Twisty, intriguing, and well plotted: a solid story that I throughly enjoyed and kept me hooked
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

When his son is accused of murder, Fin Macleod is drawn back to the Isle of Lewis in a bid to support his family and try clear his name. Despite no longer being a police officer, Fin easily transitions back into investigative mode. As it is unveiled that the 18-year-old girl murdered was in fact having an affair with Fionnlagh, the man accused of the murder, evidence begins to stack up.

Fin and his wife come face to face with his past, through ex colleagues, ex friends and just exe’s, with long buried secrets revealed. With flashbacks to Fin’s teenage years, been quite instrumental in the larger plot of the book.

The descriptive nature of the isle of Lewis paints a lovely picture, nicely counteracted by the gloom, and violence as the book unfolds.
I read this having not read the previous three books in the series, and this does work as a standalone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars.

4.5★
“He had left Marsaili in reception, sitting huddled on a hard plastic chair, as if by making herself smaller she could also reduce the size of the problem.”

Nothing will reduce the size of the problem - their son is about to be charged with murder. Worse still, the evidence is pointing to Fionnlagh’s guilt, and he’s said nothing to suggest otherwise.

Fin MacLeod used to be a detective but has resigned. He tries to worm a bit of information out of his old Sergeant, George Gunn, but George sticks pretty much to the book, much as he’d like to help. Even if Fin were still his boss, Fin would have been off the case because of his personal connection.

He tries to talk to his son several times.

“Fionnlagh broke eye contact and cast his eyes towards the floor. ‘Still playing the cop?’

Fin felt anger spike through him. ‘It’s a role I played for years, Fionnlagh. And I can still remember my lines.’

Fionnlagh shook his head. ‘What’s the point?’ ”

Fionnlagh is thirty and married with a little girl, Fin and Marsaili’s adored granddaughter, and he’s been having an affair with Catilin, an eighteen-year-old former student. He looks guilty.

Caitlin and a girlfriend filmed popular TV documentaries around the shores, and recently an activist sent them to swim in and film an exposé of the crowded, filthy ‘wild’ salmon traps full of diseased and dead fish.

She and Fionnlagh had been meeting regularly at a house on the top of the cliff above the beach where her body was found. They were seen. From the prologue:

“Out across the clifftops they run, oblivious to the phosphorescence of salt water breaking white against the rocks thirty feet beneath them, the sound of it masking the shouted words exchanged.”

As Fin visits the sites where this took place, he thinks back on what he and three friends were doing in those places in their teens – and it wasn’t good - poaching and stealing for a crook to make some summer money.

An interesting side to these Lewis stories is that so many of the people involved have known each other for generations. Fin and Marsaili themselves met in early primary school when he arrived on the first day speaking only English, while everyone at school spoke Gaelic. She took him by the hand, stood between him and the bullies, and was his champion.

They were sweethearts on and off, married other people, and Marsaili had Fionnlagh, whom Fin discovered years later was his son, not her husband’s. Together now, they have many bittersweet moments, sometimes happily reminiscing, sometimes still resentful.

It is an unseasonably warm, sunny time for the first few days.

“To his left, The Narrows, where he and generations of island teenagers before and since had gathered on Friday and Saturday nights in search of drink and sex and an escape from joyless Calvinism. Right now it was full of tourists and shoppers enjoying the sunshine. But Fin could remember winter nights in the rain and the cold, huddling in the shelter of doorways, sharing illicit roll-ups and hoping for word of a party that might provide warmth and beer and relief from boredom.”

Teens the world over, I suspect, try to escape. I assume it’s Nature’s way of getting them to strike out on their own, make lives for themselves.

What looks like an open-and-shut case turns out to have a lot of elements that only Fin, as a dedicated father and experienced detective, can untangle. It’s an absorbing read.

I liked it all except for the repeated (too often) comments about how terrible it was that two people with a twelve year age gap could have an affair. There’s a lot wrong with the timing and circumstances of this affair, but I think the twelve year age difference itself is unremarkable.

This is book four of the Lewis Trilogy, which I gather hasn’t been renamed (yet). I’ve enjoyed them all. I didn’t comment on May’s descriptions of this unique setting (and weather), but trust me, it’s all there.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Quercus Books for a copy of #TheBlackLoch for review.

Working in Glasgow, burnt-out ex-policemen Fin is shocked when he hears that his son has been arrested for murder. Returning to his Hebridean roots, Fin is forced to consider the fact that his son may be guilty as well as confronting the ghosts of the past.
May is a great writer of procedurals and here, although technically not a police story, the skills come to the fore. As ever the genuine love for the Hebrides and the knowledge of places runs strongly through this. I loved the juxtaposition of the modern industries of tourism and fish farming set against a God-fearing set of locals. It's really entertaining with a strong sense of time and place.

I didn’t finish this book, which may partly be because it’s part of a series, and I haven’t read the earlier installments. As I read, the story became increasingly convoluted with irrelevant side plots, while the actual murder storyline remained underdeveloped. Unfortunately, I lost interest around the 40% mark and decided not to continue.

It's so nice to open a book and know that the writing will be on point and the plot well-thought out. This is the case with Peter Mays book and it didn't disappoint. Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

The body of eighteen-year-old Caitlin Black is washed ashore on a remote beach of the Black Loch on Lewis, and the signs are that she may have been murdered before being thrown off the cliff into the loch. There is an obvious suspect – the man who had been having an affair with her, Fionnlagh Macleod, older than her by some twelve years, married, and Caitlin’s teacher. Fionnlagh is also the son of Fin and Marsaili Macleod, who have been living in Glasgow since the events in the last book, The Chessmen. On hearing that their son has been arrested on suspicion of murder, they rush back to the island, where Fin will use his old skills and contacts from his days as a policeman in a desperate bid to prove Fionnlagh’s innocence, despite all the evidence against him.

It’s twelve years since The Chessmen was published as the supposedly final volume in the Lewis Trilogy, so it is a bit of a surprise to find May returning to these characters after so long. A good surprise, though! It’s not essential to have read the first three books since the plot of this works as a standalone. However, this fourth book makes many references to the previous books, which I felt might baffle a reader who hadn’t read them and, indeed, had me straining to remember the previous plots after so long.

In recent years, May has written a few books that fall more or less into the category of eco-thriller, and he has merged that aspect into the plot of this one, with a look at some of the worst practices and outcomes of salmon-farming, which has become huge business in Scottish waters over the last few decades with farmed salmon being one of our top exports. I must admit I felt he exaggerated pretty dramatically by tacitly suggesting that the salmon farm in the book was typical. There are, of course, bad practices in some salmon farms, but on the whole Scottish standards are considered to be high in terms of international comparisons, with due regard to welfare issues. This is always my problem with eco-thrillers – they take the worst and extrapolate out to suggest that that worst is the norm. May also included a mass whale beaching, which didn’t have anything to do with the plot and felt tacked on simply to harrow the poor reader further. I skipped all the sections relating to the whales and missed nothing by it, except some unnecessary distress.

That’s the negatives out of the way – happily they are outweighed by the positives! The plot is good and, as always, May depicts the Lewis setting brilliantly, giving the reader a real feel for the landscape of this wind and rain lashed island; and for its culture, slowly changing to come more in line with the modern world, but still heavily influenced by the strict version of religion practised there. We get to meet up with some of the characters from the past, including Detective Sergeant George Gunn, always one of my favourites.

The main plot is the mystery of what happened to Caitlin, but almost as important is seeing what has happened to Fin and his family since we last met them. Fin and Marsaili are still together, but each is wondering if this is more out of habit now than love. Fin is no longer a police officer, but he has been working as a civilian forensic analyst for the police, which has involved him in reviewing thousands of distressing images downloaded from the dark web. This has left him increasingly traumatised and depressed, and that in turn is affecting his relationship with Marsaili. While both refuse to believe that Fionnlagh could have murdered Caitlin, they are shocked by the undeniable fact that he had been having an adulterous sexual relationship with one of his pupils, even if she was technically above the age of consent. This has them wondering how well they really know their son. There is a feeling that this sudden crisis in their lives will either prove to be the catalyst that ends their marriage, or it may bring them closer together again. This is as much a part of the tension in the book as the mystery element.

The plot itself takes us back into the pasts of the various characters, since Caitlin’s parents had been classmates and friends of Fin and Marsaili in their schooldays. I wouldn’t describe this as a dual timeline novel, but there are frequent flashbacks to those earlier times, and they add to what we already knew about their early relationship and why they split up for so long. I will admit that I had a pretty good idea of the whodunit aspect from a reasonably early point, but there was still plenty of other stuff going on to hold my interest. And the ending, I felt, leaves it open for this to become a five-book trilogy at some time in the future – hopefully we won’t have to wait twelve years for the next instalment. (And hopefully the publishers will have stopped calling it a trilogy by then… ;) ) 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.

Oh my goodness it was wonderful to be back in the Hebrides with Finn once again, many years after enjoying the initial Lewis trilogy.
Peter May is one of my favourite authors in this genre, and the Lewis trilogy are the books that introduced me to his writing, so I was thrilled to return to both place and characters that feature in the three previous books.
This book can most definitely be enjoyed as a standalone book, as it is set a considerable time after the end of the last book. Given how long it has been since I first read the trilogy, I have to admit to having forgotten much of the happenings, but mentions and some explanations of incidents & experiences of Finn, as both child and then later detective, prompted memories to return. Awareness of the background is not essential to enjoyment of this book, but the Lewis trilogy is so good readers really should read them just for enjoyment of nothing.
Reading this book was like returning to visit a long-lost friend as I felt I was back amongst people & places I was familiar with and had built relationships with in the past. Although I have not yet visited the Hebridean islands the author’s descriptions once again brings his vivid imaginings and the real beauty of the places direct to the reader,
Full of twists, turns , upset, frustration and so many other emotions as Finn returns to the island to try and clear his son’s name. This book captivated my imagination and held my interest from beginning to end.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Fin and Marsaili Macleod currently living in Glasgow, get word that their son, a school teacher in Stornoway has been charged with the murder of one of his pupils.

Unable to believe such a thing possible they set off for Lewis to find out what happened and whether their son really was guilty of such a horrible crime. Fin's own investigation into the murder will bring up meories and events from the past that would be better left alone but if it helps prove his son's innocence it will be worth the trouble.

Another great story from Peter May and one I can recommend.

#TheBlackLoch #NetGalley This is the third book in the Lewis series and I had not read the first two. Reading the first two may have given me more background on the main characters but I thought it was perfectly capable of being read as a standalone. It was a great storyline with lots of action and subplots. The harrowing incident with the whales on the beach will not easily be forgotten. I really enjoyed this story, the only thing I found frustrating was the frequent use of Gaelic names, I appreciate that the story is set on the Isle of Lewis where Gaelic is prevalent but I found myself having to look up how to pronounce the words correctly. Then, at the end of the book, there was a glossary of Gaelic words and their pronunciation - not much help when you are reading on a kindle! It would have been helpful to include them at the beginning of the book. Nevertheless it was a good read and I would certainly read more by this author.

Yes! Peter May is finally back - finally!! and I Love this author's books....

The Black Loch by Peter May is the 4th book in the excellent Lewis Trilogy and what another excellent book this was.
Peter May is a fantastic author. I have been a fan of his books for years so, when this latest book of this excellent series was available I had to re arrange my day, to sit and read it.
WoW what a fantastic book this was and Yes, Fin Macleod character is Back and it was great to see this series back Peter May's writing ,descriptions of all his characters etc is brilliant with a great storyline.
It is a terrific read and series....... I highly recommend this book.

I love Peter May and the Lewis Trilogy so was delighted to see that the characters have continued in this fourth book. Great locations and descriptions of the Hebrides.

To paraphrase Douglas Adams - this latest Peter May title is the fourth in his best known trilogy. If you haven't read earlier books in the Lewis trilogy Black Loch works very well as a stand-alone. The plot is as dramatic as the Hebridean scenery which May depicts with such affection and with a crime that impacts Fin so personally it's easy to be completely invested in this story.

Subplots draw attention to malpractices within the fishing industry and their environmental impacts and the scenes with the whales will stay with me for a long time. Peter May is a confident writer who writes with empathy for his characters and the situations they find themselves in. Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy.

Having visited Lewis earlier in the year, I loved the setting for this story and Peter May's descriptions made it easy to picture the locations. Great plot with some unpredictable twists and an action-packed ending. Strongly recommended!

When Fin Macleod’s son Fionnlagh is accused of the murder of his girlfriend, Fin has to go back to his childhood home to face some dark memories.

The murdered girl is the daughter of one of Fin’s friends whom he has not seen since he left the island to go to Uni many years before. The unravelling of what happened to Caitlin brings many deeply hidden truths to the surface.

I really enjoyed this book with its twists and turns and thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for which I have given my own honest review.

From the dramatic clifftop opening scene to the very last page, I found this to be a gripping and fast-paced read. Fin and his wife Marsaili no longer live on Lewis but return after the shocking revelation that their son Fionnlagh has been having an affair with a teenage girl who has now been found dead at the Black Loch. Even worse, Fionnlagh is accused of murdering her.

Like Fin, I couldn’t believe that Fionnlagh was guilty of murder but all the signs pointed to his guilt with some rather compelling evidence. Despite no longer being a police officer, Fin cannot help but get involved in doing some investigations of his own. Lewis is a relatively small island where communities are close-knit and it’s hard to have secrets, yet there were many revelations from the past and present coming to light. The author manages this partly by including some sections set in the past where we find out more about Fin, Marsaili and various other islanders when they were younger. We see how the actions of these younger characters had consequences which reverberate down through the years.

Family and friendship are key aspects of the book. We see marriages put under strain by circumstances and lack of communication. There are long-standing friendships which somehow seem to survive even in these desperate circumstances. Family loyalty is also important in a particularly tragic strand of the story.

There’s a ecological slant to the book too as we get an insight into modern salmon farming methods and see the disastrous effects if things don’t go right whether accidentally or by design. The beauty and dangers of the natural world feature in this book with the island of Lewis providing a perfect brooding backdrop. It has been a few years since I visited Lewis and this book has me yearning to return.

The Black Loch is a welcome addition to the Lewis series and a fantastic read. It’s full of suspense and drama, gripping yet somehow moving at times too. I do hope that Peter May writes another book about Fin Macleod as I loved this one.

It was great revisiting Fin and his history. If you haven’t read the Lewis trilogy don’t worry it can be read as a standalone, however knowing his history gave the book more meaning for me. Another exceptional story from Peter!

I’d listened to audio versions of the (then) Lewis Trilogy back in 2016. I loved these books and have rattled on to friends ever since, imploring them to seek them out and experience these wonderful tales for themselves. So, I was really excited to hear that a fourth book was to be released. How would this latest episode stack up against those forming the original trilogy?

I confess that though I recall some of the ‘highlight’ events of the previous books, much of the rest - the cast’s backstory - has since been swallowed up by the passage of time. Consequently, it took me a little while to settle into this latest chapter in the life of Fin Macleod and those who he grew up with, who’d been born and raised on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. After some years away from the island, Fin, a former policeman, finds himself returning to Lewis having learned that his married son Fionnlagh has been accused of the murder of eighteen-year-old Caitlin, her body having been found washed up on the beach. It seems that the two had been embroiled for some time in an illicit affair.

A big feature of this series is the island itself, the most north westerly land mass in Europe, and possibly the windiest! The native language here is Gaelic, spoken by around half of the population, and much of the land and surrounding sea is labelled in this strange tongue. The descriptions of Lewis are wonderful, and there’s no doubt that a good part of my attraction to these stories is driven by the mystery and drama of this remote, wild, and treeless place. Everyone knows everyone, it seems, and nobody’s business is sacrosanct – here, your business is everyone’s business.

Fin and his partner Marsaili – they were childhood sweethearts whose chequered history has been told in the earlier books – attempt to make sense of the accusations made against their son. As they re-acquaint themselves with people they have long known but have become somewhat estranged from, we begin to learn of more happenings from their earlier lives. In fact, this tale is really a mix of past and present events, tightly woven together to shape this mystery surrounding a young woman’s death. There are dramatic events aplenty here: secrets exposed and tragedies suffered.

In fact, my only disappointment is how the story is eventually concluded. The unwinding of events just feels to me like a unlikely collision of occurrences. I didn’t buy it. But, in all honesty, this didn’t really spoil my enjoyment of my latest trip to the Isle of Lewis. This remains one of my all-time favourite series. Perhaps I’ll get to Lewis for real one day - I have Scottish ancestry, so that's a good excuse. Yes, I’d really like that.

I haven't read any other books by this author and although this is an extra book after a trilogy about Fin, it read fine as a stand alone for me. Fin returns to the island where he grew up after his son was accused of murder. The book concerns his attempts to prove that his son is not guilty. There are also chapters set in the past .
It did take me a few chapters to get into the book and to get to know the characters, but once I did the book kept me interested and entertained. I liked the descriptions of places and people and the twists and turns in the plot. Much of the book is slow paced during the investigation, but the action picks up towards the end. I hope that there will be another episode
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I went into The Black Loch without having previously read Peter May's Lewis Trilogy featuring Fin Macleod, which I knew was a risk. However, even though Fin's personal history is a major part of the book, it can still be enjoyed as a standalone – although I didn't perhaps warm to Fin as quickly as those returning to the series might.
Fin's return to Lewis isn't a happy one; he and his wife, Marsaili are devastated when they learn their son, Fionnlagh is suspected of raping and killing his teenage lover, Caitlin. As her teacher, his actions in having an affair with a student are already reprehensible but despite their shame at his behaviour, they refuse to believe he could be capable of murder. Fin is no longer a serving police officer though, and is warned not to try to interfere with the case.
Of course it's inevitable that he should do whatever he can to discover the truth about such an appalling tragedy, and as he does so, he is forced to revisit painful memories of his own past. Unlike the main narrative, the flashback chapters are written in the first person and help to give us a greater understanding of this complicated man. The tangled relationships between the members of this island community, both in the past and present, loom over everything and although it gives a real sense of what makes Fin the man he is today, it does mean The Black Loch is a slower paced read at times.
Strangely enough, this is the second book I've read recently which features salmon farming – who knew aquaculture could be such a hotbed of intrigue and murder?! Peter May's obvious meticulous research and detailed explanations give readers a thorough understanding of the issues involved and it's a sobering read to consider the impact of major fish farms on the salmon themselves as well as the wider environment.
The island's relationship with the sea is a constant theme throughout the book, bringing both employment and death to its shores. Peter May's immersive rendering of the unforgiving landscape and suffocating communities, still often dominated by the scores of churches, each different denominations of the same religion, is excellent and it's easy to understand why people search for ways to escape, whether literally or in the arms of another. The harsh beauty of the place is evident too, though, particularly at the start of the book when Lewis enjoys an extended period of fine weather.
Ultimately though, this is an exploration of family and friendships torn to breaking point. and in some cases shattered by the sins of the past and merciless acts in the present day. The creeping sense of dread engendered as the multilayered storyline progresses eventually gives way to a nerve-wracking conclusion. This is a sombre read but there is hope here too, with some characters perhaps able to reflect upon their mistakes and rebuild their damaged relationships.
The Black Loch is an intricately plotted, atmospheric mystery with a wonderful sense of place and perceptive characterisation. I thoroughly recommend it.