Head Shot by
Quintin Jardine
pbk out February 03
(Headline)
at £5.99
The twelfth in the Bob Skinner series about Edinburgh's Deputy Chief
Constable Bob Skinner, who for the second most senior copper in that part
of Scotland, still seems able to get plenty of hands-on policing.
In this adventure, the parents of his American wife are brutally murdered in
a lakeside cabin in upper New York State and Skinner hurries post-haste to
help in the investigation at the scene. He soon discovers that it seems to be
one of a pattern, as three other killings suggest a serial murderer is at work.
The plot is complex and tortuous and needs a fair dollop of the traditional
'suspension of disbelief'.
The quality of the writing cannot be faulted, but having read a number of the
previous books, I found the plot of this one rather disappointing. It seems to
have been consciously aimed at the American market, which since, P.
Cornwell, seems to exist solely on a diet of serial killers. The coincidence of
a senior Jock policeman having his parents-in-law murdered and the fact that
he effortlessly barges in on the Yank investigation and almost takes it over, is a
bit hard to swallow.
The other defect was one which also seems to be afflicting long series such
as The Bill, where the private lives and machinations of the 'polis'
themselves, seems to intrude upon the actual progress of the story and form
a soap opera atmosphere outside of the main story. Much of this book, more so
that previous ones, recounts the promotions, staffing wrangles and
professional jealousies of the Scottish constabularies.
However, I am sure that the thousands of Bob Skinner fans will again seize
on a new issue with acclamation.
(
Bernard Knight
ex Home Office Pathologist and author of the highly acclaimed Crowner John series)
Head Shot by
Quintin Jardine
