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Primavera Blackstone #5
As Serious As Death
The stunning new Primavera Blackstone mystery from the Scottish crime master.
Primavera Blackstone has found a hard-earned contentment in a small Spanish village by the sea. A fiercely protective single mother, she doesn't appreciate an offer of marriage. Nor does she welcome the arrival of a blast from her murky Scottish past, retired cop Ricky Ross, now a private detective and working for Jack Weighley, millionaire owner of a budget airline. Jack is a powerful, persuasive man with deep pockets, someone you don't say 'no' to without considering the consequences. So Primavera teams up with Ricky to investigate a series of mystery assaults on Jack's aircraft. Are they mere acts of vandalism, or the sinister work of Catalan extremists? When Ricky's car is fire-bombed and he narrowly escapes with his life, more questions arise...not least, why is the Spanish Special Branch involved? As Primavera and Ricky are drawn into events, and the body count rises, she begins to understand the true meaning of 'till death us do part'.
Primavera Blackstone has found a hard-earned contentment in a small Spanish village by the sea. A fiercely protective single mother, she doesn't appreciate an offer of marriage. Nor does she welcome the arrival of a blast from her murky Scottish past, retired cop Ricky Ross, now a private detective and working for Jack Weighley, millionaire owner of a budget airline. Jack is a powerful, persuasive man with deep pockets, someone you don't say 'no' to without considering the consequences. So Primavera teams up with Ricky to investigate a series of mystery assaults on Jack's aircraft. Are they mere acts of vandalism, or the sinister work of Catalan extremists? When Ricky's car is fire-bombed and he narrowly escapes with his life, more questions arise...not least, why is the Spanish Special Branch involved? As Primavera and Ricky are drawn into events, and the body count rises, she begins to understand the true meaning of 'till death us do part'.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
98 books244 followersQuintin 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 3, 2013
Coming 7th November from Headline.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the unexpected but wonderful surprise of a copy of this book for review. Thanks Mr Postman!
Primavera Blackstone has found a hard-earned contentment in a small Spanish village by the sea. A fiercely protective single mother, she doesn't appreciate an offer of marriage. Nor does she welcome the arrival of a blast from her murky Scottish past, retired cop Ricky Ross, now a private detective and working for Jack Weighley, millionaire owner of a budget airline. Jack is a powerful, persuasive man with deep pockets, someone you don't say 'no' to without considering the consequences. So Primavera teams up with Ricky to investigate a series of mystery assaults on Jack's aircraft.
So another wonderful novel from Mr Jardine - who provides me always with that wonderful thing called comfort reading. You can pick up one of his books, be it from the Skinner series (which I am slightly behind on - MUST catch up Liz!) or the two incarnations of the Blackstone series and be sure to get an intriguing and involving read, always of a high standard and with characters that are immediately familiar..
So we come to another outing for Primavera, in this case getting involved with all sorts of shenanigans including tangling with the Spanish special branch, investigating some serious cases of vandalism and trying to work out why someone feels the need to blow Mr Ross up in his car - and as usual she does it all with flair. And a wry eye to the ironic.
As always I loved the backdrop and scene setting here - I feel now like I would like to move to Spain - the body count aside, it seems like a rather wonderful life.
This is easy and engaging reading with clever plot development and intriguing twists and turns along the way - perhaps not as in depth as the Skinner series, these are more suited to crime lovers who prefer a more sedate and light yet still as compelling reading experience. (Me, I'll take both!)
One note: These books definitely benefit from being read in order - for Primavera's first solo outing see "InHuman Remains".
Recommended for Crime Fiction Lovers everywhere.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the unexpected but wonderful surprise of a copy of this book for review. Thanks Mr Postman!
Primavera Blackstone has found a hard-earned contentment in a small Spanish village by the sea. A fiercely protective single mother, she doesn't appreciate an offer of marriage. Nor does she welcome the arrival of a blast from her murky Scottish past, retired cop Ricky Ross, now a private detective and working for Jack Weighley, millionaire owner of a budget airline. Jack is a powerful, persuasive man with deep pockets, someone you don't say 'no' to without considering the consequences. So Primavera teams up with Ricky to investigate a series of mystery assaults on Jack's aircraft.
So another wonderful novel from Mr Jardine - who provides me always with that wonderful thing called comfort reading. You can pick up one of his books, be it from the Skinner series (which I am slightly behind on - MUST catch up Liz!) or the two incarnations of the Blackstone series and be sure to get an intriguing and involving read, always of a high standard and with characters that are immediately familiar..
So we come to another outing for Primavera, in this case getting involved with all sorts of shenanigans including tangling with the Spanish special branch, investigating some serious cases of vandalism and trying to work out why someone feels the need to blow Mr Ross up in his car - and as usual she does it all with flair. And a wry eye to the ironic.
As always I loved the backdrop and scene setting here - I feel now like I would like to move to Spain - the body count aside, it seems like a rather wonderful life.
This is easy and engaging reading with clever plot development and intriguing twists and turns along the way - perhaps not as in depth as the Skinner series, these are more suited to crime lovers who prefer a more sedate and light yet still as compelling reading experience. (Me, I'll take both!)
One note: These books definitely benefit from being read in order - for Primavera's first solo outing see "InHuman Remains".
Recommended for Crime Fiction Lovers everywhere.
Happy Reading Folks!
June 4, 2022
This was another good instalment in the Primavera Blackstone series and the main plot was well constructed and interesting.
As always with Jardine’s books, it good to see the characters have a life outside of the particular mystery that they’ve investigating. The story with Liam, and the three kids, were really good additions. However, as was the case in the last book there were overtones of life being impossible without a man which is a real shame given how strong a character Primavera was at the start.
This book appears to be the end of the series (because it’s now 9 years old and there’s not another one) and I liked the way that Jardine took the time to close the loop on several things. It’s always good when authors make a point to end a series rather than just stop adding to it.
All in all, a good read and a worthy end of the series. I just wish that Primavera’s initial strength had been maintained.
As always with Jardine’s books, it good to see the characters have a life outside of the particular mystery that they’ve investigating. The story with Liam, and the three kids, were really good additions. However, as was the case in the last book there were overtones of life being impossible without a man which is a real shame given how strong a character Primavera was at the start.
This book appears to be the end of the series (because it’s now 9 years old and there’s not another one) and I liked the way that Jardine took the time to close the loop on several things. It’s always good when authors make a point to end a series rather than just stop adding to it.
All in all, a good read and a worthy end of the series. I just wish that Primavera’s initial strength had been maintained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 5, 2021Final read in the Primavera Blackstone series... Another thriller where she seems to be enjoying life with Tom and Oz's two other children, adopted by her due to Susie's death in the previous read, (read them in order people), only to be drawn into another murder mystery.
Old characters from previous reads are brought back into this mystery.
Prim's love of the previous read comes back very late in the story and seems to have won her over so she can settle down to a normal life as a mom and wife...
Is there another Primavera story to come, who knows only Quintin Jardine knows for sure.
Back to skinner series it is I guess..
Old characters from previous reads are brought back into this mystery.
Prim's love of the previous read comes back very late in the story and seems to have won her over so she can settle down to a normal life as a mom and wife...
Is there another Primavera story to come, who knows only Quintin Jardine knows for sure.
Back to skinner series it is I guess..
August 28, 2021
My first 'Primavera Blackstone' read from Quintin Jardine. Being a big fan of his 'Bob Skinner' series, I was anxious...
...anxious no more - an intricately woven modern mystery with believable characters, and a refreshing gentle human touch provided by Primavera Blackstone.
Another series to add to my 'looking forward to read' list🙂
...anxious no more - an intricately woven modern mystery with believable characters, and a refreshing gentle human touch provided by Primavera Blackstone.
Another series to add to my 'looking forward to read' list🙂
July 27, 2016
Sorry it ended
Great book looking forward to the next one. I have never been disappointed in any of these books.
My night time reading is poorer now so I may go back to the beginning of the series.
Great book looking forward to the next one. I have never been disappointed in any of these books.
My night time reading is poorer now so I may go back to the beginning of the series.
July 2, 2025
This is the first Quintin Jardine book I’ve read and it was quite good. I’m only giving 4 stars because it took me some time to get into it and I was having trouble with who everyone was, specifically Oz Blackstone, and what his relationship with everyone else was. OK, so apart from those two things, I did suspect whodunnit in a roundabout and not exactly right sort of way. When Ricky Ross, a blast from Primavera Blackstone’s past, rolls up in Spain, the security chief for Weighley airlines investigating some vandalism to Weighley planes, she is inveigled into signing on to help run that stuff from on the spot. When people start dying in particularly nasty ways, it’s clear a little graffiti is not the real problem.
September 17, 2017
Picked this one from the library and thought it would be a good read. Hadn't read any of the Primavera mysteries. I am now wanting to read the whole series. An excellent read. Set in Spain, this mystery involves murder, government cover ups and danger always lurking. Great read.
May 19, 2020
I had only read the Bob Skinner books, so was pleased to see there were other detective series worthy of a read, and this book did not disappoint. Loved the narrative, feeling that I was in each location with the characters, rather than just reading the words.
October 10, 2022
For a 15 minute coffee break story it might have been okay. However, it didn't stop after one chapter, but just prattled on for over 300 pages. Not my cup of tea
March 12, 2017
easy read
September 15, 2014
Never come across a bad book by Quintin Jardine. This is up to his usual high standards.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews