I was so excited t9 read this as I love the Max Craigie series and I have to say this really lived up to my hopes and expectations. Max’s boss Ross was on absolute top for in this and for me he’s my favourite as he’s just so full of character. I was initially unsure of how Max would be able to investigate when his friend contacted him concerned about a pattern of women climbers falling to their deaths but it was simply explained how it could fall under their remit and from there on in it was a whole lot of action. Neil Lancaster does a great job of keeping up quite a pace with many revelations along the way and I also love the politics between the team and the general police forces they work alongside. The team are on top form in this, the way they’ve developed though the series is fantastic but I’m looking forward to seeing if Max can manage a different work /life balance in the next book giving the intensity each of these investigations has but either way these are really well developed characters now. The storyline was in parts tense and terrifying and kept me glued (and also amused thanks to Ross) from start to finish.

Another very readable thriller featuring DS Max Craigie and his team. The squad reports to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and has a wide remit to tackle corruption.

Craigie is alerted by an old friend in the Highlands who has noticed a pattern - a number of suspicious deaths of climbers. All are young women and none of the cases seems to have been investigated as it should. Craigie and co head north - and discover far more than they could even have expected.

When Shadows Fall sees a great deal of character development, as we get to know more about the team members, official and unofficial. Craigie himself is desperate to solve the case as the birth of his first child is imminent, but the complexity of the situation sees him many miles from home. The added tension is just one of many pressures on the case.

Book 6 of the DS Max Craigie series and Lancaster has written another winner here.

For anyone unfamiliar with this series, it follows DS Max Craigie and his team (led by DI Ross, or to give him his full title DI f***ing Ross) as they attempt to uncover corruption within Police Scotland.

This novel begins with the death of a female climber on a Scottish munro. Initially written off as an accident by local police, the team uncover what appears to be a string of experienced, female climbers all falling to their deaths over the past years. When further investigation uncovers what appears to be a group of incel-type men involved in the deaths, the team are horrified to discover that a police officer may be amongst them and the investigation deepens.

For anyone who is familiar with the series, this is another great read from Lancaster, following the team during their investigation. Although the series is named after DS Craigie, Lancaster continues to develop all characters within the team including the lovable IT guru Barney and his new friend, Clive the hacker.

So ingrained in your mind are these brilliant characters, as soon as you pick up this book, you immediately remember all that has gone before. Whilst this book can be read as a standalone, it would definitely benefit from starting at the beginning of the series given the character development through the 6 novels, but don't let that put you off if you want to jump right in.

I will just finish by saying in a series such as this, I was concerned about the longevity of the team - how many corrupt officers can they find in the Scottish Highlands? - but Lancaster hints at a significant change for the team moving forward in the next book so I can't wait to see what comes next.

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

Climbing accidents happen all the time, lone hikers who slip or lose their footing on a narrow trail next to a sheer incline. For search and rescue pilot Shay Hammond recently returned from recovering a body, somethings off. In recent months the cases involving lone females seems to have increased dramatically and the local police don't seem too bothered about it. A quick phone call to long time friend DS Max Craigie of the Scottish Policing Standards Reassurance Team and everything changes.

The chilling start on a mountain incline had me hooked, reading late into the night and finishing the next day. A real page turner from start to finish with perfect pacing, nail-biting drama and a great cast of characters.

I'm a huge fan of the series and love reading about the characters who make up Scotlands policing standards team, each individual carefully crafted with strengths and flaws (yes I'm looking at you Ross Fraser) and I wouldn't want them any other way. Together they make a great team and the cameraderie and dark humour that comes with being close colleagues is well written and believable.

Book six in the DS Max Craigie novels this could definitely be read as a standalone but in a series that goes from strength to strength I'd definitely recommend reading them all

Due for publication March 25 - My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

Brilliant. I was so impressed with the excellent way this was written, and the excellent technical detail that basically went over my head, but was intrinsic to the storyline. I really struggled to put it down and read it within 24 hours.I have read all six of the Max Craigie series, and love all the characters, especially Ross with his ‘potty mouth’ and his soft spots that appear from time to time. The one criticism would be the length of time it took Barney to travel to Haifax and back!!! Did he fly? All joking apart I really cannot wait for the next book, I just hope Max is in it! Would give it 6 stars if I could.

This novel was a real page turner that kept me up late, because I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. Well drawn characters and a brilliant story. Highly recommended.