I read the first book in the series (Dead Man’s Grave) last year and had just started the second (The Blood Tide) when I was given the opportunity to read The Night Watch as an advanced copy. Reading the two books in close succession provided excellent continuity but equally all three could be read as stand-alone books.

Neil Lancaster demonstrates, with his insider background, his intimate knowledge of police procedures and technological capabilities especially in the surveillance field. This is cleverly woven into the story rather than being presented as a text book entry which I have found previously with other authors.

The story itself is fast-paced and the reader is plunged straight in to the action. Some of the characters were familiar to me, having read the previous two books, but somebody reading for the first time would find them easy to visualise and get to know. The banter between the main players (three very different characters) is amusing, realistic and constant. They are all likeable in very different ways and it is easy to find yourself really caring about what happens to them.

In a nutshell, this is a story involving murders, police corruption, complex relationships, power, manipulation and an intricate plot against a backdrop of sometimes beautiful scenery where you cannot imagine bad deeds being done!

The outcome was a surprise although it was a similar plot to another crime thriller set in virtually the same area by a different author. However similar, I didn’t see this ending coming at all. I’d had many in the frame throughout the book but never this character. On reflection, the clues were there but written in a way it was easy to disregard them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I did the previous two and can’t wait for the next in the series!

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the Max Craigie series, so was excited to read this latest one. It certainly didn't disappoint. In this story, Max, Janie and Ross are called in to investigate the murder of a known criminal who just walked free from trial and the death of the lawyer who defended him. This seems to be a case of vigilante killings. The story is fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Fantastic! I am already a Max Craigie fan and this is the third book in the series. The standard of plot writing, suspense, action and character development is maintained to a high level and therefore very enjoyable.
The mixture of very good police procedural packed with action and dry humor is a favourite of mine so I was truly in my element. I was sad when the book ended and now have to wait for the next installment with much impatience. The setting in Scotland is once again very pleasing. Hurry up and publish your next book please!!!

I'm definitely losing my touch as I didn't guess the main culprit until they were revealed! (Or I'm just reading more complex books these days). At times the plot seemed to slow, but it was to provide knowledge needed for the investigation rather than just being all murders. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. In my opinion a book worth reading

Full disclosure, I am already a fan of the Max Craigie series and the third instalment The Night Watch was another cracker of a story.

I particularly enjoyed getting to know more about Janie and Max - seeing more of Janie's personality in particular and her management of working with Max.

The first chapter had me hook, line and sinker and the story powered through and didn't let up. A minor note and definitely not a show stopper but the shock element of Chapters 1 and 2 would have been much greater if the 'back of the book blurb didn't give away so much - always a difficult thing to attract a reader and not surrender some of the story, especially in detective novels, though.

Another absolute roller-coaster of a ride with Max and Janie and can't wait for the next in the series.

Highly recommend.

A police procedural with a twist in the tale. DS Max Craigie is back to solve the murder of a notorious criminal, recently released from jail having been acquitted at his last trial.

I struggled to get into the story but it picked up as it went on. I did find it a bit standard however hence the rating.

Thanks to the author, HQ and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Having been a big fan of the earlier titles in the DS Max Craigie series, I had high expectations going into “The Night Watch”. I’m happy to report that my expectations were well and truly met! Able to be read as a standalone novel, but arguably more enjoyable should the reader know more about the characters’ back stories, this outing for DS Craigie and the team follows their investigation following the death of a known criminal who was recently released from prison following a “not proven” verdict. When the deceased’s lawyer is found dead the next day, and previous deaths start to be linked, the team investigate the possibility that a police officer could be involved with the killings…

As with the previous titles in the series, this tale is filled with action, excitement, and excellent characters. There is plenty of wit and dry humour, and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

A great read . Action packed with twists and turns
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for a review

This series gets better with every new book. This book has a great fast paced story line which had me gripped from the start and I had to keep reading to the end. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Another procedural detective story - but we’ll told and gripping
Both a lawyer and one of his clients are found murdered - seemingly unconnected , and miles apart - till DS Max Craigie and his team become involved. What they discover is alarming and they are convinced they are looking for someone on the inside, they just have to find the evidence

What a belta of a book! While the books could probably be read as a standalone, there are many frequent references in 'The Blood Tide' to the first book and this is a give away to the ending of the previous novel so best to read the series in order.
Now, onto the storyline. The book opens with a an unpleasant individual named Scott Paterson being tricked and murdered. Scott is a known criminal in Edinburgh and his murder is soon followed a series of murders. Each victim is linked and soon there are rumours of police corruption rising.
DS Max Craigie and his team are called in to investigate but are soon stonewalled at every turn. With a raising bodycount and political pressure, Max knows that they do not have long to resolve the case.
The story moves at a rapid pace and keeps up the level of intrigue to the end.

A fast paced dark thriller. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was exciting, had me on the edge of my seat. Made my heart race. It was very well written. Great plot. Everything i hoped for from the book.

Unfortunately I couldn't finish this one. I got about a 3rd of the way through and that was by really pushing myself.
I can tell from reading other reviews that I am in a huge minority so I think it's that old cliche of "it's me, not you".
I just struggled with how many characters there were, the police tech talk and the thing I didn't enjoy the most was the police banter, to me it just felt like filler. I imagine if watching on TV I wouldn't notice at all but it just felt like too much.
But like I said, I'm sure the majority of people will love this book going by other reviews, just not my thing.
I will give a middle of the road 3 stars just because it's only fair, many thanks for the opportunity to read this copy #NetGalley #TheNightWatch

The Night Watch is the 3rd book in the DS Max Craigie series and yet another entertaining read from author Neil Lancaster. Set in Scotland
The mutilated body of gang-enforcer Scott Paterson, who escaped jail is discovered by a dog walker tied to a tree in the woodland of a golf course. There were no clues at the scene. The Police reckon it was a professional hit until the battered body is found of Paterson’s Lawyer Fergus Grigor at Dunnet Head while he was on his honeymoon. Why were hey both killed? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Both deaths are similarities to a cold case of a murder that happened 5 years ago.
DS Max Craigie and the other members of the Reassurance Covert operations unit are called to investigate. When they receive intel from a journalist that the killer is the member of the police. Max instructs his old teammate who saved his life previously to go undercover. But unawares how dangerous that decision is. What is the motive for the Killings, and they need to find the killer before he strikes again?
Thank you, HQ, for a copy of the Night Watch. This is another solid and intense episode in the series. And in some instances, it had me on the edge of my seat. It is well-written, and I think the characters are great, and I loved the camaraderie between them all. I especially enjoyed the ending. I was holding my breath to see what was happening to Max. You will have to read it yourself to find out. 5 stars from me.

This is the third book in the Max Craigie series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

I have read the previous ones and enjoyed them but for some reason, I struggled to get into this one at first, there were an awful lot of characters in a short space of time. About a third of the way through, something clicked and I started to enjoy it, maybe a slow burner??

Two separate deaths, one a criminal who is released on a technicality, found murdered, the other a barrister on his honeymoon seems to be a tragic accident after having fallen over a cliff edge whilst out for a run, but is there a connection.

One the whole a good read just a slow starter

Two apparently unrelated murders are connected by Max Craigie and his small specialist team colleagues and sets them on the search for a vigilante, dispatching justice where the courts have failed.
There are many good things about this series. It is well written and easily read. But unlike the previous two, the plot in this one did not compensate for lack of depth in the characters either detectives or villains.
I’m afraid that by the time the perpetrator was unmasked, I had lost interest slightly and while I had maybe missed something, it seemed slightly random.
With thanks to Netgalley UK and HQ, HQ Digital

The team are back for the 3rd book in the series. This is a great book. Very well written and fantastic plot and characters. I absolutely loved it!

I enjoyed this read, was gripped by the plotlines and wish id read the previous books in the series! will def be going back and also looking forward to more new material

The Night Watch, by Neil Lancaster

Publication Date: 22nd September 2022
Rating: 3/5

If you love your crime fiction, then you will love this book. It's police procedure with a kick, and could easily have been dreamt up by the team behind Line of Duty. I loved the complexities between the characters investigating the murders, and those investigating the police. The second half of the book, in particular, is fantastically paced. There are a lot of characters, which can sometimes be confusing to keep track of. I did find the constant police 'banter' a little distracting, but I did like it overall. I'd definitely be keen to read more of Lancaster's stuff.

A wonderfully accessible crime thriller. A good cast of characters and a great story.

This is one of a number of novels featuring the main characters but the novel works well as a standalone and does not rely on the reader having read previous novels.

The team investigate corruption in the police and when a criminal walks free from court and winds up dead soon after, everything points to it being an inside job and the team are assigned to the case.

Plenty of twists along the way until the final reveal in the closing chapters.