Cape Wrath by Ted Olsen
Published: September 2023
Publisher: Story Road LLC
Genre: Historical Thriller
Available: ebook, paperback
Pages: 300

The Short Story: A dual time historical mystery with a dash of ghostly romance

My Review:

Actress Andrea Sinclair and Thomas McCallister, decorated naval officer turned lighthouse keeper, are in love. But Andrea loves the theater and Thomas seems determined to remain at the remote Cape Wrath lighthouse where he meets a brutal end. Years later, his American nephew Evan joins forces with Mary, an investigative reporter to solve the mystery of Thomas’ death and the mysterious presence that haunts the abandoned lighthouse.

Author Ted Olsen has crafted a complex dual time story with a cadre of interesting characters. Neither Andrea, daughter of a rich man nor Thomas, a man full of unspoken secrets, are who we think they are. Mary thinks she’s writing a story about Cape Wrath until she comes face-to-face with a ghostly apparition. Evan, whose mother was Thomas’ sister, is looking for answers about his family; little does he know what he’s in for.

I enjoyed the setting, the far north of Scotland, wild and rugged. I felt the loneliness of the lighthouse, the beauty of a summer day, the strength of a winter storm. The characters were complicated, slowly revealing who they are. The mystery of Thomas’ past was interesting and kept me guessing. I was a little disappointed at the ending but I think that was my fault as I wanted more from the story.
Not a ghost story in the traditional sense, this solid story should satisfy readers who enjoy a moody setting, a bit of the supernatural and a good mystery. ( )