• Skinner's Rules

  • Bob Skinner, Book 1
  • By: Quintin Jardine
  • Narrated by: James Bryce
  • Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (62 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Skinner's Rules  By  cover art

Skinner's Rules

By: Quintin Jardine
Narrated by: James Bryce
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.42

Buy for $16.42

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Skinner's Rules

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

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...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful