Neil Lancaster is a successful mystery fiction author from the United Kingdom, known for his "DS Max Craigie" and "Tom Novak" series of novels. Born in Liverpool in the 1960s, Lancaster has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, which has greatly influenced his writing.
Before turning to writing, Lancaster served for over twenty-five years with the Metropolitan Police, predominantly as a detective. He specialized in surveillance and covert policing, leading and conducting investigations into some of the most serious criminals in the UK and beyond. Lancaster's police work often involved using complex techniques to arrest and prosecute drug dealers, human traffickers, fraudsters, and murderers. His efforts led to several successful prosecutions of corrupt members of the legal profession involved in organized immigration crime, resulting in jail sentences, multi-million pound asset confiscations, and disbarments.
Lancaster's career in law enforcement has informed his writing, giving his novels an authenticity that has resonated with readers. His first Craigie novel, "Dead Man's Grave," was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year, while the second novel in the series, "The Blood Tide," topped several ebook and audio charts. "The Blood Tide" was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize and shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards. Lancaster now lives in the Scottish Highlands, where he continues to write crime and thriller novels, work as a broadcaster and commentator on true crime documentaries, and serve as an expert on two Sky Crime TV series, "Meet, Marry, Murder" and "Made for Murder."