The Black House

The Barga Book Club met on Wednesday, at the warm and welcoming home of Krysia Bell. A heated discussion ensued of The Black House by Peter May. Opinions diverged sharply but overall more enjoyed the book than did not.

It is the story of a young detective investigating what seems to be a parallel or copy cat murder. He is sent from his base in Edinburgh back to his native Isle of Lewis. What ensues is a tale delving into his own childhood in a drama with psycho-social and religious overtones which are intertwined into the crime mystery.

The predominant positive feedback from the group had to do with the author’s skill in evoking a sense of place and using all the senses to set the scenes. There were spectacular story within the story sequences. Social, historical and strong religious imagery are used to establish the background of the motives and drives of the principle characters.

Some readers enjoyed the book as just the very good page turner crime mystery it is. Some could identify with it through first hand experience of the area, but it was drawn so well that there was universal appeal. Others of us were compelled to dissect the story like coroners in the crime morgue and found that clues didn’t hold together and felt we were blind sided by the ultimate revelations. There will be two more books in the series.

The book we’re reading for the meeting on 22 February is a classic: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The following month is humour: Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons.

Thank you very much to Krysia for, as always, gracious hosting and to everyone who participated and contributed to the lively and engaging discussion. We look forward to seeing you next month.