"Credible, multilayered characters enhance the intricate, high-tension plot. Skelton’s growing legion of fans will avidly await brave, dogged Rebecca’s next outing."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An intricately plotted thriller . . . Lyrical and thoughtful."—Library Journal
"If you don't know Skelton, now's the time."—Ian Rankin
"Douglas Skelton’s writing always delivers.”—Craig Russell, author of The Devil Aspect
"While the action keeps coming like blood from a severed artery, Skelton show us the souls of his characters. . . . A stand-out thriller."—Scots Magazine
“A corking read.”—The Scotsman
“It would be so easy to romp through The Blood Is Still—the plot is compelling and the characters are so darn realistic, but I advise you to hold fire and take time to savour some of the gorgeously lyrical prose that’s sitting there in among all of the drama.”—Crime Fiction Lover
“Once again great characters, we hear more from reporter, Rebecca Connolly and the tension just keeps you on your toes all the way through. It’s also full of Douglas Skelton humour too which just makes it a marvellous read!”—Independent Book Reviews
"IIt's a triumph. I absolutely loved it, and everyone should read it!."—SimplySuzeReviews
"Skelton's years as the editor of a local newspaper make for an intrinsic, pitch-black depiction of the competition between the police, the press, and the powers-that-be in the scramble to construct and control narratives. . . Suspenseful."—Dundee Courier, Scottish Book of the Week
"A captivating, intricate and thoroughly satisfying thriller."—LoveReading
"Absolutely unmissable . . . A compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind."—LiveandDeadly.net
“Incorporating concerns about the spread of populism and the downsizing of news reporting, Skelton’s intriguing premise keeps you reading avidly to see how he’s going to tie it all together and make it work.”—Herald
Praise for Thunder Bay, the First Rebecca Connolly Thriller
"Exquisite language, credible characters, and unrelenting suspense—this crime novel has it all. . . . Powerful flashbacks help build to the spectacular conclusion."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Imbued with the stark beauty of Scottish island life, this atmospheric mystery pulls us into an exploration of human frailty, family loyalty, and the destructive power of secrets. For readers of Denise Mina or anyone seeking a relatable protagonist and a well-told story."—Library Journal
“A darkly claustrophobic tale set on a remote Scottish island, where secrets and lies and family feuds all lead to murderous consequences. Douglas Skelton’s writing always delivers, nowhere more than with Thunder Bay.”—Craig Russell, author of The Devil Aspect
“Did Roddy kill his girlfriend, Mhairi? . . . On the way to figuring this out, there are a lot of deep, dark—and I mean dark—secrets that are uncovered. . . . Almost everyone on this island is hiding something terrible. . . . It's the type of crime fiction that Irish and Scottish writers do particularly well.”—Inside Flap
"A surprisingly gripping read. I had no idea where things were going to end up, . . . Skelton’s characters kept bucking expectations as they tried to stick to Stoirm’s 'ethical' code. . . . Readers looking for something out of the ordinary and atmospheric might like this one."—A Bookish Type
"A mesmerizing novel with an intriguing mystery, a distinctive setting and interesting characters. . . . With shocking plot twists, Skelton brings this multilayered mystery to a very dramatic conclusion."—book reviews and more by kathy
"The risks Skelton took in creating Thunder Bay have paid off in spades. As well as creating a sympathetic new protagonist, he has crafted an emotionally truthful tale and delivered it in a lyrical style that places him among Scotland's top cadre of crime writers."—Scotsman
"Immersive, compelling, and shot through with Skelton's pitch-black humour, Thunder Bay will reverberate like the last echoes of a storm long after you read the jaw-dropping climax."—Neil Broadfoot, author of the MacGregor and Drummond thrillers
"Razor sharp . . . An outstanding piece of crime fiction. Not to be missed."—Denzil Meyrick, author of the Detective Daley thrillers
"Skelton builds up the suspense before going in for the kill. A particularly gripping thriller."—Herald
"'Skelton proves once more that he is master of his craft. I can't think of many, if any, other writers who bring such varied and distinctive styles to their books. . . . [He's] a writer who you can't pidgeon-hole or pin down. I, for one, can't wait to see what he gives us next."—Scots Whay Hae
"Digs deeply, focuses closely on the families at the heart of events. The novel follows Rebecca's attempts to understand what being an islander means, and her own relationship with the island of Stoirm. I'd say it's [Skelton's] best yet, and I hope there are more to come in this vein."—iScot Magazine
"It's beautifully written, descriptive and atmospheric. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion unexpected. Douglas Skelton has delivered possibly his best work yet, and that really is saying something! It's a triumph."—Simply Suze Reviews
"Douglas Skelton excels at planting little seeds throughout his writing, drawing the reader in, and ensuring that they pull up a chair and watch them grow. He succeeds in intriguing you and keeping you firmly on your seat until the last page is turned."—Chapter in My Life
"Dark, brooding, atmospheric and full of mystery, this is a book I would highly recommend you read. I loved it."—Jen Med's Book Reviews
"Skelton has produced an evocative, beautiful, and tense tapestry of a read."— Live and Deadly
"A gripping and thrilling read from one of the great Scottish crime writers, themes of crime, mystery, secrecy and loyalty all woven together to make Thunder Bay one of those books that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page."—Kate Noble, The Quiet Knitter
12/01/2020
Of course, a body in full Highland dress, left on Culloden battlefield with a claymore through his chest, draws the attention of the media. Rebecca Connolly, an investigative reporter for the Chronicle in Inverness, Scotland, covers that story, asking questions of a historian who refuses to talk to the police. She's also covering a protest in the Ferrys, led by Mo Burke, a reputed drug dealer, and her two sons, Nolan and Scott. Why would Mo call attention to her criminal family by heading up a demonstration against a pedophile moving into the complex? Mo loses the crowd's attention when Finbar Dalgliesh, a lawyer running for office, shows up. The ultra-right-wing politician heads up the Spioraid group but refuses to condemn New Dawn, a possible terrorist arm of his movement. A second body, again in costume, might link the two stories, but Rebecca's new corporate bosses only want content, not true investigative reporting. Unusual murders, a crime family, right-wing politics, and violence highlight this intricately plotted thriller. VERDICT The issue-oriented second novel featuring Rebecca Connolly, after Thunder Bay, delves into pedophilia, drug dealing, and newspapers' struggles to stay relevant. Despite the themes and violence, the writing is lyrical and thoughtful.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN