The atmospheric setting of the Outer Hebrides, the characters, and the story kept me glued to the page. If setting is important to you, Peter May's Lewis trilogy is tailor-made for you. The Isle of Lewis should be listed in the cast of characters, and May always seems able to find something about it that will illuminate and set the mood. In The Chessmen, it's the frightening and eery bog burst. As the water drains out of the loch, secrets are uncovered, and Macleod will have his hands full with one secret after another throughout the book.
The Lewis trilogy has dealt with other secrets, and this final book is no exception. It's as if Macleod has to clear everything up from his past before he can really make a fresh start. (Just as we do in real life.) Here the secrets revolve around his late teens and early twenties when he was a roadie for an up-and-coming Celtic rock band. Whistler Macaskill was a member of the band, and his life has also been shadowed with secrets that will have an effect on his young daughter Anna Bheag ("wee Anna").
It's fascinating to see how the lives of all the various characters mesh together, and how each secret has made a lasting mark on them. The entire book is a feast, but the highlight for me was Fin's speech before the church board at the end. It was filled with truth, it was emotional, and it was oh so right. I would've cheered when Macleod was finished, but the lump in my throat was too big.
You could probably read The Chessmen as a standalone without too much difficulty, but I wouldn't advise it. The entire trilogy is a reading experience that should not be missed.
The Lewis trilogy has dealt with other secrets, and this final book is no exception. It's as if Macleod has to clear everything up from his past before he can really make a fresh start. (Just as we do in real life.) Here the secrets revolve around his late teens and early twenties when he was a roadie for an up-and-coming Celtic rock band. Whistler Macaskill was a member of the band, and his life has also been shadowed with secrets that will have an effect on his young daughter Anna Bheag ("wee Anna").
It's fascinating to see how the lives of all the various characters mesh together, and how each secret has made a lasting mark on them. The entire book is a feast, but the highlight for me was Fin's speech before the church board at the end. It was filled with truth, it was emotional, and it was oh so right. I would've cheered when Macleod was finished, but the lump in my throat was too big.
You could probably read The Chessmen as a standalone without too much difficulty, but I wouldn't advise it. The entire trilogy is a reading experience that should not be missed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as all the books in the trilogy. It's hard to say good bye to the island of Lewis and all the wonderful characters that we met on the island. They all seem like real people to me. Excellent plot which kept the pages turning and lots of surprises at the end. Peter May is one author that I definitely will read all of his books. He is one talented writer! read 2/8/15
This book is a reread of The Chessmen by Peter May. It is about the body of Roddy MacKenzie being found during a 'Bog Burst' which drains a lock of its water revealing a light aircraft. I read this book 9-1/2 years ago and only remembered a few things. I'm looking forward to the next book, The Black Loch, by Peter May published in September 2024. reread 8/11/2024
This book is a reread of The Chessmen by Peter May. It is about the body of Roddy MacKenzie being found during a 'Bog Burst' which drains a lock of its water revealing a light aircraft. I read this book 9-1/2 years ago and only remembered a few things. I'm looking forward to the next book, The Black Loch, by Peter May published in September 2024. reread 8/11/2024
Moving, suspenseful, entertaining and surprising.
Takes place mainly on the Outer Hebrides islands in Scotland, with a heavy dosage of exotic local customs, stormy weather and unusual landscapes. Lots of drama involving a cohort of young people who certainly had plenty of escapades and adventures that later catch up with them in interesting ways.
Not sure whether there might be another volume in the series, but I certainly would buy it if so.
Takes place mainly on the Outer Hebrides islands in Scotland, with a heavy dosage of exotic local customs, stormy weather and unusual landscapes. Lots of drama involving a cohort of young people who certainly had plenty of escapades and adventures that later catch up with them in interesting ways.
Not sure whether there might be another volume in the series, but I certainly would buy it if so.
