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The Lamplighters: A Novel Kindle Edition

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 1,113 ratings
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“Transported me effortlessly…Haunting, harrowing and heartbreaking, this is a novel that will stay with you.” --Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push

“A ghost story and fantastically gripping psychological investigation rolled into one. It is also a pitch-perfect piece of writing. . . . As with Shirley Jackson’s work or Sarah Waters’s masterpiece
Affinity, in Stonex’s hands the unspoken, unexamined, unseen world we can call the supernatural, a world fed by repression and lies, becomes terrifyingly tangible.” --The Guardian (London)

Inspired by a haunting true story, a gorgeous and atmospheric novel about the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from a remote tower miles from the Cornish coast--and about the wives who were left behind.

What strange fate befell these doomed men? The heavy sea whispers their names. Black rocks roll beneath the surface, drowning ghosts. And out of the swell like a finger of light, the salt-scratched tower stands lonely and magnificent.

It's New Year's Eve, 1972, when a boat pulls up to the Maiden Rock lighthouse with relief for the keepers. But no one greets them. When the entrance door, locked from the inside, is battered down, rescuers find an empty tower. A table is laid for a meal not eaten. The Principal Keeper's weather log describes a storm raging round the tower, but the skies have been clear. And the clocks have all stopped at 8:45.

Two decades later, the keepers' wives are visited by a writer determined to find the truth about the men's disappearance. Moving between the women's stories and the men's last weeks together in the lighthouse, long-held secrets surface and truths twist into lies as we piece together what happened, why, and who to believe.

In her riveting and suspenseful novel, Emma Stonex writes a story of isolation and obsession, of reality and illusion, and of what it takes to keep the light burning when all else is swallowed by dark.

From the Publisher

The Lamplighters,  Emma Stonex

The Lamplighters,  Emma Stonex

The Lamplighters,  Emma Stonex

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Lamplighters is magnificent. It is a debut novel as compelling as a classic ghost story; it is a locked-room mystery that exposes every secret we wish to keep safe at home. This book will take hold of you, guide you over the waves, and then plunge you under. Read it.” – Julia Phillips, bestselling author of Disappearing Earth

“Beautiful, absorbing and utterly riveting, 
The Lamplighters is a hymn to loneliness, to the sea, and to the stories we allow ourselves to believe when we are alone. I treasured every moment of this dazzlingly accomplished and completely unforgettable novel.” --Rosie Walsh, author of The Love of My Life

“Superbly accomplished…
The Lamplighters is a whodunnit, horror novel, ghost story and fantastically gripping psychological investigation rolled into one. It is also a pitch-perfect piece of writing.” --The Guardian (London)

“Wonderfully smart and atmospheric.”
--The Observer

“Transported me effortlessly…Haunting, harrowing and heartbreaking, this is a novel that will stay with you.” --Ashley Audrain, author of The Push

The Lamplighters is a tale with teeth, serrated like a shark’s. Once it’s got a hold of you, it doesn’t let go. This is a haunting mystery where the unsaid words, the unshared emotions, and the unfulfilled lives reverberate across the decades not unlike the ghosts rumored to haunt the tower lighthouse. And whether you prefer an atmospheric sea-set mystery or an unsettling story of madness and the mythic, this is a book that’s sure to satisfy.” Criminal Element
 
"Stonex brings vivid detail and emotional weight to the story of three lighthouse keepers who disappeared in the 1970s...The Lamplighters is beautifully written and understated in its lyricism, qualities that serve to heighten the almost unbearable tension of the story, which is packed with quiet revelations and observations." CrimeReads

"Emma Stonex has written a gorgeous page-turner that is at once a mystery and a novel about mysteries--about how we all write our own endings and suffer betrayals, but still light the lamps so the people we love can find their way home."
--Charlotte Rogan, The Lifeboat

“A remarkable book, through every page, every character, the writing resonates with the dark, powerful presence of the sea.”
--Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path

“A beautifully written, utterly compelling tale."
--Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner

“Stonex's unique tale juxtaposes oddly compelling reality—the daily challenges of being a lighthouse keeper for the men and their families—against a series of strange, poignant, near-mystical happenings that will pull readers in and keep them mesmerized right to the end.”
--Booklist

“Stonex’s spectacular debut wraps a haunting mystery in precise, starkly beautiful prose…Seamlessly marrying quotidian detail with ghostly touches, the author captures both the lighthouse’s lure and the damage its isolation and confinement wreak on minds and families. The convincing resolution brings a welcome note of healing. Readers will eagerly await Stonex’s next." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Emma Stonex is a novelist and The Lamplighters is her debut under her own name; she is the author of several books written under a pseudonym. Before becoming a writer, she worked as an editor at a major publishing house. She lives in Bristol with her husband and two young daughters.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08FH8KY8X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (March 16, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 16, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1845 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 351 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1984882155
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 1,113 ratings

About the author

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Emma Stonex
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Emma Stonex was born in 1983 and grew up in Northamptonshire. After working in publishing for several years, she quit to pursue her dream of writing fiction. THE LAMPLIGHTERS was a Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into more than twenty-five languages. She lives in Bristol with her husband and two daughters.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
1,113 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the writing style as thoughtful and lyrical. They appreciate the cover design that depicts moody descriptions of the sea. However, some find the story confusing and hard to follow. Opinions are mixed on readability, character voices, and pacing. Some find the book interesting and enjoyable, while others struggled to finish it.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive4 negative

Customers find the writing style thoughtful and well-crafted. They appreciate the proper grammar, prose, and research. The lyrical descriptions keep the suspense high, and the editing is beautiful. Overall, readers praise the book's writing style as engaging and realistic without being overly detailed.

"...The writing is impeccable; she has a very lyrical style of description that some may find extraneous or detracting. I did not. I loved it...." Read more

"...There is a poetic beat to the writing and some freeform dialogue in the form of interviews...." Read more

"...However, the disjointed style of writing threw my concentration so much that I would veer to and finish other books...." Read more

"...The Lighthouse is beautifully written but hard to follow at times...." Read more

4 customers mention "Cover quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's cover. They find it visually appealing, with skillful paintings of the setting and a lighthouse depicting hope. The cover beautifully illustrates the moody descriptions of the sea.

"...the power and finickiness of the sea: she is at once both a sexy siren and a vengeful hag, whose personality can change at the drop of a dime ... or..." Read more

"...enjoy expertly crafted, atmospheric books with skilful paintings of the setting. It’s what keeps me turning the pages...." Read more

"The lighthouse has always been a beautiful symbol of hope that remains steadfast against all weather and hazard...." Read more

"...Kudos to the publisher for a good synopsis and a striking cover to the book. That’s all it has going for it." Read more

24 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story. Some find it interesting and well-written, with a plausible scenario as what may have happened. Others feel it lacks mystery and intrigue, being too complex and lacking mystery elements. The main characters are described as uninspiring and there is little positive about them.

"I loved that this story, while itself fictional, was inspired by true events...." Read more

"...The story unfolds on a dual timeline format with one timeline being 1972 following the three lighthouse keepers before and up to their..." Read more

"...This was a challenging read for me. Dark, sad and haunting but written so beautifully. It is almost like poetry...." Read more

"...If you’re looking for something different, something utterly unique, then look no further. The prose and the research are second to none...." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"13 positive6 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it interesting and engaging, while others struggled to finish it and found it difficult to understand the complex plot.

"...enjoy the meatiness of a well-thought out novel that makes me think and ponder while reading. This book is not for everyone...." Read more

"...Only 4 stars because of the mystery's resolution, but over all an enjoyable read." Read more

"It was a struggle to read some days, trying to make sense of a very complex story.maybe too complex.a little more in line narrative might have..." Read more

"...I finished this book in two days and absolutely loved it. If you’re looking for something different, something utterly unique, then look no further...." Read more

11 customers mention "Voice"6 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the characters' voices. Some find them interesting and eccentric, with a true incident being written from all characters' viewpoints. Others say the characters have the same voice and it's hard to tell who is talking. They never find a character they like and never figure out who is speaking.

"...Also, the author gives the three wives of the keepers distinct personalities and histories. You find yourself identifying with one, two, or all...." Read more

"...I found myself skipping over sections and never finding a character that I liked. It was all very melancholy and not at all scary...." Read more

"...The timeline jumps between 1972 and 1992 with chapter points of view for each character...." Read more

"...None of the narrators has a unique voice and the constant interjection of the F-word and other profanities is off-putting and unnecessary...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it beautifully written and engaging, keeping them turning the pages. Others found it boring, lacking interest, and lacking inspiration.

"Not believable- lost interest." Read more

"...It’s what keeps me turning the pages...." Read more

"I found this book incredibly boring. Sometimes there are quotations when someone is talking, sometimes there are not, so annoying...." Read more

"...This book is beautifully written and kept me turning the pages...." Read more

11 customers mention "Difficulty to follow"3 positive8 negative

Customers find the book hard to follow and confusing. They say it's a little difficult to get into but worth reading.

"I thought the book was hard to follow most of the time. The lives of the men and their families were sad...." Read more

"...The Lighthouse is beautifully written but hard to follow at times...." Read more

"...The author did a mighty fine job of research before writing this novel and did a mind-blowing job of expressing the power and finickiness of the sea..." Read more

"...is quite good but the story, as others have noted, is by and large confusing and flat...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
    I loved that this story, while itself fictional, was inspired by true events. I also loved how much I learned about the history of lighthouses and their keepers….. my nerdy self was all over that!

    It was a bit hard to get into at first, because it took me a minute to figure out who was narrating, but once I got into the flow of this author’s style, it was all good!

    It’s a bit of a sad story, and in my opinion it leaves a few plot points unsolved, but it’s a beautifully composed tale that touched my heart.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021
    I hesitated to write a review of this novel because, well, in all honesty, I think I'm too inarticulate to put my reaction to this author's writing into words. Please forgive me while I try to explain why this novel is one of two books I have read this year and rated a full five stars.

    Sometimes I write a review; sometimes I don't. I am a prolific reader, meaning at least a couple books daily - depending on the breadth and depth of the individual work.

    Sure, its nice to read what I affectionately call "palate cleansers" or "brain candy", before diving into a more challenging and thoughtful read, but I enjoy the meatiness of a well-thought out novel that makes me think and ponder while reading.

    This book is not for everyone. I loved it; you may not. The author jumps between 1972 and 1992, as well as individual story lines for each character. Additionally, there are portions of dialogue that are written freeform with some punctuation, but only just. For some, you will not like the jumping around, the characters, or the free flowing dialogue, but I did - I do - because I love poetry.

    I couldn't give a gosh darn about any of the characters in this novel, save one: the sea. The author did a mighty fine job of research before writing this novel and did a mind-blowing job of expressing the power and finickiness of the sea: she is at once both a sexy siren and a vengeful hag, whose personality can change at the drop of a dime ... or barometer.

    If you've ever lived by the ocean, plied your trade as a Fisher person, or even just taken a cruise and marvelled at the sea, you will appreciate the way this author craftily paints pictures of her, our Ocean Mistress. As I read, I could smell the brininess, hear the cries of the sea gulls, and see the latte-like froth left behind from a receding wave upon the shore line.

    The writing is impeccable; she has a very lyrical style of description that some may find extraneous or detracting. I did not. I loved it. Once again, I love poetry.

    It was so (SO!) refreshing to read a novel that was not only thoughtfully written, but had proper use of grammar and punctuation (Yay! Happy dance).

    Apparently this is an author's author: even thought this was her debut work, wanna guess what she did before writing this novel? Go on, guess! She was an editor.

    Thank you, Ms. Emma, bravo!
    50 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2023
    Inspired by a real-life unsolved mystery where the keepers of a working lighthouse went missing in the early 1900s.

    Stonex presents a similar story with three keepers working the Maiden Rock Lighthouse. The story unfolds on a dual timeline format with one timeline being 1972 following the three lighthouse keepers before and up to their disappearance and the other timeline following their wives/girlfriends twenty years later.

    I think Stonex does a good job portraying the mental aspect for the keepers working in such an extreme isolated location as well as that for their family’s waiting for their return to the mainland. The complex relationships between all. However, the disjointed style of writing threw my concentration so much that I would veer to and finish other books. Yes, I should have DNF, but I really wanted to see if the mystery would be resolved and how (hoping at the same time that I wouldn’t have made such an effort for it to be an alien abduction or something similar). I’m glad that I did persevere to the fairly satisfactory ending that explained all the “clues” that the keepers left behind in the 1972 timeline and concluded the 1992 timeline.

    Not quite a locked room thriller more of a dark drama so if you are a fan of those am sure you will enjoy this.

    *** Trigger warning for animal cruelty ***
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021
    This novel is a compelling read. I liked the alternating timelines (between 1972 and 1992), and I enjoyed learning about the relationships among the three couples who are the main characters. Even more interesting was the relationship among the three lighthouse keepers. Once those men are on the rocky island that houses the Maiden, their dynamics are in a crucible that will test their limits professionally and personally.

    That Maiden is the lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall. Emma Stonex certainly did her homework. That lighthouse is the most interesting character in the novel. The writing about the Maiden, her eerie power over the keepers and their families, is so atmospheric and detailed that you feel the claustrophobia and tension contributing to the events that drive the plot.

    The plot centers around the mysterious disappearance of the three keepers and the creepy things they leave behind--stopped clocks, a table set for only two...You as the reader are invited to speculate on what happened in this locked-room mystery. Unfortunately, when you DO find out what happened, it is a bit of a let down. The denouement feels rushed, and we are led to expect a less mundane solution. Also, the identity/backstory of one character is left hanging. I mean, I like ambiguity in my fiction, but give me SOME resolution or some clues to work out, at least.

    That said, If you love lighthouses, this is a great read. You learn about the day-to-day workings of the lighthouse and what it takes to keep it going. Apparently, most lighthouses are no longer run by keepers as technology has taken them over. Also, the author gives the three wives of the keepers distinct personalities and histories. You find yourself identifying with one, two, or all. In my case, I loved Helen, wife of the PK Arthur. Only 4 stars because of the mystery's resolution, but over all an enjoyable read.
    12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Suzanne's
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, I couldn't put it down.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2023
    This story is so different and imaginative. It is told to someone doing research on a book trying to solve the mystery of three lamplighters who disappeared without a trace twenty years before. He interviews the widows in turn who are reluctant to share their story at first. Through them we find out what their lives was like as they waited for their husbands' return. We also find out what life was like in the lighthouse for the men and wonder why the company had closed the case so quickly. It is truly fascinating you can almost hear the characters speak, the writing is quick no added useless descriptions, every word lead to more questions and information until Sid. Who was he? How is it that he knew so much? How did he get to the lighthouse on a stormy night? Was he real? He remains a mystery to me at least.
    The ending is a complete surprise but I think I was almost there close to figuring it out...I think. If you like an amazingly well written book and love a good mystery this is it.
  • Roz
    4.0 out of 5 stars It is bigger than average but paperback
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2024
    Haven’t finished it yet
  • Layken
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2024
    It is an amazing book, with an amazing writing style. I especially adore the cover and just the whole story overall. And am overall happy with the small price I had to pay.
  • Carolyn Scott
    4.0 out of 5 stars a story
    Reviewed in Italy on July 4, 2022
    those who wrote that this novel was too disjointed, and that they were disappointed by the ending, are missing the point, I believe. It is a well told story that suggests itself between two points in time; it's a story that draws you in, makes you feel welcomed, and the rest is really up to you. I enjoyed it and would read it again.
  • Lisa Bacon-Hall
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mysterious
    Reviewed in Australia on June 20, 2021
    Great story or as my cousin says “a cracking read”! It certainly is a page turner, great characters and a mystery that reminded me of Picnic at Hanging Rock! This story does have a satisfying ending for me, there are elements of the supernatural but did work in this story! I loved it!

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