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helenaramsay's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It is difficult to write an answer to a mystery that has fascinated people for decades, and though The Lamplighters is beautifully written with interesting shifts in perspective, it doesn't do that convincingly. There are several theories suggested about the vanished lightkeepers that could be as captivating as the mystery deserves with a dignity and consideration that matches some of the portraits of characters that emerge throughout. The answer could be revenge or madness or grief, or petulant jealousy and sheer dumb luck. As with a couple of other elements in the book, the mystery sort of fizzles out and leaves you wanting, but as it is beautifully written and because this is often the nature of great mysteries when they are unravelled, I couldn't be mad at it and still enjoyed many things a lot, most notably Arthur's story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Grief
becca9849's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Vomit, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Inrach22's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Enjoyable read.
I enjoyed getting to see the story and the lives from every characters’ point of view. Well written.
I did not expect that ending.
I felt that it started to drag a wee bit near the end and then unravelled very quickly. Good setting, interesting take but I also did not completely understand the end. Sort of random but enjoyable read. Quite dark at times. Lighthouse was interesting. Bit depressing at times.
I enjoyed getting to see the story and the lives from every characters’ point of view. Well written.
I did not expect that ending.
I felt that it started to drag a wee bit near the end and then unravelled very quickly. Good setting, interesting take but I also did not completely understand the end. Sort of random but enjoyable read. Quite dark at times. Lighthouse was interesting. Bit depressing at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Rape
frietje9's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Murder
amiegold's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think that a certain group of people would love the Lamplighters. It is not what I was expecting. If you want a plot centered mystery / thriller, this book is not for you. If you want to feel immersed in a different lifestyle and the relationships it entails, you may enjoy it a lot! It has almost a hear-say, gossipy feeling to it. I was surprised by the ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
suewren25's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Grief
alexhempstxck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
awebofstories's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is one of those books with so many pieces that I like, but they just didn't come together.
The premise of this story is fascinating, and I loved the atmosphere that Stonex created. However, jumping between two time periods hurt this story as I never felt I could become invested in either plotline. I also had trouble connecting the two different timelines together. Obviously, I could see how they fit, but they never felt like they were in the same universe.
As for the pacing, I felt this book spent too much time idling. There was always a promise of some development, but payoffs were few and far between. There just wasn't any earned suspense here.
I will give Stonex credit for her writing style, which was quite lovely. I'm willing to chalk this up to a book that just wasn't for me and give her another chance.
The premise of this story is fascinating, and I loved the atmosphere that Stonex created. However, jumping between two time periods hurt this story as I never felt I could become invested in either plotline. I also had trouble connecting the two different timelines together. Obviously, I could see how they fit, but they never felt like they were in the same universe.
As for the pacing, I felt this book spent too much time idling. There was always a promise of some development, but payoffs were few and far between. There just wasn't any earned suspense here.
I will give Stonex credit for her writing style, which was quite lovely. I'm willing to chalk this up to a book that just wasn't for me and give her another chance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Murder
christinesreads's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
cshcolson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, and Mental illness