A Wee Blether With...
The screenwriter and novelist discusses his life and latest book
Novelist Peter May discusses his new book
What’s the premise for your latest novel, A Silent Death?
It’s set in Spain, where a Scottish police officer has been seconded to the Spanish authorities to assist with the manhunt for a fugitive from British justice. I wanted to create a character against the grain of the classic hero. Not in the sense that he had questionable morality, but someone who was too damned clever for his own good.
What made you choose Spain?
I have had a love affair with Spain ever since meeting two sisters at a resort on the Costa Brava when I was a young teenager in the early 60s. They were from Barcelona – Cristina and Nurita – and I borrowed their names for the characters of the young Spanish policewoman and her sister in A Silent Death.
How has the book market changed during your career?
Crime writing in general is enjoying great success at the moment, and Scottish crime writing is in an even healthier position. We Scottish crime writers are particularly lucky to have a very loyal readership who buy our books and support us.
Why did you quit your TV series Machair to write novels full-time?
I had always wanted to be a writer of novels. Machair was the first long-running Gaelic drama serial, and after making some 99 episodes of it I decided it was time to get back to my first love, books.
What made you move to France?
I’ve had a holiday home in France since the late 1980s and in 2002 we sold our house in Scotland and now have dual nationality. The process for citizenship took about two years and a novel’s worth of paperwork! We’re very honoured and relieved to get it. France is our home now.
Ever have a hankering for mince and tatties or does Steak Frites suffice?
The only thing that we really miss from Scotland are the great Chinese food and curries you can get there. But we visit often and get to enjoy them then!
What do you think was your big break was?
After The Blackhouse was turned down by every publisher in the UK, which was really disappointing, it was published in France and then by Quercus, a young UK publishing house that didn’t exist when it was first offered around UK.
Is it ironic that the Lewis Trilogy was first published in France not Scotland?
Maybe, but it’s the best thing that could have happened. When The Blackhouse – the first of the trilogy – was published in France it got an incredible reception. Now, the Lewis Trilogy has sold more than five million copies in the UK alone.
Whose writing, fiction or non-fiction, do you pick up as a matter of course?
My favourites are still my early influences – Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway, J.P. Donleavy, H.E. Bates, Somerset Maugham.
A Silent Death is out now from Riverun publishers