Light Before Day

Nantucket Legacy Finale

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third story in Nantucket Legacy series. Henry Macy has returned to Nantucket after being gone on a whaling voyage for three years. He learns that his grandmother, Lillian Coffin has passed away leaving him and his twin sister, Hitty her estate, but she placed restrictions on the vast inheritance. If the twins do not meet the conditions set forth by Lillian, the whole estate will go to their unscrupulous relative, Tristram Macy. Henry and Hitty set out to satisfy the conditions of the will in their own way, but the siblings encounter difficulties they did not anticipate. Henry looks for wisdom and guidance in Great Mary’s journal that Daphne passed along to him before she departed on the Endeavor. Will they be able to claim the full estate? How will their story play out?

The Light Before Day is the final book in the Nantucket Legacy series. We finally get to find out how the story ends. The Light Before Day is a well-written and researched novel. The author captured the era with the language (people spoke in a formal manner) along with the descriptions of the buildings, ships, clothing plus the inclusion of historical events. The whaling industry is on the decline as the number of whales has greatly diminished and abolition of slavery is a heated issue. While The Light Before Day can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the trilogy in order. The book has a gentle pace that suits the story. Great Mary’s journal sections moved along at a faster clip, and they add depth to the story. It can be hard to wade through the more formal language (thee, thou, thy), but it is how Quaker’s talked. The Light Before Day is told from Hitty and Henry’s point-of-view. I enjoyed seeing each sibling’s perspective. There is romance in the story as Henry and Hitty look for suitable mates (a condition of the will). However, the heart wants what the heart wants. I enjoyed getting to know the grown-up Hitty and Henry. They faced a challenge with the inheritance. The twins wanted to find a way to help improve the island with the money, but their idea of improvement is not always in alignment with others. Henry and Hitty may be twins, but they have different personalities. While one is gregarious, the other is contemplative. The Light Before Day includes drama, mystery, romance, faith, good works, friendship and familial bonds. I am giving The Light Before Day 4 out of 5 stars. There are discussion questions, author’s note, and a section on what is true/false included in the book. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will not want to miss reading The Light Before Day.