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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

I'll Keep You Safe - Peter May

I'll Keep You Safe by Peter May

First Paragraph(s):

All she can hear is the ringing in her ears.  A high-pitched tinnitus drowning out all other sounds.  The chaos around her has no real form.  Flaming fragments from the blast still falling from the night sky, bodies lying on the concrete.  The shadows of figures fleeing the flames extend towards her across the square, flickering like monochrome images on a screen.
     She can make out the skeleton of the car beyond the blaze, imagining that she sees the silhouettes of the driver and passenger still strapped in their seats.  But how could anyone have survived such an explosion intact?

My Thoughts:

I'll Keep You Safe is Peter May's newest book, published just this spring and it's a standalone.  Set in both Paris and the Isle of Lewis, it tells the story of a couple, Niamh (wife) and Ruairidh (husband), who are struggling a bit and then one is killed.  I listened to this one on audio and Peter Forbes provided most of the narration, with Anna Murray relating the development of the relationship over the years from Niamh's perspective.  Both narrators did an excellent job.  There was a lot of information about the fashion industry and the making of tweed cloth.  That was mostly interesting, but my favorite parts were when the setting was Lewis and the wonderful descriptions of the landscape, the weather, the villages, and the people.  Detective Sergeant George Gunn makes an appearance again as he assists the French Detective in her investigation.

OK, let me say that even though Peter May is a favorite author of mine, this book was not my favorite.  There were parts that I loved - the setting, the descriptions of Niamh and Ruairidh's history together since childhood.  However, other parts were not as pleasing to me.  And there was a twist at the end that I saw coming very clearly.  That being said, I definitely do not want to discourage anyone from trying this book.  It's good, just not his best, in my opinion.  I'll be watching for what comes next and hoping beyond hope that the location will once again be The Outer Hebrides. 

Blurb:

Friends since childhood, and lovers and business partners as adults, Niamh and Ruairidh are owners of a small Hebridean company, Ranish Tweed, that weaves its own very special version of Harris Tweed. Although it's a small company, their fabrics have become internationally sought-after as a niche brand in the world of fashion and haute couture.

But the threads of their relationship are beginning to fray. As they prepare for an important showing at the Première Vision fabric fair, held in Paris every year, Niamh accuses Ruairidh of having an affair with Irina, a Russian fashion designer they work with--a fight that ends with Ruairidh storming off and getting into Irina's car. Moments later, Niamh watches in horror as the car containing her life partner explodes in a ball of flame.

With Niamh a prime suspect in the murder, the Parisian police hound her even after she returns to Harris to bury the pitiful remains of her lover and business partner. Amid the grief and struggles that follow, she begins to suspect that things are not what they seem; and when there is an attempt on her life, she becomes convinced that what looked like a terrorist attack on her lover might be something more personal by far . . .

22 comments:

  1. I've never tried this author but, think I just might check out some of his earlier books. Sorry this wasn't his best.

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    1. Start with The Blackhouse, Diane. That trilogy that he wrote is his best - in my opinion.

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  2. I've only read The Black House by him but remember it was really good. This is an area of the world that I hardly ever read about-- and it certainly is an atmospheric setting for a mystery!

    Too bad this wasn't his best for you, but maybe because you've read several titles by him this year and have the basis for comparison.

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    1. Yes, I think you're right. I wasn't as fond of the Paris parts. Wanted to get back to Lewis.

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  3. Good choice, Kay. I haven't read his previous books, although I've heard good things about them. I'll start with this stand-alone, hopefully soon.

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    1. Or try Entry Island, Catherine. Another standalone that I thought was a little better than this one.

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  4. I've heard a lot of good things about his work. This doesn't sound like the book to start with.

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    1. It would likely be fine if you hadn't read others of this author for comparison. Or if you were more interested in Paris - which I'm not. LOL

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  5. I've heard of this author before but can't recall any books I've read by him.

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    1. Ti, he definitely fits in the crime novel section of the bookstore/library.

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  6. It is always a little disappointing when you don't "love" a book by a favorite author. I still need to catch up on the Isle of Lewis series, so this one is not in my immediate future.

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    1. I liked that Lewis trilogy better, but this one isn't bad, just not his best.

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  7. I felt this one lost focus a bit in the middle, but frankly I'm always happy just wandering around the islands in Peter May's company, so I didn't care! Glad you enjoyed it, and fingers crossed for another island one next time...

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  8. I felt the same way! Definitely not my favorite May book. I love May's Hebridean settings and characters. Hopefully his next one takes place all on-island :)

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    1. I do hope he'll return us to the Hebrides next. I didn't care for the Paris setting that much.

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  9. You are right that the setting for his series is a strong component and one of the reasons I like his books. This one sounds interesting still so I wouldn't mind checking it out.

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    1. You should try it, Iliana, and see what you think. The fashion and fabric info was interesting.

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  10. This author is new to me, but it definitely sounds like an interesting mystery. I like that the author captured the setting really well.

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    1. Peter May has a real gift for letting the reader really 'see' the Outer Hebrides. Makes you want to go there.

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  11. I really like May but I haven't read this one . . . yet. I love the Outer Hebrides setting but I'd still plan on reading this one.

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    1. The Paris part and fashion sections are good, just not my usual area. Others would probably like them more.

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!