Dead Man's Grave by Neil Lancaster

This page-turning Scottish crime novel, the first in the DS Max Craigie series, will hook you with suspense, mystery, and top-notch characters. It was longlisted for the William McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year.

Tam Hardie, leader of Scotland's largest crime family, is found dead at a disused burial site, dumped beneath an ancient tombstone marked: "This Grave Never To Be Opened". He was investigating the legend of what that sealed grave contained, and his death will ignite a century-old family blood feud.

Detective Sergeant Max Craigie investigates with Police Scotland's Serious Organized Crime Unit, along with capable DC Janie Calder and boss DI Ross Fraser. They travel north to meet the local team and, through diligent observation, find the killer, one of the last of the Leitch family, blood-enemies of the Hardies. Hardie's son is the new crime boss with a grip on everything, distributing Turkish heroin and cocaine, and putting out word that the Hardies are alive and well and worse than bloody ever. His mission is now to wipe out the entire Leitch bloodline, and the killing begins. Max is perfect to investigate as he was born on nearby Black Isle and recently transferred from London. With a new outlook, Max is belt and braces, obsessed with justice even after being taken off the case. Evidence of corruption within his northern colleagues on the Hardies' payroll won't sit well with Max. Hardie's influence is widespread, but Max is told the inquiry is no longer his.

Max ignores the Superintendent's order to stay off the job, even going to New Scotland Yard for reinforcement. This has terrific pace, a brutal mobster, and straightforward detective skills, keeping me guessing every character as corrupt. All around exciting, I couldn't put it down, finishing the last half in one sitting. A delight for fans of hard Scottish crime. There are now seven Max Craigie thrillers.

2021 / Tradeback / 400 pages

My other review for Neil Lancaster:

The Blood Tide