For Fans of Historical Fiction, True Crimes, and Romance Novels

Another novel in the True Color series – this one tackles The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912. Pepper Basham sets readers right into the historical setting through her attention to the scenery, customs, and dialect of the times. The true crimes story spills all of the details about some feuding families in an Appalachian mountain town. A seemingly innocent kiss at a corn-shucking contests leads to a bloody massacre, with outlaws on the run and a small town thrown into the spotlight. Ava Burcham and Jeremiah Sutphin find all kinds of dangerous situations as they fall in love during tumultuous and strange times. Not everyone can be trusted, and the pair become eye-witnesses to a deadly shootout just days before their wedding.

I’ll admit that this story wasn’t my usual non-stop action and suspense kind of read. A lot of romance fans will love this one. But I did enjoy this story. The author has an amazing writing style that captures the essence of the time period. I’m a fan of the whole series, which takes little know crime stories in the history of the United States and brings them to life in the pages of a fiction novel. The Red Ribbon let me imagine the chaos of the scene of these feuding families who seem to take the law into their own hands at times. The real-life crime still isn’t resolved as it seems unclear as to who started the whole thing and whether or not some innocent people were held accountable for the crimes.

Definitely check out The Red Ribbon if you are a fan of historical fiction, true crimes, or romance novels when it releases.

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)
Suspense Rating: 3 stars (some suspenseful moments)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

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For fans of split time periods, unique settings and intricate mysteries

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright takes readers on an epic journey. Set in two time periods with connecting mysteries, the story centers around a traveling circus in the late 1920’s. Pippa Ripley longs to connect to her real family. Abandoned by her parents, all she knows is that they once worked for the circus. A mysterious phantom of a man called The Watchman seems to hold the answers, if Pippa could find him. In the present time, Chandler Faulk tries to keep everything together. A single mother, she moves to Bluff River for work. She’s trying to renovate an old train depot but gets sucked into local lore that has the place pegged as haunted by the ghost of a murdered woman.

The novel enchants readers from the start. Jaime Jo Wright has an amazing way with words. The backdrop of the circus brings out incredible imagery – yet it’s almost a behind the scenes tour for the reader. The focus isn’t the glitz and glamour of the show with the big tents and epic acts. This is the story of the people who work in the shadows, the ones who live to entertain others but hide themselves behind a curtain. Jake Chambers is a brooding man that just wants justice for his sister’s murder. Clive is a dwarf dealing with being rejected because of his stature. Their stories come to light as they try to figure out the mystery behind the Watchman. No one knows who he is, but he appears around the circus in a burlap bag mask and is associated with a string of murders along the circus stops.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus definitely gives off some creepy vibes. The author creates an ambiance of Gothic imagery that adds another layer to the imagery and plotline. It all works together to create this world full of magic and mystery, that spans decades and reaches into the broken hearts of the characters with offers of redemption and healing. Many of the character find refuge in the circus, yet the modern setting reflects the same hidden identities of the performers. Both Pippa and Chandler just want to be seen, they long for a place to call their own where they are known and loved. Their parallel stories seem to intersect seamlessly. Chandler tries so hard to overcome her past, that she self-destructs by thinking she can’t manage. Hank Titus brings warmth and depth into her life by seeing her for who she truly is and not expecting her to manage everything by herself.

As far as the suspense, the entire story is a complicated and twisted mystery. Chandler uncovers information about the 1920’s murder, and someone wants her to stop looking. The old train depot definitely makes a great setting for a haunted place. This novel kept me flipping pages to figure out the ending. I had to slow down to make sure I read every word because I just wanted to find out the identity of the Watchman.

I’m such a fan of Jaime Jo Wright! Between the mystery that spans decades, the incredible imagery, and the broken and beautiful characters, this story is one of my favorites!

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of historical fiction, suspense and true crimes

The Black Midnight mixes historical fiction, romance and suspense into an intriguing novel. Anne Walters is a Pinkerton detective by day, but is secretly a British royal. She wants to live her life outside of family obligations. She gets assigned to Texas to work with Isaiah Joplin to hunt down a serial killer.  

I’m typically not a fan of the 1800’s or romance themes. But I enjoyed everything about this novel. First – the suspense. The murders in Austin, TX become linked to a series of murders in England, which eventually leads to the hunt for Jack the Ripper. Anne and Isaiah work to connect the string of murders between the two continents. Also, Anne is a female Pinkerton detective, which was rare for women during this time period, not to mention someone with a royal background. Anne takes a strong lead in this novel, as a detective and as she stands up to her family.

As far as the romance, I enjoyed Anne and Isaiah discovering their feelings for each other. Of course it falls into the forbidden love category as Anne could never marry someone who wasn’t a royal and chosen by her family. Her desire to be independent and work as a detective clashes with the desire to please her family. And Isaiah appreciates Anne’s investigation skills and sees her for so much more than the roles women of this time period traditionally held.  

I found this story intriguing from the historical aspect. I didn’t know much about Jack the Ripper, and I liked the author’s notes in the end with the research details. Kathleen Y’Barbo tacked a big topic and created a suspenseful story with heartwarming characters that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of epic storytelling, split time periods, and a magical setting

Set the Stars Alight transports readers into an unbelievable setting, with incredible characters and an enchanting story.  Lucy Clairmont searches for a long-lost ship which disappeared centuries ago.  But she stumbles on so much more as she follows a trail of breadcrumbs her father left her in the form of fairy-tale-like stories.

Set in two time periods, the story weaves the tale of the past with Lucy’s modern day search. She winds up being led by Dashel, her long lost childhood love, to Stone’s Throw Farm to search for proof of the infamous shipwreck. Amanda Dykes has a powerful writing style that creates deep and meaningful characters. I loved Lucy’s struggle to find herself as she connects with a town and people seeped in mystery. I fell in love with Dash, his quirkiness and genius bringing out the best in Lucy. The stories, both past and present, are seeped in imagery and themes of love and sacrifice.

The combination of Dash and Lucy makes the story rich. She is a maritime archaeologist, and he is a forensic astronomer. Together they take their childhood stories and piece them together to understand the legend behind the missing ship, the Jubilee. Their connection is deep as the waters and sky they search.

I will add that this story isn’t a quick read. I love to read as I fall asleep at night, but I had to stay awake and pay attention to absorb every word for the story to come together in my mind. I’ll probably be re-reading this one someday as there’s so much meaning and imagery in every word. I 100% recommend this to fiction lovers who want to be immersed in a beautiful and intriguing tale.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of historical fiction, true crimes, and gritty dramas

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma is part of the True Colors series. These stories are based on actual crimes in American history, and this novel focuses on the notorious Robinson family. One by one, family members die a slow and agonizing death. Harriet Peters, caregiver to the children and friend of the family, begins to realize that it’s way too coincidental that so many people in the same family all died the same way. She invites her own doctor, Michael Wheaton, to help investigate and keep the children safe from the mysterious illness that has taken the lives of so many.

This story is creepy! I read up on the historical events, and the author did a great job of bringing this story from the pages of the past and turning it into a suspenseful and intriguing story. This novel is gritty and dark, not a light read. There is a love story that develops to lighten the mood a bit. I’m usually not a fan of stories set in the 1800’s, but the author did a lot of research and the setting just adds to the macabre and nightmarish circumstances. It’s hard to believe this is based on real life! Also, by the time you understand why the title is The Green Dress, your head will be spinning.

Definitely check this novel out, especially if you like gritty true crime stories.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For Fans of Dual Timelines, Complex Mysteries, and Intriguing Characters

Jaime Jo Wright’s Echoes Among the Stones drops readers into a seventy year old mystery. Set in two time periods, the story revolves around Imogene Flannigan, whose sister is murdered. Flash forward as Aggie Dunkirk tries to put the pieces together and figure out why the murder was unsolved. But someone keeps sending warning signs to say that past secrets should be left buried.

I love mysteries, the kind where anyone can be a suspect and readers don’t know who to trust. Echoes Among the Stones delivers a twisted and complex mystery with a cast of equally complicated characters. Aggie’s job working as a cemetery secretary adds to the intrigue as she moves in with her grandmother AKA Mumsie. Mumsie has secrets that span her entire life.

Even with the overarching mystery steeped in death, the story brings some deep themes to life. The characters are amazingly dynamic, and Aggie learns to deal with her grief from Mumsie, who let regret and sorrow consume her entire life. Aggie’s odd relationship with Colin, the might-be-British eclectic archaeologist, is quirky and endearing. He’s definitely a character! Flipping into the past, readers will love Imogene’s spun, determination, and loyalty. She refuses to give up on finding out the truth about her sister’s murder while everyone else seems to moves on.

Move Echoes from the Stones up on your TBR list if you are a fan of mysteries. This is the story you won’t want to put down, so block off your schedule accordingly.

I received a complementary ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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The Pink Bonnet is part of a series of true crimes stories. Set in the 1930’s, the novel portrays the scandal with the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and Georgia Tann. Based on a true story, Tann ran an adoption scam and was kidnapping children and selling them to the highest bidder. The story focuses on Cecile Dowd, who’s daughter was given up for adoption without her consent. She hunts down her daughter with the help of attorney Percy Vance, while no one believes that Tann would do such heinous things.

The Pink Bonnet is well-written, fast paced novel, but the topic is not a happy one. If you are sensitive to stories about child abuse, steer clear. It’s hard to believe this novel is based on a true story. While I liked Cecile’s tenacity to find her daughter, the love story seemed a bit contrived at times. Also, the end seemed like it had some inconsistencies. I read a review copy so hopefully the final version will flow better. But as far as a suspenseful crime story, the plot moved fast and kept me reading and on the edge of my seat.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Another enjoyable tale in the daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. Told from the perspective of John Watson’s son, the story takes a dark turn into the disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth, suspected of being kidnapped by the Germans during WWI because of his knowledge of classified secrets. Joanna takes the case in tracking the kidnappers moves as Alistair leaves clues.

If you love a good old-fashioned detective mystery, you will love The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth. Filled with secret codes, spies, deception, and some surprising twists, this story gives the readers a case worthy of the great Sherlock himself.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Summary from cover: From the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir comes a thrilling new WWII story about a village busybody—the mighty Mrs. Braithwaite—who resolves to find, and then rescue, her missing daughter

The Spies of Shilling Lane is set in London during WWII. The story focuses on Mrs. Braithwaite, who discovers her daughter missing, and goes on a quest of her own to find Betty. Mrs. Braithwaite puts her gossipy, busy-body skills to the test and elicits the help of Mr. Norris, Betty’s landlord to search London amidst bombings and air raids.

The characters and setting make this novel worth reading. While war is always a hard topic to dive into without totally being depressing, Mrs. Braithwaite and Mr. Norris make an interesting duo. Both struggle with living their lives in a small box, always doing the same thing, never really changing. They both let life happen to them, instead of living in the moment. Mr. Norris puts aside fear to help the brash and bold Mrs. Braithwaite track down unsavory people to find out what happened to Betty. Mrs. Braithwaite realizes that her bossy ways and lack of love tainted her life. She softens, while Mr. Norris becomes quite bold in their pursuits.

I enjoyed this story. The suspense element of amateur sleuths tracking down Betty was quite entertaining, and I loved characters that step up and realize who they are when put to the test. Lots of plot twists and run-ins with spies make this an intriguing novel.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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