What do you think?
Rate this book
Lewis Trilogy #4
The Black Loch
THE RETURN OF FIN MACLEOD, PETER MAY'S MUCH-LOVED HERO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING LEWIS TRILOGY.
A MURDER
The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh - the Black Loch - on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.
A SECRET
Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.
A TRAP
But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.
A MURDER
The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh - the Black Loch - on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.
A SECRET
Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.
A TRAP
But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 16, 2024
EXCERPT: It was early. The exceptional spell of warm, still weather had brought tourists and midges in almost equal numbers to this island off an island on the north-west coast of the most north-westerly outpost of the European continent. The voices of children rang out in the bright, clear morning, tiny footprints left in wet sand. A shouted warning rose above the rush of the sea, as parents laden with folding chairs and rugs and a hamper hurried down the tiny single-track road towards the shore. But a solitary, sharp scream sent fear back like an arrow, and everything was dropped, sand flying in the wake of swift feet as they sprinted towards the water's edge.
The children were standing either side of a human shape lifting and falling only slightly on the ebb and flow of the sea, hair fanned out like seaweed in the sand. The young woman stared up into a sky reflected in the blue of her wide-open eyes. A pretty face, but bruised on the left side, the blood leached from a gash on her cheek by seawater. Her t-shirt was torn, ripped away at the neck, one breast exposed. She was barefoot, white panties shredded in bloodstained ribbons.
One of the children turned a pale face towards her parents, the death of innocence already apparent in her dark eyes. And in a tiny voice said, 'Will she be alright?'
ABOUT 'THE BLACK LOCH': A MURDER
The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh - the Black Loch - on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.
A SECRET
Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.
A TRAP
But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a sad story in many ways, laced with lies, secrets, death and the perils of infidelity.
These Hebrideans are a passionate lot - there doesn't seem to be one person on this island who hasn't sinned, many multiple times. Historical sins. Current sins. They all bleed together to form a maelstrom of mistrust and resentment. Old friendships appear to be rekindled but, really, do they count for anything when one friend's son is accused of murdering another friend's daughter? Fin finds himself examining everything - his past relationships and his current - as his life is shattered by the accusations against his son, accusations his son refuses to refute.
The Black Loch is a dark and brooding read, unsettling and, at times, violent and shocking, but one that I consumed in less than twenty-four hours, unable to put it down. Atmospheric, thrilling and suspenseful, it ticks all my boxes.
Will we see more of Fin MacLeod? I hope so.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheBlackLoch #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Peter May started his writing career as a journalist, winning a national award at the age of 21. Still in his twenties, he switched to writing drama for UK television. He created three major drama serials in the UK and has credits for scriptwriting or producing more than 1,000 episodes of ratings-topping shows. He quit TV in the 1990s to concentrate on his first love, writing books.
Peter May is a Scot living in France.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Black Loch by Peter May for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Black Loch by Peter May was published 12 September, 2024. The 4th book in the Lewis Trilogy (don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger!) is easily read as a stand-alone.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The children were standing either side of a human shape lifting and falling only slightly on the ebb and flow of the sea, hair fanned out like seaweed in the sand. The young woman stared up into a sky reflected in the blue of her wide-open eyes. A pretty face, but bruised on the left side, the blood leached from a gash on her cheek by seawater. Her t-shirt was torn, ripped away at the neck, one breast exposed. She was barefoot, white panties shredded in bloodstained ribbons.
One of the children turned a pale face towards her parents, the death of innocence already apparent in her dark eyes. And in a tiny voice said, 'Will she be alright?'
ABOUT 'THE BLACK LOCH': A MURDER
The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh - the Black Loch - on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.
A SECRET
Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.
A TRAP
But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a sad story in many ways, laced with lies, secrets, death and the perils of infidelity.
These Hebrideans are a passionate lot - there doesn't seem to be one person on this island who hasn't sinned, many multiple times. Historical sins. Current sins. They all bleed together to form a maelstrom of mistrust and resentment. Old friendships appear to be rekindled but, really, do they count for anything when one friend's son is accused of murdering another friend's daughter? Fin finds himself examining everything - his past relationships and his current - as his life is shattered by the accusations against his son, accusations his son refuses to refute.
The Black Loch is a dark and brooding read, unsettling and, at times, violent and shocking, but one that I consumed in less than twenty-four hours, unable to put it down. Atmospheric, thrilling and suspenseful, it ticks all my boxes.
Will we see more of Fin MacLeod? I hope so.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheBlackLoch #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Peter May started his writing career as a journalist, winning a national award at the age of 21. Still in his twenties, he switched to writing drama for UK television. He created three major drama serials in the UK and has credits for scriptwriting or producing more than 1,000 episodes of ratings-topping shows. He quit TV in the 1990s to concentrate on his first love, writing books.
Peter May is a Scot living in France.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Black Loch by Peter May for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Black Loch by Peter May was published 12 September, 2024. The 4th book in the Lewis Trilogy (don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger!) is easily read as a stand-alone.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 11, 2024
When Fin Macleod and his wife Marsaili were called to the Isle of Lewis, where a young woman by the name of Caitlin had died, they had no idea of what was ahead. Their son, Fionnlagh, had been arrested for her murder and they needed to do all they could to clear her name. As an ex-cop, Fin knew the ins and outs, but also knew he wouldn't be kept updated with the investigation. George Gunn, a local policeman, and Fin's good friend, helped on the quiet, knowing he could lose his job if discovered.
Thirty years prior, when Fin was a teenager, he and his friends would get up to mischief - as teens do - and stealing salmon from one of his friends' fathers cages earned them some pocket money. It was a great lark - until it no longer was. The more Fin learned, the more he worried that the past was connected to the current day. Could Fin clear his son's name before he was taken from the island and charged?
The Black Loch is the 4th in the Lewis Trilogy by Peter May and it was packed with intrigue, menace and danger. This one could easily be read as a standalone as it's ages since I read the 3rd in the series, but reading from the beginning would obviously work well. Fin is a wonderful character, and reading about the tangled web of the past made me wonder how he actually reached adulthood!! I wonder if there will be a #5 in this captivating series? Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
Thirty years prior, when Fin was a teenager, he and his friends would get up to mischief - as teens do - and stealing salmon from one of his friends' fathers cages earned them some pocket money. It was a great lark - until it no longer was. The more Fin learned, the more he worried that the past was connected to the current day. Could Fin clear his son's name before he was taken from the island and charged?
The Black Loch is the 4th in the Lewis Trilogy by Peter May and it was packed with intrigue, menace and danger. This one could easily be read as a standalone as it's ages since I read the 3rd in the series, but reading from the beginning would obviously work well. Fin is a wonderful character, and reading about the tangled web of the past made me wonder how he actually reached adulthood!! I wonder if there will be a #5 in this captivating series? Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
August 28, 2024
It has been quite a while since I have read a book by Petter May so when I saw another instalment in this series I grabbed it straight away. This is the fourth book in the series and is a well-developed story that is very enjoyable.
Caitlin, a young woman in her prime and a local TV star is found dumped on a beach at Black Loch. What is hard to believe in this case is that Cailtin was an extraordinarily good swimmer and canoeist, can she really have drowned?
No longer in the police force, Fin MacLeod and his wife return to where Fin grew up but for the worst possible reason, his son Fionnlagh stands accused of the murder of Caitlin and it soon becomes apparent that he was having an affair with her. Fin is devastated and cannot understand how his son could find himself in such a position and as bad as it all is Fin must help try and save his son.
May creates a wonderful atmosphere which is almost as creepy as it is gloomy, broken and damaged people strengthen the story and everything is not what it seems.
I found the book quite slow in parts, it has a very dark theme about it but altogether is a great thriller. If you have read the previous books in this series, I am sure you will enjoy returning to these familiar characters you have come to know.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
Caitlin, a young woman in her prime and a local TV star is found dumped on a beach at Black Loch. What is hard to believe in this case is that Cailtin was an extraordinarily good swimmer and canoeist, can she really have drowned?
No longer in the police force, Fin MacLeod and his wife return to where Fin grew up but for the worst possible reason, his son Fionnlagh stands accused of the murder of Caitlin and it soon becomes apparent that he was having an affair with her. Fin is devastated and cannot understand how his son could find himself in such a position and as bad as it all is Fin must help try and save his son.
May creates a wonderful atmosphere which is almost as creepy as it is gloomy, broken and damaged people strengthen the story and everything is not what it seems.
I found the book quite slow in parts, it has a very dark theme about it but altogether is a great thriller. If you have read the previous books in this series, I am sure you will enjoy returning to these familiar characters you have come to know.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
September 15, 2024
I’ll be reading the first three in this series without a doubt as I loved Fin, now ex police, and I want to get to know him as he was in his earlier life as a police officer.
Fin returns to his roots on the Isle of Lewis when his son is arrested for murder. Using his skills as an ex policeman, he begins to investigate the death of Caitlin whose body was found on the beach. Clearly this is a small island where everyone knows everyone else’s business and he reacquaints himself with some of his childhood friends. Not all of them are particularly friendly now and resent his presence as father of the murderer.
This is a story of secrets, lies, family bonds, friendships, bullying, and of course murder. Everything in the mix to produce an addictive thriller. There is also the addition of environmental issues which Peter has thoroughly researched and which add more depth to this story. He has cleverly woven these into the plotline. There is the heartbreaking beaching of a pod of whales, based on an actual event, and an unsettling delve into the huge business of salmon farming. Having read a few years ago about how bad the conditions are at salmon farms I eat wild salmon now, and so will you after reading this!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the flashbacks to the relevant events in their youth which have have made them the adults they are today. The relationships. The young boys who think they are invincible. The mothers looking back on their lives and wondering what they would have done differently.
A superb fast paced thriller by a hugely talented man.
Many thanks to Poppy and Sophie at Ransom PR for my spot on the blog tour and my hardback copy of the book.
Fin returns to his roots on the Isle of Lewis when his son is arrested for murder. Using his skills as an ex policeman, he begins to investigate the death of Caitlin whose body was found on the beach. Clearly this is a small island where everyone knows everyone else’s business and he reacquaints himself with some of his childhood friends. Not all of them are particularly friendly now and resent his presence as father of the murderer.
This is a story of secrets, lies, family bonds, friendships, bullying, and of course murder. Everything in the mix to produce an addictive thriller. There is also the addition of environmental issues which Peter has thoroughly researched and which add more depth to this story. He has cleverly woven these into the plotline. There is the heartbreaking beaching of a pod of whales, based on an actual event, and an unsettling delve into the huge business of salmon farming. Having read a few years ago about how bad the conditions are at salmon farms I eat wild salmon now, and so will you after reading this!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the flashbacks to the relevant events in their youth which have have made them the adults they are today. The relationships. The young boys who think they are invincible. The mothers looking back on their lives and wondering what they would have done differently.
A superb fast paced thriller by a hugely talented man.
Many thanks to Poppy and Sophie at Ransom PR for my spot on the blog tour and my hardback copy of the book.
August 29, 2024
Well it’s been a long time since we were treated to a Hebrides novel by Peter May and this is a stonking return, thankfully I don’t really eat fish or Salmon would be being added to my list of fish not to touch much like cod. This is an intriguing mystery full of heart and soul and great for fans of the Hebrides trilogy or people new to the series. A truly fascinating read 5* from me
September 15, 2024
Lovely being back on Lewis! Not as good as the original trilogy but I really enjoyed it.
August 18, 2024
I have read quite a few books by Peter May but I have not read any in the Lewis Trilogy so I wondered if this would have an impact om my enjoyment of the newest book in the series The Black Loch, and I am glad to say that it didn’t which to me is always the sign of a good writer. Yes, they would love you to read everything in that given series but if you can pick it up at any point as still enjoy it then you can always go back and catch up on what went before, something I fully intend to do.
When Fin MacLeod returns to the place he grew up, he is not returning as a former police officer, but as a father determined to get to the truth of whether his sone is responsible for the murder of Caitlin who is one of his students and someone he had been having an affair with. The evidence is certainly stacked against him and even Fin is not sure if he did it or not.
Fin is a man with flaws. Stuck in a job he hates since leaving the force, he is still dealing with the worst in society, and it is sucking the life out of him so when his son needs him the threat of losing his job doesn’t have any impact on him whatsoever. He is not keen on returning to the place he grew up as it holds very few good memories for him, memories that are revealed throughout the book. There is a strain in the relationship between Fin and his son, one which may be disastrous in his quest to prove his son’s innocence.
There is quite a lot going on in this book as past friendships are explored and ultimately implode as the connections between what happened in childhood and the victim and suspect are explored. All of this is done expertly and just add layers to the story. You do get the feeling that the more you learn about Fin’s past all his actions and decisions leading to this point are a way of him trying to forget yet also atone for what happened.
In all his books Peter May manages to make the location an integral part of the story, harsh locations and the reality of the life it supports are woven into the story, always transporting the reader into the heart of the community. The growing tension and the sense of urgency keep you hooked right to the unexpected conclusion where you are left with the feeling that there is hope for those that have been left behind that they can pick up the pieces of their lives and move forward. If you love Peter May then you won’t be disappointed.
When Fin MacLeod returns to the place he grew up, he is not returning as a former police officer, but as a father determined to get to the truth of whether his sone is responsible for the murder of Caitlin who is one of his students and someone he had been having an affair with. The evidence is certainly stacked against him and even Fin is not sure if he did it or not.
Fin is a man with flaws. Stuck in a job he hates since leaving the force, he is still dealing with the worst in society, and it is sucking the life out of him so when his son needs him the threat of losing his job doesn’t have any impact on him whatsoever. He is not keen on returning to the place he grew up as it holds very few good memories for him, memories that are revealed throughout the book. There is a strain in the relationship between Fin and his son, one which may be disastrous in his quest to prove his son’s innocence.
There is quite a lot going on in this book as past friendships are explored and ultimately implode as the connections between what happened in childhood and the victim and suspect are explored. All of this is done expertly and just add layers to the story. You do get the feeling that the more you learn about Fin’s past all his actions and decisions leading to this point are a way of him trying to forget yet also atone for what happened.
In all his books Peter May manages to make the location an integral part of the story, harsh locations and the reality of the life it supports are woven into the story, always transporting the reader into the heart of the community. The growing tension and the sense of urgency keep you hooked right to the unexpected conclusion where you are left with the feeling that there is hope for those that have been left behind that they can pick up the pieces of their lives and move forward. If you love Peter May then you won’t be disappointed.
Read
August 28, 2024I was so excited to hear that Fin Macleod was making a very welcome return. I read the first three books in this series many years ago, and they made a real impact on me. I am very pleased to say the wait was worth it!
Set against such a haunting background, the black loch sees Fin Macleod returning to Isle of Lewis with his partner Marsaili but there is more sadness awaiting Fin as his son Fionnlagh has been accused of the murder of an eighteen year old TV star Kathleen.
As with the previous books to work out the present there is a need to reach into the past and in doing so we see the Fin's character developing. Peter May really gets under the skin of all his characters, and at times this makes for uncomfortable reading as we can be disappointed by much loved characters.
Don't miss out on this treasure!
Set against such a haunting background, the black loch sees Fin Macleod returning to Isle of Lewis with his partner Marsaili but there is more sadness awaiting Fin as his son Fionnlagh has been accused of the murder of an eighteen year old TV star Kathleen.
As with the previous books to work out the present there is a need to reach into the past and in doing so we see the Fin's character developing. Peter May really gets under the skin of all his characters, and at times this makes for uncomfortable reading as we can be disappointed by much loved characters.
Don't miss out on this treasure!
September 10, 2024
The Black loch is part of the Lewis Trilogy ( book 4 ) that centres around Fin MacLeod, I have not read the [previous 3 books in the series, however I didn’t find that man issue as any backstory is described here, so its okay to read as a standalone.
The opening chapter sets the scene with a difficult situation that involves a death, but its is murder? The Black Locj is a steady build from the first chapter that takes us through the plot and story, it involves Fin MacLeod returning to Lewis after moving away and getting drawn into a hunt for a murderer.
I felt that the characters were really well written and I found myself really getting into the storyline, the descriptions of the Iskle of Lewis were breathtaking and really brought it to life for me.
I did however find some of the subject matter a little unpleasant – Salmon farming ( not sure I will eat Salmon again! ) and the beaching of whales, but I know Peter is passionate about raising awareness to environmental issues, and these issues were integral top the story.
The Black Loch is a gripping page turner and I was totally drawn in until the last page. A solid 4 star read from one of the great authors.
The opening chapter sets the scene with a difficult situation that involves a death, but its is murder? The Black Locj is a steady build from the first chapter that takes us through the plot and story, it involves Fin MacLeod returning to Lewis after moving away and getting drawn into a hunt for a murderer.
I felt that the characters were really well written and I found myself really getting into the storyline, the descriptions of the Iskle of Lewis were breathtaking and really brought it to life for me.
I did however find some of the subject matter a little unpleasant – Salmon farming ( not sure I will eat Salmon again! ) and the beaching of whales, but I know Peter is passionate about raising awareness to environmental issues, and these issues were integral top the story.
The Black Loch is a gripping page turner and I was totally drawn in until the last page. A solid 4 star read from one of the great authors.
September 12, 2024
Stunning through and through from the backdrop and exquisitely described landscape of Lewis to the carefully entangled tale with its twists and turns. I have friends in Lewis and feel the spirit of the place is captured beautifully from the beauty and wildness of the landscape to the fact that it’s so sparse in population that everyone knows everyone and there is a strong sense of of loyalties and that everyone pulls together against adversity but if anyone puts a step wrong then it sends ripples through the entire community. The names and Gaelic element made me feel fully immersed and part of the action myself rather than looking on as an outsider. I loved that personal loyalties were tested to the max, not least that a retired cop was suddenly facing the other side of the investigation when his son was the accused and the wrenching emotions this caused whilst trying to keep open minded under extreme time pressures. As usual old secrets rise to the surface and threaten to bubble over and opening old wounds is never going to go well. I didn’t guess the ending and there was a real frenzy of action towards the end which was totally exhilarating. Top notch writing and not one to be missed in my humble opinion.
September 11, 2024
After a decade away from the Isle of Lewis, former police detective Fin Macleod heads back to a place full of haunting memories, for a singular purpose. The brutalised body of eighteen-year-old TV personality, Caitlin Black, has been found on the shore of Black Loch, and Fin's son, Fionnlagh, has been accused of her murder. Despite the complex relationships that have developed in this family, Fin and his wife, Marsalli, cannot believe their son is guilty of such a crime, and hope to clear his name.
They find their son sullen and reeling from the death of the young woman it transpires he was having an affair with, despite being a family-man, the considerable age-gap between them, and the shocking fact that Fionnlagh was Caitlin's teacher. All the evidence points towards Fionnlagh's guilt, and Fin's faith in his son is shaken, but with dogged determination, he sets to work hunting for the truth - this time, as a civilian. What he discovers brings the past and present clashing together with a reckoning that takes Fin right back to his own tragic history with the Black Loch...
Peter May picks up the story of Fin Macleod ten years further down the line from the tales in his best-selling Lewis trilogy, with a dark and atmospheric story that thrums with luscious Tartan noir vibes.
Fin's life has not turned out quite as he expected, and at the beginning of this tale he is unhappy with both his personal and professional lives. With a job that still immerses him in the shocking depravity of the human condition, albeit now as a civilian employee of the Sottish police force, and a distance between him and Marsalli he has no idea how to breach, it is time for a new direction - but the last thing he expects is that this will involve an investigation back in Lewis that touches his own family.
This is an investigation unlike anything Fin has had to deal with before. Walking a fine line between the difficulties of gathering information that would previously have been freely available as a serving police officer, questioning witnesses as someone linked so closely to the murder suspect, and the effect of Fionnlagh's arrest on his whole family, Fin is also overwhelmed by the emotional power of his own past sins - sins which are determined to force their way into the light with every step on his journey to prove his son's innocence.
The story unfurls with slow-burn twists and turns in the present, broken up with intense, first-person vignettes from Fin's past. As the threads of Fin's investigation develop, laden with the significance of his past deeds and connections, May explores a host of topics about family, friendship, secrets and lies. He also has a lot to say about environmental issues, activism, whaling (be prepared to cry when it comes to these parts of the story), and the impact of commercial salmon farming (I guarantee you will think twice about eating farmed salmon again). Every little piece of the puzzle comes together to increase the pace of the story, until you find yourself careering headlong into a blow by blow climax that leaves you breathless.
There is an undeniable melancholic air to this novel that works beautifully with the brooding characters and backdrop of the Western Isles. I have rarely read a crime thriller that blends past and present so exquisitely, echoing themes of bitterness, regret, retribution, and the weight of things unsaid. I also loved how May examines the passage of time so well with the interplay between setting and memory, and his use of expressive Gaelic alongside English is divine.
I have not read the Lewis trilogy, which put me at a slight disadvantage embarking on a novel that relies heavily on what happened in the past. However, as the layers of story peel away, May gives you everything you need to understand how and why the consequences of Fin's own troubled history have rippled through time, in a cracking crime thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
They find their son sullen and reeling from the death of the young woman it transpires he was having an affair with, despite being a family-man, the considerable age-gap between them, and the shocking fact that Fionnlagh was Caitlin's teacher. All the evidence points towards Fionnlagh's guilt, and Fin's faith in his son is shaken, but with dogged determination, he sets to work hunting for the truth - this time, as a civilian. What he discovers brings the past and present clashing together with a reckoning that takes Fin right back to his own tragic history with the Black Loch...
Peter May picks up the story of Fin Macleod ten years further down the line from the tales in his best-selling Lewis trilogy, with a dark and atmospheric story that thrums with luscious Tartan noir vibes.
Fin's life has not turned out quite as he expected, and at the beginning of this tale he is unhappy with both his personal and professional lives. With a job that still immerses him in the shocking depravity of the human condition, albeit now as a civilian employee of the Sottish police force, and a distance between him and Marsalli he has no idea how to breach, it is time for a new direction - but the last thing he expects is that this will involve an investigation back in Lewis that touches his own family.
This is an investigation unlike anything Fin has had to deal with before. Walking a fine line between the difficulties of gathering information that would previously have been freely available as a serving police officer, questioning witnesses as someone linked so closely to the murder suspect, and the effect of Fionnlagh's arrest on his whole family, Fin is also overwhelmed by the emotional power of his own past sins - sins which are determined to force their way into the light with every step on his journey to prove his son's innocence.
The story unfurls with slow-burn twists and turns in the present, broken up with intense, first-person vignettes from Fin's past. As the threads of Fin's investigation develop, laden with the significance of his past deeds and connections, May explores a host of topics about family, friendship, secrets and lies. He also has a lot to say about environmental issues, activism, whaling (be prepared to cry when it comes to these parts of the story), and the impact of commercial salmon farming (I guarantee you will think twice about eating farmed salmon again). Every little piece of the puzzle comes together to increase the pace of the story, until you find yourself careering headlong into a blow by blow climax that leaves you breathless.
There is an undeniable melancholic air to this novel that works beautifully with the brooding characters and backdrop of the Western Isles. I have rarely read a crime thriller that blends past and present so exquisitely, echoing themes of bitterness, regret, retribution, and the weight of things unsaid. I also loved how May examines the passage of time so well with the interplay between setting and memory, and his use of expressive Gaelic alongside English is divine.
I have not read the Lewis trilogy, which put me at a slight disadvantage embarking on a novel that relies heavily on what happened in the past. However, as the layers of story peel away, May gives you everything you need to understand how and why the consequences of Fin's own troubled history have rippled through time, in a cracking crime thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
September 13, 2024
The Black Loch is a return to the Lewis Trilogy which made such a mark when first published. The Blackhouse, The Lewis Man and The Chessmen were remarkably successful and now Peter May has returned to Lewis and brought Fin MacLeod back to face his past and to consider his future.
It’s not necessary to have read the trilogy in order to read this novel, but if you do, the experience will be that much richer.
Fin MacLeod is living a harsh life in Glasgow. He’s doing a civilian job for the Police that is stressful and that he hates and his marriage is stale, yet he hasn’t the urge or the energy to fix it.
Fin Macleod hasn’t been back to Lewis for a decade; it holds bad memories for him. But when his son, Fionnlagh is suspected of the murder of 18-year-old Caitlin Black with whom he had been having an extra marital affair, Fin and Marsaili return to support him.
It’s a sad story and at best it looks tawdry. Attractive and athletic, Caitlin had gained some fame as a co-presenter of a nature documentary series set on Lewis. Fionnlagh is a teacher and Caitlin was one of his pupils. Not only has Fionnlagh betrayed his wife, but he has also left his child to suffer the gossip, scandal and tittle tattle that can make schoolchildren’s lives such a misery.
Caitlin was found on the shores of the Black Loch, murdered and, it is suspected, raped. Fionnlagh is the only suspect but Fin is determined to do what he can to get to the truth, even although he is no longer a policeman. For Fin it is a quest that takes him back to his own youth, and to his history and dark deeds at the Black Loch; a history that rises up to face him as he fights for his son’s freedom.
Peter May’s writing absorbs the reader into the landscape and the weather of Lewis; he makes us understand the importance of the land and the sea to these islanders and from the traditions of guga catching to making a living from the water, his writing is full of the heart of the Gàidhealtachd. He writes with pace and gets to the heart of his characters in a thrilling plotline that that covers some of today’s farming crimes.
Investigating what happened to Caitlin inevitably brings Fin close to the sins of his own past; sins which have had an emotional impact that he has never fully recognised and which he has never shared with anyone, not even Marsaili.
As Peter May leads us through some of the truly despicable things that are now happening in the farming of lochs of the Hebrides and elsewhere in Scotland, the true depravity of some exploiters is exposed. May’s own environmental passions prove a fertile breeding ground to lay bare a horrendous practice which should surely be outlawed.
When Fin finds out about these practices and lays them against what he remembers of his own past, so many secrets, so many buried lies rise to the surface. Again and again, Fin finds himself regretting his past; understanding perhaps for the first time the impact of some of his actions, and looking to find some truths that have eluded him for years. Old friendships are re-examined and uncomfortable home truths are told. The hypocritical position of the Church is exposed by its Minister as the tension rises and Fin is attacked by those who want to see him fail.
Atmospheric, brooding, full of family ghosts, lost desires and retribution, The Black Loch holds the scales that balance guilt and innocence with a very fine line between the two. Family secrets are uncovered; youthful crimes exposed and ultimately, Fionnlagh’s true position revealed. But all of this is in the shadow of the history and importance of the generations of families who have lived and worked on Lewis and the allegiance that they all have to an unforgiving island. An allegiance that the island repays by revealing its strength and beauty to those who come to love it and remain there.
Verdict: A pacy, tense and character driven plot that draws the reader deep into the atmosphere and characters of Lewis. Dark and unsettling, this is a sometimes shocking and emotional story that really resonates.
It’s not necessary to have read the trilogy in order to read this novel, but if you do, the experience will be that much richer.
Fin MacLeod is living a harsh life in Glasgow. He’s doing a civilian job for the Police that is stressful and that he hates and his marriage is stale, yet he hasn’t the urge or the energy to fix it.
Fin Macleod hasn’t been back to Lewis for a decade; it holds bad memories for him. But when his son, Fionnlagh is suspected of the murder of 18-year-old Caitlin Black with whom he had been having an extra marital affair, Fin and Marsaili return to support him.
It’s a sad story and at best it looks tawdry. Attractive and athletic, Caitlin had gained some fame as a co-presenter of a nature documentary series set on Lewis. Fionnlagh is a teacher and Caitlin was one of his pupils. Not only has Fionnlagh betrayed his wife, but he has also left his child to suffer the gossip, scandal and tittle tattle that can make schoolchildren’s lives such a misery.
Caitlin was found on the shores of the Black Loch, murdered and, it is suspected, raped. Fionnlagh is the only suspect but Fin is determined to do what he can to get to the truth, even although he is no longer a policeman. For Fin it is a quest that takes him back to his own youth, and to his history and dark deeds at the Black Loch; a history that rises up to face him as he fights for his son’s freedom.
Peter May’s writing absorbs the reader into the landscape and the weather of Lewis; he makes us understand the importance of the land and the sea to these islanders and from the traditions of guga catching to making a living from the water, his writing is full of the heart of the Gàidhealtachd. He writes with pace and gets to the heart of his characters in a thrilling plotline that that covers some of today’s farming crimes.
Investigating what happened to Caitlin inevitably brings Fin close to the sins of his own past; sins which have had an emotional impact that he has never fully recognised and which he has never shared with anyone, not even Marsaili.
As Peter May leads us through some of the truly despicable things that are now happening in the farming of lochs of the Hebrides and elsewhere in Scotland, the true depravity of some exploiters is exposed. May’s own environmental passions prove a fertile breeding ground to lay bare a horrendous practice which should surely be outlawed.
When Fin finds out about these practices and lays them against what he remembers of his own past, so many secrets, so many buried lies rise to the surface. Again and again, Fin finds himself regretting his past; understanding perhaps for the first time the impact of some of his actions, and looking to find some truths that have eluded him for years. Old friendships are re-examined and uncomfortable home truths are told. The hypocritical position of the Church is exposed by its Minister as the tension rises and Fin is attacked by those who want to see him fail.
Atmospheric, brooding, full of family ghosts, lost desires and retribution, The Black Loch holds the scales that balance guilt and innocence with a very fine line between the two. Family secrets are uncovered; youthful crimes exposed and ultimately, Fionnlagh’s true position revealed. But all of this is in the shadow of the history and importance of the generations of families who have lived and worked on Lewis and the allegiance that they all have to an unforgiving island. An allegiance that the island repays by revealing its strength and beauty to those who come to love it and remain there.
Verdict: A pacy, tense and character driven plot that draws the reader deep into the atmosphere and characters of Lewis. Dark and unsettling, this is a sometimes shocking and emotional story that really resonates.
September 18, 2024
The Black Loch is set ten years after the events of Peter May’s popular Lewis Trilogy. Ex-Detective, Fin Macleod and his wife Marsaili, left Lewis to escape the memories of those events. Settling in Glasgow, Fin retrained to become a civilian IT consultant to the police, but recently it’s a job he’s come to hate. Fin and Marsaili’s son Fionnlagh, now thirty and a science teacher, married with a young daughter, recently returned to Lewis to teach at the Nicolson Institute, the secondary school Fin and Marsaili both attended.
When the body of an eighteen year old student at the school, Caitlin Black, is found washed up on the beach of An Loch Dubh (the Black Lake), Fionnlagh is charged with her murder. If the rumours are true, Fionnlagh and Caitlin were having an affair. Devastated, Fin and Marsaili reluctantly return to Lewis where Fionnlagh admits he was indeed having an affair with Caitlin but did not kill her. However, the police are satisfied they have their killer so Fin must work hard if he is to find the truth.
Caitlin was popular on the island as she and her friend Iseabail were involved in filming a programme for the BBC called Canoe and Ocean, exploring little visited areas of the coastline of the islands by canoe. Both excellent swimmers and ecowarriers, they would find hidden coves and film the local marine and bird life. Naturally most of the islanders are disgusted by Fionnlagh’s affair with his student and are ready to see him convicted of her murder.
Fin’s return is also not popular with the islanders and events and relationships from his childhood also colour his feelings about Lewis. In particular, he recalls the death of his friend Iain Murray, the summer after they finished school, while they helped their friend, Niall Black, steal fish from his father’s salmon farm to sell to a poacher. Inheriting the salmon farm, Niall has modernised it to be one of the biggest in the world and he and his son live on Cyprus to avoid taxes. Awkwardly for Fin, Niall is also Caitlin’s father, although she lived with her mother after her parents divorced and was not close to her father or brother.
May has created a dark and haunting atmosphere in the novel, perfectly evoking the rugged but beautiful island, where life is harsh and unforgiving for many. There is a strong environmental theme, championed by Caitlin and Iseabail who favour protection of the species living on the coast above the greed of large-scale commercial fishing. As the plot builds gradually, multiple layers invoking past history emerge setting the scene. The depth of background detail may seem unnecessary for those who have recently read the Lewis Trilogy, but will be useful for those of us who read it a while ago.
Fin is superbly drawn as a flawed character. Essentially a good man who has made many mistakes in his life, with some unresolved business rooted in his past. As the tension builds inexorably, the past and the present will collide in a stunning and suspenseful climax. While fans of Peter May’s will surely welcome this excellent addition to the series, it will also work well as a stand-alone for those new to his books.
With thanks to Quercus Books via Netgalley for a copy to read. This original review was published first in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
When the body of an eighteen year old student at the school, Caitlin Black, is found washed up on the beach of An Loch Dubh (the Black Lake), Fionnlagh is charged with her murder. If the rumours are true, Fionnlagh and Caitlin were having an affair. Devastated, Fin and Marsaili reluctantly return to Lewis where Fionnlagh admits he was indeed having an affair with Caitlin but did not kill her. However, the police are satisfied they have their killer so Fin must work hard if he is to find the truth.
Caitlin was popular on the island as she and her friend Iseabail were involved in filming a programme for the BBC called Canoe and Ocean, exploring little visited areas of the coastline of the islands by canoe. Both excellent swimmers and ecowarriers, they would find hidden coves and film the local marine and bird life. Naturally most of the islanders are disgusted by Fionnlagh’s affair with his student and are ready to see him convicted of her murder.
Fin’s return is also not popular with the islanders and events and relationships from his childhood also colour his feelings about Lewis. In particular, he recalls the death of his friend Iain Murray, the summer after they finished school, while they helped their friend, Niall Black, steal fish from his father’s salmon farm to sell to a poacher. Inheriting the salmon farm, Niall has modernised it to be one of the biggest in the world and he and his son live on Cyprus to avoid taxes. Awkwardly for Fin, Niall is also Caitlin’s father, although she lived with her mother after her parents divorced and was not close to her father or brother.
May has created a dark and haunting atmosphere in the novel, perfectly evoking the rugged but beautiful island, where life is harsh and unforgiving for many. There is a strong environmental theme, championed by Caitlin and Iseabail who favour protection of the species living on the coast above the greed of large-scale commercial fishing. As the plot builds gradually, multiple layers invoking past history emerge setting the scene. The depth of background detail may seem unnecessary for those who have recently read the Lewis Trilogy, but will be useful for those of us who read it a while ago.
Fin is superbly drawn as a flawed character. Essentially a good man who has made many mistakes in his life, with some unresolved business rooted in his past. As the tension builds inexorably, the past and the present will collide in a stunning and suspenseful climax. While fans of Peter May’s will surely welcome this excellent addition to the series, it will also work well as a stand-alone for those new to his books.
With thanks to Quercus Books via Netgalley for a copy to read. This original review was published first in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
September 11, 2024
This is the 4th book in this trilogy! Yes, to get the very best from it, you could do yourself a favour and start from the beginning and read in order.
So...we start with the body of a 18 year old Caitlin washing up on a remote beach. As a strong swimmer and canoeist it is strange that she could have drowned, especially as a TV conservationist, she knows the area like the back of her hand. It appears though that she was having an affair with Fionnlagh, a teacher, who is considerably older than her and married with a child. He is the son of Fin Macleod, former police, who left the island years since to escape some rather bad memories, but with his son accused of Caitlin's murder, he, along with wife Marsaili, return to support their son and try and clear his name.
Told in the present, with flashbacks to the recent and distant pasts, we follow as Fin battles with his own past to save the future of his son. We learn about some shady things he did with his friends when just a child. Things that shaped the man he became, and which still haunt him. But, if Fionnlagh is innocent, which he still hasn't himself professed, what did happen to Caitlin and who, if anyone, is responsible?
I love this series, I love the characters and the setting and I have always felt like there was more to tell. So I was very excited when I heard about this book. So much so that when I actually managed to get my hands on it, I was a little scared to crack on with it in case I wanted it too much and it disappointed. I had nothing to fear... Even given the circumstance, it was great to reconnect with old friends, although, by the end, realisation dawned that I would soon be having to say goodbye to them once again. Hopefully it might only be farewell...
The plot is tight and very well executed. The setting adds atmosphere and could be considered a character in its own right, the incident with the whales is harrowing, and the salmon add the yuck factor that you didn't know you needed! I was a bit worried about ever eating salmon again, but I had it yesterday and... so far so good!
All in all, a cracking addition to the trilogy! I wonder if there will be a fifth book... I hope so! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So...we start with the body of a 18 year old Caitlin washing up on a remote beach. As a strong swimmer and canoeist it is strange that she could have drowned, especially as a TV conservationist, she knows the area like the back of her hand. It appears though that she was having an affair with Fionnlagh, a teacher, who is considerably older than her and married with a child. He is the son of Fin Macleod, former police, who left the island years since to escape some rather bad memories, but with his son accused of Caitlin's murder, he, along with wife Marsaili, return to support their son and try and clear his name.
Told in the present, with flashbacks to the recent and distant pasts, we follow as Fin battles with his own past to save the future of his son. We learn about some shady things he did with his friends when just a child. Things that shaped the man he became, and which still haunt him. But, if Fionnlagh is innocent, which he still hasn't himself professed, what did happen to Caitlin and who, if anyone, is responsible?
I love this series, I love the characters and the setting and I have always felt like there was more to tell. So I was very excited when I heard about this book. So much so that when I actually managed to get my hands on it, I was a little scared to crack on with it in case I wanted it too much and it disappointed. I had nothing to fear... Even given the circumstance, it was great to reconnect with old friends, although, by the end, realisation dawned that I would soon be having to say goodbye to them once again. Hopefully it might only be farewell...
The plot is tight and very well executed. The setting adds atmosphere and could be considered a character in its own right, the incident with the whales is harrowing, and the salmon add the yuck factor that you didn't know you needed! I was a bit worried about ever eating salmon again, but I had it yesterday and... so far so good!
All in all, a cracking addition to the trilogy! I wonder if there will be a fifth book... I hope so! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 22, 2024
Peter May’s latest book is a compelling atmospheric mystery rooted deep in the events of the past. This is the fourth book in his series set on the island of Lewis but it’s many years since I read the previous books and The Black Loch stands up well as a stand alone read.
Fin MacCleod and his wife Marsaili left the island ten years ago but their lives have become increasingly unhappy. When their son, Fionnlagh is accused of murdering an 18 year old girl, they return to Lewis to try and help him and his family.
Although Fin is no longer with the police, he immediately starts trying to find out what has happened. It quickly becomes clear that his son was having an affair with the murdered girl but Fionnlagh refuses to give any more details and the police are happy that they have found their murderer.
As Fin investigates, he becomes increasingly reminded of events in the past when he was a teenager. Many of his friends are still on the island and the memories of the Summer before they all left for university on the mainland form a big part of this story. The further he delves into his son’s relationship with the murdered girl, the more he realises that the past is still influencing the present.
The Black Loch is quite dark in tone. Despite the beauty of the island and the brilliant but unusual sunshine, the feel is definitely gloomy with many of the characters damaged by either the events of the past or the present. I’ve never visited any of the Scottish Isles but Peter May evokes a real sense of place such that I almost feel that I have been there. He obviously has strong views on modern salmon farming too and the details of that industry are so graphic that it has put me off eating salmon for the foreseeable future.
Despite the darkness of tone and subject matter, the book isn’t depressing and the conclusion, which I didn’t see coming, does leave you with a feeling of optimism for the characters.
This was a great read which I didn’t want to put down and brilliantly combines an intriguing murder mystery with serious ecological issues.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Quercus Books, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Fin MacCleod and his wife Marsaili left the island ten years ago but their lives have become increasingly unhappy. When their son, Fionnlagh is accused of murdering an 18 year old girl, they return to Lewis to try and help him and his family.
Although Fin is no longer with the police, he immediately starts trying to find out what has happened. It quickly becomes clear that his son was having an affair with the murdered girl but Fionnlagh refuses to give any more details and the police are happy that they have found their murderer.
As Fin investigates, he becomes increasingly reminded of events in the past when he was a teenager. Many of his friends are still on the island and the memories of the Summer before they all left for university on the mainland form a big part of this story. The further he delves into his son’s relationship with the murdered girl, the more he realises that the past is still influencing the present.
The Black Loch is quite dark in tone. Despite the beauty of the island and the brilliant but unusual sunshine, the feel is definitely gloomy with many of the characters damaged by either the events of the past or the present. I’ve never visited any of the Scottish Isles but Peter May evokes a real sense of place such that I almost feel that I have been there. He obviously has strong views on modern salmon farming too and the details of that industry are so graphic that it has put me off eating salmon for the foreseeable future.
Despite the darkness of tone and subject matter, the book isn’t depressing and the conclusion, which I didn’t see coming, does leave you with a feeling of optimism for the characters.
This was a great read which I didn’t want to put down and brilliantly combines an intriguing murder mystery with serious ecological issues.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Quercus Books, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
August 18, 2024
Briefly - A very good 4th book in a very good series.
Back on the Outer Isles again with Peter May! There's a dead body of an 18 year old on a beach. She's a swimmer and a canoeist so the death could be suspicious. George Gunn is called to the case initially. Fairly quickly it is established that she was having an affair with Fionnlagh who is Fin Macleod's married son. Fin left Lewis ten years earlier to get away from memories however his job in Glasgow is anything but satisfying so he and his wife, Marsaili, return to support him and try and find out what is going on.
Twists and turns are as natural as breathing to Peter May and there is a strong environmental slant to this at times in common with some of his other recent books. Fin - not a policeman any more but well known in the area - starts looking at the circumstances that have led to his son's arrest. He and his wife stay with their daughter-in-law and granddaughter both of whom are very upset. Some of the chapters in this are in the first person. These are Fin recalling events from his past life. Can you fully understand the present if you have no real knowledge of the past…?
I am a fan of Peter May's books generally and the Lewis trilogy in particular (of which this is the fourth book). I do like Fin as a character and George Gunn too (though his part here is quite small). The writing about the islands, places and people, is very evocative and effective for me. People that Fin knew in his teens are a part of this and there is reference to previous books. I think this could be read standalone (it's a while since I read the previous books) however starting at the beginning of the series might be good.
If anything this becomes more powerful as it progresses. Like a wave moving towards the shore this story builds as it approaches the end. There is a darkness coming as the wave starts to break… I would say that overall this is at least as good as the previous books and at times even better for me. If I am being honest the ending - if pacey and tense - was not the best part of this to me. That said this was far better reading than many books I've read. A very good fourth book in a very good series.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
Back on the Outer Isles again with Peter May! There's a dead body of an 18 year old on a beach. She's a swimmer and a canoeist so the death could be suspicious. George Gunn is called to the case initially. Fairly quickly it is established that she was having an affair with Fionnlagh who is Fin Macleod's married son. Fin left Lewis ten years earlier to get away from memories however his job in Glasgow is anything but satisfying so he and his wife, Marsaili, return to support him and try and find out what is going on.
Twists and turns are as natural as breathing to Peter May and there is a strong environmental slant to this at times in common with some of his other recent books. Fin - not a policeman any more but well known in the area - starts looking at the circumstances that have led to his son's arrest. He and his wife stay with their daughter-in-law and granddaughter both of whom are very upset. Some of the chapters in this are in the first person. These are Fin recalling events from his past life. Can you fully understand the present if you have no real knowledge of the past…?
I am a fan of Peter May's books generally and the Lewis trilogy in particular (of which this is the fourth book). I do like Fin as a character and George Gunn too (though his part here is quite small). The writing about the islands, places and people, is very evocative and effective for me. People that Fin knew in his teens are a part of this and there is reference to previous books. I think this could be read standalone (it's a while since I read the previous books) however starting at the beginning of the series might be good.
If anything this becomes more powerful as it progresses. Like a wave moving towards the shore this story builds as it approaches the end. There is a darkness coming as the wave starts to break… I would say that overall this is at least as good as the previous books and at times even better for me. If I am being honest the ending - if pacey and tense - was not the best part of this to me. That said this was far better reading than many books I've read. A very good fourth book in a very good series.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
August 27, 2024
I read the Lewis trilogy over a decade ago, when they were first published. When I heard there was to be another book, featuring Fin, I was very eager to read it.
Fin and Marsaili return to Lewis, but it’s a journey they don’t want to make. Their married son, Fionnlagh, aged 30, has been accused of the very worst crime; involving a teenage girl, who by his own admission, he had been having an eyebrow raising relationship with. Their return is hard enough, but made more so, by old memories dredged up, which is unavoidable in such a small insular community.
The elapsed time between the writing of the trilogy, and The Black Loch, puts the reader alongside Fin. I felt the sense of distance, and time passed. This very much echoes the feeling that Fin has on arriving back on Lewis. The character names ringing distant bells in my memory, those same names were evoking distant feelings and long buried memories for Fin and Marsaili too.
If you haven’t read the original trilogy, the many characters, both current and past, may feel a little overwhelming. So I would suggest taking a few notes of the names, and their Gaelic names, to help you stay on top of who is who.
The atmospheric story is complex, with so much of the characters’ histories muddying the waters, confusing the facts of the case. Long held grudges, opinions formed decades, if not generations ago, make impartiality virtually impossible. Scabs are ripped from old wounds, poking the soft flesh underneath.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters again, some more so than others. It felt like meeting up with old friends, who I had lost touch with. Lewis itself feels like a character in its own right, the rugged landscape imposing a powerful, foreboding presence. I felt a strong environmental theme running through the pages too.
Readers of the original trilogy and those not au fait with the earlier books, will love this dark thriller; though I did find it to be a slower read than I remember the earlier books being. 4⭐️ from me.
Fin and Marsaili return to Lewis, but it’s a journey they don’t want to make. Their married son, Fionnlagh, aged 30, has been accused of the very worst crime; involving a teenage girl, who by his own admission, he had been having an eyebrow raising relationship with. Their return is hard enough, but made more so, by old memories dredged up, which is unavoidable in such a small insular community.
The elapsed time between the writing of the trilogy, and The Black Loch, puts the reader alongside Fin. I felt the sense of distance, and time passed. This very much echoes the feeling that Fin has on arriving back on Lewis. The character names ringing distant bells in my memory, those same names were evoking distant feelings and long buried memories for Fin and Marsaili too.
If you haven’t read the original trilogy, the many characters, both current and past, may feel a little overwhelming. So I would suggest taking a few notes of the names, and their Gaelic names, to help you stay on top of who is who.
The atmospheric story is complex, with so much of the characters’ histories muddying the waters, confusing the facts of the case. Long held grudges, opinions formed decades, if not generations ago, make impartiality virtually impossible. Scabs are ripped from old wounds, poking the soft flesh underneath.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters again, some more so than others. It felt like meeting up with old friends, who I had lost touch with. Lewis itself feels like a character in its own right, the rugged landscape imposing a powerful, foreboding presence. I felt a strong environmental theme running through the pages too.
Readers of the original trilogy and those not au fait with the earlier books, will love this dark thriller; though I did find it to be a slower read than I remember the earlier books being. 4⭐️ from me.
September 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this novel, it had me hooked from the start, and I literally couldn’t put it down. The book contains character’s from the author’s Lewis Trilogy. But this can be very easily read as a stand alone novel without you feeling you have missed anything. Except previous cases when Fin was a police officer.
Fin MacLeod is back in the Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis, with his wife Marsaili, it is not a place that Fin really wants to return to but his son Fionnlagh, is accused of murdering one of his 18 year old students Caitlin, but not only is he charged with killing her he has also been having an affair with her, despite being married to Donna and having a young daughter. As Fin arrives on the island no longer a police officer, his son has already been arrested and charged with the murder. There is a lot of evidence pointing at him. But did he do it, when his parents get to see him briefly Fionnlagh struggles to even look at them. His behaviour and attitude make you wonder if he did actually kill her.
What is so good about this novel is it’s not just about father and son, with Fin trying to find anything that would point to his sons innocence, but it goes back in time to Fin’s childhood, growing up on the island, the reader learns of things that the young Fin and friends got up to, after his parents died tragically in a car crash, and he was raised by an aunt who had no feelings for him, and raised him purely as a duty. This has moulded Fin as he grows into a man. There is quite a bit of backstory to cover, which adds another layer to the story.
Along with that, the author covers the harsh realities of salmon farming, how the fish are kept too cramped in cages, they develop diseases and many die, they are then given toxic chemicals. This has clearly been well researched, and fits into the plot well.
The other thing covered is about whaling, how it was years ago, and how it has changed, within the story there is a deeply moving part of the plot regarding a pod of whales, this is based on something that actually happened back in 2023. As I was reading this part I had a lump in my throat.
I loved how all of this came together, exploring Fin’s past friendships, parts which become connected, with what is happening in the present. This is all so cleverly woven into the story, blending easily. There is always something happening, keeping the readers attention throughout. I loved the pace, the characters are all believable, three dimensional. I liked learning of Fin and Marsaili, how they met, and what happened over the years with their relationships.
I had no idea how this was going to end, it is a terrific read with a murder mystery as well as mentioning some ecological issues. I would like to thank @sophieransompr and @poppydelingpole for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. Thank you also to @QuercusBooks for an advanced copy of the book, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. This is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
Fin MacLeod is back in the Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis, with his wife Marsaili, it is not a place that Fin really wants to return to but his son Fionnlagh, is accused of murdering one of his 18 year old students Caitlin, but not only is he charged with killing her he has also been having an affair with her, despite being married to Donna and having a young daughter. As Fin arrives on the island no longer a police officer, his son has already been arrested and charged with the murder. There is a lot of evidence pointing at him. But did he do it, when his parents get to see him briefly Fionnlagh struggles to even look at them. His behaviour and attitude make you wonder if he did actually kill her.
What is so good about this novel is it’s not just about father and son, with Fin trying to find anything that would point to his sons innocence, but it goes back in time to Fin’s childhood, growing up on the island, the reader learns of things that the young Fin and friends got up to, after his parents died tragically in a car crash, and he was raised by an aunt who had no feelings for him, and raised him purely as a duty. This has moulded Fin as he grows into a man. There is quite a bit of backstory to cover, which adds another layer to the story.
Along with that, the author covers the harsh realities of salmon farming, how the fish are kept too cramped in cages, they develop diseases and many die, they are then given toxic chemicals. This has clearly been well researched, and fits into the plot well.
The other thing covered is about whaling, how it was years ago, and how it has changed, within the story there is a deeply moving part of the plot regarding a pod of whales, this is based on something that actually happened back in 2023. As I was reading this part I had a lump in my throat.
I loved how all of this came together, exploring Fin’s past friendships, parts which become connected, with what is happening in the present. This is all so cleverly woven into the story, blending easily. There is always something happening, keeping the readers attention throughout. I loved the pace, the characters are all believable, three dimensional. I liked learning of Fin and Marsaili, how they met, and what happened over the years with their relationships.
I had no idea how this was going to end, it is a terrific read with a murder mystery as well as mentioning some ecological issues. I would like to thank @sophieransompr and @poppydelingpole for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. Thank you also to @QuercusBooks for an advanced copy of the book, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. This is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
July 29, 2024
It’s over 10 years since Peter May’s ‘Lewis Trilogy’ was published, though I came to the books only in the past year, quickly becoming hooked and reading them in quick succession, so the characters and events in those three were reasonably fresh in my mind when embarking on this book, the fourth in the series. The fault is mine, then, when I say that I was disappointed to find so many pages given over to filling in Fin’s background, the events and relationships of his youth. I can well see, though, that someone coming to this series for the first time would need all this information - this story would be mind-boggling without it - better still, of course, to read the first three first. Having said that, many characters and events are new and it was interesting to see where they fitted into the whole (or, more often, onto the fringes of what we already knew about Fin’s Lewis).
Apart from the mystery surrounding Caitlin’s death, the main story here is about the horrors of industrial salmon farming and it is not for the squeamish among us. This was all new to me. And, apart from Fin of course, the main character here (as has been said so many times before about Peter May’s writing) is the Outer Hebrides. I always find his descriptions of the islands compelling - dark and foreboding, cloud-covered mountains and cliffs, transformed by sudden bursts of sunlight breaking through the gloom. Must visit sometime.
With thanks to Quercus, riverrun via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Apart from the mystery surrounding Caitlin’s death, the main story here is about the horrors of industrial salmon farming and it is not for the squeamish among us. This was all new to me. And, apart from Fin of course, the main character here (as has been said so many times before about Peter May’s writing) is the Outer Hebrides. I always find his descriptions of the islands compelling - dark and foreboding, cloud-covered mountains and cliffs, transformed by sudden bursts of sunlight breaking through the gloom. Must visit sometime.
With thanks to Quercus, riverrun via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 9, 2024
Having thoroughly enjoyed the original Lewis trilogy I was excited to read a fourth instalment and I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. Peter May has the ability to evoke the feeling of places like no other author. I really felt that I was back on the cold bleak island of Lewis in the Hebrides. This story sees Fin MacLeod return to the place he came from as a civilian, having left the police force. However, the reason for his return forces him to become an investigator again as his son is accused of murdering one of his students. The visit reawakens memories of Fin's teenage years and exposes the strains within his relationship with his partner, Marsaili, the mother of his son. To solve the case, he is forced to face some of the wrongs of the past and we learn a great deal about the demons he carries with him. The characters in the story are made more believable by their flaws. None are whiter than white and all have things they would prefer to keep hidden. When the solution comes, it answers questions from the past as well as the present. An extremely satisfying read.
August 24, 2024
As always with May's books, The Black Loch is a beautifully descriptive novel, well paced with an intriguing plot and plenty of wonderful characters. Having read the original Lewis trilogy years ago and forgetting a lot of what happened, I thought this might make The Black Loch a slightly confusing read as I tried to remember previous plots, however it holds its own as a stand alone novel with no prior reading necessary. That being said, there are plenty of subtle reminders to catch the reader up.
May always makes the location a key point of the plot which really transports the reader into the story. Initially starting off with a rather slow pace, by the time the story reached its unexpected conclusion, I couldn't put it down!
If you're a Peter May fan, you'll love this one!
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books | riverrun for the ARC.
May always makes the location a key point of the plot which really transports the reader into the story. Initially starting off with a rather slow pace, by the time the story reached its unexpected conclusion, I couldn't put it down!
If you're a Peter May fan, you'll love this one!
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books | riverrun for the ARC.
September 17, 2024
I was so excited to see that Peter May wrote a 4th book in the Lewis trilogy! He couldn't let go of the place or the characters and I AM SO GLAD! Thank you! This addition takes place 20 years after The Chessmen & Finn & his wife are called back to the island when his son is accused of raping and murdering his pregnant lover. Most of the old characters are still there...except for a lot of them that knew the truth of Finn's teen years. (hmmm) Once again, reading this book was like watching a movie. You can smell the sea (& rotting fish), feel the ever-present wind, watch the colors of the ocean blend from Mediterranean blue to slate grey to fathomless black, & hear the sound of rubber boots trekking across the wet sand & the crackling of ocean foam. May's sense of place is the prominent character. It shapes everyone.
12 years is a long time to wait...but...oh-so-worth-it!
12 years is a long time to wait...but...oh-so-worth-it!
August 11, 2024
‘The Black Loch’,by Peter May,(Lewis Series,#4).,makes for an atmospheric investigative journey to a remote and majestic but sometimes unforgiving part of Scotland,namely the Outer Hebrides.There is a realistic sense of the rugged landscape and a vivid portrayal of the scenery underlying this fraught journey for the lead characters.In this story Fin and Marsaili return somewhat reluctantly to Lewis to face the traumatic circumstances which led to the arrest of their son,and make for difficult encounters with friends,family,and old foes.
In a sense this slow burning tale matches the somewhat sombre stillness, silence, and at times harsh beauty of the western isles.
This is a relatively measured paced tale that weaves in timeline between the relationships of some people in the past and the present.Misdeeds of their younger years are revealed that bind them in uneasy silent truces requiring compromise rather than honest revelations.
August 12, 2024
I have read the others in this series but a long time ago. The story is centred on the communities of the Hebrides. They are insular, suspicious and everyone knows everyone. Families have a shared history even though they leave for the mainland and return as adults. In the story, the islands are characters in themselves. The police make an arrest and sit back as they believe they have an open and shut case. The father of the accused thinks otherwise and as an ex police officer he investigates on his own. The pace of the book is slow much like the islands, pondering and weighing up every nuance. Not sure what the whales really added to the story but I will be more careful when choosing salmon!
September 5, 2024
I read the first book as part of my book club and as I enjoyed it, I went on to read the next two. The 4th installment didn't disappoint, although I found I couldn't entirely remember what happened in the last book, due to it being a while ago, however this isn't the books fault and didn't make a difference, once I started to remember.
It's just as good as the other 3 books, only Fin is no longer a police officer. I enjoyed reading it and solving the mystery with him.
It had twists and turns and a further look into island life.
I would read a 5th, although I wonder if it's a good point to stop.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's just as good as the other 3 books, only Fin is no longer a police officer. I enjoyed reading it and solving the mystery with him.
It had twists and turns and a further look into island life.
I would read a 5th, although I wonder if it's a good point to stop.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2024
An informative ecological read wrapped up in a thought provoking crime novel set against the backdrop of the atmospheric Isle of Lewis.
With beautiful scenery, old familiar characters and a edgy crime to solve, this was a 'wrap up with a hot chocolate ' sort of read.
Meeting Fin again was joyful, the circumstances, not so much. A usual May's depiction of island life feels authentic and with a murder to solve as well as long ago but not forgotten secrets to uncover, The Black Loch was a compelling enjoyable read
With beautiful scenery, old familiar characters and a edgy crime to solve, this was a 'wrap up with a hot chocolate ' sort of read.
Meeting Fin again was joyful, the circumstances, not so much. A usual May's depiction of island life feels authentic and with a murder to solve as well as long ago but not forgotten secrets to uncover, The Black Loch was a compelling enjoyable read
August 14, 2024
It's over 10 years since Peter May's Lewis Trilogy was published. This is part 4 and it's just as compelling a read. As usual the descriptions of the island way of life, the sights, smells, people and their language really make the story come alive. Fin and Marsaili return to Lewis as their son is arrested for the murder of an 18 year old schoolgirl. Old secrets, friendships and relationships are brought to the surface in this exciting up to date novel. Highly recommend. Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an early copy.
August 2, 2024
The Black Loch by P. May, published by Quercus, is book 4 in the Lewis Trilogy. The book can easily be read as a stand alone, anyway, for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Seasoned Detective Sergeant George Gunn and Detective Louise McNish's latest case includes a dead girl found. Set in Scotland the investigation starts and the reader is along for the ride, intriguing, twisty full of unexpected turns, a fantastic read.
Seasoned Detective Sergeant George Gunn and Detective Louise McNish's latest case includes a dead girl found. Set in Scotland the investigation starts and the reader is along for the ride, intriguing, twisty full of unexpected turns, a fantastic read.
August 19, 2024
Fin Mc Leod is back with a bang! An excellent book 4 in the Lewis trilogy, which I can highly recommend. Peter May weaves a fine tale of island life, nature and it's people, all beautifully described. An atmospheric read, filed with tension, surprises and a beautiful unexpected ending. I do recommend reading the previous books for background information, you won't be disappointed! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
August 8, 2024
What a fantastic book this was to read. It has been quite a while since I read the others in the series so thankfully there was enough in this book to remind you what happened previously when it was connected to the current storyline. Great characters and a storyline that kept you hooked from the off, wanting to read on until I got to the end - my sign of a great book! Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews