Detectives Max Craigie and Janie Calder become suspicious when an alleged sex criminal freed from custody after a not proven verdict , turns up dead . Shortly afterwards his solicitor meets with an accident after falling over a cliff whilst jogging . The postmortem examinations appear not to show anything suspicious but the 2 detectives are not convinced. Max brings in an old colleague from the Met, Billy Bruce, undercover as he feels somebody in the Murder team is not playing by the rules. A reporter Shuggie , starts to ask questions about these deaths and it transpires a retired detective is the source for his suspicions. As the story unfolds more killings take place , one of which is one of the lead detectives who has fallen under suspicion and it looks like he has committed suicide but once again things seem too easy, The Postmortem says suicide , but once again our 2 are not persuaded and think he may have someone else working with him . A well written and exciting story with a surprising outcome.

This is the third book to feature DS Max Craigie and what a belter. This book has everything I expect from a good procedural detective story and so much more. Fast Paced, action packed, full of tension and suspense and fantastic storytelling. Down to earth characters and another gripping addition to this fantastic series.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Neil Lancaster has outdone himself with this one!
A notorious criminal walks free from court and within days he has met a brutal end, within hours of his body being found, the lawyer who helped him go free is also found dead at the bottom of a cliff miles away.
The police team investigating doesn’t seem to be making much progress and there are rumours that the killings could be linked to another unsolved murder from a few years earlier.
DS Max Craigie is convinced the investigating team aren’t looking at the case properly and are missing vital evidence. The more they dig the less they understand but one thing is clear, the killer is far closer to home than anyone would like and flushing them out could cost the team dearly.
This is fast paced, nail bitingly tense and once you start you won't want to stop.
The main characters are all first rate, none are perfect but if you were in trouble, you would want Max and his team with you. Neil Lancaster is definitely on my "must read" list.

Neil Lancaster is rapidly becoming one of my favourite crime writers. His background brings a ring of truth to the plots and this third book in the series returns all the best characters and the comedic affection of their team's relationships. As ever the story is packed with action, murder, deception and some first class twists. The best one so far,

I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on Sept 8th

Overall, I found this to be a good read, not an all-time favorite but still a very good book. I had not read any other book in the series, so I didn't know the cast of players but still it was not hard to read as a stand-alone. I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and HQ, the opinion expressed here are my own.

This is the third book in the DS Max Craigie series that I have read and I enjoyed the previous two books and this new one doesn't disappoint .Set in Scotland a fast paced,intensely dark and gritty Police Procedural. A serial killer is at large and Max and his Team are out to catch the culprit but nothing is as it seems ,there is corruption in Police Scotland it seems and someone is out for revenge .I loved the characters very realistic and well drawn .A very enjoyable read with an exciting ending .I look forward to reading the next book in this series .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

This is the first book I've read in Neil Lancaster's series of thrillers about DS Max Craigie - and I hadn't realised it was part of a series until I came to write this review. This book read well as a standalone novel. I thought this book was a great example of a murder mystery/police procedural novel. Given the novel's setting in Edinburgh, I am sure that others will draw similar comparisons to the ones I drew - very reminiscent of the excellent Rebus books by Ian Rankin. DS Max Craigie is, however, a much more likeable character than Rebus and I enjoyed the plot in this particular story - which seeks to discover which person (perhaps someone in the police) is seeking to mete out justice against criminals who have not been brought to justice by the courts. I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Night Watch is the third book in the DS Max Craigie series and it’s jam packed with action from the beginning. There are dead bodies galore as Max and his team hunt for a serial killer. This book is tense, addictive and will have you hooked with each turn of the page. A five star read. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

I didn’t want this to end can’t wait for the next one from Neil Lancaster he is now on my go to list of author.

I enjoyed this, quite a bit. Particularly that it was set in Scotland.

I predicted the twist coming, but was wrong on who it was. Very good read, good police procedural. Will check out other books

Another tense book with DS Max Craigie ! Full of twists and turns right to the end.

A prisoner is acquitted and is then found dead. Then his lawyer is found at the foot of a cliff. Was he pushed or did he jump?
There is yet another murder - a policeman- and then a journalist and Max knows he has a serial killer on his hands.

But should he look closer to home to solve it?

I am grateful to the publisher for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
I previously read Blood Tide by Neil Lancaster and gave it five stars. Having read The Night Watch, I would give it five stars plus.
It starts at a pulsating pace and never lets up! The storyline mixes murder, suicide, intrigue, suspense, corruption and drama. It is chock full of twists and turns, and Max Craigie and his team, as usual, have their hands full.
I loved the plot and Neil's excellent dialogue, which makes for easy reading, and I found it hard to put down.
I am now a nailed-on Lancaster fan, and I cannot wait until the next one!
I highly recommend The Night Watch!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Love a good police procedural. Didn’t get the twist. Will investigate the others in the series.

Wow! I loved this book! I loved the twists and turns, I loved Max, Janie, Barney and Niall, I also loved the forensic aspect.
I’ve been talking to everyone about this book and I think it would make a brilliant TV series.
My only mistake was not reading the first two books as I would have got to know the characters beforehand.
Great book - get it on television now!

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of The Night Watch, the third novel to feature DS Max Craigie of Police Scotland’s Policing Standards Reassurance Team.

Scott Paterson, a violent criminal who recently walked free from a murder charge in a not proven verdict, is found murdered on an Edinburgh golf course. The same day the lawyer who got him off is found dead at the foot of a cliff. Max Craigie thinks that they are hunting a vigilante serial killer and when he is given anonymous information he thinks that the killer might be a police officer.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Night Watch, which has a bit of everything and kept me turning the pages to see what was coming next. It is mostly told from the investigative point of view with the odd interjection from the initially unidentified other side, but that changes quickly when the team develop a prime suspect. This happens in the first third of the book, so it’s quite a deviation from the standard police procedural format, and the novel becomes a surveillance and tactics operation, until it doesn’t and the hunt is on again.

That gives the reader mystery, investigation and cat and mouse quickly followed by twists, tension, uncertainty and a fair amount of technology (nothing too difficult to follow, but eye opening in what can be done). It has a great story too, compulsive and not easy to guess - I got some details right, but mostly I missed. Lastly, it made me laugh (lots). It is Scottish in the humour and vernacular, so it might not suit all readers, but for me it was great.

The Night Watch is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Love the Max Craigie novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing..Definitely looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

A procedural detective story with extra authenticity because of the experience of the writer. This was a gripping read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Neil writes well formed and realistic characters, so you can jump right in without feeling like you're missing anything. I have not read any of the other books in this series, but that didn't diminish the read for me.

"'We're going to start shaking trees and see what falls out. You all know how these things go. We could be in for a long one. If there is a bent cop topping bad guys, we need to be all over it before they kill againm. We're putting a stop to this, and we're doing it now.''

Present day Scotland, and the violent murder of a notorious hardened criminal in an isolated location, shortly after his release from prison, surprises many. When his lawyer is found to have take a tumble to his death from a cliff whilst out on a run, red flags are raised. Are the deaths connected, killing those who have escaped, or helped others escape, justice and how is the murderer so well-informed? Hidden police corruption unit of DI Fraser Ross, DS Max Craigie and DC Janie Calder, and their compact team of undercover, surveillance, data and IT experts begin to investigate. When an old pal of Max's, working undercover for them in MIT is attacked and it's looking like a bent copper is not only a serial killer, but covering their tracks and tidying away any 'loose ends', it's personal for Max.

Book three of this police procedural series set in Scotland and described as 'Jack Reacher crossed with Line Of Duty' is as pacy and thrilling as ever. Suffering with PTSD following time in Afghanistan, Max relies on wife Katie, work and running with dog, Nutmeg, to keep him on the straight and narrow. The familiar, entertaining and relatable, anti-corruption team are all there, at the top of their investigative game, with some false leads and plenty of action. A great third entry in the series, looking forward to book four!

Another great read from Neil Lancaster. I enjoyed getting to know more about the characters especially Janie and her relationship with Max and her personal relationships. Already love all the characters especially Max Craigie. Great story with a plot that keeps you thinking and wanting to keep turning pages.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion

The Night Watch is the third book in the Max Cragie series. I loved the first two and this was even better. One of my favourite books this year.