Scottish crime writer Peter May, best known for The Lewis Trilogy, has been remembered as “irreplaceable” and “one of the best writers of crime fiction” after his death aged 74.
The author, who was renowned for popular novels which also included the Enzo Files series and the China Thrillers, died on Friday night at his holiday home in the south of France, according to a statement on social media.
May had a lengthy career in writing which began in journalism in the 1970s and he was also known for creating and writing several successful TV dramas, including The Standard and Squadron.
His widow, fellow author Janice Hally, announced the “awful news” of his death in a post shared to his Facebook page on Monday, saying she had “no words to express the loss”.
Hally, who is a playwright from Glasgow in Scotland, included a photo of her late husband in the post, along with a lengthy tribute from May’s “long-term publisher and dear friend” Jon Riley.
“Peter May was one of the most popular, and loved writers of crime fiction of his generation, and his books have sold around 15 million copies around the world,” the statement said.
“The novel which he had announced would be his last, Island Of The Dead, is to be published in January 2027.”
It recounted how May began his career as a journalist in Scotland in his early 20s, and said he published his first novel, The Reporter, in 1976, leading him to quit his job after it was later adapted into a BBC drama series.
Riley continued: “In the 15 years that followed he became a successful scriptwriter and producer on two seminal series, Take The High Road and the Gaelic-language, Isle of Lewis-set Machair.
“It was while working on location on Machair that his love for the Hebrides, which informed and influenced so much of his writing, was formed.”
The statement listed his many achievements, along with the many crime novels he had written including several which were set across China and France.
May was also renowned for his novels being set against the atmospheric landscapes of his home country, and Riley recounted how his bestseller The Blackhouse, which is set on the remote Isle of Lewis, shot him to fame after its 2011 release.
Riley said: “He published a bestseller almost every year between The Blackhouse and his last book, The Black Loch, in 2024.
“His writing will always be associated with the Isle of Lewis and the Hebrides.”
The Glaswegian writer was also praised as “a talented musician”, with the statement recalling his 2025 album titled Towards The Light, which “reflected in song many of his interests as a novelist” across 11 tracks.
The statement also described how May had announced his retirement “which he was looking forward to sharing with his beloved wife”, adding that he was “preparing for a farewell tour of Scotland and Lewis” to coincide with the publication of his final novel next year.
“Peter May was not only one of the best writers of crime fiction we had, but he inspired enormous affection in his readers and in those lucky enough to work with him,” Riley added.
“His kindness, generosity and largeness of spirit, loyalty, engagement with life, and the world, made him a much-loved, as well as much-admired figure.
“He is irreplaceable.”
First Minister John Swinney was among those paying tribute, and shared a message to X which said: “Very sorry to hear this news.
“I have hugely enjoyed Peter May’s evocative books set in the Hebrides.
“His description of events in some of the most precious places in our landscape was so stunning.
“I extend my sympathy to his family.”
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