Dead Man’s Grave: The first book in a gripping new Scottish police procedural series for crime fiction and mystery thriller fans (DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers, Book 1)

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I part read, part listened to the book and can quite happily recommend the audio book to anyone who likes a compelling listen.

This is a great police procedural thriller that sees DS Max Craigie at war with a well known local crime family. Tam Hardie had been determined to find the grave - and it took some finding, in an overgrown old cemetery. It is told mostly from Max’s point of view with the reader given glimpses from the other side’s point of view to widen the perspective. We are introduced to former military man Max who toured Afghanistan and has, like so many other soldiers, been left suffering from PTSD, and his years in the army seep into his dreams causing vivid and terrifying nightmares.There is less question over the ‘who’ in terms of the perpetrator of most of the crimes in the book, more over the who is assisting them, and this mystery kept me alert from start to finish, setting us up for a very exciting premise for future books. Unfortunately I knew some of what would happen but it didn’t detract too much from what was an otherwise explosive story! In common with most fictional coppers, Max’s marriage seems to be heading for the rocks and he’s current living apart from his wife while she decides if they still want to be together, but unlike some, Max is determinedly staying off the booze while he’s alone in Scotland. A breathtaking, chilling, Scottish crime fiction mystery thriller about blood feuds, dirty cops, and solving a case that could cost far more than just lives. I was hooked by the opening scenario of the old man in a strange grave and drawn in further by the reason for his murder.

The book opens in a very atmospheric and intriguing location, with renowned crime boss, Tam Hardie Snr, visiting a burial ground which is purported to hold a very intriguing secret from his family’s past. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Neil Lancaster was a policeman in the Met for over 25 years so should have working knowledge of how the police force works in spades and this shows in his work. What is obviously a joke or banter is invariably followed by a description of someone chuckling or of a smile spreading across their face to make sure we’ve got the point – and ruining any lightness which may be intended.I wouldn’t dream of including spoilers, so you will have to guess for yourself whether, for example, Max is Taken Off The Case or whether there is a Tense One-To-One Climax In A Deserted Location From Which He Only Narrowly Escapes. We turned up in the afternoon, mildly hungover (well not Ollie, that would be irresponsible, he’s only ten! Detective Max has an interesting backstory, which includes being haunted by his time in Afghanistan. To celebrate the eBook release of his new breathtaking police procedural Dead Man’s Grave, Neil Lancaster shares the story behind the novel and how one conversation inspired it.

A former Black Watch soldier himself, he may come across as a gruff character at times, but there is a heart of gold in there and he is as set on rooting out corruption as his colleagues. Having said all that, the story itself is well plotted, though a little over the top at times, and the two central characters are engaging and intriguing, the main character’s sidekick more than the protagonist himself, to be honest. I mostly read adult books but do have the occasional foray into YA and middle grade when the mood takes. This is corruption that involves the Hardie family, and certainly impacts the increasing body count in the investigation.

They are well developed characters who are smart and dedicated, even a little idealistic at times, and their banter is great.