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Lewis Trilogy #1-3
The Lewis Trilogy: The Blackhouse, The Lewis Man and The Chessmen
The isle of Lewis is a land of strange beauty, harsh living and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod returns from Edinburgh to the island of his childhood to investigate a series of brutal killings.
As old memories resurface and old friends reappear, Fin realizes that returning to the past will lead him into danger.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod returns from Edinburgh to the island of his childhood to investigate a series of brutal killings.
As old memories resurface and old friends reappear, Fin realizes that returning to the past will lead him into danger.
1035 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2013
661 people are currently reading
942 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 2, 2014
I've just finished reading "Blackhouse" and I've already read "The Lewis Man" but I'll discuss "Blackhouse here.
The story takes place in the Isle of Lewis in the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. A bleaker setting you couldn't imagine but if you enjoy the likes of Wallender think of the bleakness there and double it.
Peter May's writing is absolutely beautiful. There are evocative passages that are heartbreaking and this places his novels well above the rank and file of ordinary crime fiction in my opinion.
As "Blackhouse" is the first of the trilogy a lot of it is - seemingly - devoted to setting the scene of the main character's past life... I say setting the scene because it all dovetails with accomplished precision into a conclusion which is expertly plotted.
Can't recommend this author highly enough and look forward to reading "Chessmen".
The story takes place in the Isle of Lewis in the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. A bleaker setting you couldn't imagine but if you enjoy the likes of Wallender think of the bleakness there and double it.
Peter May's writing is absolutely beautiful. There are evocative passages that are heartbreaking and this places his novels well above the rank and file of ordinary crime fiction in my opinion.
As "Blackhouse" is the first of the trilogy a lot of it is - seemingly - devoted to setting the scene of the main character's past life... I say setting the scene because it all dovetails with accomplished precision into a conclusion which is expertly plotted.
Can't recommend this author highly enough and look forward to reading "Chessmen".
March 16, 2021
Il volume contiene 3 romanzi dello scrittore Peter May ambientati sull'isola di Lewis, nelle Ebridi esterne scozzesi.
I romanzi, originariamente pubblicati singolarmente tra il 2009 e il 2013, sono:
L'isola dei cacciatori di uccelli
L'uomo di Lewis
L'uomo degli scacchi
In tutti e tre il protagonista è Fin McLeod, un poliziotto di Edimburgo che ha da poco perso un figlio di 8 anni, investito da un pirata della strada.
Nel primo romanzo Fin viene mandato sull'isola di Lewis per un'indagine su un omicidio molto simile ad un altro avvenuto pochi mesi prima nella capitale scozzese. Sull'isola di Lewis Fin ci è nato e cresciuto quindi, oltre all'indagine, si trova a fare i conti con tutti i fantasmi del suo passato.
A partire dal secondo romanzo, Fin si dimette dalla polizia e rimane sull'isola per iniziare una nuova vita, ma si trova coinvolto in altri delitti.
Li definirei romanzi gialli "atipici" perché, a differenza della maggior parte dei gialli in circolazione, le vicende qui non ruotano attorno alla classica stazione di polizia. In tutti, il delitto da risolvere ha radici nel passato, quindi non ci sono le classiche indagini con interrogatori, raccolta di prove, ecc. ma ci sono dei viaggi nel passato, attraverso lunghissimi flashback nelle vite dei personaggi coinvolti.
A tratti questa modalità mi ha un po' annoiata, perché si perdeva in dettagli apparentemente poco significativi e la lettura arrancava un po'. C'è anche una certa ripetitività dei temi, per esempio nel primo e secondo romanzo ci sono molti flashback su episodi successi a scuola, bullismo, tragici incidenti (nel primo romanzo un ragazzo cade da un tetto e rimane paralizzato, nel secondo un ragazzo cade da un ponte e muore), mentre nel secondo e terzo romanzo si indaga su cadaveri ritrovati dopo tantissimi anni.
Oltre a questo ci sono le vicende personali di Fin, che toccano tematiche importanti come l'amicizia, la lealtà, l'elaborazione del lutto, i rimpianti.
E infine c'è la bellezza selvaggia dell'isola di Lewis.
I romanzi, originariamente pubblicati singolarmente tra il 2009 e il 2013, sono:
L'isola dei cacciatori di uccelli
L'uomo di Lewis
L'uomo degli scacchi
In tutti e tre il protagonista è Fin McLeod, un poliziotto di Edimburgo che ha da poco perso un figlio di 8 anni, investito da un pirata della strada.
Nel primo romanzo Fin viene mandato sull'isola di Lewis per un'indagine su un omicidio molto simile ad un altro avvenuto pochi mesi prima nella capitale scozzese. Sull'isola di Lewis Fin ci è nato e cresciuto quindi, oltre all'indagine, si trova a fare i conti con tutti i fantasmi del suo passato.
A partire dal secondo romanzo, Fin si dimette dalla polizia e rimane sull'isola per iniziare una nuova vita, ma si trova coinvolto in altri delitti.
Li definirei romanzi gialli "atipici" perché, a differenza della maggior parte dei gialli in circolazione, le vicende qui non ruotano attorno alla classica stazione di polizia. In tutti, il delitto da risolvere ha radici nel passato, quindi non ci sono le classiche indagini con interrogatori, raccolta di prove, ecc. ma ci sono dei viaggi nel passato, attraverso lunghissimi flashback nelle vite dei personaggi coinvolti.
A tratti questa modalità mi ha un po' annoiata, perché si perdeva in dettagli apparentemente poco significativi e la lettura arrancava un po'. C'è anche una certa ripetitività dei temi, per esempio nel primo e secondo romanzo ci sono molti flashback su episodi successi a scuola, bullismo, tragici incidenti (nel primo romanzo un ragazzo cade da un tetto e rimane paralizzato, nel secondo un ragazzo cade da un ponte e muore), mentre nel secondo e terzo romanzo si indaga su cadaveri ritrovati dopo tantissimi anni.
Oltre a questo ci sono le vicende personali di Fin, che toccano tematiche importanti come l'amicizia, la lealtà, l'elaborazione del lutto, i rimpianti.
E infine c'è la bellezza selvaggia dell'isola di Lewis.
September 20, 2015
Ah, the Lewis Trilogy. I picked them up back in the days where I was only just getting into crime books. I absolutely adored them and they seemed to cement my entry into the genre. Now, with the list of crime books I have read being much longer, I can still say they are still some of my favourites. They is just so much to love with these books: characters, setting, crimes, underlying storyline. We have it all and I have a feeling these books will always sit high up on my favourite list.
July 27, 2018
I have become a Peter May fan! The writing is intelligent and full of interesting historical and cultural information about the setting. I have found this to be almost as enticing as the story itself. All Peter May's books have kept my interest till the very last page.
July 7, 2021
I liked each book. The characters intertwine through the series revealing the history and setting of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The crimes are well written, kept me turning those pages.
August 19, 2023
Crime novels at their very best. Stories set in a wild and inhospitable environment bound together by evocative writing. Clever and insightful.
January 23, 2021
Great Value Trilogy
Recommended by a friend with Stornoway roots. Great insight into Gaelic and the long island ,just need to suspend belief or cynicism regarding the plot.
Enjoyable escapism.
Recommended by a friend with Stornoway roots. Great insight into Gaelic and the long island ,just need to suspend belief or cynicism regarding the plot.
Enjoyable escapism.
August 27, 2022
ho ricevuto in dono questo libro di oltre 900 pagine, non conoscevo l'autore.
E' stata una piacevole sorpresa, lettura scorrevole, descrizione dei luoghi incantati delle isole Ebridi molto efficace, suspance adeguata, delitti e....castighi.
E' stata una piacevole sorpresa, lettura scorrevole, descrizione dei luoghi incantati delle isole Ebridi molto efficace, suspance adeguata, delitti e....castighi.
December 12, 2022
Da non amante dei gialli, salvo questo libro solo per l'ambientazione. Del resto (personaggi, trama, il caso) posso dire poco, perché poco mi hanno coinvolto.
May 7, 2021
Hard one to rate. I enjoyed these books quite a bit. Their greatest strength, hands down, is opening up a unique world of remote Gaelic island living. The descriptions of the land and the culture are enthralling.
The mysteries themselves? Pretty poorly done. Nothing suspenseful or surprising about them. In fact, suspense is clearly something this author doesn't do well.
The characters, especially the main protagonist, start off very wooden and don't elicit a lot of sympathy or interest. As you get into the second and thrid books though, some of the characters and their relationships start to flesh out and you start to care more about what happens to them.
And the writing from the perspective of the dementia-riddled grandfather in the second book, was very very well done. Probably the best depiction of someone with dementia that I've read.
At the end of the day, I was entertained and felt like I had a glimpse into an area of the world I'm not super familiar with. Ironically, I would not recommend this book at all to a mystery fan, but would to folks interested in this region or historical fiction in general (although the story is fairly contemporary). Solid 3 stars.
The mysteries themselves? Pretty poorly done. Nothing suspenseful or surprising about them. In fact, suspense is clearly something this author doesn't do well.
The characters, especially the main protagonist, start off very wooden and don't elicit a lot of sympathy or interest. As you get into the second and thrid books though, some of the characters and their relationships start to flesh out and you start to care more about what happens to them.
And the writing from the perspective of the dementia-riddled grandfather in the second book, was very very well done. Probably the best depiction of someone with dementia that I've read.
At the end of the day, I was entertained and felt like I had a glimpse into an area of the world I'm not super familiar with. Ironically, I would not recommend this book at all to a mystery fan, but would to folks interested in this region or historical fiction in general (although the story is fairly contemporary). Solid 3 stars.
October 7, 2017
The Lewis Man is a better mystery than The Blackhouse. I especially liked the Edinburgh segment. I never knew that beautiful Dean Village was once a tenement section of the city and home to first a hospital and then an orphanage. The Hebrides islands are even more vividly described than in the first book. The geneology part of the plot was very interesting too, and the information about how the island women created woolen patterns which were identifiable as family identifications. I knew about clan plaids, but not this. Great clues to the mystery. Love this author and look forward to The Chessmen.
March 1, 2020
Brilliant and well written trilogy
Each book is connected while also feeling self contained to a certain but you would certainly need to read them in order to understand the relationhips to certain characters
The only thing that let it down for me was aspects of the third book and the ending
Certain loose ends were quickly wrapped up in abit of a rush which I feel could have been fleshed out more
The fact that the 3rd book introduces these extra characters that based on their relationship with the main protagonist would surely have been mentioned in the first book seems abut out of place
But it feels like nitpicking because there is so much to love
At the center of each book is essentially a murder mystery, each taking a brilliant twist towards the end which will have lasting ramifications for the poeple involved
The biggest feature of the books seems to be the island in which it's set that almost takes on a character of its own at times and the beautiful way in which peter describes some of its scenery is breath taking. You really get a feeling for the setting and when fully engrossed sometimes you feel like you are actually there
Each book has plenty of flashbacks, the 1st and 3rd partaining to the main protagonist and in the 2nd to an old man with alzheimer's. They really help piece the stories together in a way that keeps you intrigued. Eventually it all comes together like a jigsaw pizzle to give you the full picture.
Truly engrossing from start to finish
Each book is connected while also feeling self contained to a certain but you would certainly need to read them in order to understand the relationhips to certain characters
The only thing that let it down for me was aspects of the third book and the ending
Certain loose ends were quickly wrapped up in abit of a rush which I feel could have been fleshed out more
The fact that the 3rd book introduces these extra characters that based on their relationship with the main protagonist would surely have been mentioned in the first book seems abut out of place
But it feels like nitpicking because there is so much to love
At the center of each book is essentially a murder mystery, each taking a brilliant twist towards the end which will have lasting ramifications for the poeple involved
The biggest feature of the books seems to be the island in which it's set that almost takes on a character of its own at times and the beautiful way in which peter describes some of its scenery is breath taking. You really get a feeling for the setting and when fully engrossed sometimes you feel like you are actually there
Each book has plenty of flashbacks, the 1st and 3rd partaining to the main protagonist and in the 2nd to an old man with alzheimer's. They really help piece the stories together in a way that keeps you intrigued. Eventually it all comes together like a jigsaw pizzle to give you the full picture.
Truly engrossing from start to finish
March 6, 2023
I read this trilogy set over a single weekend, which gives some idea of how engrossing it is!
Really enjoyed the journey - but should point out that I did skip reading some of the descriptions of scenery, and the very precise routes taken, which now and again felt like a travelogue/tourist info leaflets. (Reminded me of my dad reciting the road numbers taken on trips out :-) ) May is also occasionally guilty of some classic info dumps - which though interesting bit did slow things down here and there.
Those slightly soggy sections, however, were more than made up for by beautifully drawn characters in some expertly crafted plots as we watch Detective Inspector Fin Macleod move back to his homeland of Lewis.
Recommended.
Really enjoyed the journey - but should point out that I did skip reading some of the descriptions of scenery, and the very precise routes taken, which now and again felt like a travelogue/tourist info leaflets. (Reminded me of my dad reciting the road numbers taken on trips out :-) ) May is also occasionally guilty of some classic info dumps - which though interesting bit did slow things down here and there.
Those slightly soggy sections, however, were more than made up for by beautifully drawn characters in some expertly crafted plots as we watch Detective Inspector Fin Macleod move back to his homeland of Lewis.
Recommended.
August 10, 2023
Fin McLeod, a good friend
The DI Fin McLeod trilogy is a very melancholy read, asking questions that many of us fear to pose. In answering his own questions, Fin blunders further into his own life, its past, and now its future. These books are a great read, excellent story telling, so descriptive that you feel as if you are on Lewis looking through Fin's eyes and experiencing his memories. The description of Lewis, its Geography, Fauna & Flora make you feel as if you are stood there alongside Fin, his friends, lovers, enemies, and family. Brilliantly written, I couldn't put them down. I would recommend reading them wholeheartedly. Thank you, Peter May.
The DI Fin McLeod trilogy is a very melancholy read, asking questions that many of us fear to pose. In answering his own questions, Fin blunders further into his own life, its past, and now its future. These books are a great read, excellent story telling, so descriptive that you feel as if you are on Lewis looking through Fin's eyes and experiencing his memories. The description of Lewis, its Geography, Fauna & Flora make you feel as if you are stood there alongside Fin, his friends, lovers, enemies, and family. Brilliantly written, I couldn't put them down. I would recommend reading them wholeheartedly. Thank you, Peter May.
February 29, 2024
I can’t believe I’ve just read over a thousand brilliant pages of this trilogy.
Another brilliant series of detecting stories based around one beautifully drawn character woven into three books. I’ve enjoyed every page from Peter May’s prolific, terrific pen. The characters in these tales have become part of my imaginings, as do the environments, they are painted so beautifully in words.
My only criticism is …. why did I have to read the entire trilogy before I found the Gaelic pronunciation of place names? Definitely a publishing error. No matter. I made my own sounds to navigate the islands.
Great stories Peter May thank you.
Another brilliant series of detecting stories based around one beautifully drawn character woven into three books. I’ve enjoyed every page from Peter May’s prolific, terrific pen. The characters in these tales have become part of my imaginings, as do the environments, they are painted so beautifully in words.
My only criticism is …. why did I have to read the entire trilogy before I found the Gaelic pronunciation of place names? Definitely a publishing error. No matter. I made my own sounds to navigate the islands.
Great stories Peter May thank you.
March 9, 2024
Highy recommend - I don't go up to 5 stars easily, but here we go. It is a tough, sometimes dark read - it touches on childhood traumas, hard upraisings, adult traumas, and a very harsh environment, the Hebrides ; but also resilence, love - couple and parental love, and being rooted in this very particular environemnt that, as a Celt (Bretonne) and sea-lover appeals immensely to me despite its harshness.
PS : when visiting the Vestmann isles in Island, I was so very strongly reminded of this area's description, including the tiny rocks accessible only by sea and cord climbing , where the locals only go a few days/year to hunt.
PS : when visiting the Vestmann isles in Island, I was so very strongly reminded of this area's description, including the tiny rocks accessible only by sea and cord climbing , where the locals only go a few days/year to hunt.
October 2, 2020
Vivid 19 brought us to lockdown
This trilogy is one of the best group of books I have ever read. He hasn't just portrayed the Island as it is but also a real understanding of the Islanders themselves. These books are not just page-turners but rich in ethical questions that make you wonder how you would respond in a similar position, how you would stand up and be counted if the same demands were placed on you. Don't miss out read Peter May
This trilogy is one of the best group of books I have ever read. He hasn't just portrayed the Island as it is but also a real understanding of the Islanders themselves. These books are not just page-turners but rich in ethical questions that make you wonder how you would respond in a similar position, how you would stand up and be counted if the same demands were placed on you. Don't miss out read Peter May
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September 28, 2021 4.43 · Rating details · 1,266 ratings · 53 reviews
The isle of Lewis is a land of strange beauty, harsh living and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod returns from Edinburgh to the island of his childhood to investigate a series of brutal killings.
As old memories resurface and old friends reappear, Fin realizes that returning to the past will lead him into danger.
Great!
The isle of Lewis is a land of strange beauty, harsh living and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod returns from Edinburgh to the island of his childhood to investigate a series of brutal killings.
As old memories resurface and old friends reappear, Fin realizes that returning to the past will lead him into danger.
Great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2022
Excellent Trilogy
These three books set in Lewis and Harris interweave the complex lives of the characters through current events and flashbacks that shed light on the intricacies and relationships that formed them. The author paints a great picture of the island and its parochial nature that has murderous consequences. A trip to Lewis and Harris is now firmly on my to do list.
These three books set in Lewis and Harris interweave the complex lives of the characters through current events and flashbacks that shed light on the intricacies and relationships that formed them. The author paints a great picture of the island and its parochial nature that has murderous consequences. A trip to Lewis and Harris is now firmly on my to do list.
May 12, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed
I have just finished the trilogy and I couldn’t put it down. Usually I prefer a break between a series but I was hungry to read one after the other of this.
It was a heartbreaking and thrilling story of a young group of boys living on a small island off Scotland. Their lives and how they entwined with each other despite being apart for years. A rollicking good read.
I have just finished the trilogy and I couldn’t put it down. Usually I prefer a break between a series but I was hungry to read one after the other of this.
It was a heartbreaking and thrilling story of a young group of boys living on a small island off Scotland. Their lives and how they entwined with each other despite being apart for years. A rollicking good read.
September 15, 2023
Absolute quality
Whilst all three books are linked and there are references to the previous stories they could be read as standalone, but why bother take the opportunity to read three excellent murder mysteries, with flashbacks to charming coming of age tales. All are superb character driven stories well written atmospheric clever descriptive and totally engaging from first to last page.
The real mystery concerning this series is why are there only three books.
Whilst all three books are linked and there are references to the previous stories they could be read as standalone, but why bother take the opportunity to read three excellent murder mysteries, with flashbacks to charming coming of age tales. All are superb character driven stories well written atmospheric clever descriptive and totally engaging from first to last page.
The real mystery concerning this series is why are there only three books.
March 9, 2024
An utterly compelling read.
Although a trilogy is a lot of book to read I really didn't want to put it down.
In the end I knew the characters as if I had known them all my life.
I really will have to visit the hebridean island of Lewis now.
That is how good this book is!
Peter May has a very readable writing style and I'm glad that I recently discovered him as an author.
I'm now busily reading other books by him.
Although a trilogy is a lot of book to read I really didn't want to put it down.
In the end I knew the characters as if I had known them all my life.
I really will have to visit the hebridean island of Lewis now.
That is how good this book is!
Peter May has a very readable writing style and I'm glad that I recently discovered him as an author.
I'm now busily reading other books by him.
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed these books a lot although they seemed to be more novels in the literature sense than in the crime novel sense although there was certainly crime at the center of their respective plots. Although I usually enjoy more bodies and blood (and, as another reviewer noted, suspense) in my usual crime fare, these books were lovely in their character description and almost lyrical evocation of the harsh nature in the Hebrides
April 4, 2020
This is not normally my kind of genre but I must say I throughly enjoyed Peter May’s books. I am happy I bought the books as a trilogy as the story continues, although each book can be read as a stand alone. Even though it is a crime story, there is a great deal of history involved. The social aspect of the area and the era as well as the historical facts are well researched. I picked these books up as an afterthought because I felt like trying something new, I started reading and didn’t stop until all three were finished.
June 29, 2020
Wonderfully evocative of the outer islands and the way of life of a remote population with its traditions and loyalties. Beautifully written too, and I'd give the first two books 5 stars, but sadly the third one wasn't a patch on the others with a dissonance between them which jars and stretches credulity, as well as a weak plot. That accounts for my measly rating.
March 7, 2021
All three books
Happily all 3 of these books are fabulous. The reader gets a very thorough geography and culture lesson and each has a surprisingly wonderful ending. Although they could each be read independent of the others the characters develop from the first and it was a pleasure to read them in order.
Happily all 3 of these books are fabulous. The reader gets a very thorough geography and culture lesson and each has a surprisingly wonderful ending. Although they could each be read independent of the others the characters develop from the first and it was a pleasure to read them in order.
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October 18, 2021DNF
I wanted to like this. I tried to persevere but my god, the character was just such a victim and I was bored with the constant flashbacks.
The murder was gruesome but it didn't really take any focus and for me there was far too much narrative about the past that wasn't interesting to me at all.
I wanted to like this. I tried to persevere but my god, the character was just such a victim and I was bored with the constant flashbacks.
The murder was gruesome but it didn't really take any focus and for me there was far too much narrative about the past that wasn't interesting to me at all.
November 3, 2021
The trilogy is the first time I have read anything by Peter May. As well as being absorbing crime stories, the descriptions of life in the Hebrides, links to real events such as the gannet cull and the loss of the Iolaire off Stornaway were a revelation. It led me to watch a BBC documentary on the Guga hunt and the people of Ness. Also spotting the places on the OS app and Google streetview.
January 31, 2022
I’m heartbroken this series is now concluded this story was marred with tragedy and pain I felt I knew these characters personally. I loved the story and what had happened in the past how it effected the lives of all of those involved. But I liked how an outstanding source of pain for fin was concluded in a sense
January 17, 2024
A brilliant read
I can't recommend these 3 books highly enough (I purchased them as a trilogy) the characters and setting just draw you in: i was invested from the very beginning. I would love to follow the characters further but I heard that there will be no more books in thos series. I read the 3 books in just under 4 days: couldnt just put them down.
I can't recommend these 3 books highly enough (I purchased them as a trilogy) the characters and setting just draw you in: i was invested from the very beginning. I would love to follow the characters further but I heard that there will be no more books in thos series. I read the 3 books in just under 4 days: couldnt just put them down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews