Skinner's Rules

Bob Skinner, Book 1

De: Quintin Jardine

Narrado por: James Bryce

As head of Edinburgh’s CID, Detective Chief Superintendent Bob Skinner has seen it all…but even he is shocked by the savagely mutilated corpse discovered in a dark alleyway. The victim is identified as a successful young lawyer, and the motive for the brutal death remains a mystery. Then further seemingly random killings in the city begin to suggest a vicious serial killer on the rampage. But when the lawyer’s fiancée is also murdered, Skinner realises that someone is in deadly earnest.

What eventually emerges is an elaborate smokescreen shrouding a deep-rooted and intricate conspiracy. Now, whatever the danger to himself, Skinner is determined that in Edinburgh, at least, folk will abide by his rules.

©1993 Quintin Jardine (P)2013 Isis Publishing Ltd

A good story

A litte far fetched, also it is my impression the author has a bit of national hubris...

Still, I enjoyed the book and purchased the next three in a 20 plus series.

series starts here

do check the UK reviews.

Police procedural, more at the higher end and involving different departments.

It reads a little like a series intended for a tv show as the story does have natural breaks where there is a resolution and then kicks off in a new direction.
Skinner is an over the top hero who is not really lovable.

There are a few plot weaknesses, when the whole story is considered. The introduction of the diplomatic and secret service is actually quite good as it does highlight the difference between English and Scotish law.

Not a bad listen.

Serial Killer turned international spy?

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

That's what seemed to happen to this story mid way it turned into an espionage novel complete with international, political back story. It was REALLY a disappointment considering that the serial killer part started out pretty good and kind of dramatic and detailed, almost Jack the Ripper worthy. Then BOOM embassy's and briefcases.

Would you ever listen to anything by Quintin Jardine again?

Probably not

Which scene was your favorite?

the whole beginning was good until the writer switched sub-genres

What character would you cut from Skinner's Rules?

all the political figures and spys etc

Any additional comments?

not having the second half at all would have been an improvement at least it was the same story...