The Body in the Lighthouse

Faith Fairchild #13

by Katherine Hall Page

Something was very wrong on Sanpere this summer . . .

To escape the misery of a sweltering August in Aleford, Massachusetts, caterer and minister's wife Faith Fairchild and her family head for their cottage on Maine's peaceful Sanpere Island in Penobscot Bay. But things have changed since their last visit. An aggressive developer is moving forward on plans that will destroy the unique ambience of the island, infuriating residents. Tensions are running dangerously high, and soon murder rears its hideous head. Faith discovers a corpse while exploring the grounds of Sanpere's historic lighthouse. With fear running rampant and volatile emotions approaching the detonation point, the intrepid sleuth must track down a killer for the sake of a friend and the island she loves.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Summer, Cooking, Contemporary

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 29, 2003

About the author

Katherine Hall Page is the author of twenty-five previous Faith Fairchild mysteries, the first of which received the Agatha Award for best first mystery. The Body in the Snowdrift was honored with the Agatha Award for best novel of 2006. Page also won an Agatha for her short story “The Would-Be Widower.” The recipient of the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement, she has been nominated for the Edgar, the Mary Higgins Clark, the Maine Literary, and the Macavity Awards. She lives in Massachusetts and Maine with her husband.

Reviews

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally, I like to read the books in a series in sequential order, but this was one I picked up at a used book sale and I had no idea what number it was. No matter. I had read the first book in the series and enjoyed it fairly well, so I thought I’d give this one a try. And, I’m glad I did, although it did take quite a while before the first body actually showed up in the story and the mystery actually got under way.

Ms. Page did an excellent job of depicting the insular atmosphere and thinking of a small, close-knit community such as an island where, no matter how long you’ve lived there, if you weren’t born and raised there, you are still considered an outsider. She also captured the lobster and fishing aspects of Maine living quite well. And, the lighthouse lore added an interesting, unique touch to the story.

Aside from the tensions and problems of the proposed development of Sanpere spoiling the beauty and tranquility of the island, summer vacation there for the Fairchild family seemed quite ideal and pleasant—until murder reared its ugly head. Once again, I liked Faith and her curiousity, feistiness and willingness to help out in the community even though she and her family were basically outsiders. I really liked Ursula, too, and how she took the Fairchilds under her wing while the renovations were being done on their summer cottage.

These are not particularly complicated, scintillating mysteries, but the characters are quite likeable and the plots are interesting enough to keep a reader entertained for several hours.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting mystery with a different setting than others I have read in this series. The Fairchilds were on an island off the coast of Maine for the summer where they are renovating a summer home. Of course Faith discovers several bodies and becomes aware of malicious events (fires, etc.) that appear connected to an aggressive real estate developer's plan to fill the island with huge, showy new mansions. Tensions are running high. Faith also gets involved with a play being produced on the island. She places her own life in danger while conducting an amateur investigation of the deaths, which she believes are murders--an opinion not shared by everyone. The book kept my interest until the end.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

#13. I really enjoyed this, enjoyed the change of pace of the Fairfield family on Sanpere Island off the coast of Maine, of Tom working with the crew on building/expanding their home, while the family living with Pix Miller’s mother, Ursula Rowe in her stately Victorian home overlooking the beach and lighthouse, of Faith’s working on the Island’s production of Romeo and Juliet to raise funds for an indoor pool for the Island. In a time when Maine properties, especially along the coast, were being bought up by big out of state money, who built McMansions, upset the locals and longtime summer people, tensions run high, lobster wars are boiling over, Ursula is uneasy over the feelings on Sanpere and Faith as usual, stumbles over bodies, puts her own life in jeopardy, and still survives. Loved the feelings of pride, history, love of the land and sea, respect for each other Page evokes here. Well done.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine’s fictional Sanpere Island in Penobscot Bay typically offers summer tranquility, even with tourists flooding in. However, when Tom and Faith Fairchild visit their island home one hot August, they find anything but peace.

The Fairchilds stumble into a heated clash between developers and locals who cherish the island’s calm. An abrasive real estate agent pushes to transform Sanpere, planning to convert a historic lighthouse into a bed-and-breakfast. Some islanders eye job opportunities, but others argue the changes would ruin their cherished retreat.

As tensions flare, a woman dies in an apparent accident. Days later, someone kills the real estate agent leading the development push, and fire ravages one of his properties.

Faith dives into the mystery, risking her life for answers. Her chilling night inside the lighthouse delivers a vivid, gripping scene.

The story starts slowly but earns four stars. Watching Faith’s children mature and meeting quirky island characters add charm. Faith helps with a town production of Romeo and Juliet as a fundraiser, and the offstage romance between the young actors mirroring their roles—despite their families’ feud—delights.
Suzanne Toren’s stellar narration elevates the book to four stars. The mystery holds strong, with a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has been described as "cozy" but I don't think it is, it's more of a traditional mystery to me. There are a couple of recipes in the back of the book but that's where the coziness stops. I do not read this series in order, just pick them up at book sales and dive in. In this thirteenth entry Faith and her family are on vacation in Maine. For someone like me who has not gone on a vacation in a while it was a real treat to read about Sanpere Island. I did a tiny bit of research and the island may be, in real life, Deer Island Maine.
She wrote this book in the summer of 2001 and there is an Author's Note of 2-1/2 pages at the end of the book regarding 9/11 that is very mature and thoughtful. I highly recommend this series.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith and the family are spending August on Sanpere island. Tom is helping to finish their summer home there. In the meantime, they are staying with best friend Pix's mom at The Pines. A developer wants to build a gated community there which is causing much tension among the residents. Some are for, some are against. The old lighthouse that Ursula has wanted to buy (so as to not let it be developed as a BnB) is the scene of the accident/murder that Faith comes across. Along with lobster trap tensions, community theater play with its glitches, and Romeo and Juliet's real-life romance, this book is a quick read. Very slow start.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow, plodding overlong murder mystery. Summer on an island off the coast of Maine - conflict between those who want to develop the island and radical environmentalists results in murder of developer. Difficult to follow as over 60 named characters come and go (yes, I counted every one). Murderer turns out to be the son of the victim, who thought he had been abandoned as a child, but biological father was a summer fling, so the murderer also kills his mother. Good flavor of life in Maine, but ponderous.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series that I have read. It will also probably be my last. The first one I had read I enjoyed. But in this book I really started to dislike the main character. She is such a complainer (and has nothing to complain about). Also, the story just drug on and on and on without a lot of substance.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I think because the town was putting on a play. It was fun to read about the progress of the scenery that Faith was working on and to hear about how the actors were doing with their Shakespeare.
Reading about the food Faith cooks is always a treat. Gives me some new ideas for meals.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best of the series so far. The book was made to be a perfect vacation read. Sun, shore, and murder. The plot was well thought out and artfully written. The characters flowed together well. The story moved at just the right pace. You start to narrow down the list of suspects and then wham it is over.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second Katherine Hall Page book. I’ve decided I really like her. The characters are strong, the dialogue flows naturally, the plot is interesting and the writing is good. If I could, I’d give it 3 1/2 stars. You have to be an Anne Cleeves or a Val McDermid before you get four stars from me and five stars is for life-changing books.

[VickiLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting cozy for those who enjoy the beauty of holiday life on a Maine island and the machinations of small-towners with a love of gossip. Oh, and of course there's a body or two as well as the feisty wife of a minister.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this entry, though I'm always amused when characters in a cozy mystery say things like "This never happens here!" and the series has already demonstrated that it does indeed happen there. This is one of the several so far that have been set on Sanpere Island instead of Aleford.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

It added to my enjoyment of this book to have vacationed on Penobscot Bat, even doing so once when the main tourist season had closed and the locals were celebrating their absence, and the lighthouses were misty and felt isolated.

[Diane Cadei · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always enjoyable to visit Sanpere Island with Faith and her family. In this one her children are young and the Fairchilds are working on their remodeling their home while enjoying a Maine summer and unusal things are happening. And from there the story gets interesting.

[Nancy K. Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

It was a nice read. I did pin point the killer, but it didn't spoil the story. I liked the characters and the setting, although I wish it had been real towns. I'm sure I'll read more by this author.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Faith Fairchild mystery. This one is set in Maine in the summer of 2001. While on hiatus from the church, Tom joins the builders in finishing the summer home, as Faith balances sleuthing with motherhood and set building for the local presentation of Romeo and Juliet.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a "new to me" author and although I managed to finish the book, I was not impressed. However, I am one person and I did start on 13th book in the series, so I am certain I missed key prior elements. Read the book for yourself and make your own decision. I saw quite a few 5 star reviews.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith saves the day again while vacationing in Maine. I am enjoying this series!

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read, cute story ... too many characters? Twist at the end!

[Carolyn S Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Really enjoyed beginning to end.
Very muck liked the characters and story
Never a lull moment
Mystery til the end
Loved the location

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is, I have got to read more her books. I absolutely loved everything about this story and I'm hungry for more

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The location descriptions had me immersed, but the plot moved too slowly. I felt like I was halfway throught the book before there was a mystery.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite series I always have a few in my TBR pile when I need a Fairchild visit. As always I enjoyed another mystery with the family.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough, but the ending seems weak.

[Shannie Joy Kosman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get into this book as it takes a while for the mystery to really begin. Also, for the lighthouse to really become part of the story. Still a very nice read.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelfth chronologically and thirteenth in the publication order in the Faith Fairchild cooking mystery series. This story is set in Maine.

The Body in the Lighthouse was one of three Mary Higgins Clark Award nominees.

My Take
This particular story takes place the summer of 2001 in Sanpere, Maine, where the Fairchilds are about to move into their enlarged and remodeled cottage.

The dialog, is, as ever, excellent and very believable. Page does a convincing portrayal of a normal marriage with its disagreements, love, and concerns.

I love Page's description of the area, the people, the contents of Ursula's cottage with all its accumulated family history of furniture, children's drawings, photographs, games, books, and vintage kitchen. The oversize dock everyone in Sanpere is welcome to use for its convenience. The very hominess of people's interactions with each other — knowing each other warts and all.

I love the concept of a Down East version of Romeo and Juliet. Reading of the adaptations Roland and Linda are making for the cast and the sets was fascinating. I especially enjoyed the effect Romeo and Juliet had on its stars and how they used it!

On the plus-side,I love that we get to learn all about lighthouses too!

Everything's a family affair in Sanpere from the long-held traditions like the Fish 'n Fritter Fry with its Wacky Rowboat Race to the local enthusiasm for raising money to benefit the town to…

The Story
The island is experiencing a boom in real estate with the Fairchilds' contractor, Seth, moving on and up. He's one of the few as the island has exploded into rage and sabotage over the McMansions going up. Meanwhile, Tom has come up to help work on the family cottage, too excited to wait.

That excitement soon turns to missing his family, and maybe being a little overenthusiastic about the finished state of the house. Faith soon throws herself into volunteering with the benefit performance of Romeo and Juliet and the Fish 'n Fritter Fry benefit, getting to know yet more of the Sanpere residents.

But this summer of excitement soon turns vicious. It's lucky for Sanpere that Ben is absorbing those stories about lighthouses from Ursula.

The Characters
Faith Fairchild is the sleuthing cook with Tom as the loving husband, reverend, and, now, builder. Ben and Amy are their children.

Ursula is Pix's mother and the current owner of the family cottage, the Pines. (Pix and her family are on a road trip this summer.)

Sanpere Island is…
…where the Fairchilds' and Ursula's cottages are located.

Sanpere regulars include…
…Earl, the local police presence, who is extremely happy to have finally talked Jill, another islander, into marriage. Freeman and Nan Marshall, also islanders, are a solid, older, salt-of-the-earth couple. Seth was/is the contractor on Faith and Tom's cottage.

Sanpere characters I suspect were introduced for this story include…
…Lyle, an islander who remodels houses, including the Fairchilds. Persis is an islander as well and a very successful real estate agent while Kenny, her not-much-loved son still living at home, is a talented woodworker who's been helping with the finishing work on the Fairchilds' cottage.

Don and Terri Osborn are founding members of KSS, Keep Sanpere Sanpere, the eco-group; Don and Harold had been friends since childhood until Harold turned into a development mogul. Harold Hapswell has had a varied past, starting as a hippie working the fishing boats and selling photographs to tourists until he moved up to real estate.

Linda Forsythe is a year-round resident (a euphemism for "not from 'round hyah") who is a member of KSS and a successful artist residing in the midst of Harold's Sanpere Shores on Butler's Point. Roland Hayes is retired from the local high school English department and turning out to be quite brilliant in pulling a performance from amateurs.

The Cover and Title
The cover is certainly appropriate with its lighthouse while the title tells where they found The Body in the Lighthouse.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd one I've read of this series, and I am still convinced these would be better if read in order. On the timeline, this one falls somewhere vaguely between the other two that I've read - "The Body in the Kelp" and "The Body in the Snowdrift."

The skunks living under the house were funny, and I enjoyed the Ursula character. One of my kids said that Ursula had to have committed the murder just because her name matches that of the evil sea witch in "The Little Mermaid." I'm not telling whether that child was right or not. I had an inkling who did it, but wasn't sure.

Somehow, I'm still having problems getting "into" these characters and this series and I'm not entirely sure why. I put it down for awhile a couple of times, and seemed to get through it slowly for the short book that it is. Hmm. Yes, let's just go wander around an abandoned lighthouse alone in the dark for the fun of it.

My mom has noted that the main character seems to spend a lot of time in this series trying to escape from her kids, without even wondering where they are. Although that comment was made for "The Body in the Snowdrift," it also seems to apply to a lesser extent to this book, "The Body in the Lighthouse."

[Karen Hufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as some of the other ones I've read of this series. It probably didn't help that someone cut out the recipes before I got the book. I felt like this book spent a lot of time concentrating on Faith's feeling about the island and her family. It wasn't until I read the author's comments on this book that I realized the reason. She had starting writing this book when 9/11 happened and it changed her perspective on things - I think it made all of us introspective. This book ends right before 9/11. It takes place on Sanpere, where they have their island cottage. It's being remodeled, 2 large families are warring, Faith is helping out with a Romeo and Juliet play and eventually a body is found.

[Fmorlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Fairchild and family have taken a vacation in Maine. Unfortunately, their house is not finshed but luckily Ursala, Pix's mother is there so Faith accepts the invitation to stay with her at the pines. Waiting for the house to be finished,Faith helps with the play and helps Ursala. Unfortunately, there have been a rash of vandalism, causing some outcry from the residents. Then, the first of several murders occurs causing distress. Faith as always does some sleuthing along with painting scenery and cooking for her family. She gets caught in the middle and is hurt several times til the perpetraitor is caught.