whree and a half stars.

A notorious criminal escapes prison on a verdict of not-proven. After a night celebrating with friends he is found dead, throat slit, on a local golf course. The same day, his solicitor is found at the bottom of a cliff, it is deemed accident or suicide, until a reporter makes the connection between the two deaths and references the disappearance of a third man, who also escaped prison on a technicality. It seems as though there could be someone dispensing rough justice when the legal system lets them down. But when the journalist reveals his source it seems as though the vigilante could be on the police team investigating the murders.

Can DS Max Craigie and his PIRC team discover the murderer before the body count mounts?

I have mixed feelings about this series. There are things I really like and things that don't work so well. I like the police procedural aspects and the camaraderie between the team. I also liked the increased complications imposed on the investigation because the murderer was thought to be a detective. What I didn't like was that actually there were no real clues, all the leads came from someone confessing/spilling the beans. Also, I get that they are an elite squad but everyone seems to be such a special snowflake and it feels a bit fake. Finally, why does Ross have to swear quite so much? I can't believe he's reached that rank with no personal skills whatsoever.

This is a fast-paced, tense crime thriller with a cold-blooded killer, fun read but doesn't bear close scrutiny.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I loved this book, I haven't read any of the others in the series and I don't think it mattered. A brilliant storyline and I never guessed it - and don't think I would have done in a million years - I think I actually gasped out loud!! Loved reading it and now I need to go back and read the earlier ones!

Great book. My first by this author and really enjoyed it. Police procedural set in Scotland. Characters you got to know and cared about and pacy storyline,
Will be reading more by this author. Recommended.

Hugely enjoyable with great police procedural details and a few twists i definitely didn't see coming. Definitely recommend!

Well written with a gripping storyline and well developed characters. It was twisty and unpredictable and left me on the edge of my seat.

It’s like coming home reading Neil Lancaster’s Max Craigie stories! You know all the characters, their humour, their nuances, their weaknesses and their integrity! They are united by their commitment to getting the job done and done well! In this story there is the possibility of a squad member administering a justice of their own making. The body of a known felon is found murdered followed closely by the mysterious death of the lawyer who made it possible for him to walk free! It becomes DCI Donnie Watson’s last case before he retires but there are strong indications that this is no simple murder enquiry but a case for Max Craigie and his team! Neil Lancaster has the knack of building the tension in such a way that I found I was gripping my Kindle in anticipation! I love the cameraderie, the ribald humour and the loyalty! A great tale with a great ending! More please!

People who seem to have escaped justice, due to the Scottish not proven verdict, are dying. They're nasty pieces of work who have committed vicious crimes, just got off by their lawyer finding loopholes. The lawyer is also killed. From the evidence it's known that it's a cop carrying out the crimes, but who?

Loved it

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The story is a good one, and it is certainly a page-turner. However, it all seemed a bit obvious and formulaic, and I struggled to lose myself in the book. I have enjoyed previous books by this author more than this one, which was disappointing.

When a body is discovered in the woodlands on Ravelston Golf Course⛳️ , DCI Donald ‘Donnie’ Watson from the Major Investigation Team at Leith and his team Detective Inspector Marnie Gray, and DS Mark Fagerson are called in to investigate.

The body found by a dog walker is later identified as Scott Paterson, a man who was acquitted of murder only a week ago

At the same time a man named Fergus Grigor, who was the advocate for Mr. Paterson’s recent trial was found dead the same morning at Dunnet Head while on his honeymoon. It’s assumed he fell off the cliffs. Or was he pushed?

A four-man team comprising Max, Janie, Norman, and DI Ross Fraser has been assigned the case.

Five years ago in DCI Watson and his team were responsible for investigating a culpable homicide case involving a boy who was killed in Perth in a drink-drive accident.

The culprit got off and was later found hanging from a tree three days later. Turns out Fergus Grigor was also his advocate.

Is someone seeking revenge on acquitted defendants and their advocates? When more bodies turn up DCI Watson must race against the clock to discover the killer’s identity and motive.

A solid detective story in a stunning setting. Would recommend

Thank you to Neil Lancaster, NetGalley, and HQ for the arc of this book.

Many thanks to HQ and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Night Watch!

I have to say that I reeeally like this series!! And, The Night Watch was quite the nail-biter to read!! The team, set in Scotland, is made up of Ross, Max, Janie, Norma, and Barney, and they are looking for the murderer of a notorious criminal recently released from prison. One thing leads to another and another until the twists and turns had me gasping!! The pace of the book was FAST. I loved the banter between Max and Janie and not only because those moments gave me a chance to breathe, but because those two are genuinely funny! Also, I was glad Aunt Elspeth had her moment to shine.

I definitely recommend The Night Watch (and the DS Max Craigie Series, for that matter) to anyone who loves a solid police procedural!!

A solid police procedural with a fast pace and some good suspense. Though I have not read the previous two books I could still follow the characters easily. My first book and I couldn’t put it down.

Thoroughly enjoyed this and I was gripped from start to finish. Lots of twists and turns, humorous with all of the crime/thriller staples in place. If you like your police drama's like Line of Duty/Bloodlands you will love this.

'The Night Watch' is the third installment novel in the DS Max Craigie series by Neil Lancaster. This is a series of Scottish crime thrillers and the second that I have read in the series. While I enjoyed 'The Blood Tide', I did prefer this novel as I felt the introduction and background provided for the characters was sufficient, without giving away any spoilers to the previous novels.
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.

An action pack crime thriller that twists its way into your head from the start right till the end.

A Scottish Line of Duty without the confusion, the team Ross the Boss, Max, Janie, Norma and Barney looking for a murder, plus lots of others that you will meet. From the start you will see that something isn't right and 2 of the opening characters you meet don't last deep into this mystery. But they will be key 🔑 and without them the story would be very dull I'm thinking. This however is very far from dull it's so much excitement and edge of your seat that your mind will be away from your reality as you enter this new reason that if created by Neil Lancaster

I enjoyed this and if you like action and edge of your seat you will love this as well. It appears that the Scottish chat includes the F word so it's not for delicate ears but the theme and nature of this genre should make that obvious. I recommend this thriller and hope you love it as much as I have.

DS Max Craigie returns again for the third time in a thriller by Neil Lancaster. This book is the third in a series by Neil Lancaster and this time it follows the death of a lawyerr who is connected to several other deaths. The book is fast paced, with a totally believable plot. What makes it special are the regular characters who you care for and hold the book together. They are the diving force of this book. This book will be an ideal read to get you out of a reading slump and if you are like me, then you will finish it in one day. As with the other 2 books in the series, I give this 5*

A fast paced, high octane read set in Scotland. The Night Watch is full of suspense and grabs your attention from the very beginning.

The third book in an ongoing series, The Night Watch has many characters are likeable and add a layer of fun and banter to a darker storyline. Providing an interesting insight into police procedure, The Night Watch is a fantastic thriller which fans of the genre will enjoy.

Thanks to Neil and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Night Watch before the publication date.

DS Max Craigie and the team work in the Policing Standards Reassurance, reporting to DI Ross.

A violent gangster, Scott Paterson, walks out of the High Court having beaten a murder charge.
Days later, he is found dead on the golf course.

His advocate. Fergus Grigor, heads for the far north of Scotland for his honeymoon.
When he fails to return to the cottage after a run, his bride reports him missing. His body is found at the foot of the cliffs.

Freelance journalist and blogger, Shuggie Gibson receives anonymous emails about corrupt police officers.

Whilst the Major Incident Team, led by DCI Lorimer, investigate Paterson’s death, Ross and his team follow up on Gibson’s information.
As the body count rises, who can be trusted?

Max struggles with PTSD throughout and his character seems to be a bit harder than the previous books.
Janie’s driving had me wanting to reach for the Jesus handle.

This is a bit far fetched but a very entertaining read with loads of secrets and a twist in the tale. The technical details were interesting although I have no idea how accurate they are.

I am a real fan of Neil Lancaster and loved his previous novels in the D.S. Max Craigie series (Dead Man's Grave & The Blood Tide). However, The Night Watch is a lightweight compared with the previous ones. It is over reliant on Taser technology as the means to subdue and dominate. I really cannot imagine the scenario of how Scott Paterson, a heavily built man, got to his final resting place without being dragged a long way. Furthermore, the car which was pursuing him was described as having a covert light, it hadn't it was a magnetic mount light. A covert light is one like they put behind the radiator grills. The explanation for the near perfect suicide of John Lorimer was not at all convincing, with no thought given to how the blood which covered the walls, ceiling and mirror wasn't deflected by an assailant in the room. The modification of the number plate to disguise its real identity was good but the fact that it matched a similar vehicle should have caused someone to have thought that maybe the vehicle data base had been searched to find the donor information and that would have left an audit trail. At least Barney and his various surveillance gadgets were pretty authentic although they would have relied on decent GSM coverage. However, a pinhole camera is tiny because it does not have a lens (the clue is in the name) therefore there was no lens to zoom when it was deployed in the Major's house. The 'hot mic' on the Airwave was a useful tool but it's well known about in other fields of PMR too, usually referred to as 'loan worker' mode. The microphone opens up if the radio is not constantly reset every five minutes. I was pleased to see that DI Ross Fraser was his irascible old self and a martyr to Mrs Fraser and her dietary whims. Plenty of good humour there.
Overall a very enjoyable read but just not as good as his previous books.

4/5 Very Good.

The 3rd In the DS Max Craigie series is yet another great crime thriller from the excellent Neil Lancaster.

A story that focuses on police corruption and manipulation is very cleverly done by Lancaster. Early doors in this one it’s established that the bad guy is from within the force and this helps to add a layer of intrigue to the well plotted thriller.

With returning characters such as Janie, Ross and Barney, Neil Lancaster has created a likeable cast each with their strong characteristics. Janie in particular feels like she could carry a series on her own. Ross with his dire language yet he’s fiercely loyal to his team and the affable yet indispensable Barney.

It’s well paced, at times very high octane and packs the usual Neil Lancaster punch, it’s also a very in depth police procedural which really displays the inner workings of how the police do their work.

A great outing and Neil Lancaster continues to impress and hold me as a fan of both his first series of thrillers and this now go to series.

Highly Recommended

I read by chance the first Max Craigie novel and was immediately hooked on the scenery and Max Craigie’s policing. Now in the third book of the series it just gets better. A brilliant combination of vigilante killers, little forensic detail and possible corruption together with determined police work, it is among the best in the genre. Loved the characters, the pace and the twists. An absolute must for all crime thriller aficionados. Don’t miss it!

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.