My section is titled "All Things Scottish" and I have been spending most of my time reporting about places and things. I want to change direction a little this week. My subjects are 1) one who resides inside the covers of books and 2) a real person who created him. One of the most popular mystery series in Scotland is about Edinburgh's Deputy Chief Constable, Bob Skinner. Bob Skinner is a creation of Quintin Jardine who lives in East Lothian, Scotland. Quintin was once a journalist and for a while attached to the Scottish Office as an information officer. Today Quintin is a full-time writer, a consultant and definitely real.
Like many readers my first Skinner book was picked up rushing through an airport to catch a plane. Back on my way to the states from Scotland, I wanted something Scottish that would keep me involved all the way across the Atlantic. When the flight is eight and half hours long you want time to literally "fly" by. A good book is the best way I know to do that. I randomly picked up the first of the Skinner series, Skinner Rules. Not knowing anything about the books I found myself not able to put the book down to eat or watch the free movies. It had everything a great mystery should have including murder and deceit, all taking place in the great city Edinburgh.
Recently I have had the opportunity to review all of the Skinner series. I have come to really understand Bob Skinner during the hours I have spent reading the pages of the various books. As you would expect, he is a tough cop and an administrator with a "no nonsense" attitude. I have never come to really like Bob Skinner but I definitely respect him. Bob Skinner is a super hero with very few weaknesses. There are moments when Bob Skinner, the man, is exposed and those are when the book really shins. You get a glimpse of a warm and loving person when he is relating to his grown daughter or his baby son.
Through the power of the Internet I have met Quintin Jardine. Often I wonder whether Quintin could be a tough and "no nonsense" guy like Skinner. Being a writer I know how close you are to your characters and how much of yourself actually ends up being part of them. Is Quintin a superhero? The only thing I know for sure he is a successful and prolific writer. I respect him for that. To me Quintin seems very different from Skinner. With his patience, caring, warmness, and humour, Quintin has become my friend. After months of a wonderful friendship I can see where the gentle Skinner might have his beginnings.
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