Secrets of the Lighthouse

Susan Riddell does such a beautiful job of switching between a posh London accent and the friendly accent of Western Ireland that this book takes on a mystical quality that evokes gothic romances of the past, such as WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Riddell's voice captures the listener from the very first words sung by the ghost of young Caitlin. As tragic secrets are revealed, evocative settings include Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher. This gem by Santa Montefiore is a must for any fan of Irish fiction or romance stories. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

June 9, 2014
Montefiore (The Summer House) has penned a lyrical novel rich with ghostly beings, love, and loss set along the idyllic Connemara coastline of Ireland. Ellen Trawton escapes her very proper London life and fiancé to visit her Aunt Peg in Ballymaldoon, Ireland. She becomes enchanted with the town and meets her mother’s siblings for the first time. Yet it is the lure of an old lighthouse that beckons most to Ellen, who is an aspiring author hoping to find inspiration in Ireland. When Ellen meets the elusive Conor Macausland, she is instantly smitten with him. As Ellen and Conor spend time together, a subtle but intense attraction springs up between them. Despite the mystery surrounding the death of Conor’s first wife, Ellen is caught in the lure of his promising sensuality. Unbeknownst to the lovers, Conor’s first wife, though a ghostly figure, is jealous of their blossoming love. Ellen discovers the truth behind her mother’s abrupt departure from Ballymaldoon decades before, even as she learns to cope with those she left behind in London.