West, Peter

Peter May, born in Scotland in 1951, transitioned from journalism and a prolific television writing career to become a celebrated novelist. He has received numerous awards in Europe and America for his crime fiction. His works have achieved significant international sales, exceeding twelve million copies globally. May's writing journey began with an early aspiration to be a novelist, leading him to journalism as a practical path. He later dedicated himself to full-time writing for television, creating and scripting popular drama series for the BBC and ITV. A notable television achievement was co-creating 'Machair,' the first major Gaelic-language drama series, which garnered substantial viewership despite the limited number of Gaelic speakers.

In 1996, May shifted his focus entirely to novel writing. He has penned several distinct series and standalone novels, often drawing inspiration from his extensive research and personal experiences. His 'China Thrillers' series, for example, involved deep immersion into Chinese police and forensic practices, earning him an honorary membership in the Chinese Crime Writers' Association. He has also lived in France for many years, becoming a French citizen, and many of his novels, including the 'Enzo Files' series, are set there, exploring forensic science and cold case investigations. His standalone novel 'Entry Island' and 'The Lewis Trilogy,' set in the Outer Hebrides, have garnered significant critical and commercial success, with 'The Blackhouse' winning multiple awards.

Born in Glasgow in 1951, Peter May harbored an early ambition to write novels. He initially pursued journalism to establish a writing career and earn a living, working for publications like 'The Scotsman' and the 'Glasgow Evening Times.' His early novelistic attempts garnered encouraging feedback, and by age 21, he was recognized as Scotland's Young Journalist of the Year. At 26, his first novel, 'The Reporter,' was published and subsequently adapted into a BBC television series. This led May to leave journalism in 1978 and commit to full-time television writing. Over the next fifteen years, he amassed over a thousand television credits, creating and writing major drama serials for UK networks. A significant project was co-creating 'Machair,' the first major television drama produced in the Gaelic language, which achieved considerable success and audience share in Scotland.

Following his extensive television career, May transitioned to writing novels full-time in 1996. He authored the 'China Thrillers' series, which required extensive research trips to China, building contacts with forensic pathologists and homicide detectives, and gaining unique access to police departments. This work earned him honorary membership in the Chinese Crime Writers' Association, a distinction held by no other Westerner. His novels have achieved widespread international acclaim and sales, with over twelve million copies sold worldwide. May's 'Lewis Trilogy,' set in the Outer Hebrides, gained significant traction after its initial publication in French translation. 'The Blackhouse,' the first book in the series, was critically acclaimed in France and later published in the UK, becoming a bestseller and a choice for the Richard & Judy Book Club. Subsequent books in the trilogy also achieved bestseller status and won numerous French literary awards. He has also received prestigious awards in America and France, including the U.S. Barry Award and France's Cezam Prix Litteraire and Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere.

Peter May's writing is characterized by meticulous research and a commitment to authenticity. His 'China Thrillers' involved deep dives into Chinese forensic science and police methodology. His 'Enzo Files' series, set in France where he resides and holds citizenship, centers on a former forensic scientist applying scientific techniques to cold cases. To research novels like 'The Critic,' set in the French wine region, May engaged in practical activities such as wine-tasting courses and grape picking. He even explored virtual reality for his thriller 'Virtually Dead,' creating an avatar to work as a private detective in the online world of Second Life. His standalone novels often incorporate personal experiences or contemporary issues, such as 'Runaway,' based on his youth, and 'Coffin Road,' which touches upon ecological themes related to colony collapse disorder.