October Book of the Month Review – The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex

Reviewed and Selected by Adriana Ford, Communications Coordinator

As the leaves begin to fall and the days get shorter, there’s no better time to curl up with a haunting tale of history and maritime mystery. This October, the Old Baldy Foundation is proud to feature The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex as our official Book of the Month for Spooky Season.

Left to right: Thomas Marshall, Donald MacArthur and James Ducat

At first glance, this novel may read like a classic ghost story, but what makes The Lamplighters truly spine-tingling is that it’s rooted in true historic events. Stonex draws her inspiration from one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in maritime history: the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from the remote island of Eilean Mor in the Outer Hebrides in December of 1900. Thomas Marshall, James Ducat, and Donald MacArthur were stationed at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse when they vanished without a trace. The lighthouse was locked from the inside, the table was set for two, not three, the clocks had stopped, and a logbook mentioned a storm that hadn’t been recorded by anyone else. No bodies were ever recovered, and the case remains unsolved to this day.

The Flannan Isles Lighthouse

Stonex takes this real event and reimagines it in 1972 Cornwall, where three fictional lighthouse keepers—Arthur, Bill, and Vince—vanish from Maiden Rock under similarly chilling circumstances. Jumping ahead to 1992,  a writer attempts to uncover what truly happened by interviewing the wives and girlfriends of the men, who, decades later, are still haunted by their loss and the mystery of what happened to them. As the story unfolds, secrets come to light, suspicions grow, and old grief is brought to the surface.

As stewards of Old Baldy Lighthouse, The Lamplighters is especially compelling, not just for its spellbinding mystery, but for its insightful portrayal of the lives of lighthouse keepers. Through Stonex’s piercing writing, readers gain a visceral sense of the isolation and psychological weight that came with living and working inside these iconic beacons.

As a foundation dedicated to preserving lighthouse history and heritage, this novel subtly educates as it entertains. Stonex captures the stark reality of lighthouse duty: the mental toll, the grinding, monotonous work, the power of the sea, and the brotherhood forged under those extreme conditions. Whether you're drawn to psychological thrillers, historical fiction, or maritime history, The Lamplighters is sure to hold your attention and keep you guessing.

Special October Offer In celebration of The Lamplighters and spooky season, the book is available all month long at 20% off both online and in the Old Baldy Museum Shop. Don’t miss your chance to dive into this chilling and beautifully crafted mystery, just in time for Halloween.

Let the waves of suspense carry you away... but maybe keep a light on.