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  • The Chessmen

  • The Lewis Trilogy, Book 3
  • Written by: Peter May
  • Narrated by: Peter Forbes
  • Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (55 ratings)

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The Chessmen cover art

The Chessmen

Written by: Peter May
Narrated by: Peter Forbes
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Publisher's Summary

Living again off the Isle of Lewis, ex-detective inspector Fin Macleod is working as a security officer for a local landowner. While investigating illegal activity on the estate, Fin encounters the elusive poacher and former childhood friend and bandmate Whistler Macaskill.

When Fin catches up with Whistler among the windswept hills of the estate, the two witness a freak natural phenomenon - a bog burst - that drains a loch of all its water in a flash, revealing a mud-encased light aircraft with a sickeningly familiar moniker on its side.

Both men immediately know what they will find inside: the body of Roddy Mackenzie, a friend whose flight disappeared more than 17 years earlier. But when Whistler's face appears to register something other than shock, an icy chill of apprehension overtakes Fin.

What secret has Whistler been hiding from him, and everyone else on the island? Fin is unprepared for how the truth about the past will alter the course of the future.

©2012 Peter May (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"This intriguing story alternates between the present, the past, and the distant past, skillfully introducing all of the characters and motives that will play an integral part in the solution of the mysteries. It is powerfully written, both in the descriptions of the barren landscape and the complicated and constantly changing relationships of the primary people involved." (Mystery Scene Magazine)

"May brings his acclaimed Lewis trilogy to a close with a novel that is both wrenching and hopeful.... [A]n utterly absorbing mystery." (Booklist, starred review)

"The Chessmen is well up to the high standard of its two predecessors: tightly plotted, with no skimping on either the nuances of character or the wonderfully evocative descriptions of rugged island landscapes that have made these books a true pleasure to read." (The Guardian)

What listeners say about The Chessmen

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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Loved the narration, May’s storytelling, and this series. Excellent character development and suspense. Loved it.

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  • DJS
  • 2023-06-25

Book 3 continues the excellence of this series

I really enjoyed the writing and narration of the Lewis Trilogy. All 3 books were well researched, each one providing a different insight into the past history of the island.

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A truly magnificent trilogy

These are far more than mysteries, unless we extend the concept to include fundamental mysteries of human existence

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Great performance

Narrator brought it to life! The description is excellent and a view into island life wonderful

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Enjoyed the trilogy, especially first two books

I have thoroughly enjoyed Peter May's trilogy, especially the second book with its link to the challenges of dementia. The descriptive writing and the intricate storytelling is wonderful in all three books However, I felt the third book slightly difficult to follow at times as I was sometimes confused as to whether I was in the present or the past, especially if I had put the book down for a (short) time. Also I wondered why we had never encountered "Whistler" before, since he was apparently such a huge part of Fin's younger self. Regardless, would recommend the trilogy!

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