It's sad to say that I have not finished this book as I do not have the urge to pick it up. This is due to the way the female perspective annoys me. The interviews between the wives/girlfriend of the lamplighters who mysteriously disappeared, and the writer within the story who is planning on writing a book about it, is all one sided and they come across as irritating middle aged women and it became laborious. It's a shame I'm unable to finish as I really enjoyed reading the chapters from the lamplighters point of view and the whole premise of the book sounds brilliant.
I have been putting off writing this review as I do not enjoy writing negative reviews especially when I have not completed reading a book, but I can't keep putting it off as it's unlikely that I'm going to finish it. I'm sure others will love it as it is based on a true mystery, it's just not one for me.

Twenty years ago three lighthouse keepers go missing from their lighthouse. The lighthouse is locked from the inside. No sign of a struggle, no sign of foul play, no sign of the lamplighters.
It remains a mystery.
Twenty years ago the wives of the three lighthouse keepers are all separated by their own secrets, separsted by their own grief, separated by their lost loves. Can sharing their secrets solve the mystery?
A tale full of superstitions, grief and love. Vibrant characters that come alive on the page.

Inspired by a true-life mystery, The Lamplighters is the fictional story of three lighthouse keepers who disappeared from a lighthouse without a trace in 1900.

The door is locked from the inside and the clocks have both stopped at the same time, the log records a mighty storm even though the skies have been clear all week. The mystery is of what happened that night?

The descriptions of the sea and surroundings were beautiful. The incredible lives of the men were captivating and interesting, but unfortunately, I found the narrative a bit disjointed and found it hard going in places.

The synopsis of the book was very appealing, and this book will probably be enjoyed by many, but personally I was a little disappointed and it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, in return for an honest unbiased review.

Absolutely loved The Lamplighters, intriguing mystery and strong characters in a brooding lighthouse setting. I’ve already been recommending this to booksellers, can see this as a great book club choice.

This book took my breath away. I wasn't sure what to expect from it and had heard mixed reviews. In the end, however, I was left with chills and glad that I had the opportunity to read it. This book is based on the real-life disappearance of three Flannan Isles Lighthouse keepers in 1900, which is what peaked my interest in it.

Three men mysteriously disappear from a remote lighthouse. Their bodies are never found and the door to the lighthouse is locked from the inside. Their logbook shows a terrible storm happened the day before, even though the skies were clear and the waters calm. Alternating between past and present, the reader is given the opportunity to see what each individual character is thinking and experiencing. Lighthouse Keepers Arthur, Bill, and Vince, and their significant others, Helen, Jenny, and Michelle each tell the story in their own words. Each person carry their own secrets, secrets that shaped their past and determine their fate.

This isn't a thriller in the sense that the reader will be on the edge of their seat the whole time. Instead, it combines elements of mystery, romance, and history. Emma Stonex is a brilliant storyteller. Her writing is smooth and narrative, drawing the reader into the plot and individual characters' lives. I can't say enough about this upcoming release.

Stunning, mysterious, and beautifully crafted, I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and mystery.

A huge thank you to the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book.

Cornwall 1972. On a lighthouse many miles into the sea, three lighthouse keepers disappear with out trace. The door is shut from the inside and the clocks have both stopped at the same time.
1992 and the three women left behind, Helen, Jenny and Michelle, are still struggling to come to terms with what happened to their husbands and lover.
They are then contacted by a writer hoping to solve the mystery and it means they have to face their fears and secret.
Will the mystery be solved at last?.

This is an excellent book. Well written, well structured and everyone invol ved has a voice. The details of life on the tower lighthouse in 1972 were particularly well described. A very satisfying read. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review and e-ARC of this title.

I really enjoyed this book. In 1972, 3 lighthouse keepers disappear from a remote lighthouse off Cornwall. The door is locked from the inside, and the clocks have stopped at the same time. The men are presumed dead. 20 years later, the women they left behind are approached by an author who is keen to revisit the events in order to try and shed some light on to what happened. This is a great story, told in the 2 time frames, and will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

For this novel, Emma Stonex takes inspiration from the Eilean Mor lighthouse mystery on the Flannan Isles in the Outer Hebrides in 1900 where lighthouse keepers disappeared. She shifts the location and time to Cornwall in 1972 where at Maiden Rock, 3 lighthouse keepers disappear, in the odd circumstances where the inside locks are on and the clocks have stopped. There is the assumption that the men were swept away by the sea, but other theories and rumours abound. In 1992, 3o years later, a writer interviews the wives and girlfriends of the men, Helen, Jenny and Michelle, women who might have found comfort in coming together to assuage their grief, but instead splintered apart.

In a unsettling, tense and atmospheric narrative that shifts between the men in 1972 and the women in 1992, the author explores the psychological impact of the place, the isolation of being a lighthouse keeper and the grief the women experience. All had separate secrets that are slowly revealed amidst the evocative and rich descriptions of the seas and location. The difficult relationships between the men, Arthur Black, William 'Bill' Walker and Vince Bourne, are portrayed as the dynamics shift between them. There is the strange account in Arthur's log of a big storm yet the seas had been calm at the time. This is a beautifully written mystery, a story of love, loss, fear, betrayal, deception, and grief, tinged with the supernatural.

Stonex's novel is informative and insightful about the demands and challenges of being a lighthouse keeper, and the highlight for me is the detailed and complex relationships between the various characters. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

The unsolved mystery of the disappearance of Eilean More’s three lighthouse keepers in 1900 remains one of history’s most intriguing puzzles: what happened to the men, and how do you explain the strange coincidences that defy a logical explanation? Emma Stonex has run with the idea to create her latest novel and is ready to offer a plausible theory. Even though her story is set in Cornwall in the 1970’s and features fictional characters, it bears a lot of resemblance to the Flannan Isles mystery.

It isn’t an easy feat to take a true historic event and transform it into a gripping, suspenseful mystery, but the author has done just that. Told with the help of dual timelines and multiple characters, including the three men and their partners, the story gave a fascinating insight into the daily life of one of history’s most romantic professions: that of the lighthouse keeper. Be warned that Stonex will dispel any illusions of an idyllic lifestyle on small islands or in the middle of the sea. Having hosted such romantic notions myself, I was surprised by descriptions of the austere and regimented lifestyle of the lighthouse keepers as they spent many weeks cut off from isolation in their concrete towers, sending out warning signals to passing seafarers. It was a pleasant surprise to also get the perspectives of the wives and partners they left behind on land, tending the homes and children whilst their men were absent for prolonged periods of time, missing many of the special occasions that normally mark our routines: birthdays, Christmases and other family affairs.

Whilst the 1970s timeline slowly unravels the events leading up to the men’s fateful disappearance, the present narrative shows us the incident from the perspective of the widows who never got any satisfactory answers for their husband’s fates. In fact, the lighthouse company has done its utmost to keep them quiet, paying out bereavement pay in exchange for their silences. But when a famous mystery author shows an interest in telling the three men’s story, some secrets are shaken loose ...

I admit that I struggled initially with the wives’ narratives told in “interview style”, as they are narrating their experiences and theories to an unknown person. However, as the story drew me in, it got easier to overlook the unusual style and just go along with the flow – I was so intent on getting answers! And whilst the author’s interpretations of the events may or may not be closely related to the truth, her theory was certainly plausible and went a long way towards explaining away some of the mysterious happenings in the lighthouse. I loved how the men’s backstories bled into their current situation in the lighthouse, and the dynamics between the three very different personalities trapped in close confines in the middle of the ocean.

The author’s observations about the sea and life near a treacherous coast added a unique backdrop to this fascinating story, and readers who love an atmospheric setting will appreciate her vivid descriptions of life inside “The Maiden”.

All in all, THE LAMPLIGHTERS was a fascinating mystery weaving true historic facts into a skilfully constructed tale that captivated as well as intrigued me from start to finish. I loved the true historic facts that play a big part in the novel, and the author’s final tying together of all the threads, which was very satisfying and made this a joy to read.

A locked-room mystery where the room in question is a lighthouse, inspired by real events. The story is told both as it happens by the men who live and work on the lighthouse and some years later by the partners they leave behind. I loved the descriptions of the way of life and had a clear picture in my mind of the places in question. Very atmospheric. It kept me guessing!

Twenty years ago 3 lighthouse keepers just disappeared. Relief crew turned up to an empty lighthouse. The mystery has never been solved. Now a journalist wants to cover the story. So many conspiracy theories have been suggested but none provided any answers. The three wives left behind have to live with this for the rest of their lives. They each tell their stories which have led to their lives put on hold.
This story has no answers because there are none but it is told sympathetically and creates a sad and eerie atmosphere. This is loosely based on an actual event in Scotland which makes it all the more mysterious. This is a really well written and sad story .Just remembers not everything has an answer so you have to choose your own.

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 .

Thanks to Pan MacMillan for a review copy.

Lighthouses always seem to evoke an air of mystery and the setting of this novel is no exception. ‘The Maiden’, where this book is set, is a tower lighthouse, sitting a few miles off the Cornish Coast, just in sight of the mainland if the weather is good enough.

In 1972 the entire crew of three disappear from the lighthouse with the door locked from the inside. No trace is ever found and, although an official explanation is arrived at, the families left behind struggle to move on. Twenty years later an author approaches them to tell their stories as he tries to determine what really happened on the isolated outpost.

The book moves between the two time periods with all six main characters having point of view chapters. The narrative paints a vivid picture of what life must have been like for the men who used to man the lights, away from home for weeks at a time as well as for the families left behind.

The story is one of extreme loneliness where all the characters barely manage to maintain a sense of normality despite their coping strategies. Even those who love their life of isolation find that it takes its toll. As we move through the tale secrets are uncovered and lies are exposed. We also witness, first hand, a descent into madness; a spiral into insanity triggered by a chance event and based on a wholly misinterpreted observation. There are also some mild supernatural elements in the narrative but whether these are real or imagined is up to the reader to decide.

There is a theme running throughout the story of how a lack of communication leads to injustice and a breakdown in relationships, not only between the couples but also between the group of men on the lighthouse and the group of women at home.

The writing has a very poetic quality and although we have a (highly predictable) resolution to the mystery, in the end it scarcely seems important from the point of view of the characters in 1992. Deep down they have accepted the inevitability of the demise of their menfolk and their closure comes from their ability to communicate honestly with each other again.

This is a beautifully written book and the mystery, although interesting, very much plays second fiddle to the lyrical quality of the prose. My only criticism is that it felt to me that the women, all clearly described as being of different ages and social backgrounds, sounded very similar. Had the chapters not been headed with the character whose point of view we were hearing it would have been very easy to get them confused. This is a very minor gripe though. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a taste of the lonely yet somehow exotic lives lived by those who manned our lighthouses in times gone by and the mundanity of those left behind. Add in a briskly moving mystery and you can’t go too far wrong.

I was drawn to this book for two reasons - I'm married to a lighthouse enthusiast and I'm fascinated by the mystery of the missing lighthouse keepers. This book did not disappoint! Its a fictional story based on the real event of the 3 lighthouse keepers who disappeared from Flannan Isles in 1900, however the book is set in the 70s and on a different lighthouse - a lonely tower light in the middle of the sea. The writing style is at times challenging as you only hear one side of the conversation, and the book swaps between present day and the 1970s, but its a well-researched and becomes a gripping read - it wasn't clear until the very end what this author would decide the outcome of the mystery was. The descriptions of the lighthouse keeper's lives are vivid, and I felt a certain empathy to the families left ashore. An up-to-date take on a 100+year old mystery and well worth a read.

During 'the frigid pause between Christmas and New Year' of 1974, three lighthouse keepers vanish from the remote lighthouse in the middle of the ocean to which they are posted. The door of the tower is bolted from the inside and the clocks have stopped at the same time. 20 years later, a writer is trying to uncover the mystery of what happened to the missing men. Reminiscent of the subtle chill of Michelle Paver's Dark Matter and the exploration of the impact of grief and loss on a community of Jon McGregor's novels, this is a chilling literary mystery.

The Lamplighters catches a moment in time and creates a masterful story looking back on strange past events. Emma Stonex manages to create a very real sense of what it must have been like to live in a lighthouse isolated for weeks at a time as she slowly builds a sense of menace as to what may have happened to the three main protagonists. The cold and damp are almost palpable, as is the sense of loss and "not knowing" for those left behind. The juxtaposition of the events unfolding in real time with the views of the still grieving relatives 20 years later makes for a compelling page turner.

I am pleased to say I loved this book as much as I thought I would. I am drawn to oceans, Islands and lighthouses and this book didn't dissapoint. I especially enjoyed reading about day to day life in a lighthouse.
The mysterious dissappearance of three men from inside was beautifully told and kept me guessing so good for fans of crime fiction too.

“This riddle has everything a fiction writer looks for - drama, mystery, peril on the sea. Only it’s real.”

The Lamplighters is the story of the disappearance of three men, their warring widows, ghostly goings-on, and the power and mystery of the sea. Told in dual timelines we follow the men in the days leading up to their disappearance, and their widows twenty years later as they are interviewed by a writer who is hoping to finally find the truth of what happened on that frigid winter day.

First of all, how is this a debut?! This book is an example of storytelling at its finest. The author shifts seamlessly between the two timelines; holding the reader in the palm of her hand as she weaves her mysterious tale. The imagery is so vivid that I can see, feel, hear the waves, smell the salty sea air, and hear the siren song of the sea as she whispers her secrets.

Based on a true story, the author has changed the time, place and people to craft her own world full of secrets, mystery and intrigue. The characters and community she created are captivating, relatable and richly drawn. We are given a first person narrative from multiple characters; in 1992 the widows tell their story, and in 1972 the doomed keepers give details of life in the lighthouse and events leading up their disappearance.

One of my favourite aspects of this book is that it is absolutely drenched in mystery. It seeps from its every pore. There isn’t just the mystery of what happened that day on the Tower, there are other puzzles that we have to piece together so we can get the final, truthful picture of what transpired. But though there were many layers and interwoven storylines, it never felt confusing. It just sent the tension through the roof and made this book impossible to put down. I had to know what happened! In my notes there are many other plot points and aspects of the book that stood out and I would love to talk about, but I won’t because I don’t want to take away from the joy of discovering these engimas for yourself.

The Lamplighters is a truly accomplished debut. It is one of those books that deserves to be huge and I have no doubt everyone will be talking about this year. It is also perfect for the big screen and I am hoping I get to see it there one day.

Atmospheric, haunting, claustrophobic and mesmerising, I found it impossible to put this one down and would have read it in one sitting if not for the pesky need to sleep. If you love an exquisitely written and layered mystery then don’t miss this book.

I loved the premise of The Lamplighters; who wouldn't be intrigued by the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in strange circumstances?
I didn't expect it to be such an immersive read that was impossible to put down, so I didn't, until I'd finished.
Told from the points of view of not only the three men, but their families back on shore it pulled me in quickly. The language the author uses, is at times, beautiful, poetic, and has you on that lighthouse with those men.
The changes in points of view could hold the story up, but it doesn't, because the author makes you wish to know what every character is thinking and what part they play in this gripping tale.
The Lamplighters is pacy, poetic, heartbreaking and immersive and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy.