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The Dark Heart
Not yet published
Expected 12 Mar 26Don't miss Neil Lancaster's brand-new espionage thriller series! No Mercy available to buy now. 'Ridiculously compelling. Devastatingly plotted. Timely, witty – basically everything you could want’ The Secret Barrister
'Action-packed and totally thrilling, there is also an emotional depth to Lancaster’s writing often missing from high octane dramatic stories. A terrific read' Liz Nugent
'A relentless, beautifully constructed thriller … Lancaster doesn’t just tell the story; he makes you feel it’ T. G. Reid
'Pacy, intricate and terrifyingly good – first class thriller writing’ Marion Todd
*****
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?
Praise for The Dark Heart: 'Lancaster has once again put himself in the top echelons of modern crime writers. This series must never end’ Graham Bartlett
'Neil Lancaster is a natural born storyteller… The Dark Heart is a cracker of a tale — and the best Craigie yet’ John Sutherland
'From the policing to the Scots accents, the authenticity is second to none, and the dialogue is fast and fun. Tense and thrilling’ Sam Holland
'This is topical, timely and eye-opening … Neil is a true master of his trade’ G. D. Wright
'I love the insider touch that Neil brings to this story… I wish I'd found his books sooner’ Alex Gray
'Another ripper from the Lancaster Bomber’ Callum McSorley
'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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Just brilliant!! Superb plot, hooked early on, reeled in and kept dangling right till the end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tense, scary, topical and at times brutal. Brilliant.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The Dark Heart is a crime thriller that grips you from the start with a masterful plot line, suspense and some breathtaking moments’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'If you’re drawn to thrillers that combine procedural precision with emotional depth think Line of Duty meets Broadchurch The Dark Heart will leave you breathless’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Action-packed and totally thrilling, there is also an emotional depth to Lancaster’s writing often missing from high octane dramatic stories. A terrific read' Liz Nugent
'A relentless, beautifully constructed thriller … Lancaster doesn’t just tell the story; he makes you feel it’ T. G. Reid
'Pacy, intricate and terrifyingly good – first class thriller writing’ Marion Todd
*****
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?
Praise for The Dark Heart: 'Lancaster has once again put himself in the top echelons of modern crime writers. This series must never end’ Graham Bartlett
'Neil Lancaster is a natural born storyteller… The Dark Heart is a cracker of a tale — and the best Craigie yet’ John Sutherland
'From the policing to the Scots accents, the authenticity is second to none, and the dialogue is fast and fun. Tense and thrilling’ Sam Holland
'This is topical, timely and eye-opening … Neil is a true master of his trade’ G. D. Wright
'I love the insider touch that Neil brings to this story… I wish I'd found his books sooner’ Alex Gray
'Another ripper from the Lancaster Bomber’ Callum McSorley
'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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Just brilliant!! Superb plot, hooked early on, reeled in and kept dangling right till the end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tense, scary, topical and at times brutal. Brilliant.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The Dark Heart is a crime thriller that grips you from the start with a masterful plot line, suspense and some breathtaking moments’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'If you’re drawn to thrillers that combine procedural precision with emotional depth think Line of Duty meets Broadchurch The Dark Heart will leave you breathless’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audible Audio
Expected publication March 12, 2026
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2 people want to read
About the author
Neil Lancaster
16 books478 followersNeil 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.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 7, 2025
Another high octane outing for Max Craigie and the Policing Standards Reassurance team, but this time there is a darker edge, the humour is more subdued at times, as serious issues such as loss and the personal costs of working undercover and in law enforcement are considered. Here the writing is measured and thoughtful, providing a timely reminder of the real-life sacrifices made, so often glossed over in fiction.
The plot is one of infiltration via drug dealing to get the evidence they need to break the gang and to discover who has been leaking information and giving tip offs to the criminals. Its cleverly constructed and comes together perfectly with even room for a touch of vengeance in the finale. The pacing is generally brisk, but with some slower well-judged periods of reflection. The pain and anguish is almost tangible at times. The danger scenes are short and sharp, with quite a punch. In a way the writing reflects working under cover, where there are periods of inactivity punctuated by sudden action, which gives a realistic feel.
The story centres more on Max and a colleague called Joe who is seconded from Perth to act as his ‘minder’. The allows room for a reflection on Max’s life before he joined the PSR team; he is of course a troubled soul. This means Janie and Barney (a man after my own heart) take a back seat in the storyline, but they still manage to inject plenty of levity. This is another great ensemble piece, with engaging characters driving the plot and reflecting the mood. There is even a wonderful cameo appearance for Max’s shrewd and down-to-earth Auntie Elspeth, a woman who can sort out the troubles of the world.
The theme is one of manipulation. Some is obvious, like kompromat leading to blackmail, whilst others are more subtle, but in all cases weaknesses are located and exploited Misinformation and malign influence have become more common as the internet and technology make them easier to disseminate. What better way to foment unrest than to wind up a disaffected group and direct them to your target. Useful idiots provide plausible deniability. The PSR have a battle on their hands.
The plot is one of infiltration via drug dealing to get the evidence they need to break the gang and to discover who has been leaking information and giving tip offs to the criminals. Its cleverly constructed and comes together perfectly with even room for a touch of vengeance in the finale. The pacing is generally brisk, but with some slower well-judged periods of reflection. The pain and anguish is almost tangible at times. The danger scenes are short and sharp, with quite a punch. In a way the writing reflects working under cover, where there are periods of inactivity punctuated by sudden action, which gives a realistic feel.
The story centres more on Max and a colleague called Joe who is seconded from Perth to act as his ‘minder’. The allows room for a reflection on Max’s life before he joined the PSR team; he is of course a troubled soul. This means Janie and Barney (a man after my own heart) take a back seat in the storyline, but they still manage to inject plenty of levity. This is another great ensemble piece, with engaging characters driving the plot and reflecting the mood. There is even a wonderful cameo appearance for Max’s shrewd and down-to-earth Auntie Elspeth, a woman who can sort out the troubles of the world.
The theme is one of manipulation. Some is obvious, like kompromat leading to blackmail, whilst others are more subtle, but in all cases weaknesses are located and exploited Misinformation and malign influence have become more common as the internet and technology make them easier to disseminate. What better way to foment unrest than to wind up a disaffected group and direct them to your target. Useful idiots provide plausible deniability. The PSR have a battle on their hands.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A number of contract killings have taken place throughout Scotland as well as the assasination of a well known author in York, possibly by Islamic extremists. DS Max Craigie works for the Policing Standards Reassurance (PSR) team within Police Scotland. This unit is a small, specialized team, Series & Organised Crime (SOC) Max and his colleague DC Janie Calder are based at Police Scotland's corporate headquarters at Tulliallan, Fife. They operate under the radar, often reporting directly to the Chief Constable to investigate the most serious crimes, particularly those involving police corruption.
This is a complex case with numerous threads connecting local Drug gangs with mysterious assassins and Russian Kingpins with interesting names such as The Cashier and the wonderfully strange “X” The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Angus King. I believe that the success of an audiobook is due in no small way to the ability of the narrator to bring alive not only the story, but the characters, and to do this he must be quite expert at language and dialect. Angus King’s narration is so accomplished, the story he tells just comes alive in my head, creating such drama and excitement.
This is the first book I have read (listened to) by Neil Lancaster, and am totally in awe of his storytelling ability. The reason he can write such vivid accomplished books is because he has lived that life first as a military policeman, and then a detective with the Met where he investigated the most serious of crimes in the capital and beyond. This involved specialist covert work using any means he could to gain information and evidence from and against murderers, human traffickers and drug dealers. So the books that Neil Lancaster writes reflect a life he knew so well, and oh my goodness what intense, fearful, exciting stories they are………
This is now my No 1 crime author and I heartily recommend this book, so if you are a crime fan you must read. Accomplished, marvellous, wonderful, it will stay with you for many days as will his dark humour!
This is a complex case with numerous threads connecting local Drug gangs with mysterious assassins and Russian Kingpins with interesting names such as The Cashier and the wonderfully strange “X” The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Angus King. I believe that the success of an audiobook is due in no small way to the ability of the narrator to bring alive not only the story, but the characters, and to do this he must be quite expert at language and dialect. Angus King’s narration is so accomplished, the story he tells just comes alive in my head, creating such drama and excitement.
This is the first book I have read (listened to) by Neil Lancaster, and am totally in awe of his storytelling ability. The reason he can write such vivid accomplished books is because he has lived that life first as a military policeman, and then a detective with the Met where he investigated the most serious of crimes in the capital and beyond. This involved specialist covert work using any means he could to gain information and evidence from and against murderers, human traffickers and drug dealers. So the books that Neil Lancaster writes reflect a life he knew so well, and oh my goodness what intense, fearful, exciting stories they are………
This is now my No 1 crime author and I heartily recommend this book, so if you are a crime fan you must read. Accomplished, marvellous, wonderful, it will stay with you for many days as will his dark humour!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I came to “The Dark Heart” as a newcomer to Neil Lancaster’s series, never having met Max Craigie and his team before—but that didn’t matter at all. Within moments, I was absolutely hooked.
The plot is wonderfully twisty—full of surprises but never confusing. It’s so well written, with a depth and pace that keep you racing along while also giving the characters room to breathe and feel real. These aren’t cardboard cutouts; they’re fascinating, multidimensional people that I genuinely got to know over the course of the book.
What really elevates it is how Lancaster explores human nature, both the light and the dark sides. He looks at loyalty, greed, courage and corruption with keen insight, making this not just a gripping thriller but a study of what drives people. The themes are also scarily timely, which gives the story an added punch. It’s gripping because it feels not unplausible, touching on issues that echo in today’s headlines. By the end, I found myself not only deeply satisfied but also eager to go back and read the earlier books to see how Max and his team began.
And I have to say—Angus King’s narration is exceptional. The variety of northern and Scottish accents brings every single character to life, making them instantly distinct and vivid. His delivery perfectly matches the tone and tension of the story, pulling you right into dark corners and dark souls.
Ultimately, The Dark Heart delivers everything I want in a crime thriller—intelligence, heart and humanity. It’s sharp, authentic, and impossible to put down.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio, NetGalley and Neil Lancaster for an advance listening copy of this book.
The plot is wonderfully twisty—full of surprises but never confusing. It’s so well written, with a depth and pace that keep you racing along while also giving the characters room to breathe and feel real. These aren’t cardboard cutouts; they’re fascinating, multidimensional people that I genuinely got to know over the course of the book.
What really elevates it is how Lancaster explores human nature, both the light and the dark sides. He looks at loyalty, greed, courage and corruption with keen insight, making this not just a gripping thriller but a study of what drives people. The themes are also scarily timely, which gives the story an added punch. It’s gripping because it feels not unplausible, touching on issues that echo in today’s headlines. By the end, I found myself not only deeply satisfied but also eager to go back and read the earlier books to see how Max and his team began.
And I have to say—Angus King’s narration is exceptional. The variety of northern and Scottish accents brings every single character to life, making them instantly distinct and vivid. His delivery perfectly matches the tone and tension of the story, pulling you right into dark corners and dark souls.
Ultimately, The Dark Heart delivers everything I want in a crime thriller—intelligence, heart and humanity. It’s sharp, authentic, and impossible to put down.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio, NetGalley and Neil Lancaster for an advance listening copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“The Dark Heart” is book 7 in the DS Max Craigie series, yet it stands as a standalone novel for those of you, like me, that are new to this author and series.
The key thing is what a well written procedural mystery/thriller this is. It is so thorough and will hook you early on in the book. It never feels too drawn out. I can’t praise Neil Lancaster enough for what a great job he has done in writing the characters, mystery, and process.
My only issue was the audiobook. I listen to a lot of books from the UK. I would say they are among my favorites right now. I usually do not have a hard time with the accents or narration. As matter of fact, I enjoy them. But Angus King, the narrator, took me out of the novel on several occasions. It was the performance of the accents that just didn’t connect.
I want to go back and catch up on this series by buying the actual books and reading this one. I almost feel like it would be like reading a new book without his narration.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
The key thing is what a well written procedural mystery/thriller this is. It is so thorough and will hook you early on in the book. It never feels too drawn out. I can’t praise Neil Lancaster enough for what a great job he has done in writing the characters, mystery, and process.
My only issue was the audiobook. I listen to a lot of books from the UK. I would say they are among my favorites right now. I usually do not have a hard time with the accents or narration. As matter of fact, I enjoy them. But Angus King, the narrator, took me out of the novel on several occasions. It was the performance of the accents that just didn’t connect.
I want to go back and catch up on this series by buying the actual books and reading this one. I almost feel like it would be like reading a new book without his narration.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 7, 2025
Here we are on book seven in the DS Max Craigie series, and as the previous six, this action-packed book is extremely well written with a complex plot and a myriad of well developed, and much-loved characters (yes, Ross, I’m talking about you!). The storyline is unique, and whilst many authors write about amount extremism, moral ambiguity and corruption, the amount of research that the author – a former police detective himself, has carried out takes this tale to the next level – the surveillance tech Barney utilises is truly fascinating. The conspiracy at the centre of the tale is perturbing, and somewhat topical…
All in all, this book is captivating, suspenseful and terrifying – a fantastic addition to an excellent series.
All in all, this book is captivating, suspenseful and terrifying – a fantastic addition to an excellent series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dark Heart(DS Max Craigie 7) by Neil Lancaster: ratings story 10/10, characters 10/10, easy to read 10/10, I was given advanced copy(ARC) of this book by the kind people at HarperCollins/NetGalley, it’s the 7th book of the ds max craigie series and it’s is as good as the other books if not better, Totally gripping Scottish police crime thriller, plot After a York bombing is falsely blamed on extremists, DS Max Craigie investigates linked murders and a shadow figure to expose a web of corruption.
#NeilLancaster #thedarkheart #scottishcrimethriller #totallygripping #scotland #musthave #mustbuynovel #additivereading #mustread #midnightcandlesburning #HarperCollins #NetGalley
#NeilLancaster #thedarkheart #scottishcrimethriller #totallygripping #scotland #musthave #mustbuynovel #additivereading #mustread #midnightcandlesburning #HarperCollins #NetGalley
January 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. As with the previous six titles in the series it is fast paced and with several twists. The characters are realistic and the reader gets a further understanding of the make up of the the regulars as these stories unfold. The touches of humour add to the whole event. This can actually be read as a standalone , and I would highly recommend this book
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A well narrated Scottish police crime thriller. There’s an explosive start with a bombing in York, that is falsely blamed on extremists. Full of riveting, fast-paced action with many twists and turns. All is not as it seems. DS Max Craigie investigates linked murders, and a “shadow”, to expose a web of malice and corruption.
It works as a standalone, but looks an interesting series. Recommend
It works as a standalone, but looks an interesting series. Recommend
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews