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The Spirit of Scatarie
A stunning new work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Spoon Stealer, set on Nova Scotia's remote Scatarie Island, following three friends whose lives are inextricably bound, and the spirit who guides them.
You might be startled that this tale will be told to you by a ghost. I prefer the word spirit but it's all the same. The truth is, I have as much right to tell this story as anyone. Scatarie Island belongs to the living and the dead
Christmas Day, 1922: three babies are born on Scatarie Island, off the coast of Cape Breton. Although born to different parents, Hardy, Sam, and Mary Alice grow up together in their wild homeplace, exploring the rocky coastline, picking bakeapples, and scavenging treasures from the countless ships that have wrecked there over the centuries.
But change is lapping at the shores of this isolated island, the Second World War the biggest change of all. One friend leaves to fight, one tends the light, and one struggles to understand how a place where wealth is measured in fish and family can possibly survive this outmigration.
Only one of them knows about Cara. A girl who wrecked on the island's shores a hundred years earlier, emigrating from Ireland. A girl who fell in love with the windswept grasses and salt-scrubbed air and tight community of Scatarie, and remains as a spirit. A girl who keeps watch, everywhere from the rugged island to the blood-soaked beaches of France…nudging the three friends towards their destinies.
Part ghost story, part romance, part history, and a stirring tribute to young soldiers and their brave war brides, The Spirit of Scatarie is an epic tale with whispering island winds at its heart.
You might be startled that this tale will be told to you by a ghost. I prefer the word spirit but it's all the same. The truth is, I have as much right to tell this story as anyone. Scatarie Island belongs to the living and the dead
Christmas Day, 1922: three babies are born on Scatarie Island, off the coast of Cape Breton. Although born to different parents, Hardy, Sam, and Mary Alice grow up together in their wild homeplace, exploring the rocky coastline, picking bakeapples, and scavenging treasures from the countless ships that have wrecked there over the centuries.
But change is lapping at the shores of this isolated island, the Second World War the biggest change of all. One friend leaves to fight, one tends the light, and one struggles to understand how a place where wealth is measured in fish and family can possibly survive this outmigration.
Only one of them knows about Cara. A girl who wrecked on the island's shores a hundred years earlier, emigrating from Ireland. A girl who fell in love with the windswept grasses and salt-scrubbed air and tight community of Scatarie, and remains as a spirit. A girl who keeps watch, everywhere from the rugged island to the blood-soaked beaches of France…nudging the three friends towards their destinies.
Part ghost story, part romance, part history, and a stirring tribute to young soldiers and their brave war brides, The Spirit of Scatarie is an epic tale with whispering island winds at its heart.
392 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2025
120 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Crewe
19 books728 followersLesley grew up in Montreal, PQ. After graduating from Concordia University with a degree in English and Education, she and her hubby settled down in Homeville, Cape Breton and raised a family.
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 4, 2025
I've been a fan of Lesley Crewe for many years. I did not realize she had a new book coming out, but I was thrilled to grab it.
This story is very different from all the previous stories. It is about life on Scaterie, a small island, just off the coast of Cape Breton. It is, in part, narrated by a ghost named Cara. Cara was a young girl when she drowned off the coast of Scaterie, many years ago. The main characters are Mary Alice, Sam and Hardy. By coincidence, they were all born on Christmas Day to different mothers. The three share a special bond because of their birth date.
I'd call this a cozy story. It takes us through the main characters' lives, from childhood to marriage and beyond. There are ups and downs. There is loss. All three have distinct personalities. Their tight friendship hangs on (with a few bumps) throughout. Their family members and other residents of the island pop in and out of the story. There is a very strong sense of community.
Cara, the spirit, speaks up every once in a while to give us her thoughts and opinions. But, she is not intrusive, she hangs in the background as she watches over Sam and Harris and Mary Alice.
The description of the island, the lighthouse, the lay of the land is wonderful. There are times I swear that I could feel the cold, bitter wind blowing in from the ocean. Or the tall grasses gently blowing in the summer breeze.
If there is anything negative to say about this book, it's that I often got some of the minor characters mixed up. The families are large and there are lots of brothers and sisters. But, that did not distract.
There were definitely a few tears (a couple times) towards the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
This story is very different from all the previous stories. It is about life on Scaterie, a small island, just off the coast of Cape Breton. It is, in part, narrated by a ghost named Cara. Cara was a young girl when she drowned off the coast of Scaterie, many years ago. The main characters are Mary Alice, Sam and Hardy. By coincidence, they were all born on Christmas Day to different mothers. The three share a special bond because of their birth date.
I'd call this a cozy story. It takes us through the main characters' lives, from childhood to marriage and beyond. There are ups and downs. There is loss. All three have distinct personalities. Their tight friendship hangs on (with a few bumps) throughout. Their family members and other residents of the island pop in and out of the story. There is a very strong sense of community.
Cara, the spirit, speaks up every once in a while to give us her thoughts and opinions. But, she is not intrusive, she hangs in the background as she watches over Sam and Harris and Mary Alice.
The description of the island, the lighthouse, the lay of the land is wonderful. There are times I swear that I could feel the cold, bitter wind blowing in from the ocean. Or the tall grasses gently blowing in the summer breeze.
If there is anything negative to say about this book, it's that I often got some of the minor characters mixed up. The families are large and there are lots of brothers and sisters. But, that did not distract.
There were definitely a few tears (a couple times) towards the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
September 22, 2025
This review was first published at miramichireader.ca on September 20th
Lesley Crewe’s The Spirit of Scatarie (pronounced Sca-tah-ree) is a well-written, fictional story about the real island of Scatarie, just off the northeastern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and is told from the point of view of a spirit or ghost.
“You might be startled that this tale will be told to you by a ghost. I prefer to be called a spirit, but it’s all the same. The truth is, I have as much right to tell this story as anyone. Scatarie belongs to the living and the dead.”
This slice-of-life story is about three babies: two boys, Hardy and Sam, and one girl, Mary Alice, born on Christmas Day in 1922. They were born into three different families on the isolated island of Scatarie. The story follows these children as they grow up and become best friends on an island with no electricity, indoor plumbing, running water, or telephones, except for the government phone in the lighthouse. It describes a close-knit fishing community whose members depended on one another to survive.
“I was in a community that could only depend on each other. They were in a separate world within a world. They didn’t have access to a lot. But then, you don’t need a lot.”
The Spirit of Scatarie takes us on the life journeys of these three people, from their school years to their day-to-day lives after, and through their milestones of weddings, births, and deaths. It provides an accurate description of the lives of the families that lived on the island. It touches on the events of the war across the pond and the cultural differences on and off the island. It also depicts the changes that occurred on the island as technological advances spread, the quality of life improved, and the fishing industry evolved. Issues of post-traumatic stress were also touched on.
Along with the descriptions of the day-to-day hardships these families faced, author Lesley Crewe also describes the beauty and the love these families had for their island. The responsibilities of the lighthouse keeper and the daily routines of families living on the island were explored. I won’t soon forget the use of catalogue pages in the outhouses in lieu of toilet paper.
This story will appeal to Lesley Crewe fans, people who love maritime and war history, or anyone who likes a bit of spirit in their stories. I enjoyed the unique point of view from which this story was told. It created a unique voice that made the story engaging and memorable.
Lesley Crewe’s The Spirit of Scatarie (pronounced Sca-tah-ree) is a well-written, fictional story about the real island of Scatarie, just off the northeastern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and is told from the point of view of a spirit or ghost.
“You might be startled that this tale will be told to you by a ghost. I prefer to be called a spirit, but it’s all the same. The truth is, I have as much right to tell this story as anyone. Scatarie belongs to the living and the dead.”
This slice-of-life story is about three babies: two boys, Hardy and Sam, and one girl, Mary Alice, born on Christmas Day in 1922. They were born into three different families on the isolated island of Scatarie. The story follows these children as they grow up and become best friends on an island with no electricity, indoor plumbing, running water, or telephones, except for the government phone in the lighthouse. It describes a close-knit fishing community whose members depended on one another to survive.
“I was in a community that could only depend on each other. They were in a separate world within a world. They didn’t have access to a lot. But then, you don’t need a lot.”
The Spirit of Scatarie takes us on the life journeys of these three people, from their school years to their day-to-day lives after, and through their milestones of weddings, births, and deaths. It provides an accurate description of the lives of the families that lived on the island. It touches on the events of the war across the pond and the cultural differences on and off the island. It also depicts the changes that occurred on the island as technological advances spread, the quality of life improved, and the fishing industry evolved. Issues of post-traumatic stress were also touched on.
Along with the descriptions of the day-to-day hardships these families faced, author Lesley Crewe also describes the beauty and the love these families had for their island. The responsibilities of the lighthouse keeper and the daily routines of families living on the island were explored. I won’t soon forget the use of catalogue pages in the outhouses in lieu of toilet paper.
This story will appeal to Lesley Crewe fans, people who love maritime and war history, or anyone who likes a bit of spirit in their stories. I enjoyed the unique point of view from which this story was told. It created a unique voice that made the story engaging and memorable.
October 8, 2025
Here is another wonderful story from Lesley Crewe. Great characters, interesting locale and community “spirit”. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment….even those when I needed a tissue. Easy to recommend.
September 23, 2025
This book was an absolute masterpiece. I originally picked it up based on the description, but when I started reading, it wasn’t at all what I expected, so I put it aside for a while. When I finally came back to it, I was completely unprepared for how gut wrenching and powerful it would be.
It took me through every emotion imaginable. I laughed, I cried (la lot, and by the end I felt both broken and whole in the best possible way. I loved the story, the premise, and especially the idea of spirits watching over us, it was moving and beautifully done. It was the cathartic healing that I didn’t know I needed. I definitely helped me work through some unprocessed grief. It was the book I needed during this particular moment in time and I am forever grateful to it.
The writing was incredible, the story unforgettable, and honestly, this was top tier for me. It left such a mark that I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick up another book for a while. Absolute perfection and I’ve already pre-ordered my physical copy.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s a terrible thing to watch our loved ones suffer when we die. We try and send signs that we are here, but most are lost because our brains get in the way of our instincts. All we can do is wait. They’ll know someday.”
“I do wish the living would see themselves as worthy, but most of them don’t.”
“Are you aware of what a few kind words can do for a person? All of us are capable if we have a mind to. You don’t have to be educated, or worldly, or someone important.”
“But I would not have you lose courage, even now; there is no loss of life among you, only the ship.”
I wanted to thank NetGalley for this ebook.
It took me through every emotion imaginable. I laughed, I cried (la lot, and by the end I felt both broken and whole in the best possible way. I loved the story, the premise, and especially the idea of spirits watching over us, it was moving and beautifully done. It was the cathartic healing that I didn’t know I needed. I definitely helped me work through some unprocessed grief. It was the book I needed during this particular moment in time and I am forever grateful to it.
The writing was incredible, the story unforgettable, and honestly, this was top tier for me. It left such a mark that I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick up another book for a while. Absolute perfection and I’ve already pre-ordered my physical copy.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s a terrible thing to watch our loved ones suffer when we die. We try and send signs that we are here, but most are lost because our brains get in the way of our instincts. All we can do is wait. They’ll know someday.”
“I do wish the living would see themselves as worthy, but most of them don’t.”
“Are you aware of what a few kind words can do for a person? All of us are capable if we have a mind to. You don’t have to be educated, or worldly, or someone important.”
“But I would not have you lose courage, even now; there is no loss of life among you, only the ship.”
I wanted to thank NetGalley for this ebook.
October 5, 2025
As a Newfoundlander with a mother from Sydney, Cape Breton, this book touched my soul. From the characters, the dialect, the way of life and the history - I just loved it so much. This book made me laugh, cry and hope. I truly loved this story, and I highly recommend others read this book!
December 30, 2025
This book has all the elements for a 5 ⭐ review. From the setting, the character development to the intricate weaving of the plot and destiny, Scatarie has my heart! It will live in my mind for a long time.
October 15, 2025
Love this author!!
October 27, 2025
I throughly enjoyed this book. It was like a warm, comforting blanket-type of read.
The story is about three friends, Mary Alice, Sam, and Hardy, who live on the remote island of Scaterie Island (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) and we follow their lives from birth (Christmas Day in 1922) through to adulthood. Overseeing their lives is the ghost of a young woman who died in a shipwreck centuries ago.
I love this tale of community, friendship, love, loss, belonging, and resilience. The author writes in a warm, engaging style that makes you feel that you are part of the beautiful natural setting and that you are friends with the characters. I enjoyed the ghost aspect and it was comforting to think that our loved ones’ spirits are with us.
I found it interesting to learn about this part of Canada about which I know little, including its history of shipwrecks amidst the beauty of the island, and the resilience of its fishing communities. Today, Scaterie is no longer inhabited (although there are some summer cottages there).
I highly recommend this heartwarming read!
The story is about three friends, Mary Alice, Sam, and Hardy, who live on the remote island of Scaterie Island (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) and we follow their lives from birth (Christmas Day in 1922) through to adulthood. Overseeing their lives is the ghost of a young woman who died in a shipwreck centuries ago.
I love this tale of community, friendship, love, loss, belonging, and resilience. The author writes in a warm, engaging style that makes you feel that you are part of the beautiful natural setting and that you are friends with the characters. I enjoyed the ghost aspect and it was comforting to think that our loved ones’ spirits are with us.
I found it interesting to learn about this part of Canada about which I know little, including its history of shipwrecks amidst the beauty of the island, and the resilience of its fishing communities. Today, Scaterie is no longer inhabited (although there are some summer cottages there).
I highly recommend this heartwarming read!
December 30, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I find that many stories of people from the east coast highlight resilience in a challenging geography and this book did not disappoint.
I liked that it was historical fiction with WW2 impacting the inhabitants of the island as thy supported each other. I liked learning more about an island that I was not aware of and I appreciated the tenacity of the women who raised families, found their own role and dealt with loss and hardship with strength and grace.
I liked that it was historical fiction with WW2 impacting the inhabitants of the island as thy supported each other. I liked learning more about an island that I was not aware of and I appreciated the tenacity of the women who raised families, found their own role and dealt with loss and hardship with strength and grace.
November 22, 2025
This book ended up being fairly good. I often struggle with this authors writing style but the characters and story normally win me over. The beginning always starts out quite slow for me. I was not anticipating to get so invested with this one, but the ending got me good.
November 9, 2025
Oh I absolutely loved this one! Sam, Mary Alice and Hardy will stick with me for a while❤️
December 8, 2025
for book club - this is the kinda trash that the BBC would adapt for a Christmas miniseries, my mum would watch and insist it was the most beautiful story she'd ever heard, and then promptly have forgotten the entire thing 12 hours later. hated it
November 2, 2025
For me, this was the best one of all her books. I was sad when I finished reading it because it was done. The characters were enjoyable and I could picture them all.
September 7, 2025
I had absolutely no clue what to expect from this story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the writing and the sense of no rush. I’d describe this as quite an observational type story in many ways, Cara becoming the narrator and telling the story from above. The descriptions of life on Scatarie, the island, were great and upon googling it, I felt like I’d already seen it! There are a lot of sad times in the story but ultimately it’s a story of love, strength and positivity. I’ll read more by this author, for sure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
October 15, 2025
I have no doubt this will be one of my top reads for 2025.
October 10, 2025
a sweet story. the ghost part ended up being very background and didn't add anything to the story.
October 26, 2025
Lesley Crewe does it again in this bit of historical fiction. What's different, is that the story is told by the ghost of a young girl named Cara who died in a shipwreck in the 1800s. Enter Christmas day 1922 when 3 babies are born within minutes of one another. They grow up together and although they were born to different families, Hardy, Sam and Mary Alice, are like siblings. On the small island of Scatarie, off the coast of Cape Breton, they share the experiences of childhood onward whilst our spirit, Cara, is watching over them. Things become a bit complicated when WWII throws a wrench into their bond and things on Scatarie will never be the same.
All in all, a very readable and heartwarming book. I could easily visualize the characters, and because I live in Nova Scotia, I was able to identify with some of the local settings. Lesley Crewe fans will not be disappointed.
(PS - I didn't read it with my usual speed because I was taking vacation, and is not an indication as to the book)
All in all, a very readable and heartwarming book. I could easily visualize the characters, and because I live in Nova Scotia, I was able to identify with some of the local settings. Lesley Crewe fans will not be disappointed.
(PS - I didn't read it with my usual speed because I was taking vacation, and is not an indication as to the book)
November 10, 2025
Oh yet again , Lesley Crewe hits it out of the park. She really is such a great author and usually makes me both laugh and cry. This historical fiction takes place on a small island off Cape Breton and tells the story of 3 friends/ characters who share a birth date. I honestly connected so much with the characters, likely deepened by being someone who grew up on an island. Stories of the mummers , sliding in the winter, the unforgiving sea, and the sense of community really made me a little homesick. I loved the characters, their stories and felt their ups and downs deeply. It offered me some new perspectives on life after the war, and really did a great job making it feel like we too were on the island. I so loved this one , and I think it was great that I got to meet the author the day I finished this book too. If you ever have the chance to meet her , she is so entertaining- I highly recommend it.
September 7, 2025
Historical fiction with a twist; the narrator is the ghost of a young girl called Cara who drowned off the coast of Scatarie, a remote (real) island in Nova Scotia.
Through Cara’s eyes we follow Mary-Alice, Hardy and Sam, three children born on the same day and experience the highs and lows they go through.
I enjoyed the read, but the first half more when Cara, in such a unique position, had a more ‘active’ role, rather than just as a narrator.
A very enjoyable read.
Through Cara’s eyes we follow Mary-Alice, Hardy and Sam, three children born on the same day and experience the highs and lows they go through.
I enjoyed the read, but the first half more when Cara, in such a unique position, had a more ‘active’ role, rather than just as a narrator.
A very enjoyable read.
September 16, 2025
Historical fiction with a ghostly twist is how I would describe Lesley Crewe's latest novel. Narrated by the ghost of a young woman drowned off the coast of the island, we are taken through the lives of three friends on the island of Scatarie off of Nova Scotia. I loved the atmospheric setting of this story, the windswept island shores, dark tides and ghostly figures. The story was cozy, following the friends from infants, throughout childhood and into adulthood, navigating love, loss and family.
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for the advanced reading copy!
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for the advanced reading copy!
October 29, 2025
I finished this book last night but needed time to write this.
To read this book was like sipping a fine brandy one must savour it.
I love Lesley Crewe and this story will stay with me. I love her east coast tales and I cannot wait for her next book but in the meantime I wish that we all have a 'ghost' guardian angel.
Scatarie is not to be forgotten.
To read this book was like sipping a fine brandy one must savour it.
I love Lesley Crewe and this story will stay with me. I love her east coast tales and I cannot wait for her next book but in the meantime I wish that we all have a 'ghost' guardian angel.
Scatarie is not to be forgotten.
November 7, 2025
this book is a return to the Lesley crewe that made me love her so much !! ♡♡ I love these stories based in the maritimes.. learning about places I didnt know about while building such a beautiful story. I borrowed this book and now im sad I dont own it.
December 1, 2025
What a great little Canadian story about three babies born on the same day to three families in 1922. The story takes place on a little island, off of the little island of cape britain. So Canadian , so lovely , story about for the first 30 years of these young lives.
September 28, 2025
Really enjoyed this book but will take a little more time to digest it before I review it. Not sure a 4 is the right rating.
November 20, 2025
This was the most wholesome story I've ever read. It made me both happy and sad. What a beautiful tribute to Scatarie.
December 5, 2025
Scaterie made me giggle, cry, and truly care about every character. It’s beautifully written, capturing friendship, love, loss, and the strength of real community. Lesley Crewe never disappoints, and this book is no exception.
December 29, 2025
I just loved reading this book, especially since I started it on Christmas Eve.
December 31, 2025
Oh, how I absolutely adore this book. A beautiful way to end my reading goal for the year.
September 29, 2025
My first 5 Star rating of 2025! This book filled my heart, brought me to tears and left me feeling like I know the characters personally. Another Lesley Crewe book to treasure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews