A stand-alone novel from the author of the acclaimed Lewis trilogy.

The story takes place in two time frames, one in the past, one in the present.

The contemporary setting is Quebec, Canada, and the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St Lawrence. Montreal Detective Sime Mackenzie arrives with an investigation murder squad which includes his estranged wife, a forensic expert. They arrive at the small island in the area between Canada’s Atlantic coast and Newfoundland after one of its wealthiest residents is murdered, stabbed to death by an intruder. Mackenzie must interview the English speaking wife of the rich businessman and he discovers that she is familiar to him, even though they’ve never met. It begins an intriguing relationship between the detective and his prime suspect.

The Hebridean element arrives through MacKenzie’s dreams (not that he finds sleep easy) and the recollections of diary entries read to him as a child. Back in the 19th century thousands of people were cleared from their communities, replaced by sheep and driven out of their homes and forced on to boats for the New World. The two stories meet and the link is revealed.

The story of Mackenzie’s ancestors depicts a cruel and under-portrayed aspect of British history. This historical element intertwines well with the murder mystery as May masters the tricky use of the split narrative. This is an engaging and atmospheric page-turner with interesting locations.