The Lewis Man

The Lewis Trilogy

By: Peter May

Narrated by: Peter Forbes

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Marilyn Stasio in The New York Times raved: "Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth." Among the many honors received, The Blackhouse, the first novel in May's acclaimed Lewis trilogy, won the Barry and Crime Thriller Hound awards.

In The Lewis Man, the second book of the trilogy, Fin Macleod has returned to the Isle of Lewis, the storm-tossed, wind-scoured outer Hebridean island where he was born and raised. Having left behind his adult life in Edinburgh - including his wife and his career in the police force - the former Detective Inspector is intent on repairing past relationships and restoring his parents' derelict cottage. His plans are interrupted when an unidentified corpse is recovered from a Lewis peat bog. The only clue to its identity is a DNA match to a local farmer, the now-senile Tormod Macdonald - the father of Fin's childhood sweetheart, Marsaili - a man who has claimed throughout his life to be an only child, practically an orphan. Reluctantly drawn into the investigation, Fin uncovers deep family secrets even as he draws closer to the killer who wishes to keep them hidden.

Already an international best-seller and winner of numerous awards, including France's Prix des Lecteurs du Telegramme, The Lewis Man has the lyrical verve of Ian Rankin and the gutsy risk-taking of Benjamin Black. As fascinating and forbidding as the Hebridean landscape, the book (according to The Times) "throbs with past and present passions, jealousies, suspicions and regrets; the emotional secrets of the bleak island are even deeper than its peat bog."

©2014 Peter May (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"May is a masterful story-teller. He skillfully combines pathos and the themes of identity, lost love and family ties to create an exciting, page-turning thriller." (Laura Wurzal, The Irish Examiner)

"In mood and texture, Peter May's novels, set on the Isle of Lewis, are essentially Nordic, and he bears comparison with some of the best writers from those cold desolate climes... the plot throbs with past and present passions, jealousies, suspicions and regrets; the emotional secrets of the bleak island are even deeper than its peat bog." (Marcel Berlins, The Times)

"Spell-binding... the book's a delight: bringing people and place alive in equal measure." (Jim Kelly, ShotsMag)

Makes you want to go to the Outer Hebrides

If you could sum up The Lewis Man in three words, what would they be?

Trapped in a changed landscape

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

There are surprises behind every character, and it is the personal stories that keep the plot engaging. Each character evolves based on the past, and everyone is connected. I wanted to understand all of the relationships, not just the ones leading to the murderer.

Which scene was your favorite?

The walk in the garden.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The character with dementia is very real, there were many times I was sad as he was thinking. I wanted to help him as he loses track of what is happening.

Any additional comments?

This series has a beautiful and strong landscape against which the recent history of this part of the world is fading. Peter May captures the changes on the island in a way that makes the reader care about the place and its people.

Wonderful Story

I love stories that weave themselves from historical facts and I learned a lot of Scotland while being drawn into the mystery of the discovered body. It was poignant listening to the POV of the character with dementia, with the clarity of early life and frustration of not knowing what is currently happening, and the difficulty that is to those around him. The story was solidly written and engaging. The narration was superb.

Great series! Intriguing and compelling.

Where does The Lewis Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a perfect example of the reading of the story enhancing the story and the listener's enjoyment.

What does Peter Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His accent fit the setting and brought the characters and story to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was very sad to have the series of three books end. I was intrigued by the story and the development of characters. I loved the images of lives lived in a different culture and setting.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended listening and reading. Would have loved to have heard two of the books on audio, rather then reading them. The narrator was that good and truely enhanced the story.

Intriguing Story and Setting, Fabulous Narration

Any additional comments?

Set in the remote isles of Scotland, this story brilliantly interweaves the past into the present by having the past told through the memory of a man stricken with dementia. Fin Mcleod has returned to his roots, having retired from the Edinburgh police, only to be faced with solving the mystery of a body found in a peat bog. The characters are well drawn, there's poignancy in the old man's tragic childhood, the pace is perfect, and the ending has some surprises. All in all, it was a compelling story--and the outstanding narration could not be better--wonderful accents appropriate to each character.

I'm hooked

love it. the story the performance all of it. excellent story telling. loved the first book too.

A GREAT STORY, WELL TOLD.

Would you listen to The Lewis Man again? Why?

Very well done, well written, a nice change of pace in a mystery book, in the sense that there was not a body falling from a closet in every chapter and yet you compelled to listen.

Makes me want to move to the Hebrides

The narration is superb, puts your right there. It is the kind of book that keeps you in your card once you get home ;)

This book was amazing

I had just finished reading Black House and liked it very much so was happy to see The Lewis Man on you web sight ! It was great to hear it read by a person from Scotland ! Can't weight to get Peter Mays next book !

great story

the story is great but the reader is extraordinary. i rarely review books but this one merits commendation.

Wow! Great story!!

Parts off this book were so intense, they were almost difficult to hear! Many times I found myself with tears in my eyes as the author had his character struggling with the awful fog
of l losing oneself to the ravages of dementia. I'm so glad I read this!