About the Book
Stones Corner: Darkness, Volume TwoThe harrowing second instalment in Jane Buckley's acclaimed Stones Corner series, Darkness plunges readers into the heart of Derry/Londonderry in the early 1970s, one of the bleakest chapters of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
In the aftermath of the disastrous Derry City Hotel meeting, ambitions lie in ruins, loyalties are strained, and families are torn apart. From James Henderson, the privileged businessman forced to navigate a city in turmoil, to Caitlin McLaughlin, the determined factory girl caught in the crossfire of a brutal guerrilla war, no one escapes the devastation.
As violence spreads across Northern Ireland, mainland Britain, and the Republic of Ireland, powerful figures operate in the shadows. Charles Jones, a bigoted Belfast entrepreneur, schemes for profit and influence, while IOWA, a ruthless British Army operative driven by revenge, strikes with cold precision. Their actions ripple across communities, leaving destruction in their wake.
Caitlin's journey takes her from the glittering clubs of London's West End to the grim walls of Armagh Women's Gaol. Each step tests her resilience as she battles not only oppression from outside but her own struggle for survival, dignity, and truth. James, meanwhile, must confront his family's legacy, torn between ambition, loyalty, and the price of conscience.
With unflinching honesty and meticulous detail, Jane Buckley captures both the brutality of conflict and the endurance of hope. Stones Corner: Darkness is a raw, authentic portrait of lives caught in extraordinary times, continuing the powerful saga that began with Turmoil.
About the Author :
Jane Buckley was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and grew up during the Troubles. After three decades in London, she returned home to Derry/Londonderry, where she now lives with her husband and Australian Labradoodle, Ned. Drawing on her own experiences and meticulous research, Jane brings to life the untold stories of ordinary people caught in conflict. She is the author of the four-part Stones Corner series-Turmoil, Darkness, Light, and Hope-and is currently working on Project Children, a nonfiction book marking the 50th anniversary of the peace initiative.
Review :
Stones Corner: Darkness is the gripping, dark, and meticulously researched second instalment in Jane Buckley's acclaimed Stones Corner series, set during the Troubles in Derry, Northern Ireland. Readers have praised the novel for its evocative writing, compelling characters, and its fearless ability to portray the human struggles and sectarian violence of the era from multiple perspectives without author bias.
The story opens in the aftermath of the ill-fated Derry City Hotel meeting, where lives are shattered, ambitions derailed, and loyalties tested to breaking point. James Henderson, heir to a privileged Protestant business family, must navigate political pressures and family ambition, while Caitlin McLaughlin, a determined factory girl from the Bogside, is dragged deeper into a conflict she cannot escape. As paramilitaries, informers, and British intelligence step up their games, both Caitlin and James face choices that could alter their futures forever.
Historical Context: Buckley paints a detailed and authentic picture of life in 1970s Northern Ireland, offering a poignant view of how ordinary people lived, suffered, and endured amid daily conflict.
Multi-Faceted Storytelling: The narrative shifts between diverse points of view, immersing the reader in the complex historical and social fabric of the time and showing how every choice, big or small, carries consequence.
Character Development: Readers highlight the strength of Buckley's characters-layered, flawed, and deeply human. Their resilience, betrayals, and fragile hopes anchor the story and make it resonate far beyond its setting.
Emotional Depth: Unflinching in its portrayal of violence, grief, and oppression, the novel also reveals moments of courage, loyalty, and the stubborn endurance of love and justice, reminding us that even in the darkest times, hope survives.
Compelling Plot: With twists and turns that hold the reader in suspense, Darkness has been described as "riveting" and "a page-turner," an intense continuation that raises the stakes of the saga begun in Turmoil.
Dark and Intense Atmosphere: The novel is significantly darker than its predecessor, capturing the palpable tension of a community living under constant threat, and the psychological toll of a society where trust is fragile and betrayal is never far away.
Recommended Reading: Readers strongly advise beginning with Stones Corner: Turmoil to fully appreciate the arc of the story, the depth of the characters, and the historical context that gives this series its unique power.
Jane Buckley's Stones Corner: Darkness is a raw, authentic, and unforgettable portrayal of love, betrayal, and survival in a city under siege. It continues the powerful saga with a fearless voice, illuminating both the brutality and the humanity of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times.
