The Lightning Bottles

Author Marissa Stapley propels readers on a whirlwind ride down an emotional, nostalgic rock’n’roll memory lane in The Lightning Bottles, transporting them back to the ’90s Seattle Grunge scene with the music and all the drama associated with rock bands and their loyal legion of fans.

Woven in is an intriguing mystery—the story of a rock legend who’s been missing and presumed dead for five years, and his music and life partner, the woman fans love to hate, left behind to grieve and work through the guilt consuming her, wondering where it all went wrong and what really happened to her soulmate that fateful night she sent him away.

The Lightning Bottles opens with a young German teen, Hen, listening to the music of her all-time favorite band, The Lightning Bottles, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the tragic disappearance of the group’s star singer, Elijah Hart, who allegedly died in a drug-induced haze in the frigid Icelandic waters, though his body was never recovered. The current whereabouts of his band and soulmate Jane Pyre, who is the unrecognized genius behind the group’s famous lyrics, are unknown, as she disappeared shortly thereafter to grieve, go to rehab, and escape the ire of angry fans who blame her for Elijah’s demise. It’s imperative that Hen contact Jane because she has a secret—a clue about Elijah’s disappearance. Imagine Hen’s shock when she realizes the woman moving into the isolated property next door is none other than the despised woman herself, Jane. When Jane catches Hen spying on her, Hen shares her secret, and the despondent woman and teen fan embark on a journey that carries them, and readers, across a continent in a frantic search for the truth about Elijah’s disappearance. What they discover will either save or finish destroying a fragile, disillusioned, heartbroken Jane.

Unfolding through highly effective past/present chapters, The Lightning Bottles allows readers to experience Jane and Elijah’s rocky journey firsthand from the early days to the day he disappeared, in Jane’s own words as she relays their tragic, ill-fated story to Hen. In the present, readers travel with Jane and Hen as they follow clues that carry them back to the places where main events occurred in Jane and Elijah’s lives. The pace escalates as they go through the motions, setting a desolate tone that soaks through the pages like the tears shed over the lyrics of heartbreaking songs woven throughout. While Jane and Hen carry the story, there’s a strong supporting cast adding another intriguing layer to the plotline. What happened to Elijah? Did he die in the icy sea off Iceland as believed? Or is he out there somewhere, alone and scared, waiting for Jane to save him yet again?

Stapley takes readers on a highly atmospheric, hauntingly beautiful, yet painful trip, paying homage to the world of rock’n’roll, capturing the power and essence of the music scene in the ’90s—the music, fame, parties, addiction, groupies. Greed and jealousy, along with the endless drug- and alcohol-induced days and nights, took their toll, creating toxic working relationships. The author’s expert ability to weave a dark mystery into this story takes it to another level, as does the emphasis on themes of misogyny, inequality in the workplace (especially the music industry), and the blistering cost of fame on both individuals and those who love them.

The Lightning Bottles is an epic, brilliantly rendered, character-driven mystery and ode to music. A story of fated love, jealousy, guilt, pain, and loss. A time when stars rose and fell quickly, and music was everything. A visual masterpiece, this book would be fantastic on the big screen. Highly recommended to fans of star-crossed romance, mysteries, and old-time rock’n’roll