This was my first book by Neil Lancaster - and I don't think it will be my last!

The reviews for this series are amazing, so I was pleased to be granted a copy by NetGalley so that I could make up my own mind.

The book opens with the deaths of a high-profile lawyer and one of his past clients, one of Scotland's most notorious criminals who has just been released from prison. As the bodies begin to stack up, DS Max Craigie starts to suspect that they have a murderer taking revenge on those who have done bad things - a vigilante killer who seems to have insider knowledge of the police's methods and processes. The investigation team is forced to face the fact that the culprit may be one of them - but how are they going to uncover someone who knows their every move?

This is the third book in the DS Max Craigie series and features Janie and Ross as recurring characters alongside Max. As it was the first time I'd met these characters, it took me a while to get to grips with the police hierarchy and the dynamics of the team. However, once I'd got this in hand then I really enjoyed the characters - especially Janie - who were well-rounded and often witty.

The narrative is extremely busy - there are a lot of events, characters and twists galore. This makes for a compelling and tense read, albeit one you have to follow closely or you miss things. Not one for skimming! The plotting of the novel is impressive - there is so much going on and yet it keeps moving forward at such a pace. There is honestly never a dull moment.

Personally, I'm not always a fan of police procedurals when they're trying to root out corruption from within. However, Lancaster avoids the usual traps by making the victims morally dubious - to what extent can the actions of a vigilante police officer be seen as an (obviously illegal) extension of their law-enforcing duties? It's an interesting moral question to explore but - at the same time - one that doesn't detract from the impetus of the narrative.

My only regret is that I hadn't read either of the previous books in this series - I think if I had hit the ground running then I would have got my head around the characters and the pace a bit sooner. Still, it's an incredibly well-plotted and engaging read and one I'd recommend to those who enjoy top quality police procedurals.

Didn't know this was part of a series. Still very much enjoyed it without reading the other books.
Story wad very enjoyable. Fast paced and quick to read.
Will check out other works from this author

Another brilliant read by Neil Lancaster and wow what a start!

A seriously bad dude gets off because there's not enough evidence to convict him. a Week later he is found dead and on the same day his lawyer, who was known for getting the devil out of jail, is also dead. It looks very much like a repeat from a few years before. Do we have a vigilante out there taking the law into his or her own hands?

I loved this book and devoured it in 1 sitting!!

Although part of a series, this works well as a stand alone story about a serial killer with inside knowledge about the investigation. Compelling, with plenty of twists that leave the reader guessing.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

I’m sorry but this was a DNF
I have been trying to read this for months but it was just really not for me. I tried
I really did not like the characters and that felt important in this sort of book. I needed to be rooting for them and I wasn’t. The protagonist was like a caricature and had all of the characteristics that I dislike in a main character
Giving this book 3/5 so as not to sway the ratings since I didn’t finish it, I can’t give an accurate rating

Thanks to Neil Lancaster, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

The third instalment of the ‘DS Max Craigie’ series and another not to disappoint. These well written police procedurals are set in Scotland, and Neil helps to paint such a brilliant picture of the setting. Suspenseful, at times violent and thrilling I’m looking forward to the next book already.

After reading the first few chapters the book I felt was enjoyable. After continuing on the number of characters added to the story, I found myself lost as to who was who. I struggled with trying to connect to the storyline. I will say the only character that I was able to follow in the story was the vigilante.

I was so happy to get this book, as I have loved Neil's previous two Max Craigie books. This book is a police procedural set in Scotland (the third in the series), with Max Craigie the policeman as the main character. Janie and Ross are his police buddies, and the three of them make a great team. Ross is hilarious, and he made me laugh all the way through. Together, they investigate some murders, and they uncover a lot of secrets.

I really loved this book, and I was kept entertained right until the very end. It was thrilling, suspenseful, engaging, shocking and funny, and it kept me engrossed throughout. I also listened to the audiobook version of the book alongside this ebook, and it was tremendous. The voice actor was superb and he did a great job. Ross' voice is really funny in the audio. I highly recommend both the ebook version and the audiobook version, as both are fantastic!

I said this last year as well: Neil Lancaster is one to watch out for, as he is so talented, and I know that his books will be bestsellers! I love this series so much, and I can't wait for the next book!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

This was a brilliant fast-paced book and I loved the grittiness of it. Set in Scotland it describes the scenery and the weather perfectly. It was quite violent at times but that didn’t bother me at all. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Part of a series,set in Scotland featuring D S Max Craigie.. The characters in this series are excellent and the story is gripping and gritty.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series set in Scotland and featuring DS Max Craigie and his team as they investigate corruption in Police Scotland. This episode in the series looks at a series of murders probably undertaken by someone in the force. The number of deaths escalates during the course of the investigation. Max and his team are on the right lines but just not moving fast enough or looking widely enough.

Although I enjoyed this I did not feel that it was the best book in the series, there were times whne I felt the narrative became too convoluted with no real sense of why. However this did work itself out over time and I thought the ending pulled it all together well

Another gripping, fast paced, and gritty story in this favorite series. I kept me hooked and on the edge till the end.
Well plotted, full of surprising twists. I was glad to catch up with the well developed characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I haven’t read the previous books in the series and although this book can be read as a standalone book it may help to read the others to gain context. It centres around DC Max Craigie and his team at the Policing Standards Reassurance Team.

Scott Paterson is freed after being acquitted of murder, suddenly he is pulled over whilst driving. The next day he is found murdered. His lawyer is on honeymoon and falls from a cliff. There is no connection or is there! This is brilliant from start to finish, plenty of twists and turns.

Anyone who likes a good crime / thriller book will love this one.

This is the third book in the series and I read it as a standalone. I wish I hadn't as I enjoyed it a lot so I think it would have been even better if I had read in order. I would highly recommend this for crime and thriller fans.

A brilliant gritty, fast-paced and suspenseful read, the third in the powerful DC Max Craigie series.

This book was a fabulous read, never did it lose pace or tension, but continually took strides into a cleverly multi-layered plot.

I enjoyed understanding more about the, by now quite familiar, characters with further development and explanation for instance, about why Max has nightmares. These characters are flawed people which makes them more real. The Policing Standards Reassurance Team are a really tight bunch of people, perfectly selected to blend together, complementing each other’s strengths. Looking for a bad cop will always, in my experience, ratchet the story up a level, working on covert operations. They have fierce loyalty to each other and their banter adds humour to incredibly tense situations. DS Max Craigie, ex-military working alongside DC Janie Calder, makes a great partnership with DI Ross Fraser as their grumpy, supportive, boss backed up by the capable Norma and ‘the elderly’ ex-spoof Barney. What a team!
Adding Niall, a Met ex-colleague and friend of Max, to go undercover, adds palpable levels of tension and danger.

There are real heart-pounding moments, which make for a totally engrossing read. This is a gritty and dark story, where the author skilfully uses his knowledge of police procedures to make the reader ‘live’ the story. It is full of surprises.

This is the third book in the Max Craigie series. It does work as a stand-alone, but I think it’s better if you’ve read the other books in the series as you get to know the characters more.

The cover for this book is lovely, very atmospheric and would definitely grab my attention if I saw it on a book shelf.

The series is set in various locations in Scotland, from Edinburgh to the Highlands. I like the Highlands setting and it’s nice that the books don’t focus on the central belt and ignore the rest of Scotland.

The book gets off to a strong start. Scott Paterson is enjoying his new found freedom after being acquitted of murder. His lawyer is enjoying his honeymoon. Both men are found dead in suspicious circumstances. Are the two deaths connected? Max Craigie is investigating with his loyal team. They realise the potential suspect is one of their own.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book, just when you think you have it all sussed out, the rug is pulled from under you and you’re proved totally wrong.

This was a quick read for me as the book is well paced and the chapters are a good length.

I’ve grown to like the main characters and have especially warmed to Max.

I would definitely recommend this book and the other books in the series.

Thanks to HQ Stories and NetGalley for a copy to review.

This is the 3rd book in the DS Max Craigie series, I haven’t read the first two but don’t think that spoilt this story in any way.
Scott Patterson is found murdered on a golf course just hours after walking free from court where he was on a murder charge himself and when his lawyer is also found dead at the bottom of the cliffs near Dunnet Head Max begins to suspect foul play.
The story is full of great characters and plot twists leaving me wanting more. I’ll definitely go back and catch up with the previous two titles.
A great read.

This is book 3 in a series. I’ve not read the previous books and feel it can be read as a stand alone.

I found this to be quite an easy fast read. A little predictable perhaps but still enjoyable. It is set in Scotland and as I am Scottish living in Scotland I liked reading about places that I know.

Thank you I #NetGalley and #HQStories for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

We're so used to reading books where police investigators search for whodunnit. But what if the whodunnit was an important part of the investigation team? Great premise that delivers throughout.

This is the third in this series and it just keeps getting better. This is a real gripping page turner of a book and if you like police procedural with a lot of grit then this book is for you.