What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Skelgill Investigates #17
Murder in our Midst
A Ouija board spells out ‘MURDER’ and next morning wealthy widow Daisy Mills is found drowned at a Lakeland beauty spot. Was this a warning from beyond the grave, or an agent provocateur among the house party?
Could the earlier death of successful businessman Simon Mills really be the accident it seemed? And was it by coincidence that the same clique of old school friends had met before each tragedy?
Pitched into this forest of uncertainty, Skelgill and his team glean perplexing clues – an anonymous phone call, a hidden tracking device, a secret assignation – but hard evidence is thin on the ground and alibis watertight.
For want of a clear view, the detectives follow the money trail – and a tenuous case begins to take shape. But Skelgill is uneasy. Is the group closing ranks, or are long-held enmities subtly being played out around them?
Try as they might, the questions persist. Were there two murders? Just one murder? Or no murder at all? It falls to DS Leyton to bemoan the impasse : “Guvnor – it’s a right old kiss and cuddle.”
Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars
Could the earlier death of successful businessman Simon Mills really be the accident it seemed? And was it by coincidence that the same clique of old school friends had met before each tragedy?
Pitched into this forest of uncertainty, Skelgill and his team glean perplexing clues – an anonymous phone call, a hidden tracking device, a secret assignation – but hard evidence is thin on the ground and alibis watertight.
For want of a clear view, the detectives follow the money trail – and a tenuous case begins to take shape. But Skelgill is uneasy. Is the group closing ranks, or are long-held enmities subtly being played out around them?
Try as they might, the questions persist. Were there two murders? Just one murder? Or no murder at all? It falls to DS Leyton to bemoan the impasse : “Guvnor – it’s a right old kiss and cuddle.”
Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2021
359 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Beckham
89 books463 followersBRUCE 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 16, 2021
This book starts off with a peaceful setting in one of Skelgill's favored spots on the water as he is teaching DS Jones how to fly fish. Considering their jobs, this idyll cannot be left to play out when murder is always afoot, even in the wilds. With the discovery of a woman's body in a pool at the foot of a waterfall Skelgill and Jones must put off their fishing gear for another time.
It is a group of college friends staying in a large house that they will have to deal with in this complex tale of discovery, and the trio works well throughout the investigation with Jones making her competent contributions with detailed interviews and notes and Skelgill making discoveries by stealth. DS Leyton, not to be forgotten, manages to provide some key evidence as well.
I have never been to Grasmere or Rydal Water where William Wordsworth is remembered, but one of the things I love about these now 17 books in this series is the beautifully worded descriptions of the area this author pens. If I were a tad younger I would be arranging a trip to see it for myself. This book also delivers a cleverly constructed murder mystery.
Kindle Unlimited
Later Note: I am now enjoying "Wainwright Walks Coast to Coast" on Acorn TV from the passive place of rest in the ol' armchair in place of attempting a flight overseas and trying to see the beautiful scenery for myself. It is lovely.
It is a group of college friends staying in a large house that they will have to deal with in this complex tale of discovery, and the trio works well throughout the investigation with Jones making her competent contributions with detailed interviews and notes and Skelgill making discoveries by stealth. DS Leyton, not to be forgotten, manages to provide some key evidence as well.
I have never been to Grasmere or Rydal Water where William Wordsworth is remembered, but one of the things I love about these now 17 books in this series is the beautifully worded descriptions of the area this author pens. If I were a tad younger I would be arranging a trip to see it for myself. This book also delivers a cleverly constructed murder mystery.
Kindle Unlimited
Later Note: I am now enjoying "Wainwright Walks Coast to Coast" on Acorn TV from the passive place of rest in the ol' armchair in place of attempting a flight overseas and trying to see the beautiful scenery for myself. It is lovely.
December 29, 2025
Jones and Skelgill are called to the scene of what looks like a drowning, but is later reclassified as murder. A group of school friends who have known each other for 40+ years has rented a place to get together. After a strange encounter with a Ouija board the night before, one of the group is found dead near a local waterfall. There are no shortage of suspects, and the team has their work cut out for them when questioning this group.
June 23, 2022
As I write this, Murder in our Midst is the penultimate in this 'rationed ' series. Only one more to go - how long will I be able to hold out before reading it, especially after it received such good comments from my friends.
I wont reiterate the praise that I have given to each of the preceding books in this series but suffice it to say that this one is as good as all of the others.
A good cast of characters and a good plot. Add to that the stunning backdrop of the Lakelands and some amusing lines such as...........As DS Jones is dangling her hand in the water from the boat, "This feels like 'Swallows and Amazons', I dont know why but I feel like an Amazon" Skelgill replies "What?, Packing or Delivering"................or comparing THE Clint Eastwood to his shorter character namesake , Skelgill points out that it would be like casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.
All this and a tale starting and ending with fishing lessons from a boat in the middle of a quiet water.
Who could ask for anything more.
I wont reiterate the praise that I have given to each of the preceding books in this series but suffice it to say that this one is as good as all of the others.
A good cast of characters and a good plot. Add to that the stunning backdrop of the Lakelands and some amusing lines such as...........As DS Jones is dangling her hand in the water from the boat, "This feels like 'Swallows and Amazons', I dont know why but I feel like an Amazon" Skelgill replies "What?, Packing or Delivering"................or comparing THE Clint Eastwood to his shorter character namesake , Skelgill points out that it would be like casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.
All this and a tale starting and ending with fishing lessons from a boat in the middle of a quiet water.
Who could ask for anything more.
July 22, 2021
Another satisfying Inspector Skelgill whodunnit. The suspicious drowning of a Audrey Hepburn lookalike finds our intrepid inspector and his equally resolute sidekicks soon on the case. Throw in another mystery involving some deadly spiked gin, and "Multum in Parvo!"
July 11, 2021
Excellent!
This murder investigation is more good old fashioned police investigation than physical. Friends from high school, entering their 60's, have a weeklong reunion and death intrudes. Much past history, former relationships ,as well as current, need close consideration but the team comes through. Unusual story and well plotted mystery!
This murder investigation is more good old fashioned police investigation than physical. Friends from high school, entering their 60's, have a weeklong reunion and death intrudes. Much past history, former relationships ,as well as current, need close consideration but the team comes through. Unusual story and well plotted mystery!
November 13, 2021
Consistently and dependently good mysteries. Can't go wrong here.
November 14, 2021
Review of English Murder Mystery
An interesting mystery set in the lakes region in England. Received some his book from on Goodreads.com Giveaways for an honest review.
The story revolved around a group of friends on holiday and one ends up dead. The dead woman's husband died around Christmas from a poisoned bottle of gin and they are trying to help cheer her up. Inspector Skelgill and his DS are first on the scene and though it looks like an accident they start investigating. There are lots of suspects and diversions. Some subtle and not so subtle clues.
Had a bit of a hard time with some of the English speech and references but overall liked the story. The characters worked well together and the author described the settings well.
Had a bit of a hard time with some of the English speech and references in the story
An interesting mystery set in the lakes region in England. Received some his book from on Goodreads.com Giveaways for an honest review.
The story revolved around a group of friends on holiday and one ends up dead. The dead woman's husband died around Christmas from a poisoned bottle of gin and they are trying to help cheer her up. Inspector Skelgill and his DS are first on the scene and though it looks like an accident they start investigating. There are lots of suspects and diversions. Some subtle and not so subtle clues.
Had a bit of a hard time with some of the English speech and references but overall liked the story. The characters worked well together and the author described the settings well.
Had a bit of a hard time with some of the English speech and references in the story
April 7, 2022
Okay
Not his best. I had a very hard time following all the characters and their relationships. I don't really like the house party murder format and couldn't get engaged with this one right from the start. I do admire the way the author is able to portray the thinking of the police trio as they work through the clues and discuss their findings, in the process triggering insights in the others. Such a well honed team. Layton gets to do some work on his own again which shows his talents when not being squashed down and overshadowed by Skelgill. Love the introduction of dogs (so characterful) in his various books though missed Cleopatra in this one. I am getting a bit bored with Skelgill's selfish, incessant and piggy need for stodgy food. How does he stay in any way healthy? Didnt understand the wet footprints and how they could be missed by anyone.
Not his best. I had a very hard time following all the characters and their relationships. I don't really like the house party murder format and couldn't get engaged with this one right from the start. I do admire the way the author is able to portray the thinking of the police trio as they work through the clues and discuss their findings, in the process triggering insights in the others. Such a well honed team. Layton gets to do some work on his own again which shows his talents when not being squashed down and overshadowed by Skelgill. Love the introduction of dogs (so characterful) in his various books though missed Cleopatra in this one. I am getting a bit bored with Skelgill's selfish, incessant and piggy need for stodgy food. How does he stay in any way healthy? Didnt understand the wet footprints and how they could be missed by anyone.
July 18, 2021
Reading a new Skelgill story is like meeting new friends, and that is always good.
Murder in our midst was a tad Agatha Christie, all the suspects under one roof. There were just too many characters for my small brain to cope with .I was continually checking to confirm who was who, perhaps a character list compels readers to do that.
I found the story stalled a bit about two thirds along. There was a lot of fact checking and conjecture repeated ad nauseam .
On the upside I love to be taken back to the Lake Disrict by this series and am looking forward to reading the next promised episode.
Murder in our midst was a tad Agatha Christie, all the suspects under one roof. There were just too many characters for my small brain to cope with .I was continually checking to confirm who was who, perhaps a character list compels readers to do that.
I found the story stalled a bit about two thirds along. There was a lot of fact checking and conjecture repeated ad nauseam .
On the upside I love to be taken back to the Lake Disrict by this series and am looking forward to reading the next promised episode.
October 19, 2021
Another Great Book by Beckham
Once again Beckham delivered on Dr Skelgill. Is a great story and he did well at even sussing the clues you may or may not miss. I was shocked when read some reviews by some readers accusing and even labeling the author and main character with disabilities. Quite frankly I have not read. And people doing this instead of reviewing a book really have lost focus. I enjoy main character so much. Keep on going Beckham....Wish there were more already.
Once again Beckham delivered on Dr Skelgill. Is a great story and he did well at even sussing the clues you may or may not miss. I was shocked when read some reviews by some readers accusing and even labeling the author and main character with disabilities. Quite frankly I have not read. And people doing this instead of reviewing a book really have lost focus. I enjoy main character so much. Keep on going Beckham....Wish there were more already.
November 5, 2022
Again, Bruce Beckham blows the good plots out of the water. Love each and every Skelgill novel. This is such a perfect character. Not only is he fit for climbing moutains, fishing every chance he gets, which is nearly daily. His fishing antedotes that seem to help him understand murderers are still charming. I wish his relationship with his sergeant would progress just a bit past eye contact and him being such a gentleman to her. She clearly likes him. Hinting here. Looking for the next one to read.
May 10, 2023
Another hit for Beckham with our favorite Detective who in this book seems to have fallen straight into an Agatha Christie novel. Everything starts out smoothly and within moments takes you to to the first murder. Then a second one. There are quite a few characters to keep up with and can be a tad frustrating at times. I did find that it was a very fluid and easy to get to the important parts with likable characters. Probably not my absolute favorite from this author, but the protagonist is awesome and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
4 1/2 stars out of 5
4 1/2 stars out of 5
July 15, 2021
Beautiful descriptive writing.
Beckham is a very talented wordsmith. His descriptions of the Lake District makes me long to visit. His wonderful descriptions of the characters enables the reader a unique visualization. The usual team of detectives has a conundrum on their hands. Has one murder been committed or is it two? Love this series and the unique detectives plus the puzzling crimes they solve.
Beckham is a very talented wordsmith. His descriptions of the Lake District makes me long to visit. His wonderful descriptions of the characters enables the reader a unique visualization. The usual team of detectives has a conundrum on their hands. Has one murder been committed or is it two? Love this series and the unique detectives plus the puzzling crimes they solve.
July 18, 2021
I'm only one-third through but had to stop and say this: After a lifetime of literature (three English degrees), I can't think of a finer writer to describe the environment, including wildlife. I've never been to the Lake District, but Beckham takes me there every time!
(I read Beckham also for the fly fishing, boating, and tea-making with a Kelly kettle. Oh, and for the characters, who are mainly smart and intriguing, and for the mysteries, which always hold my interest.)
UPDATE: I finished, and the book did not disappoint!
(I read Beckham also for the fly fishing, boating, and tea-making with a Kelly kettle. Oh, and for the characters, who are mainly smart and intriguing, and for the mysteries, which always hold my interest.)
UPDATE: I finished, and the book did not disappoint!
September 23, 2021
Every Skegkill has consistently been a winner!!!
Bruce Beckham is the most dependable author I have encountered over the past 70 years of reading mysteries. His writing is always clean and he consistently developes his story line in fascinating, sublime detail. His characters are serious detectives; not slapstick buffoons, but he uses humor to soften their personalities.
Bruce Beckham is the most dependable author I have encountered over the past 70 years of reading mysteries. His writing is always clean and he consistently developes his story line in fascinating, sublime detail. His characters are serious detectives; not slapstick buffoons, but he uses humor to soften their personalities.
April 30, 2022
excellent series
The characters are well developed, and local vernacular is used at times which is very interesting. There is a hint of special feeling, almost romantic, between the two main characters, without being explicit, just interesting. Makes for a good read.
I’ve read every book in the series and wait for the next one! Really good!
The characters are well developed, and local vernacular is used at times which is very interesting. There is a hint of special feeling, almost romantic, between the two main characters, without being explicit, just interesting. Makes for a good read.
I’ve read every book in the series and wait for the next one! Really good!
January 6, 2026
Tense, well paced mystery with a strong sense of place and steady twists that keep the pages turning
The characters feel grounded, and the investigation unfolds in a satisfying, logical way without dragging. A few moments seem familiar, but the suspense and clean storytelling make it an easy recommendation for mystery fans.
The characters feel grounded, and the investigation unfolds in a satisfying, logical way without dragging. A few moments seem familiar, but the suspense and clean storytelling make it an easy recommendation for mystery fans.
July 11, 2021
Where's Muss Maple?
Too many Brit crime fiction writers mimicing silly old mystery authors. They can t seem to come up with any new ideas. This one ended it for me and Skelgill. A sceance weekend? That nonsense ended in the 30's. this was sillier than Poirot.
Too many Brit crime fiction writers mimicing silly old mystery authors. They can t seem to come up with any new ideas. This one ended it for me and Skelgill. A sceance weekend? That nonsense ended in the 30's. this was sillier than Poirot.
July 17, 2021
An excellent addition to the series. The description of the Lake District is as usual detailed and evocative. Bruce Beckham writes wonderfully and his narration of a crime, its aftermath and its investigation is second to none. I can't wait until January when the next story is published.
July 21, 2021
Another great read
I’ve read all in this series. Must read! Great who done it storylines. Master at describing scenery surrounding each case. Makes u feel you are there along side Skelgill.
I’ve read all in this series. Must read! Great who done it storylines. Master at describing scenery surrounding each case. Makes u feel you are there along side Skelgill.
August 1, 2021
Wonderful descriptions of nature and lovable characters!
I love the whole series. Besides being transported to wonderful terrain the humor and affection Amy good the police is addictive.
I love the whole series. Besides being transported to wonderful terrain the humor and affection Amy good the police is addictive.
September 21, 2022
Loving the series, though this one took a lot longer to read - perhaps too many characters and was hard to work out who was who/connected to whom...when reading on a kindle you can't just flick back to early pages with character list as easily as you can with a real book !!
January 23, 2024
I love Skelgil and Jones and Leuton, but this one just did not hold my interest. I found it dragging in spots and I just didn't care about the characters, especially the dead one. Just found it boring. I'll move on to the next in the series. Everyone is allowed a klinker.
July 31, 2021
Very hard to put this book down
Clever ,fun, complex and characters who are wonderful,
I learn a bit about Scotland each book as well. Thanks for a great read!
Clever ,fun, complex and characters who are wonderful,
I learn a bit about Scotland each book as well. Thanks for a great read!
August 12, 2021
A great series continues but …
A very interesting tale but the minute details that author Beckham employs to tell the Skelgill stories makes for a somewhat difficult read.
A very interesting tale but the minute details that author Beckham employs to tell the Skelgill stories makes for a somewhat difficult read.
October 10, 2021
Great book
October 23, 2021
I never don’t finish a book, no matter how boring. This one broke that streak.
Read
November 11, 2021The ending to this one was a real long shot...
February 21, 2022
This is the first book in the series that I have read.
I won this book through goodreads giveaway.
A wonderful descriptive writer. Great narratives for the setting and likeable characters.
I won this book through goodreads giveaway.
A wonderful descriptive writer. Great narratives for the setting and likeable characters.
July 30, 2023
Another intriguing investigation. I always enjoy reading about his team and there is always a surprise ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews