What do readers think of The Woman at the Light by Joanna Brady? Write your own review.

I wanted to review this book because I'm a total beach girl, love reading stories that have settings on islands, beaches or coastlines, and I have visited in Key West before and wanted to know more about it. This book certainly delivers in those regards! The historical references to Key West and the Florida Keys in the mid 1800's are interesting and informative.

The character development, however, wasn't enough to involve me emotionally in the book. While there are some tragedies and triumphs, not enough is known about Emily, Andrew and their families and histories to draw you into the story. I was more involved with the mystery, social structure and evolution of the lighthouse lifestyle and the development of Key West as a major financial influence on the state of Florida.

This book is fast-paced and will definitely satisfy your need for an easy read at the water this summer.

The Woman at the Light, by Joanna Brady, is the warm, compelling story of Emily Lowry. It mainly takes you to (ficticious) Wreckers Cay in South FLorida in the 1800's. From class and money in New Orleans, she becomes a wife and mother, a lighthouse keeper, a boardinghouse cook etc. and survives. A relationship with a slave causes great difficulties. There is a lot of history here in the Keys, including the dangers of boats transporting goods, and slaves through the shallow channels and also dealing with the Seminole Indians.

The cover of the book seems to convey peace and beauty with the famous sunset. The story is anything but.

It's a women's book for all ages. Emily is someone we can all admire. She is intelligent and resourceful and you have to admire her.

It reminds me of another new book, Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster where the heroine controls her own fate.

Joanna Brady’s The Woman of the Light will take many readers into a period of time and a setting with which they are not familiar: the Florida Keys from 1829 through 1884. Her descriptions of the area, of the way of life, especially for women and slaves, give us a look at life far removed from today and even from the South during the Civil War. She does this well. Unfortunately, her story lacks the depth needed to create believable and well-rounded characters. Emily Lowry is simply unbelievable. Even after all that happens to her, she remains the same as the woman we meet early in the story. Too often the cavalry comes at just the right time. What a shame, because Brady has the makings for a fascinating glimpse into history and a memorable character.