The Ghostlights

by Gráinne Murphy

Can we ever truly escape our past? The Ghostlights is the poignant story of a family of Irish women who are each looking for the real meaning of home. This is a novel about family, obligation, identity and small-town life, written with deftness and sensitivity by the author of Where the Edge Is . When a stranger checks into a family B&B in a small village in rural Ireland, no one takes too much notice... at least until his body is found in the lake four days later.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland, Literary Fiction, Irish Literature, Family, Contemporary, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

Gráinne grew up and currently resides in rural West Cork, working as a self-employed language editor specialising in human rights and environmental issues. Some of Gráinne’s earlier novels were shortlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award 2019, the Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair 2019, the Luke Bitmead Bursary 2016 and the Virginia Prize for Fiction 2014. In short fiction, her story Further West placed third in the Zoetrope All-Story Contest 2018, and was long-listed for the Sunday Times Audible short story award in 2021.

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com

Fred Stiller books into a b&b in Ireland without booking ahead. He requested a room for five nights, paying in cash. He is a mystery man as he takes all his label out of his clothes, hides his glasses so no traces of his real identity can be found he then takes his own life by walking into a lake and drowning.

The Ghostlights is based on a true story, from June 2009, when a man’s body was found on the beach in Co. Sligo. Despite checking into a local hotel under the name Peter Bergmann, that did not appear to be his real name and his identity remains unknown. The Ghostlights was inspired by the story of Peter Bergmann but the characters, and Fred Stiller and the location and circumstances in this story are entirely fictional.

I have part of chapter one on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com

[Emer Tannam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m having a terrible run of book-luck…is it me, or the books?

I found this one extremely boring, populated by dull, irritating characters, and written in an extremely cheesy style.

There were a couple of moments between the sisters that I enjoyed, and a few funny lines, but otherwise it was extremely boring, and I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to figure that out.

[Aoife Cassidy McM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the new novel by Irish author Gráinne Murphy who earlier this year was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award. A story with a few different strands - a man dies by suicide, leaving no trace of his identity (based on the real life story of Peter Bergmann for anyone familiar with it) in a country town once renowned for its moving statues, and a family dealing with many layered and buried issues, among them addiction, grief, sibling rivalry. A quiet, contemplative read. I would have liked the strands to knit together better than they did, and I found some of the religion in it overly sentimental, but the quality of the writing kept me reading.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10

[Emmie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally gave this book three stars but then I found myself thinking more about the book and realised I liked it more and that giving it 3 stars was a disservice!

⁣I really enjoyed Grianne's last book, Where the Edge is, so was quick to jump at the chance to read her new book!⁣
⁣
The Ghostlights is such a thought provoking book that deals with so many serious issues in a sensitive manner. ⁣
⁣
These characters are real and relatable, each of our main characters have flaws and the events of this book force them to examine them and helps them move forward. ⁣
⁣
This book is amount family, resentment and learning to forgive. With heavy topics of suicide and alcoholism, The Ghostlights is a raw and emotional story that will stick with me for a long time. ⁣
⁣⁣

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we choose to be forgotten? And just how do we want to be remembered when we’re gone? Those are the questions at the heart of this story.

Four days after checking into the B&B in Coolaroone, Fred Stille’s body is found in the lake. The discovery and mystery surrounding him forces the family that runs the B&B to evaluate their own lives and legacy in this poignant tale.

This is a story about family, home and identity that explores love, guilt, resentment and forgiveness. Beautifully written, it tackles serious issues such as alcoholism and suicide in a way that is honest but sensitive, and adds a dash of humour to lighten the mood.

Filled with very real characters who are easy to relate to, I felt like they could be any family on any street. The author explores familial relationships and the complexities surrounding them; the deep seated resentments and jealousies, the way they talk to and relate to each other and the bond they share that ultimately overcomes everything else. Narrated by Ethel, Liv and Marianne, we soon learn they are flawed women who are haunted by their personal demons. The death of a guest magnifies everything, forcing them to really look at how they can move forward instead of being held back by regret.

Set in rural Ireland, it has a great sense of place, vividly portraying the sense of community and claustrophobia of small town life. I think that it was an ideal setting for this story as immersing the reader in a place where religion, folklore and superstition are at the core of village life, adds to the atmosphere of the story. When Fred’s body is found, it impacts the entire community. They claim him as one of their own and there is a genuine outpouring of grief for this stranger. It is a reminder that we are all part of the same community and that there is kindness to be found even in the darkest of moments.

The Ghostlights is a very human story. One that I’m sure will resonate in some way with most of us. Warm, witty, compassionate and contemplative, this was an enjoyable read from a talented storyteller. I’ve enjoyed both of her books and am looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small village in rural Ireland where a mother and daughter run a B&B. The other daughter comes to visit and one day books in an elderly man for a short stay. She forgets to check his ID so when he is found drowned in the local lake a few days later, the impact on the women and the whole community is upsetting and disconcerting. Each of the women is already best by their own personal demons and now the choices they have made in life are put into even sharper focus by this unexplained suicide. It’s a novel of identity, the meaning of family and home and above all how we are understood and remembered. It’s a great read, with its evocation of life in a small rural community, its portrait of a loving family at odds with itself, and how decisions made at one point in life reverberate down the decades. Leavened with some dark humour, well-written with insight and empathy, it’s a convincing exploration of how we all need to find our place in the world.

[Iain Snelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after being very impressed with Grainne Murphy’s latest book, Winter People. I think this (her second novel) is even better. A story of a family moving apart, coming together, with deft explorations of the issues that that drove these changes - grief, ambition, sibling rivalry, parenthood, caring responsibilities. All of the characters are very well developed, the twin sisters at the heart of the book, their alcoholic mother Ethel, and Liv’s son Shay. Affectionately comical through the characters. An innovative plot twist, a visitor to the the family’s B&B stays several days and engages with the family briefly, then takes his life. This event had significant implications for the family, and leads to other reflections on suicide and the church’s attitude to it. It is a lovely book, very optimistic and cheering and a tribute to west coast Ireland. Perhaps a bit too much so, but a lovely holiday read. Highly recommended.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of twin sisters Liv and Marianne, brought up in a small rural community in Ireland in the eighties, at the time of ‘the moving statues’, Marianne moved to the city at the first opportunity while Liv stayed at home, running the family B&B. Contact between them has since been limited, but twenty -odd years on, when Marianne arrives to stay during Holy Week, an unexpected tragedy forces both to take stock of their relationship.
Having enjoyed Winter People so much I started off a little disappointed with this. Grainne Murphy’s debut novel GhostLights is a slower, gentler read and initially I struggled to differentiate between the sisters or form any allegiance to either, but the drowning acts as a catalyst for change in pace. The interplay between the sisters and their mother, and the study of the history between them is skilfully done and makes this book difficult to put down.
Ms Murphy cleverly demonstrates that while we all have choices, any we make, inevitably influence the lives of those around us.

[Paul Snelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. A warm family story from rural Ireland. Twin middle-aged sisters, and their alcoholic mother deepen their understanding of what’s important, perhaps prompted by the planned suicide of a guest at their B and B. At the end, the challenges and plans remain unresolved, but there’s hope based on communicative renewal. Just shy of the five stars for the author’s other two novels, but all three together form an impressive output from a very good writer.

[Ryan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful look into rural Irish life, teasing meaning from a mysterious event based on a real-life occurrence.

[Roskana · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love the dry, dark, sideways humour of the Irish psyche, and this book overflows with it. This is family life in rural Ireland which is utterly convincing, moving and poignant - and not a cliché in sight.

That said, The Ghostlights is far from a comedy. But quirky humour is how the three main characters - twins Liv and Marianne and their mother - deal with the very different challenges of their lives, and the fragile aspects of their characters.

There’s a complicated relationship between the twins. Marianne’s the successful one who left the village for a career and city life. Liv is the practical and caring sister who stayed put to run the family B & B, and deal with their mother Ethel who has a fondness for the drink. She also keeps an eye on her ex-husband’s mother in the nursing home, while bringing up her teenage son.

So plenty of guilt there for the childless and carefree Marianne. Especially when she comes to find out how Ethel’s illness has turned into the falling-down-drunk-and-sleeping-in-the-field type of alcoholism. And no-one had told her. Meanwhile Ethel has a voice of her own.

Things come to a head when a Danish guest drowns in the lake, and each woman must learn what it is about family and home which is important to them.

Gráinne Murphy, as in her previous novel, has a real knack of delving into the heart of her characters. This is a slow and gentle read which will have Irish readers savouring the wealth of local expressions they may have forgotten. Thanks to Legend Press for sending me a review copy. (

[Sally Boocock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written story about love, relationships and more importantly how we spend time. After the death of an elderly man in a small Irish town it gives the residents time to reminisce and remember what is important in this life. Recommended .

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghostlights by Gráinne Murphy was published September 2021 with Legend Press and is described as a ‘beautiful literary novel inspired by real events'. In the Author’s Note, there is a reference to a case, in 2009, when a body was discovered on a Sligo beach. The individual had used a false name, Peter Bergmann, when checking in to his accommodation. To this day his real identity remains unknown.

1985 was the year I really became aware of the notion of ‘The Moving Statue’ when news broke of a Marian apparition in Ballinspittle, Co. Cork. Folk flocked to this small village in the hope of seeing Our Lady move and it soon became a place of pilgrimage and prayer. Studies were carried out and University College Cork christened it the ‘Ballinspittle Phenomenon’, stating that it was an optical illusion, a mere trick of the light. Whatever the reason, as other unusual sightings were witnessed in various locations around the country, there was a strengthening of faith among many who were struggling with the hardships that the 1980s brought to many homes.

Gráinne Murphy, inspired by Peter Bergmann and these Marian sightings, brings her readers to the village of Coolaroone. A rural community, Coolaroone was one of those places that had born witness to a moving statue at their grotto. For years the crowds arrived in their droves, to pray and to find solace in the presence of this miracle. After all the years, there are still those that pass through and say a prayer.

A family-run B&B is where the focus of The Ghostlights is centred. Liv and Marianne, twin sisters, now live two very separate lives. Marianne went to university and left village life behind her as she established a successful business career in Dublin. Liv stayed at home with their parents and settled into a life that she had never envisioned for herself. When their father, Martin, passed away, their mother Ethel stepped up but Ethel, now a little too fond of the drink, hasn’t been coping well and, over the years, the responsibility of the B&B has slowly switched over to Liv.

It’s Easter week and Marianne arrives back to Coolaroone for a break. Marianne needs time to process her life and surely the best place for this is at home, back with the family? Liv and Marianne have verbal spats, as you would expect from twins, but this time something else lurks under the covers.

When a stranger checks into the B&B for a few days, no warning flags are raised. He is a pleasant sort, foreign accent and keeps to himself. An undemanding character all told. He likes to be by the lake at peace with his surroundings. But Coolaroone is a village in shock when his body is discovered in the lake. Questions are asked of his identity, his family and suddenly Marianne, Liv and Ethel are faced with questions about their own lives and how their futures will play out.

The Ghostlights is a beautifully understated novel. It is a story about a regular family dealing with the complexities of the everyday. Gráinne Murphy brings all the characters very much to life with her warm and witty dialogue, while also delving deep into lives of a rural community. Grief, regret, resentment and loss are among the themes explored with an overriding sense of moments lost, dreams never fulfilled, ambitions thwarted. There is a strong religious element throughout but not in any overbearing sense and very much in keeping with the Easter traditions of an Irish Catholic parish. There is great empathy in Gráinne Murphy’s handling of all the various personalities, leaving room for all types to feature, just as they surely would in real life. Folklore, superstition and the whispers of a village all combine to create a really authentic and atmospheric reading experience.

For any fans of Donal Ryan, I would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Ghostlights. Gráinne Murphy’s compassion and understanding of the Irish psyche is superbly captured through her written word. A poignant and wistful novel, The Ghostlights will resonate with many. It is an astute observational tale of village life in all its colours.

[Jennifer Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is quite a quiet and unassuming read that you can cosy up on the sofa and invest time to get to know the various characters that shape this story and are unexpectedly brought together by an unfortunate incident of a foreigner to this local B&B.

While there is general intrigue around the disappearance of this person and how he was found in the lake, the focus is more on the character development of each of the two sisters, Liv who is a single mum and feels she’s missed out on life, and Marianne who seems restless and wants all the attention, their mum Ethel who is an alcoholic and seems to be lost in the past when her husband was alive and Shay, Liv’s son who is trying to figure out his relationship with his dad who he doesn’t see often and has his own family. There’s also other side characters that also come into the picture. We get a glimpse into real-life familial problems as well as an understanding that each family has its own unique dynamics and issues. We see each individual’s flaws as well as their struggles to figure out their own place in life and as part of the family. The death of the unknown man also raises questions if one can really choose to be forgotten.

We get an interesting exploration on this family and the individuals, themes on resentment, guilt, holding onto the past but most importantly about forgiveness. I think readers will relate to aspects of the characters which are portrayed in a very human way.

Contemplative, insightful character development, air of mystery and poignancy in the storytelling. A lovely read as we enter into the cooler months.

[Claire (Silver Linings and Pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Little lights curled in her peripheral vision. She stiffened and drew in on herself in case it was some late-night walker with a torch and dubious intentions. But no, she blinked and the lights vanished. When Ethel was a child, her mother would lean in close and explain that when someone went missing, if their families saw pinpricks of lights dancing in the darkness outside the window, they knew they were lost. “Ghostlights” she would whisper, her breath sweet with gin.”

As with her debut, Where the Edge Is, Grainne Murphy has evoked in The Ghostlights a clear sense of rural Ireland, community and all the complexities of family life. Her writing reminds me of Donal Ryan’s work: she skilfully portrays the gritty reality of grief, ageing,loneliness and resentment with a subtle, careful sprinkling of folklore. I admire how she has such a strong handle on Irish culture; the mannerisms, dialogue, black humour and traditions are very sharply observed.

This story unapologetically yet intimately portrays the messy dynamics of family life when the body of an elderly Danish gentleman is found in the village Lake four days after checking in to a B&B. The mystery of who he was and his final act of suicide stir deep compassion within the village, and is the catalyst for some humility, self reflection and reconciliation. It’s a brave, thought provoking novel that digs deep.

Grainne Murphy is an author to watch. My mum enjoyed her debut Where the Edge Is so much that she bought several copies for friends!

[Charline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

💚 Synopsis 💚 Can anyone really choose to be forgotten? An elderly gentleman checks into a b&b in a small village in rural Ireland where he knows nobody. Four days later, his body is found in the lake. The identity of their unknown guest raises questions for one family in particular, twin sisters Liv and Marianne, and their mother Ethel, each of whom is searching for her own place in the world.

I remember the great reviews for Grainne's debut novel Where The Edge Is, so I knew I had to read this one and I am so glad I did.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the setting of the rural village, where everyone knows each others business and religion and tradition still play a big part in day to day life. The book takes place during Easter and all the associated celebrations. Coolaroone used to be a big draw for the tourists. But not so much now. And the death of one of the b&b guests is definitely bad for business.  Even though it deals with complicated issues such as suicide and alcoholism, there are so many funny lines, you can't help but smile. Especially with Liv and Marianne, who talk to each other the way only siblings can. There is a warmth to this book and you feel like you're at the heart of the family. And even though they have their differences, there is love there and forgiveness.

I really was drawn to the mysterious Fred Stille and liked the outpouring of emotion over his death, from Marianne in particular. And even the whole village coming together to claim him as one of their own 💚 A thoughtful and moving book.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghostlights is a beautifully told story of life in a rural Irish community.

Twins Marianne & Olive grew up in Coolaroone, home to one of Ireland's famous moving statues of the mid eighties. Just as they were about to go to university, Olive discovered she was pregnant and ended up staying home to bring up her child and help her mother run the family B&B business. Marianne moved away and made a life for herself outside of Coolaroone and, as the story starts, has recently arrived home for Easter following a fight with her partner.

The sisters are chalk and cheese and regularly drive each other to distraction. They have a strong bond, but are equally defensive of their life choices, both believing that the other considers theirs the better path. Their mother's deteriorating mental health provides the family with a further source of tension. Then when one of the B&B residents is discovered drowned in a nearby lake, everyone is forced to take stock and try to work out what they really want from life and each other.

Gráinne Murphy injects just the right amount of dark humour to bring small-town Ireland vividly to life in this poignant novel of family, forgiveness and belonging.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

hello hello ruth back again on irish lit books. this one follows a family in a b&b dealing with an alcoholic mother, a business not doing as well, a relationship potentially breaking down, and a mysterious guest who dies. it's based on a real event, but builds this into its own narrative. it is also beautifully written and very emotional. i loved the different perspectives: it cycles through the three main characters of this novel. it feels fully baked, too. like there are things that we come to realise slowly over the course of the novel, which was confirmed towards the end.

i also thought it was a great construction of a small rural irish town, with a cast of characters who press into the pages of the book and demand some attention. gráinne murphy's got a talent!! i thought this was particularly good at showing complex relationships between families. perhaps a little too slow, perhaps i'd have liked it tied together a bit more, but still very good.

[Alva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet complicated intricate Irish story, and I loved it! A wonderful examination of self through a mother and two daughters where there are no tidy endings, just three people doing their best to muddle through a complex family relationship. Ethel, Marianne and Liv take us into their hearts and for each of them we feel love, pity, solidarity. Each has a weight to carry.
Into this family mix comes Fred Stille whose presence remains on the periphery but soaks through the family as his tragic anonymous story hangs around them.
A beautifully crafted novel, I sank into it and emerged with a new sense of empathy for things never being quite what they seem and the issues that people deal with every day without saying a word, carrying their burden, however large or small.

[Liz Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just finished The Ghostlights. I miss the characters already and their perfect imperfectness. Very well written real people with engaging voices and a wry sense of humour set in a small town in rural Ireland. I feel like their lives will most definitely continue after the last chapter of the novel, and I wish them well. I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. The voice actors did a super job bringing the characters and their story to life.

[Suzie Grogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of3.5 stars I think. I loved spending the time with the descriptions of 21st century rural Ireland and even though it was a book dealing with challenging topics it wasn’t a difficult read. Perhaps that was part of any problems I had with it - apart from Ethel, who is a fabulous creation, the characters didn’t really engage me. Worth a read though, as it is a calm experience.

[Martina Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on real events, it's a fairy tale of good feelings set in contemporary rural Ireland, about how dysfunctional families, sometimes, are the ones that survive. Somehow. Perfect with the coming spring.

[Mary Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all want and need to belong so when a stranger’s body is found in a lake in a small Irish village there are many unanswered questions. Loss, grief, addiction and family dynamics are explored. Some great humour thrown in amongst the pathos keeps you reading to the end.

[Joya Cousin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Despite the less than 4-star average reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into the lives of an ordinary Irish family. There's no plot, not much happens, but the exploration of their inner lives is thoughtful and hilarious in turns.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book.

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

gives a beautiful glimpse into irish rural life, poses provocative questions about life and death, i was interested in all of the characters and their development was clear and pleasing. i only wish it would have given a little more time to the investigation into the man's background, but i know it wasnt the primary focus of the novel

[Roskana · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love the dry, dark, sideways humour of the Irish psyche, and this book overflows with it. This is family life in rural Ireland which is utterly convincing, moving and poignant - and not a cliché in sight.

That said, The Ghostlights is far from a comedy. But quirky humour is how the three main characters - twins Liv and Marianne and their mother - deal with the very different challenges of their lives, and the fragile aspects of their characters.

There’s a complicated relationship between the twins. Marianne’s the successful one who left the village for a career and city life. Liv is the practical and caring sister who stayed put to run the family B & B, and deal with their mother Ethel who has a fondness for the drink. She also keeps an eye on her ex-husband’s mother in the nursing home, while bringing up her teenage son.

So plenty of guilt there for the childless and carefree Marianne. Especially when she comes to find out how Ethel’s illness has turned into the falling-down-drunk-and-sleeping-in-the-field type of alcoholism. And no-one had told her. Meanwhile Ethel has a voice of her own.

Things come to a head when a Danish guest drowns in the lake, and each woman must learn what it is about family and home which is important to them.

Gráinne Murphy, as in her previous novel, has a real knack of delving into the heart of her characters. This is a slow and gentle read which will have Irish readers savouring the wealth of local expressions they may have forgotten. Thanks to Legend Press for sending me a review copy.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you appreciate and love Irish literature, classic or contemporary, you'll definitely enjoy this novel.