Light

Stones Corner #3

by Jane Buckley

The electrifying continuation of Jane Buckley’s Stones Corner series, Light, transports readers to war-torn Ulster and London in the early 1980s, delivering even more suspense, heartache, and unexpected twists.

Determined to escape her past, Caitlin McLaughlin builds a new life in England, surrounded by luxury and security. Yet she cannot shake the haunting memories of her lost love, James Henderson.

Meanwhile, back in Derry, James fights to save the Rocola shirt factory and is forced into a loveless marriage with a manipulative heiress to keep the business afloat.

As the spectre of The Troubles looms large, the Provos’ ruthless campaign sets a devastating kidnap plot into motion—one that draws Caitlin and James back into each other’s lives in dangerous and unexpected ways.

Amidst the chaos, glimmers of hope emerge. A burgeoning women’s movement bridges sectarian divides, and the shift from violence to politics sparks dreams of peace. But just as Northern Ireland dares to hope for a brighter future, tragedy strikes in London, threatening to unravel everything.

Stones Corner: Light is a gripping tale of love, resilience, and courage, set against a pivotal moment in history where the fight for peace balances on a knife’s edge.

496 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2022

About the author

Jane Buckley, born in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is a passionate storyteller who brings the complexities of her homeland’s history to life.

Inspired by her childhood during the Troubles and her experiences abroad, Jane’s Indie Award-winning Stones Corner series offers a gripping and heartfelt exploration of a turbulent era. It blends historical accuracy with unforgettable characters.

Her work aims to shed light on a misunderstood chapter of history, fostering understanding and promoting healing.

Jane’s next book on ‘Project Children’, delves into the inspiring real-life initiative that brought over 23,000 children from Northern Ireland to the United States during the Troubles, offering them a glimpse of peace and a chance to bridge divides. It’s a powerful testament to hope, resilience, and the impact of small acts of kindness.

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Light is set in Ulster and London during the 1980s Northern Ireland conflict (also known as “The Troubles”). The series follows number of families and characters on all sides of the conflicts. The author did an excellent job of getting readers up to speed with them and their situations without getting bogged down in the back story covered int the first two books. To get the most out of this novel, it’s necessary to read the first two novels in the series in the correct order.

I’m very impressed how much research Jane Buckley has done in producing these novels. Most aspects of The Troubles are explored through characters and events. Buckley lived through these times in both Ireland and England and her perspective is well balanced.

My favorite character was Caitlin, who has gone through some difficult times but is clever enough to work past them. Buckley also has a knack of getting the reader to empathize with other characters who might have different views.

Light is well written and moves at a medium pace: not too fast so that you are lost, but not too slow that it becomes boring. I LOVED the ending because it didn’t end on a major cliffhanger. Sure, there are some loose ends that I suspect will be addressed in the fourth book. I hope that Buckley continues with the series because I would like Caitlin to have the life she deserves, and hopefully, some of the evil people will be brought to justice, one way or another.

[Dr Michael F Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of proof reading the 3rd book in the series.
What an excellent read . Lots of things going on in the first third of the book but stick with it . There is a glimmer of light [as per the title ] and another cliff - hanger of an ending !
You should read the books in order . This is a superb addition to the other two . Can 't wait for the final one - Hope .

[Suzanne Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just get better and better ! Absolutely loved it …
This is the 3rd book in the series but all could be read on their own …
Loved this one because I actually remember when all that’s in the book happened …

[Jason Blean · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I had the privilege of meeting the author I was racing to finish "Turmoil", which was, as I expected, full of chaotic and depressing scenes, setting the context for the rest of the volumes. This continued in "Darkness", with a similar graphic nature of scenes as mentioned. In this volume, however, the depressing tone unfortunately continues and becomes tiresome. Tragedy and sadness follows the main character like an ever-present rain-cloud. "There wasn't just one gaping painful hole in her heart, (no!), there were many after so many losses...". Credibility slips due to contradictions and other issues - "Fortunately, she'd enough money aside from her modelling work to pay for the single airfare and a bit more to live on while she found her feet." and yet "she hadn't eaten for a few days" (p.17); Nuala the shop assistant has the authority to shut up shop when she decides, most likely a reasonable income but can only find an out-of-date club biscuit to go with her tea?!). The chaos continues but takes different forms. The only thing not chaotic in Caitlin's life seems to be her "secure secretarial job"! Other characters are as dismal if not more so than Caitlin - Rob Sallis' life also a bundle of laughs, as is Charlie McFadden's. Chaos also in neighbours' houses: " they could hear fighting and yelling break out every evening, plates and glasses being thrown and smashed" - so what did they have left to eat on after a week? The narrative told of The Troubles turns out to be very sympathetic to Sinn Fein and to IRA volunteers, to the point where the earlier "balance" by including two soldiers' ordeals starts to look like tokenism. For example, Tommy O'Reilly is the friendly, caring helpful Sinn Fein activist, who we're told was influenced by his pacifist old friend Gerard McFarland so that "his gut told him this dirty war could go on for years, and the only hope for peace was – as McFarland believed – through some form of dialogue". Yet, he continues in the Sinn Fein/IRA movement for many years as they pursue the "ballot box in one hand, armalite in the other", causing thousands more needless casualties...Yet there's no "light" shone on this... Despite Derry being a stronghold of the SDLP throughout the period in which the book is written, there is only one reference to the SDLP and eleven to Sinn Fein. In #4 set in the 90s the references to Sinn Fein increase to 63 with only 2 to the SDLP despite the SDLP being well ahead of Sinn Fein in Derry elections at this time and the SDLP winning the popular vote in N Ireland in 1998 surpassing even unionist parties. That doesn't warrant a mention (albeit that was in the 90s, but there is no mention of it in #4). Whilst having sympathy and compassion for those caught up in paramilitarism is commendable, that sympathy starts to disappear when they never appear to take responsibility for the death and destruction they have caused. In my own experience I have met several ex-paramilitaries both loyalist and republican since the early 1990s, and they fall into two camps - those who have completely turned their backs on violence and rejected their paramilitary group and their own past involvement in paramilitarism, and those who try to ride two horses (sadly the majority) - speaking fine words about peace and reconciliation yet glorifying and justifying the terror campaigns they were involved in. As time goes on and the measure of political stability grows it gets more difficult to explain to younger generations who didn't have to live through The Troubles what some of senior politicians in Northern Ireland actually advocated during the conflict. The book is honest at least about the paranoia people like Tommy will have to suffer when they involve themselves in a paramilitary movement, but overall I have to say I found it misleading about involvement in paramilitarism. I do find it disturbing that sympathy is the dominant feeling you feel as Provos or their political apologists in Sinn Fein are presented: "Living in a country under army occupation meant risking being shot by the security services or randomly blown to smithereens while going about your daily business". I realise that whether you see the security forces as an occupying force or lawful peacekeepers depends to a large extent on your political viewpoint in N Ireland but when you consider the objective fact of The Troubles that the Provos caused more victims than any other group, killing more of their own community than the security forces not to mention their targeting hotels, hospitals, buses and trains, etc., then you ask yourself just how appropriate is it to feel only sympathy towards those in that movement? 1059 members of the security forces lost their lives in The Troubles to 292 Provisionals volunteers, many tragically at their own hands. Whose life was more dangerous? Who was more exposed on a daily basis? Everyone was in danger because of the Provos' campaign, not just the security forces: some of my earliest memories are of being carried out of city centre department stores in my mum's arms rushing down a fire exit as alarms wailed in another bomb scare and describing the aftermath of a bombed out supermarket in South Belfast. My late father committed the crime of working in a Belfast city centre department store in the 1970s, which the Provos elected to destroy as one of their many "economic targets" so he found himself having to put out firebombs. When I started working at an aircraft factory in Belfast in the 80s, it was subjected to a Provo grenade attack. Two of my friends in the RUC ended up in early graves thanks to the futile Provo campaign. If the idea of these books is to help people understand The Troubles, then they are helpful only up to a point - focusing on understanding the trauma of Provo activists and prisoners and families impacted by Internment raids. At the start of this volume we are told: "“Why did the Troubles get so bad?” Or “What caused them to last so long?” Or even, “Why did they start!” Based on actual events, the Stones Corner Tetralogy (Turmoil, Darkness, Light and Hope (to be confirmed) will answer all these questions while taking you on a thrilling journey...". These questions are only partially answered (the question "why did they start?" doesn't seem to be addressed); there is no answer to the question why Sinn Fein could not have given up political violence in 1974 and entered power-sharing with unionists and others then after the Sunningdale Agreement as they did eventually in 1998. It is more helpful to read some of the factual biographies and factual books (of which there are many) from former paramilitaries such as Shane Paul O'Doherty and former RUC such as Johnston Brown's "Into the Dark", written from both sides of the fence to get an insight into The Troubles. The Roman Catholic church is represented mostly by Father Connolly, an "activist" as well as priest, complicit in the murder of two informers. While Father Connolly appears several times, the one other priest, Father Walsh, appears once, pleading with the community to stop rioting. in reality, the Catholic church often found itself in an impossible situation with PIRA volunteers who had been killed in The Troubles at funerals, on the one hand trying to be compassionate and sensitive to the bereaved families, on the other trying to avoid paramilitary regalia and taking a principled sincere stand against violence. The number of rogue priests like "Father Connolly" was very small indeed; most spoke out bravely and unambiguously against the IRA campaign even when it caused people to walk out of churches. Yet this is not mentioned. Genuine peacemaking, risk-taking priests like Alec Reid who gave dead British soldiers last rites and facilitated political talks do not appear while Sinn Fein activists seem to take most of the credit for peace and stability. For a more accurate description of the role of the Catholic church in The Troubles I recommend the excellent "The Catholic Church and the Northern Ireland Troubles 1968-1998" by Margaret Scull.

[Joe Begley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stones Corner Volume 3, Light, continues the story in yet another 400 page+ volume, the writing showing no let-up in the energy that characterised the first two. While Darkness ended with Caitlín about to board a train to an onward flight to London, leaving behind the Troubles of Derry and the misery inflicted on her family, at the same time wondering whether James would appear, Light quickly moves forward a number of years to find her settled, employed and soon to be contemplating marriage. As before, the chapters alternate, developing the stories of the various characters involved but this is handled skilfully, maintaining the flow of the story – a useful addition to this volume is the inclusion, at the rear of the book, of a “cast list” of the characters involved.
Caitlín may have left the Troubles behind, but they soon follow, as the IRA moves its campaign to mainland Britain, with terrible consequences. Corruption in the security forces and the involvement of prominent businessmen is exposed as is treachery on the Nationalist side, with a mysterious informant introduced, along with the measures used by the minders to force information from him. The IRA are desperate to discover his identity and there is quite a surprise when this is revealed towards the end of the story. Along with the horrors of the Troubles, a number of personal issues of the various characters are detailed including the post traumatic effects on a former soldier, struggling to regain his life following his duty in Northern Ireland.
The construction of the story once again makes this an easy read and difficult to put down. There is more to come and the concluding volume is eagerly awaited.

[Andrew J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past three weeks, when I've not been occupied with other tasks, I've been immersed in the lives of characters like Caitlin, Tommy, James, Paddy, Anne, Robert, The McFaddens, and many more brought to life by Jane. Her vivid descriptions of Northern Ireland in the 70s and 80s have truly tugged at my heartstrings while offering profound insights into "The Troubles."

Jane's writing displays a remarkable sensitivity to her audience, skillfully balancing detail without overwhelming readers. What's truly remarkable is that she crafted this intricate web of characters and plots entirely in her mind, she tells me, allowing for an unpredictable series of intertwined plots and stories.

Volume 3 could become complex if you haven’t fully invested in volumes 1 and 2, but if you become fully immersed like me then it’s a great series of stories to follow. The detail, characters, love, sadness, moments of joy and happiness are all underpinned again with raw and at times brutal honesty that says so much about those times. You’ll laugh, cry for sure and will also be desperate for some of those honest and big hearted people to get a break.

As I embark on Book 4, I sense the conclusion drawing near, and I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness knowing the adventure will soon come to an end. I'll savour and relish each page, resisting the temptation to burn the midnight oil too quickly as I eagerly anticipate what lies ahead.

Thank you, Jane, for delivering a standout work of contemporary fiction that ranks among the very best I've encountered.

[Paul ( Paolo ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next phase in the lives of the characters that I've come to love from the previous books.

The burning flame of survival that each character in their own unique way uses to deal with the hope, devastation and the highs and lows of turbulent times.

Jane has a very special talent for creating believable characters with realistic personalities that I have grown to know and love even more each time that their complexities unravel to reveal the hidden strengths that kept them going.
Even the not so nice people have their reasons for anger, hatred etc. explored and explained.

The story keeps at a good pace that kept me interested while also tackling some seriously difficult subject matter in a very acceptable and respectful way.. (At no point was any subject matter exploited or overdone. )
The strength of every character regardless of good or bad is a common thread that runs through every person's story.
Some make better choices than others, but all can be seen and understood from the inside out thanks to Jane's attention to detail when creating each character and scenario.

Cant wait to read the final book. ( Although I don't want to see this story coming to an end, The characters have become like friends. )

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished 'Light', the third in the series of Stones Corner and once again would heap huge praise on the author for another fantastic read.
Definitely worthwhile reading the books in order to get the full understanding of the characters and flow.
The books (and the characters) are so believable and depict a time in Northern Ireland's dark history, revealing some awful events which happened on both sides of the divide. Jane is completely unbiased in the books which is also refreshing.
The books and characters are fictional however provide a real understanding of what it was actually like to live through the 'Troubles'. They are fast moving, page turning, gritty, twisting and the plots and cliff hangers are really clever....along with a wonderful love story. After reading the books you feel you know so many of the characters personally and genuinely buy into their stories, hopes and dreams.
I can't recommend the books highly enough and can't wait for the next in the series to see what lies ahead for the numerous characters.
Congratulations Jane on a fabulous job so far!!

[Derek Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in a series of four. All are stand-alone stories, but the greatest joy is to be found by reading the whole series!
Set in what has been euphemistically called "the troubles", the series describes (sometimes very graphically), the trials and tribulations suffered by the people of Northern Ireland during 30 plus-year period of the Country's modern history.
Having lived through these harrowing times the author is well qualified to write about the subject.
"Light" continues with the development of the many characters found in the earlier books and provides the same twists and turns.
The greatest compliment which I can pay this book, is that "it really moved me", and that is why I have rated it as a 5-Star read and would thoroughly recommend it to one and all.

[theirishbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex, Gripping, Surprising.

Light is the third book in the Stones Corner series. The series comprises of Turmoil, Darkness, Light and Hope. I have read the first three books in the series and look forward to reading Hope. I will be sad to part ways with the characters that I've gotten to know in the series.

The books are complex reads set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. They can be tough reads at times but are immensely gripping.

Overall this book was a 4.25 read for me. I look forward to reading the final installment in the series. I really don't want to give anything away in relation to spoilers so I'd recommend checking out the blurb of Stones Corner Turmoil, the first book in the series. I bought my copy of the book from buythebook.ie

[Roisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I couldn’t put this book down so make sure you have time to pay it your full attention!!
It grips you from the start and the author gives you a brief reminder of what has happened in the previous books so you can get up to speed.
The book is so well written that you begin to believe you know the characters and forget it’s fiction. The story draws you in and it portrays so sensitively, the challenging times that were ‘the troubles’.
I cannot wait for the next instalment, where I really hope there is a happy ending. From the previous books……..if there is a happy ending; there will definitely be shocks along the way!!!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stones Corner - Darkness left you feeling that joy had simply gone forever, and there was no end in sightt however the next installment of Stones Corner - Lights, gives to the right amount of hopefulness, but still never moving fully on from the ongoing troubles. Though life is changing, the book brings you back to the reality and ever lasting repercussions of the troubles. It doesn't hide away from it and I like that part of it.

Light is the perfect mix, it shows the urge of people wanting to move on and create better lives, yet still feeling the consequences of that time.

[Liz McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading Light and all I can say is fantastic, the twists and turns, the plots, the sadness and happiness in some of the plots. Jane is very good at connecting fiction with reality. Would highly recommend reading all 3 days only downside is I now have to wait for the 4th book… no pressure Jane

[Maria Mc Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, dealing sensitively with the delicate situation and balance of politics in the country and how it affected both those that were born and lived here as well as those that ended up here through occupation or circumstance.

Politics aside, the storyline and characters are captivating.

Looking forward to the final book in the series.

[Jane Buckley]

A rating from Monica McGready

Another fantastic book from Jane Buckley ,I really devoured it ,When you read her books you just don,t want it to end ! So real to life ,fantastic characters that you come to know so well ,more please Jane and as soon as you can Think I made a wee error ,should have said when you read her books you just don't want them to end !

[Una Lagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stones Corner volume 3- Light! Did not disappoint. Took me a while to read it (thanks kids) but once I got into it properly I couldn’t put it down. A real familiarity with the characters flowed from the other two books to this one and I felt like I could picture each individual character. Bring on No.
4 Jane 😁

[William Duffy]

Another great follow up book from Jane. I have been engrossed in her plots and all the different characters throughout. It really gives you an insight to how many people suffered during that time.
Roll on with Hope asap please Jane

[Nicky O’Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other two books in this series, it is easy to read and follow despite there being multiple characters and (often intertwining) storylines. I hope there is a fourth book. Enjoyed the series so far and would recommend.

[Colleen Pascuzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I need the next book now! I'm so glad I found this series, I won the first book in a Goodreads giveaway and just had to read the others. As a Catholic Irish American, although not from Northern Ireland, it's really opened my eyes to Irish history.

[Ami McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally I started the series because it was centred in my country and my hometown, but with the changing scenery I found I just loved the way this story is told. I have a lot of 'hope' for what I'd like to happen in the next book.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again... this book did not disappoint... so good to get a riveting, shocking at times series. Made all the better by finding out there was a 4th book!! Thank you.

[Clodagh Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just as captivating as the first two books but still looking forward to reading the fourth and final book