursday Legends have more to worry about than aching backs and dodgy knees.
Former Head of Special Branch Alec Smith made plenty of enemies during his long career—and there is no shortage of suspects. But as Skinner's investigation gathers pace, everything keeps pointing to the Legends themselves. Is someone targeting this disparate group of colleagues and friends in some bizarre scheme of retribution? Or is the murderer one of them? Either way, the hunt for the killer is going to come uncomfortably close to home...
Former Head of Special Branch Alec Smith made plenty of enemies during his long career—and there is no shortage of suspects. But as Skinner's investigation gathers pace, everything keeps pointing to the Legends themselves. Is someone targeting this disparate group of colleagues and friends in some bizarre scheme of retribution? Or is the murderer one of them? Either way, the hunt for the killer is going to come uncomfortably close to home...
407 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 7, 2000
48 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
98 books244 followersQuintin Jardine (born 1945) is a Scottish author of three series of crime novels, featuring the fictional characters Bob Skinner, Oz Blackstone, and Primavera Blackstone. He was educated in Motherwell and in Glasgow where he studied at what was then the city’s only University. After career as a journalist, government information officer and media relations consultant, he took to the creation of crime fiction.
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 22, 2018
I thought the book was a very readable escape from an otherwise long week. This was a book I had in my paperback library (in the garage) and I took on the train in to New York - an hour and forty-five minutes (each way). I was not able to finish the book on the train, so I took another 25 minutes or so today to plow through the end. The setting (Scotland) is something I could only relate to a little bit (only been there for three days) and the dialogue was quasi-English, so I had some trouble with that. I also felt there were a lot of characters I did not know, because I haven't read any other books in the series. The mystery itself was fine, nothing terrific. Like I said, it served its purpose as an escape from reality.
September 7, 2016
I like this series, but holy snot ... this author's sexism shows through in so many of the back storylines.
March 15, 2021
Ouch, this was pretty awful. I’ve enjoyed a few of the other books in the series as I’ve commented in another review and have been impressed by the author’s ability to keep up the pace and keep us interested in a number of connected and unconnected plot lines and multiple individuals and their multifarious lives and relationships. Where Jardine falters in the quality of his writing he usually makes up for in tight, well constructed plots and generally likeable characters who hold our interest and attention. Not so here. Naturally one does not read this sort of story for its realism, quite the opposite - but to be a decent sort of escape the thing has to hold water, be able to support your suspension of disbelief long enough to finish reading - which this book failed entirely to do. The plot was implausible to the point of being silly, and the characters were faintly ridiculous. It felt like reading Mario Puzo with less panache and more uniforms.
Also Andy Martin gets less and less likeable and one can only be grateful that his previous partner who appears to possess a spine and a sense of self, and self preservation, is spared his controlling and self-serving presence in her life, but that doesn’t make him any more attractive as a protagonist on whom a large number of the words in the book are squandered. In general I think - perhaps anachronistically - that crime/detective series ought to focus largely on the crime and the investigation and very little on the investigators and their improbable and unenlightening emotional problems. This far in the series I felt the balance was just about maintained but this appears to be changing, and I’m not sure it’s worth reading further. Just when I thought I’d found myself a nice long series to look forward to. Oh well. Back to looking for something less like a nineties soap opera.
Also Andy Martin gets less and less likeable and one can only be grateful that his previous partner who appears to possess a spine and a sense of self, and self preservation, is spared his controlling and self-serving presence in her life, but that doesn’t make him any more attractive as a protagonist on whom a large number of the words in the book are squandered. In general I think - perhaps anachronistically - that crime/detective series ought to focus largely on the crime and the investigation and very little on the investigators and their improbable and unenlightening emotional problems. This far in the series I felt the balance was just about maintained but this appears to be changing, and I’m not sure it’s worth reading further. Just when I thought I’d found myself a nice long series to look forward to. Oh well. Back to looking for something less like a nineties soap opera.
November 11, 2023
Thursday Legends get's better and better. From the very first page till the last it is a very hard book to put down. Quintin Jardine is a prolific writer, who easily keeps you reading by making his books interesting. His storylines are first rate and his main character, "Mr Skinner", is a living memorable person. After all the hype about the other Edinburgh detective I am very surprised that more is not spoken about Jardine's unique style and TV programmes are not made of out his strorylines?
Really enjoyed this book by a very underrated Scottish author. Had me guessing all the way to the end about who did it. Brutal at parts, heart warming at others, but what I like about his writing is that the characters are believable and their dialogue is realistic. Just say it as it is, which I like in a book.
Really enjoyed this book by a very underrated Scottish author. Had me guessing all the way to the end about who did it. Brutal at parts, heart warming at others, but what I like about his writing is that the characters are believable and their dialogue is realistic. Just say it as it is, which I like in a book.
April 10, 2018
Rather disappointed with this thriller mystery.
Ok plot though far fetched in places, Im usually a big fan of writing that carries a local flavour, I found Jardine's colloquial Scottish idiom made for slow reading for me, a Canadian. I'm sure a native born Scot would savour this and I usually do as well but sadly I found it too distracting to be a smooth read. I must be showing my age as the choice of using Alex and Alec (Alexander) as first names of a daughter and victim seemed distracting and unneeded. A plethora of characters with names starting with M didn't help in keeping who was who either. Wish I could be more positive in my review but it is what it is.
Ok plot though far fetched in places, Im usually a big fan of writing that carries a local flavour, I found Jardine's colloquial Scottish idiom made for slow reading for me, a Canadian. I'm sure a native born Scot would savour this and I usually do as well but sadly I found it too distracting to be a smooth read. I must be showing my age as the choice of using Alex and Alec (Alexander) as first names of a daughter and victim seemed distracting and unneeded. A plethora of characters with names starting with M didn't help in keeping who was who either. Wish I could be more positive in my review but it is what it is.
September 22, 2019
The spotlight shines this time on DCS Martin.
A gruesome murder in North Bernice by the sea and the victim is a reclusive retired policeman from Special Branch.
A bludgeoned body is found in Leith Water behind Martin’s townhouse as he attends a birthday party for a daughter next door.
Thursday Legends the soccer group for oldies connects them of which several police officers are members including Skinner.
DCC Bob Skinner is hurt in a hit and run which he managed to almost escape as murder was on the cards.
Several threads to the murder investigation which take detectives in many different directions.
A gruesome murder in North Bernice by the sea and the victim is a reclusive retired policeman from Special Branch.
A bludgeoned body is found in Leith Water behind Martin’s townhouse as he attends a birthday party for a daughter next door.
Thursday Legends the soccer group for oldies connects them of which several police officers are members including Skinner.
DCC Bob Skinner is hurt in a hit and run which he managed to almost escape as murder was on the cards.
Several threads to the murder investigation which take detectives in many different directions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2019
Bob Skinner is a brilliant character and I found this book an easy read.
The pace was 'just right' even though there was quite a bit going on. At times, I felt that the plot was overly complicated and the ending was a surprise. If you prefer stories where you can figure out who the culprit / perpetrator was, this one is possibly not going to be all that satisfying.
Having said that, the various loose ends were satisfactorily tied up. This one really is worth three stars - as in I liked it but it was not great / amazing.
The pace was 'just right' even though there was quite a bit going on. At times, I felt that the plot was overly complicated and the ending was a surprise. If you prefer stories where you can figure out who the culprit / perpetrator was, this one is possibly not going to be all that satisfying.
Having said that, the various loose ends were satisfactorily tied up. This one really is worth three stars - as in I liked it but it was not great / amazing.
January 17, 2020
This started off well - if I can discount the gruesome way one victim was killed - but three quarters through, it got so convoluted with different threads somewhat connected but, as DS Martin himself felt, unable to know just how they were connected. If he was perplexed, I was hopelessly lost.
I can only hope the next installment - and the rest of the series - will be a lot less complicated.
I can only hope the next installment - and the rest of the series - will be a lot less complicated.
September 14, 2021
Granted, this book is 21 years old, but it is quite a mix of sexism, gruesome murders, homophobia and police corruption (covering up a murder by the higher powers in the military), for no reason because the murderer (a kidnapped policeman) was definitely acting in self defense. Final scene too predictable, and shouldn't have happened if Martin were on the ball.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2022
As with all the Skinner titles, it held my attention all the way through. Like most of them, there’s a point where the case appears to be sewn up, but you know from the number of pages left that it isn’t. I did not suspect the ultimate culprit!
June 24, 2019
The story was quite interesting but I did not enjoy the graphic and at times over the top descriptions of what had happened to some characters to cause their death
Read
June 3, 2020Surprise ending
April 12, 2021
An on form outing for Bob Skinner and co. A compelling whodunnit that keeps you guessing
August 5, 2021
This is an old series I am re-reading and liking again...
December 17, 2021
WoW--thrilling
May 8, 2022
Gripping read a bit far fetched in places
October 21, 2023
Gruesome crimes require some gritty detective work in this tale of evil, malice, and revenge.
May 25, 2015
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 320
Publisher - Headline Book Publishing
Blurb from Goodreads
Every Thursday for 25 years, Skinner and his friends have met for a game of football. Which is why the discovery of Alec Smith's mutilated corpse has hit Skinner so hard. A former policeman, Smith was one of the Thursday Legends. When another teammate is murdered, Skinner realizes it's only the beginning.
My Review
Skinner plays football every Thursday with the "Legends", when one of them turns up dead and its a former policeman the investigation into such a heinous crime starts. When another of the team is missing and turns up dead, Skinner starts to think there is something much bigger to these crimes. As the investigation continues Alex Smith, the former cop, has some dark secrets in his past that could put the investigating team at risk.
I have never read this author before, or if I had it was years ago, this is book ten of twenty five. I don't think I missed anything out by not read the first ten to be honest, I would definitely like to go back and read them as it was such a good series.
The story kicks off really quickly with Smiths brutal murder, the characters are brought to life and spark your interest from the very first pages. Skinner is a bit of ladies man which rises a few issues in itself, especially when he hooks up with the pretty young lady next door whilst seeing a colleague on the force. There is quite a bit of gore and violence, murder, lies some sex and a few secrets.
I found it really hard to put down, it is a real page turner and I will be getting the back catalogue and the books that followed. 4/5 for me this time, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes their crime a bit bloody and rough.
Pages - 320
Publisher - Headline Book Publishing
Blurb from Goodreads
Every Thursday for 25 years, Skinner and his friends have met for a game of football. Which is why the discovery of Alec Smith's mutilated corpse has hit Skinner so hard. A former policeman, Smith was one of the Thursday Legends. When another teammate is murdered, Skinner realizes it's only the beginning.
My Review
Skinner plays football every Thursday with the "Legends", when one of them turns up dead and its a former policeman the investigation into such a heinous crime starts. When another of the team is missing and turns up dead, Skinner starts to think there is something much bigger to these crimes. As the investigation continues Alex Smith, the former cop, has some dark secrets in his past that could put the investigating team at risk.
I have never read this author before, or if I had it was years ago, this is book ten of twenty five. I don't think I missed anything out by not read the first ten to be honest, I would definitely like to go back and read them as it was such a good series.
The story kicks off really quickly with Smiths brutal murder, the characters are brought to life and spark your interest from the very first pages. Skinner is a bit of ladies man which rises a few issues in itself, especially when he hooks up with the pretty young lady next door whilst seeing a colleague on the force. There is quite a bit of gore and violence, murder, lies some sex and a few secrets.
I found it really hard to put down, it is a real page turner and I will be getting the back catalogue and the books that followed. 4/5 for me this time, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes their crime a bit bloody and rough.
May 12, 2016
Despite this being my first Bob Skinner novel and being oblivious to the happenings before the events in this one, I could swim through it without much difficulty and understand the characters' relations which have been formed before. The things I could not comprehend were the places, streets, towns and villages discribed here, since I am not familiar with Scottish geography.
The storyline was well done, flew gently from chapter to chapter, which were switching between a few points of view. I also liked the occasional humour adding layers to the tone of the story.
The characters were well-rounded, especially Andy Martin got a lot of development in this novel. I felt both disapproval and admiration for his actions and therefore found him very intriguing.
The mystery was good, the ending even better. I really enjoyed this book and I will sure pick up more Bob Skinner novels if I ever come across them.
The storyline was well done, flew gently from chapter to chapter, which were switching between a few points of view. I also liked the occasional humour adding layers to the tone of the story.
The characters were well-rounded, especially Andy Martin got a lot of development in this novel. I felt both disapproval and admiration for his actions and therefore found him very intriguing.
The mystery was good, the ending even better. I really enjoyed this book and I will sure pick up more Bob Skinner novels if I ever come across them.
Read
November 17, 2010Currently obsessed with Scottish crime fiction, I believe that after reading this, that I am more partial to Glaswegian detectives - though Bob Skinner is a bad ass. I think it is that Jardine's characters are not dysfunctional enough for me? Anyways, I enjoyed the story even though for the first time in a long time I figured out "whodidit" about three-fourths of the way through.
September 12, 2017
I had picked up and put off reading this book a few times as I didn't find the first chapter immediately engaging. I am glad I persevered. This has got to be one of the most well-thought out and intriguing crime novels I have ever read! This is edge-of-your-seat reading from start to finish (well, after chapter one anyway).
March 13, 2014
Another excellent read in this series. Great characters and a good storyline.Looking forward to reading the next one in April.
May 28, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, I'll be looking out for more by this author. Really didn't see the twist coming at the end.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews