Also by this author: If It Rains, The Girl from the Papers
Published by Tyndale on August 12, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance
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Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright follows Kathleen McDaniel, who ran as far away from her family as her supply of money could take her. A tragic incident opened her eyes to certain familial qualities she found wrong and disturbing, so she fled—and ended up in a nunnery in Galveston, Texas. She kept everyone at a distance, worried her wealthy—and powerful—family would eventually find her. Then one day it happens, but that’s not the only danger Kathleen must face. The historic hurricane of 1900 strikes, and now she must face nature’s fury head-on while trying to protect those close to her heart: Matthew, little Maggie, and her roommate, Emily, among others.
As a native Houstonian, I’ve spent many days in Galveston. I’ve seen the plaques on the old buildings, marking the buildings that survived. In 2025, I’ve dug into the storm more than I ever have. Wright does a stellar job portraying its power, devastation, and the lives it impacted. Last Light Over Galveston shines a light on a storm perhaps few individuals consider anymore, besides maybe Texans and meteorologists. Though it’s historical fiction, by creating relatable characters, Wright makes the storm real. She portrays everything so well, and she keeps readers on their toes. You won’t want to put this one down, thinking reading one more page might save one more character. Your breath will catch in your throat, and you’ll want to gnaw on your fingernails.
Wright’s newest novel is a beautiful, impactful work of historical fiction. She pulls from a past event and brings it into the public eye. I appreciated Last Light Over Galveston’s dual timeline. So much of the novel focuses only on the storm’s destructive landfall; it wouldn’t be strong enough without Kathleen’s background story. I’ll make the same complaint about Last Light Over Galveston as I did about Isaac’s Storm (Erik Larson) earlier this year. The story of the real-life storm didn’t end when the storm passed. Wright included a small glimpse of Galveston’s rebirth and recovery. I wish there’d been more.
Even so, I highly recommend Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright. Her storytelling is unmatched, and her words shine.