he Lighthouse by Fran Dorricott is an eerie and atmospheric read packed full of creepy moments. It was addictive from the outset and took me no time at all to read because I didn't want to be doing anything else.

Kira and her friends have drifted apart somewhat since their days at university so when a ten-year reunion trip seems like the perfect way to reconnect. Kira has been given free accomadation in exchange for photographing Ora lighthouse for a magazine. Joining her are Moira and her wife Jess, her ex boyfriend Lucas and his new girlfriend Genevieve and their friend James. It doesn't take long for old tensions to rise within the group.

That first evening James goes missing. The others spend a sleepless night searching for him and are shocked to discover him back at the lighthouse looking very shaken. Did he just get lost in a drunken stupor or is there more to his disappearance? James is scared but reluctant to describe what happened to him.

Over the week more stange occurances take place and fractures appear in the group. What does James know and is he protecting them or putting them in incredible danger?

The island is remote and the perfect backdrop for the unfolding story. Isolated and rugged and dangeorus. It really helps to set the scene. The boat that brought them there comes once a day except for Sundays, other than that they are alone on the island.

"The Lighthouse looks exactly how I expected, tall and blindingly white on it's grassy outcrop. The island is growing larger by the second, isolated and wild. The mainland has long vanished into the mist behind us and there's a feeling of being stopped in time."

I loved the dynamic of the friendship group and felt each charcter plays of one another to escalate the tension. Genevieve creeps everyone out telling stories of haunted lighthouses, drowned children and just general myths and legends. Jess, is already anxious about the weekend and the stories set her even more on edge. Moira just wants to spend time reconnecting with Jess, Kira can't bring herself to be nice to Genevieve and keeps sniping at Lucas.

"This wasn't what the weekend was meant to be about. It was meant to be fun, relaxing, a chance to catch up; but instead, all of those old feelings and complexities have boiled over."

Strange occurrences divide the group further and they and the reader are left wondering if there is any truth to the rumours of ghosts and if they are really alone on the island.

"I can't shake the feeling that's been brewing since we arrived; this island isn't ready for visitors."

I cannot recommend The Lighthouse enough, it is epic!

As the first novel by Fran Dorricott that I’ve read, I have to say that I will be keeping an eye out for her other novels!

The writing flowed seamlessly and drew you in from the very start. As with any good book that needs to build tension and suspense, the writing was such that it gripped you with just enough detail, but didn’t overwhelm with anything superfluous.

I particularly enjoyed how this story was told from the perspective of three different characters- this certainly helped to add to the feeling that there was more afoot in the novel than just one person could see/know and added to the tension and glimmers of distrust scattered throughout the characters’ relationships with one another.

The setting was written fantastically (I may be biased that anything written and set on a Scottish island screams ‘read me!’), but the descriptions were enough to bring you along with the anticipation of the characters, and then the realisation of the stark brutality of nature in an isolated but beautiful part of the world.

As for the ending (no spoilers), I felt it reached a climax well, and although I was able to work out the possible ending, I found my brain scrambling to do so, reading as quickly as I could through paragraph after paragraph to keep up with the pace and telling of the story.

Overall, a fantastic novel that will leave you gripped and tense, whilst needing to read more!

It’s a bit tricky to review this one without giving too much away, but I’ll do my best! If you absolutely hate reading even the hint of a spoiler though, just read the blurb I’ve included above.

This is a great read if you want something a little spooky that’s not actually a horror story. The island setting is atmospheric and terrifyingly isolated, with treacherous weather adding to the sense of imminent danger throughout. The narrative is scattered with hints that something big is just about to happen, through one of character’s research and strange events during their stay, which kept me in a state of unrest all the way through.

The characterisation is realistic, and you get a real sense of the friendship’s history, although a little more about each character may have prevented me getting them all muddled up.

Personally, I would have liked a little more of the supernatural in this book (my ARC featured a distinctly ghostly-looking girl on the cover), and I felt that there was perhaps a missed opportunity to exploit this further.

If you’re a fan of mystery stories, or like the idea of something a little creepy, then this may well be the book for you.

Five university friends (plus a current partner) are having a reunion weekend on a remote Scottish island. This is the first time they’ve been together in a while and it’s clear there are tensions they’re trying to ignore. Then strange things happening on the island and the tensions start to come to the surface.

It’s a tense, claustrophobic story. With its changing narrator and isolated location it has a lot in common with Lucy Foley’s first two novels. I did get a bit muddled with the characters and forget who was narrating each chapter, they are all written in the same voice so it’s hard to tell who it is. It’s an intriguing story which I did enjoy though.

A creepy thriller with a dramatic backdrop. What more could you want ?

Six friends have a reunion party on a remote Scottish island. Their destination is a lighthouse, that has been recently refurbished.

On the first night one of the party, James, goes missing. The others search everywhere but can’t find him. Thinking the worst, that he may have fallen from the rocks, they return to the lighthouse. James is there !! He is very quiet and doesn’t seem to know where he’s been !!

The group then find that several items have gone missing. Who is taking them ? Is James messing with them ?

What is going on ? Does James know more than he is saying ? Are the friends in danger ?

This is a great creepy thriller. I have to admit it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but I did really enjoy it.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

A ‘locked room mystery’ set in a freshly renovated lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, this novel grabbed my interest immediately when it became available as an ARC, and I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me a copy. The following represents my honest and unbiased review.
A novel with chapters that alternate between the point of view of three of the six main characters, The Lighthouse is shot through with folkloristic and gothic elements that heighten the sense of suspense. The cast of characters are all university friends hoping to rekindle their friendships by spending a weekend together on an otherwise uninhabited island: Kira, Moira and Jesse are joined by James, Lucas and Genevieve Very quickly, personal items and then people start to go missing, forcing the remaining individuals to question whether the perpetrator is hiding out somewhere on the island, or is actually in their midst. I felt that their characterisation was less strong than the sense of place –at the end of the novel I was still unsure of how exactly these six people had become friends, and what their precise backstories were. The chapters told from Genevieve’s point of view were the chapters that were most helpful in making sense of the novel’s characterization – perhaps because she represented the only newcomer to the group of so-called former friends. Although I finished the novel thinking that more could have been made of the characters’ individual backstories and motivations, I would nevertheless recommend this as a good thriller.

I downloaded this book because I love stories about old lighthouses. They have lots of history and an air of mystery about them - very much like the lighthouse in this story!

Six friends travel to a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old school reunion. The island is uninhabited apart from the lighthouse and a cluster of old cottages, now renovated into holiday homes - although there is one room the friends are unable to get into, or find a key for. Only one of them, Genevieve, has done any research into the history of the island, but none of them are interested in her tales of deaths, drownings and disappearances - they are here to have a good time!

The pace of The Lighthouse is a little slow but the desolate island and creepy lighthouse are described in a way that brings them brilliantly to life. The tension as Strange Things Happen builds up terrifically. The only reason the story didn't really work for me is that Genevieve is the only one who properly knows the history of the island and she never gets to tell anyone until the end, which means the denouement comes left of field. I'm the kind of reader who likes to work things out from clues scattered throughout the story, rather than have it explained to me, but the story is atmospheric, well-written and deserves a solid four stars.

Note: Fran Dorricott also writes as Francesca May.

Thank you to Fran Dorricott and Avon Books UK for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Kira is so excited when she gets a job taking photos of a remote lighthouse island that has been recently renovated to welcome guests. She knows the perfect people to go with her, her four friends from college, Jess, Moira, James and Lucas. Of course there is also Lucas’ girlfriend, Genevieve, who is new to the group. They are ready to bond again just like old times and this is the perfect place to do that. Once on the island though people and things go missing. There have been stories about this island being haunted but that couldn’t possibly be true, could it? Will the six of them survive the weekend or will they become just another terrible tragedy of the island.

This was the perfect book to read while at home during a winter storm. The elaborate detail of the island painted a vivid picture in my mind. The characters were well developed and I loved learning their history with each other. Also, the hint of the supernatural made this book all the better.

Kira is a photographer for a magazine; when she gets the opportunity to photograph and stay at a newly refurbished lighthouse while having a reunion with her friends, she takes the chance.

But 10 years have passed since they were all together and things have changed. This lighthouse has its own secrets and it may just bring out the worst in them.

This novel has intrigue from start to finish. Although in some places it was a little slow, this was simply to set the scene. Whilst intrigue is kept, tension is also built, at one point I got scared, I had to stop reading at night and wait for daylight. (Other readers may not have been scared, but I was).

This novel is split between three characters' POV's which was great to set the different scenes. However, at first, I did struggle with this, as I was unable to find the character's individual voices, but was soon able to find them.

I found myself liking the different characters one minute then disliking them the next, however, I feel Dorricott purposefully does this leaving us in suspense throughout. I love to try and guess what is happening in a novel and I was unable to guess the narrative of this one.

In all, once I got going I could not put this novel down, and I will be looking out for more by this author.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I requested it from Netgalley. Six university friends go away for a weekend together, organised by Kira, who working for a magazine has got early access to a recently refurbished lighthouse on the island of Ora.
On the first evening, one of the group wanders away and is missing for hours. The others knowing his past, are very worried and furious with him when he eventually reappears. The weekend continues, the weather deteriorates and they cannot get a mobile signal, and as various odd things happen, old rifts and conflicts emerge and sides are taken.
As one of the group manages to load some web pages on her phone about happenings on the island in the past, the groups make a very unusual discovery.
The story is told from the perspective of three of the group. I have to say this annoyed me at first, but as I got used to their different voices I found their different points of view did work and allowed the reader to understand how they were thinking. None of the group came across as particularly nice people, so in some ways it was good to keep the focus shifting.
The setting is particularly atmospheric and well described and really the island the weather are the main protagonist here, increasing the suspense and emotions.
With thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an early read of this spooky, tense, thriller.

This thriller tells the story of a group of old friends who plan a fun, relaxing weekend away at a converted lighthouse.

In my opinion, there was bits that worked and bits that didn't.

The best part of this book was the atmosphere. Dorricott does a good job of conveying the spooky and isolated feel of the lighthouse and the eerie-ness of abandoned spaces. She also captures the notion that places like this always have a history and a feel to them, and are often subject to folklore and tales of bad happenings, and this comes across well on page.

My main issue, however, was the characters, who fell flat for me. The book is told in multi 1st person POV, and I often struggled to tell which POV I was reading as they were all very similar sounding (I would sometimes have to go back & check whose name was at the top of the chapter halfway through because I'd forgotten). This was part of a wider issue where I felt like I never really got a good grasp on who the characters were individually nor why they were friends.

There is some interesting dynamics and back story at play throughout the book, but it began to feel a little drawn out, particularly because they kept descending into arguments. I think this was in a part to help show the claustrophobic atmosphere (and did achieve this) but after awhile it started to get a little tedious to read.

I also have mixed feelings on the ending, but I can't go too in-depth on that without spoilers.

Overall then, this was an at times enjoyable and at times frustrating read for me. However, if a book about creepy, mysterious going-ons at a lighthouse appeals to you, then I think this could still be a book you might like.

I received an free copy on Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I have a few topics which trigger me to read a book. Old friends travelling together to a remote place is one of them. So this book seems right up my alley.

Five friends in their thirties travel to an uninhabited island in Scotland. They know each other since school. Two of them are married now, two were a couple but not anymore. And one of them brings his new girlfriend. It started nice and easy. They talk, they eat and they drink. But one of them goes missing during the evening and when he returns a few hours later he is unable and unwilling to tell what happened. He says he was too drunk and can’t remember where he walked off to. But from then on nothing is as easy as it started.

There is a creepy atmosphere right from the beginning. But after the first day nothing much happens. The friends try to reconnect but mostly they rub each other the wrong way. I liked that that it is not clear if the island is haunted and a ghost is playing tricks on them or if there is somebody else on the island. But for a long time it seems that the story is heading nowhere. When we finally find out what’s going on it is a huge let down. Until then I overall enjoyed the book even nothing was happening. But the end is very confusing because it is absolutely unrealistic and weird. It came out of nowhere and it did not fit in. The slow pace, the murky characters and the weird ending made this book a disappointment after a promising start.

Six friends get the chance to spend a weekend in a newly renovated lighthouse on a remote Scottish Island. Kira is a photographer with the job of taking photos to publicise this new holiday home and what she thought would be a relaxing break for her and her university friend’s reunion turns out to be anything but.
There is mystery and intrigue from the start with this story. James goes missing on the first night and turns up the following morning with no explanation, objects disappear only to reappear later in a different place, there are cold corridors, unexplained shadows and hidden rooms.
The story is told from the perspective of three of the characters which allows you to get to know them better, to delve more into their back stories which is good but I am not sure why we don’t hear from the other three. I personally wanted more from the characters, I would have liked them to have been involved more in any twists and turns that came along I think that would have made a better twist to the ending of the story for me.
All in all, it is a good read, it is very atmospheric and did get me thinking about what I would do if I was trapped on an island while all these strange unexplained things were happening around me and I had no means of getting in touch with the mainland.

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?

Thoughts -

I really loved the sound of the premise of this book when I requested to read it.
The story is well written with amazing description of the island, lighthouse and its atmospheric surroundings.

The story is told by multiple POV’s which once I got my head around I knew who was who and was easy to follow.
I struggled to connect with any of the characters and did wonder why the 6 of them were off on a weekend away when all they had done was argue with each other. However that being said this is what built the tension up between the characters.
However as the story unfolds you find the characters don’t have any connection to the mystery itself.

I did enjoy how some of the things were left in the story making you guess wether it was a ghost or one of the characters and loved how some parts felt very spooky.
I was a little disappointed with the ending. I would liked some kind of confirmation on their theory and the ending itself.

That being said, I got through it pretty quickly as wanted to know what happened and really enjoyed the writing style.
If you enjoy an atmospheric read with a touch of spookiness to it then I’d recommend you give this book a read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for the ARC for an honest review!

How do I suppose to review a book which freaked me out enough to turn the light on and keep reading until I finish, despite of an early start the following day?

Six friends chose a lighthouse on an isolated island as their long weekend holiday destination. Most of them have known each other for half of their lives, only Gen is new and she's a girlfriend of one of the guys. Of course in a group like that there's a lot of history, fights, secrets and unsaid things.
Everything starts quite well, until things start to disappear. Misplaced wine or cigarettes... small things, can happen to everyone, right? Well, it probably wouldn't be so scary if Gen wouldn't have told the group ghost stories and how people were dying or killing themselves related to locations like the one they're on.

The problem starts when one of them, James, disappears in the middle of the night. There are limited number of places he could go, yet for the entire night, the group can't find him. After discussing whom to call, when, and if James is really dead, they're coming back to the cabin just to find him on a sofa.

Anger, frustration, accusations.

Lovely weekend, isn't it?

But the weird situations don't stop and the paranormal ones increase and become more intense. The bad weather preventing them to contact the coast via radio, the lack of phone signal and no boats of Sunday don't help.

And then there's a question - what if they're not truly alone on the island?

I devoured the book in two sittings, the last one extended despite of the late hour, because I wouldn't be able to sleep. I read lots of horror, psychological thrillers and other creepy stuff, but this book scared me. I was home alone and there was no way to keep the lights off. And that says something. I'm amazed by how well the mystery is written and how the tension is successfully built up to the point where your fear is real. Hats off, I can only say that I'm going to read everything by Fran and if you haven't pre-ordered the book yet, there's no better time than now.

I know it's just January but I'm certain I'll be thinking of The Lighthouse at the end of the year and it'll be in my top of 2022.

I was excited to read a story set on a remote island, with a group of old friends living in a lighthouse but for me the story just didn’t grip me. I really tried to get into the book but I just couldn’t. I kept picking it up to read but in the end I confess I skim read through to the end. I didn’t really like any of the characters, they acted like spoilt children, and the over use of the others blaming Genevieve for telling ghost stories got to me. It just wasn’t for me. Sorry

Six friends decide to spend their annual weekend reunion in a lighthouse on the small Scottish island of Ora. Everyone is looking forward to spending time together and catching up, but it's soon evident they are not alone. That something or someone is on the island with them.
Well written and narrated from several of the characters' viewpoints, the atmosphere is brilliantly captured. It's creepiness is enhanced by the weather - it always seems to be raining, or threatening to rain. The terrain is wild and forbidding. Disappearing items, a locked door and the discovery of an abandoned shack all conspire to ramp up the uneasiness they all feel that they are not alone. Intertwined with this are personal issues which begin to surface - resentment, fear and suspicion - affecting them all. When the truth was revealed, it did not come as a surprise. What did was narrator Genevieve’s final comments which clearly left a huge question mark over what had really happened.
A gripping debut from an author I look forward to reading more of.
My thanks to Fran Dorricot, Avon and Netgalley for an ARC of The Lighthouse in exchange for an honest review.

It was the setting of The Lighthouse, a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands, that initially drew me to this book. It sounded idyllic and staying in a lighthouse would be the icing on the cake but unfortunately once I got into the book it fell a little flat for me. It didn't hold my attention or grip me as much as I was expecting and, for me, the tension which I need to feel when reading this type of book just wasn't there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

I wasn't expecting that!! What an ending!

Kira has organised a 'ten year reunion weekend for her & her friends, on a lighthouse on the island of Ora off the coast of Scotland. It's going to be a weekend of catching up, drinking, eating & playing games.
Things are not what they seem & from the Friday they arrive, things 'happen'!

Plenty of suspense throughout this book, that will catch you. I read it in two sittings as I needed to know more. Get yourself a cup of tea, snuggle on the sofa & start this great book. You will not be disappointed!

Sure it seemed like a good idea for these six friends, five of whom have known each other since university, to spend a holiday at a lighthouse on a Scottish Island after Kira got it for free. Well, no, Things start to go wrong almost immediately and then James disappears only to come back - changed. This is told from the POV of each of the characters, although they don't have especially strong individual voices. No spoilers from me as to what's actually happening but know that there is a twist, Thanks o netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the locked room (or lighthouse) story.