Peter May Obituary, Death: Scottish Crime Writer and Lewis Trilogy Author Died at 74

Peter May, the acclaimed Scottish author whose crime novels brought the landscapes and communities of the Hebrides to readers around the world, has died at the age of 74.

May died on Friday night, September 25, 2026, at his holiday home in southern France, according to his publisher, Riverrun. His wife, writer Janice Hally, announced his death, with French publisher Éditions du Rouergue and Agence France-Presse subsequently confirming the news.

For more than five decades, May built a remarkable career spanning journalism, television, fiction and music. He ultimately became one of Scotland’s most internationally recognized crime writers, best known for the Lewis Trilogy and his evocative portrayals of Scotland’s islands, history and people.

His death marks the loss of a writer whose work connected crime fiction with landscape, memory, identity and the complicated relationships between people and the places they call home.

Who Was Peter May?

Peter May was a Scottish novelist, screenwriter and journalist whose career extended across several forms of storytelling.

Born in Glasgow on December 20, 1951, he began his professional life in journalism. His talent was recognized at an early age, and at just 21 he was named Young Journalist of the Year.

His first novel, The Reporter, was published while he was still in his 20s. The book was subsequently adapted for television by the BBC, helping launch a career that would eventually span journalism, television drama and international fiction.

May later returned to novels full time, producing more than 30 books and developing a worldwide readership.

From Glasgow Journalism to Television

May’s early career was rooted in journalism, but television soon became an important part of his professional life.

He went on to write and produce Scottish television, including work on the long-running drama Take the High Road.

He later became closely associated with Machair, the Gaelic-language television series he co-created with Janice Hally.

Filmed on the Isle of Lewis, Machair gave May an intimate connection with the island, its people and its culture. That experience would later become an important influence on his fiction.

After approximately 15 years working in television and involvement with more than 1,000 episodes of drama, May eventually returned to writing novels as his primary creative focus.

The Blackhouse and the Lewis Trilogy

May’s international literary reputation grew substantially following the publication of The Blackhouse in 2011.

Set largely on the remote Isle of Lewis, the novel introduced readers to an atmospheric world in which crime, history, landscape and personal relationships were closely intertwined.

The book was followed by The Lewis Man and The Chessmen, completing what became known internationally as the Lewis Trilogy.

The series established May as a distinctive voice in contemporary crime fiction. Rather than treating the setting simply as a backdrop, he made the Hebridean landscape and its communities an essential part of the stories.

The books also developed a particularly strong readership in France, where May’s work became widely translated and published.

A Career Beyond the Hebrides

Although the Lewis Trilogy became his best-known body of work, May’s writing extended far beyond Scotland.

He wrote the China thriller series and created The Enzo Files, which follows forensic scientist Enzo Macleod as he investigates complex cases, many of them connected with France.

Across more than 30 novels, May repeatedly combined crime mysteries with history, culture, geography and questions of identity.

His books were translated and published internationally, helping establish a readership well beyond Britain.

A Writer Recognized Internationally

May’s contribution to crime fiction received recognition in Britain and overseas.

Among his honors was the CWA Dagger in the Library Award in 2021.

He also received literary recognition in France, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States.

France became increasingly important in the later part of his life. May and Hally eventually settled in southwest France after leaving Scotland, and May became a naturalized French citizen.

His international career reflected the breadth of his work and the ability of his stories to connect readers across different countries and cultures.

Marriage to Janice Hally

Peter May and Janice Hally met while working in Scottish television.

Their professional relationship eventually developed into a personal partnership, and the couple married in 1990.

They worked together on Machair, combining their experience in television and storytelling.

Later in life, they made their home in southwest France, where May continued writing and developing new fiction.

Hally was also the person who announced his death in September 2026.

His Final Novel: Island of the Dead

Even after May had indicated that he intended to retire from writing novels, he continued working on another book.

In August 2026, Riverrun announced that it had acquired Island of the Dead, described as May’s final novel.

The book is scheduled for publication in January 2027.

Its planned release means readers will have an opportunity to encounter one final piece of May’s fiction following his death.

Peter May’s Legacy

Peter May leaves behind a literary legacy shaped by an unusual combination of crime writing, journalism, television and an enduring connection to place.

His novels introduced countless readers to the landscapes of the Hebrides while exploring themes of memory, family, history, belonging and loss.

The Lewis Trilogy in particular helped make the Isle of Lewis an internationally recognizable setting within modern crime fiction.

His work also demonstrated how crime novels can become stories about communities and cultures as much as investigations and mysteries.

For readers who discovered Scotland through his books, May’s writing provided a bridge between fictional characters and the real landscapes that inspired them.

Peter May Obituary: Quick Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Peter May?

Peter May was a Scottish author, journalist and television writer best known for his crime novels, particularly the Lewis Trilogy comprising The Blackhouse, The Lewis Man and The Chessmen.

When did Peter May die?

Peter May died on September 25, 2026, according to his publisher and subsequent confirmation from French publishing and news sources.

How old was Peter May when he died?

May was 74 years old.

Where was Peter May born?

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on December 20, 1951.

What was Peter May known for?

He was best known for the Lewis Trilogy and for crime fiction that incorporated the landscapes, history and communities of the Hebrides.

What was Peter May’s first novel?

His first novel was The Reporter, which was later adapted into a BBC television drama.

Did Peter May work in television?

Yes. Before returning to fiction full time, May spent approximately 15 years working in television and was involved with productions including Take the High Road and Machair.

Was Peter May married?

Yes. Peter May married writer Janice Hally in 1990. The couple also worked together professionally, including on Machair.

Where did Peter May live?

May and Hally eventually settled in southwest France after leaving Scotland. He also had a holiday home in southern France, where he died, according to his publisher.

What is Peter May’s final novel?

His final novel is Island of the Dead. Riverrun announced the acquisition of the book in August 2026, with publication scheduled for January 2027.

Funeral and Memorial Information

At the time of publication, detailed information concerning Peter May’s funeral arrangements, memorial service or celebration of life had not been provided in the information available.

His family may release additional details as arrangements are finalized.

Readers should rely on announcements from May’s family or authorized representatives for confirmed information concerning any funeral or memorial service.

Final Tribute to Peter May

Peter May spent much of his life telling stories about people, places and the memories that bind them together.

From his early career as a young Glasgow journalist to his years in Scottish television and his later success as an internationally published novelist, his professional life continually evolved.

His connection with the Isle of Lewis became one of the defining elements of his literary career. Through the Lewis Trilogy, he brought the island’s landscapes, history and communities to readers far beyond Scotland.

But his body of work extended much further, encompassing television, international thrillers and more than 30 novels.

His final book, Island of the Dead, is still awaiting publication, giving readers one last opportunity to encounter his storytelling.

Peter May’s books will continue to carry his voice into the future, preserving the landscapes and human stories that became central to his work.

May Peter May be remembered for the stories he gave to readers around the world and for the literary legacy he leaves behind.

Disclaimer

Information here is for general information purposes only.

This obituary is based on information attributed to Peter May’s publisher, his wife Janice Hally, French publisher Éditions du Rouergue and Agence France-Presse. Funeral arrangements, memorial information and other personal details should be confirmed through the family or authorized representatives as further information becomes available.