The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright brings the creep factor that readers can expect from a Wright novel. Set in three time periods, the story follows the haunting and mysterious history of a castle built in Wisconsin. People talk about the strange building, and over the years the lore builds – women who visit the castle go missing.

In the past, Daisy joins the castle as an employee, only to find that strange people and environment live up to the hype. There’s something shady going on at Castle Moreau. Over a hundred years later, Cleo Clemmons finds herself in the exact same position, hired by a notorious wealthy man with a legendary playboy reputation to clean the castle. How hard could the job be? But Cleo faces the insurmountable task of going through the belongings of the matriarch of the Tremblay family, who is a hoarder living in the castle alone. All around Cleo, the mystery of the disappearing women starts to unravel. But is Cleo safe while staying at Castle Moreau?

I love the interwoven mysteries of this story. Readers watch the story from the past played out in the present day. Cleo has secrets of her own, and the past she’s running from collides with her stay at the castle. Deacon Tremblay and all the members of the Tremblay family are fantastic, eccentric characters that add to the allure of the legends about the castle.

This story is dark, mysterious, and down-right enjoyable to read from start to finish. With complex characters, intriguing settings, and lots of juicy mystery, this book is a must read for suspense fans. Also, the audio narrator makes the story come alive, so I suggest audio.

Wright knows how to write descriptive and unique settings that come to life on every page. Move this novel up to that top spot on your TBR list and thank me later.

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

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All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes transports readers to Venice, Italy.  The author’s vivid language and descriptions make readers feel like they are a part of the unfolding mystery of the story. Set in two time periods, the story follows Sebastien Trovato, the legendary baby that was rescued from the river. But years later, Daniel Goodman travels to Venice to complete the story. He discovered a book, partially written, of Sebastien and seeks to unlock the mystery.

I am a fan of the author, and Whose Waves These Are is one of my favorites.  All the Lost Places brings the scenery and characters to life on the pages. Readers will fall in love with Daniel and his quest, especially when he meets the alluring yet quirky Vittoria, who joins Daniel to search for the missing book. My only issue was that I did find it hard to switch between time periods while reading, which usually doesn’t bother me. But the author’s characters and settings make me want to pack my bags and head to Venice.

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

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The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright brings all of the spookiness and mystery we’ve come to expect as fans of this author. The split timeline novel gives readers two intriguing stories. In 1930’s a child is found dragging a bloody axe, her family missing. Ava Coons doesn’t remember what happened to her as a child, but the town thinks she murdered her family and accuse her of more recent murders. Pastor Noah Prichard believes she’s innocent and decides to protect her. In the current timeline, Wren Blythe deals with the mystery of a missing girl. The legend of Ava Coon pulls her into the forest, and she feels a connection to Lost Lake. But things unravel when she starts to realize her personal connection to the missing child.

I love how Wright weaves two different stories into one fabulous tale. The eerie settings and dynamic characters drew me into the story. Both timelines took plenty twists and turns, but also brought out a level of emotion that took me by surprise. Wren deals with a lot of grief and loss, as does Ava. From trauma to triumph, both characters had inspiring journeys through the pages of the book. There’s a layer of romance in the story, and I love the relationship that develops between Ava and Noah, as well as Wren finding out who she truly belongs with.

This story does have that creepy factor, but the haunting story with complex characters will work its way into your heart. Be sure to check out the The Souls of Lost Lake when it releases April 5^th.

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

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Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes puts readers right on the front lines of WWI. The story is told with four main points of view. Matthew Petticrew faces the harsh realities of war when he’s assigned to the front lines for his unique ability to hear enemy fire before it hits. George Piccadilly tried to avoid the war by enrolling in school to become a chaplain, but somehow finds his way to the heart of the fighting. Journalist Henry Mueller sends updates back to America from the front lines, but finds himself teamed up with Matthew and George. They discover a mysterious woman in the forest of France and she needs their help. They trudge through the battle-scarred land to ensure her safety.

I love Amanda’s unique voice in story-telling. The story is rich and vibrant. She writes characters that come to life on the page. The plot is fast-paced, yet seeped with emotions. I loved every minute of the adventures this unlikely team faced and the camaraderie that was forged with the most unlikely people. The themes of hope and honor resonated with me, and I loved how each of the characters came into their own in the backdrop of an ugly and violent war.

Despite being more of a romance novel than suspense, there’s so much packed into this story about the war and survival that I found myself hooked! It’s not sappy or overdone with the romance, the story focuses more on individual growth and the unlikely relationships that form in this difficult time.

I highly suggest the audio book. I’m not usually one to like multiple narrators, but there were four or five in this version, and I thought they all did an outstanding job giving voice to each of the characters.

Definitely check out this novel. It might bring you to tears, but it’s an outstanding literary work that will have me thinking about it long after I put the book down.

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

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“As long as you have breath, there is purpose. We must fight to find it.”
– Mr. Crayne

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright gives readers two epic tales spanning a hundred years, woven seamlessly into one epic mystery. The story intertwines the lives of two women who move into the manor. Adria Fontaine arrives to Foxglove in the late 1800’s and Kailey Gibson moves into the same manor in the present day. Both women search to unlock the secrets the place holds.

I love the mystery! This story is complex and creates two worlds with odd characters in a haunted backdrop. Jaime Jo Wright’s cinema-like language creates a visual picture like no other author I know. From the scenery to the quirkiness of the characters, I was drawn in from the first word. Mr. Crayne somehow became my favorite character, a cantankerous, reclusive alcoholic living in the rafters of the manor. But nothing is ever as it seems at Foxglove Manor.

Despite its creepy ambiance, the story gives readers an emotional depth as we root for Adria and Kailey to find what they are desperately seeking, and it’s more than just legends of Civil War treasure. They are two women in desperate need of healing and restoration. The only issue I had with the story is that when it ended, I wanted more!

Definitely check out On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor. I loved every minute of this crazy adventure!

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
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 and Drama

In a Far -Off Land gives readers a look into all the grit and drama of Hollywood in the 1930’s. I haven’t read too many stories set in the Depression era, but the author sets the stage with the contrast between over-indulgent socialites and obliterating poverty. Minerva Sinclaire decides to leave her humble small-town roots for the lure of Hollywood stardom. Thinking she can make money as an actress, she sets out to earn enough to keep her family’s farm from going under. But she enters a world of corruption and winds up losing everything, especially her identity.

I love a few things about this story. The time period and setting seemed magical with the celebrities and scenery of old-timey Hollywood. But just a few blocks down the road, communities were devastated by the Depression with unimaginable poverty.  The author really brought to light the social issues of the times.

I also liked that this story is a modern-day retelling of the prodigal son. In this case, daughter, but the story was filled with redemption and meaning. The spiritual lessons jump off the pages as a reminder that no matter how bad things get, we are still loved.  Forgiveness isn’t a dream from a far-off land.

While not fast-paced, this novel brings emotional depth to the characters and I found this to be a meaningful and well-crafted story. I definitely recommend, especially for any fans of historical fiction.

4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)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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The Thief of Blackfriars Lane gives readers a trip to Victorian London with a twisted mystery to solve. Jackson Forge’s training to be a constable is hanging by a thread. He gets one last chance prove himself by solving the crime of the missing cab driver. He teams up with Kit Turner, whose streetwise attitude is the opposite of Jackson’s law-and-order stance.

The characters in this story are charming and witty, and the pairing of the cop and the con artist works well as they con the bad guys so Jackson can close the case. The story wasn’t action-packed, but read more like a cozy mystery. The author added lots of details that makes readers feel like they’re running around the streets of London helping Forge and Turner track down clues, meeting lots of shady characters along the way. It’s a fun and quirky mystery story.

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
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 sinister plot lines

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsmais the latest release in the True Colors series. These stories are based on actual crimes in American history. The Gold Digger explores some strange events from LaPorte, IN in the early 1900’s, centering around Belle Gunness and some of her suspicious behaviors.  She’s a widower twice-over, and she takes out personal ads looking for a husband. But when men show up to her farm, they never heard from again. Belle’s sister, Igrid Storset, meets Nils Lindherud who is in town looking for his missing brother. Together they begin to unravel terrible secrets at the Gunness’ farm.

This story isn’t for anyone looking for a cozy mystery. The truth is strange, terrifying, and unresolved, and the author does a great job of bringing out the drama. But it’s such a twisted story to begin with. I love the author’s notes at the end of the book showing the research behind the real Belle Gunness. It’s truly a heartbreaking and horrifying situation in real life, and Liz Tolsma does a great job of bringing the details to light, but tempering it with faith and a love interest. But it’s definitely intense, creepy, and disturbing at times.

Definitely an intriguing read, and if you are a fan of this true crimes series, you’ll be taken with this one!

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
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 Suspense, Historical Fiction, and True Crimes

This is the fourth installment in the True Color series which takes strange historical crimes and turns them into suspense-filled fiction stories. Grace Hitchcock’s The Gray Chamber focuses on a dark period in the late 1800’s surrounding the poorly run women’s lunatic asylum called Blackwell Island.

Edyth Foster’s life is about to take off. She’s set to take over her parent’s estate after their death, and she finds the love of her life. But her uncle get her falsely committed to the asylum where Edyth withstands the horrible conditions. She meets Nelly Bly, an undercover reporter, and the two try to stay alive in the asylum.

The Gray Chamber puts readers right into the middle of these historical events. I hadn’t actually heard about Nelly Bly until reading The Gray Chamber, and the story surrounding Blackwell Island is creepy in its own right. But the author adds the lovable and quirky Edyth to the plot and readers endure the heartbreaking conditions of the asylum right along side her. Edyth’s spunk challenges the societal norms of the time period with her dress and actions. She even takes up fencing, which wasn’t a thing women did in the 1800’s. Edyth isn’t the damsel in distress, which made her plight all the more harrowing as she fights for her life from inside the asylum.

The Gray Chamber is intriguing and full of suspenseful twists. Sadly, much of the elements in the story happened. If you love true crimes, this is one novel you don’t want to miss. The fast-paced action plus likable characters makes this a must read.

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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