Giollachríst: Lighting the Candle brilliantly weaves historical fact with paranormal mystery and spirituality, portraying diverse elements such as high functioning autism, prejudice, acceptance, and Irish culture. First time novelist, Rachel Nicole Edwards, has so richly developed the characters that you will easily be enamored by their personalities, vulnerabilities, and strengths. The story begins as Emma Roberts, a shy teenager, moves into a recently renovated house in 2018. Diagnosed with high functioning autism, she faces many struggles even though surrounded by a loving and supportive family. Emma wants more than anything to have friends and to be accepted for who she is. She lacks the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and risk further rejection until she realizes her new home is haunted by the spirit of Peter O'Sullivan.