Going Dark

Tom Novak #1

by Neil Lancaster

"Other thriller writers do research. Lancaster lived it. And now he is ready to tell you about it. His hero, Tom Novak, is a soft-spoken hard man who makes Jason Bourne look like a vegan Pilates teacher. If you like your thrills fast, gritty and authentic as all hell, then Going Dark should be top of your reading list." - Tony Parsons, Sunday Times Bestselling Author. Tom Novak is a troubled soul with a dark and bloody past. A former refugee, Royal Marine, and member of the elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment, he now finds himself struggling with the deadening routine of day-to-day policing. When he is deployed undercover to infiltrate a gang of people-traffickers, things go badly wrong. Faced with an impossible choice, his cover is blown and he finds himself on the run from the Serbian mafia and even his fellow police colleagues. With no-one to trust, and his enemies using all the resources of the state against him, Tom has only one to Go Dark. Who are the police traitors feeding the Serbian mafia his every move? Is there anyone he can trust? Can Tom prove his innocence before it’s too late? Going Dark is the debut crime thriller from former covert specialist Detective Sergeant Neil Lancaster, and the first in the Tom Novak series. If you enjoy gritty suspense, thrilling action and flawed heroes battling against the odds, then you’ll love Going Dark. Get Going Dark today, and enter a murky world where all is not as it seems, and enemies lie around every corner. “A great read. Lancaster clearly knows his stuff.” - Stephen Leather, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series. "Authentic and addictive. Written by someone who's been there and done it. Highly recommended." Mark Dawson, bestselling author of the John Milton series. “A genuine gripping page-turner from a new author with real insider knowledge… the pace and tension are relentless.” - Alex Walters, author of the DI Alec McKay series. "Full of twists and turns. A cracking read." - Kate London, author of Post Mortem, Death Message, and Gallowstree Lane. “A tense, edgy debut that captures the mind and captivates the reader.” - Ian Patrick, author of the Sam Batford series. “If you enjoyed my Manhunt look out for this. A novel written by a bloke who actually worked on my investigation.” - Colin Sutton, author of Manhunt – How I Brought Serial Killer Levi Bellfield To Justice.

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Detective, Contemporary

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2019

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

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The central protagonist is not as immediately appealing as DS Max Craigie, the author’s bestseller series but he definitely grows on me and he’s certainly fascinating. This is a high octane, gritty and fast paced thriller with a well thought out plot that does require some disbelief suspenders but it’s never dull! What more can you ask for? I’m up for Book 2 that’s for sure. If you like action movies such as Jason Bourne then this is for you.

Features organised crime including trafficking and corruption.

A Kindle Unlimited read.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Non-Stop Thriller With Authentic Police Action And Spell-Binding Adventure!!

All I can say is WOW!! What a fascinating adventure with an ex-military undercover turned cop! Tom Novak has a fascinating back story, a young boy who watched his Dad killed, raised in Scotland by a great couple, and taught by his adopted Dad to 'Always do what is Right'.
This has become his mantra over many experiences, and his story is told by an author who knows what he is talking about!! I grabbed this book after author Mark Dawson mentioned his expertise in police matters and he has Definitely gained a new follower!!! A story you dive into, unable to stop until the last word and period!! 5 Golden Stars for All lovers of thrillers and an amazing police procedural!
I am So looking for the Next!##

[Simon Bewick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When there are a thousand and one authors out there trying to create a new Jack Reacher, there's always going to be a touch of cynicism about a new writer on the block with a tough cop/ PI/ similar trying to right wrongs, so why bother with Going Dark, a debut novel by Neil Lancaster? A few things - unlike the caricature the aforementioned mega-seller has become, Tom Novak is an interesting character, and definitely has the potential for a series star: a former refugee, Royal Marine, and member of an elite army force, he is now working his way through the daily grind of everyday police life. Until that is, he's put into an undercover operation that changes everything and risks him and everyone around him.
This is a book that encourages cliches - from the reader, not the writer: and I've probably started the review with the biggest one in comparing the story to the incredibly popular Reacher series. There are others I could include - 'page-turner', 'unputdownable' etc. The truth is, I read this in one sitting (hey, it's sunny outside and a bank holiday has to be used for something), and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author's professional background in crime prevention and detection shines through in the writing: I'm not going to pretend I'm well versed enough in the real world to know if it's 'true-to-life', but the details around surveillance/ counter surveillance provided is impressive. There's most certainly action and violence here, but it's done well: none of the now-beyond-cliche of the protagonist describing in minutae exactly what he's going to do to his next 'thug' victim involving two thousand square torque pivoting swivels blah blah blah that seem to be invading so many fictions these days to prove just how capable our hero is. No. Here, it's done efficiently and effectively. We're never in any doubt that Tom Novak is an incredibly proficient killer, but there's more to him than that, even if he doesn't see it himself: the casualness of violence is given a reason, or at least has the question raised to his indifference to it in the hero's mind. I'm not going to give anything of the plot away - suffice to say there are touches of hero-on-the-run narrative seen from Three Days of the Condor to the Bourne novels, but done in an interesting and fresh way, cliches of execution ( no pun intended) avoided. The supporting cast is strong too, and am sure can and will play a part in future stories. (A massive bonus point for the female lead in the story as well: who does something I haven't seen in a thriller of this type for far too long: has a major part without having to be a love interest..who knew that could happen?!) Overall Going Dark is a strong new entry into the genre/ sub-genre of thriller - hell, even the title means something that relates to the context of the story, unlike so many of the seemingly randomly generated two or three word titles these days consisting of verb+adjective+imperative in any order you want). So Going dark makes total sense - military jargon for communication apparently ceasing but actually just moving to an unmonitored mode to get a tough job done. If you're looking for something a bit, but not too, different from your usual thriller read (and that's not meant as a negative in any way), then Going Dark is one of the most interesting I've read in quite a while.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not my usual type of reading material, not being a Jack Reacher / Jason Bourne / SAS fan at all, but I was surprised to find it was, in fact, very engaging and fast-paced, keeping me up half the night. And I'm even going to procure the next volume in the series.

I have given it 4 stars because I sometimes felt that the author gave much too much detail, although I realise that Mr Lancaster is demonstrating his own personal knowledge and experience as an ex-surveillance and covert policing specialist with the Metropolitain Police, having dealt with organised crime, murderers, corruption, traffickers and many other despicable lowlifes.

[Mr N Dalby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow different but in a good way

I have read many books of this style and was becoming jaded with the similar themes in each of them. This book appears to be in a similar vein but its description piqued my interest and thankfully so. It does have the loner/socially flawed/hero type but in a sufficiently different scenario that was absorbing. If there is a criticism then it is that the book was too short as there were many avenues left unexplored. Looking forward to a follow on

[Dale Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty thriller from Neil Lancaster

I was enthralled by this great thriller by Neil Lancaster. Tom Novak is an ex military man now serving with the police in london. His work carried him undercover into a dangerous job bringing down Serbian gangsters who dealt in trafficking alongside the dodgy solicitor who helped sham marriages into fruition. The characters are really well drawn and descriptive and Tom Novak is fantastic as the hero of the story.I liked the settings stretching from Iraq,London and Bosnia. I've actually got a friend who is Bosnian and I recommend her this book. The action never let's up but it's not over the top at all. Mike owed a favour to Tom Novak from his military days and Tom called it in. Mike and pet are great characters and I was fond of both. It also exposes a darker side to the U.K.particularly in London and even in the police force. The Serb mafia were truly scary and it has me hooked from page one. I'll definitely return to Neil's books and get my next serving from our hero Tom novak.highly recommended

[myreadingescapism · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dang, I always get confused when I read a book, spend half my time rolling my eyes and yawning and then look at reviews and I’m like “did I read the same book?”

I didn’t hate it but I was also thoroughly annoyed with Tom. Convenient. And just wasn’t able to get the charm through the page for the mc.

🤷‍♀️ on to the next

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The synopsis for this book does a great job of giving you an idea about what the story is about. This is the first book in the Tom Novak series and it is nothing if engaging and fast-paced.

The author has done such a great job of creating a character that I immediately liked. He is moody, quiet, emotionless and an absolute force to be reckoned with if you are on the wrong side of the law. He has a past that has in some ways denied him the things many of us take for granted and this has moulded him into the man he is now.

Given the fact that Tom is a dangerous man he is not a danger, he has a focus that is absolute and also has a range of ex-servicemen who he can call on, and call on them he has to. These are loyal people and they would not give their loyalty if it was not deserved.

The case that Tom works is a brutal and topical one and is the start of something far deeper than he ever expected it to become. The author has successfully, in my opinion, woven a story of corruption and trafficking. As I was reading this story I was acutely aware that the author seems to know his stuff, there were many details that are known through experience. It wasn’t until I read a bit about the author that my thoughts were proven to be true.

The story is so well-paced and for the style, it is action all the way from the start to the end. There are a few characters that become memorable for all the right or wrong reasons and I soon found several I immediately liked. The author got the balance right on so many levels for me and made this story a fabulous read.

I have to say I loved this book a huge amount. A bit of a mix of Jason Bourne, James Bond and Jack Reacher… What is it with all the “J’s”! Well, forget the names startling with a ‘J’ look for the one that starts with a ‘T’ for Tom Novak! This was a brilliant action, thriller fast-paced and a brilliantly worked story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing where the author takes me next. This book is one I would Highly Recommend.

[Anandh Sundar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read of action and revenge

Nice character and could be the promising start to a series. Look forward to the rest of the books as well.

[Julie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy Jason Bourne and Taken, and the thriller genre, then you should enjoy this book. Tom Novak, like Bourne, is a restless soul with a certain set of skills. We are first taken on a covert mission in Iraq, then forward to London, where Novak has retired from the military and joined the police force. Novak, we learn, was orphaned in the Serbo-Croatian war and spent his teenage years with a foster family in Scotland, so an undercover operation with the Serbian mafia is no big deal to this seasoned soldier, until it is. When he prematurely ends the undercover assignment in order to prevent a crime, things fall apart and he ends up being chased by the mafia and corrupt police. Lancaster deals the twists and turns of modern police surveillance and technology with an assured hand, and Tom is a likeable character who involves us in his quest not only to find out who is chasing him with the Serbs, but also why he is unable to feel emotions. Scenes with a technological partner are enjoyable and you hope for more between these two in sequels. All in all, an enjoyable and well-paced modern combat and surveillance thriller.

[Richard Ayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cracking read. Although it's set in modern times, it reminded me in a way of all those Desmond Bagley and Alistair MacLean books I used to read as a boy. It is scrupulously researched and there's obviously a lot of the author's own knowledge involved-things that seem very complicated to me but make the novel very 'real'. It's fast-paced and guides the reader through the seedy world of people-trafficking and modern-day crime gangs. Tom Novak is a brilliant character-hard, a little cold, but ultimately a good man who does the right thing. All in all a fantastic read. I'm looking forward to meeting up with Tom again soon in the sequel.

[Darren Keighley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

I haven’t heard of Neil Lancaster before, but the book was recommended to me by my favourite author so I thought I would give it a try.
I am glad I did.
Neil’s debut book had me hooked & I really enjoyed the twist & plot lines which ran to the end of the book.

I can’t wait to read more of what he has wrote & don’t think I’ll be disappointed.

[Michael Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant debut by a hugely knowledgeable author who draws on his experiences to craft a rattling good story - with pace and suspense. The writing is well honed, the structure of the story and the characters blended brilliantly. A super read worthy of success it will achieve.

[Clare Jenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. I got out of curiosity as Neil was at school with my brother and couldn’t put it down. Glad he’s planning more.

[Sue Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent from start to finish really enjoyed the plot and how the story progressed a real page turner I couldn’t put down. Looking forward to reading more from Neil Lancaster!

[Brad H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Leaden simplistic prose. Suitable for remedial middle schoolers.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
So Tom Novak came to the UK as a refugee from Bosnia at the age of twelve and was raised in Scotland by a wonderful couple. He joined the military, did a lot more than many soldiers had to and then came home and became a cop. He's driven and focused -- one could argue that he's obsessed with the job -- he's talented and frustrated with the attitude of many of those above him in ranks and how little they're able to accomplish for the common good. When given a chance to use his background to infiltrate a group of Serbian criminals who are engaging in human trafficking, prostitution, and immigration fraud he jumps at it. The primary target is a lawyer who is defrauding the government, innocent refugees, and young girls -- while making a lot of money -- but if he can take out the Serbs funneling girls to him, well that's just icing on the cake.

I loved the pacing of the undercover work -- it's not one of those where the UC officer meets the bad guy and almost instantly gets taken into their confidence -- there's work, there's time involved. Now, Lancaster takes care of most of that work and time with a time jump and a summary sentence or two. But that's okay, the book would've slowed down considerably and added a few dozen pages to show us all that. He's not giving us a play by play of UC work here -- and he has the qualifications to do that -- it's not that kind of book, it's a Thriller. He makes the nod to reality, and then keeps things moving so that the book can get to the exciting stuff.

It's after the time jump that things go horribly, horribly wrong. Evidence goes missing and the bad guys know who Novak really is and put out a hit on him. Clearly, the police have a leak and Novak can think of only one way to survive -- and maybe uncover the leak and still take care of his criminal targets -- that's by (title alert!) by Going Dark. He hops off the grid, grabs a burner phone and a phony ID he's had ready for just such a contingency, makes a call or two to people he can trust and sets about doing what he can (which is plenty).

Like many action heroes, focus on martial arts, physical fitness, weapons and police procedure doesn't leave a lot of time for things like learning a lot about tech, hacking, and the like. So one of the favors he calls in (from outside the police force, because he really doesn't trust anyone there right now) results in getting loaned this nice young computer savant named Pet. Pet's awesome -- she can do pretty much everything that Novak wants, and doesn't care what rules she breaks while doing so -- and is perfectly willing to risk her neck for this relative stranger. Sure, she strains credulity a bit, but she's entertaining enough that you really don't care (besides, just about everyone else in the book is as realistic as you could hope for. Every thriller needs a couple of larger than life characters, might as well make it a fun techie girl in addition to the super-solider/cop).

With Pet's help, Novak goes on the hunt for everyone involved in his precarious situation -- both within and without the Metropolitan Police. And you know it's not going to go well for anyone he finds.

You've really got three criminal groups at work here -- the Serbs (a couple of brothers, their mother, and eventually their father); the lawyer and his brother; and the corrupt police. The Serbs are your typical rough and tumble crooks who don't care much about their victims, the people they use or the necessity of violence -- they know what they want and will do what they can to get it. Links to war criminals and larger criminal groups back home, make them more dangerous. You've seen the type before, you'll see them again -- and Lancaster nails their characterizations. He possibly does better with the sleazoid lawyer. It took no time at all for me to want bad things to happen to him, and then things got worse. He feels all-too-real and all-too-horrible. The same sentence could be applied to their inside-the-police tools, but I'm not going to say anything more about this group because I'll end up giving something away. So, let's just leave it there. Really this is a pretty impressive group of opponents for our fledgling hero to go up against, larger-than-life assistant or not.

The thing that sets Tom Novak apart from so many super-cops/soldiers/spies that the Thriller world are his particular background and his current psychology. The two are likely related, but lets ignore that. While you can't say his childhood was as horrible as many are, or as it could've been given some of the events that surrounded him. It left an impression on him, it set him apart from his peers and still shapes him -- he's quick to tell anyone who says something that he's not Scottish, or English, or anything else he's tagged with. He may have adopted (willingly or not) his new country, but that's not who he is at his core. More than once -- particularly after things get violent -- that we're shown Novak's emotional/psychological state. It's not what one would expect -- it's not what he'd prefer to see -- but it's who he is. He knows he's different, and his self-awareness helps the reader get insight. I don't want to get into details at this point, but I really hope that Lancaster and his readers get to explore this more.

This is Lancaster's first novel and it shows some, but really he's pretty impressive. I really thought that early on, Lancaster had set up a particular ending. And boy did he not deliver at all. It wasn't as narratively satisfying or expected as what I thought -- but it was a lot more realistic and practical. And Novak is nothing if not practical, so it was fitting. And I always appreciate when an author makes you think you're going to get something and gives you the opposite (in a way that's justifiable, and not lazy or clumsy, anyway). Technically, there was an awkward phrase or two, but nothing major -- I did think he stumbled pretty early by giving us the same information in two back-to-back paragraphs. But those were minor hiccups and it wasn't long before I was too wrapped up in the story to remember them.

This is the second book I've read recently largely based on the recommendation of Ian Patrick, at this point, I'm thinking of just paying him a monthly fee to curate my TBR. It's just a fun read, with the right amount of touches of realism to ground the more fantastic elements. The undercover stuff feels authentic (but what do I really know); the bureaucracy reeks of realism (but DS Novak's complaints seem different than Sam Batford's, Peter Grant's, or Washington Poe's -- to name a few); the inciting crime feels as "ripped from the headlines" as anything that Dick Wolf has done; the characters are solid; pacing and twists are as well executed as you could hope and the action is right up there with the seasoned pro's. All in all, I'm not sure what more you could want from a debut -- I'm hoping I get the chance to see more from Lancaster and more about Novak tout de suite!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw Neil Lancaster at a Bloody Scotland event when he read a bit of his book. I bought a copy for my husband and he said I should read it. I did and I was hooked. It is terrific, fast paced and very topical. I read it over two days and I’m so glad there’s another book in the series. The main character, Tom Novak is so well drawn with a traumatic back story. In his life he has seen and endured a lot but his maxim is to follow his stepfather’s advice , ‘Do what is right’ He’s an officer in the Metropolitan Police when he is called on to go undercover but when his cover is blown he finds himself in great danger from seriously wicked Serbian gangsters. I know it is a cliché, but this book is genuinely a ‘page turner’. It opens a window on the dark world of trafficking, corrupt policemen and all the technology available to thwart them. It was a revelation to me! An extremely well written police procedural with a complex but likeable main character in the person of Tom Novak. A brilliant first in the series.

[Alex Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following an invite to the blog tour for the upcoming Going Rogue by Neil Lancaster, I thought I would read the first in the series staring Tom Novak

Tom came from Bosnia as a 12 year old orphan, taken in by foster parents, now a police officer, Novak is a cold calculating character with a strong sense of justice.

When an undercover job goes badly wrong he finds himself having to go ‘dark’ to escape the Serbian mafia and corrupt police.

A blistering adrenaline rush of action adventure follows, which takes us from the streets of London to the Scottish highlands.

Packed full of pounding exploits, bad guys and violence, guns and more, this is a Crackerjack. A real powder keg thriller.

Tom is incomparable to others in this genre, any similarities to Jack Reacher and the like are far and wide. He is his own indomitable character, cold as ice, he’s a bit of a machine but you can feel and see his humanity. He’s one cool guy.

With a quality backing cast of characters, great settings and descriptions of the weapons and the fights this one kept me glued and enthralled until the end and I can’t wait to get on with Going Rogue to find out what happens with Novak, I think there might well be a lot more to come from this character

Highly recommend actions filled romp!

5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow What did I just read, that was an amazing read. I had been impressed with the DS Max Craigie series adding 3 of the first 6 books to my best of the year so far. Now I have added the first book from this series to the best of year list.

Please take this the way its intended, this series will be replacing the hole left by Scott Mariani's Ben Hoper series, as that has just ended after 31 amazing books. I already have the next 2 books, and I can't wait to start them.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some over the top subplots but all in all Going Dark is quite a fun read.
Actually, Tom Novak’s cold killing is quite satisfying when he hunts bad guys
I will read the next book. 3.95 stars

[skattkatten_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

En hyfsad thriller, välskriven och spännande.

[Claire Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read anything this good for a very long time....

[Keith Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time for this author and it was a fantastic book loved it great story would recommend it to anyone

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Reminds me a bit of the Clancy books I used to read mixed with some Reacher. Perfect beach read!

[Janice Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book - not at the beginning because I thought it was not a book for me but I continued reading and I am so glad I did. I would recommend this book to certain friends. I hope you write another one with Tom as the main character.

[Clive Tilston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read.

[Eddies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, and it was a full on read from the first or second page. I’m new to writing reviews, yet I’m honoured to write this as I found it a 5* full on thunderous read from the beginning to the very end.

If you love fast paced thrillers with a tad of structured revenge.

READ THIS BOOK

Thank you Mr Lancaster, I truly look forward to more cracking high action books from you

Eddie North Norfolk

[Big Bertha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a genre thats already got a lot of ex-military turned cop action heroes, Tom Novak had a lot to live up to and I thought he held his own well in this, his debut appearance.

When his cover is blown undercover cop Tom Novak finds himself on the run. It isn't long before it becomes apparent that the Serbian gang he's running from are getting inside information and have friends in high places, no longer certain of who he can trust and where he can go Novak finds himself running out of options.

The character of Novak had an interesting back story and there was certainly no shortage of action in this novel, it did take a while to grab me but once it did I read the rest in one sitting.
Along with the protaganist there were also some other characters I really liked in this novel, particularly Stan who I read as a real down-to-earth, old fashioned cop, I hope he makes a reappearance in future novels.

I'm definitely interested to see how the character of Novak develops.... he's got a way to go to replace Spider Shepherd in my affections but I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Novak, a Character Drawn from Experience

Both hero and villain, Tom is not your average detective. A Bosnian refugee, he has a dark past that haunts his present.

A murderous and gritty tale that has you gripped from the outset. Justice will be done and the ride is a thrilling, bumpy one. Hold on!