Cover Image: The House on Foster Hill

The House on Foster Hill

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Jaime Jo Wright scares my socks off - in a good way. I don't know how she manages to write in a way that is so creepy, but clean, and always explained in the end. This story is captivating - there is no other way to put it really. It just sucks you in and doesn't let go. And as you're trying to figure it all out, Wright throws in some twists and turns that you didn't see coming and honestly they are delightful. There's a reason I always want to read her books!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Two women past and present connected by the happenings in one creepy, mysterious house. Overall, I enjoyed this mystery, but the religious undertones were a bit overdone for me. 3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

A great suspenseful novel! I am a huge fan of psychological fiction and this one fit right in. If you love this kind of story, go get this one!

Was this review helpful?

Kaine Preston decides that she needs a fresh start and buys an old home in her Grandfather's home town. When she moves in, she discovers the dark history of the home and that it might just come back to haunt her.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so good. I only wish I read it sooner!

This story shifts between present day and the early 1900s with two main characters, Ivy and Kaine. Both face struggles in their lives and find themselves working their way through different mysteries. I had a hard time putting this down and was unable to find out who the suspects were until the end of the book.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! “The House on Foster Hill” is my favorite kind of escape! This is, without a doubt, one of the best mystery/suspense books I’ve ever read, largely due to the author's amazing writing style. This story is quite gripping from beginning to end, and one that will undoubtedly stay in my thoughts for some time. I really enjoyed its dual-time mysteries, interesting characters, and overall eerie atmosphere. Also, this book's cover is gorgeous and fits its story perfectly!

“Death had a way of creeping up on a soul, and Ivy Thorpe was determined that when it visited her, she would not be surprised…”

My heart really went out to Ivy — the main character in 1906 — with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, feeling so alone in and misunderstood by the world around her, and being stalked and preyed upon by a mysterious and evil man. Kaine — the main character in present day — is dealing with the same types of experiences. I love the ways in which these two women are connected over time, and how they both evolve throughout their stories.

The only problem I had with this book is that I have a difficult time reading about anything having to do with human sex trafficking and/or rape, which is in this book, however, I really appreciate that this is minimal with no real detail given of these criminal acts. Overall, the crime in this book is creepy, but clean.

As what I believe is Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel, "The House on Foster Hill" proves she is a masterful storyteller, and I will gladly read any book she ever writes!

Was this review helpful?

This is such a great book! I love how the author, Jaime Jo Wright, weaves story lines of past and present in her intriguing gothic fiction novels. This one kept me reading late into the night and I cannot wait for her next novel, as Wright is now one of my go-to authors!

Was this review helpful?

A mystery/suspense book all in ones with hints of romance. It was well written and kept me going back for more!

Was this review helpful?

If you like a good mystery The House On Foster Hill is the book for you. This is the first book for Jaime Jo Wright and she has made me an instant fan. From the very first page, I was intrigued and did not want to put this spine tingling book down. I tend to do most of my reading at night and this book gave me the heebie - jeebie's. So if you get creeped out easy like I do, you may want to opt for reading during the day light hours!

The story intertwines two stories, two characters...Ivy and Kaine. Ivy's story is set in the early 1900's and Kaine's is present day. They both revolve around the House on Foster Hill. There is mystery, murder and a touch of romance. It is brilliantly written and the way the two characters stories come together is pure genius, especially considering there is over a century between them.

I would recommend this for an older audience due to the creepy factor. But if you are older and love a good suspenseful read you have no reason to look any farther than this book. It is perfect and will leave you thinking about it long after you set it down.


***Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to love this book and for the first couple chapters I did. The tone was eerie and I was excited for a creepy story to come. I think this book was trying to do too much and the overall story suffered for it. I was able to connect with the main character but the rest of them kind of fell flat for me.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This had a really strong beginning! However, there was a lot going on and as the story went on I lost interest and connection with some of the characters. I thought it was a good idea to hype up the creepiness in a Christian suspense novel since it's hard for them to be very dark. I just wish it had been maintained throughout the book the way it was in the first few chapters.

Was this review helpful?

I did not appreciate that this book had such strong Christian overtones, the repeated references to the faith of the characters, especially in relation to death, were off putting to me, and spoiled what would otherwise have been an enjoyable mystery.
This is obviously my own opinion and others may enjoy this kind of literature.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The House of Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright.

I saw a lot of potential to enjoy this book. It was foggy and creepy and seemed to have really solid writing. But I really wish that the review had included that this was a novel with strong Christian themes. I don't have a problem with Christian lit, I've really enjoyed some in the past. But sometimes it just comes on too strong and takes away from the rawness of the story. It makes it too saccharine, which is probably the appeal for a lot of people. Either way, it was too much for me and I chose not to continue on.

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were memorable, the setting was creepy but delightful, and it kept me guessing all the way through. I also liked the subtle-yet-powerful spiritual thread woven throughout. I don't usually like scary stories, so I was nervous at first to read it. But I kept hearing good things, so I took a chance. I'm glad I did! I have received a copy of this book by Bethany House, and this is an honest review, and these words/thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I like this book. The characters were interesting and well-developed. I was afraid the time shift would bother me, but it didn't. I would like to read more from Ms. Wright.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the first I have read from this author. It is a cozy mystery with good character development. Some surprises and relationship dynamics between the characters definitely keep the reader interested. It was a pretty good read overall.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Kaine moves to Wisconsin to start a new life away from California where her husband died in a car wreck two years ago. She has purchased an old house that needs lots of repairs. She meets Joy at the service station and Grant at the animal shelter and both of them try to help her. She has a connection to the past.
We get to know Ivy from the past. She is trying to figure out the identity of a woman that was found dead in a tree. Joel that was a childhood friend comes back to town and assists Ivy with the search.
The two stories intertwine together. Started a little slow but picks up.

Was this review helpful?

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts. (Since the book has already released, I also had a paperback [not complimentary]. I read from both copies as I had time.)

Everyone I know who has read this book has told me it blew them away, so I went in expecting to be wowed.

I wasn’t.

It was an okay story that I enjoyed well enough, but there was never an oh-my-goodness-did-that-really-just-happen moment for me. Right when I’d get a little pulled in to one aspect or other about the various threads in the tale, eye-rolling melodrama would pop up—again—and shove me back to arm’s distance once more.

While I’ve heard this book is supposed to be creepy, I only got an odd, evil overtone instead. It never gave me those creepy chills I was expecting. I don’t know if it was the “haunted” house, frequent mentions of superstition, or the talk of the “ghosts,” but there was something that rubbed me the wrong way and made me uncomfortable spending so much time in this book.

Both storylines had interesting points and surprises, but because of the melodrama I mentioned earlier, I never felt emotionally invested in this book. I’m a very emotional reader, and it’s common for me to end up weeping or laughing or getting frustrated (or a mix of all three of those, plus others) through the course of reading a book. Not this one. During Foster Hill, it felt like I was simply reading a story rather than becoming fully immersed in it.

The mystery felt dragged out at times, and several scenes and chapters didn’t add anything to it. There was a significant lack of suspects throughout, and I really had hoped for more suspense since that’s one of the categories this book is listed under on Goodreads.

All that being said, I found a few things that kept me coming back until the story was finished. Ivy’s passion for making sure people were remembered was incredible, and I completely understood why she kept a “death” journal. The Wisconsin setting was beautiful. I think this might be the first book I’ve read that took place in that particular state, so that was a fun and interesting place to spend so many hours of this February (2019). The restoration of the Foster Hill house was intriguing, but I was sad to see that it wasn’t finished by the end of the story. I wanted more of the completed, refurbished house, especially because it was such a featured character in its own right. I did enjoy how the house played such significant roles throughout, whether it be the discovery of clues or a great hiding place or just the mysterious ambiance it seemed to ooze. I really adored Megan and wished she would have been a smidge more developed. Those supporting characters are the ones who add great richness to the core story, at least for me. Something I really loved was how the classic Great Expectations was used in the plot. No spoilers on that, but it was a neat aspect that added a bit of flair to the tale.

Content: profanity and replacement expletives (both came with excuses for why they were okay to use, and neither was ever admitted to be wrong by the characters using them), sexual abuse (off-page), thematic elements

Was this review helpful?

Remember to breathe and be prepared for goosebumps!

I absolutely loved this story! It has everything a person could want: history, romance, suspense, drama, faith, and it's extremely well written! Jaime Jo Wright weaves a tale in this slip time novel that is difficult to put down, whether it be because you can't wait to find out what happens or because you are so drawn into the story you lose track of time...and maybe a little sleep. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again and I look forward to seeing what's next from this "to-be-watched" debut author!

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

Was this review helpful?

Interesting story. I liked it, and I think the writing was pretty good. It took me a little bit to catch on, but then I couldn’t put it down.

Was this review helpful?