Just absolutely bloody brilliant as usual. I was hooked from start to finish. And as usual I did not guess who it was. I love this series and the character's are fantastic. Once again I was laughing at the ribbing between them. I recommend this series to everyone. Cannot wait to read the next book.

This is another outing in the highly enjoyable, slightly improbable series following DI Max Craigie and colleagues as they investigate and expose serious criminality and high level corruption all across Scotland.
A member of a notorious crime family wants to do a deal, offering information about an unsolved disappearance in return for a quick and easy route to parole. Craigie smells a different sort of rat, and when things go badly wrong the hunt is on to uncover who wanted to keep the bodies buried.
Fans will get what they want, new readers will quickly be looking to catch up on the previous four books. There is enough character development to make readers care, not so much it gets in the way of the plot and the set pieces. Very excited for the next in this series.

I was certainly pleased to see the latest Max Craigie thriller, the 5th in the series by Neil Lancaster. While it's good to revisit the characters that have been so well developed in the previous four books, this , like the others, can be read as a stand alone story. I am sure if anyone comes to this having not read the previous books in the series they will very quickly wish to rectify that situation.
In The Devil You Know the reader encounters again the gangster Hardie family, somewhat depleted by the death of the head of the family and the presumed death of Tam. Only Davie and Frankie remain and they are both in prison for a long stretch. Davie is desperate to get out however and wants to do a deal with the police, much to the concern of big brother Frankie who tries to remind him that Hardies never collaborate with the police. Davie is also determined that Max Craigie should know nothing about the proposed deal and newly appointed Deputy Chief Constable Louise Campbell is happy to confirm this request. Of course Max does find out and along with the rest of the established team of Ross, Janie, Barney and Norma, sets out to see that justice is done, each utilising their unique skill sets and combined team loyalty.
As in the previous books in the series one of the really strong points is the strong and realistic relationships between the characters, not only the tight knit group of 5 but also relationships between Max and his wife Katie, and the team with their boss Chief Constable Chris Macdonald. In this new novel in the series there is also a lovely relationship briefly drawn between a police dog, Wendy, and its handler which I really enjoyed reading.
Another of Neil Lancster's strong points is his depiction of locations in Scotland, particularly this time a remote area just outside Glasgow and a small Highland village.
The reader looking for thrills gets lots of murders, tension and car chases as well as drones and technological wizardry.
This is a book that keeps you guessing. It's a quick read but also one I was sorry to finish. Highly recommended to readers of good crime fiction.

Having read all of the author’s previous Max Craigie novels, I was very pleased to be approved to be given an advance copy of this one. I was not disappointed, as it returns to Max Craigie and his team as they tackle corruption in high places in the Scottish justice system.
The plot is devilishly convoluted, and the process of the team unmasking the perpetrators is very clever. The dialogue is often amusing, if fruity, the dynamic within the team is entertaining. The characterisation is excellent, as always. This book could easily be read as a standalone novel, but I would recommend reading the books in sequence, for maximum reading enjoyment. It was fun to rejoin Max and his team in their latest exploits. I look forward to the next in the series with anticipation.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Another gripping page-turner from Neil Lancaster. I love the characters, the story is compelling, and the book is well-written. Even the technical detail is appropriate and not too nerdy. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Devil You Know is the next installment in the DS Max Craigie, which quickly became one of my favourite crime series. I love the spin on the typical police procedural, with Craigie's team involved in uncovering corruption. There's also some long running themes across the books, which feature again in this book. Davie Hardie is the last man standing of the infamous Hardie crime family, and currently in prison for his crimes. He's looking for a way out, and is offering information about a cold case murder in exchange for his freedom. However it's not a straightforward exchange for Hardie, as you can be sure that there are others who want to keep him silent.

What I really enjoyed in The Devil You Know is the in-depth characterisation, which will at times suprise you. Davie Hardie may have been part of a top level crime syndicate but it doesn't mean he can't be vulnerable in the face of danger.

When someone works really hard to ensure that Scotland's finest corruption busting cop team is kept away from a case, you know straight off the bat that it's just not going to end well. For the criminals, that is. To be fair, I don't even think Davie Hardie could predict how epically badly his attempt at double cross and subterfuge might go, but Neil Lancaster certainly takes us all to very unexpected places. Right from the very beginning of The Devil You Know you can see that there are dark and powerful forces in play, and even the merest hint that their security and freedom is at stake is likely to lead to a bid for retribution. But it's not just Hardie who needs to watch his back and far from being excluded from the case, Max Craigie and the team are set to face one of the biggest showdowns of their career. And I loved it.

I do love this series. A real blend of action, tension and some good old fashioned humour makes for a very addictive and fast paced read. As character's go, Max Craigie is compelling enough to capture a reader's attention, but when you look at the wider team, fellow officer, DC Janie Calder, former spook Barney, Intelligence Analyst and all round computer wiz, Norma, and their overly sarcastic leader, DI Ross Fraser, you have the perfect mix of personalities and capabilities, even if, in Ross' case, it seems to centre mostly around winding up his superiors with a less than respectful approach to communication. I really love spending time with them and just know, no matter what challenges they face, they are going to come good. Not that it doesn't come close to disaster at times, and this book is no exception. But if they go down, they are going to go down swinging and, for Max especially, there is too much at stake to drop the ball on the particular case.

This is a proper cloak and dagger kind of a read. Whilst we know who some of the bad guys are, they are not the person ultimately pulling the strings. There is a promise of a really big and notable scalp if they can get to the root of this particular evil but the author plays his cards very close to his chest and the identity of this books 'Mr Big' is well hidden. Keeping Max and co on the periphery does add a layer of complexity to the investigation, but you know the team won't just sit back and relax - that would make for far too dull a read if the bad guys are allowed to just run riot around the streets of Scotland. There might not actually be a lot of running involved in this case, but there is plenty of tracking and a tidy amount of misdirection and a chase, of sorts, up the country. With plenty of surprises, and more than the odd moment of shoot 'em up action, there is plenty to keep the avid police thriller lover glued to the page, and for those of us who love the irreverent, and sometimes obscenity charged humour, rest assured, Ross is on fine form.

The race towards the end is truly dramatic, the uncovering of the 'double agent' quite surprising but effective. The ultimate ending - well quite sweet to be honest, but not sure what impact that will have i the future. But, if I didn't know better, I'd be very wary of visiting Scotland - the amount of lawlessness that seems to exist in Neil Lancaster's fictional police force alone should give us cause to stop and think. But thankfully Max, Janie and the gang are clearing it all up, one cracking case at a time, and I am totally here for that. Definitely recommended.

Whilst this is the fifth in the DS Max Craigie series, this reads easily as a stand alone. The Devil You Know follows Max and his team trying to crack a brutal corruption case.

This book is absolutely jam packed with action, drama and some grizzly murder scenes. Its fast pace makes it an utter page turner! I really enjoyed it and fully got behind Max and his team. It got my blood pumping and heart racing in some of the scenes. I loved the descriptive nature and the humour peppered throughout (I think “you nugget” is now one of my favourite insults and had me chuckling). The suspense was great and I felt it was cleverly written and had a believable storyline.

My only criticism is that I’d have liked “The Ace” to have been a bit more of a central character. I felt like I was more “who?” than “whaaaaat?” when we found out who it was. It could have been a touch more of a jaw dropping moment.

Excellent series, would recommend. A solid four stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my advanced copy.

I always look forward to reading the next Max Craigie novel and this one didn’t disappoint. Prisoner Davie Hardie announces that he has information relating to a very important person’s involvement in a murder several years ago. He says he wants protection and a transfer in exchange for the information.
Max doesn’t think he can be trusted but new DCC Louise Campbell thinks otherwise and deliberately excludes Craigie from investigations.
When things don’t quite go according to plan Max and his team are soon back on the case , on the hunt for a killer and his boss, but the scenario develops into the hunters becoming the hunted.
This is a tense , pacy thriller which you won’t want to put down .
Thank you very much to the publishers for the very welcome ARC.

Neil Lancaster - you’ve done it again! The Devil You Know is another cracking read in the Max Craigie series, full of twists and turns.
I was a latecomer to this series, starting with Blood Runs Cold, I’ve since read the back catalogue and not a single book disappoints.
Thoroughly recommend - 5stars!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

DS Max Craigie returns in The Devil You Know which is another excellent police corruption novel from Neil Lancaster which kept the pages turning from the first page to the last one.

This is a superb series and the latest book is definitely recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I must admit I haven't read the previous books, but it don't think this hindered my enjoyment or spoiled the read. Well-written and a great plot. Recommended.

Well that was a read and a half! So much so that I'm still recovering... thrills, humour, brilliant characters and a hero you can relate to in Max Craigie.
What I love most about this series is that the natural progression of the series characters is believable and that makes me totally invested in them!
The writing is fast paced and the techie elements add to the authenticity of the plot.
5* from me

*4.5 stars*

Book #5 in the DS Max Craigie series, and it’s certainly lost none of its appeal.

Six years ago Polish sex worker, Beata Dabrowski met up with her lover in a Glasgow hotel and then simply disappeared.

In the present day, DS Craigie and his team are once more involved with the Hardie crime family. Hardmen Davie and Frankie Hardie are both serving prison sentences, but Davie has something he wants to share with the police - he says he wasn’t responsible for Beata’s death, but he knows where her body can be found, however, he demands that he receives a shorter term in a cushier prison in return for leading police to the location. The day dawns when the mission to locate Beata’s body is to go ahead, but it’s unexpectedly high jacked by persons unknown, it’s a violent attack, and Craigie and his crew are drafted onto the case - a case that will be long, dangerous, but totally gripping for the reader.

Neil Lancaster really knows how to create an elaborately involving storyline and skilfully combines the multi-layered elements to create an electrifying climax. DS Craigie, and his colleagues, DI Ross Fraser, DC Janie Calder and ex MI5 (and blunt talking) Yorkshireman, Barney, provide the reader with much witty banter, which helps create a more light hearted and amusing backdrop to alleviate the seriousness of the crimes they’re dealing with. Another winner for Mr L.

Neil Lancaster never disappoints. An excellent continuation of the series, this is another fast-paced and credible story. It's impossible not to get caught up in the action as the clock ticks towards closing the case before more damage is done.

Neil Lancaster delivers a gripping Scottish thriller, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin and Marion Todd.

I was lucky enough to catch the first book of the Max Craigie series and was immediately hooked. The latest case (no 5) is even better. It reads well as a stand-alone but I recommend reading from the beginning. If you are looking for a new series and like ‘tartan noir’ I highly recommend them. The latest book has characters referenced from a previous book but don’t be put off.Excellent plot, descriptive writing, authentic with good procedure and well written. Lots of action which builds to a gripping climax. The small team investigating corruption within the ranks is tight with plenty of banter. I really enjoyed it, a definite 5⭐️ from me.

I thank the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of thi book in return for a fair review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and although the author does a great job of making it a standalone read, I am sure my enjoyment would have been greatly enhanced had I read the preceding 4 books in the series to which this appears to be a conclusion. The central characters are very well delineated and make a good central core to the book. The plot is clever and very satisfying. But i don't think I now want to go backwards so I look forwards to Neil Lancaster's next one - I have earmarked him as one to watch out for.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.
I'll try to be unbiased, but it's difficult as I've been on the Max Craigie journey from book one and dare I say it, this is in my opinion probably the best one yet.
As well as the main story surrounding the murder of a woman in Glasgow six years ago, we learn more main characters from previous books.
As usual, there are loads of twists that i personally didn't see coming.
Already looking forward to the next one.
An easy task to award five stars.

Six years earlier Polish sex Beata Dabrowski went missing and never heard of again. Six years on, Davie Hardie is in castrated in High security Shotts Prison after a previous crime he committed that DS Max Craigie was involved in and wants a cushier residence. He is willing to give information to Police Scotland of the whereabouts of Beata in exchange to be moved to a prison with better privileges and a shorter sentence. But he is adamant that he doesn’t want Max and his team to be involved. Little do they know there is more to this confession than meets the eye.
But when Davie is brought to the location by the Police and an escape plan is set in motion. Davie is shot dead by a mysterious sniper. But how did they know he would be at that location? The security of what was going down was tight. So, how did they find out? Is there a leak in the Police force? Max and his team are brought in to find out what happened and protect the last remain Hardy brother still in jail. Does he know what happened Beata all of them years ago?
The Devil you know is book 5 in the DS Max Craigie series and this series just seems to get better and better. This is another gripping full of action thriller. Mr Lancaster can do no wrong in my eyes. It not only has a great and believable storyline. But I love the characters in it. The relationships and the camaraderie in the team and don’t forget the Turncock tea cakes. I couldn’t get enough of this storyline I read it in one day, way through the night. I will wait in anticipation for the next book in this fabulous series. 5 stars from me.