Bruce Beckham

There seem to be a number of British crime fiction authors publishing multiple titles in rapid succession on Kindle recently, so I wasn't really sure whether I wanted to start another series. However I was pleasantly surprised although there were a couple of quirky features which other reviewers have also remarked on: most of the narrative is in the present tense (which some have found annoying); the author has attempted to put some of the dialogue in local Cumbrian dialect. There seemed to show more be less of the latter as the story progressed, or maybe I just got used to it.

However Skelgill is an interesting character, the mystery was well constructed, with a few red herrings, and we got there. Under pressure by his boss to get a "result", Skelgill has a number of redeeming features, and a reasonable amount of intuition.

There were times when I thought the narrative was a bit long winded, a bit too descriptive, but perhaps I was just , like Skelgill's boss, for progress, and the identification of the murderer.

I've another waiting for me on my Kindle. show less

This mystery was my first introduction to author Bruce Beckham and his creation of Detective Inspector Daniel Skelgill. The reader's introduction to DI Skelgill is as a pike-angler out in the early dawn hours on Bassenthwaite Lake. Interrupted from his fishing delights he arrives at the scene of the crime to meet Detective Sergeant Emma Jones as Skelgills's usual DS is on annual leave. At first it seems questionable as to how this working relationship will blend and coordinate the needed show more activities of the murder investigation. However, the longer they work together traveling between London and Edinburgh the more delightful the repartee.

I enjoyed the mystery immensely with the crafting of multiple red herrings during the investigation. Many investigators seem to skip meals but Skelgill's appetite added to the fun descriptions. The fishing and birding descriptions provided a wonderful atmosphere for the setting and might even create interest for travel for those enjoying holidays with these opportunities.

I wouldn't hesitate to spend more time with DI Skelgill to see where the next investigation will take him. I also hope that his usual DS stays on annual leave for a while longer. I'm sure DS Jones would welcome the opportunity. show less

This is another fairly typical entry in the quaint series featuring the maverick DI Skellgil, set in the lake district of England. The description of the environment and the flora and fauna is as vivid as that in previous novels, and the protagonist is just as quirky. What disappointed me in this book, though, was the negligible space given to DS Emma Jones, whose relationship with the DI has been intriguing, lending the series quite some fun.
Another complaint is that the actual story and show more the action get smothered by the profusion of clever turns of phrases and convoluted dialogues;
it took me a lot of effort to just keep track of what's happening and who said what.
I enjoyed it, but not as much as I had expected to, which is sad. show less

When is an apparent accident not an accident? When do apparently unrelated murders emerge as totally related? When there are sharp Law Enforcement unsatisfied with "apparent". DI Skelgill and his mates are very well developed as characters, the plot is solid and nicely twisty, descriptions are clear and easily imagined. Publisher's blurb is adequate for hints, no need for spoilers. A really good mystery by a master of the craft.