The Lightning Bottles

by Marissa Stapley

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Once upon a time, Jane Pyre was part of the most famous band in the world, as far as rock ‘n’ roll fans were concerned. With her husband now missing, the community is free to set their wrath on her.

A desperate attempt for peace brings Jane something she least expected - a chance to find her husband and partner. Will following the path bring her the peace she craves or throw her back into the toxic chaos of the community?

My Review:

Huh. I don’t know what I was expecting when I picked up The Lightning Bottles, but it wasn’t what I got. To be clear, I mean that in a good way! This book surprised me. It was heavy in ways I didn’t expect, delivering a shockingly human mystery revolving around the music industry.

In a way, this book broke my heart. It’s set in two different points in time - the past and the present. The past portrays a couple in their earlier years - finding each other, falling in love, making a world together, you name it. Meanwhile, the prescient shows a world where they are no longer apart.

Their world was torn apart by the music industry and the rabid fanbase they created. The story that follows is…a lot. This book has a lot of social commentary, including some poignant points about how certain subcommunities treat women.

The Lightning Bottles is absolutely a book worth reading. It’s a mystery at its core, but it’s also so much more. Read it if you’re looking for something different.

Highlights:
Historical Fiction
Music Industry
Missing Person Mystery

Trigger Warnings:
Drug Addiction & Alcoholism
Gaslighting & Controlling Behaviors
Toxic Fandom

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