The Ghostlights

Book excerpt: 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. The identity of the unknown guest raises questions for polar opposite twin sisters Liv and Marianne and their mother Ethel, all of whom feel trapped by the choices they made earlier in life. They each find themselves forced to confront their past, their present and what they really want from their future. The new novel from Gráinne Murphy, whose short fiction has been longlisted for 2021 Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award. ‘A tale of life’s disappointments with a delightfully wry humour’ The Times ‘Gloriously rich’ Sunday Independent ‘A satisfying read’ Irish Times ‘Beautifully observed’ WI Magazine ‘A subtle, penetrating delight’ Joanna Glen, Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award ‘Funny and moving’ Elske Rahill, author of An Unravelling ‘Unflinching look at the choices we make and their impact on those around us’ Damhnait Monaghan, author of New Girl in Little Cove