Books On Board
series Reading Order

Bob Skinner Books in Order

37 Books
1993 – 2010 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start the Bob Skinner Series

For the absolute best reading experience, you should start the Bob Skinner series with the very first novel, Skinner's Rules (1993). Starting here introduces you to Bob Skinner at the peak of his early career in Edinburgh and establishes the relationships that define the series for decades to come.

Why Publication Order is Essential

Unlike some crime series where characters remain frozen in time, the Bob Skinner universe features continuous, realistic progression. Reading the books in publication order is highly recommended because of the following ongoing threads:

  • Professional Rank: Skinner begins as a Detective Chief Superintendent, rises through the ranks to Chief Constable, and eventually transitions to life as a private investigator and consultant.
  • Personal Life: Skinner’s family dynamics, including his marriages, the birth of his children, and their growth, play a major role in the overarching story.
  • Key Supporting Characters: Main recurring figures—like his solicitor advocate daughter, Alex Skinner, and colleague Carrie McDaniels—evolve and age in real-time.

The Bob Skinner Book List in Order

Below is the complete chronological list of the Bob Skinner novels and novellas in order of publication:

  1. Skinner's Rules (1993)
  2. Skinner's Festival (1994)
  3. Skinner's Trail (1994)
  4. Skinner's Round (1995)
  5. Skinner's Ordeal (1996)
  6. Skinner's Mission (1997)
  7. Skinner's Ghosts (1998)
  8. Murmuring the Judges (1998)
  9. Gallery Whispers (1999)
  10. Thursday Legends (2000)
  11. Autographs in the Rain (2001)
  12. Head Shot (2002)
  13. Fallen Gods (2003)
  14. Stay of Execution (2004)
  15. Lethal Intent (2005)
  16. Dead and Buried (2006)
  17. Death's Door (2007)
  18. Aftershock (2008)
  19. Fatal Last Words (2009)
  20. A Rush of Blood (2010)
  21. Grievous Angel (2011)
  22. Funeral Note (2012)
  23. Pray for the Dying (2013)
  24. Hour of Darkness (2014)
  25. A Hint of Death (2014)
  26. Last Resort (2015)
  27. Private Investigations (2016)
  28. Game Over (2017)
  29. State Secrets (2017)
  30. Skinner's Elves (2017) — Note: This is a holiday novella that fits neatly between State Secrets and A Brush with Death.
  31. A Brush with Death (2018)
  32. Cold Case (2018)
  33. The Bad Fire (2019)
  34. The Roots of Evil (2020)
  35. Deadlock (2021)
  36. Open Season (2022)
  37. The Cage (2023)
  38. Secrets and Lies (2024)
  39. Dead Man's Tale (2025)
  40. Kill List (2026)

Prequels, Standalones, and Crossovers

If you want to explore beyond the core series, Quintin Jardine has written two connected books that tie into Bob Skinner's world:

  • Mathew's Tale (2014): A standalone historical mystery set in 1818 in Lanarkshire. It features Mathew Fleming, an ancestor of Bob Skinner. It works well as a historical companion piece rather than a direct prequel.
  • The Loner (2011): A standalone crime novel focusing on independent characters, but Bob Skinner makes a notable crossover guest appearance in the framing narrative.

Are There Blackstone Series Crossovers?

Although Quintin Jardine has authored two other popular series focusing on Oz Blackstone and Primavera Blackstone, these series are kept separate. Bob Skinner does not make major crossover appearances in the Blackstone series, which has a distinct, more international tone.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Bob Skinner books out of order?

While the criminal investigation in each book is self-contained, reading the series out of order is not recommended. The character relationships, family updates, and Bob's career promotions develop continuously over the course of the books.

QIs Mathew's Tale a required prequel to the Bob Skinner series?

No. Mathew's Tale is a historical standalone set in 1818. It follows Bob Skinner's ancestor, Mathew Fleming, and can be read at any time without impacting your understanding of the modern series.

QWho is Alex Skinner and does she have her own series?

Alex (Alexis) Skinner is Bob Skinner's daughter and a prominent Scottish solicitor advocate. She does not have a spin-off series, but she steps into the spotlight as a primary co-star in novels like Last Resort and The Bad Fire.

QWhat is Skinner's Elves?

Skinner's Elves is a holiday-themed novella released in 2017. It fits chronologically between State Secrets and A Brush with Death.

QAre there any co-authored books in the Bob Skinner series?

No. Quintin Jardine writes the Bob Skinner novels entirely solo, though he has participated in collaborative short story collections and anthologies outside the main series.

QWhat are the latest books in the Bob Skinner series?

The latest books following The Cage (2023) are Secrets and Lies (2024), Dead Man's Tale (2025), and Kill List (2026).