AUTHOR OF CAST IRON, COFFIN ROAD AND THE BLACKHOUSE
OVER 4 MILLION COPIES SOLD
AN EXPLOSIVE NEW THRILLER SET IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES
What are people saying about Peter May-
‘A terrific writer’- Mark Billingham.
‘A writer I would follow to the ends of the earth’- New York Times
‘Exceptional…May is a writer to be cherished’- Daily Mail.
The launch of the novel ‘I’ll Keep You Safe’ by the prolific famous crime writer, Peter May, instantly hit number one in the charts. Crime fiction is a popular genre and following the fabulouswriting of the ‘Lewis’ trilogy, one might expect Peter May’s novel to commence once again back in the fiercely turbulent Hebrides, but surprisingly the story starts in Paris, where Ruairidh and Niamh, natives of the Hebrides have arrived for a textile fair and to mother their successful business of Ranish Tweed, a variation of Harris Tweed.
But, when Ruairidh accompanies another woman, Niamh distrusts and follows him around Paris where she witnesses them entering a car which suddenly explodes killing them both.
Niamh returns to the Hebrides traumatised, and through a series of flashbacks May uncovers the claustrophobic traits of the islands, it’s folk, and traditions as he reveals the mystery of the case.
May paints in words- the life and description of the Scottish islands, and his vivid portrayals of mother nature provides striking and fascinating images, the summer midges, wet rainy days, the dictum of the churches over the community, and the introverted claustrophobic attitudes of the island folk, so set in their ways, almost opposing change to how things have always been.
Irene Edwards
A warm welcome and huge congratulations,Peter, on the enormous success of ‘I’ll Keep You Safe.’
It’s a fascinating trip you take the reader on, capturing the remoteness and essence of the Scottish islands. When did you realise the Hebrides would make a perfect backdrop for your new crime fiction?
Peter May
I spent nearly six years living and working in the Hebrides while producing a Gaelic- language drama for Scottish television. That is when I got to know the island of Lewis and Harris intimately. But it wasn’t until ten years later, when I had finished writing my China Thrillers series that I thought about using the islands as a setting. It seemed to be a perfect place to set a crime thriller, making it very different from most of the urban crime books being written and even those with rural settings. They provide a unique location with a historical, cultural and linguistic background not to be found anywhere else in the UK.
Irene Edwards
You have obviously always done a lot of research for your novels. To note- forensic technology, body burials, locations, fabric fairs and so on. During your career as a writer how many literary pilgrimages have you been on, and out of all of them which was the most informative and enjoyable? A difficult question to answer, I’m sure.
Peter May
I learned how to research any subject without fear while working as a journalist in the 1970’s and research is almost more enjoyable for me now than the writing. I have travelled widely for my research- all over Europe, China, south-east Asia, Africa, the United States and Canada. I gather experts as I go, who advise me on whichever subjects form the background to my stories. I have been blessed with good fortune in accumulating a range of experts on different subjects- pathology, science, Chinese police, French police, UK police, US forensics – most of whom have become my firm friends. My research trips to China were probably my most unusual and enjoyable experiences.
Irene Edwards
What early experience taught you that language had power?
Peter May
My father was an English teacher and expert in etymology, so I was always exposed to a wide-ranging vocabulary which allowed me to express myself in more and better ways than most of my contemporaries. My parents taught me to read and write before I began school, and during my school years always prided myself on getting top marks for ‘composition’ in my English classes.
Irene Edwards
To return to ‘I’ll Keep You Safe’ we see an explosive opening commencing in Paris. Later the story moves to the Scottish islands, two very different backdrops, but a strong theme where two women are seen to be fighting romantic loss. You once remarked ‘’…you can’t fight the islands.’ You have to go with the flow.’ In your recent novel, where the elements of loss converge and link, was this comparison a deliberate gesture on your part?
Peter May
I deliberately chose to set the first quarter of my story in the city of Light. Paris is the capital of my adopted country and a place I know well. But it is a city blighted in recent years by terrorism and murder and would always provide a stark contrast to the remoteness of the Hebrides. It felt good to be able to place characters in those two very different settings and explore how they reacted to them in their very different ways.
Irene Edwards
I know your fans will be asking- are you going to write more novels set in Scotland? Will it be written from the male or female standpoint, or are you now working on a completely new idea?
Peter May
I have no doubt I will return to Scotland as a setting for future novels. But my next book, out in January, is ‘The Man with No Face’- a revised version of a book I wrote forty years ago. It is a political thriller set in the Brussels winter of 1979 just before the UK election. And the book I am currently working on is set in Andulusia, in southern Spain.
Irene Edwards
You always write such exciting stories. Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
Peter May
Writing both energises AND exhausts me.
I would like to say a hearty thank you to Peter May for consenting to the interview with me for WestWales Chronicle online. We are all deeply honoured by your gesture, Peter, of partaking in our chat- knowing that, in fact, you are an extremely busy person, but are always ready to assist. I’m sure our readers will follow your novels closely with enjoyment. For all you readers who would like more information on Peter’s books I have listed them all below, and for those who would like to buy ‘I’ll Keep You Safe’ full details are to follow.
I’ll Keep You Safe’… Peter May
Published by Riverrun 11th January 2018
Pages 436
HB ISBN 978 1 78429 493 9
TPB ISBN 978 1 78429 494 6
E BOOK ISBN 978 1 78429 495 3
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