The Dark Heart

DS Max Craigie #7

by Neil Lancaster

A DEADLY BOMBING

When renowned author Dr. Daniel Solomon is killed in a devastating explosion in York, authorities quickly attribute the attack to Islamic extremists. But as the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.

A DARK CONSPIRACY

DS Max Craigie uncovers a chilling connection between a series of brutal murders, each victim linked by a secret that someone is determined to protect.

A DANGEROUS GAME

With the number of victims growing and an elusive figure known as The Cashier operating in the shadows, Max must navigate a web of corruption and hatred. Can he unravel the truth before more lives are lost?

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 12, 2026

About the author

Neil was born in Liverpool in the 1960s. He recently left the Metropolitan Police where he served for over twenty-five years, predominantly as a detective, leading and conducting investigations into some of the most serious criminals across the UK and beyond.

Neil acted as a surveillance and covert policing specialist, using all types of techniques to arrest and prosecute drug dealers, human traffickers, fraudsters, and murderers. During his career, he successfully prosecuted several wealthy and corrupt members of the legal profession who were involved in organised immigration crime. These prosecutions led to jail sentences, multi-million pound asset confiscations and disbarments.

Since retiring from the Metropolitan Police, Neil has relocated to the Scottish Highlands with his wife and son, where he mixes freelance investigations with writing.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

DS Max Craigie and the team, lead by ‘Potty mouthed’ but highly amusing, DI Ross Fraser, are called in to investigate the death of a renowned author, killed by an explosive device in a York car park. This tragic event was initially thought to be a terrorist attack, but Craigie thinks otherwise and his doubts are well founded. Other vicious murders take place, and although they’re initially believed to be unrelated, that theory is soon disproved. It becomes clear that a contract killer nicknamed the Cashier is behind these brutal murders, but why and on whose orders?

I have to say that the DS Max Craigie series is one of the best amongst the saturated crime thriller/police procedural genre. The author is a former Metropolitan Police Detective which lends authenticity to the proceedings.Tartan Noir of the highest standard!

The Dark Heart is a complex, gripping storyline, with some heart stopping moments, that reveal a Russian link. The excitement hums as the chase for the evil perpetrators grows more intense. Neil Lancaster has created a team of detectives who exhibit everything you’d expect from a group of committed professionals operating in a high pressure environment, ( including lots of light hearted banter) and each and every one of them plays their part to perfection, which is why we, (the fans of this series), love them. Highly recommended!

*Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Max Craigie of Police Scotland Standards Reassurance #7

A car bomb in a York car park kills Dr Daniel Solomon, a best selling author of a book espousing unity among faiths. Are Islamic extremists responsible? The authorities assume so as all the signs seem to confirm it but all is not what it seems, as the death toll rises. Lurking behind these vicious attacks is a brutally efficient killer known as The Cashier. When it transpires that one of the victims has been an MI5 intelligence asset, an agent reaches out to ex spook and surveillance expert, Barney Illingworth.. This in turn brings DS Max Craigie and the team in to try to break the web of hate and corruption, the latter being the units specialism. Things will get a lot worse before they get better as they’re dealing with very dark hearts.

I’m running out of superlatives to describe this top-notch, utterly brilliant thriller series and now it’s 7/7 at a five star rating which is quite some record. What makes the series so readable, apart from the excellent plots, is the terrific characters who now feel like old friends. Although the plot is very dark, you can always rely on excellent banter, usually courtesy of Barney and DI Ross Fraser, who help to ease the tension. Not only is that a good thing as it allows breathing space but I feel that it gives the novel a real air of authenticity and realism. How could police teams cope with day-to-day awfulness without some humour?

The plot is complex and well connected with topical and all to believable elements looking at extremism and to hostile lands further field. What it leads to is an action packed, high intensity, maximum octane, tense and exciting thriller with multiple twists. It’s gripping, suspenseful, terrifying, intelligent and engrossing. The storyline has heartbreak but it’s written so empathetically it’s impossible not to feel something.

Overall, this is a fantastic addition to a must read series.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart is the 7th book in the fantastic DS Max Craigie series and if you haven't started this series then I am in serious envy of you as you have 7 great books to delve into.

At the end of the last novel, When Shadows Fall, Lancaster hinted of a change of direction for the team who have, hitherto, investigated dirty cops from local forces. In The Dark Heart, the team are called in when a bomb kills a high profile professor followed by a number of seemingly unrelated murders.

When a connection is found between the murders, DS Max Craigie and the team, lead by DI Ross, are called in to untangle a web of hatred and conspiracy.

I love this series and every new release is a moment of joy for me. As soon as I pick up the book, I am drawn straight back into the team and every character in this series has such a strong and well-defined personality. These books could be read as standalones however I do think you will be missing out on a lot of backstory if this is your first, so I would recommend reading at least a few of the previous novels (all of them if you can).

I had previously worried about the longevity of the series and wondered how the author would be able to keep the books fresh and not just 'busting another dirty cop' however the move here towards a more international, conspiracy-based investigation was great to read and I can't wait to see how the story develops.

There were also some really interesting developments on the personal front as well. Max is a relatively new father and the continued danger from working in this team is clearly playing on his wife's mind. I am keen to see where this part of the story goes with Max's clear conflict between the job and his family.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ | HQ Digital for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think firstly, I should make it clear that I didn’t realise this was book 7 in a series when I requested it from NetGalley and that combined with it being an audiobook is probably essentially the reason this wasn’t a solid 5 for me. To make it clearer, the title certainly works as a standalone for readers who, like me have just arrived to the author/book/series.

The writing here is absolutely solid and it seems the research is eerily meticulous, without the assistance of Google I’m hazarding a guess that the author has inside experience, it’s too on the mark not to be the case.

I think this is right up there amongst the very best detective works I’ve read, and let’s be honest it’s a heavy market out there.

Fast paced, gripping, relatable and believable, brutal but often laced with great humour it’s damned near perfect.

Now for the downside, I enjoyed the narration but not immediately and it’s often make or break for me, especially when it comes to accents, which if you follow my reviews you’ll know I’m overly picky about but the story was too good not to stay with and I did eventually gel with the not so brilliant accents,

I think fans of the series so far will be hard pushed not to give it full marks, I’m pretty certain if I’d built an attachment to the characters and had been all in with the audio I’d have been right there with them.


Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Maggie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart is a crime thriller that grips you from the start with a masterful plot line, suspense and some breathtaking moments
When a body is found hanging from a bridge that straggles the borders of England and Scotland it becomes Scotlands case as the dead man is an informer for the police in Scotland. DS Max Craigie and his team start investigating and uncover horrific connections between this murder and others. With the UK secret service becoming involved it soon becomes clear that a dangerous group are not only main suppliers of drugs but also trying to destabilise the whole country.
Max is using all his experience and with his team continue to investigate at a fast pace being pulled in all directions. With some hard hitting and also heart breaking scenes this is a brilliantly well constructed thriller where the tension is high as are the actions that take place.
I have enjoyed all the previous books in this series but this one gripped and astounded me with the hard hitting evilness of the characters and suffering that was caused . An absolutely 5 star read from start to a very satisfying finale.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

[Claire Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Craigie and the team are back and wow what a case they have to solve!

This is my 7th Max Craigie novel and each one has been utterly standout in its execution and delivery. The quality of Neil’s writing and the way in which he allows each story to carefully unfold is just masterful.

I’m totally here for the banter within the team too… and this story has plenty! Ross is by far the funniest and dual-natured character on the team. But it is within this book we get to experience just how good Neil is at creating a world of well crafted and believable characters. In one corner we have loveable yet grumpy Ross and the dedicated, loyal and hard working Max whilst in the other corner we have characters such as Stringer or X who are introduced with terrifying detail and command attention.

This story had me pulled in all directions, I was gripped, excited, terrified and also crying in one part! The characters combined with Neil’s ability to build tension in almost every scene left me feeling emotionally wrung out by the end.

Brilliant. Read it now.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! What an absolute cracker of a case for Max and co. It's the kind of story that opens with a bang (every pun intended) and carries on with the same sense of threat, menace and pulse pounding tension right to the very end. I ate it up. I already loved the books, and the characters, but this is just another great reminder of why, and what a brilliantly engrossing storyteller Mr Lancaster is.

I actually wondered what Neil Lancaster had against authors, given how this book starts, and the small matter of fact that he is one himself, but, as ever, there is method in the madness that he creates on the page, and if you look beyond the clear sense of unease that permeates from those early pages, to the context of what comes to pass, well, it all tells a very different story. This is a book that could so easily be ripped from today's headlines and as a result feels alarmingly current but brushed with the author's great style and featuring his absolutely marvellous cast of characters. From the very first chapter I was hooked, and the breakneck pace of developments, and the acute feeling of risk and threat that fills every chapter, had me powering through the pages until the top notch, wry smile inducing ending.

It is not often that you find the teams tech genius for hire, Barney, asking the team for help but that is exactly what happens here when a former colleague approaches him about an informant who he believes to have been murdered. Not necessarily a case for Max Craigie and team you may think, but with the prospect of corruption at the highest level, and an escalating number of bodies linked to the initial kill, it is clear that they all have their work cut out for them. It is a story packed with intrigue and a multi disciplinary investigation involving police on both sides of the border, as well as the best, or possibly worst of the UK's Spooks, the tension on show is about more than just a rapidly increasing crop of bodies, and all about office politics. I like the additional conflict this brought to the story, as if the battle against some rather unsavoury elements of the North East's criminal fraternity it not enough.

There is so much about this book to love. It is a multi layered story with roots that run far deeper than a simple turf war to take over the drug dealing vacuum presented by the removal of the Hardie clan. But it is a case in which it takes time to get to the heart of the matter, and whilst as readers we are privy to more of the background to the story, gaining the perspective of the bad guys as well as the good, there is still much that we have to uncover, so much to puzzle over, as well as the adrenalin that is created from reading such a tense and rapidly evolving story. There are some moments that really put me on edge, some scenes that are entirely nerve wracking, as well as heart breaking, and that lead to this being a very personal case for Max for reasons that become clear in the reading.

This really is an ensemble piece and every character we have come to know and love is here and pulling their weight in this story. There are a few unexpected, but no less welcome cameos, and quite a few surprises in store. With spies, mercenaries and assassins gracing the pages, as well as the kind of characters it is really very easy to hate or despise, as much for their personal and political convictions as their actions, it's the kind of book that you absolutely want to see people getting their comeuppance. It is seldom that I read about a character with no redeeming qualities and if it weren't for the central bad guys deference to their less than loveable mother, this book comes pretty close. If there was one bad guy who was intriguing, it was the Cashier. Driven merely by the desire to protect their reputation, and their bank balance, you can kind of understand their character, if not forgive their actions.

The conclusion to this whole story is bang on, although it does raise a few questions that I won't discuss here because of potential spoilers. It's probably the only effective way of bringing the case to a close, given the ramifications of what the investigation uncovers, and for me, it absolutely delivered. If you love the series, the characters, as I do, this should most certainly be on you TBR pile. Totally recommended.

[Denis Wheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Useful idiots” is a Cold War term for people who act based on ideology, not realising that they are puppets being manipulated for malign purposes. Two such people are ‘Stringer’ Dent and ‘Shorty’ Shore, drug suppliers in the North West of the UK, but with aspirations to control the Scottish trade. They are also long time trouble makers of the ‘football hooligan’, ‘immigrants out’ variety, and have been deluded into believing that diverting some of their profits into fomenting civil unrest, especially between Muslims and Jews, will be good for England. The authorities believe that a car bomb death in York and the murder of a small time dealer on the Scottish-English border are unconnected events. These types of crime are not within the ambit of “Policing Standards Reassurance”, the Police Scotland anticorruption unit, not least because the bombing was in England. However, one of the team, Barney, is ex SIS, and he gets a tip-off that not only confirms a link, but indicates that an unknown senior figure within the Police and Intelligence community is involved. That is the sort of suspect that the PRS targets, but the case is complicated by cross border policing issues and the range of other UK agencies involved, including NCA, anti-terrorism and MI5.
This is the seventh book in the series featuring DS Max Cragie, and the team, DI Ross Fraser, DC Janie Calder, electronics expert Barney Illingworth, and data analyst Norma. It is a typically robust example of the way they work together, each with their own characteristics and foibles, exchanging banter as they proceed. For the most part, the writing is excellent, progressing the plot, building the tension, as the team unravel the various strands and produce a satisfactory resolution. I say “for the most part” because there are a couple of points where the pace drops because the reader need explanatory exposition and these seemed a bit long and repetitive to me. Maybe I’ve just spent too many years reading this sort of book. Other than that, it is a great story, broadening the scope for the team, which I anticipate will provide more varied plots into the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant!! Superb plot, hooked early on, reeled in and kept dangling right till the end. In my review of the last book, my one negative comment was the overwhelming amount of ‘Scottishisms’, which felt excessive, even for a Scot like myself - I’m happy to say that this book seems to have reduced the amount quite considerable back to what sounds to be a normal amount for daily dialogue. Although I did note slight overuse of the term ‘pelters’ - a Scottishism I’ve never heard of! That being said, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book one bit! I was also delighted that while still being a cranky, foul mouthed boss, D.I. Ross felt more realistic and believable in this book. Still sweary and cranky but not quite so OTT. For me, these points were the icing on the cake of a terrific read.

I won’t précis the plot, you can get that from the book’s blurb. Suffice to say there are some Russian connections, some very ‘on point’ links to extremists stirring the pot by copying the ‘modus operandi’ of other extremists, a fair amount of undercover work and some wonderful team work from the whole ‘policing standards’ team.

I’ve been travelling and visiting grandchildren whilst trying to read this book and it’s taken much longer than it would have done, had I have been at home - it’s a definite page turner. My entire family now read the Max Craigie series and are all very envious of my advanced e.copy, however, all I’ve told them is exactly what I would tell you if you are reading this review, read no further, just go ahead and buy, you will not regret it, whether you have read all the others in the series or not, this could easily be read as a standalone. However, if you haven’t read the Max Craigie series, you are in for a treat and I feel sure you’ll go back to the beginning and read the rest. Honestly, I’m a little bit envious of you!

Well done Neil Lancaster, possibly your best yet! An easy-p easy five stars!! My thanks go to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced e.copy of this book. The opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.

[Jen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart is the seventh book is the DS Max Craigie series, written by Neil Lancaster, and, as always, narrated wonderfully by Angus King.

The book starts right in the middle of the action, in York, as opposed to Scotland, which surprised me. Life is good for Daniel Solomon. He has just attended his own book signing, his book is riding high in the best seller lists. In the space of a heartbeat, everything changes, that night will become part of the legacy that he leaves behind. Fast forward a year, and we find Max and the team, at the start of what will be a dangerous and complex case, that will leave its mark on everyone involved.

Neil’s characters are so richly drawn. They are vivid and very much alive in my mind. I lived their experiences alongside them, worrying for their safety and well-being. It goes without saying how wonderful Angus King’s narration is, it is a given, no questions asked.

The Dark Heart is a dark read. It faces head on the issues we all face in modern life. The increasingly polarised world we live in, where it seems people aren’t judged for who they are, but by their faith or where they were born in the world. Lines of division firmly drawn, empathy and humanity being lost. The storyline felt so current and relevant, it took no imagination on my part to believe the story. I was invested and gripped immediately.

Due to the ridiculous size of my tbr, I haven’t picked up a book in this series since the third book, The Night Watch. I now realise my mistake, as I have missed out on what I know will be three wonderful books. I need to rectify that by heading back to Blood Runs Cold. The Dark Heart is a gritty read, which held my attention tightly. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Max Craigie series has rapidly become one of my all time favourite series, this latest may just be the best yet. As a read I was drawn in from the opening pages, there is a familiarity to the writing, the characters and the gripping storylines. This was a book I found hard to put down. As a story it is pitched perfectly for todays world and times.

It is slickly and complexly plotted, wonderfully constructed and layered. One of the things I love about the books is the way that the author creates his characters, they all have that air of believability, I can formulate my own mental picture of each, they are always superbly brought to life on the page. You also get a strong sense of place and location within the books.

Neil Lancaster has this natural way of just letting the story flow, it is storytelling of the highest quality. I love the banter between Ross, Craigie and the team, it’s quick, slick, shows a camaraderie between the team, there is a dry humour to it, thats not to underplay the seriousness wtih which they take their roles and responsibilities. Within the team it is refreshing to know that each play a pivotal role, there are no egos.

As a read it packed with heartfelt emotion, you can see the heartache within Max and the anguish and fear within Katie. I often feel sorry for Max as he visits some dark places, only now he a daughter, the author brings to the fore a subject matter not often talked about and does it with empathy and understanding.

As I have come to expect, there is that overwhelming sense of authentic realism to the story, the characters actions, you can see the authors experiences shine through bringing an attention to detail which is second to none.

It is compelling, pacey full of suspense, heart pounding a full on rollercoaster experience that totally had me gripped and enthralled. The story has an explosive opening and doesn’t let go right up the closing pages.

The way the tension is built up and the dramatic twists and turns guarantee one satisfying read. I read purely for entertainment and boy does this do that.

Neil Lancaster proves himself again to be one of todays foremost crime writers,

I cannot recommend this book or the series as a whole highly enough, definetly one any crime afficianado should be reading. It’s hard to believe this is book 7, each one a work of pure strength and quality.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Heart, is the seventh book in the DS Max Craigie series by Neil Lancaster. This is a series they I regretfully dip in and out of and really do plan to catch up on the earlier novels. I wasn’t immediately gripped by this novel, but the more I read the more I became engrossed.

The Dark Heart, sees the return of DS Max Craigie and deals with corruption, deception, and vengeance. Author Dr. Daniel Solomon dies in a disastrous explosion in York and the tragedy is swiftly identified as a terrorist attack. DS Max Craigie isn’t convinced by the assumption and when he starts to look closer identifies inconsistences that are more convoluted.

Further investigations uncover links between Solomon’s death and a series of savage murders, each victim bound by a dark secret someone will kill to protect. As the investigation unfolds, a sinister figure known only as The Cashier emerges from the shadows, his influence stretching well beyond the crime scene, infiltrating the highest echelons of power.

Neil Lancaster, himself a former detective, brings believable detail to his writing, authentic police procedural detail, while maintaining a fast paced thriller. It took me time to get back into the characters as it’s been a while since I read the last book in this series but by the end I was ready for more. Well plotted and full of suspense, making it a very good crime novel.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* I nearly abandoned this brilliant book because I'm unfamiliar with the series and struggled with the Scots speak. Gah, a GREAT start to 2026.

So, maybe I'd have been better off reading the previous books in the DS Max Craigie series, as I found the Scottish terms and words (like heid for head, polis for police) irritating and tiresome. There was a deluge of characters that I'd not been expecting and I kept mistaking the female cops for Max's wife, wondering how she kept appearing. It started off really confusing.

Once the Dent brothers made their appearance, things picked up. The storyline isn't far removed from 2026 real life, with Russian, Chinese and other hostile interference making it utterly believable. And some of the twists, the UC work, the willingness of Max's team to get things done was pretty kickarse. The tale wasn't pleasant, and so it was satisfying in a way that far too few books are, that everyone who deserved their fate got their fate. Yes!!!! The tech stuff was believable with just the right amount of Spooks - the TV series - to make it all work. Can't wait to read the next, and to figure out if Max's last conversation prior to his holiday wasn't his way of doing justice for the fallen Joe, a lovely character. I suspect that the 'my boss' conversation with the bad guy meant that Max knew exactly what'd happen, and that it'd be untraceable. Oh, plus the video. Brilliant.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and HQ, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a renown and apolitical author is blown up in a carpark in York the crime is put down to Islamic extremists based on the evidence remaining of the bomb. A source, however, known to Barney, the old spook who lives in a camper van and assists the “Policing Standards Reassurance”, the Police Scotland anticorruption unit, thinks differently and DS Max Craigie and his team are called in to investigate. This leads them to a sting operation with drug dealer Stinger Dent and his side kick, in an attempt to find out who is really behind the author's death.
This the sixth Max Craigie book I've read and I've loved them all, thinking of the team as old friends and relishing the chatter and banter between them. The series is well thought out and polished, the plot moves along at pace, and while some of the techie stuff reads like gobbledygook to me, it all seems to make sense in the end. With drug dealers, Russian spies and twisted security agents involved, there are twists and turns aplenty, along with some quieter, more serious moments, where both the characters and the readers, pause and take stock.
I would thoroughly recommend this book, which can be read as a stand alone, but is very much more enjoyable for having read the previous novels in the series. I hope for many more.
With thanks to the author, Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for an early read in return for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jewish author Dr Daniel Solomon Is killed by a car bomb in York. At first, they think that it is action by extremists but further into the investigation Max Craigie know there is something more sinister going on. When more bodies turn up, he figures that there is a connection, that someone out there is trying stop secrets getting out.
A figure emerges from the shadows called The cashier operating in the shadows. Weaving a web of hatred and corruption not only with his peers but though the Police justice system. Max and his team have their work cut out finding the perpetrators which this time spans through each border.
The Dark heart By Neil Lancaster is book 7 in this superb series involving DS Max Craigie. We are back with another action-packed thriller witch Max Craigie and his team and don’t forget Barney too. At first in the first few chapters of the story I found this to be hard to get into but as I further read into the story it all became clear, and I didn’t want to stop reading. The writing is believable and realistic due to the authors background in the Police and armed forces. The writing is original, and you can’t help loving the characters in the series. This is another fab read you don’t want to miss. 5 stars from me.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Dark Heart by Neil Lancaster

As a massive fan of this series, I was excited to dive into The Dark Heart, and it didn’t disappoint. Once again Lancaster delivers a tense, clever and thoroughly absorbing police procedural with plenty of edge and depth.

This instalment sees DS Max Craigie and the team drawn deeper into the murky world of Russian-linked crime and long-term infiltration. Craigie remains one of my favourite leads: sharp, thoughtful and instinctive, with just the right mix of grit and humour to carry the darker elements of the story. His interactions with the rest of the squad bring warmth and humour to the storyline, offering moments of levity amid truly unsettling plot lines

The procedural detail is authentic and well paced, and the way the plot weaves between intelligence work, criminal networks and character insight is compelling throughout. The tension is constant but the funny and human moments that make you care about the team as much as the case.

A gripping, well crafted thriller that keeps this series strong and engaging. Brilliant character work, especially around Max Craigie, and a story that stayed with me long after I finished.

[Karen Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart Neil Lancaster

5 stars

Yet another DS Craigie page turner

I absolutely love this series of books featuring DS Max Craigie. In my review of the last book I wondered if now Max is a new father this would curtail his willingness to get involved as much as he has done before. Despite his misgivings at putting himself into danger he cannot resist going undercover when he is called upon to solve 3 murders. Initially the case seems like a relatively minor crime regarding 2 Scottish lowlifes, but before long it turns out that there are far more sinister events going on relating back to an earlier assassination and a potential future one that could have repercussions that are far-reaching for the whole country.

This book is fast moving and the plot is excellent but I always love the characters with whom Max works including my favourite foul-mouthed Detective Ross Fraser. The author also writes with great empathy when dealing with tragedy and treats Max's PTSD due to his military career with sympathy.

I hope this series continues for a long time as I really enjoy these books and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good detective story.


Karen Deborah
Netgalley

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Neil and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Dark Heart before the publication date.

This well crafted tale is the 7th book in the series and the main characters are now well developed.
It is a real page turner which involves some very topical, disturbing and thought-provoking subjects, taking the reader into the world of drug trafficking, indoctrination and politics.

The complexity of the case will see the Policing Standards Reassurance unit working cross border and with multiple government agencies, most of whom are unknown to them.

Max Craigie now has responsibility for his wife and 1 year old daughter, Evie. (not forgetting Nutmeg ).
With previous cases having impacted Max’s health and family, can he cope with the pressures of this case while protecting himself and his family?

The serious aspects of the book are lightened by the banter and the comical thread, mainly attributable to the actions of the irreverent D.I. Ross Fraser. His use of Scottish slang and an ever-increasing “Ross” dictionary, which he makes up as he goes along, never cease to be amusing yet I feel that the author has pushed the comical aspect a bit too far.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Max Craigie #7.
They are back, and this is just as explosive as the previous books.
Daniel Soloman has just finished his author event. As he returns to his car, there is an explosion. It looks like Islamic terrorism, but is it?
The team is brought together after an informant is found hanging from a bridge after being tortured. An ex spook is found dead, made to look like suicide.
The Cashier is an assassin. Who is ordering these killings and why?
When Max and the team discover that a highly respected court judge is next on the list, it's a race against time to find out who is corrupt and feeding The Cashier with information.
As always, this is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes.
The writing is just sublime. The technical stuff I'll admit goes over my head a bit. It's mind-blowing.
Glad to see Ross is his usual gruff self, although he does occasionally show his softer, concerned side. The humour is still there.
What next for DS Max Craigie? He seems to be questioning what going undercover means for his family. Will he continue?
We will have to wait and see.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Simone Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the DS Max Craigie series, publishing on the 12th March. I’ve read all the books in this series so far and although it works as a standalone, I think you get more from the characters if you’ve read the other books. As always the cover is nice and fits well with the other books in the series.

An author is killed in a car bomb and it’s ruled an Islamic terrorist attack. Some time later a police informant is found dead and as more people are killed Max and his team search for the elusive Cashier, a ruthless contract killer with links to Russia.

This is a gripping read and the short chapters keep it pacy. It does switch between different characters perspectives but I didn’t find this confusing to follow as the characters are well defined and I could picture them in my mind. I have a soft spot for Max, although he has his demons he wants to do the right thing and has a strong sense of justice.

If you like crime thrillers I highly recommend this book and the others in the series.

Thanks to Harper Collins publishers and NetGalley for my copy.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Heart is a very good and entertaining read full of tension and suspense that had me hooked from the first page and held my attention and interest all the way through. I really like Max Craigie and loved being back in his world and following him and his team as they investigate a murder and have to liaise with other Police forces and Government Services staff to find a corrupt officer. Neil Lancaster certainly knows how to weave a good story and lure his readers in. Max and the team feel like old friends now and I love the banter between the characters and the humour Neil Lancaster brings into his writing. I was constantly second guessing who the corrupt officer could be and found I was right. Overall a very good thrilling read and an excellent addition to the series. I'd recommend this book and series and say read the books in order to get to know the characters and their histories from the start.

4 stars

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series so it was great to be reunited with Max Craigie and his team of anti-corruption officers. When a professor is killed, it looks like the work of a terrorist group, but when 2 spooks are also killed, a third one reaches out to Barney Ibbotson, an ex agent himself, and the group’s tech specialist, which is how the team get involved. There unfolds a thriller of a tale, involving drug gangs, Russians, and corruption at the heart of the systems designed to keep us safe.
Added to this, Max is the most vulnerable we’ve seen him. He has a baby now, and an awareness of what he has to lose. This is brought home to him in a genuinely heart stopping event in the book. This vulnerability, alongside the dark banter within the team, is what makes this series one of the best. This book lives up to the previous ones in the series and I’m very grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to have read an ARC.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart sees DS Max Craigie and his secretive team back in action in another excellent thriller. What connects a bomb that kills an author in York, a drug dealer hanged on the border between Scotland and England, a Russian in jail and a pair of ambitious criminals? Craigie and his team are tasked with finding out after some intelligence suggests a link to a vast conspiracy.

The case is complex, spanning the border and therefore different police forces and legal systems. Add in the intelligence services and a vicious contract killer known as The Cashier ... and a leak somewhere in the team. Max and his colleagues are in real danger as undercover work and secret surveillance techniques come to the fore.

The Dark Heart is gripping and atmospheric, with violence and death at its core. Max suffers physically and emotionally as he seeks to solve the case. Just a great read.

[Big Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel went straight to the top of my reading list, a long time fan of this excellent series I couldn't wait to get stuck into it.

A well known author is killed by an explosion in a central York car park and a drug dealer who is also a police informer is found hanged near the Scottish border. Two crimes that at first seem unconnected but with intelligence saying otherwise Max Craigie and the team are soon on the case.

Its a gripping police procedural/thriller that has all the tension and intrigue, with a side helping of wit and humour I've come to expect from an author who as a former Police officer knows his stuff. An interesting plot that builds in tension with some truly heart stopping moments as the team come up against their most deadly opponent yet. A great read from start to finish.

My thanks to HQ for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Paul Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Lancaster raises the stakes in The Dark Heart, delivering one of the most gripping entries in the series yet.
Max and his team find themselves up against a far more dangerous tier of villains—an explosive car bombing propels them into a shadowy criminal underworld where contract killers, corrupt cops, and ruthless gangs collide. Working round the clock, they must untangle the threads linking a series of brutal murders and uncover the rot at the heart of the system.

The tension builds relentlessly, culminating in a dramatic showdown in Newcastle’s heartland. Realistic, fast-paced, and packed with grit, this is Lancaster at his best—an unflinching thriller that keeps you hooked to the very last page.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a fatal bomb attack in York which looked like a terror attack more deaths occur and appear to be linked but not everyone is convinced.

A prisoner has been released earlier than expected when his trial falls apart as the main witness is a no show. Was he involved in the deaths and even if not how is confidential information getting to the perpetrator?

Max and the team are back for another investigation and are on fine form. Ross, my favourite was a bit toned down sadly but hopefully next time he will be his usual even more sweary self.

I loved this book as much as the previous ones and am already looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the DRC.

[Julie Friar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7 of the DS Craigie Scottish crime thriller series. These novels just get better and better.

An author is killed in an explosion but who is responsible? More killings take place and DS Max Craigie will investigate to try and identify the Cashier and who he works for. Max now has a beautiful young daughter and he must keep his family safe. This case brings immense pressure made worse by leaks.

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Excellent characters especially in Max and his team. A novel full of tension, suspense, twists and turns. First time in this series I listened to the audiobook rather than reading myself and I would highly recommend it. Very intense excellent read.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seventh book in the excellent series featuring DS Max Craigie. A recently released prisoner returns to his drug dealing business but he now has a mission beyond just making money. Three suspicious deaths within a short space of each other are soon recognised as connected and it is up to Max and his fellow team members to trap the culprits.
Neil Lancaster writes an exceptional thriller. The details of the police procedure are fascinating and I particularly love the high tech gadgets and surveillance tactics. The characters work well together and Barney is definitely one of my favourites. Always an entertaining and quick read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Heart is book number 7 of the DS Max Craigie Scottish crime thrillers and what a cracker it is! This seventh installment expands its scope, blending classic police procedural elements with a high-stakes conspiracy that reaches far beyond the Scottish borders.

I have read every book in this series and given each one a 5 star review and this one is no different. Like the previous books in the series it is a well written, fast paced, tense and compelling read which I struggled to put down. It has great characterization and I laughed at the comparison of Ross to Jackson Lamb because I had previously thought they were similar characters.

I am already looking forward to Book number 8 and I think the whole series would make a great tv show.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another edge of your seat DS Max Craigie investigation to keep me captivated, it felt a little different to previous books with the introduction of different areas of investigation.
Despite being part of a series there would be no issues reading as a standalone book. The latest instalment was overall an interesting storyline that kept my interest to the last page, with good tension throughout. I read it so quickly, being driven by the fast pace and the desire to know what happens next.

I would recommend this series to fans of Harlan Coben books.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for offering this ARC in exchange for my personal thoughts.