| Title | : | I'll Keep You Safe |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 387 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2018 |
Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane co-own the Hebridean company Ranish Tweed. On a business trip to Paris to promote their luxury brand, Niamh learns of Ruairidh's affair, and then looks on as he and his lover are killed by a car bomb. She returns home to Lewis, bereft.
I'LL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU
Niamh begins to look back on her life with Ruairidh, desperate to identify anyone who may have held a grudge against him. The French police, meanwhile, have ruled out terrorism, and ruled in murder - and sent Detective Sylvie Braque to shadow their prime suspect: Niamh.
I'LL KEEP YOU SAFE, NO MATTER WHAT
As one woman works back through her memories, and the other moves forward with her investigation, the two draw ever closer to a deadly enemy with their own, murderous, designs.
I'll Keep You Safe Reviews
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”Harris Tweed is the only cloth in the world to be defined by an Act of Parliament and is described in the 1993 Act as follows: ‘Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.’”
Tweed
If you are wearing tweed and it was not made on an island off the coast of Scotland, you probably aren’t wearing real tweed. No offense to the Irish, but tweed begins and ends with the Scots as far as I am concerned. Etymology explains why I feel this way.
”The original name of the cloth was tweel, Scots for twill, the material being woven in a twilled rather than a plain pattern. A traditional story has the name coming about almost by chance. Around 1831, a London merchant received a letter from a Hawick firm, Wm. Watson & Sons, Dangerfield Mills about some ‘tweels.’ The merchant misinterpreted the handwriting, understanding it to be a trade-name taken from the river Tweed that flows through the Scottish Borders textile area. The goods were subsequently advertised as Tweed and the name has remained since.”
Ruairidh (Roo-are-ee) and his wife Niamh (Neave) are islanders who return to their birthplace to try to do something that would be rather crazy for 99% of the population. They want to become weavers of tweed. Ranish Tweed is for sale, and the moment Niamh lays hands on it, she knows it is the fabric she wants to produce.
”It was soft and luxurious and felt almost sensual when I ran it through my fingers. But it was the colours in it that attracted me. ‘This is beautiful. It makes me think of peat-cutting up on the Pentland Road on a sunny day. All those different hues. The first new growth through winter grasses. Green and red. And the brown of the heather roots, and the blue of the sky reflecting in all those tiny scraps of water.’”
After reading that description, I can’t look at tweed the same way again. It isn’t just spun wool anymore. It is a kaleidoscope of color dyed into the cloth that reflects the world around us. The next time I decide to add a jacket to my wardrobe, of course, it is going to be Harris Tweed made in Scotland.
Ruairidh and Niamh make a go of it, catching some odd breaks as they start to make a name for themselves as a softer, more modern version of Harris Tweed. Maybe the oddest break comes in a hail of bullets. ”’You realize,’ he said in a small voice, ‘that the biggest mafia boss in New York has just been shot dead wearing Ranish Tweed.’ He pushed his eyebrows up to wrinkle his forehead. ‘That’s a rare distinction.’”
They catch the eye of an up and coming designer, who uses their cloth in every item he designs for his next fashion show. They are on their way. Not without plenty of annoyances, one of them being getting the young designer to pay his bill. One aspect I really enjoy about this book is the concept of grabbing a dream, building a business, and surviving the pitfalls that inevitably are part of any attempt to break free from the safe confines of a salaried job.
Unfortunately, one of those pitfalls is a devastating occurrence while the couple are in Paris that sets off an investigation which leaves Niamh distraught and a suspect for murder. A Paris detective by the name of Sylvie Braque follows Niamh back to the Hebrides. She makes an interesting observation about the difference between living in the city of love and the windswept islands of the Hebrides:
”It was both breathtaking and bleak, and Braque wondered how people survived in this place without the shops and restaurants she took for granted, the sun-dappled apartments that looked on leafy boulevards, the cinemas and theatres, the roar of traffic replaced by the howling of the wind.”
Aye, she’s bonny.
Peter May has written another atmospheric, haunting novel set in the Hebrides. His Lewis Trilogy shares the same setting as this novel, and they are utterly fantastic. His books are not only thrilling, but lyrical and insightful. He is becoming one of my favorite mystery writers. I’m piling up his books like a neurotic, paranoid squirrel storing walnuts for a long, dark winter.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit
http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:
https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten -
This is the first time
Peter May has let me down. I enjoyed the setting and most of the story but that was such a weak ending! The explanation for what happened to Ruairidh was just plain silly.
I am giving it three stars because I kind of liked much of the book but it has to lose those other two stars for the parts I did not like. Sorry Mr May. I usually like your books so much - but not this one:( -
Niamh had lived all her life on the Isle of Lewis and had known Ruairidh Macfarlane since her school days. When they became husband and wife, Niamh couldn’t have been happier. They were partners in their business of Ranish Tweed, as well as life partners. Niamh accompanied Ruairidh on business trips often – it was the trip to Paris which changed her world forever.
The evening of their arrival in Paris, Niamh confronted her husband with her suspicions of his affair with a Russian designer – his denial was immediate, but still he left the hotel to attend the meeting. Her horror was absolute when the car her husband was in exploded violently, showering debris everywhere – no one could possibly have survived. Bereft and desolate, Niamh felt she could no longer face life – her beloved Ruairidh whom she’d thought she would spend the rest of her life with, was gone…
Returning to the Isle of Lewis, Niamh couldn’t believe the French police viewed her as a suspect. But when Detective Sylvie Braque arrived in time for Ruairidh’s funeral, she didn’t know what to think. Was Niamh herself in danger? Whoever killed her husband – did they want her dead too? And if so - why? Niamh tried to think of who would hate them so much – while the French detective investigated deeply into Niamh and Ruairidh’s lives. Was the killer nearby? What would be the outcome?
I’ll Keep You Safe is another outstanding thriller by Scottish author Peter May. Intense, gripping, fast-paced and unputdownable, the twists and turns kept me completely engrossed. I love the Isle of Lewis setting; the majesty of the views; the lonely isolation of the island itself – spectacularly written! Peter May is a thriller writer I will always read. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette Australia for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review. -
Parts of this book is solid Peter May excellence, and the Hebridean setting is gorgeous as ever. BUT I'm utterly disappointed in the identity of the killer. I crossed my fingers that May would not veer down the road I was suspecting he chose, but alas...no such luck, and that made the book fail miserably.
If you want to read the book, do not read on:
The killer was: -
Peter May is one of my favourite authors, I find his writing a perfect blend of well crafted plots, great characters and the right measure of descriptive text that sets the scene.
Ruairidh Macfarlane and his wife Niamh own a successful textile business in Scotland called Ranish Tweed. While visiting Paris to attend a textile fair, Niamh is told that Ruairidh is having an affair with a designer named Irina. An argument occurs when Niamh confronts Ruairidh and when he leaves in a car, it explodes in front of her. Niamh becomes the prime suspect when questioned by the Paris police. Niamh goes back home to Scotland and is followed by French officer Sylvia Braque who intends to seek the truth and bring Niamh's murderer to justice.
I really enjoyed this and probably just a 4 star rating but it is so well written. -
Приличен трилър на Питър Мей, който отново се развива предимно на Хебридите.
Оценката ми е 2,5*, закръглена нагоре заради изключително добре описаните природа и хора на този суров морски край.
Светът на Нийв (Niamh) рухва, когато насред Париж е взривен автомобил, в който е мъжът ѝ Руaри (Ruairidh), съсобственик в компанията им за производство на платове от хебридски туид. За капак, те са се отчуждили в последно време и той не е бил сам в колата...
Има си загадки, обрати, история на родовете и островите, всичко си е както си му е редът. :)
Много харесвам келтските имена.
P.S. Тези буквалистично тъпи корици на Колибри къртят, що да не пляснем един парцал на морските скали, те хората ще се сетят и сами... -
Peter May is one of my favourite authors and, in general, I highly rate his books. I think his best is "The Lewis Man". Unfortunately, I think May's latest offering may well be his worst. Three-quarters of the book was taken up with flashbacks and family background and the denouement of the story was squashed into the final quarter. And what a denouement! You couldn't come up with a more ridiculous ending if you tried! I can only think Peter May had a book contract to fulfil and his heart just wasn't in it. Or maybe he's just lost his touch.
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There is little that banishes the January blues quite as effectively as a new book from the popular, and diverse, crime novelist Peter May. It is with some pleasure that the Raven can declare that I’ll Keep You Safe, another Hebridean outing and laced with a touch of the Parisian, accompanied by leftover Christmas chocolate and a wee dram was, by and large, a real new year treat…
For my review I will only dally fleetingly on the plot of this one, as there are neat little twists and tricks, heralded by the literally explosive beginning that will unsettle, surprise and delight you in equal measure. Integral to the success of these is the structure of the book, and the characterisation, and this is what I would particularly like to draw your attention to. Strangely, I’m going to compare Peter May to a stand up comedian, and here’s why. Just as a good stand up comedian would begin to tell you a story, then seamlessly goes off on what appears to be a largely unconnected tangent, then drawing you back to their original story, and repeating this process to the story’s conclusion, so May uses this same device to great effect. He provides us with a relatively linear plot in that woman’s possibly unfaithful husband is killed in car explosion and setting the reader on the course to find out who did it, but by using casual small references to previous events, he then takes us on an intriguing circular perambulation to explore these happenings, satisfyingly building up layers of the personal histories of his characters. It’s also akin to looking at an old photograph album, so that we can picture Niamh and Ruairidh at crucial points in their formative years, as well as in the life they build together. Niamh’s life and experiences in particular are a real driving force in the book, and as the book is so closely structured around her grief, confusion and anger, I felt incredibly drawn to her. I enjoyed discovering more about her as the book progressed, and the emotional weight that May invests in her does to a certain extent put other characters in the shade, most notably French detective Sylvie Braque, who aside from her interactions with the island police, disappointingly failed to ignite my interest to any degree. Some of the more minor Hebridean characters like Richard Faulkner of Ranish Tweed, and ruddy faced policeman George Gunn provide some good local colour, but I had mixed feelings about another character who brings strife and chaos in their wake…
Throughout the book I couldn’t shake the sense that although I was enveloped in the characters’ lives, the authorial voice of May was very strong as he embellishes his narrative with the depth of research, the evocation of landscape, and his astute understanding of human frailty and strength compounded with his natural flair of almost seeming to speak to the reader one-to-one. For this reason I found myself genuinely interested in the history of tweed, bizarre burial rites, the dangers of peat, and other random facts, that I will be certain to introduce into conversation when the opportunity arises. But seriously, May’s depiction of the landscape, texture and rhythm of life in this island community is fascinating as always, triggering our senses, and enveloping us completely in the story. I was enthralled by his descriptions and observations, so much so that the strangeness of the ending, which I confess did baffle, and slightly perplex me, faded into the background due to the mesmeric beauty of the four hundred pages which preceded it. I loved the pure storytelling I’ll Keep You Safe, and was again in thrall to May’s ability to so closely draw the reader in to this insular and unique community, and the secrets and lies that come to bear. Your senses will be tantalised, your fancy will be tickled, and I guarantee that ending will get you talking… -
Thank you so much to Quercus Books for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.
Ruairidh and Niamh Macfarlane own a successful textile business in Scotland called Ranish Tweed. While visiting Paris to attend a textile fair, Niamh gets privy that Ruairidh is having an affair with a designer named Irina. She confronts her husband who then leaves and gets into a car which explodes right in front of her! After the explosion, Niamh is questioned by Paris police officer Sylvia Braque, who isn’t exactly friendly to her. She then returns home where things start to unfold and tension rises. A handful of suspects emerge – who killed Ruairidh?
First of all, the atmospheric and ethereal setting of the Hebrides in Scotland is a character of its own. Thanks to Mr. May, I would read any book with this setting. The writing is impeccable and the character development is phenomenal! The main protagonist, Niamh, is an incredibly interesting character to read as she comes alive on every page. From her perspective, you see memories of her past including the developing relationship between her and her husband, the beginnings of Ranish Tweed, and family tragedy.
Ultimately, I did not guess the murderer, which is always a plus. The ending did seem a bit far fetched, but didn’t diminish from this otherwise fantastic book. This is my first May novel and it certainly will not be my last! -
"I'll keep you safe" by the inimitable Peter May begins in Paris and ends in the atmospheric Hebrides for which he is famous.
The protagonist is forty-year old Niamh (pronounced Neave) Macfarlane. She, with her husband Ruairidh, are attending a textile fair in Paris. Together they own a successful textile business based on the Isle of Lewis named Ranish Tweed. Their childhood friendship had blossomed into a deep love that culminated in them getting married ten years previous.
While in Paris, Niamh receives a malicious email from a 'Well Wisher' that states Ruairidh is having an affair with Irina, a Russian designer. Disbelieving and in shock, she confronts her husband which culminates in him leaving their hotel room. She watches him as he leaves the hotel and enters a waiting car - with Irina. Moments later the car is blown to bits before her eyes!
Shocked and incredibly bereft, Niamh is questioned by the Paris police. The policewoman, Sylvie Braque, seems cold and distant to Niamh. The reader is privvy to Sylvie Braque's feelings in a secondary narrative that runs throughout the book. Braque is a woman torn between her cherished career with the police and her love for her twin seven-year-old daughters. The increasingly erratic demands of the job have threatened her custody of her girls.
When, a few days later, Niamh is permitted to return home to the Hebrides, she is once again shocked by what little remains of her beloved husband. His remains fit into a newborn-sized box.
"From childhood you know that life will end in death. But nothing prepares you for its finality. The irrevocable, irreversible nature of it."
At home, Niamh feels the loss of Ruairidh even more. Memories of him are everywhere, for they were not just life partners, they were business partners as well. After Ruairidh was made redundant, he used his severance money to start up Ranish tweed. Similar to Harris Tweed, but silkier and lighter, and woven on old Hattersley looms by individual weavers, the business was Ruairidh's dream.
It doesn't help that Niamh family and Ruairidh's family have long held deep animosity for one another. Divided now when Niamh needs them most.
Policewoman Braque flies to Lewis and together with a local policeman, George Gunn, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ruairidh's death.
Meanwhile, the reader is treated to some of Niamh's childhood memories and the history of Ranish Tweed's inception. We are told about her childhood friends and a family tragedy. These were some of my favorite parts of the novel.
"It's always trying to rain here. And usually succeeds."
May's description of the Isle of Lewis and the beautiful house that Niamh and Ruairidh built on the remote headland of Cellar Head transported the reader, thus making the setting an integral part of the book.
The murder investigation alludes to many different possible suspects, though Niamh cannot imagine why anyone would have wanted to murder her husband. When events escalate to include an attempt on Niamh's own life, the tension mounts...
The end of the novel, revealing the murderer, was a surprise for me, though not a completely credible one in my opinion, thus letting down the otherwise stellar read.
I have long been a fan of Peter May's novels, and I did enjoy this one, though it is not my favorite of his. His writing is both articulate and compelling with characters that leap off the page. -
I am so pleased to be back with Peter May on the island of Lewis, the setting of his wonderful Lewis trilogy. I could read forever his beautiful descriptions of the raw beauty of this rugged, windswept island and it's gritty people.
In this novel May introduces us to the tweed industry through Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane who are not only partners in marriage but also business partners in Ranish Tweed, a company producing the finest tweed by age old processes for the high-end fashion market. In Paris, on business for the company Niamh receives an anonymous tip that Ruairidh is having an affair with a women in the fashion industry. Seeing him get into a car with the woman outside their hotel, Naimh tries to chase after it only to see the car explode in flames.
Returning to Lewis to bury what is left of her husband's body, Niamh wants only to retreat to the beautiful house they built together on a wind-swept headland and grieve in peace. However, a French detective soon arrives and with the local police starts to investigate the murder, uncovering long held secrets and animosities.
As always Peter May spins a good story with real people who he takes time to flesh out to make you care about them. Even the minor characters, such as the French detective Sylvie Braque have detailed backgrounds with fears and concerns that make them tangible. There are some unexpected revelations as Braque and the local policeman delve into both the past and the present and the story starts to unfold. As always the landscape of Lewis was the star of this novel and the wild weather a fitting visual backdrop for the final scenes where the murderer is revealed. However, I did feel that the murderer's motivation for killing Ruairidh weren't that convincing given their past knowledge of Niamh, but that only detracted a little (half a star) from my enjoyment of the novel. I do hope May will continue to base his future novels in the Hebrides as I can never get enough of his evocative writing about them. 4.5★ -
This was my first Peter May read. It has a great premise but its not your typical crime thriller. A womans husband is killed from a car bomb, who appears to be having an affair. The intrigue begins into a whodunit, mystery into the past and some psychological themes thrown in. Haflway through the novel I realised this wasnt going to be a typical police procedural or crime novel. It really plays out like a family drama mystery with a daytime soap thrown in. The last 100 pages or so is when the crime begins to really take place. I had 2 issues with this. One I didnt care at that point how it ended and two the reveal felt really lazy and expected. It felt like one of those lazy short stories where they wake up and say "it was all a dream ". Will probably have to check out his more crime style novels as this was quite disappointing.
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This was my first book by Peter May and it was quite the revelation. Categorised as a thriller, it was so much more. Whilst the story revolves around the the murder of Ruairidh Macfarlane this involvement only happens at the beginning and the end of the book.
For me, the book is more of an anatomy of life in Lewis, an obscure island of the coast of Scotland. The population's lives on Lewis is very different from that found on the mainland. The land is rugged, for the most part, the weather is foul and there's a need to pull together to get things done.
Peter May characterisation of Niamh, the now widow of Ruairidh, is so good I almost feel like I know her. Not just as a character in a book but a real person. I feel confident that were I dropped off in Lewis and asked a local where I could find Niamh Macfarlane they would tell me "just down to the end of the road then turn left and her house is the second one you come to" that's how well I feel I know this character.
The chapters flow back and forward in time and with each time shift a more complete picture of Niamh emerges. A history of what makes a person who they were and who they become.
All the while there is the story of who killed Ruairidh and why.
I thought of giving the book 4 stars because, for me, the end was a let down. But the rest of the book was so good I had to stay with 5 stars.
Comes highly recommended. -
Well that was a bit disappointing. I enjoyed the story when on Lewis, but the remainder was unnecessarily blockbusteresque. The star for me was the Isle of Lewis and its weather. You had a real sense of the beauty but bleakness of the location. Silly ending.
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This is a slow burn of a novel that rewards the patient reader. There's a murder mystery at its heart but the author uses chapters that revisit the past so we understand how the MC's arrived at their present day situation.
Through descriptive passages it's also an ode to the Hebrides, its history & the people who live in this beautiful yet challenging place. It's more of a literary novel than this author's popular Blackhouse series but the last few chapters will have you flying through the pages. -
Lewis and Harris is actually a single island, the third largest in the UK, in the Outer Hebrides. This is the setting of several Peter May crime novels. This is one of my favorite. The highlights of this book for me were the details on the handwoven tweed industry on Harris, and the details of life on Harris and Lewis. Ruaridh and Niamh MacFarlane revitalize a local tweed when they buy it from the aging owner. It is a huge struggle and their income depends on the vagaries of the international fashion marker. The beginning of the book finds Ruaridh and Niamh in Paris, and as the descriptions of the book let us know right away, there is a car bombing and Ruaridh is killed. The story moves back to the beginning of their stories during their childhood, which turns out to be important in unravelling why Ruaridh was killed.
Readers get a good sense of how challenging life is on Stornoway. Residents who can afford it, use satellite for reliable internet. Mobile phones are useless in many parts of the island (but I have the same problem in New England, as far south as Connecticut). Limited post-secondary education has become available on the island in recent years, but many leave for further education, and some return. At one point the author states that Stornoway is 1,000 miles from Paris. While it may be in terms of ease of travel, and the extreme differences in the two places, I had to check. It's actually closer to 750 miles (though air miles and road miles differ).
May develops compelling characters, even those who appear briefly. There were a couple of times when I asked myself "really?" but overall this was a 4.5 read for me. The audiobook is very effectively read by a male and a female narrator. -
Шеста среща със сладкодумния шотландец след трилогията "Остров Луис", "Карантина" и "Нощна порта".
Влюбен съм в лежерния стил на автора - за пореден път, в уж криминално четиво, успя да разгърне интересни житейски истории и да преплете минали и настоящи събития в увлекателна сплав. И въпреки че до самия претупан и леко пресолващ манджата финал (това ми е единствената критика, можеше мааалко по-добре) нямаше особен "съспенс", трескаво разлиствах страниците. Майсторско перо! 4,5/5 -
Peter May writes incredibly complex and satisfying mysteries. I have never been to Scotland but every time I read one of his books I feel as if I have been there. This story has incredible twists and turns. The resolution is amazing.
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Kniha Ochráním tě mě znova ujistila v tom, že Petera Maye jako spisovatele opravdu zbožňuju. Mám za sebou sice jen několik jeho knih, ale přesto můžu říct, že jde o jednoho z mých oblíbenců. Většinou jsem se u něj však setkal s napínavým dějem od začátku do konce, přičemž hlavní hrdina vyšetřoval podivnou vraždu. Proto jsem to samé očekával i u jeho nejnovější knihy. To se nakonec ukázalo jako omyl, ale i tak mi jako čtenáři nabídl perfektně zpracovaný příběh skotských manželů. Ano, taky zde šlo o vyšetřování vraždy, nicméně to nebylo to zásadní. V knize šlo především o vyprávění o jejich současnosném a minulém životě — od dětství, jejich seznámení, neshody s přáteli a rodinou, o podnikání s tvídem. Dozvěděl jsem se tak množství informací o Skotsku, o jejich zvycích a tradicích, o životě na téměř opuštěných místech na Vnějších Hebridách či o tkaní tvídu. Šlo o věci, které bych se normálně nedozvěděl, ale které jsou skutečně zajímavé. Navíc jsem tento příběh poslouchal jako audioknihu a nemohl jsem udělat líp. Ve OneHotBook se opět předvedli. Kombinace Petera Maye, Jiřího Dvořáka a Lenky Zbrankové je pozoruhodná. Už je to týden, co jsem ji doposlouchal, na audioknihu však stále myslím.
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Niamh drew her parka around her, protection from the chill blowing from the north. There was a change in the air. She could feel it. Something different, almost indefinable. Summer was finally gone and autumn, ephemeral and capricious, had turned its face towards winter.
I’ll Keep You Safe is a standalone novel following the same vein as the author’s “Lewis Trilogy”, but here the Hebridean Islanders are young husband and wife team Ruairidh (pronounced Rory) and Niamh (pronounced Neave) Macfarlane, strutting the world’s fashion stage with a unique product Ranish Tweed, sought after by designers in London, Paris and New York.
The story opens in Paris where the couple are taking the RER to the Première Vision textile gallery, but Ruairidh is distracted by a disturbing email. Later at their hotel Niamh confronts him. She too had received an email from a “well-wisher” stating that her husband is having an affair with a Russian designer. He denies it but as she watches from the hotel window she sees him meet with the designer and hares downstairs to see them leave together in the designer’s car. Niamh runs across the square to cut them off and is blown off her feet as the bomb placed under the car explodes.
Enter Lieutenant Sylvie Braque. With the police ruling out terrorism, this has become a murder enquiry. The title of the book was taken as the couple’s favourite song, and when Niamh is allowed to take his remains back to Lewis for burial, Braque is sent over to investigate, in case the killer turns up at the funeral. In Stornoway she is met by DS George Gunn (from the Lewis Trilogy) and discovers that there are quite a few who will not mourn the young man’s passing.
The book is a slow-burner, with a grieving Niamh revisiting places and events from her childhood when she first met Ruairidh, through her teenage years of a struggling relationship, eventually blossoming into romance and marriage, interspersed with the recent past – their encounter with narcissistic British fashion guru, Lee Blunt, which changed their life. Of the house the couple built together at the far north of the island to escape, and how she feels numbed, unable to cope with the business without him by her side. Then there’s the ongoing rift between her own and the Macfarlane family, stemming from a thoughtless act that brought about much grief, and a blame game.
As ever, Peter May excels in his descriptions of the landscape of Harris and Lewis, sculpted by sea and weather, (with a helpful map), this time adding the streetscapes of Paris including a touching scene at Père Lachaise cemetery where the rich and famous of the art world are laid to rest. His characters are well-drawn, from the mean-spiritedness of some of the islanders, to the shallowness of the fashion industry. And though I guessed who the killer was, the denouement blew me away. -
Hugely absorbing and readily entertaining, I’ll Keep You Safe, sees Peter May return to the Hebrides with his latest standalone crime thriller complete with an atmospheric sense of place and some truly evocative writing. However, despite losing mystery in a sweeping and expansive tale that explores the lives and histories of married couple, Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane, co-owners of a successful textile manufacturing company in the Isle of Lewis, I was less convinced by some haphazard plotting and a disappointing mystery component with an unlikely final twist.
An attention grabbing opening sees Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane in Paris for the world’s biggest international fabric fair representing Ranish Tweed, the company which they founded together and took from a local weaving enterprise in the Outer Hebrides to worldwide success. After passing an awkward evening together and the painful realisation that their relationship is floundering, an abject Niamh confronts her husband with suspicions of his affair with Russian fashion designer, Irina Vetrov, following an email from an unknown sender. A furious argument ensues with Ruairidh storming from the hotel room and driving off with Irina, only for a car bomb to take both of their lives. With collateral damaged minimal and a terrorist agenda ruled out a murder investigation begins with Irina’s former Russian military husband, Georgy, and Niamh herself cast as prime suspects. As a distraught Niamh returns home to the emptiness of the remote west coast retreat on the Isle of Lewis that she shared with his husband she struggles to make sense of the future. Together with the unresolved questions about their relationship to the startling realisation that someone wanted Ruairidh dead, a frosty chill in the air and Niamh’s suspicion of being watched gives way to a paranoia and gradual understanding that she could be the very next target...
Tasked with investigating the case Lieutenant Sylvie Braque of the Paris Police Judiciare is unprepared for the weather and travel conditions of an inhospitable location when she arrives for Ruairidh’s funeral. Already struggling with her grasp on custody of her twin daughters she too is torn and as Niamh looks back on her life with Ruairidh, a frustrated Lieutenant Braque and her stoic local guide, DS Gunn, struggle to make headway with the inquiry as a bitter enemy prepares to strike again.. The majority of the narrative moves between Niamh’s return home and tales from her relationship with Ruairidh throughout the years with the lacklustre investigation less of a focal point. The plight and utter desolation of Niamh is poignantly captured as she returns home, estranged from her family, at odds with the Macfarlane’s and misunderstood by her oldest childhood friend. From the deceptions, jealousies and hatred that established the feud between their respective families this is the the story of the decade long love affair between Ruairidh and Niamh.
Lieutenant Sylvie Braque is underdeveloped and her character and the full weight of the dilemma with combining motherhood with a police career never feels more than paying lip service. She remains an unconvincing, largely distant and preoccupied presence throughout the tale, never really overly involved in the drama and this feels like a missed opportunity. The mystery element never builds up a head of steam and there are lengthy spells where the narrative turns to Niamh and only belatedly catches up with the investigation and continuous momentum is lacking. Tension only genuinely mounts into the last seventy-five-pages with some heavy-handed clues and one-dimensional secondary characters making the identity of the killer all the more obvious. Designer Lee Blunt and Niamh’s brother, Uilleam are frustrating creations with the belated introduction of New York tailor, Jacob Steiner and the half-hearted mention of mafia involvement unnecessary. Full exploration is never given to the teenage revenge of Iain “Peanut” McGiver either, with the final twist giving way to a motive and elaborate plot that is a stretch too far to ever really believe.
At nearly 450 print pages the bulk of the storyline is given over to an extensive look at the Harris Tweed industry and a focus on the fortunes of Ranish as it went from fledgling company to one of the most sought-after brands on the catwalks. At times more travel guide than meaningful drama, May does on occasion overdo the emphasis on the scenery but for a genuine insight into a rugged island setting and a history of the islanders life, culture and history this is a fascinating novel. A memorable portrait of a breathtaking and at times beautiful or bleak landscape which aside from a dodgy mystery angle I enjoyed immensely! -
Back to the island...
Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane are the owners of Ranish Tweed, a successful cloth manufacturer. They are in Paris for a trade show, when Niamh receives an anonymous email accusing her beloved husband Ruairidh of having an affair. She finds herself torn. Part of her can't believe it, but when she sees Ruairidh with the woman, Irina, she follows them. Suddenly to her shock and horror the car they are in explodes, killing both occupants instantly. The police quickly determine that this is no act of random terrorism, but premeditated murder. Niamh returns to her home on the Isle of Lewis, grief-stricken and lost. Who could have had a serious enough grudge against Ruairidh to commit this awful crime? The answer must lie somewhere in the past...
I have been a fan of Peter May's writing for more decades than I care to remember. But for all that I love his books in general and think he's one of the best thriller writers of his time, I have found in recent years that when he writes about his home country of Scotland and particularly the islands of the Hebrides, his writing takes on a beauty and depth that transcends any of his other work. His language is wonderfully descriptive, filled with colour and texture, so that the reader sees the harsh loveliness of the landscape, feels the never-ending rain and wind, knows the towns and harbours and the people who live and work in them.
The book is written mostly in the third person, past tense, with some sections in the past told in Niamh's first-person voice, also past tense. The bulk of the book is telling us the long history of Niamh's and Ruairidh's relationship, from their early childhood through to the present day. We know that some incident happened that has led their families to be at odds with each other, but we don't find out what till late on. Once married, they set up Ranish Tweed – a variation on the real Harris Tweed which is woven exclusively on the island. Again, May's research and descriptive skill come into play here, never info-dumping, but showing how this old traditional industry has had new life breathed into it in recent years through clever marketing, becoming a niche couture item for the rich. Through this strand we also get a look at the fashion industry in general and how designers and manufacturers are crucial to each other's success or failure.
Meantime, the crime is being investigated by Sylvie Braque of the French police, and we learn a little of her life as she struggles to balance single parenthood with the demands of the job. When she comes to Lewis as part of her investigation, she is assisted by local Sergeant George Gunn, who is becoming something of a regular feature in May's various Lewis novels, making them feel loosely tied together and reminding us that each of the stories form one part that together make up the whole of this community. I'm a big fan of Sergeant Gunn, so was delighted that he got a rather larger role than usual in this one. For the most part, the story is a relatively slow meander through Niamh's life, but it builds up to a typical May thriller ending which, though I'd guessed part of the solution, still managed to shock me.
Looking at it strictly as a crime novel, I might only have rated this as 4 stars – there's no doubt it loses focus on the crime for a long section in the middle. But frankly, I'll happily ramble round Lewis for as long as May is willing to be my guide, so I was in no hurry to get to the solution. If you haven't already guessed, highly recommended!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Quercus, via MidasPR.
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My immediate thought upon reading and finishing this is that it's unfairly low rated on Goodreads, because it's a great and absorbing story that branches out in directions you don't expect and with a good set of interesting characters. And then we come to the resolution and I'm sorry to say I added to the mid-level rating... Now, it's not awful, but: the suspension of disbelief we've asked for kind of like increases by the page until it's a bit much - and the sweetness is a bit much, and the "but why would":s popping like maize kernels in your hear are a bit many... Pity. Still, 3 stars are definitely readable and avoiding the lacking ending means you avoid quite a good story. Do what you will with that info, I'd still (cautiously) recommend the book!
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This is the first Peter May novel I've read but it certainly won't be the last - the island setting and all of the little details of life on that island contribute so much to the overall impression of the novel, as do all of the little anecdotal stories that complement the plot. The characterisation is marvellous. 4.5 stars
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3.5/5 for me. I struggled with this book, nice twist at the end (Though hardly Credible), did have the culprit spotted before hallway though this book. I found the flow of the story disjointed by the red herrings being planted, they did take away from the book.
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I'll Keep You Safe is about three friends and how jealousy tore them apart. Niamh Macfarlane received an email saying her husband Ruairidh was having an affair with Irina Vetrov before they went to Paris for the International Fabric Fair. At first, Niamh did not believe it. However, in Paris Niamh confronted Ruairidh who denied it and then walked out of the hotel and soon after was blown up with Irina Vetrov in her car outside their hotel. The readers of I'll Keep You Safe will follow the twist and turns in the story to find out what happens to Niamh Macfarlane and who set the bomb in Irina's Car.
I am so pleased that I came across Peter May's books after browsing a books shop shelves and I'll Keep You Safe continue my love affair with his books. I am impressed with Peter May's using Gaelic throughout I'll Keep You Safe. I'll Keep You Safe is well written and researched by Peter May, and he knows how to engage his readers especially me with his books. The ending of I'll Keep You Safe came out of left field for me I had no idea that going to happen. I like the portrayal of his characters and the way he intertwines them throughout I'll Keep You Safe.
Readers of I'll Keep You Safe will learn about producing and the history of Tweed making in Scotland. Also, you have a feel of the life of the people living on the Island of Lewis. Reading I'll Keep You Safe you learn about the fashion industry in France and England.
I recommend this book. -
My interest in Peter May's books began with the Lewis Trilogy. I have now read seven of his books and when the next book comes out, I will read that. I enjoy his atmospheric descriptive writing. My favorite books by him are in the Hebrides Island where this book mainly takes place. I knew very little about the islands until I started reading his books. I now would like to visit them.
Besides the wonderful writing about the Hebrides in this book, part of the story was about the textile industry there. Harris Tweed is made there. The protagonist is an owner of a weaving textile company called Ranish that produces another type of softer tweed that was introduced to the fashion world. It was interesting reading about this industry.
I am not going to give a synopsis as there are many others here. I liked the main character Niamh who grew up on the island and is part owner of Ranish Tweed with her husband. The main star for me again was the island itself. I could picture it in my mind. The mystery kept me involved. There were many red herrings but my suspicions proved true at the end as to who the murderer was. The weakest part of the book for me was the ending. It reminded me of a serial movie made for tv. That being written, I am looking forward to Peter May's next book. -
Another great book from the wonderful Peter May. Just gripping from the first page until the last.
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The first book I read by Peter May was Black House, the beginning of his Lewis trilogy, and I fell in love with Lewis and Harris Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. I even have Peter's photography book, The Hebrides, narrated by Peter and photography by David Wilson, that goes with this trilogy. The picture that Peter paints in his novels of this wild, windy land where rain pummels its residents often and thoroughly, but where the sun can shine at the next moment, making the water sparkle and the skies a brilliant blue, is a picture of beauty and hardship. And yet, there is something magical about this locale, whose inhabitants are fiercely loyal to it and often return to it after trying to live elsewhere. Now, Peter May has returned to the Outer Hebrides in his most recent novel, I'll Keep You Safe, and I couldn't be more pleased to make a return visit.
Niamh and Ruairidh McFarlane had transformed the small, select Ranish Tweed weaving business into a hugely successful business on their home island of Lewis and Harris, after buying the small weaving business from its aging creator. Being at the Premiere Vision Fabric Fair in Paris twice a year has become an integral part of doing business with the buyers of their tweed. But, Niamh senses something is bothering Ruairidh, and she suspects that he is having an affair with a Paris fashion designer named Irina. When the car that Niamh sees Ruairidh and Irina drive off together in explodes at a stoplight, she is devastated to lose the love of her life, and with the uncertainty of faithfulness, she finds herself in a very dark place. Nothing makes sense, and she can't imagine who would want to kill her husband. The French police rule out terrorism, and Lieutenant Sylvie Braque is assigned to pursuing the leads and evidence in a case that has now become labeled a murder. Niamh finds that even she herself is a suspect, but she is allowed to take her husband's remains home to Harris to bury.
Niamh and Ruairidh grew up together in the town of Balanish, with a population of a few hundred, so everyone knows everyone else and their business, and the whole island has its communication system of quickly spreading news. The tragedies and successes of its people were mourned and celebrated in unity. So, the death of Ruairidh and the circumstances surrounding it were already known by people when Niamh and Ruairidh's brother Donald arrive back home with the remains. The unity of support for Niamh's loss is complicated in her own family though, as her parents and older brother hated Ruairidh, and Ruairidh's parents have never been warm towards Niamh. Dealing with all of them should be enough, but Lt. Sylvie Braque has been sent to the island to attend the funeral and interview suspects, including Niamh. Niamh must try to put the pieces together about her husband's murder, too, for her own peace of mind, and later, for her own safety. Is the murderer someone they knew well personally or a business acquaintance with a grudge? There's lots of backstory revealing possible suspects. The answer is arrived at in an atmosphere of island storms, isolation, and darkness. A perfect set-up for murder solving.
As always, Peter May creates a setting that is second to none. It is a setting that will command your attention and envelope you in its nooks and crannies. There are quite a few characters, but all are easy to keep track of and add richness to the story. I admit to being a wee bit dissatisfied with a couple of items. I feel there might have been a rather gratuitous kill in the story, and I'm still trying to decide how I feel about who the murderer was. However, it was a great read, and I highly recommend it.
