"The Blackhouse was an
extremely good book; The Lewis Man is a superb book."
Bookgeeks.com
A MAN WITH NO NAME An unidentified corpse is
recovered from a Lewis peat bog; the only clue to its identity
being a DNA sibling match to a local farmer.
A MAN WITH NO MEMORY But this islander, Tormod
Macdonald - now an elderly man suffering from dementia - has
always claimed to be an only child.
A MAN WITH NO CHOICE When Tormod's family approach
Fin Macleod for help, Fin feels duty-bound to solve the mystery.
A perfectly preserved body is
recovered from a peat bog on the Isle of Lewis.
The male Caucasian corpse – marked
by several horrific stab wounds – is initially believed by its
finders to be over two-thousand years old. Until they spot the
Elvis tattoo on his right arm. The body, it transpires, is not
evidence of an ancient ritual killing, but of a murder committed
during the latter half of the twentieth century.
Meanwhile, Fin Macleod has returned
to the island of his birth. Having left his wife, his life in
Edinburgh and his career in the police force, the former
Detective Inspector is intent on repairing past relationships
and restoring his parents’ derelict croft.
But when DNA tests flag a familial
match between the bog body and the father of Fin’s childhood
sweetheart, Marsaili Macdonald, Fin finds his homecoming more
turbulent than expected. Tormod Macdonald, now an elderly man in
the grip of dementia, had always claimed to be an only child
without close family.
A lie, Fin will soon discover,
Tormod has had very good reason to hide behind.
The
Lewis Man is the follow-up to The Blackhouse,
which was an international bestseller in both hardback and
paperback.
It is the second novel in the Lewis trilogy.
The Lewis Man has been
shortlisted for the following awards in France:
the
Prix des Lecteurs of Le Télégramme newspaper, winner to be
announced in May 2012
the
Prix des Lecteurs at Les Ancres
Noires Festival, Le Havre, winner to be
announced in June 2012
the Prix
International at the
Polar&Co Festival, Cognac, winner to
be announced in October 2012
The Isle of Lewis is the most
remote, harshly beautiful place in Scotland, where the
difficulty of existence seems outweighed only by people’s fear
of God.
But older, pagan values lurk beneath the veneer of faith, the
primal yearning for blood and revenge.
When a brutal murder on the island bears the hallmarks of a
similar slaying in Edinburgh, police detective Fin Macleod is
dispatched north to investigate.
But since he himself was raised on Lewis, the investigation also
represents a journey home and into his past.
Each year the island’s men perform the hunting of the gugas, a
savage custom no longer necessary for survival, but which they
cling to even more fiercely in the face of the demands of modern
morality.
For Fin the hunt recalls a horrific tragedy, which after all
this time may have begun to demand another sacrifice.
The Blackhouse is a crime novel of rare power and vision.
A page-turning murder mystery that explores the darkness in our
souls,
and just how difficult it is to escape the past.
The French daily newspaper,
L'Humanité, reviewed the book describing it as: "A thriller with an intensity that never
slackens,
chilling and igneous at the same time,
like the great country that serves as its setting.
A masterpiece indeed." back to top of page
The Story Behind the Publication of The Blackhouse
Peter May's The
Blackhouse,
was first published in France, Scotsman May's adopted
home.
It will be published in the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany in
2011.
Here is Peter's account of the story behind the publication...
Inspiration
Peter also recounts a moving story concerning the inspiration
behind one of the characters for The Blackhouse, on his new blog,
here.
Peter May's The Blackhouse was first published in France,
Scotsman May's adopted home, and has been acclaimed as "a masterpiece" by national newspaper
L'Humanité
as well as winning several awards...
Prix Litteraire Cezam
Inter-CE,
National French Literature Prize, Strasbourg October
2011 one of the world's largest readers' prizes with
3500 jurors from all walks of life around the whole of
France
There are two levels of the Prize, regional and
national. As well as winning the overall national award,
The Blackhouse won 21 out of 25 regional awards across
France
Prix de Lecteurs, Le Havre's 2010 Les Ancres Noires
book festival
Judged by readers in Libraries all over the North of
France
2011 PILP (Prix Inter Lycées Professionels)
Literary Award judged by students in lycees across
Northwestern France from a shortlist of 10 books from
all over Europe
There have been further
French award shortlistings for The Blackhouse (or
L'Ile
des Chasseurs d'Oiseaux)...
it was a finalist in the Prix des Lecteurs at
the Villeneuve lez
Avignon book Festival 2010
it was a finalist for the Prix International at
the Cognac Book
Festival "Polar&Co" 2010
The Lewis Man has been
shortlisted for the following awards in France:
the
Prix des Lecteurs of Le Télégramme newspaper, winner to be
announced in May 2012
the
Prix des Lecteurs at Les Ancres
Noires Festival, Le Havre, winner to be
announced in June 2012
the Prix
International at the Cognac Book
Festival "Polar&Co", winner to
be announced in October 2012
Prix Litteraire Cezam
Inter-CE, (a National French Literature Prize,
Strasbourg October 2011
View images from the Prix
Litteraire Cezan Inter-CE award ceremony in Strasbourg
Prix de Lecteurs, Le
Havre's 2010 Les Ancres Noires
book festival
Read the press release below and view the video taken from Peter's
research material for the book.
Peter May winning the 2010 Prix
de Lecteurs at Le Havre's Les Ancres Noires book festival. Peter May receiving his prize, a
sculpture by artist Jean-Paul Carnet. With Peter in the picture is the
Mayor of Le Havre, Filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier, Jean-Paul
Carnet and organisers of Les Ancres Noires.
The Black house was chosen by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan
for their Book Club's Autumn list.
The Uk's equivalent of the Oprah Book Club, the Richard and Judy
Book Club, run in conjunction with WH Smith has been responsible
for over two million book sales in The last year alone. Watch Richard and Judy's
interview with Peter May about The Blackhouse...
"Just when we think we’ve seen
it all, along comes Peter May’sBlackhouse to
remind us that
terms like unique and cutting edge still belong in the crime
novel lexicon.
In addition to being a great story, this book is probably like
nothing you have read before." The Big Thrill (read
the full article)
"A thriller with an intensity
that never slackens, chilling and igneous at the same time, like the great country that
serves as its setting. A masterpiece indeed." L'Humanité (French
daily newspaper)
(read
a
translation of the full article)
"His [the hero’s] gradual
enlightenment is conveyed with subtle, tragic conviction
…. melancholy … brilliant" The Literary Review
"[May's] finest work... an
impeccably written murder thriller" Daily Express
"A chilling setting for a
gripping novel... impressive writing" The Times (London)
(read the full
review)
"Award-winning Glasgow-born
author Peter May is no stranger to the Isle of Lewis,
and it shows in every thrilling chapter of this bleak, wild,
atmospheric novel. (...) 400 pages of
pitch-perfect dialogue and creepy, spine-tingling storytelling." The Scotsman (read
the full review)
"While The Blackhouse contains many feature-filled pages,
life-changing events and
revelations of major consequence, they are beautifully played
here,
orchestrated by a writer in full command of his material,
perfectly judged and paced,
and so the whole story is utterly compelling and it carries the
reader to the very last word.
This book shows how the dramatic should be done." Cornflower Books (read
the full review)
"This is a novel of subtlety and
horror.
Award-winning author Peter May has deftly constructed a story
that gets into
the heart of human darkness while presenting an intriguing
thriller you won’t be able to put down." CityAM (read
the full review)
"Peter May handles the
psychological depths of the story with a deft touch and great
insight." (...) "This is a magnificent and
gripping story of murder and long held resentment that
grabs the attention from the very first word." (...) "This is much, much more than a
murder mystery,
revealing the depths to which human beings are driven by passion
and jealousy.
Fin is a complex and attractive character plunged into an
emotional whirlpool" Crime Squad
(read
the
full review)
"a story which, remarkably in
21st century Britain, could not have worked anywhere else...
Atmosphere and character are the main things here...
Thanks to May, Lewis is firmly on Scotland’s crime map" Shots (read
the full review)
"What a truly fantastic book this is! ...a
truly delightful feast for the soul...
The nature of the story gets into your mind and won't
leave you alone.
It haunts you... beautifully rich vocabulary...
excellent." Eurocrime (read
the full article)
"The first of three books to be set on Lewis, The Blackhouse is
a good example of
Peter May’s talent for sharing a place and unravelling a story
that keeps you guessing as the pages fly by. Highland News (read
the full article)
"The Blackhouse... poses as a crime novel but, like the best of
its genre, is much more.
May’s rich characters and his attention to detail breathe life
into the story, which haunts you past the final page." The Skinny magazine (read
the
full
review)
"an outstanding thriller that is as dark and chilling as the
stormy Scottish seas on a winter's night" The Daily Record (read
the full review)
"May handles the plot,
pace and characterization with a freshness and fluidity that
make it a delight to read" The Big Issue
"Easily May’s best work to date... his greatest success thus far
as a novelist.
...a highly pleasurable mix of mystery and literary fiction" The LitWitch (read
the full review)
"genuinely exciting and unexpected climax...
an outstanding and unusual piece of crime fiction told by
someone with a deep understanding of the setting he has placed
it in" Undiscovered Scotland
Magazine (read
the full review)
"...atmospheric passages of
reflection and recollection, played out in the dramatic
dénouement, but always interpreted skilfully and with
balance, making an intense, involving piece of work to appeal to
lovers of sophisticated crime and psychological thrillers." A Broad Scot
(read
the full review)
"a dark, evocative tale (...)
beautifully-observed " The Scots Magazine (Book
of the Month June 2011)
(read the full review)
"A beautifully written, haunting
and powerful examination of the darkness of men's souls and how hard it can be to bury
the past, The Blackhouse
is also an outstanding page-turning murder mystery" The Independent (Ireland) (read
the full review)
"Award-winning Glasgow-born
author Peter May is no stranger to the Isle of
Lewis, and it shows in every thrilling
chapter of this bleak, wild, atmospheric novel." The Sunday Journal (Ireland)
(read
the full review)
“All the accolades are deserved. (...) the best book I’ve read
all year (...) It’s an intense,
psychological drama that’s all about atmosphere and character, a book that clings to you long
after you’ve put it down. (...) a study of tragedy,
resentment and even redemption (...) a powerful, beautifully
paced story that drips with malice.” The Chronicle (Australia) (read
the
full
review)
"The strength and beauty of this
book lies in the exploration of the relationships between
people. The characters are beautifully drawn and so true to
life."
(...)
"The plot is intricate and cleverly fitted together."
(...)
"Having previously read ‘The Blackhouse’ which I thoroughly
enjoyed I was concerned the next instalment would not be so
enthralling.
However, I absolutely loved this second book in the series and
can safely state that May is currently unveiling a cracking
series." CrimeSquad (read the full
review)
"deeply tragic…
heart-rending"
(...)
"Peter May is the [crime] genre’s fine wine; his writing is
refined and complex, offering pleasure on many levels."
(...)
"The Blackhouse was an extremely good book; The Lewis Man is a
superb book." Bookgeeks (read
the full review)
"another fantastic book and
every bit as excellent as The Blackhouse"
(...)
"Peter May weaves his wonderful magic and the story unfolds
before you in vivid detail"
(...)
"...so well written that it absorbs you completely"
(...)
"Very highly recommended" Eurocrime (read
the full review)
"if anything, an even more
compelling read than its predecessor" (...)
"an outstanding example of the storyteller's art" Undiscovered Scotland (read
the full review)
"story-telling at its primordial
best" (...) "spell-binding" (...) "May is very clever here ... he
tells a brilliant story but with the sparest of language" (...) "The book’s a delight: bringing
people and place alive in equal measure." ShotsMag
(read
the full review)
"the second novel in May's Isle
of Lewis trilogy is as good as its superb predecessor" (...) "not only a good mystery, but
also a moving and evocative portrayal of a place
where the unforgiving weather is matched only by the church's
harsh patronage." The Guardian
(read
the full review)
"The depiction of the island
atmosphere is as impressive as the action." The Telegraph
(read
the full review)
"The plot throbs with past and
present passions, jealousies, suspicions and regrets;
the emotional secrets of the bleak island are even deeper than
its peat bog." The Times
(read the full
review)
"like all the best crime fiction
its interest is not restricted to the investigation" (...) "the scenes set in the orphanage
in the Dean Village are moving" (...) "Crime novels may be
primarily entertainments, but the best ones always offer
something more.
Fin’s investigation of this long-buried crime forces him to make
a reassessment of his own life." The Scotsman
(read
the full review)
"All of us who have been eagerly
awaiting the sequel to that very dramatic first book
will have been wondering whether the author would pull off a
second story with the aplomb shown in the earlier one;
I'm so glad to tell you that he does." (...) "Peter May shows his skill with
an intricate plot and with the unfolding narrative" (...) "it's a neat tale he
tells and one which will have you on the very edge of your seat" Cornflower Books
(read
the full review)
"How do I convey the moody sense
of tragedy and heartbreak in this stunning follow-up to The Blackhouse?" (...) "this book made me want
to cry time and again" (...) "Peter May has struck
creative gold with the Lewis Trilogy." (...)
"I can’t wait for the
final installment in this series" The LitWitch
(read the full review)
"This is terrific stuff and a
reminder that when a crime novelist of authority sets his sights
high
the results can be as persuasive as the best writing in any
genre." (...) "utterly compelling" (...)
"Fin is something
special in the field of fictional policemen and The Lewis Man
will have readers impatient for the third part of this trilogy." The Express
(read
the full review)
"May is a masterful story-teller. He skilfully combines
pathos and the themes of identity, lost love and family ties to
create an exciting, page-turning thriller." The Irish Examiner
(read
the full review)
Award-winning author, Peter
May has two critically-acclaimed series of books currently being
published in the USA and worldwide. The China Thrillers, a
series of six books featuring Beijing detective Li Yan and
Margaret Campbell, forensic pathologist from Chicago; and The Enzo Files, a series
of seven booksfeaturing
Scottish forensic scientist, Enzo MacLeod, who lives in France,
teaches at a universtity in Toulouse, and is working on solving
seven of France's most famous cold cases by applying the latest
scientific techniques.
May's latest project is a trilogy of books set in the Outer
Hebrides of his native Scotland. The first of the trilogy
is The Blackhouse
which won Prix Litteraire Cezam
Inter-CE and the Prix
des Lecteurs at France's Les Ancres Noires book festival in Le Havre. The
second in the trilogy is The
Lewis Man.
A MAN WITH NO NAME 
The Isle of Lewis is the most
remote, harshly beautiful place in Scotland, where the
difficulty of existence seems outweighed only by people’s fear
of God. 
