Living is a Problem by Doug Johnstone

The Skelf women are back on an even keel after everything they’ve been through. But when a funeral they’re conducting is attacked by a drone, Jenny fears they’re in the middle of an Edinburgh gangland vendetta.

At the same time, Yana, a Ukrainian member of the refugee choir that plays with Dorothy’s band, has gone missing. Searching for her leads Dorothy into strange and ominous territory.

And Brodie, the newest member of the extended Skelf family, comes to Hannah with a case: Something or someone has been disturbing the grave of his stillborn son.

Everything is changing for the Skelfs ... Dorothy’s boyfriend Thomas is suffering PTSD after previous violent trauma, Jenny and Archie are becoming close, and Hannah’s case leads her to consider the curious concept of panpsychism, which brings new danger, while ghosts from the family’s past return to threaten their very lives...

About the author

Doug Johnstone is the author of seventeen novels, many of which have been bestsellers. The Space Between Us was chosen for BBC Two’s Between the Covers, while Black Hearts was shortlisted for and The Big Chill was longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year. Three of his books – A Dark Matter, Breakers and The Jump – have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize. Doug has taught creative writing or been writer in residence at universities, schools, writing retreats, festivals, prisons and a funeral home. He’s also been an arts journalist for 25 years. He is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club and lives in Edinburgh with his family.

Review

It is that time of the year again when I wax lyrical about the Skelfs and Doug Johnstone, plus there is also the inclusion of my favourite band Biffy. A trifecta that I don't think you can beat! This is the sixth book in the series and I do think you would benefit from reading ‘The Opposite of Lonely’ as the repercussions of that book definitely reverberate through this one, especially for Dorothy and Thomas.

‘Livng is a Problem’ opens with the funeral of a gangster who died in prison. When it is attacked the family presume it is their rivals but Jenny jumps in and offers to investigate and goes down a huge wild goose chase. Dorothy is approached by some of her community choir members worried about Yana, a young Ukranian mother who had gone missing. Hannah is trying to help their newest member of staff Brodie as someone has been disturbing his stillborn son's grave.

Like I'm lying here swimming in memories?

This for me was the core message of this book and how two steadfast characters, Thomas and Dorothy, can spiral and face the repercussions of the events in the last book. Thomas especially is not coping with his PTSD but is refusing help. He can't seem to escape the memories and in turn, is losing himself. Even Dorothy, our matriarch, is struggling with how to help Thomas and is questioning everything. It was these passages, the internal dialogue of Dorothy that made such an impact. I hurt with her. Dorothy and all the women in these books have become important to me and to see her struggle with everything was just heartbreaking.

A spasm of good sense is making my eyes twitch

Oh Jenny, Jenny, Jenny this line sums you up! Jenny is in a good place, probably the best we have seen in her in this series. She is calmer, more loving and is growing a lot closer to Archie. But she isn't used to being this settled, grounded and sensible. I'm so proud of her.

You never really know what you pick up knowledge-wise when you read a book, some of it can be subtle. I was having a conversation with friends about death as one of their kids had brought it up. We got onto funerals and turns out I know a lot about green funerals now and was able to hold my own in the conversation. I don't want and have never wanted a traditional funeral, it is not my jam. These books open up this type of conversation and I agree with the Skelfs that death needs to be talked about more in our society and that there are many ways to grieve and each one of them is personal. So many reviews linger on how much of an impression the wind-phone has made on them and this shows why these books are important in that way. A new idea and concept has lingered in their consciousness and for many it has given them comfort. That must be special for that author to see.

There is a sadness that stays with you after finishing this book. Things have changed for our characters, some for the good. But what has stayed has been the journey for Thomas and Dorothy. As readers, we embrace and care for our characters and when they are put through the wringer it does make an impact. The thread of Biffy Clyro weaves throughout the storyline as one of the ‘unidentified’ bodies has a line tattooed on him ‘living is a problem…because everything dies’. As Dorothy tries to master the song for the funeral I feel she is living the lyrics;

Don't want to waste no more time
Time's what we don't have
Everywhere I look someone dies
Wonder when it's my turn

This book was brilliant. That is all!