👻 Ghost Stories

The Fairy Lights: The ghost of Christmas that never was

✍️ Leilanie Stewart
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$19.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A student investigates a haunted Edwardian home and its ghostly resident named Jimbo.

Stewart writes a supernatural mystery centered on Aisling, who discovers her new Stranmillis residence is occupied by a spirit called Jimbo. The plot thickens when Christmas decorations provoke the entity’s attention. Aisling relies on academic resources and psychic guidance to trace Jimbo’s past. Key elements include the Oak King and Holly King mythology and the proximity of Friar's Bush Graveyard. The story blends personal discovery with local ghost lore, offering a specific look at Belfast’s hidden histories through the lens of a university student.

Key Themes
Haunted Edwardian house Oak King and Holly King Belfast ghost lore
Literary Context

Set in Stranmillis, Belfast, this book draws on Irish folklore traditions involving the Oak King and Holly King. It is part of the Belfast Ghosts Series, published by Leilanie Stewart in 2022. The narrative reflects local history and academic interests in Irish studies.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Dafydd ab Hugh · Sarah Moss · M.R. James
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Leilanie Stewart 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781739952365

📝 Description: The Fairy Lights: The ghost of Christmas that never was

Leilanie Stewart’s The Fairy Lights follows Aisling, a student who moves into an Edwardian house in Stranmillis, Belfast. Her grandfather purchased the property decades ago, but it now houses a restless spirit named Jimbo. As winter approaches, Aisling’s Christmas fairy lights attract the ghost’s mischief, prompting her to investigate his origins. She consults a local psychic and friends from her History with Irish course to uncover buried truths about the house and its previous occupants. The narrative draws on dark traditions surrounding the Oak King and Holly King, found in a dusty book hidden in the attic. Aisling explores the connection between Jimbo and Friar's Bush Graveyard located nearby. Her journey into the spirit world reveals secrets about the entity and her own identity. This standalone work serves as the second installment in the Belfast Ghosts Series. It appeals to readers interested in Irish folklore, haunted house mysteries, and supernatural fiction rooted in specific local history. Those seeking lighthearted holiday romances may find the tone too eerie. Stewart grounds the story in tangible details of Belfast life and academic study.

💎 Our verdict on The Fairy Lights: The ghost of Christmas that never was

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Stewart effectively grounds her supernatural mystery in the tangible details of Belfast life and academic study, creating an immersive atmosphere for the reader. The narrative successfully blends personal discovery with local ghost lore, offering a specific look at hidden histories through a university student’s perspective. By incorporating dark traditions like the Oak King mythology and referencing Friar's Bush Graveyard, the text adds depth to the haunting of Stranmillis. This approach suits readers who prefer eerie tones over festive cheer, providing a sophisticated entry point into Irish folklore for those familiar with local history or academic settings.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in Irish folklore, haunted house mysteries, and supernatural fiction rooted in specific local history will find this volume compelling. It appeals to those seeking a blend of personal discovery and ghost lore rather than lighthearted holiday romance. The narrative offers a unique perspective on Belfast’s hidden past through the eyes of a student, making it ideal for fans of academic protagonists navigating eerie environments. Those who enjoy stories where academic resources and psychic guidance intersect with tangible local details will appreciate the grounded approach to the spirit world.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Stewart effectively grounds her supernatural mystery in the tangible details of Belfast life and academic study, creating an immersive atmosphere for the reader. The narrative successfully blends personal discovery with local ghost lore, offering a specific look at hidden histories through a university student’s perspective. By incorporating dark traditions like the Oak King mythology and referencing Friar's Bush Graveyard, the text adds depth to the haunting of Stranmillis. This approach suits readers who prefer eerie tones over festive cheer, providing a sophisticated entry point into Irish folklore for those familiar with local history or academic settings.

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