In Crystal J. Bell's atmospheric debut novel *The Lamplighter*, the quaint whaling village of Warbler becomes a haunting backdrop where mystery and darkness intertwine with themes of courage and identity.

Set in the nineteenth-century, Warbler is renowned for its lucky ship figureheads yet shrouded in an eerie fog that conceals more than it reveals. When Temperance's father, the town's lamplighter, is found dead, she reluctantly steps into his shoes to ensure the safety of the village. Despite proving her competence, Tempe faces resistance from a skeptical community unwilling to accept a woman in such a vital role.

As Tempe grapples with her new responsibilities, the village is plagued by a series of disappearances coinciding with the extinguishing of lamplights. Desperate to protect her family and uncover the truth, Tempe navigates treacherous waters where superstition and secrets abound. Her journey is fraught with challenges as she unravels unsettling truths about Warbler's figureheads and confronts the shadows lurking within her own family history.

Bell adeptly weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, drawing readers into Tempe's world of uncertainty and fear. The author's vivid prose paints a vivid picture of Warbler's mist-covered streets and its inhabitants, adding depth to the atmospheric setting that mirrors Tempe's internal struggles.

At its core, *The Lamplighter* is a story of resilience and defiance against societal norms. Tempe emerges as a resilient protagonist, determined to uncover the village's dark secrets even as she faces opposition from those entrusted with protecting Warbler's traditions. Her journey of self-discovery is poignant, highlighting themes of gender roles, familial duty, and the power of speaking truth to power.

The novel's pacing is well-crafted, maintaining tension throughout as the mystery deepens and Tempe races against time to prevent further tragedies. Bell's skillful characterization brings a diverse cast to life, each contributing to the intricate web of intrigue and suspicion that surrounds Warbler.

In conclusion, *The Lamplighter* is a captivating blend of historical fiction and mystery, marked by its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and a narrative that grips from start to finish. Crystal J. Bell's debut promises an immersive reading experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next literary offering.

*The Lamplighter* by Crystal J. Bell shines as a haunting and evocative tale of courage and perseverance in the face of darkness, offering readers a glimpse into a world where shadows conceal secrets that threaten to unravel the very fabric of a small village's existence.

A beautifully written tale that follows Tempe, a protagonist that I truly LOVED! While this book is not super fast paced, I loved the story through and through and enjoyed the details and journey that Tempe went on. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

Content warning: sexual assault (on page), suicide (on and off page), sexual harassment, death of parent, mental illness, drowning, murder, strangulation, death by fire, arson, body horror, gaslighting, abduction, child endangerment, abuse of power, large age gap in a relationship, misogyny, exploitation

Let's talk about the positives first: the cover art is gorgeous and draws you in. I loved that Bell was inspired by the maritime history of Mystic, Connecticut (and the surrounding area) to create Warbler, CT. I really enjoyed the metaphor of the lamplighter being the person keeping the town safe from the dangers found in the dark. The role the ship figureheads play within the plot was perfect too. Bell does a solid job of establishing the atmosphere of the town.

However... Tempe is a really frustrating protagonist. I spent most of the first 60% of this novel screaming at her about what was going on because it was so obvious. Gothic novels work because the female protagonist is typically naive and sheltered when they encounter whatever danger they need to survive/beat. But Tempe is neither. She was forced to assume the role of head of household, taking on a "man's" job to keep her family fed and a roof over their heads when she was a teen after her father's apparent suicide. Her stumbling attempts to thwart the threat are exhausting. There are a few points where Tempe is shocked by the facts she finds out which felt utterly unbelievable that she wasn't aware already (especially when they came down to the roles women play in society and who can own what given what she's spent years fighting for).

The "bad guy" is a bit lackluster, I really wanted Bell to lean more into the folklore of the town and that's never explored... nor do readers ever get a real answer on what the danger is, where it came from, what it's end goal is. Tempe's big moment where she thinks she won was such a red herring that it came with it's own flashing lights... same with the aftermath. It wasn't suspenseful because OF COURSE the evil wasn't defeated by that act. Bell also does Josiah dirty solely to move the plot along.

I really didn't like how Bell handled sexual assault in this novel... especially with this being supposedly targeted for teen readers (I also feel like this is much more of a book for adults who read YA than one for teens). This book has a lot of heavy themes in it and given how they are handled, I'm not sure if I would readily put this title into the hands of teen readers. I definitely wouldn't do so without discussing the content warnings.

The climax and the epilogue felt rushed and not cohesive with the rest of the novel. For a book that continues to rehash the theme of the patriarchy and early feminism, constantly mentioning how Tempe has to fight to be accepted as the town's lamplighter, the ending just feels like giving up and letting the patriarchy win with no good reasoning for it. The last sentence of the epilogue hints at something else, but readers aren't given enough to truly know if it would change the plot or not.

Overall The Lamplighter has a great concept and does well with welcoming readers into the fog soaked world of Warbler, but the characters and the plot were a big miss for me.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, North Star Editions, and Flux in exchange for an honest review.

TW: Sexual Assault, Suicide

The premise of this work sounded quite promising, and the work started strongly. The descriptions of the fog and its eeriness set the tone and made for a solid atmosphere, as well as the grief that hung over Tempe and her family.

Unfortunately, there were several things that didn’t work for me. The writing in many places made the characters sound and feel modern, including their actions, thoughts, and dialogue. The setting was stated as being in America in the nineteenth century, but it never really came through that way in the writing. But the way the setting was described and used didn’t feel like America during this time, and it made me wish the author had just made a fictional location rather than trying to set it in the U.S. and mentioning real things like Jane Austen.

At just before 15 percent through the book, I was able to guess exactly what was happening based on hints heavily dropped during those first few chapters. This really took away my enjoyment of the book as I had nothing to keep me guessing or hooked. The characters were flat and missing important development, and it was difficult to sympathize with the protagonist. She spent most of the book being frustrated that no one would listen to her, but she never bothered to try explaining where she was coming from, instead just saying, “Don’t trust him! Because I said!”

The author also tried to include many weighty topics (mostly relating to misogyny, feminism, and suicide) that when handled right can add much to the characters and the book as a whole. But these elements were only included in a surface-level way that led to an unsatisfying experience.

I honestly can’t recommend this one at all (though the cover is lovely). My thanks to NetGalley and Flux for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Bell starts out on solid footing, giving us a clear picture of the world of Warbler and Tempe's precarious position. We quickly get the sense that something wrong and potentially evil is afoot which hooks the reader well. What follows is less nail-biting that we might hope as the threat is revealed to be less immediate and physical than it is existential. There is eventually a physical threat that is revealed in a moment that isn't shocking so much as it is the payoff of the slow build of unease and the sense of wrongness. With a final turn that is startling but satisfying, The Lamplighter is a read worth working through the ponderous first half.

Excellent writing and the story has a smooth style to it. I enjoyed the character development. I have found a new author that I will want to keep an eye on.

Thank you #NetGalley for sharing #TheLamplighter with me!

I really wanted to like this book. The cover design is phenomenal and the first few chapters are lush with descriptions of this whaling town. Personally, I found the pacing to be unbearably slow, especially considering that the end of the book what I guessed was happening from the villain's first introduction. I was hopeful that there would be a deeper twist or a red herring, but alas, it's exactly what it says on the tin.

Regrettably, 3 out of 5 stars

The Lamplighter
By Crystal J Bell

Top 5 reasons to read

1. Gothic Horror
2. Incredible dark atmosphere
3. Strong Female Protagonist
4. Haunting Mystery
5. Genre Bending

Brilliant, rich writing, excellent characterization, and immersive storytelling. Those looking for an atmospheric and disturbing read filled with drama, will love it.

This was such a gorgeous read and PERFECT for fall. It's creepy (but cozy!), dark, atmospheric, and definitely haunting.

The Lamplighter is the first book by Crystal J. Bell and everything about it sounds so awesome!

In her biography she writes that she is an author who "writes horror and fantasy with the intent to make readers both eager and uneasy to turn the pages of her books". Unfortunately for me I wasn't that eager to turn the pages - rather I felt queasy and uncomfortable for what is found on the ones I read.

Let me explain: Bell is excellent in creating atmosphere. There was a scene with a dead fox in which a flower bloomed. I wanted more of that. I love those kind of images. But the atmosphere is destroyed as soon as there are other people with which our protagonist interacts or thinks about.
I really disliked the description of sexism in this world. It is so heavy handed. Also the introduction to those scenes and those which should create a feeling of disquiet were simply forced. Of course the drunken whaler grabs her ass. Of course she let's her bag fall so Gideon can stop his work and look at her.

Another creepy thing was the introduction of the secret admirer of her little sister. Temperance was jealous instead of utterly creeped out and I don't know why. In the context of her experienced sexism just a few pages ago that seemed totally out of character. But I got the feeling that the parts Bell wanted to show were never connected and only relevant when convenient for the plot.

I stopped reading circa 30 % into the book because I just couldn't read anymore of Temperances "Oh, what if THIS man is guilty for Molly disappearance?" - everything was a man's fault and yes, the sexism implies nasty men but it read forced and convenient.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me but I hope there are a lot of readers that can enjoy the atmosphere more than me! Thank you nethertheless for the chance of reviewing this book.

“I so long to be held by someone. To not be the strong one, even if it is just for a minute.”

If you live gothic horror, then add this TBR. Temperance’s story is one of heartbreak and tragedy and I’m in awe of the strength she exemplifies in spite of it. Her grief and journey makes her sooooo easy to relate to, you can’t help but fight for her to succeed.

“I can be the best thing to have ever happened in her life. Or I can be the worst.”

There were moments so chilling it was hard to put down! Despite being a slow paced story, it was full of moments that you will need to appreciate to enjoy the full experience.

The Lamplighter is an exquisite entry into the horror genre with it taking multiple tropes we have come to expect with horror and flipping them on their head.

Going into this novel I expected a straightforward narrator who understood the world around them, and while Temperance does the novel quickly descends into us, the reads, questioning if she is as reliable as she believes herself to be. This twist kept me reading until the very last page and marks this firmly are a page turner for me.

I also enjoyed its use of horror as a way to explore both sexism and SA. This novel dives into the way men view women as objects to be used and discarded, and how women react to this threat as a way to keep both themselves and the women around them safe. The idea of community among women is explored heavily in how it keeps us safe and warns us off of men we should be wary of.

I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy:
- Feminist Horror
- Tropes being flipped on their heads
- Books that make you question the narrator
- Horror set in historical periods
- Creeping dread horror

I would recommend reading the trigger warnings for this novel prior to picking up.

I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book!

I had to take some time to figure out how I actually feel about this story. I struggled with the writing style all throughout the book and had issues connecting with the characters up until around the 70% mark. I enjoyed how atmospheric the setting was and the feminist discourse, especially the Jo and Meg March dynamic between Tempe and Pru. There were a few tears towards the end, I must admit.
Overall, I think "The Lamplighter" is a good book, somewhat thanks to how the story was wrapped up. Not a five star but definitely worth the read!

This was a moody, atmospheric fantasy that didn't shy from the horror of what our main character goes through. I loved this story. If you are a reader that likes novels where things are not always as they seem you will love this novel. If you are a reader that loves reading women's tales and stories of their struggles you will love this. If you like a twist or two you will love this!!

This book was tagged as horror which piqued my interest so I requested it. The atmosphere was there but I didn’t feel tense nor scared while reading, even towards the halfway point.

Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this book!

A creepy tale of a pervasive fog that takes over a seaside town every night and the light needed to safely traverse it. I was hooked by the beginning, a creepy fog and a woman haunted by her father's death while working his former job? Excellent stuff. The clues for what is really going are hinted at well in the text and I think I figured out most of what was going about halfway through. Unfortunately, that's also where it started to fall off for me. I had to push myself through the last half of the book, resorting to skimming my way through the last few chapters before the last chapter. I greatly enjoyed the premise and the characters but the pacing was off for me. Either way, a fairly decent read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so atmospheric and just the right amount of spooky. I found the plot to move at a pace I liked where it didn't feel rushed but also didn't drag.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher North Star Editions/Flux for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: suicide, sexual assault, grief, death, misogyny, horror, violence

In 19th century Connecticut, in the tiny whaling village of Warbler, the job of a lamplighter is important to stop the terrifying fog from luring people to their deaths. This role has been taken by Temperance ever since the suicide of her father, but it isn’t a role traditionally held by women and the doubtful town knows it. Warbler is famous for its lucky shipheads despite the risk of deadly, nightly fog in the unlit areas. Struggling to support her traumatised mother and bright, vibrant sister Pru, Tempe takes the role of lamplighter seriously and is proud of her work. However, after a girl goes missing when two of her lamps go out, Tempe is disturbed to find that her sister has grown infatuated with a dangerous man- the same one who carves the protective shipheads, Gideon, who Tempe has her own experiences with. Increasingly blamed as more people vanish, Tempe has to fight against the village authorities as they try to remove her from her job. With her own family ignoring her warnings, Tempe discovers the hidden truths around Warbler, including ones about her father's death and the danger of the dark surrounding them but will she face them or continue to look away?

This is such a powerfully atmospheric debut, mixing ominous horror and tension with a powerful story about one woman’s determination to keep the lights burning in her tiny town. I enjoyed how Tempe dealt with the misogyny she experiences, even to some extent from the man she loves and how she knows her value despite what everyone makes out. The theme of mental health runs throughout this entire book- from the first line even, where Tempe remembers the death of her father- and leads to her doubting her own sanity once people start going missing. The entire book is set around Warbler and the way that the fog is used as something to be scared of is so well written, the scenes of Tempe lighting the lamps while surrounded by it were incredibly creepy. The writing is deeply descriptive and that adds to the atmosphere of fear and panic that runs throughout the entire book, even as the story builds up slowly and gradually- I know some people won’t enjoy this pacing but I did, it made every interaction so much sharper and significant. This is a brilliant debut, using so many Gothic tropes in a way that feels original and different, and I’m so glad that I read it.

Following her father's death, Tempe inherits his position as her town's Lamplighter. Her job is to keep the lamppost's lit so guide the townsfolk through the mysterious fog that plagues the land at night. However, as girls start to go missing, suspicion falls on her and her livelihood is threatened.

The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell is a darkly atmospheric and dread-inducing coastal gothic.

At first glance, the premise sounded stellar and like something that would be right up my alley. A small, 1800s whaling seaport with creepy fog? Sign me up!

However, as I was reading, I found myself continuously frustrated at Tempe as a main character. For the first half the novel, she's incredibly impassive. She doesn't go searching for the first girl that went missing--like shouldn't she feel guilty and partly responsible? Then for the second half, she proceeds to make a series of baffling rash choices, making for a rushed and unsatisfying ending.

It's a shame because there's some cool concepts and moments of body horror buried in this book.