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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The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright isn’t a light read. This dark mystery takes readers back to 1910 with a story that ties to the present. In 1910, Perliett Van Hilton struggles with her spiritualist mother who tries to commune with the dead to solve a local murder. Except Perliett becomes a target herself. In present times, Molly Wasziak and her husband purchase a farm, but it’s rumored to be the site of several murders. But when murder happens again, Molly looks to the dead to find answers.

My favorite novel by Jaime Jo Wright has always been The House on Foster Hill, but now…maybe it’s tied with The Premonition at Withers Farm. Because I couldn’t put this story down. The mystery sucked me in, the concept of spiritualism vs faith intrigued me, and the characters real life struggles captivated me. This story has a creepy ghost-like elements, but Wright always brings faith into the center of things. Written with dual timelines, I felt like each timeline had its own intense story that kept me flipping pages in both settings, but Wright weaves the two timelines together seamlessly for the overarching mystery.

I highly recommend The Premonition at Withers Farms – especially right before Halloween.

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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“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 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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