Shadow of the Lighthouse

English version coming Spring 2026

"The sea breeze was gentle, and we weren't cold at all with our backs against the bare rock. I put the soles of my feet together and petted each sibling with my hand. When I placed my fingertips on each one's face in turn, their faces wrinkled. No one resisted, everyone was safe."

Kira lives on a tiny lighthouse island in the Archipelago Sea. Absent parents, uncertainty about the future and a fragile bond with her siblings carves the bottom of her stomach. She wouldn't be able to cope alone; she needs to find someone to help her through childhood and into adulthood.

Decades later, Kira sits in a hospital room in New York, hollowed out, her deceased husband's fingers biting into her wrist. She must go to the other side of the ocean to find that one. The only one whose forgiveness still matters.

Kira seeks the company of a deaf Irishman in a coastal village, who she believes understands her actions without her having to explain them out loud.

Shadow of the lighthouse is a touching story about a childhood ending too early, about loss, longing and human attempts to fix something broken – about herself, her family, her loved ones.

Reviews

"Krogerus writes to bring serious themes to light with a boldly realistic interpretation and original metaphors."

"Tuire Krogerus's nautical-themed debut novel creates a surprisingly strong connection between a broken childhood and the terrifying present...Her debut book is a mature and well-thought-out novel." 

"Krogerus' text immerses the reader deeply into all time levels... There is a whole world inside the book."

"The work is beautiful, horrible and sad. Krogerus draws you in and highlights femininity, motherhood, society, the world, men, emotions. I loved this immensely and immersed myself in every era and geographical location with every sense."

"Mammy turned into a magpie again. She tweaked the hem of her skirt, twirled her trinket rings, and laughed in all the wrong places. I was relieved when she finally sat down at the kitchen table and lit a cigarette. Fionn had managed to get my parents to come over with disconcerting ease on the very day we had decided to make our case. He was amused by my persistent demands to know how he had done it.

 - I called them! "

Kira's journey into adulthood and the lost takes her readers from the enchanting Archipelago to the busy streets of New York and the rugged coast of Ireland.

Published in Finnish in March 2025 by Aviador publishing

Currently looking for distibutors.