This grave can never be opened.
The head of Scotland’s most powerful crime family is brutally murdered, his body dumped inside an ancient grave in a remote cemetery.

This murder can never be forgotten.
Detectives Max Craigie and Janie Calder arrive at the scene, a small town where everyone has secrets to hide. They soon realise this murder is part of a blood feud between two Scottish families that stretches back to the 1800s. One thing’s for certain: it might be the latest killing, but it won’t be the last…

This killer can never be caught.
As the body count rises, the investigation uncovers large-scale corruption at the heart of the Scottish Police Service. Now Max and Janie must turn against their closest colleagues – to solve a case that could cost them far more than just their lives…

Fantastic read and a total pageturner, had me hooked from the beginning. The author had worked for the Metropolitan Police for 25 years and his inside knowledge made the novel even more gripping and real. It deals with a lot of delicate subjects very well without trying to gloss things over and the main characters are very real, human, not perfect and likeable.
Thus could be the start of a great new series

Off to my crime loving friend Plum-crazy

It arrived today - thank you so much! I can't see this sitting on my TBR mountain for long 😁

A remote burial ground containing a grave with the inscription "This Grave Never to be Opened" created an atmospheric start to this new crime series. What followed was a good gripping story that included a two hundred-year-old feud, gangsters & police corruption. It’s up to Detectives Max Craigie & Janie Calder to get to the bottom of the tangled web that’s been woven.

While this book is the first in the series, I felt like I was already reading about characters that I had established a connection with. On the face of it they may sound like so many other detectives out there; Max, ex-forces, suffering from PTSD, marriage problems & a tendency….like all my favourite mavericks…to go his own way & stuff the consequences. Janie is a "posh" newcomer & a bit of an outsider, not yet accepted by the team. These familiar traits may be what made me feel like I already knew them but they are definitely their own people. The humour & banter between them fitted in well making them convincing & likeable characters.

Facts about police procedure, details of surveillance or how mobiles are tracked, often have my eyes glazing over but the balance here was spot on. Enough so I knew what was happening & why but without all the extraneous padding that often accompanies it - & minus a shed load of acronyms too! (a pet hate of mine) With the story moving at a good pace throughout & the tension building beautifully I was kept hooked right to the end. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks for sharing kinedi, I'm aiming to pass it on to someone else who'll enjoy it.

One of three books on their way to a Sweepstake Winner - hope they like at least one of them!

Not sure why I’ve not come across this author or book before - looks great, thank you!

Devoured this - what a great find! Can’t wait for his next one to be out. Really gripping and such detail - brilliant!

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