I was lucky enough to catch the first book of the Max Craigie series and was immediately hooked. The latest case (no 5) is even better. It reads well as a stand-alone but I recommend reading from the beginning. If you are looking for a new series and like ‘tartan noir’ I highly recommend them. The latest book has characters referenced from a previous book but don’t be put off.Excellent plot, descriptive writing, authentic with good procedure and well written. Lots of action which builds to a gripping climax. The small team investigating corruption within the ranks is tight with plenty of banter. I really enjoyed it, a definite 5⭐️ from me.

What a tense page turner. I struggled to put the book down as I wanted to know what was happening. This is another book in the Detective Max Craigie series but it is easily read as a stand alone book which I did. Characters are well described and come to life. I found it hard to put the book down. Very cleverly written with lots of twists. Loved it. I look forward to reading more of Neil Lancaster’s books. A woman is murdered and 6 years later Davie Hardie wants to expose the high profile murderer for an easier time at prison. He does not want Max Craigie involved as he and his team helped to convict the Hardie crime family. Then people are murdered who could be linked to Beata’s murder.

Wow another great detective book following DS Max Craigie series set in Scotland. When his enemy Dave Hardie who is in prison says he has information about a murder 6 years ago and will show them where the body is and who ordered the killing but insists Max is not involved. When things go horribly wrong max and his team gets involved and what follows is a fast paced and thrilling story that has you on tenterhooks and I could not put it down until I had finished it, Would highly recommend and I received a ARC for a honest review..

Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy. I have read and loved ALL his books to date. I absolutely recommend you read this series in order - so starting with Dead Man's Grave. This Series - Dead Man's Grave / The Blood Tide / The Night Watch / Blood Runs Cold. Love the characters, the plotting and pace of each book is brilliant - so you are going to fly through them! Additionally, if you have read all of these to date - then there is an older trilogy you might like to consider - also brilliant. Trilogy - Going Dark / Going Rogue / Going Back. But given that I am once again up to date with all his books - I am now pacing around to see what he writes next and how long he makes me wait. Do please buy these for all the crime thriller fans in your life! All Great reads!

Six years ago, a young woman was murdered. Now a prisoner wants to negotiate a deal by revealing the important public figure who ordered the killing. Louise Campbell, the newly appointed DCC for Police Scotland is keen to make this work, as is DCS Miles Wakefield. However, DS Max Craigie and his colleagues in the Policing Standards Reassurance Team believe this must be a trick. The prisoner is Davie Hardie, scion of the formerly notorious crime family and notionally the head of what, if anything, is left of the gang after Tam Senior died and Tam Junior disappeared. Max and the team were directly or indirectly involved in the demise of the gang, and know that no Hardie would ever make a deal with the Polis. Initially sidelined by the DCC, their role is restored after Davie makes an escape attempt and is shot. Was his death linked to the death of the young woman? Is the important figure tidying up? This is the latest in the series featuring Craigie and his team, and it is every bit as clever, cleanly plotted and thrilling as ever. However, it works perfectly well as a standalone, although I recommend you read the rest of the series to compound the treat. All of the characters are strong and believable and the story is plausible, if a little OTT. It moves at a significant pace, as usual, and is hard to put down (I read it in a day). It is a classic lesson in how to write a police procedural.