At June’s crime book club meeting we voted for books from the Theakston’s crime novel of the year long-list to read in July and Peter May’s The Chessmen won the vote for us to read for July’s meeting on Wednesday 16th July at 8 p.m. GMT.
The Chessmen is the third book in a Trilogy focused on protagonist Fin Macleod. A couple of the book club members have stated that they intend to read the previous two books as well, rather than just reading the final book in the trilogy, so my question to book club members today is, do you want to read The Chessmen as voted for, or would you rather read the first in the MacLeod trilogy – bearing in mind some members may have already read it?
I’m happy to attempt to read the trilogy before our meeting and if pushed, to just read The Chessmen, but the question has been raised.
To give people time to read the correct book, I’m only going to leave this question open until Monday morning before emailing the results out in the newsletter, so please let me know either in the comments or on Twitter, Facebook or email.
The Chessmen by Peter May
A new start has brought new optimism for Fin Macleod. Now permanently re-settled on his Hebridean childhood home of the Isle of Lewis, the ex-Detective Inspector has been employed by a local landowner to oversee security on his estate: ostensibly a simple task for a man of Fin’s experience. When an investigation into illegal activity on the land brings Fin into contact with elusive local poacher and former school friend Whistler Macaskill, Fin is afforded an opportunity to connect with the happier days of his teenage years. But as Fin catches up with Whistler, the two witness a freak natural phenomenon – a ‘Bog Burst’ – which spontaneously drains a Lewis loch of its water, revealing a mud-encased light aircraft with a sickeningly familiar moniker on its side. Both men know what they will find inside – the body of friend and musician Roddy Mackenzie, whose flight disappeared more than seventeen years before. But when Whistler’s face appears to register something other than shock at the sight of Roddy’s remains, Fin feels an icy chill of apprehension. As he closes in on Whistler’s secret, Fin is unprepared for how the truth about the past will alter the course of the future.
Margot Kinberg says
Oh, interesting question, Rebecca. I’m honestly happy either way, but if forced to choose, I’d say go with the first in the trilogy. But honestly I don’t feel passionately about it.
MarinaSofia says
I’ve read the first in the trilogy, but it was a while ago and wouldn’t mind reading it again and hearing other’s opinions on it. I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to read all 3 in the trilogy until July, but I’m happy to give it a go. So I guess I’m saying I’m happy either way, with a mild preference for the first book.
Steph Rothwell says
I finished the first one yesterday and hopefully will have time to finish the trilogy. Reading another that in need to finish before the end of June or soon after and the will return to Peter May.
Melanie Mckissock says
I’ve just re-read the first one, and am attempting to read all three before the meeting. Like Margot, I don’t have strong feelings either way, but I guess if we only have time for one, it probably makes more sense to discuss the first one. I’ll still be trying to read all three though, really enjoyed revisiting this series.