I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Lucy A. McLaren’s Echoes of the EtherStone! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.
BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Book Details:
Title: Echoes of the EtherStone by Lucy A. McLaren
Genre: Fantasy, Gothic Horror
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 402 pg.
Publication Date: October 7, 2025
About the Book:
Beth lives a seemingly perfect life of luxury in the city of Alpinside. Her upcoming betrothal to the eligible Lord Ashford is all she can focus on… until she meets El, a young woman from the slums whose father was a victim of the Scrubbers’ Stalker, the ruthless killer haunting the city.
Thrown together by the dreadful murders, the two decide to investigate. The catch? The evidence points towards Beth’s own brother as the Stalker. Their new-found friendship is tested as their investigation begins to reveal far deeper secrets than either of them were prepared for, uncovering a truth which rots the very core of Alpinside.
What is the opening line? I had been watching her for a while before I approached her.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The story is inspired by the Jack the Ripper murders.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? A cup of tea! It’s set in a city inspired by Victorian London, so that feels fitting.
What music pairs best with the book? Lady Gaga’s Mayhem album – especially the songs Disease and Abracadabra.
Book Links:
Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph
About the Author:
Lucy A. McLaren is a dark and gothic fantasy author and professional counsellor, passionate about writing stories that include a realistic representation and exploration of mental health and contemporary societal issues. She is a lifelong fan of the fantasy genre, and enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing (okay, cheesing her way through) them. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her husband and (generally unsuccessfully) attempting to wrangle her son.
My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.