Hello Gracious Readers
Welcome to my stop on the book blog tour for
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell.
Genre: Young Adult Historical Horror
Publishing date: May 21st, 2024
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis
It’s an honor to bring light to the dark.
The whaling village of Warbler is famous for its lucky ship figureheads—and infamous for people disappearing into the nightly fog. In this murky locale, the lamplighter position is synonymous with safety and protection, and it’s a position Temperance assumes when her father is found hanging from one of the lampposts. Though Tempe proves competent, the town is still hesitant to let a woman handle this responsibility.
When a girl goes missing after two lamps go out, Tempe’s ability to provide for her mother and younger sister hangs in the balance. She scrambles for answers, hindered at every turn by the village authorities’ call for her removal. As more villagers vanish under her watch, Tempe discovers unsettling truths about the famous Warbler figureheads and her own beloved father. But her warnings of a monster are ignored, even by her own family. Now she must follow the light out of her own fog of despair, as she faces the choice to look the other way or risk speaking out and possibly dooming herself and her sister to be among the lost.
Content Warning: Murder, death of a parent
Review
The Lamplighter
By Crystal J Bell
North Star Editions
May 20, 2024
Thank you @tbrbeyondtours @crystaljbell for sending me a wonderful print arc, and for having me on this tour
The Lamplighter by Crystal J Bell is a YA gothic horror at its finest. Reminiscent of older gothic tales. Where the author takes their time in setting up the characters and giving readers just enough details to keep them guessing. Set in the nineteenth century New England whaling town of Warbler, Connecticut. A treacherous fog, that rolls in every night to catch those who are misfortunate to find themselves outside in it.
Headstrong and determined, Temperance has taken up her father’s profession as a Lamplighter, following his death. She cares for her sister and her mother, keeping the lamppost when claustrophobic fog threatens every night. In a series of events Temp’s ability to maintain her position comes under attack, when two lamppost mysteriously go out. Struggling to clear her name in an era that women do not have voice.
Crystal Bell’s debut book, has fierce and compelling main character. The ominous gothic setting was wonderful depicted. Female rage, along with some heavy topics made this YA book a thought provoking book. The unexpected ending that totally took me by surprise and left me feeling very satisfied.
Author
Crystal J. Bell is a Colorado native who writes horror and fantasy with the intent to make readers both eager and uneasy to turn the pages of her books. When she isn’t drinking up autumn like the elixir of life, she can be found on the back patio with her laptop and a book, out on the reservoirs on her stand up paddle board, or cooking in the kitchen with her husband. Most likely pasta.
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