I enjoyed the book, but not quite as much as Neil Lancaster’s Max Craigie series. The camaraderie and banter between the old military pals was great, and the plot was exciting if you could suspend belief. Loved the ending! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

No Mercy is a fast-paced, readable revenge thriller with a solid hook: a band of aging ex-military operatives reuniting for one last mission to honor their fallen comrade. When Frankie Chapman is killed and his medals are stolen, the “11/06 club” swings back into action, and the story barrels forward with a blend of old-school camaraderie and modern-day vigilantism.

The plot has its moments—there’s a certain comfort in the familiar beats of a caper story where the good guys (mostly) outsmart the villains. The addition of Frankie’s daughter Josie, who’s out for more than just justice, adds a welcome edge to the narrative. However, it’s hard to ignore how conveniently the pieces fall into place for the team. Each obstacle is met with what feels like an all-too-easy solution, which saps the tension and stakes that a story like this really needs to thrive.

The characters are serviceable but not especially believable—gruff, loyal, and a bit thinly drawn. Fans of gritty realism in crime fiction may find this one lacking in depth. Knowing that Max Connor is a pseudonym for Neil Lancaster (a superb Scottish crime writer) makes the contrast even starker; No Mercy doesn’t hold a candle to the more nuanced and compelling DI Craigie novels.

Overall, No Mercy is a decent bit of escapism for those who enjoy military-flavored revenge tales. It doesn’t demand much from the reader—and doesn’t offer quite enough in return to leave a lasting impression. Personally, I won’t be rushing to pick up a sequel if one appears.

Thanks to Max and NetGalley for allowing me to read No Mercy.
As a fan of the DS Craigie series, I was curious as to why the author was writing under a different name.
The book is slow to start, sad, emotive and poignant before Max starts to add layer upon layer to the story.

By the time that the police arrest Jarman for the theft, the medals are long gone and Jarman is saying nothing. With DI Kelly apparently unable to make further progress, the former comrades decide to join up for a last mission.

Will this motley crew of over the hill, irreverent former comrades with their dodgy knees and age related conditions, be able to use their skills, contacts and resources to recover the medals?
There is plenty of joshing and humour along the way.
The setting is reminiscent of the Bond film, Skyfall.
This was a great start to what I hope is a new series.

Stunning book just loved the characters who are well written and instantly likable.

A well paced book very compelling and constantly moving forward with suspense and humour.

A burglary which turns to murder and the hunt for the stolen medals which takes you on a brilliant journey.

Many thanks max please let there be more.

I am big fan of Neil Lancaster, so although I'm slightly wary of authors who go by lots of different names, this one ticked all the right boxes for me so I didn't mind :)

I loved the characters, I loved the pacing, and I thought the storyline was fresh and interesting. Lot's going for this book, and I'm glad to see it'll be a series.

Easy 5 stars.

I confess to already being a massive Neil Lancaster fan so was delighted to get an arc of this new book, No Mercy. I was immediately drawn into the story with characters whom I could easily imagine. I particularly like the fact the story revolves around older people as so often we are written off and by extension, not written about. The four ex soldiers were a perfect group to carry out an ambitious plan, much aided by young Josie whose ability to think on her feet while being a tough cookie is a winning combination. The pace was well judged and the story realistic. I’m already looking forward to reading more with Josie as one of the protagonists.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

The first book in quite some time that I would rate as 6 Stars. A totally absorbing, interesting and almost possible story. Loved the people, loved the plot, loved the scene setting. In truth, loved all of it.

Buy it, make and take some time and enjoy something truly original.

Oh, just excellent.
A really fresh, unique angle on the ex-special forces out of retirement genre that was executed to perfection.
These guys aren't just retired. One has an allotment, one can't stay out of the loo and another wants to get home for the 'Bake Off' final but together?
Can they call on their old skills and contacts to pull off something spectacular?
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It does have some humerous parts but still manages to keep the reader gripped throughout.
A tense thriller by an excellent writer.
If I had to come up with one criticism it would be the title. 'No Mercy' makes it sound like a generic rogue bad boy turned hero novel and this is way more than that.
Would make a great film. Loved it.

I’m a fan of Neil Lancasters, particularly his Max Craigie books. As an ex army, ex Met police officer, you know he has the right back ground knowledge to be able to write about this type of subject, from the camaraderie both jobs exude to the way the military and police methods work. Under Max Connors name, we have a different angle to read about, which works very well. I liked the 11/06 Club members, from either end of the spectrum, be it a con man, a Rupert or just solid and dependable.

Josie was likeable although her stance on being called Love or Dear by her elders grated a bit, particularly as she had been round them all since a baby. However, she definitely had her part to play, which was well drawn, and will no doubt lead to another book, quite rightly. I loved the twists towards the end, ends nicely tied and proper justice served.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m guessing Neil Lancaster has chosen to write under the pseudonym Max Connor as this is a breakaway from his usual police procedurals? I won’t précis the book for you as if you’re reading reviews about the book, I presume you’ve read the blurb on the book, written by better writers than me.

I’m a big Neil Lancaster fan and love his Max Craigie series, so I expected good things from this book about four ex-marines who team up with the daughter of one of their old colleagues, who dies while having his valuable set of military medals stolen. The five determine to get the medals back for the fifth member of the 11/06 club and Josie, his daughter, wants revenge.

The book didn’t disappoint, although I didn’t find it as enthralling as the author’s previous books. I found parts of the books a little slow and I found it hard to take to Josie. It particularly annoyed me that she strongly objected to being called a girl or being called ‘love’. She’s a young woman working with men in their sixties, men who had achieved as much as her father, and should (in my opinion) be treated by her with the same respect and reverence that she obviously felt for her Dad. Affectionate terms are not derogatory when used by close friends. Having said that, she contributed a lot with her particular set of useful skills, which the 11/06 club couldn’t have done without. This is, I’m guessing the springboard for a series starring Josie and I look forward to seeing how that pans out.

The story did ramp up towards the end and while you definitely have to suspend reality (it is fiction after all) the last part of the book was really exciting and the very end of the book brought tears to my eyes.

This book by Max Connor the pseudonym of Neil Lancaster is as usual for regular readers of Neil a fast paced page turning story. It begins with ex soldier Frankie Chapman disturbing an intruder who is stealing his valuable extensive set of medals earned during his tours in the Royal Marines. Unfortunately during the scuffle with the burglar Frankie falls hitting his head resulting eventually in his life support being turned off.
The action then increases when his ex comrades Macca, Charlie, Jacko and Neil together with Frankie's daughter Josie join forces to get the medals back.
Lots more twists and turns follow with the usual banter between the characters and plenty of action in there endeavours to retrieve the medals.
This is another highly recommended book by the master of the high octane action story.

What an exciting read!

Josie Chapman has been raised to be a stong individual; her brave father served in the armed forces and has a raft of medals to prove it. Her mother has dementia and lives in a care home. When her father's home is targeted and his medals stolen, he arrives home just in time to tackle the intruder and the ensuing scuffle results in 'Chappers' death. Not only bereft, Josie is also angry and wants revenge - and a bit more. When the 11/06 men, her father's former comrades get together and learn that the medals were intended to provide for her mother's care, they decide to see if they can work out how to get them back - and Josie is determined that they're not doing anything without her!

I'm a big fan of Neil Lancaster's Max Craigie series, so when I realised that Max Connor is his pseudonym, I was excited to read this one. It is a roller coaster ride from beginning to end; packed with characters with a lot of life experience who, while not perfect, will do anything for a mate. Blood-pumping, heart-pounding moments abound and I read long after I should have closed my eyes and gone to sleep - I just couldn't wait to find out what happened next! An absolutely terrific, thrilling novel which I can't help but recommend and, of course, no less than all five sparkling stars will do!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

medals given to soldiers but when they get stolen and that soldier dies from injuries caused by the thief you can imagine the upset....

so when a tight group of friends with the soldiers daughter plan to get those medals back its going to be good....

with a millionaire whose greed knows no bounds this book will keep you entertained for hours....

have to admit to not being keen on the granddaughter there was just something about her that put me off her but the old soldiers that tightknit bunch of friends were very likeable...

neil lancaster can certainly write a good storyline...

When their old comrade, retired veteran and decorated Royal Marine Frankie Chapman, dies during a home invasion, the 11/06 club come back together to recover his stolen military medals. After they find out the medals have fallen into the hands of a wealthy billionaire who dabbles in human trafficking, they form a plan to steal the medals back – and Frankie’s daughter, Josie, wants in on the action.
Hopefully a new series from a new author but wait – it’s actually a different pen name for Neil Lancaster. Well written, great characters, a fast paced story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes it stretches the imagination at times but hey it’s fiction. I was drawn in from the start & read it in a couple of sittings
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Not my usual type of book although I do like Neil Lancaster’s police procedural books. However I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the ending which I thought was lovely. I struggled with the character of Josie though - I felt she didn’t come across as a particularly nice character- but I loved the old military comrades. Recommended.

When former marine, Frank Chapman, is killed by an intruder and his very valuable military medals are stolen his daughter, Josie, wants the medals back. To her aid comes her fathers former colleagues now all over 60 years old. They track the medals to a renovated cliff-top Castle which is owned by a very wealthy man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
An amusing tale, perfect for a holiday read without being a romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this very entertaining book.

I am familiar with this author through the excellent Max Cragie series published as Neil Lancaster .
This is a new direction from that series and is equally as good. A group of long retired marines team up with the daughter of a comrade who died during the theft of his medals and vow to recover them. The result is a good old fashioned adventure story with heroes and villains that moves along at a cracking pace.. The characters are well rounded and the plot is well worked out .I think this may be the start of a new series and if so I will definitely be reading more.
I highly recommend this book.

This is a very good thriller from the author, filled with everything you could want in the genre! I loved the plotting, ex military veterans on a quest for justice for one of their own. The characters are well described and I loved their banter too. Josie is formidable, definitely a chip off the old block and very resourceful as she integrates with her father's ex colleagues from the military. It is fiction, but very believable in a strange way and I do think readers will enjoy this first book in an exciting new series which I would recommend to lovers of action and adventure books. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Being a big fan of the Max Craigie series of books by Neil Lancaster, I was interested to read a book by this author using a different 'voice; and pen name. We still get the fast past, action and characters in uniform (although not police this time). I loved it.
This may sound strange but think of Enid Blyton's Adventure Series of books and mix it up with the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. Add a very heavy dose of action and suspense, and like me, you may end up with these kind of thoughts in your head.
I absolutely loved the book. Bringing together 4 ex-Royal Marines who are now retired, and a daughter of a Marine who is out looking for revenge and you get a great story with wonderful characters and location.
Some may say that it is a little long and sometimes far fetched but I feel that the length of the book gives the author a chance to do what he does perfectly by building up a relationship between the readers and the characters, and use your imagination a little, it is fiction after all.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading action and adventure books, be they in their teens or in their elder years.
Many thanks to HQ, NetGalley and the author, for providing me with an advanced electronic copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book is published on the 5th of June, so not long to wait) and will be available in paperback, e-book and audiobook formats