Peter May Books In Order
Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.Publication Order of The China Thrillers Books
| The Firemaker | (1999) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Fourth Sacrifice | (2000) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Killing Room | (2000) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Snakehead | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Runner | (2003) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Chinese Whispers | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Ghost Marriage | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of The Enzo Files Books
| Extraordinary People / Dry Bones | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Critic / A Vintage Corpse | (2007) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Blacklight Blue | (2008) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Freeze Frame | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Blowback | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Cast Iron | (2017) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Night Gate | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Lewis Trilogy Books
| The Blackhouse | (2009) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Lewis Man | (2011) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Chessmen | (2012) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Black Loch | (2024) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| The Reporter | (1978) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Fallen Hero | (1979) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Man with No Face / Hidden Faces | (1981) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Noble Path | (1992) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Virtually Dead | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Entry Island | (2013) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Runaway | (2015) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Coffin Road | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| I'll Keep You Safe | (2018) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A Silent Death | (2020) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Lockdown | (2020) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A Winter Grave | (2023) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
| Hebrides | (2013) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
The Lewis Trilogy
The Lewis Trilogy began in 2009 with Peter’s novel, The Blackhouse. This murder mystery series takes place on the Isle of Lewis where life is unforgiving and the fear of God is apparent. The Blackhouse starts the series off with Fin Macleod, a police detective and native born of the Isle of Lewis, on a murder investigation that takes him back to his roots.
In the second novel of the Lewis Trilogy, titled The Lewis Man, Fin returns for another murder mystery of a body discovered and thought to be part of a sacrifice from an ancient ritual over a thousand years old. In this murder mystery Fin uncovers parts of Tormad Macdonald, the father of Fin’s childhood sweetheart’s, past that even his own family was unaware of.
The third and final chapter of this series, The Chessmen, takes Fin on an investigation to solve an illegal game-hunting crime that reunites him with a face of his past, Whistler Macaskill, and leads him to discover pieces of the past that could destroy the future.
The Enzo Files
The Enzo Files is a series of five novels with one on the way. The series tell the story of Enzo Macleod, a half-Scottish, half-Italian former forensic scientist that is forced to use his skills once again to solve old cold-cases in France. In the first novel of this series, Extraordinary People (also published as Dry Bones) Enzo is sent on a disturbing scavenger hunt for body parts around France.
In the second chapter of the series, The Critic, Enzo investigates the murder of a celebrated wine critic in the vineyards of the Gaillac region. The series continues on with the novels, Blacklight Blue, Freeze Frame, and Blowback.
The China Thrillers
This thriller series is popular for the tempestuous relationship between Chinese detective Li Yan, and acerbic American pathologist Dr. Margaret Campbell from Chicago. The China Thrillers landed Peter the only honorary membership of the Chinese Crime Writer’s Association awarded to a westerner for its vibrant portrayal of contemporary Chinese life.
In the first chapter of the China Thriller series, The Firemaker, Li Yan and Dr. Margaret Campbell are tracking the murderer of a government scientist who was found burned to death in a park in Beijing. After Dr. Margaret Campbell is heartbroken when Li Yan chooses his career over her, she once again teams up with him when the fourth of a series of ritualized beheadings involves an American citizen in the second novel of this series, The Fourth Sacrifice. This series continues on in four more novels titled The Killing Room, Snakehead, The Runner, and Chinese Whispers.
Standalone Novels
In addition to the Lewis Trilogy, the Enzo Files, and the China Thrillers, Peter was also able to write six standalone novels including his very first novel, The Reporter published in 1978. In this novel, investigative reporter, Colin Anderson, unknowingly puts his life and the life of his assistant, Janis Sinclair, on the line when he begins to uncover what could very well be the biggest international sabotage of all time. Peter’s other standalone novels include Fallen Hero 1979, Hidden Faces 1981 and 1982, The Noble Path 1992 and 1993, Virtually Dead 2010, and Entry Island 2014.
Television and Film
In addition to being an accomplished novelist, Peter has also made himself a name and career in the film and television industries. His television career took off with The Standard, in 1978 which was based off of the characters in his first novel, The Reporter. Peter was then the co-creator and writer of Squadron, a series about an RAF rapid deploying squadron that aired on BBC starting in 1982.
Peter’s television career also involves Take the High Road (1980-1992), The Ardlamont Mystery (1985), and Machair (1992-1996). To add to his already prestigious career in television, Peter May’s novel The Killing Room is also being adapted into a full-length feature film.
Awards and Nominations
Peter May has become well recognized for his work both as a novelist and in film and television. His very first award was the Fraser Award in 1973 for being the Scottish Young Journalist of the Year. In 1996, Machair was nominated for the Best Drama Serial Award at the 17th International Celtic Film and Television Festival.
In 2006, Firemaker was runner up for the Best Crime Novel category in the Elle Magazine, Grand Prix de Litterature. Snakehead was the winner at the Salon Polar and Co, Cognac in the 2007 Prix Intramuros (France), and shortlisted at the Salon Polar and Co, Cognac in the 2007 Prix International as well. Chinese Whispers was shortlisted at the Salon Polar and Co, Cognac in the 2008 Prix International.
The Blackhouse was winner of the Prix des Lecteurs at the Les Ancres Noires book festival, Le Havre in the 2010 Prix Ancres Noires. The Blackhouse was winner of the CEZAM Prix Litteraire Inter CE national French Literature Prize in the 2011 Cezam Prix Littéraire Inter CE L’Île. The Lewis Man was winner of the Prix des Lecteurs at the Les Ancres Noires book festival, Le Havre in the 2012 Prix Ancres Noires. In the 2012 Grand Prix des Lecteurs du Télégramme, The Lewis Man was winner of the Prix des Lecteurs du Télégramme, 10,000 Euro Readers’ Prize of French daily newspaper.
In the 2012 Prix International, Cognac Festival The Lewis Man won the 2012 Prix International at the Cognac Festival. The Blackhouse was shortlisted for the 2013 Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel (USA). The Lewis Man was shortlisted for the 2013 Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award (UK). The Blackhouse won the 2013 Barry Award for Best Crime Novel (USA) at a ceremony at Bouchercon, Albany NY.
Book Series In Order » Authors »
Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
I Loved the China thrilled series. He has other books, not listed in this forum so don’t limit your search to this page. (i am sure it takes a lot of effort to keep this up)
I’m not sure what you are talking about? We have all his books listed here.
I started my Peter May journey with the Lewis Trilogy which I absolutely loved. I met Peter today in Waterstones in Edinburgh at a book signing event, and he signed a copy of ‘A Winter Grave’ for me. I would loved to have spent more time chatting to him, but at least I have his new book which I look forward to reading. I told Peter how his fantastic description of the scenery in Harris and Lewis had sold the island to me, and my wife and I will be visiting it soon!
I totally agree with you about his descriptive writing.
We’ve both read the Lewis trilogy and many more of his.
My partner had been trying to get me to read John Banville for his very descriptive writing and I finally did read 3 of them.
‘Snow’ had me captivated from start to finish and I could feel every crunch of ice walked on and more. He has a way with words like Peter May and I realised this especially when reading Peter May’s ‘A Winter Grave’ I could so feel the cold, wet snow etc etc in this Chiller. Such a good writer!
Having read the Lewis Trilogy it led me to the Enzo series. Fantastic research and writing. Our daughter and granddaughter live in Stornoway on Lewis. During our visit there last year there was a section in the museum at Lews Castle with a recognition of Peter May. There are even local Lewis Trilogy tours to the sites in the books.
We visited several on our own and it was somewhat spooky but fascinating. Can’t wait for May’s 4th addition to the “ trilogy?”
Have read The Lewis Trilogy, The Enzo Files, and just finished the First of he China Books…The research in each book is outstanding. I have enjoyed each book and look forward to reading all of Peter May’s books.
I have just finished The Lewis Trilogy, based upon your recommendation. It was such a pleasant surprise. I listened to the audiobooks, and Peter Forbes narration was stunning. I am ready to begin the Enzo series now, and I fully expect to be on the edge of my seat once again. Thanks for highlighting this in your monthly newsletter!
That’s great Tracy so glad you enjoyed it. I’m not sure what to read next by Peter but I’ve heard good things about everything he has written 🙂
Just finished the Enzo M series on audio books! They were wonderful! The narrator Peter Forbes was excellent! I’ve read hundreds of audio books over the last 27 years and he is one of the best narrators I’ve ever heard. It makes the series come alive for me!
Loving your books. The Blackhouse was superb, cant wait to read the next two. Ever since reading Morris West ‘Summer of the Red Wolf’ many years ago fascinated by Harris and Lewis. Sadly covid has put an end to any thoughts of going myself
Just finished the Lewis Trilogy and really enjoyed them. The second book was the best thing I’ve read in a long time.
I think they would make a great TV Series.
Loving your books now that I’m retired and have time for a read and it was a pleasure to work with Peter and Janice on machair days
Will there be any more China books which increased my curiosity of CHINA.
Love his books. Would like more information about his China books and The Enzo Files bookd. Janice Edgin