Friday 18 September 2015

The Chessmen by Peter May

Reviewer : Gillian Hamer, author of The Charter, Closure, Complicit & Crimson Shore (www.gillianhamer.com)

What we thought: Another wonderful novel from Peter May, and although it took me a while to get around to reading this, the third and final book in The Lewis Trilogy, I’m sad to say goodbye to Fin McLeod.

In The Chessmen, Fin has settled permanently on his Hebridean childhood home of Lewis, and has been employed by a local landowner to oversee security on the estate and tackle the problem they have with poachers. Before long, Fin finds himself caught up in another crime where the legacy of the past comes back to chase down a killer. A bog burst reveals the remains of a light aircraft and the body of a victim that has lain submerged for decades.

A superbly crafted tale of revenge, that again makes perfect use of location to bring the story alive. Again, the characters jump off the page and it’s interesting to see how Fin’s idea of an idyllic new start begins to unwind around him. 

I listened to the audiobook version and the talents of Peter Forbes really brought the novel to life. Peter May is fast becoming one of my favourite popular crime writers, with his blend of originality, smooth prose and likeable characters.

It’s a real shame this is the final book featuring this detective, and I hope Peter May decides to bring him back to life at some point.

Anyone who loves a gripping, and excellently written, crime thriller will enjoy this novel.

You’ll enjoy this if you like: Ann Cleeves, Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson.

Avoid if you don’t like: Scottish locations and twists and turns!

Ideal accompaniments: Smoked Scottish salmon and a single malt.

Genre: Crime Fiction.

Available from Amazon

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