Writer 'rescued' by French publisher for book set on Lewis

CRIME fiction writer Peter May returns to the isle of Lewis – where Gaelic soap Machair which he co-wrote is set – for new book THE BLACKHOUSE (Quercus, £12.99).

But it only makes it to UK bookshelves thanks to the French publisher that took it on when no UK publisher would.

Though Peter May has 15 novels including two series of detective mysteries behind him – one set in France where he now lives and the other in China – no UK publisher was interested when he came up with The Blackhouse and its portrait of the fictional first 21st century murder on Lewis.

Though there was plenty of positive feedback, none decided to publish it.

But after it appeared in France it went on to win last year’s Prix de Lecteurs and was picked up by the publisher of the English translation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series.

The book launches this week in both Glasgow and Edinburgh where Lewisman Finlay Macleod returns as a cop investigating a possible murder link with an Edinburgh case he’s been working on.

But with his own family life in pieces after the death of his son, Fin also has to face plenty of old ghosts, old enemies and old love Marsaili (based on Peter May’s own lost childhood sweetheart) on the island.

Tied up in the annual killing of the guga seabird delicacy still sought by islanders – events drag Fin back into some traumas from his past as he gets a second chance to make his peace with Lewis.

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. MC