The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World

A powerful contemporary queer fantasy, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.

'Gorgeous . . . haunting and healing' - Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

Love doesn't die; people do . . .

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father - the ferryman of the dead - sail across the lake, every night just like the last.

But tonight something is wrong.

The Station's lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person - a living person - has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

A devastating story of magic, family and those who leave us - but who might not remain lost.

'An earnest, heartfelt read' - Veronica Roth, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of When Among Crows

About the author

J. R. Dawson (she/they) is the Golden Crown award-winning author of The First Bright Thing. Her shorter works can be found in places such as F&SF, Lightspeed and Rich Horton's Year's Best. Dawson currently lives in Minnesota with her loving wife. She teaches at Drexel University's MFA program for Creative Writing, and fills her free time with keeping her three chaotic dogs out of trouble.

Product details

• Authors: J. R. Dawson
• Publisher: Pan macmillan Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 16.07.2026
• EAN: 9781035018260
• ISBN: 978-1-0350-1826-0
• No. of pages: 336
• Subjects: Fiction > Science fiction, fantasy > Fantasy; Guides > Spirituality > Ancient knowledge, ancient cultures; Fantasy, Chicago, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Fiction: special features, FICTION / Fantasy / Urban, FICTION / Occult & Supernatural, FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy, Of specific Lesbian interest, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Relating to lesbians, Ghosts & poltergeists, Ghosts and poltergeists, FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian