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veronicafrance's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this just as much as the first one. It's always going to be a problem setting a murder series on a remote island -- there's a limit to how many murders you can plausibly have. May gets round this here by using a long-ago murder as the hook. Once again May alternates third-person narrative with first-person -- but this time the first person chapters are narrated by a man with dementia. Quite a challenge! At first I found the changes in tone in these chapters disconcerting, but it soon starts to make sense. Tormod's immediate surroundings and current events confuse him, but his long-ago memories are crystal clear.
This time it's Tormod's story, not Fin's, that really carries the book. May does an excellent job of constructing the plot and slowly building Tormod's story, using real events and places. The structure means the reader always knows more than Fin, but that's fine; it was still interesting following his detective work as he pieced together the story from random remarks by Tormod. I realised the true identity of one character the minute she appeared, but that didn't spoil the story. Once again there are many lyrical descriptions of Western Isles landscape and weather -- perhaps a few too many. Other minor criticisms -- the ending was rather unbelievable and wrapped up a bit too quickly. And I still find some parts of the plot a bit laboured:. I will be reading the final volume after a short break!
This time it's Tormod's story, not Fin's, that really carries the book. May does an excellent job of constructing the plot and slowly building Tormod's story, using real events and places. The structure means the reader always knows more than Fin, but that's fine; it was still interesting following his detective work as he pieced together the story from random remarks by Tormod. I realised the true identity of one character the minute she appeared, but that didn't spoil the story. Once again there are many lyrical descriptions of Western Isles landscape and weather -- perhaps a few too many. Other minor criticisms -- the ending was rather unbelievable and wrapped up a bit too quickly. And I still find some parts of the plot a bit laboured:
Spoiler
how likely is it that all of Fin's blood relatives are killed in unrelated car crashes, and that Marsaili's husband and father are both murderers?apechild's review against another edition
4.0
I just loved this book. I've not been to Lewis (yet, although I fully intend to one day) but this captures such a sense of place and community, as well as the recent history and culture of the place. Yes, this is a murder mystery, but it's also a book about the islands, the people and lives. And there's a particularly sad story in this one. It captures the island in the way that Ann Cleves' books do about the Shetlands. I will definately have to look up the other two books in this trilogy (incidentally, I don't feel that I missed out on anything by starting with book number two).
A body is discovered in a bog on Lewis. Many a well preserved body are found in bogs, which are hundreds, if not thousands of years old. In this case. they can date the body as a much more recent burial because of the Elvis tattoo. Yes folks, there's been a mur-der. A DNA check proves that the body is related to old man Tormod Macdonald, who always said he was an only child. Sadly he now has dementia and the question is, can Fin Macleod figure out what went on all those years ago, and who the dead man actually is?
Of course he can. But I'm not going to write about the solution to the puzzle here. The only thing I will say is that I'm baffled he never used the Elvis tattoo as a method to try and figure out who the guy was.
As well as the investigation, we get to read about Tormod's life. He is a fictional character, however, his life is based on history and other people's experiences, so it's an interesting read from that aspect. I hadn't realised that the Dean Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh used to be a children's home (and a grim one at that - and it's such a nice place to go now). And this is a story that takes us from Edinburgh and across the waves to Eriskay, Harris and Lewis.
A body is discovered in a bog on Lewis. Many a well preserved body are found in bogs, which are hundreds, if not thousands of years old. In this case. they can date the body as a much more recent burial because of the Elvis tattoo. Yes folks, there's been a mur-der. A DNA check proves that the body is related to old man Tormod Macdonald, who always said he was an only child. Sadly he now has dementia and the question is, can Fin Macleod figure out what went on all those years ago, and who the dead man actually is?
Of course he can. But I'm not going to write about the solution to the puzzle here. The only thing I will say is that I'm baffled he never used the Elvis tattoo as a method to try and figure out who the guy was.
As well as the investigation, we get to read about Tormod's life. He is a fictional character, however, his life is based on history and other people's experiences, so it's an interesting read from that aspect. I hadn't realised that the Dean Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh used to be a children's home (and a grim one at that - and it's such a nice place to go now). And this is a story that takes us from Edinburgh and across the waves to Eriskay, Harris and Lewis.
okenwillow's review against another edition
5.0
Mieux qu’un polar, Peter May nous offre un puissant polar social à la Ken Loach, avec misère, enfance difficile, souvenirs nostalgiques, poids de la religion et des traditions, relations humaines et sociales complexes. Peter May approfondit ses personnages avec un talent indéniable, l’atmosphère particulière des lieux est elle-aussi évoquée à la perfection, l’intrigue policière, si elle semble passer au second plan la plus grande partie du livre, n’est pas en reste, car si l’aspect humain de l’histoire prend les devants, le suspens n’est pas moins présent pour autant et la résolution de l’énigme est d’autant plus spectaculaire que l’on n’a pas l’impression de baigner dans un polar classique. Un vrai coup de cœur pour l’ensemble de la trilogie. Oui, carrément !
ruthieduthie's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent thriller/detective novel. The author keeps you guessing to the end and only cheats slightly by keeping a card up his sleeve. I really liked the Hebridean setting too. Now I must read the first in the series.
sandracohen's review against another edition
4.0
I do believe I have found a new genre of books. And not surprisingly, they are contained in a list called gray daze.
This book picks up a little time after The Blackhouse left us. Fin Macleod has returned to the Hebrides to regroup after leaving Edinburgh. The body of a man is discovered buried in pete bog. Turns out that after DNA testing, this man is connected to the father of Fin’s long time love Marsaili. With grace and tenderness, the author Explores of the history of the homers, orphaned children who were relocated by the church in Scotland, as well as the struggles of a man with dementia. He also weaves in the changing attitudes of our times, family relationships, and love. I am not sure that the very dramatic and violent ending was totally necessary, but did like how justice was served and good triumphs evil. Even if that takes decades to resolve.
My biggest complaint with this book as well as the blackhouse is the map of the Hebrides printed in the front matter. The descriptions in the book of all of the town and country sides were so lush and beautiful. I frequently referred to an map of Scotland to understand the locations. Overall, loved the book, and can’t wait to read the next, and sadly the last, in the series.
This book picks up a little time after The Blackhouse left us. Fin Macleod has returned to the Hebrides to regroup after leaving Edinburgh. The body of a man is discovered buried in pete bog. Turns out that after DNA testing, this man is connected to the father of Fin’s long time love Marsaili. With grace and tenderness, the author Explores of the history of the homers, orphaned children who were relocated by the church in Scotland, as well as the struggles of a man with dementia. He also weaves in the changing attitudes of our times, family relationships, and love. I am not sure that the very dramatic and violent ending was totally necessary, but did like how justice was served and good triumphs evil. Even if that takes decades to resolve.
My biggest complaint with this book as well as the blackhouse is the map of the Hebrides printed in the front matter. The descriptions in the book of all of the town and country sides were so lush and beautiful. I frequently referred to an map of Scotland to understand the locations. Overall, loved the book, and can’t wait to read the next, and sadly the last, in the series.
elleninkansas's review against another edition
4.0
Another fascinating mystery on the isle of Lewis featuring Fin Macleod. This one picks up a few months after the first book ends, and we learn more about the Outer Hebrides and many of the characters from the first book. Eager to read the third!
rainbownarwhal's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read a book this fast I a long time. I can't put my finger on exactly what made it so compulsively readable, but it was. I'm very much a fan of Peter May after reading this and the Blackhouse.
carolefort's review against another edition
5.0
The Lewis Man by Peter May is the second instalment in the Lewis trilogy but it reads well as a stand-alone. Lewis is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Fin Macleod was born and raised on the island and left it years ago and became a police officer in the city of Edinburgh. After his divorce, he moves back to the rural life of his youth, where he endeavours to bring to life the old family home which has been abandoned for decades. When a body is found buried in the peat bogs, his expertise and experience are sought by the local constabulary. Because of the nature of bogs, the body is well preserved and could be anywhere from hundreds of years old to a mere few decades. And, before long, Fin realizes that there is a link through DNA to the father of his childhood love. The novel alternates between the present and the past, giving the reader a broad view of what happened all those years ago, that could have led to the murder of the young man in the bog. Peter May’s prose flows smoothly and he has created a fascinating story the reader will not soon forget. The characters are well-detailed and disparate. This is a mystery that lingers, even after the last page is turned. Highly recommended.
chrisfranklyn's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst containing regular characters of Finlay Macleod and DS George Gunn, the first person voice in this is that of an old man with dementia who is struggling to cope with life and his lack of memories. Sadly he's hold the key to a dead body found in the peat. Touchingly handled at times. However I did drift off and forget a lot of the middle.