This is Book 3 in the series and I haven't read the previous 2, but it didn't impact my enjoyment in the least.
Max, Janie, grumpy Ross and the brilliant Norma have a new case to solve. They investigate claims of police corruption in Scotland. When a criminal just released from prison is found dead, and his solicitor mysteriously goes over a cliff, it seems to much of a coincidence. When Shuggie, a local blogger, comes to them saying its suspected that police are behind it, they investigate.
They send in Niall as an undercover officer. His views on the case and the personal sacrifices that have to made to go undercover were eye opening and a little heartbreaking.
The story is brilliant. One of the murders is gross and I'm glad I wasn't eating at the time!! Not even gory, just stomach turning!
I loved that it was a bit different, different angle to a normal police procedural, and you know Neil knows his stuff as he's ex-police.
He banter between the team and the little joke between MET and Scots made me chuckle.
I will have to go back and read the previous two because they really are an enjoyable. Bring on book 4.

With thanks to the author, publishers HQ Digital, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange ofor my honest and unbiased review.

When one of Scotland’s most dangerous criminals and then the lawyer who recently got him off in a high-profile court case are both found dead in different locations within a matter of days, it quickly becomes apparent to DS Max Craigie that he has a vigilante serial killer on his hands. Max must join forces again with his colleagues DI Ross Fraser and DC Jamie Calder to catch the killer, despite the killer seeming to be one step ahead of them at all times.

This is a fantastic third installment in the DS Max Craigie series. The plot is very well thought out, with lots of suspense and plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing as to the identity of the killer right to the very end. And as always, the smart comments and witty exchanges between Max, Ross, and Janie provide welcome relief at times from the tension, and gave me a few LOL moments!

This series keeps getting better and better, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

Loved this next instalment in the series and cements how brilliant Craigie and his team are! I loved the twist with this story and who the corrupt people were - didn’t see that coming and was brilliant to be shocked!
This book played out well and I was desperate to see what happened next!

Initially I think the problem with this novel, it was sold to me as being like Line of Duty. It’s not. I mean, yes it involves police and it’s a crime novel, but I just wish they hadn’t made that comparison because I was just set up for disappointment.

I think another issue is that I do read a lot of crime thrillers, and at the minute, they seemed to just be churning them out one after the other without much thought put into characters and narrative. I seem to be in the minority here, but I don’t think this was original or engaging in the slightest, and found it a bit dull if I’m honest.
The set up is fairly formulaic, a lawyer is found dead on what should be his honeymoon. This case is then linked to several other mysterious deaths, including the murder of the lawyer’s last client. However, this time the murderer isn’t trying to evade the police, he’s part of the investigation team.

I don’t know if it would have made a difference if I read the series from the beginning (this was book 3) but I didn’t really form any attachment to any of the characters. I thought the plot dragged and I found it a bit of a slog to get through, when normally I fly through a good crime novel. A tad predictable and completely forgettable when finished.

It didn’t inspire me to want to pick up another Lancaster novel sadly, I’ve just read better.

I love this series of books. Max Craigie is an excellent lead character with an interesting background which sometimes comes back to haunt him. Each story is intricate and keeps you guessing till the last. I have ordered every one for our libraries and will continue to do so. More please!

A good read, really enjoyed it and found it very gripping. Some good twists that I didn't expect. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

The tension escalates with each passing chapter in this expertly crafted thriller, ensuring you'll be glued to its pages until the end.

An absolutely brilliant book. Lots of details which made me get really absorbed to keep up with the plot! Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I have read in the series but any important events from the past are explained so I didn't feel as though I missed anything. I thought the plotline was clever and well-paced so it was impossible to be sure how things would turn out, even as the murderer was revealed. I enjoyed the author's narrative style, and would read more by him except for the amount of swear words included, mostly attributed to one particular character. I understand the need to demonstrate a character's thinking as well as speech in order to create an image, and the impression of some workplaces is that this would be normal but that doesn't mean readers need to see up to half a dozen such words on each page, especially when it is description and not speech or thoughts. This caused me to reduce my star rating by one.

Found this really interesting - loved trying to work out the scottish accents (even on the page). Very well written and an interesting plot which kept me fully engaged.

I know when I read a Neil Lancaster book I am in for a great time.

I was given a copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Another gripping page turner in this exciting crime series, following Max Craigie and his team as they investigate police corruption.

The death of a recently released violent criminal leads Craigie's team to suspect the killer has links to the investigation team. At the same time a man found dead in an apparent suicide whilst on honeymoon is revealed to be his lawyer.

Craigie enlists the help of a friend to go undercover as they try to obtain evidence, but every breakthrough reveals another twist as they try to work out who the killer is, exposing themselves to danger.

The Night Watch by Neil Lancaster is a very interesting and intense police procedural. Lancaster served on the police force for over twenty-five years. His expertise in writing crime fiction shines through in the intricate details of the plot. Each character is a potential suspect leaving readers scrambling to figure out this twisty whodunit. Ahh oh my goodness such a suspense! But also very difficult to follow at times. I had to go back numerous times to reread and a lot of times I just kept going because the details were almost too specific. In the end I didn't finish the book.

Thank you HQ and Netgalley.
You won't put this down once you start it - finished in 2 days and was disappointed when I finished it
Great storyline, great characters you really must read this.

Firstly, thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

Another great story from Neil Lancaster, featuring DS Max Craigie and his anti police corruption group. His boss, Ross, is a bit of a character, but he does swear a lot!

He investigates the deaths of a career criminal, who has just had a Not Proven verdict, and the lawyer who represented him. It is a good police procedural book and the author, with his experience in the Metropolitan Police, certainly knows what he’s writing about.

Very good.

A fast paced book and one that will keep you up all night, Make sure you cancel any plans you have once you start this book because believe me you won't be able to put this down!

I did not intend to complete this within a day. I decided to listen to the audiobook and soon found I didn't want to put it down. I was gripped. I highly recommend the audiobook for this series.
While I wasn't exactly trying to figure out who was behind everything, I was still surprised by the final reveal as I hadn't once suspected them. Although looking back there was one scene where a hint could have been dropped.
This book is fully of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Wondering if a person is involved or not.

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.

Great exciting detective/policing standards novel, great characters and a twisting tale that keeps you guessing and on your toes for sure. I hadn’t read any other books in this series but I will definitely download them now.

Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I really appreciate the opportunity to review the ARCs.
#NetGalley #TheNightWatch

The Night Watch by Neil Lancaster is a thrilling and intense read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This is my first book from this author and although it’s the third in this series it definitely can be read as a standalone.
The story follows DS Max Craigie and his team of detectives as they investigate the murder of a criminal who has just been found Not Proven at court and his solicitor. Although both bodies were miles apart DS Max Craigie thinks they are linked and begins a hunt for a corrupt vigilante police officer who is determined to take justice into his own hands.
The characters are well-developed and easy to relate to, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. The main character, Max Craigie, is a determined and dedicated police officer with his own back story bringing depth to his personality. The supporting characters are equally compelling, with each one bringing their own unique perspective and skills to the table.
The plot twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the very end, making it impossible to put the book down. For me, this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and detective stories. If you're looking for a thrilling and suspenseful read, then The Night Watch is the book for you.

The Night Watch is the third outing for Max Craigie and his team whose remit is to investigate corruption within Police Scotland. This time the focus is slightly unusual as the killer believes that justice has not been done and takes the law into their own hands. The body of a violent criminal who just got off with a verdict of ‘not proven’ is found on an Edinburgh golf course, and his lawyer’s body is discovered at the foot of the cliffs at Dunnet Head – there is little in the way of forensic evidence as the killer has covered their tracks well. Suspicion falls on a member of the investigating team, but which one? Max, Janie, Ross, Norma and Barney pull out all the stops to uncover the culprit.
I am a huge fan of Neil Lancaster’s writing as his previous experience as a police officer in the Met gives the stories an authentic feel that others sometimes lack. The plot is fast moving and complex, with lots of false trails and misdirection. The characters are well developed and believable, there is humour to offset the dark subject matter and best of all we get to travel all over Scotland and enjoy the wonderful scenery. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Blood Runs Cold. Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

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.