They say we’ll never know what happened to those men.
They say the sea keeps its secrets…
Cornwall, 1972. Three keepers vanish from a remote lighthouse, miles from the shore. The entrance door is locked from the inside. The clocks have stopped. The Principal Keeper’s weather log describes a mighty storm, but the skies have been clear all week.
What happened to those three men, out on the tower? The heavy sea whispers their names. The tide shifts beneath the swell, drowning ghosts. Can their secrets ever be recovered from the waves?
Twenty years later, the women they left behind are still struggling to move on. Helen, Jenny and Michelle should have been united by the tragedy, but instead it drove them apart. And then a writer approaches them. He wants to give them a chance to tell their side of the story. But only in confronting their darkest fears can the truth begin to surface . . .
Blimey that was an excellent, atmospheric read with a classic locked room mystery at the heart of it, a mystery that came from a real life event you can read about here.
That’s the inspiration but Emma Stonex imagines her own set of events and characters and it is absolutely addictive, often very creepy and with some beautiful writing.
I was completely engaged with this which is a deep character driven drama of many layers. A bit Russian doll like, unraveling a layer at a time, slowly you come to an understanding of sorts, it leaves you melancholy and thoughtful.
The characters here are so well drawn, the reader develops an emotional connection with them early on so right from the first chapter you are absolutely hooked in to this narrative.
I loved it. This is the kind of writing and storytelling that I adore. Talented, intelligent, imaginative and beautiful. Highly Recommended .
You can purchase (a signed copy) of The Lamplighters (Pan Macmillan) Here.
Happy Reading!
