Jaime Jo Wright has become a must read author for me. As she has for many of her peeps. The time slip, two time periods, genre works so well with her clever story crafting. The mystery and suspense always keeps you on your toes and draws you back to the story until you've finished it. And there's always a bit of creepiness in them and this one is no exception.

One wonders if we've stepped into a ghost story of sorts on reading the first pages of 'Predicament.' We have a mysterious "Her" who starts the story with a short half page introduction. Who the heck is 'Her'?

And then we meet Effie James. She's a wonderful character who is challenged throughout this story to step away from her fear. Fear fills her mind, it makes her irritate her loved ones as she always needs continuous reassurance. But there is also real sadness and reason for her fear. Her dearest sister, Polly, has an incurable disease and will die soon. Effie can't fathom life without her younger sister. Polly is the brave one, the one who helps Effie live life. How will she move forward?

But Polly has been struck down by trauma. Trauma from seeing something horrible, but is so traumatised is unable to share what it was. But Effie suspects. As does the mysterious Englishman Mr Anderson, who is searching for his wife who apparently has disappeared in this tiny Iowa town of Shepherd. Anderson has a story but he's afraid to admit to its reality. Is his wife dead?

We then meet Norah Richman in the present. She lives in the same house on 322 Predicament Avenue where Polly James saw something that led to her trauma, 100 years earlier. Norah runs a boarding house of sorts and some strange things are happening including one of her guests being a podcast creator who investigates mysterious deaths. He's here investigating the death that Polly witnessed all those years ago.

Norah's younger sister, Naomi, recently passed away. Seemingly murdered but the case was closed with no definitive evidence of a murder. Sebastian, the podcaster, stumbles across Naomi's mysterious death. Two mysteries, still unsolved, in the same house, 100 years apart. An investigator's dream, I guess.

Wright marvellously weaves the two stories together, as is her skill. Two grieving women, two recently arrived men searching for answers. Together, the two women and men discover something more important than answers. They discover hope and life after death and after the grief.

It's really powerful. Knowing that Jamie Jo has been walking a journey of deep grief herself made this story even more impactful. It's almost the second anniversary of my mum passing and I miss her everyday but I know there is life after the grief, even when it spins me around every once in awhile, which is grief's way.

I loved Polly's words about imagining eternity - "God is mysterious. It will take an eternity to discover Him."

Effie James and Norah Richman are great characters ... so vulnerable, so brave, to challenge the fear, the grief and uncertainty to believe in hope and a future, even if that future is uncertain.

As always with a Jaime Jo Wright story I feel tremendously blessed to have received an early ebook copy from Bethany House via Net Galley. This has had no impact on my review. Very excitedly, this book ends with a snippet of Wright's next story which comes out later in 2024. How marvellous. Can't wait.

I just love Jaime Jo Wright's books! The way she writes just pulls you in to the story and mystery! The two timelines switch between Effie in 1910 and present day Norah who have the house on Predicament Avenue in common. I loved the "spookiness" of it all but Jaime also weaves faith within her books. Everything comes together in the end and gives you a tidy, happy ending.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 9 April 2024

Jaime Jo Wright proves with this release why she continues to be on my auto-buy (or auto-request-from-NetGalley!) list!

_Night Falls on Predicament Avenue_ is suitably creepy; only a handful of scenes were "too creepy for Meagan to read at night"--fewer instances than other books of hers, haha. Thankfully I've learned that lesson sufficiently/the hard way prior to diving into this read, and it validated my decision to while away a lazy Saturday on my porch with the book. "I cannot read this at night," she said--so she didn't. ;)

As with her other books, Wright weaves faith and theology throughout this release, and boy, were there some humdingers. Ha! I feel suitably convicted now. And it took quite a few twists and turns; I figured out a couple, but more often than not, I was pleasantly surprised. A very good read, and one with a beautiful cover to boot.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

These mysteries span centuries and continents...

If Agatha Christie was the Queen of Crime then Jaime Jo Wright is the Queen of Christian Creepy Split Time. Night Falls On Predicament Avenue was every bit as eerie and as good as I had anticipated and maybe just a touch more....

Jaime Jo Wright really had me going with this story. From start to finish was I invested in Norah and Effie's lives and the mysteries surrounding both women. I was also kept guessing as tried to unwind the motives for each possible suspect and I was definitely in for a few surprises here and there.

Night Falls On Predicament Avenue was a very good read. It was hard to put down and it packed a pretty powerful punch on the topic of grief as several main characters struggle with different facets of it. Each has to find their own path to take the next step forward...and the next...

I am a diehard Jaime Jo Wright fan and it is the spookiness of her stories such as Night Falls On Predicament Avenue and the slightly gritty reality of them that keeps me coming back each time. Trust me, I will definitely be anxiously awaiting her next chillingly delightful release....

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Jaime Jo Wright's latest book, Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, was another page-turner that had me guessing until the last pages. One thing I greatly admire about Wright's stories is that her time-slip characters both hook me into their worlds, and I want to know what happens with both. Sometimes in a time-slip novel, one character will bore me so much I can hardly refrain from skipping their chapters, but with Wright, I always find I enjoy both character prospectives. I don't read a lot of suspense or thriller novels, but I recently discovered Wright's books and have been enjoying the change; her books aren't too gory or creepy for me, but they still give that mysterious and intense feel. I love the way Wright builds the character tension in this book, and the ways Effie and Norah have to come to terms with their past and accept the sovereignty of God even when it seems like things are completely out of control.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - Night Falls on Predicament Avenue - Jaime Jo Wright - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
I have no idea how Jaime Jo Wright comes up with these stories but each one is just soooo good (hint they're all favourites) but this one is my current favouritest! The mystery, the suspense, she knows just when to end a chapter leaving you hungry for more. I've read every single one of her books in less than 3 days as I just can't put them down. The problem with mysteries is I can't talk much about the storyline without spoilers. I'll just say this one is more spine-tingling than usual. And also as a fan of true crime, I can oft forget these are not just entertaining stories but real life with real people suffering trauma from the aftermath, so I found reading from the perspective of the victim's family a good reminder.

THE ROMANCE
Jamie Jo Wright's books are not romances but they always have just enough in them to satisfy romance lovers like myself. I liked both couples but especially loved Effie and Mr Anderson, the last chapter makes their slow burn worth it!

THE TRUTHS
Fear is a big theme in this story. While the fear I've felt may not quite to the same degree as the MCs, what we can both agree on is that fear steals our hope and eternal perspective. It makes us focus on our current seemingly hopeless circumstances and tells us they will never change so why move forward. It makes us forget this life isn't all that there is, that we have an eternal one ahead us. One without fear, pain or sadness, a life where we will be free from the burdens of this world. Fear freezes us, hope keeps us moving toward the better future God has promised us.

I think the reason this author’s books are so popular are because they are based on fear. A childhood fear, that we still have a fascination with though we may not admit it to ourselves. In reading these books we can explore this fear in a way but through a safe medium, a book. It’s a book we can completely get lost in as we enter this world of creepiness and whatever the author wants to convey to us but safely at any time, we can leave it.
With a dual timeline we find ourselves volleying between 1910 and modern times. Rumors can destroy or accentuate something. With rumors still running amuck about the house on Predicament Avenue that started over one hundred years ago the curious among us still gather. Rumors are usually started by something being true and adding on to it, an embellishment of sorts until it gets out of hand and can become dangerous. A purported murder of a woman taking place long ago has the curious gathering. Is Predicament Avenue haunted or is it just the eerie descriptions messing with our mind? The characters were exactly as the author wanted them set up to be, The unknown is in full force in this book and if you listen closely, you will hear the dead whispering a message to you.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright is the perfect creepy and mysterious suspense novel. It is filled with gothic elements that keep you captivated and on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next.
The story unfolds in two timelines while one is Contemporary Christian fiction and the other is Historical Christian fiction. Both are spooky while dealing with overcoming fear and moving on.
1910, Effie James' sister witnesses a crime that rocks their lives along with the small town in Iowa that they all call home.
A century later Norah Richman is running her great aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue when tragedy strikes again and a guest is found dead. What evil lurks in this small town and will if be found before something far greater than death rears its ugly head?
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue was unfortunately a disappointment for me. I was really hoping to love it, as I read one of this author’s previous books and really loved it. However, this one was not for me. I personally found it to lack excitement and suspense. While it started off with a great amount of creepy vibes and great plot, I found it dragged on without any substantial plot advances. I found it repetitive. These thoughts are based up until 50% when I choose to not finish it. I do look forward to this author’s other works. I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

YouTube Review: 05/01/24
YouTube Handle: KeenCat

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, a creepy, ghostly mystery filled with suspense and gothic elements, by Jaime Jo Wright, who is the best of the best when it comes to writing bone-chilling stories.

This duel timeline has the perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and faith, with a sprinkling of romance to keep one enthralled from beginning to end. The heroines from both periods struggle with grief, fear, and anxiety. Wright masterfully guides them through these life-altering issues, with her superlative prose adding to the overall emotional experience of the story.

Wright’s suspenseful plot will keep you enthusiastically turning the pages to uncover the truth behind one chilling incident after another. I used to read these types of stories at night underneath the bed covers with a flashlight when I was young, and I have to admit, I still do so when reading a story by Wright. I highly recommend this bump-in-the-night, whodunnit Christian gothic suspense mystery, and I definitely recommend taking the time to read the author’s note.

A complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a wonderful historical fiction novel with dual timelines and loads of suspense! I can’t decide which timeline is my favorite. They’re both amazing.

In the modern day, we have a set of twins. One was abducted and killed while the other survived. But she’s got some severe anxiety and she is determined to figure out what happened to her sister. She feels somehow guilty. And to make up for it she’s determined to make her sister’s dream a success.

But her dream involved making this old house a bed and breakfast. And now there are two murders associated with it. Two unsolved murders that is.

When a true crime podcaster comes to stay at Norah’s place will he discover the truth about the ages-old murder? Or will the present-day one swallow them all up? Wonderful suspense novel! I hope you get a chance to read this one. It’s also part of a series and I love it so much! These books are such great reads. They read fast and furious and leave you guessing and hanging on every word.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Do you have any “haunted” houses near where you live? In Kewaunee where I live, we have a haunted hotel and jail. I’ve picked up a haunted houses of Wisconsin book and found them in there and they’ve also been featured on TV.
In 1910, Effie James and her sister, Polly, stumble across a murder at 323 Predicament Avenue. Polly stays silent on what she saw, and Effie must piece it together from what she heard. When a mysterious British gentleman comes to town claiming the victim was his wife, will they together be able to discover the murderer?

In the present day, Norah runs 323 Predicament Avenue as a B&B. Sebastian is a guest and a true crime cold case podcaster. When another guest dies of a heart attack after seeing a ghost, Norah must face her demons and investigate not only the mystery from a century ago, but the murder of her beloved sister. Will Norah be able to face her anxiety and solve her sister’s cold case?

My thoughts on this novel:

• This novel was very atmospheric and Gothic. I loved how it started with a bang. It would make an excellent Halloween read.

• This is a dual timeline novel. The link is that the only two people that have been murdered in Shephard, Iowa, were both connected to the home at 322 Predicament Avenue.

• I had a hard time putting this book down as I got towards the end. It was a great suspense novel. I did not guess the ending in either timeline.

• I liked the look into anxiety with Norah trying to deal with her anxiety throughout the novel.

• The novel also looked at fear and working through it through faith.

• This book was a clean read.

• I enjoyed the teaser at the end for her fall 2024 novel, Specters in the Glass House which will be set near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Favorite Quotes:
“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out yet.”

“Yet that was what fear was after all. When a person lived afraid of death, when they could feel death’s cold breath on their neck every moment of the day, there was no courage left to be had. No anticipation. No hope. Only the force of one’s own will to try to outrun the fear before they were eaten alive by it. Before their greatest fear became their greatest reality.”

Overall, Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright is a delightfully Gothic historical mystery that will have you guessing right up until the end.

This was a split time novel with over a hundred years separating events in the small town of Shepherd. In 1901, Effie is navigating life with her adventurous sister Polly. Because of a decision made on the spur of the moment, the lives of Effie and Polly will never be the same.
In present day, Norah runs a Bed and Breakfast at 322 Predicament Avenue. This old residence holds much mystery, including a murder and ghosts(?). Even in the backyard you’ll find an historic graveyard with markers of long forgotten lives.
Each character from both time periods had a significant part to play in the grand scheme of things. Never knowing what might happen next, I was held to the edge of my seat with my heart pounding with each turn of the pages. I am always amazed with each book I read, how the authors come up with the stories they tell. Jaime Jo Wright has a special talent for plots that lean toward the macabre and other worldly. I appreciate how she brings God into the stories full of grace and forgiveness. I enjoyed the split time and all the characters woven into a tale that I’ll not soon forget.
I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

This was an interesting read and it keeps you wondering about two mystery’s at 322 Predicament Avenue. It is told from two time periods, so it keep you on your toes! It is more haunty creepy than I thought it would be as you read on and may be your kind of thing. But for me it isn’t very much, but it isn’t a boring book at all. The author tackles anxiety and recovering as Norah struggles to let go of the past. She comes upon a renter named, Noah and it was nice to read how these two connected after awhile. I believe you will enjoy this book over a nice cup of Joe. I received this book for free from Celebrate Lit Tour and the opinions I express are honest and my own.

I really enjoyed "The Curse of Misty Wayfair" when I read it last year, so I was very much looking forward to this release and I'm happy to report that I absolutely ate it up. It's a story about grief and fear and life and death, but at its heart are Effie and Norah, two women both dealing with different facets of losing a sister. The split-time aspect had me pinning imaginary string to an imaginary corkboard, trying to piece together the puzzle of Isabelle Addington and 322 Predicament Avenue. The faith aspect was so well done. And credit where credit is due, I was genuinely spooked a few times, and the ending caught me totally by surprise (I mean, I kinda called it, but I was suspicious of EVERYBODY so I don't think I can really say I guessed 🤣)

It easily gets 5 stars from me, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

I did not enjoy this book at all. I found it very disturbing and am surprised it is in Christian fiction as I found very little uplifting or Christian in it. It may be different for other readers.

I must admit I had trouble getting into this slow-developing mysterious story with all the jumping between time periods and trying to keep track of the many characters, each in their setting yet somehow connected. It would help to have a cast of characters and where they fit listed in the front. The book didn’t grab me the way I expected it to, as many suspenseful novels do. I think the “Somewhere in the Past” parts accomplished this, but the rest fell a bit flat for me. Also, I didn’t find the characters very emotionally engaging. It seemed too surface-level, like reciting what occurred rather than plumbing the depth of the terror and the emotions I would expect in a story that deals with two murders occurring in the same location decades apart. Yet, the suspense novel has plenty of twists that both throw off the reader and increase the intrigue, with unexpected surprises in the latter part. The drama does give readers plenty to ponder, and you may relate to the mystery better than I did. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #NightFallsonPredicamentAvenue #NetGalley

“…A person’s life, no matter how short or how long, how peaceful or how turbulent, how adventurous or how tragic, is not wasted. Not when you have hope. It might be a tiny pinprick of light in a world of darkness, but it’s there all the same.”

Another fantastic gothic delight from Jaimie Jo Wright! I have to admit that I count down the days until her next book because I know I’ll be thoroughly entertained, inspired, and spooked. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is an eerie thrill ride but also a triumph of hope over fear. In this mysterious dual time period story, two sisters a century apart have to live with the aftermath of what happened on 322 Predicament Avenue.

Shepherd, Iowa, 1901 Effie James accompanies her adventurous sister Polly on a dare to peek inside the creepy abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. When Polly peers through the window, she witnesses a murder that leaves her in a weakened state, unable to speak. Effie, who heard the screams, is dumbfounded when no murder victim is found. When a handsome British gentleman arrives and claims it was his wife that was murdered, he and Effie embark on a mission to find the truth of what happened that night.

Modern Day, Norah Richman is doing her best to live her life after her twin sister’s terrible murder 13 years previous. Despite her anxiety and grief, Norah fulfill’s her twin’s dream of running a bed and breakfast out of the home she inherited from her aunt at 322 Predicament Avenue. Growing up on the ghost stories her aunt told surrounding the house, she’s trying to survive her own nightmare. When one of her houseguests dies, she relies on the charming British historian and host of a true crime podcast who’s also staying at the bed and breakfast to help her unravel the truth of what took place at 322 Predicament Avenue in the distant past and 13 years ago.

Jaime Jo Wright is the queen of spooky gothic romances and I absolutely adored the stories in both time periods. The mysteries kept me guessing with several suspects in each story. Effie & Norah were such sympathetic characters. Both had to grow and overcome their fears in order to bring the truth to light. I also enjoyed the chilling narration from the mysterious “Her” sprinkled throughout. I could honestly feel the fear rolling off the pages that each character experienced, however I loved the overall message that hope and faith conquer fear.

Though there’s a lot of suspense, I loved the romances in both stories. The author gave us not one, but two swoony British heroes. Anderson is the Englishman whom Effie falls for and I loved the way he believed in her and helped her through her grief. I also loved Sebastian Blaine. He’s a bit of a free spirit who learns from Norah the importance of being there for those you love.

This is definitely one gothic romance fans won’t want to miss! Highly recommend! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

Chilling…I like it
Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a chilling story about two women who desire to fulfill dreams but are apprehensive about seeing those dreams through. They seem to second-guess their own strength as their individual lives and circumstances push them down paths of discovery.
In true Jaime Jo Wright fashion, she delivers a frightening tale of overcoming fears, stepping out in faith, and not backing down to the things that go bump in the night. I always enjoy the way she hops between two different periods of time and shows the parallels between the present and the past.It helps us see that the fears of the past are not much different from the fears we have today…but God hasn’t changed either, and that is beautiful.
Obviously, I enjoy the book and I enjoy the author. I will read everything she produces, without question.
If you are willing to face a chilling story to see how Jaime shows God’s awesomeness by the end, get yourself a copy of Night Falls on Predicament Avenue (just don’t read it at night).
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through CelebrateLit Publicities. All views expressed are strictly my own.

I loved this book filled with grief, love, suspense and intrigue. I could not put this book down. I loved Effie and Norah. I loved that each of these women from a 120 years apart have to solve a murder to move on with their lives. I loved how spooky this story could be. I am never disappointed by this author. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.