Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

There are not many writers who can keep a long series going and have the characters seem as fresh in the most recent book as in the first. Quintin Jardine manages to do exactly that. Book thirty in this series captures the imagination as surely does book one. Life moves on, times change, this is reflected in this series and makes events feel true to life.

This is already the 30th book in the series, and they just get better. I don't get to read a lot of Quintin's books (too many books, too little time), but when I do, I am never disappointed. Recommended.

Wow... Book 30 in the Bob Skinner series. A series I have said many times before that I truly love reading. There have been a whole heap of colourful characters in this series, some amazing characters whose lives I have followed through the pages.
Bob Skinner no longer the Chief Constable of Edinburgh, now just plain old Bob, if there could ever be a plain old Bob Skinner that is.
​Bob has a way of attracting trouble, of getting involved in things to help out his friends. Bob is the go to guy when friends find they need help. Although he no longer works for the police, he does work on private commissions, he is also now carrying around as he puts it ' a piece of plastic that gives him Security Service credentials, he could be asked for help at any time.
This time around it's Sir Jimmy, or 'proud Jimmy. Bob's ex boss as it was. The ex Chief Constable, who is in need of Bob's services. Sir Jimmy wants closure on an old case and knows Bob is the man to help. I'm not going into to much regarding this story as it would inevitably give too much away.
There are a whole heap of the wonderful characters we have gotten to know through the previous 29 books, I can't believe this is book 30. It's one of my all time favorite series of books, I have no hesitation what so ever recommending these books. I will say though for the best of them, they need reading in order. I know at some point this is a series I will go back and re read.
​One thing I will say is, I wish I hadn't been in a public place when finishing this book. Tissues were needed for me.

​I'm so ready for the next book and I really can't wait.

Couldn't put this book down! I absolutely devoured it and read it in just over a day - no mean feat given its length! This is my first introduction to the Bob Skinner series and I can't believe it's taken me this long to come across it but with this being book 30, I have some serious catching up to do. Lots of twists and turns and a very compelling plot and writing style that really draws you in. Enjoyed the style of the chapters, which made you want to read 'just one more' off the back of the bit of extra info and suddenly, it's 2am.

Love love loved it
Bob skinner just gets better
Gripping from page one
Highly recommended
The story entices you instantly

What can I say, it's like meeting an old friend and falling back into the same happy relationship.

Have been a big fan of Bob Skinner books for years, but have to admit, I stopped reading them as felt they had become more difficult to read, didn't think they flowed as well and I struggled with them.

That has definitely all changed, really enjoyed this book.

Sir James Proud has a problem and needs Bob Skinner's help with a cold case that a journalist is looking into, the story worked well, characterisation was very good. Bob is definitely a happier character and I think that is reflected in the book.

Highly recommended

An open and shut murder case is re-examined, and Bob 'goes down the rabbit hole' and finds family links between those involved and the Force. Well written, and whilst I did heard of Quentin Jardine, I'd not read any of his books. I'm now a firm fan!

Here we go for the 30th outing for Bob Skinner, former Chief Constable, now sort of retired. He is called upon to help his old mentor Proud Jimmy when something from his past threatens to invade his present. Obviously Bob is only too delighted to help both an old friend and also get his investigating brain functioning again so he agrees to meet a journalist who is the instigator of the shenanigans. Apparently, there's new evidence on a cold case that Jimmy was involved in which could throw a spanner into the works of the conviction obtained. But, the journalist doesn't turn up and then things really go south for both Jimmy and Bob with the former going missing, and the latter being brought on board with the Police properly to aid DI Haddock who is tasked with the investigation.
I've been with this series from the start when my mum found the first 10 books on a pub charity book sale table and we both (along with my brother eventually) devoured them all and returned them for someone else! I've watched him grow, mature, get promotion, and eventually wave goodbye to the force due to the changes happening. I've also witnessed all his personal stuff, children, wives, etc etc and I think that we've had, on the whole, quite a good relationship together. I'm never good at severing relationship with characters and was quite sad when it looked like his time had come but I love the way that he now gets brought back to help his friend and manages to inveigle himself back into the force, on his own terms this time.
The story here is a doozy too. With the action mostly having taken place way back when, we rely a lot on third party accounts and witness statements to get to the bottom of things but, soon enough, the present comes in with a vengeance and we're off with a fresh body and a new murder to solve. Bob has his work cut out for him as the case involves many people he looked up to, admired and learned loads from and he has to try and remain impartial and keep on track of the truth rather than what he wants to hear. But his professionalism shines and he does his job nicely.
All in all, a solid addition to one of my favourite long time series that is still going strong without any sign of staleness. Roll on #31... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

What a great discover: this book is fantastic! I'm more of cozy mystery woman but I couldn't put it down.
I loved this old school mystery, full of action and great characters.
The writer is a great storyteller and this book keeps you hooked till the last page.
I will surely look for the other instalments in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Headline and Netgalley for this ARC

Cold Case is the latest, 30th, Bob Skinner book by Quintin Jardine and it is another fast moving and very enjoyable read.

Despite having retired Skinner becomes involved in both a cold case and a modern day murder that challenges what he thought was the truth.

Over the years the author has created a large ensemble cast around Skinner and a number make either fleeting cameo of much more central appearances in this novel.

Overall a worthy addition to the Skinner collection and highly recommended

Wow! A great read! Intriguing plot, revolving around an old murder with deep family connections. Ex Cheif Constable Bob Skinner retired from crime investigation? Hopefully never!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Headline and the author, Quintin Jardine, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Cold Case in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was well thought out and written with engaging characters. You never know what to expect with a novel from this author.
Well worth a read.

Bob Skinner left the police service in Scotland when it was amalgamated into one unit. He didn't believe in it then and he doesn't now and many serving officers would agree with him. He might be retired but he's hardly idle: he's contracted to spend one day a week working for a media group, but usually gives more. His family - six children now - is important to him. There's the occasional private commission, although he stops short of calling himself a private investigator, but he's just been presented with a problem which it's difficult to refuse. It's not the problem that's the difficulty - it's the person who is asking for help. Sir James Proud was Skinner's predecessor as Chief Constable and he's been approached by a blogger who feels that he has evidence that Proud was involved in a famous murder for which a man was convicted. He subsequently committed suicide whilst in prison - and went to his death denying that he was guilty.

It could almost be farce as Skinner attempts to meet up with the blogger and Jimmy Proud disappears without trace. They're hardly the actions of an innocent man, but Chrissie Proud is in the early stages of dementia and can neither cope with nor accept her husband's disappearance. There's a dog too. The police see Proud's disappearance as evidence of guilt, not in the original case but a current investigation. Skinner will never believe that, although even he has to have doubts when evidence of relationships he never knew about comes to light. Could the original murder be linked to the current police investigation?

When you get to book thirty in a series you've already begun to wonder just how long it can go on for. You start to expect signs of tiredness: I now approach every new Bob Skinner novel with a strange mixture of excited anticipation and dread. Will this be the book which suggests that Skinner should hang up his investigative skills? I'm relieved to say that Cold Case is about as far from that as you could imagine. There are a few of the regular characters: Sauce Haddock is now a DI and in charge of his first murder case under the loose supervision of Mario McGuire. Sarah Skinner is back in harness after the birth of their latest child, but this isn't a book where you need to have read several of the ones which precede it for it to make much sense. It's no hardship to have done so, but Cold Case reads perfectly well as a standalone - and it might tempt you to read some of the earlier books. You'll find a link to a chronological list below.

This time the emphasis is on the crimes: and they're particularly relevant with cases where the prosecution hasn't disclosed information to the defence which might have weakened the prosecution case. I was startled by the obligations which rest on the police in Scotland - and the offences with which they could be charged. It's particularly thought provoking, particularly when you realise the extent to which a current officer could find himself with problems if information comes to light about an old case and he doesn't disclose it.

It's the plot you want to know about though, isn't it? Well, it's a cracker. I was pretty certain that I knew what had happened but as usual with this series I was wide of the mark, although the clues were all there. It was a superb read which I finished in a couple of days, despite the fact that I should have been doing something more pressing. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag - it was a rare treat.

Can't go wrong with a Skinner. Good career extension "new tricks" style, without compromising the output level

Bob Skinner is no longer on the force, but he can hardly call it retirement when his former mentor Jimmy Proud lays a 30 year old supposedly closed case at his feet.

A priest was found dead in a quarry, conviction secured, case closed. But when a journalist unearths new evidence, Bob must find out whether the wrong man was convicted, and whether Jimmy Proud's reputation will remain intact.

Book 30 of the series. Absolute 5 star quality all the way. A better cast of characters you will struggle to find. Fantastic

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy or Cold Case. Having read all the previous Bob Skinner series I found this a great read and couldnt put it down. The ch.apters are a good length and leave the reader desperate to read on. I am familiar with the East Lothian/Edinburgh setting and could visualise the story as it was unfolding. Starting out as an open and shut case it quickly became a complex and compelling tale with many twists. Bob Skinner has mellowed with retirement but still has a thirst to find the truth. The novel went along at a cracking pace and was thoroughly enjoyable.

It’s ok, it’s not the best in the series I found it a little plodding and it seemed to take ages to get into the action. I like the fact that Bob has family and we catch up with familiar names from the past but I have to say I’m less keen on the post-police Bob. It’s a personal view.

A nice addition to the Bob Skinner story, I feel it might have run its course

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Cold case is Book 30 in The Bob Skinner series and I have read or listened to all of them over the years. Quintin Jardine is a superb storyteller and the character of Bob Skinner has grown and developed over the years. Each book had a different set of stories to tell and you would meet up with characters throughout the series, as you would meet up with old friends.
Cold case is no different, there are stories to be told and justice to be found or not.
Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline for an advance copy of Cold Case, the thirtieth novel to feature former Chief Constable Bob Skinner.

Sir Jimmy Proud, former Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police and Bob's boss for the latter part of his career with that force contacts him asking for help. Apparently a blogger and investigative journalist, Austin Brass, wants to discuss Sir Jimmy's involvement in the murder of episcopalian priest, Matthew Ampersand, thirty years ago. A murder, moreover, for which Barley Meads was convicted on irrefutable forensic evidence. Reluctantly Bob agrees to help and starts investigating Ampersand's death so that he can meet Brass with the facts at his fingertips.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Case, as I have its predecessors, as it is good mystery with several twists and turns. As usual with Bob Skinner nothing is ever straightforward so what starts as an open and shut case starts to look decidedly less so the more he investigates and takes on an even murkier hue when the past intrudes on the present leading to Bob collaborating with DI "Sauce" Haddock. The pacing is impeccable with just enough revealed in every chapter to keep the reader turning the pages, desperate to see what is coming next and where it's going. Obviously with most of the plot centred on a cold case the majority of the action takes the form of interviews although Bob still displays his action man credentials as and when necessary! This is where the first person narrative ideally suits the format. Bob is often working on his own so the reader gets an intimate view of his thoughts and methods as he sorts out the truth from the lies and decides on his course of action. I found it fascinating.

The novel is all about Bob so the other characters are only developed as much as they need to be in relation to him. There are some lovely vignettes but Bob is the main man. He seems to have mellowed somewhat from his earlier hardman persona but it's still there when required. This is due to his retirement, mostly because he doesn't have the official status to compel answers and the fact that a second chance with his wife Sarah has made family a higher priority. He's not getting any younger either although that doesn't seem to slow him down. I wish I had his energy!

Cold Case is another good addition to the series so I have no hesitation in recommending it.