This was my first Grace Hitchcock book and it definitely won't be my last. Everything about the plot and characters flowed perfectly from the first paragraph. I truly enjoyed spending time with Winnie and Jude. I always love a character like Winnie who loves books and she is quite fun and witty to boot. Jude is earnest and dependable all in an alluring, charming way. And the supporting cast of characters were lovely as well, including Jude's rival.

My only problem with the book was the historical inaccuracy in the account of H.H. Holmes. However, I am a real history buff and a particular fan of the Gilded Age so I am quite familiar with this story. There is actually a lot of accuracy with regards to his crimes and how he operated so the author obviously did a lot of research (great details about the World's Fair too!), but there was no investigation of him until much later. However, I was so absorbed in the story that I enjoyed the book despite what would normally be a deal breaker for me. That says a lot about the quality of the writing and the story. I highly recommend it.

I did receive an ARC in exchange for a fair review of this book.

I was highly intrigued by this story when I first saw the description of it. For me, the story itself was okay, but didn't hold as much suspense as I was hoping or expecting. In the beginning I felt the action started without getting a full grasp of the scene, but then after that the pace became too slow. I wasn't gripped by the story as much as I was hoping I would be. I would have like to at least see some clues along the way to reveal that the characters were on their way to solve the crime. Instead there are moments when Winnie is afraid for her safety, but no real effort goes into investigating. It was more of a waiting game than a criminal investigation. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this since I know everyone has their own tastes and I already know of several others who thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was just a bit too slow for me. 

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is a fantastic debut novel. I had never read anything by this author, so I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this story, but the description and mysterious cover design intrigued me. I was thrilled to find a new author who I will be following and reading her books. I hope she writes quickly. The story is based on factual events, but I went into the story unaware of H. H. Holmes and his crimes. The author writes a fabulous mystery entwined with faith and romance. I thoroughly appreciated the author’s creative depiction of the historical events and her engaging writing brought her characters alive in the story. Since I didn’t know the history behind this story I found the plot had many twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. You know it’s a good book when you don’t want to put it down. This was that type of book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The White City is true crime. It's a thrilling mystery story. I found it a little slow for my taste. I wasn't able to connect with this one.

I am really excited to jump into this series about true crimes from Historical America. The first book in the series is from Grace Hitchcock, and this is her debut novel. The story of The White City takes us to the world of the World's Fair in Chicago. Deanna Guist has also done a series around the World's Fair. It appears to be a popular time period to write about.

But this time around, the novel is a mystery, which I LOVE to read. The idea of a heroine following her instincts from reading way too many mysteries has been done a number of times, but I still enjoyed reading the novel. The plot kept me engrossed as I flipped through the pages. It didn't take me long to finish the novel. I do like the idea of how the villain captured and eluded the police to get away with their crime.

The romance was predictable too. I had a good idea of who Winnie would fall in love with. It is pretty predictable for a strong heroine to fall in love with this type of hero. The romance didn't sweep me off my feet either.

I did enjoy following Winnie as she put herself in danger in order to prove her worth to her father. I do enjoy how she liked to read A LOT. It does remind me of me. I read A LOT and don't feel bad about doing it. It is a wonderful way to pass the time.

Overall, The White City is a different mystery that sparked my interest. The romance and characters were predictable, but I enjoyed hanging out with Winnie. I believe fans of historical mysteries like Jaime Jo Wright might enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of The White City by Grace Hitchcock from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

An engaging read based on real crimes. In Chicago, 1893, the World's Fair was in full swing, bringing huge crowds to sightsee, and a wave of crime. The inspector's daughter, Winifred, takes it on herself to investigate one on her own.

This story moves quickly, and picks up the pace with more action towards the end as Winnie digs in deeper. It has a touch of melodrama in parts, like the books Winnie likes to read, but fits well with the era. I liked Jude's character the best. He is brave, loyal, and smart. He and Winnie make a good crime solving pair. She turns to faith when faced with a scary task, and in her loneliness. "I am Yours, Lord. I am never alone."
The author includes interesting historical notes at the end to fill in the details of the actual crimes.

Fans of historical romances with some mystery will probably enjoy this story.

(An e-book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

Really enjoyed this story. A romance with a good plot...excellent. Jude was a very good hero...a man who loved her enough to stand aside so she could be happy. Winnie was a very good heroine...a woman who loved a man her father didn't approve of...a woman who was brave and determined not to be just a show-wife. Great story, read it.

THE WHITE CITY by GRACE HITCHCOCK is a really delightful read. The story takes place in 1893 in Chicago at the time of the White City fair. The novel has a bit of everything - romance, intrigue, humour, murder, and a good Christian message running throughout. I know it is Grace Hitchcock's debut novel and I certainly hope she writes many more of the same caliber!
I love the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, from well loved authors from long ago.
Winifred Wylde is police Inspector Wylde's daughter and seems to want to follow in her father's footsteps. She is not interested in the never ending social engagements that her aunt insists she takes part in, nor in the suitors that she is encouraged to spend time with, as her aunt is afraid of her becoming an old maid. She wants to do something worthwhile with her life. She is an avid reader of romantic suspense, and when she sees a woman being manhandled by a man at the fair grounds she is convinced that he is the White City kidnapper.
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil the read for you, except to say that I really loved this book and can highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing Inc. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I loved everything about this book!! It was very well written and full of drama, suspense and romance. This is the kind of book that you don't want it to end, but you just have to know what happens next. I can't wait to read more books by Grace Hitchcock. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion and I highly recommend this book.

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The cover alone drew me in and as soon as I read the synopsis, I wanted to read it, I hav long been fascinated by the Devil in the White City and the World Fair, but with that being said, I couldn't get into this book. I found it too slow and not to my liking.

Love was hard to come by for Winnifred. Enduring an endless stream of suitors was a burden that was best escaped by reading novels. Yet when faced with deciding between not one, but two men that she actually likes, courtship takes a very decided turn from burdened. After witnesseing an abduction, she gains a new job that threatens encreasing danger everyday. While one man speaks to her love of books, the other speaks to her love of adventure. Who will protect her and win her heart when danger comes calling? Find out in the debut novel by Ms Hitchcock.