Terri Greening’s The Lady of the Lighthouse is a historical novel set during WWII, blending the isolation of lighthouse life with suspense, wartime intrigue, and forbidden love. The story follows Loralei Lancaster, the devoted keeper of a lighthouse on Lake Superior, as she navigates loneliness, her troubled marriage to freighter Captain Devon, and the threat of sabotage by a shadowy enemy. Meanwhile, subplots of espionage and sabotage unfold in Europe, connecting art theft, Nazi spies, and clandestine missions to the broader war effort. The novel weaves history with fiction, painting vivid portraits of both the wilderness and the darker edges of human relationships.

In the opening scene, Loralei is gazing over a kaleidoscope sunset while tending to the beacon, which immediately sets a vivid tone. You can feel her yearning, both for her distant husband and the life they once had. The lighthouse feels alive, a character in its own right, and a symbolic role as a beacon of hope amidst the war’s chaos. But just when you think the story is about quiet introspection, the plot thickens. Loralei’s encounters with Jake Calico, a supposed smuggler who may be sabotaging ships, add a layer of danger and temptation that feels like catnip for fans of morally complex thrillers. Her midnight trysts on the beach with this mysterious man create a palpable tension between duty and desire, and I found myself flipping pages, torn between rooting for her and questioning her judgment.

Loralei is complex and relatable, haunted by grief and longing for connection. But Devon’s coldness made me want to yell at him to shape up! His aloofness is explained by his love for the lake and his father’s death, but there’s a bitterness in his treatment of Loralei that makes their scenes uncomfortable at times. The subplot involving Loralei’s fears that her unborn child might not be Devon’s raised the stakes emotionally. Jake is enigmatic, brooding, and too charming for his own good. The plot twist was thrilling but also heartbreaking.

Andre Sorrento, an Italian spy masquerading as an art curator, brings a high-stakes international angle to the story. Andre’s ability to hide in plain sight while committing cold-blooded murders added a sinister flair. The art theft subplot, involving priceless works hidden from the Nazis, gave me Monuments Men vibes. I couldn’t help but appreciate how the novel tied together seemingly disparate elements art, espionage, and domestic drama into a cohesive narrative.

The Lady of the Lighthouse is a fascinating read. It’s part historical drama, part romance, and part wartime thriller, offering a little something for everyone. Fans of espionage will enjoy Andre’s cold calculations and the Nazi sabotage plot, while those drawn to romance will savor Loralei’s complicated love life. The writing is atmospheric, the themes of loss and resilience are poignant, and the historical details make the story immersive. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction with an edge of danger or to those who’ve ever dreamed of lighthouses and longed to uncover their secrets.

Pages: 271 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BXHT12ZK