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The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex is a beautifully written and suspenseful novel that explores the themes of friendship, secrets, and the search for identity.
The book tells the story of three lighthouse keepers, Arthur, Bill, and Vince, who mysteriously vanish from a lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall in 1972. The novel jumps back and forth between the events leading up to the disappearance and the present day, where a writer named Dan is trying to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
Throughout the book, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery, as we learn about the lives of the three men, their struggles, and their secrets. We discover that Arthur had been dealing with guilt over an incident in his past, and felt that he needed a fresh start.
Bill was struggling with his marriage and felt that he needed to get away from his wife. Vince had been struggling with his identity and felt that he needed to start a new life as a woman.
As the book unfolds, we see the friendship between the three men grow and deepen, as they work together to keep the lighthouse running and support each other through their personal struggles.
But when they disappear without a trace, leaving behind only a cryptic message in the lighthouse logbook, the mystery begins.
The ending of The Lamplighters has been the subject of much discussion and debate since the book’s release. Readers have been fascinated by the mysterious disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers and have been eager to understand what really happened to them.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the ending of The Lamplighters and explain what really happened to the three men. We will examine the various clues and hints throughout the book that point to the truth and offer our own interpretation of the ending.
So, if you’ve read The Lamplighters and want to know more about the book’s ending, keep reading. Below you will find my thoughts as to what happens at the end of book – The Lamplighters ending explained.
Note: Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading.
The Lamplighters Ending Explained
So just what happened at the end of The Lamplighters?
In the ending of “The Lamplighters” by Emma Stonex, the story comes full circle as Helen returns to Cornwall for the anniversary, two decades after the mysterious disappearance of the three lighthouse keepers from the Maiden Rock lighthouse.
The weather is typically English, with a sky the color of Tupperware and rain falling steadily. Helen is accompanied by her dog, and as she climbs the hill towards Mortehaven Cemetery, she contemplates whether this could be her last trip.
Nevertheless, she feels compelled to return each year to see the Maiden Rock, her partner in this peculiar anniversary, just in case there’s any connection left.
At the cemetery, Helen meets Dan Martin, the writer who had been researching the disappearance of the lighthouse keepers and had spoken to Helen years ago, without revealing his true identity.
Dan is the son of Jory Frederick Martin, a boatman who was the first on the scene when the keepers vanished. Helen is surprised and slightly upset that Dan hadn’t told her about his connection to the case before. He explains that he wanted her to talk to him without any preconceived notions, but now he regrets not being honest with her.
Dan shares his manuscript with Helen, revealing that he had written a book about the disappearance and the impact it had on Mortehaven.
Helen is touched by his dedication and says, “‘That’s a lot of work.’” Dan replies, “‘Yes, it was. I finished it. I know more than I did before. But as for knowing what happened on that tower, Helen, I’ll never be certain of that. I’m not foolish enough to think that I might. There are a hundred endings, maybe there are more.'”
She tells him that she doesn’t need answers anymore; she seeks acceptance, peace, and hope. She acknowledges the pain and sadness she will always carry, but she has grown and changed over the years.
As they talk, Helen reflects on the mystery of the disappearance and the different perspectives it holds. They both understand that the truth may never be known, and they accept that some mysteries are not meant to be solved.
Helen mentions that they try their best to make a difference, to keep the lights shining in the darkness. This sentiment encompasses both the literal lighthouses and the figurative light that people try to bring into each other’s lives.
In a symbolic act of acceptance and closure, Dan throws his manuscript pages into the air. The scattered pages drift down, like wings of white brilliance, into the water.
Helen joins in, releasing her need for answers and finding peace in the unknowable, and acknowledges, “‘We’re not sure of the truth, are we,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that the point? Some mysteries just aren’t meant to be known.'”
As the story concludes, Helen sees two figures waiting for her under a yew tree, and she recognizes them as Jenny and Michelle, the wives of the missing lighthouse keepers.
They appear as she remembers them, and Helen realizes that time has not aged them in her heart. Helen and Jenny exchange a wave, and she feels a sense of connection and understanding with them.
The story ends with Helen looking out at the Maiden Rock, envisioning the Principal Keeper climbing the stairs, his face lifted to the light. The lighthouse tower remains empty, but in Helen’s heart, the keepers’ spirits and the memories of that fateful event will always be present, shining brightly, like stars in the sky.
The novel concludes with a poignant sense of acceptance and closure, as the characters come to terms with the mysteries and tragedies of the past, finding hope and light in the present and future.
I hope you enjoyed my ending explanation of The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex! And as always, happy reading! ❤️