The Cage: the brand new Bob Skinner mystery

Bob Skinner #35

by Quintin Jardine

The latest Bob Skinner mystery from the legendary Quintin Jardine.

'The legendary Quintin Jardine . . . such a fine writer' DENZIL MEYRICK

On a sunny seaside August morning, a woman on maternity leave spots a body wedged in rocks on a Scottish beach. Gavin Ayre's riding gear sparks the assumption that he had been thrown by a panicked horse . . . until an autopsy reveals this was no accident. Soon it becomes clear that Ayre's life was as big a mystery as his death. Detective Superintendent Harold 'Sauce' Haddock heads an investigation that is running into the sand, until a link is revealed between the victim and another man in Spain, with a surprisingly similar name.

Faced with the twin puzzle Sauce turns to his mentor, Bob Skinner, moved on from the police service to head an international media group. Soon the two friends are at the heart of a multi-layered conspiracy, as they search for the answer to the prime question . . . who killed Gavin Ayre?

Praise for Quintin Jardine's Bob Skinner

'A highly charged, fast-moving crime thriller' HERALD

'Scottish crime-writing at its finest, with a healthy dose of plot twists and turns, bodies and plenty of brutality' THE SUN

'Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine's narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn' OBSERVER

Genres: Crime

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2023

About the author

Quintin 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

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Love this series.

[William Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased this book whilst on holiday in Scotland and the first time I have read this author but it won’t be the last Excellent book read in a day speaks volumes

[Redsetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyeball read on kindle. Had it on audible originally but there was something wrong with James Bryce's narration. It sounded like he was either unwell or had a dental issue so it got returned.
The usual 'big' Bob and his 'big' polis ex-colleagues which is the bonus. Have loved this series and the characters created since the start and it's a grand comfort read.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cage by Quintin Jardine is book 35 in the Bob Skinner series and it is an excellent read, as all the other books in the series have been.
This has a complicated storyline but it boils down to people scamming other people of their money. This is in the end is what causes the deaths of some of the main protagonists.
It is fascinating to read about police characters that have appeared in earlier books as young police officers now in top ranking jobs. The book was an engrossing read and I really enjoyed reading this in the latest in the series.
I especially enjoyed the short story at the end.
Highly recommended

[JOHN BARLOW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Bob Skinner novel by Quintin Jardine. It is essential to read this series in chronological order to appreciate the interactions of the characters involved. Loved the short story at the end!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long! Not having read any in this series before, I found the endless, presumably regular characters, hard to kept track of in the short chapters that jumped from one to another. But would definitely try this author again.

[Alison Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed catching up with Skinner and the gang.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot. Suspect this could be the last Skinner book. That would be disappointing.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another red herring mystery where retired Bob Skinner happens to get involved. Set in Gullane and area and Girona . But if an anticlimax when the murderer is found.

[Ian Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb as always

Really good to get another dose of Bob Skinner and everything that goes with his books Thank you and bring on the next

[Margaret Moffat · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Quintin Jardine book I’ve read and won’t be the last, I’ve got two more books coming. Really enjoyed reading it.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firm favourites

Excellence that I have come to expect. One of my favourite authors, just wish he could write a little faster lol 😂

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we’ve come to expect from Jardine as always a crime novel that is intriguing, thrilling and always with that blend of personal history and detection.

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a promising start I didn’t enjoy the middle section where the story changed direction completely . It did get better towards the end
I would rate it 3.5

[Veda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as always from Quintin Jardine! Skinner continues to be a great series

[Michael Annis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read in the life of Bob Skinner and protégés. Thoroughly enjoyed it as with all in this series. More ?