A Step In The Dark

A Leap Into Uncertainty

In A Step in the Dark, Judith Lennox transports readers to the storm-southern England of the 1920s, where societal expectations weigh as heavily as the unforgiving coastal winds. When devoted nurse Eleanor Hastings is sent to the remote village of Blackwater Bay to convalesce after a near-fatal bout of influenza, she anticipates rest—but instead she finds herself caught between two worlds. The rigid conventions of her upbringing clash with the hardy resilience of the local fishermen and their families, and as Eleanor’s health returns, so too does her curiosity. With each evening stroll along the lighthouse path and every card game in the dimly lit parish hall, she senses a community bound by secrets—and long-buried grief waiting to be unearthed.

Shadows of the Past

Haunted by her own memories of loss, Eleanor forms an unlikely alliance with Captain Thomas Fairchild, a brooding sea captain whose ship was wrecked during the Great War. Though initially guarded, he gradually reveals the scars of battle—not only on his body but on his soul. Together, they uncover fragments of a century-old mystery: the disappearance of a young bride on her wedding night, whispered tales of a clandestine romance, and a faded locket washed ashore after every storm. Lennox’s evocative prose brings the rugged harbor and weather-beaten cottages to vivid life, while her richly drawn characters grapple with the lingering echoes of heartache and the hope found in unexpected companionship.

Light Beyond the Threshold

As Eleanor and Thomas follow the trail of cryptic letters and torn photographs, they discover that healing sometimes requires stepping into the unknown. Their journey leads them from cavernous cliffside tunnels to the warmth of a candlelit fête at the manor house, where old resentments clash with new possibilities. In a crescendo of revelation beneath the lighthouse’s beam, Eleanor must choose between the safety of the familiar and the promise of love that demands courage. Lennox weaves a tapestry of suspense, romance, and historical authenticity, reminding us that every brave step in the dark can illuminate the path toward redemption and renewal.

. Judith Lennox is a Sunday Times bestselling author celebrated for her richly atmospheric storytelling, unforgettable characters, and masterful blend of historical detail with emotional depth.