The Maiden sea tower stands 15 miles from shore, shining her light for seafarers. Last night she was manned by three keepers, but this morning …. she’s empty.

There’s no sign of disturbance, the doors are locked from the inside and both clocks stopped at 8.45am. The men have vanished.

Based on the true story of three lighthouse keepers who vanished in 1900 in Britain's Outer Hebrides, Stonex's tale takes place in the late 20th century and focuses on the lives of three women two decades after their husbands' disappearance.

As the narrative moves between the women's stories and the men's last weeks together in the lighthouse, long-held secrets surface and truths twist into lies as readers piece together what happened, why, and who to believe.

Ideally, you need to read this book with the wind and rain lashing at the windows. It's very atmospheric and achingly sad.