riverrun lands Peter May's 'stunning' return to the characters of his Lewis Trilogy

Quercus imprint riverrun has landed The Black Loch, the "stunning" new novel from Peter May set in the Hebrides. 

Publisher Jon Riley acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Anthony Goff at David Higham Associates for publication in September 2024. 

The Black Loch sees May return to his "much-loved" detective Fin Macleod from the Lewis Trilogy, whose son is now implicated in the death of 18 year-old Caitlin whose body is discovered by the Black Loch. 

The synopsis continues: "Despite leaving the island a decade earlier to escape the haunting memories of his past, Fin is compelled to return to Lewis in a desperate attempt, despite the evidence, to clear his troubled son’s name. He will discover that the crime is connected to his own teenage years, in a tragic salmon fishing accident that had led to two deaths, and in the growth of a multi-billion pound industry on the island." 

May commented: "For the last dozen years readers have been imploring me to write more about Fin Macleod in the setting of the Outer Hebrides. I have always said no, because I felt that I had told Fin’s story in the Lewis Trilogy… Then last year, it struck me that I could re-imagine this story in Fin’s native setting, the Isle of Lewis, and I came out of semi-retirement to write it. It meant a happy return to the islands for my research. And I’m glad I took that decision, for I feel that The Black Loch finally brings closure to the characters and events of the trilogy that so engaged my readers."

Riley added: "It is 13 years since Peter May first introduced his readers to Fin Macleod in the trilogy which began with The Blackhouse. His millions of fans have clamoured for a return to the characters from the Isle of Lewis and here at last, in The Black Loch, is Fin again; older, sadder, and wiser, back to confront his demons, and to clear his son’s name of a terrible crime. It is May at his very best."