A dying Scottish criminal discovers a grave that he has been looking for. The grave is marked "This grave never to be opened". The family report the crime boss missing, DS Craigie - newly arrived in Police Scotland from the Met - decides to look into the case.

The book tells how a simple investigation escalates and becomes a personal quest for the DS and looks at corruption within the police service.

The first 10% or so of the book didn't seem particularly promising - in fact it seemed rather forced, almost as if the author had had an idea and then tried to cram it into a story into which it didn't really fit. However, perseverance paid off as a reader and as the investigation progressed, the book drew me in and I found myself wanting to read on despite the somewhat clunky plot and lack of characterisation. I did notice rather an over-reliance on adjectives to such a degree that at times it sounded almost like a children's book - "the big, powerful car" etc. I assumed that this was probably the author's first book and was willing to overlook this, but on reading the notes at the end of the book, it appears that the author has published a number of books previously. I would have liked to have seen one of the loose end tied up (I won't give details to avoid spoilers).

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book which is set up nicely as the start of a series and look forward to hte further adventures of DS Craigie.

I was expecting to enjoy this book, as I love a good police procedural, but I was very disappointed. The story seemed much too far-fetched, the characters are very two-dimensional, and the writing style is wooden. I struggled to read this, and really wouldn't recommend it.

Gritty Scottish crime drama that starts with an unopened grave. Violent in places this fast paced, page turner had me gripped.

A good solid police story regarding 'bent coppers' and 'underworld criminals'. All in the 'Line of Duty' mode. A very entertaining story that moves along at a swift pace.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this book.

I was so impressed by this novel!

DS Max Craigie is down on his luck, having been moved to Scotland after being investigated in his previous role as part of an inquest. His wife is estranged, and he doesn’t have many friends on the force in Scotland yet. He joins forces with Janie who is on an accelerated promotion track and not very popular with her colleagues as a result.

The opener of this had me hooked - a grave that should never have been opened. I love a gritty police procedural book, and this is one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I really enjoyed the gang related part of the story, and the corruption operation, and I liked that Max stuck to his gut to try and uncover something he felt was going on.

I also felt the characters were really well developed (I love his aunt, and even his dog’s character is well developed)!

I can see this is the first in a series, and I’m already excited to read the next one. I’m hoping I’ve found a new favourite series.

I can see that the paperback is out in September and I already have this earmarked as one I can
(secretly) buy my mum (who also loves a good crime procedural book) for Christmas (and as she’s a nightmare to surprise a big thanks to the publisher for approving me for this ARC so I could find an author I know she hasn’t tried)!

A super violent crime novel set in Glasgow with a new star of the genre Max Craigie. The murder of an old gangster and the discovery of his body in an old disused graveyard as it’s discovered an ancient feud is behind it all. The body count rises and the whiff of police corruption is everywhere. The action is bloodily relentless building to a satisfactory conclusion, think this series could be a hell of a ride!

Reading Dead Man's Grave by Neil Lancaster was like a tonic. Occasionally you get one of those books where you have to suspend normal life just to keep reading and this book is in that category. It isn't every detective thriller where a body is found and the murderer apprehended within the first few chapters but of course you know that with the majority of the book yet unread, there's more to follow. What develops is a blood feud with a rising body count. I liked the rapport between detectives Max Craigie and Janie Calder, how they bonded and looked out for each other. I'm not sure if Max would have come out of this alive if it wasn't for the mysterious Ferguson feeding him high level intel. Most of the tech was bang on but some of the terminology a little weird. RF is short for radio frequency, whether it comes in a pretty continuous stream from a public broadcast transmitter or pulsed as in GSM, it's all RF. Max's idea to get rid of all extraneous transmissions by switching the mains power off was rather silly. It is far preferable to have a mains powered bugging device or camera because it doesn't need replacement batteries. They can be built in to light fittings, electrical sockets and switches but Max wouldn't have found them with his 'sniffer' if he knocked the power off! Anyway, a small flaw and one I shall overlook because of the quality of the rest of the novel. It's a five star review from me.

I haven’t read anything by this author before but the description of this book sounded right up my street. It was – grisly murders, police corruption, organised crime, revenge, etc. I absolutely loved it and was gripped from the very first page. The writing was brilliant in every way possible, and the characters were fabulous. Such wonderfully descriptive writing. I especially loved DS Max Craigie and the relationship he has with his boss Ross. The dialogue between them was really comical at times and was so well written that it made me feel as if I knew them both really well. The plot was excellent, the pace was great, and the whole story was full of suspense and tension. I can’t recommend this book highly enough and just hope that it will be the first in a series. Fantastic!

Oh, what can I say about this fantastic crime thriller set in Scotland? It's filled with interesting characters, especially Max, has a great plot, it's believable, fast paced and totally absorbing from the first page. Throw in excellent writing and it's got to be a 5* read. I read all the acknowledgements and was left feeling a bit emotional but looking forward to more adventure from Max Craigie. I highly recommend this book and would like to thank the publisher, author and Net Galley for my ARC. The best book I have read in a long time.

The head of Scotland’s most powerful crime family is brutally murdered, his body dumped inside an ancient grave in a remote cemetery. This murder can never be forgotten. Detectives Max Craigie and Janie Calder arrive at the scene, a small town where everyone has secrets to hide. They soon realise this murder is part of a blood feud between two Scottish families that stretches back to the 1800s. One thing’s for certain: it might be the latest killing, but it won’t be the last. This killer can never be caught. As the body count rises, the investigation uncovers large-scale corruption at the heart of the Scottish Police Service. Now Max and Janie must turn against their closest colleagues – to solve a case that could cost them far more than just their lives. This is the first book I’ve read by Neil Lancaster and I began reading not knowing what to expect. The description of the book looked interesting and sounded like my kind of read. It definitely was. I loved this book, absolutely loved it. It started off really well and grabbed my attention right from the start and held it all the way through. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

This is a fast-moving crime novel about gangs and police corruption in Scotland. I couldn't put it down and read it in a day. Good plot and the main characters are well-described.

Tam Hardie is the head of the biggest Scottish OCG and is on a quest into the past. He finds a burial ground in the far north and a grave marked ‘this grave never to be opened’ .... it is the last thing he sees on this earth. His death unleashes a vendetta pursued by his ruthless son Tam Jr and a net of corruption that spreads far and wide. DS Max Craigie and DC Janie Calder of the Serious Crimes Team at Gartcosh are instructed by boss DI Ross Fraser to carefully tread in a close enquiry.

This is an excellent police procedural mystery thriller that is very hard to put down. The settings are fantastic, I love the coast beyond Inverness, the Black Isle and as for the dolphins as Chanonry Point, be still my beating heart! The characterisation is excellent, there’s gruff but solid camaraderie between Ross and Max forged as ex soldiers, both having served in dangerous places. Max is suffering from PTSD and has recurring nightmares which is all handled very sympathetically. They both feel real and authentic characters with Max going in boldly where others may fear to tread and I like the banter between them. The growing friendship and trust between Max and Janie is terrific as they power up the A9 like Batman and Robina. The police procedures feel real too which is no surprise as the author is an ex-officer! The action is vivid, the plot engaging and there’s an historical background which adds to the intriguing interest of the plot. It’s gritty and violent in places as the new gangland boss flexes his considerable muscles. There are numerous plot twists in a clever, fast paced and exciting plot. It becomes very tense as Max gives voice to the feelings he’s suppressed about the situation they find themselves in as the White Hats take on the Black. It remains tense and high octane until the end, suspend some disbelief and just go with the flow for an exhilarating finish. I like the way it ends and count me in at the head of the queue for number two!!!

Overall, a terrific read which I recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ, HQ Digital for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Detective Max Craigie is tasked with finding missing Crime boss and so together with Janie Calder they begin their search.

Gripping novel from the beginning. Two families feeding for 200 years, police corruption and innocent lives in danger.

Great characters, great story and excellent ending. Read and enjoy.

Dead Man’s Grave by Neil Lancaster
Publisher - HQ Digital
Publication date - 16th July 2021
Review rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to @netgalley and @hqstories for the ARC.

‘Dead Man’s Grave’ is the first in a new series for Neil Lancaster featuring DS Max Craigie who works in the Serious Organised Crime (SOC) out of Gartosh. This was a tour de force of how to do a stunning piece of crime fiction. It was slick, action-packed, fast paced, and darn right funny! There will be obvious comparisons to Line of Duty and Rankin’s Malcolm Fox character but I sincerely hope that this is going to be a best-seller for Neil as I believe it is on par if not better. I was hoping for one ‘Now we’re sucking diesel’ quote though!

There is an author’s note at the end of the book which explains how he got the idea of the opening of the book. I too wish there was someone who would have been able to read this book, my dad. He owned the dog kennels in Dunbeath until last year and was a huge crime fiction fan and was also ex-military SAS and an ex cop. Seeing the wee area he lived in and loved for 20 years was a real treat and Neil got everything spot on - yes the pub in Dunbeath does look that shit from the outside! He would have loved this book.

DS Max Craigie and his colleague DC Janie Calder are asked to work on a missing person’s case, that of Tam Hardie, who happens to be Scotland’s top gangster. For the family to call in the people is mind-boggling and Max knows they will have to be very careful when handling this. They both head up to Caithness, Dunbeath as Tam was supposedly looking into his family history there. They follow his movements to a deserted graveyard and a grave which only has the inscription ‘This Grave Never To Be Opened’. What occurs is a murder investigation, a familial fued going back decades, ruthless OCG activity, a police anti-corruption investigation and so much more!

I loved the main characters of Max and Janie. Maybe, because I could see a lot of the characteristics of my dad in Max, well life experiences shall we say. Ex forces, suffering from PTSD, hard-working, doesn't suffer fools easily and have a built-in sense of justice. Max is a strongly drawn character and I can see this series going from strength to strength. Plus, he has a cute dog! Janie is a high-flyer on the accelerated promotion programme and is a bit ‘odd’. She is intelligent, a history buff and is determined to prove herself. The relationship between the two of them is amazing and I'm so pleased that Neil didn't go down the romance front as it would have spoiled it in my opinion. Having each other back, amazing banter and a strong trust in the other is so much more fruitful.

This is a stunning start to a series and I for one will be promoting the heck out of it! It's certainly the best crime book in Scotland so far this year.

Really enjoyed this book! It was the first one for me to read by this author and I can't wait to read more! The characters stick with you long after the book is over.

What a brilliant and exciting read! Neil Lancaster has given us a new Scottish crime fiction hero in DS Max Craigie. The book grabs your attention from the very beginning and keeps it and the fast paced action going right to the end. I loved the plot, the authenticity of the characters, Max's believable history and the descriptions of the beautiful Scottish scenery. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good police procedural. Hopefully we hear more from Max and his colleagues soon.
Thank-you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of Dead Man's Grave.

What a brilliant read. I loved this book so much I didn’t want to finish it, yet I wanted to know what happened in the end. It is so well written, easy to follow and so believable with such a intriguing plot, that left you wondering who were the good guys. I cannot praise it highly enough, and it is the best book I have read for a long time. I wish it could get 6 stars.

Are you missing Line of Duty? If so, this should keep you happy for a few hours,. Max Craigie has moved from London to work for Police Scotland. He is ex services and fought in Afghanistan. He has PTSD and terrible nightmares and is on a trial separation from his wife because of this.

The novel opens with a chilling scene. A gangster, dying of lung cancer, visits a graveyard in the Highlands and disappears. Reluctantly his family seek police assistance. Max and his partner Janie discover his body under a gravestone. This opens the biggest can of worms ever. Before long the gangster's family, appropriately named Hardie, have had several people killed in revenge. Worse it becomes clear that their vengeance is being aided by police officers within Police Scotland. Stopped from doing his job, Max goes rogue and soon uncovers corruption at the highest level. Hastings would be in his element!

I loved this book and am delighted that it looks to be the first in a series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

A solid debut novel. Engaging characters, a well written, fast paced storyline and a good dose of Scottish humour combine well in what I hope is the first in a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read by Neil Lancaster and I began reading not knowing what to expect. The description of the book looked interesting and sounded like my kind of read. It definitely was. I loved this book, absolutely loved it. It started off really well and grabbed my attention right from the start and held it all the way through. I really liked the main character Max Craigie, he was so very believable with a good back story. He begins a missing person enquiry that ends up as a murder investigation and the consequences from this investigation reach far and wide. The book is about historic family feuds, revenge, police corruption, organised crime and is told through different characters which I loved. The moments of humour between Max and a work colleague were light hearted and very funny. I thought this was a very well written book which flowed really, really well. It had a great plot, it was fast paced, thrilling, full of lots of action and had so many twists in it ..... I had many ‘wow’ moments when reading. The author certainly knows how to write a great story, then ramp up the tension and suspense .... the second half of the book had me on the edge of my seat. This has got to be one of my best reads so far this year and one which really hit the mark. I’ve looked at the authors other books and will read them when I can, and I really hope there will be a second book featuring DS Max Craigie.