Blood Runs Cold (DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers, Book 4)

Neil Lancaster

Apr 2023 · DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers Book 4 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

‘This book is one hell of a ride. Neil Lancaster’s Blood Runs Cold is spellbinding.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She was taken against her will.

On her fifteenth birthday, trafficking victim Affi Smith goes for a run and never returns. With a new identity and secure home in the Scottish Highlands, she was supposed to be safe...

She escaped once.

With personal ties to Affi’s case, DS Max Craigie joins the investigation. When he discovers other trafficking victims have disappeared in exactly the same circumstances, he knows one thing for certain – there’s a leak somewhere within law enforcement.

She won’t outrun them again.

The clock is ticking... Max must catch Affi’s kidnappers and expose the mole before anyone else goes missing. Even if it means turning suspicions onto his own team...

Don’t miss the next book in the DS Max Craigie series! Fans of Ian Rankin and Marion Todd will love this utterly gripping Scottish thriller!

Readers LOVE Blood Runs Cold!

‘A nailbiting, energetic read.’ The Sun

‘Utterly compelling, ingeniously plotted and incredibly entertaining.’ Liz Nugent

‘A masterclass in how to deliver a taut pacy thriller hot off the page.’ Imran Mahmood

‘Compelling, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down... the stand out crime read of the year so far.’ John Barlow

‘Want pulse-pounding, shallowed-breathed, toe-curling police action? Here you go. Thank me later.’ Helen Fields

‘Thrilling, gripping, breathlessly brilliant crime-thriller that just won’t let you go until you know how it ends.’ Miranda Dickinson

‘A dark, gritty and fast paced police procedural that I was totally and completely absorbed by from the very start.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘One of my favourite crime writers by a country mile.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

This was the usual gritty, fast-paced crime novel I've come to expect from Neil Lancaster. Yet again he manages to create a believable yet chilling mystery and uncover corruption without becoming repetitive. One of my new favourite authors he's an auto request for me. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Overall, there's a healthy balance between police procedure and action, as the team of detectives have to deal police corruption (Line of Duty style) and Albanian gangsters whilst simultaneously attempting to solve the mystery of Affi's disappearance, while the dialogue/banter (for want of a better word) between Max and his colleagues also stood out for its realism and authenticity.

Brilliant book , couldn't put it down until I had finished. Can't wait to read the next book. Thank you !!!

About the author

NEIL LANCASTER is the No. 1 digital bestselling author of both the Tom Novak and Max Craigie series. His first Craigie novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The second Craigie novel, The Blood Tide, topped several ebook and audio charts. It was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize and shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards.

Neil served as a military policeman and worked for the Metropolitan Police as a detective, investigating serious crimes in the capital and beyond. As a covert policing specialist, he used all manner of techniques to investigate and disrupt major crime and criminals. He now lives in the Scottish Highlands, writes crime and thriller novels and works as a broadcaster and commentator on true crime documentaries. He is an expert on two Sky Crime TV series, Meet, Marry, Murder and Made for Murder.