When Shadows Fall (D S Max Craigie) by Neil Lancaster
| When Shadows Fall (D S Max Craigie) by Neil Lancaster | |
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| Category: Crime | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: When a woman falls to her death on a climbing trip it looks as though it's going to be written off as a tragic accident - until DS Craigie realises that there have been a number of other similar deaths of women in recent years. An excellent read. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 384 | Date: March 2025 |
| Publisher: HQ Digital | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0008551377 | |
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Leanne Wilson's body was found at the bottom of a Scottish mountain, seemingly the result of a tragic accident. She'd looked so happy, too, when she posted her intentions on Facebook. Her friends were relieved as she was just out of an unpleasant relationship, but it looked like she was living her best life now. Then it emerged that five other women had died in similar circumstances in the last year. All were experienced climbers, properly equipped for what they were doing and sensible people. None of the 'what a stupid thing to do' explanations applied. They were all alone when they died: DS Max Craigie is certain there's a killer on the loose.
Normally, he ought to be able to lose himself in the case, but his wife is just about to give birth to their first child. It could be any time, and Craigie is determined that he's going to be there for the birth, no matter what. Kate feels overlarge and grumpy, but she's a lot more understanding than most women would be in that situation. Craigie's problems are exacerbated by the fact that he's a hundred miles from home. He's also convinced that there's more than one killer - and that someone in the police is involved.
I was an early adopter of this series, which has got better every year. Neil Lancaster was in the Metropolitan Police, where he investigated serious crimes. He lives in the Highlands. Everything in this book rings true - and that's down to knowledge and the quality of the writing. Max Craigie's partner, DC Janey Calder, is not good with heights. I'm not either, and some of the descriptions from the mountains left me perspiring with fear. The characterisation is good too. Craigie does what he does without needing to be an alcoholic, womaniser or someone who has a problem with authority, as is the case with so many fictional detectives. His boss, DI Ross Fraser, is as reassuringly foul-mouthed as ever.
It's the plot you want to know about, though, isn't it? It treads that delicate line between being far too obvious and too contorted to be true. I worked out who one of the wrong'uns was, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story. And now I have to wait a year for the next book in the series.
I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have access to a review copy of the book. As well as reading the book, I listened to an audiobook, which I bought myself. The narrator was Angus King, and I liked that he never got between me and the story, as so many narrators do. His range of voices is good and I'd be delighted to listen to him again.
I'm not going to tell you what's behind the crimes in When Shadows Fall, but if you've enjoyed this book, then you might also like Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell.
Neil Lancaster's DS Max Craigie novels in chronological order
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You can read more book reviews or buy When Shadows Fall (D S Max Craigie) by Neil Lancaster at Amazon.com.
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