Title: THE LIGHTHOUSE
Author: Fran Dorricott
Publisher: Avon Books UK
Read: December 2021
Expected publication: 3 February 2022
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book Description:
Six friends travel to a remote
island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old school reunion. They’ve
rented The Lighthouse – a stunning, now abandoned building that was once
notorious for deaths at sea.
On the first evening, someone goes missing. The group search all through the
night to no avail. But when the five remaining friends return to the lighthouse
early the next morning, they are shocked to find James inside. He’s looks
terrified – but won’t say a word about where he’s been.
The party vow to put the strange night behind them and enjoy the rest of their
stay, but when more unexplained things begin to occur, tensions escalate. It’s
clear James knows something, but nothing will persuade him to give up the
secrets of the island. Is he protecting his friends from a terrible truth, or
leading them into more danger?
A chilling, gripping and powerfully atmospheric suspense novel with a gothic
edge.
My musings:
Fancy a spooky story set in an old lighthouse? Oh
yes, please! I love spooky, and I love lighthouses, so as soon as I read the
description of this book I had to have it. Don't be fooled by the innocuous
title because this story will soon raise goosebumps. I made the mistake of
reading it at night whilst on a camping trip near an actual lighthouse and was
terrified to venture out after dark.
Here we have a fantastic atmospheric setting on a small Scottish island
dominated by an old majestic lighthouse and keeper's cottage that have
been turned into an exclusive holiday resort. Without phone or internet
reception, it makes for a perfect escape from the modern world. Kira, a travel
writer, has been offered a free stay and thinks it would make a great location
for an annual reunion with four of her closest friends from university. Packed
with lots of food and alcohol, the group set out on the boat trip to this
spectacular location.
The author knows how to set the scene and the island initially sounds like
heaven. Remote, windswept and buffeted by the waves, the landscape appears
serene and beautiful to the friends as they settle in for a weekend of fun and
relaxation. Soon, however, the atmosphere changes. Things disappear and
everyone denies having taken them. Shadows appear in corners when there is
noone there. And what lies behind the only locked door in the lighthouse?
Suddenly the isolation becomes claustrophobic as the friends realise they are
stranded here without a way off the island, with something that doesn't want
them here.
How perfect is this premise? Despite my growing unease, I read it in almost one
sitting because I had to get answers. As the weather closed in and darkness
fell, I knew I was in for a spooky treat. I loved the hinting at a supernatural
element that made me wonder if there was something ghostly going on or if there
would be a rational explanation, which made the story even creepier for me
without ever feeling unbelievable.
My only quibble was that the ending
appeared a bit rushed and could have exploited the eerie background a bit
longer. I was at the 95% mark when I thought that there wasn’t enough time to
wrap up all the threads and ultimately felt that a few very good elements were
left hanging. Seeing how the beginning of the book was slow, character driven
and atmospheric, I felt that the rush to the conclusion let the book down a
bit.
Summary:
All in all, THE LIGHTHOUSE is the type of
atmospheric, claustrophobic story that makes for a perfect escape. With a hint
of a supernatural element, it managed to spook me enough to keep the lights on
and read late into the night to get all the answers. Despite the rushed ending,
I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to read more from this author in future.
Thank
you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the free electronic copy of this novel and
for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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