DS Max Craigie and his wife Katie are entertaining, their friends from when he was in the Met is visiting, the memories are, for the most part, good and everyone is content. His partner, DC Janie Calder is also there so when his phone pings on a Sunday afternoon they know their relaxation is over.

The man, whose body was discovered on a local golf course, was known to Max and his team but the case is worked by MIT 6. Something doesn't add up however, and when a second death is linked to the first, everyone begins to consider whether a serial killer is at large. Max finds himself, as usual, working covertly to prove or disprove the possibility of internal involvement in the deaths and discover any agenda being followed. Their killer, whoever they are, has no problem eliminating anyone who gets in their way but backing off isn't an option and before long Max and those he holds close find themselves in the murderer's sights.

Once again Neil Lancaster has written an absolute blinder. It starts off at a furious pace and doesn't let up. The investigation is compelling, the action exciting and is heart racingly furious in places. The gallows humour present in the previous books is woven in seamlessly throughout and I loved it. The reasons for the killings and the identity of the perp aren't at all simple to unravel with twists, turns, and discoveries throughout but as the end hurtled towards Max so did the danger and I found myself anxious to finish but not wanting it to end.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a first class read and easy to recommend alongside the first two books in this series.

I enjoyed this book that I have already looked for more by the author, shame I didn't find him soon enough to read the series in order but not a problem. A move away from the normal crime books by adding a sense of humour to the characters, not too much just enough to be believeable.

I was delighted to be able to read the third book in the Max Craigie series and it lived up to expectations. A little different to the first two, but I enjoyed the development of some of the supporting characters and the subtle focus on the relationships in the team.

Thank you NetGalley and ultimately the author Neil Lancaster for the opportunity to review book 3 in the Series. (DS MAX Craigie) set in Scotland. I wont bore you with a synopsis of the story as its available to read pre publish as a taster to get you to purchase it. A good ongoing tale of crime and its detection with some right dodgy characters, at least you 'oh I ya ken tell' who they are. By book three I am finding it a little samey as book one and two, style and dialogue, do wonder how far this series can go without readers being put off. Not sure that Neil's injection of team humour to develop characters works, feels a little clunky but at least these snippets of team bonding are short. Easy to read and not complicated to follow.

I found this book a bit slow to start compared to the previous two, but it soon got interesting. As you get into the story it really grips you, I couldn't put it down once it got me. I don't like giving spoilers, but there were plenty twists and turns that kept you guessing, trying to work out the next part before it actually got to it.. It was a very exciting ending, if a bit scary.
I did manage to work out that two of the characters were baddies but I didn't realise they were connected at first.
Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC

Written so well you are entrenched into it from the beginning. A crime story set in Scotland with engaging characters that Neil has written so well. He has a superb insight into police procedures (unsurprising considering his former job!) The story has some twists you may have been expecting but the final one I only saw about two lines before it happened. DS Max Craggie is a great character to read and the other characters compliment the story well.
It is a great whose doing it story that keeps you on your toes too.
Oh and the last line made me chuckle.

He’ll watch you.
A lawyer is found dead at sunrise on a lonely clifftop at Dunnet Head on the northernmost tip of Scotland. It was supposed to be his honeymoon, but now his wife will never see him again.
He’ll hunt you.
The case is linked to several mysterious deaths, including the murder of the lawyer’s last client – Scotland’s most notorious criminal… who had just walked free. DS Max Craigie knows this can only mean one thing: they have a vigilante serial killer on their hands.
He’ll leave you to die.
But this time the killer isn’t on the run; he’s on the investigation team. And the rules are different when the murderer is this close to home.
He knows their weaknesses, knows how to stay hidden, and he thinks he’s above the law…

“The Night Watch” by Neil Lancaster is the third book in the DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers series. This is a new author for me, and I was grabbed by the fact that the books are set in Scotland, my home country. This author (and this series) has somehow managed to slip past my radar as this is the first book I’ve read by the author. I’ve been missing out! I adore police procedurals; there is something cosy and comforting to me about them when they’re well written. I’ve read a lot of crime fiction and there is an abundance of police procedurals being churned out on a regular basis, some of which can be very formulaic. Thankfully, this book was not formulaic and was well written, with lots of suspenseful twists and turns. Definitely a book that could be considered a page turner. I’ll be going back to books one and two of this series to catch up and very much look forward to future books from this author. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys well written crime fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is another very good crime novel ,continuing the Max Craigie series.Like the other two ,it’s set in Scotland,mainly Edinburgh, which is always appealing as it’s my home town and it’s always interesting to see how it’s depicted.
The book involves the same main characters as the others in the series ,with their back stories and banter,but it’s less about organised crime and more about a series of murder investigations involving one particular Major Incident Team.
The tense atmosphere builds to a very exciting climax,and I read the book quickly as I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen.
Definitely one to recommend for people who like crime novels.Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

The Night Watch is a Scottish book in which a high profile killer is murdered. His lawyer, who recently gained freedom for the killer, turns up dead. The killing doesn't end there - dirtying the waters of the choices of the new serial killer.

It turns out that the new serial killer is part of the police force, which makes the mystery darker and more exciting. Now the killer has the same information and movements of the woman and detectives trying to solve the crime.

This mystery is fast paced with twists and turns you don't see coming.

Well, this is a belter of a book! This series just goes from strength to strength. ‘The Night Watch’ is the third in the series from ex-police officer Neil Lancaster that features DS Max Craigie and his merry band of colleagues that help fight corruption in the Scottish Police.

When a dog walker stumbles across a body on his local golf course all hell breaks loose as the victim is Scott ‘The Axe’ Paterson, who just days before walked free from his trial after a ‘not proven’ verdict. Then Paterson’s lawyer is found thrown off the cliffs at Dunnet Head, which is a big coincidence, but Max doesn't believe in coincidences. A local blogger Shuggie gives the team information that is it a police officer that might be the killer. Max’s team jumps into action to ferret out the killer.

I found one section fascinating and that was the effects of being an undercover cop and how it can ruin or put relationships under strain, the mental strength they must have to do their duties and how isolating it must be.

‘The Night Watch’ is an awesome police procedural that is tightly plotted, and insanely paced with twists and turns aplenty. A hugely entertaining and gripping read!

A brilliant addition to the series and Neil is now an auto-buy author for me. Roll on the next one...

The third book in the DS Max Craigie series, but the first one I have read. This is a gritty, fast-paced, action-packed thriller. I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and the wonderful details of the police procedures. I will definitely be going back and reading the earlier books in the series. Highly recommended.

Max Craigie and his team are brought in to investigate the police investigating the murder of a well-known criminal but who has just walked from the court thanks to a slick lawyer. Said slick lawyer then turns up at the foot of the cliffs at Dunnet Head. Minimal to no forensic evidence for either death. The story makes for a cracking read, plenty of action, banter and hard work for something that is more than just a police procedural. Boss Ross does have a way with words that might offend some readers, but there's not much of the f-word and the language really does fit his character. I love the way Mrs F. is trying to improve his diet! Good luck to her. .I shall now go and find the earlier books in the series and look forward to the next. Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A body is discovered on an Edinburgh golf course. It turns out to be a well known criminal who has just avoided a conviction for murder. Almost two hundred miles away the advocate responsible for the "not proven" verdict falls to his death. Are the deaths linked? Is there a vigilante responsible?

The death of another criminal who evaded justice 5 years earlier is connected to the case. Could the vigilante be a rogue cop? Max Craigie and the rest of his team are tasked with investigating who is responsible before any more deaths occur.

Right from the start you are gripped by the action packed opening first chapter. The pace doesn't let up as we are immediately moved on to yet more action. Neil Lancaster takes his time in setting the scene for the introduction of DS Max Craigie and the rest of the "Policing Standards Reassurance" team.

The team still consists of Max, Janie, Ross, Norma and Barney. The last two were a great addition to the team in the second book, The Blood Tide, so it's great to see that they are still around. The shift from the crime solving in the first book in the series, Dead Man's Grave, to unearthing police corruption in the rest of the series obviously meant a bigger team was required. The interactions between the different members of the team are superb.

A forensically aware murderer means that Max, Janie and the rest of the team have their work cut out for them as they try to piece together exactly how the first two deaths occurred whilst trying not to alert any possible suspects to their presence. Neil Lancaster's background in the police force shines through in the detail used to explain evidence gathering.

Even though a suspect is identified early on in the story it doesn't make things any easier for the team as the suspect managed to kill two people, hundreds of miles apart, without leaving any kind of trail. Twist after twist after twist leaves the reader wondering if Max and Janie have finally met their match this time around.

Fans of the first two books in the series will not be disappointed. Anyone who likes police procedural novels will also enjoy this. The book can easily be read as a standalone novel but I would encourage readers to invest in the first two books in the series to gain full enjoyment. It's difficult not to compare the story to TV series such as Line Of Duty, however Max and Janie (and the rest of the team) seem to solve the crimes much quicker.

DS Max Craigie returns with the beautiful backdrop of the Scottish highlands for another procedural thriller. It starts with a murder of a well-known criminal and speeds through with a masterclass of detail mixed with wit, gory details and clever ways of murder. The pace doesn’t let up at all and Neil keeps you guessing with his clever dialogue and excellent plot. Loved it. You won’t be disappointed with the Night Watch.

Well, that was a long night, just couldn't put the book down. Was very sure I had worked out who had done it, nope, was completely wrong. Second book I have read by this author and he is brilliant , thoroughly enjoyed it, and will continue to find and read his work.

From the onset I was reading this with baited breath - the suspense is palpable and what follows is stupendous storytelling with a myriad of plot twists. . This is most definitely a breathtaking thriller filled with suspense,  The opening chapter is woven with an ominous undertone that is prevalent throughout.  This a compelling read from start to finish. Absolutely first rate.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ @HarperCollins for this e-arc in return for an honest review.

Neil Lancaster is an extremely talented author and like his previous books, The Night Watch is a fast paced crime thriller. I love the characterisation and the banter between the main players Max, Janie, Ross and Barney. Neil's knowledge and description of police procedure makes for a believable storyline and as ever the story progresses to a page turning climax. This is another cracking read and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I had read the first two books about DS Max Craigie and had loved them, so I was really excited to read this third one. I wasn’t disappointed. It was as I had expected – gripping and fast-paced with the usual twists and turns. I did have to suspend belief towards the end, and was a teeny bit dismayed that Max found himself in a certain situation and that a villain who no one had suspected suddenly appeared (no spoilers). Despite this little grievance I have to give 5 stars because it’s worth more than a 4. I can even accept the foul words that come out of Ross’s mouth because that is Ross and you have to love him or leave him alone. I choose to love him because he makes me laugh! The digestive biscuit incident nearly had me on the floor. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this great book.

Another solid addition to the delightful Max Craigie series. As usual Max and the 'professional conduct' team are tasked with a sensitive and dangerous investigation involving fellow officers, old friends and dead bodies.
The scenery in this series takes you to the highlands of Scotland and introduces you to little nooks and crannies that, for me at any rate, leave me feeling ever so slightly homesick..

With enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes, this is an enjoyable read .

Enter the world of bent cops and revenge killings. A real treat for fans of "line of duty" and good thrillers. A well written , fast paced and gripping crime story which will take you around Scotland and leave you breathless and stunned by a disturbing and surprising intrigue. A really good read.