Murder on the Moor

DI Skelgill Investigates #15

by Bruce Beckham

STAND-ALONE MURDER MYSTERY, #15 IN THE SERIES. MEET MAVERICK BRITISH DETECTIVE DI SKELGILL... "MAD, BAD AND JUST A LITTLE BIT COZY."

Virile; handsome; ruthless. When gamekeeper Lawrence Melling takes over at traditional Lakeland sporting estate Shuteham Hall he soon ruffles the feathers of not only elderly Lord Edward Bullingdon and his younger model wife Miranda, but also their adult offspring and fellow estate workers.

Meanwhile local conservationists perceive an existential threat to rare hen harriers nesting on nearby Over Moor. And when Miranda’s jewellery worth a six-figure sum goes missing, and a trusted employee inexplicably disappears, DI Skelgill and his team lift the lid on a plot that simmers with envy, greed, lust and revenge.

Just as a simple solution beckons, in a further diabolical twist it seems the prey turn the tables on the predator. But is it an audacious murder or an innocent accident? Is this the work of a lone actor or a conspiracy? To fathom the mystery Skelgill finds himself in the firing line, whichever way he turns.

Genres: Mystery, Ebooks

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2020

About the author

BRUCE BECKHAM brings a lifelong love of the outdoors to the contemporary crime novel. An award-winning, Amazon best-selling writer and member of the UK Society of Authors, he pens fiendish plots, vivid wild scenes and compelling dramas.

His series 'Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates' now extends to 24 standalone murder mysteries and 8 boxsets, and sells across five continents, from Japan and India to Brazil and the United States of America. Over one million copies have been downloaded worldwide.

Murder at Blind Beck (#25) was released in May 2025 and can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2XQ46Z

You are welcome to contact Bruce directly through the Goodreads message system or via his publisher, at this address: lucius-ebooks@live.com

To sign up for his monthly newsletter please click the website link above, or send a friend request or click 'follow' - to receive updates of free Kindle downloads and Goodreads giveaways.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very satisfying addition to the series, highlighting conservation of raptors and the individuals who take up the cause religiously. Skelgill and team are called out to investigate missing jewels at a country estate that maintains itself with fees from hunters. The new man overseeing the property is held in suspicion by many, a new gamekeeper down from Scotland. There are many interesting characters, wonderful descriptions of the land and some gnarly challenges for Skelgill's team. There will be a murder. And more devilry.

Kindle Unlimited

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skelgill, Jones, and Leyton start off investigating the shooting of an endangered bird at a fancy estate. No one will admit to the shooting, but later there is a jewel theft, a disappearance, and a murder. Except for Skelgill's continuous observations of the women in the book which got a little tiresome, this is a well-written British police procedural.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 15th of this favourite series. Even though I ration my reading of them , I am reading them faster than Mr Beckham is writing them and now only have three left.

The Moor of the title is the shooting estate of The Bullingdons. There is the old lord, his much younger third wife and his children from his previous marriages. This is a family mix which usually bodes danger but it is not the problem here. Instead, Skelgill is a witness to the shooting of a buzzard, a protected species, from the estate land while he is conducting a waterborne search for a rare species of fish on a nearby water.

This starts a chain of events that make up the story which is well up to high standard of the series so far. The story maintains the amusing level of banter within his team and his 'special' relationship with DS Jones.

(May be a bit of unconscious humour is heard from the Lord Bullingdon who at one point exclaims;
" Whats all this shouting? We'll have no trouble here" which immediately transported me to Edward in the corner shop at Royston Vasey.)

Two items of Skelgills sustenance make their debut in this book. There is the Cumberland Sand Cake but I like the sounds of Cumberland Rum Nickies and rather than wait for them to appear as one of the authors recipes, have already looked them up in readiness for a try as soon as the Christmas mince pies are finished.

I wonder how long I will be able to keep off reading Murder Unseen the next in the series and antipenultimate at present.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these British low key mysteries and this is one of the best. I haven't read this series before but I will be sure to add it to my favorites list. The characters (Skelgill, Jones and Leyton especially) are interesting; the descriptions of the Lake District are evocative; the plot is imaginative. I did have some problems with the northern England/Scottish dialogue but that actually contributed to the interest of the book. An enjoyable read!
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Michael Mandato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Beckham is a master of the English who done its.

I have been engrossed reading all fifteen books in his Skelgil series and am waiting impatiently for number sixteen which I have already preordered. These books are great, with wonderfully drawn characters that you can’t wait to comeback to. The plots are very well crafted. One of the best things is that they are great for all ages, as there is no gratuitous sex, violence or foul language. These are books I know I will read again and gladly recommend to anyone!

[Susann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best!

This one was delicious. The only thing missing was Cleopatra. Great story line with the clues being teased out like waiting to snag a rare fish. Subtleties with the murders, upper class snottery, treacle scones, the poor endangered hen harriers and the quest for the elusive vendace. "Vendace Search Flounders." as the local paper headlines. Lots of great red herrings and yellow vehicles to muddy the waters. Also, a clever nod to Lady Chatterley's Lover with gamekeeper, Lawrence Melling. Fun!

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

Very involved situation faces DI Skellgill and his team! First call to manor involves jewelry theft, then missing workman, and finally a murder. There is also conflict between game keeper and bird watchers over endangered birds. Lots of subjects, absence of information and truthfulness, and conflicting stories. This investigation requires dogged determination and shifting conflicting stories. Totally unexpected conclusion!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

good reading

I’ve enjoyed the exploits of DI Skelgill before, and Murder on the Moor is just as good as the others. A death, a disappearance, and missing jewels stump the team, who must also deal with a shot bird and an endangered hen harrier sitting on her nest in the area where the body has turned up. Arrogant landowners and birdwatchers make the job even more difficult. The guilty are hard to discern in this mystery.

[Thomas Lennek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't met Skelgill, this is a great introduction

Author Beckham is back with very detailed descriptions of England's Lake Country flora, fauna, and English gentry. Twisty plot line and a mix of old school detecting, modern technology and cultural clashes. I've read several in this series, and this is the best yet.

[Julie Angstadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story

There is intrigue in this story--who stole the jewellery owned by Miranda Bullingdon? Why are the Vholes searching for help with birds? What about the Irish couple? Could they have stolen the jewellery? Snellville has a lot of loose ends in these issues? Are they related? How will he solve the case? Is it related or separate cases? Enjoyed the book

[Amy Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will he or won’t he?

This being another intricately-written addition to one of my favorite police procedural series, the case is of course going to be solved by Skelgill. But the real mystery is if he’s going to kiss her or not.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to say it but I didn't love this book as much as I usually do for Beckham's series set in the wonderful Lakes District of England. I guess I don't know much about bird conservation and a lot of what was going on was over my head. However, I read to the end because Bruce Beckham is one of my favorite writers and that won't change.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool read, new 2 this author, won it in a Goodreads giveaway ... fun finding new authors to me ... will read more from Bruce B. guess it is all in what you are looking for in a read? genre? etc. (can u see this review, Goodreads is acting up?? sure hope so??! so strange.)

[William T McGivney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully tensioned in plot(s) and among characters

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Skelgill is the best detective! Ready for the next,.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author's writing is a bit strange. He occasionally creates odd sentences and uses words in ways I am unable to define.

[Lynne J. Edleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super hero

This series has been fun to read .... taking me to unknown landscapes with interesting characters and good plots. Looking forward to the next one!

[Susan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy following DI Skelgill. He is a very interesting character, not the usual detective.

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skelgill is a fantastic detective, using "Aye" with every turn, and logic to solve the mystery. There was a bit too much landscape description in this one, but it was so enjoyable anyway.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Skellgill

Everytime I read a Skellgill book, o have to look up definitions of words. I love it!! These books are so very well written!

[Andy Tesluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put the book down!

Another very enjoyable of Skelgill and company. Always something new to learn in these cases and it does not disappoint!

[Frankie J. Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

Eager for release of this one as enjoyed all others . But what did you do with Skelgill? Seems he was absent and off in some weird fantasy. Hoping next book will bring him and his cohorts back in better mystery plot.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally made myself finish it but it wasn’t thrilling in anyway. I stopped to read several other excellent thrillers in the middle, before finally plodding through this one. No emotional attachment to any of the characters.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly enjoyed this book as the setting involved a conservation site, a country manor which is not the farm life or setting I am familiar with, birding which I love, and all the elements of a good mystery. It starts with the disappearance of jewels, introduces several interesting characters, a disappearance of an employee, and of course a murder. DI Skelgill and his team are an entertaining match. I continue to have some problems with the dialect and terms used but that is fine as I learn by looking up what is unfamiliar. I look forward to reading more of this series. The books are stand alone despite being a series which adds to the interest. I won this book as a Good Reads giveaway.

[wendla e kushion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every book. The descriptions are pricelesd!
Wish we knew where Skelgill and RD Jones were headed.....