Stay of Execution (Bob Skinner, #14)

Title: Stay of Execution (Bob Skinner, #14)

Author: Quintin Jardine

Published in: 2004

Date read: 12th April 2011

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Stay of Execution" by Quintin Jardine, published in 2004, is the fourteenth novel in the DCI Bob Skinner series. In this instalment, Chief Constable Bob Skinner finds his professional and personal lives converging in a terrifying way when a high-stakes conspiracy threatens those closest to him and shakes the foundations of the Scottish legal system.

The story begins with the impending execution of Jeremy Cross, a convicted murderer and notorious figure, set to be the first execution in Britain in decades. The case is highly controversial and garners immense public and media attention. Skinner is deeply uncomfortable with the reintroduction of capital punishment, but it is a legal reality he must contend with.

However, as the execution date looms, a series of disturbing events unfolds, suggesting that Cross's conviction might be unsafe, or that something far more sinister is at play. Key figures connected to the original trial begin to die in suspicious circumstances, raising alarms that a powerful, unseen hand is at work, trying to silence anyone who might challenge the verdict.

Adding a terrifying personal dimension to the case, Skinner's own family, particularly his daughter Alex, a rising figure in the legal world, becomes inadvertently entangled. Alex's involvement in a related legal matter puts her directly in the crosshairs of the shadowy conspirators.

Skinner finds himself battling against powerful forces that extend beyond conventional criminal networks. He uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy within the highest echelons of the Scottish establishment – involving influential legal figures, politicians, and possibly even elements of the intelligence services – all working to ensure Cross's execution goes ahead and to bury any truth that might expose their illicit activities.

He faces immense pressure and resistance from within his own ranks and from the political sphere, who are eager to see the execution proceed without disruption. Skinner must use all his cunning, his vast network of contacts, and his willingness to bend the rules to expose the truth and protect his family.

The novel is a tense, intricate thriller that delves into the ethics of the death penalty, political corruption, and the lengths to which powerful individuals will go to protect their secrets. The climax involves a race against the clock as Skinner frantically tries to uncover the final pieces of the conspiracy and prevent a grave miscarriage of justice, all while ensuring his daughter's safety and bringing the true masterminds to justice. "Stay of Execution" is a gripping entry that puts Skinner in a deeply personal and morally challenging fight.

Comments:
As I said in another of these books, I need to re-read these as I can't remember anything other than that I enjoyed them.

Books that we've read by Quintin Jardine (3):
Skinner's Mission (Bob Skinner, #6) (1997), Murmuring the Judges (Bob Skinner, #8) (1998), Stay of Execution (Bob Skinner, #14) (2004)