Peter May, acclaimed Scottish crime novelist, dies at 74

Renowned Scottish crime novelist and screenwriter Peter May has died at the age of 74. His French publisher, Éditions du Rouergue, announced his sudden passing on Monday, September 28, 2026.

May was widely celebrated for his detective series set on the Isle of Lewis, including 'The Blackhouse' (L’Île des chasseurs d’oiseaux), which sold approximately three million copies worldwide. Notably, his success began in France after English-language publishers initially overlooked the potential of his Lewis trilogy.

Before his literary career, May worked as a journalist and a screenwriter for the BBC, where he co-created the Gaelic-language series 'Machair'. He had lived in the Lot region of France for many years and had obtained French citizenship in 2016. In his later years, he was also deeply involved in music, composing and performing songs.