Hitchcock has landed a place on my to-watch list for both historical and suspense fiction. She managed to capture the essence of the time period and setting – Chicago’s World Fair in 1893, and put my investigative instincts to work all at the same time. On top of that, she made me smile and chuckle over Winnifred and Jude. Jude sparked something in Winnie, kind of pushed her to be herself without her even realizing it. Their relationship was so natural, and I really liked the way she was around him.

Winnie is really my kind of character. She’s fun, determined, and smart. She wasn’t afraid to stand for what she thought was happening, even as she made mistakes through the investigation. And the way she acted around her “potential suitors” courtesy of her overzealous Aunt were a hoot to read.

This is a very strong start to what promises to be an exceptional series, as well as the start to (hopefully) a wonderful future in writing for Ms. Hitchcock. Two things to be excited about – the next book in this series, and what Hitchock is going to write about next!

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

What an interesting book. A unique look a HH Holmes and the Chicago World’s Fair. It’s a light suspense novel with a side of romance included. Winifred is a detective’s daughter. She enjoys reading and solving mysteries herself. Although her aunt would prefer her to settle down and marry. Jude is assigned as Winnie’s bodyguard after she ‘witnessed’ a kidnapping and chooses to investigate. Debut author Grace Hitchcock does a nice job with this book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions stated here are my own.

Winnifred Wylde is a the daughter of a Chicago police inspector who loves mystery novels and sometimes sees crimes where nothing really occurred after reading a little too much. Winnie’s father and Aunt want nothing more than for her to marry a man of society and forget about her crime novels, however Winnie is convinced that she saw a woman being kidnapped while attending the World’s Fair after a number of women have gone missing.. Can Winnie solve the mystery or will she be the next victim of a serial killer?

I cannot say enough great things about this novel. I will admit I was hesitant at first, I wasn’t sure I was going to love a book about a serial killer. However, the author Grace Hitchcock has done a masterful jobs of transporting the reader to Chicago in 1893 without making it impossible for the reader to sleep at night. While reading the book I felt like I was at the fair and in Chicago with Winnie.If love historical fiction or historical romance, this book checks both boxes. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next book in the True Colors—Fiction Based on Strange, But True, American Crime Stories Series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, however this in no way influenced my opinions, all ideas and opinions are my own.

I was thrilled to review this since I love the nonfiction book The Devil in the White City. This was a very sweet romance with a likable and feisty heroine, however, for a novel set during this tumultuous World's Fair there wasn't enough detail and description of the fair. Little background on the muderers were given so without prior background knowledge it would be hard to appreciate and understand.

This is a very sweet historical romance. My rating: 4.25.

Winnifred Wylde is the nineteen-year-old daughter of a top Chicago police inspector. After the death of her mother when Winnie was ten, her Aunt Lillian stepped in to help guide the family. Winnie wants to enjoy her reading and visits to the Chicago World’s Fair, but Aunt Lillian wants Winnifred to decorously attend social events and secure a marital match. Inspector Wylde is happy to leave the socializing to Aunt Lillian as he is determined that Winnie marry someone other than a law man.

Winnie is at the Fair when she sees a young woman taken off by a man. Her father isn’t willing to call the police out to investigate because she made a previous allegation that turned out groundless. Inspector Wylde agrees to allow Winnie to continue to visit the Fair but only with a police guard, a new man on the staff, Jude Thorpe. Jude has a good reputation from New York and has secretly come to Chicago to investigate the death of his brother-in-law.

Winnie soon spots the man she suspects and wrangles a job interview so she can learn more undercover. Jude has already been on hand to ‘rescue’ Winnie from the drudgery of a suitor she wants nothing to do with. Now he is standing by to protect her if needed as she works undercover. As they share time together investigating, their easy friendship grows. Assuming Winnie can come through the assignment safely, is there any chance for a continued relationship with family (and boss) set against them?

I liked the characters right away. They are cheery, bright and imaginative. Winnie loves books and gets to meet her favorite author in a surprising element of the story. The mystery plot develops slowly, but this allows the relationship, with conflicts, to develop. I liked the setting of the Chicago's World Fair and found the author’s afterward interesting as she explained this story was based upon a true crime event.

The author uses fun quotes from Jane Austin books and others to introduce the chapters. I also liked the light scripture and faith references. During a frightening situation, Winnie pulls on her memory verses for support. The story reads easily and moves along at a good pace. There is a good mix of mystery, suspense and romance. I would like to read more in this series and recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, historic romance/mystery.

Source: NetGalley 2019.

I really enjoyed The White City. I’d been looking forward to this book since I first saw it advertised and was not disappointed. The story comes to life when Winnifred Wylde sees a woman being abducted from the Chicago World’s Fair. In the past, Winnifred has lived in her novels but the opportunity to participate in a real investigation has her going undercover to find the clues needed to bring down H.H. Holmes. Her curiosity might get her killed when her courage takes her undercover into the macabre home of H.H. Holmes and his horrific crime spree. I loved her tenaciousness and fearless moves to find the answers she needs. Jude is the hero every romance book needs. He’s strong and witty, unrelenting in his concern for Winnifred. The White City is well done and really brings the details of history to life in this romantic mystery.

The White City # NetGalley
Grace Hitchcock
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is reminiscent of Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City. Hitchcock explores the real life murders that took place during the Chicago World’s Fair. She does an okay job in exploring this exploitation of young innocent women by Henry H Holmes during the 1893 World’s Fair. She tells the story of Winnifield Wylde, a young woman who goes “undercover” to try to catch him. There is murder, intrigue, subterfuge and romance. My interest was peaked in discovering how it would all turn out, but I was never fully invested in the storyline. The characters were interesting and Winnie was a spunky young woman but it was not enough for me to change my star rating higher than three star. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher as an advanced copy read for an honest review.

First sentence: Winnifred Wylde concentrated on his forehead, nodding, trying to respond appropriately, but it was so difficult with his nose hair escaping and retreating into his left nostril with every breath.

Premise/plot: The White City is a historical romance set in Chicago in 1893 during the World's Fair. The heroine, Winnifred, witnesses a crime while at the fair. Unfortunately her father--an inspector with the police--doesn't believe her. His daughter is fanciful, silly, prone to exaggeration. Her head is always in a book--gothic romances being her genre of choice. But he can't deny that women have gone missing. The fair may not be all that safe. He won't officially investigate the "crime" Winnie has witnessed. But he will assign an officer, Inspector Jude Thorpe, to act as bodyguard for his daughter. To follow her wherever she goes. To rescue her if she gets into trouble. Winnie can't say she loves the idea of being followed, but if you're going to be followed...it's not the worst thing in the world if he's GORGEOUS. The two become friendly--very friendly. She wants more--but does he?

Meanwhile, Winnie goes undercover as a SECRETARY for a suspicious man, H.H. Holmes who runs a hotel in Chicago. Inspector Thorpe will be within call if she beckons. But she's hoping that posing as a poor, friendless damsel, Cordelia Swan, that she can uncover some clues that will help the police get a warrant. Her father doesn't believe that his daughter witnessed him kidnapping a woman in a green dress. He doesn't see any harm in his daughter's undercover work. Not so long as she's under the watchful eye of one of his own men.

While Winnie is falling in love with Inspector Thorpe, another man is falling in love with her--or at least the idea of her. Her matchmaking aunt wants to see her daughter marry well. And her aunt and father very much approve of this match...but can Winnie's heart be swayed?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed The White City. It is, I believe, the first in a new series of romance books focusing on American True Crime stories. It blends fiction and nonfiction with a touch of Christian romance. It was a quick, compelling read. Even though I knew that Holmes was the serial killer; I knew this from history. It is the 'true crime' element of the story. Perhaps not all readers will know this going in--but it's not a true spoiler, in my opinion. I really loved the romance elements of this one. I loved Jude Thorpe. I thought his character was very well done. I also liked the other love interest; though this was never a true love triangle. I would definitely recommend this one to readers who love a little mystery/suspense in their historical romances.

"My daughter tends to exaggerate because she reads too many of those penny novels . . . . . ."

This was my first read from Grace Hitchcock, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. A light suspense almost bordering on the cozy side, Winnifred Wylde, the daughter of a police inspector, believes she has seen a kidnapping at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Addicted to suspense novels, she is sure she can catch the kidnapper. Her father places her under the protection of one of his officers, Jude Thorpe.

I was expecting a bit more suspense after reading the summary, but still found this entertaining and enjoyable, In some ways, it reminded me of the old time series Perils of Pauline. Winnie seemed to continually get herself into trouble as she tries to get proof of the person she suspected of the kidnapping, and Jude continually gets her out of that trouble. Dr. Henry Howard Holmes is the perfect villain and leaves enough clues for Winnie and Jude to put the facts together. What could have been a creepy suspense story (based on fact as this was American's first serial killing and the killer admitted to 27 murders), instead was more of a cozy mystery centered on the World's Fair with an edge-of-your-seat ending. The romance did play an important part, and the competition between Jude and Percy definitely caused Winnie to have to choose between her head and her heart. The details of the World's Fair were well done and made me feel as if I was right in the middle of the setting.Since Winnie was a diehard reading addict, I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

I will definitely read more books in the True Color series which will contain 6 books by various authors.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Give me a novel set during the World Fair in Chicago any day. This has been one of the best that I have read that is set during this period of history with vivid characters, a great mystery plot, and the possibility of finding more than just a killer.

Winnifred is a character that not only charms the others around her but will easily charm the reader. I instantly liked her and her ability to be a penny-dime junkie was a detail that made her an instant friend to me. Winnifred has no fear (okay, she has some) when it comes to finding out all the dark details to the disappearances and the why behind all the mystery.

I really like how the author wrote about the interactions between Winnifred and other characters. I felt like a polite bystander snooping on the conversations and watching in my mind what they would do next. Jude is not only trying to just do his job but Winnifred is making it harder to not fall in love with her (because, hello, she is really loveable) and let me just say I always place Jude Law as the person for a character named Jude and in my mind it worked nicely (not that he fits the description completely, but hey I gave him a chance).

Overall, by this book’s ability to gain the reader’s attention and have you hunting for clues to the end, I can easily say that this debut novel is one for the bibliophiles. Not only is there historical facts, but characters that lead you into the story to be by their sides. I think this series will be successful and I will be seeking to read more by this author specifically.

The White City
(True Colors)
by Grace Hitchcock 

Paperback, 256 pages
Published March 1st 2019 by Barbour Books


Goodreads synopsis:
Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

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?

***

5 Stars

This book was not what I expected it to be.

I guess I would categorize it as a Historical Christian Romantic Suspense Intrigue. I thought this might be a true crime depiction of a notorious character from the past, more hard-hitting and hard-nosed. What I found instead was a sweet story about Winnifred Wylde, a pretty modern woman for the time turn of the 1900 century. She dreamed of a life of adventure she found in the pages of her books. Her father, a lawman, lost his wife due to the shock of one of his investigations and has forbade his daughter to ever marry a lawman like himself.

Enter Jude Thorpe. He is everything her father doesn’t want for her future. So, of course, he is the man for her. Then her favorite author, Percy, shows up, charming, good looking and wealthy. He is her family’s ideal for her.

This story is a mix of the family pushing her to accept the dandy (love that word description) Percy and the investigation of the world’s first serial killer H.H. Holmes wth Jude. I believe this is a story that is inspired by the notorious serial killer, Holmes and told from a Christian romantic perspective.

I thought this was a fun book. I loved all the turn of the century words they used for common items we would use today like purses were called reticules. Great book. The Christian part is not too obnoxious like it is in some books. Very subtle. If you are looking for a sweet historical romantic suspense, check this one out for sure.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

____
Grace Hitchcock is the author of The White City and The Gray Chamber from Barbour Publishing. She has written multiple novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

Out now and I cannot wait to read it! The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the first in a series where true crime meets fiction. I love the premise for this which is based on a real serial killer named H.H. Holmes who operated at the World’s Fair in Chicago. He is actually known as America’s First Serial Killer.

Here’s what you need to know:

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 an exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary.

I am really excited to read this novel and other books from the author especially if she is basing her work on real crimes. As you might know, I am a true crime junkie so I am especially interested in this type of book.

The White City is getting some great reviews!

The White City

True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime

by Grace Hitchcock



Barbour Publishing, Inc.


Barbour Books

Christian , True Crime

Pub Date 01 Mar 2019





I am reviewing a copy of The White City through Barbour Publishing, Inc, and Netgalley:





It’s 1893 The Chicago World’s Fair and Winnifred Wylde believes that she witnessed the kidnapping of a woman. She tries her best to convince her Father who is an inspector with the Chicago police to look into the reports of missing people around The White City. At first her Father, Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss his daughters claim as overactive imagination but he eventually agrees to let her go undercover as a secretary to the man in question only if she agrees to take her pistol for protection along with Jude Thorpe, who is a policeman for a body guard.



If you are looking to be transported back to Chicago World’s Fair In 1893 and taken on an action packed adventures of finding the infamous killer .H.H. Holmes!



Will Winnifred Wylde be able to expose H.H Holmes for the monster he is or will she become the next victim of this illicit murderer!





I give The White City five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

I so enjoyed The White City! Winifred was such a fun and enjoyable character. I looked forward to picking up this book every evening to spend a little time reading about her journeys as she tried to solve a mystery.

The author did a great job balancing out the mystery with the romance in this story. The story line with Winifred's two suitors kept my interest as I found myself liking both of the characters...yet definitely wanting her to end up with a certain one. :)

I would definitely recommend The White City and look forward to more books by this author!

I received a free copy of The White City, but was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Thankfully, this story wasn’t too graphic at all. It was more of a Jane Austen-style suspense. Imagine Austen’s Emma as an amateur detective instead of a matchmaker. The White City main character Winnifred was both charming and a bit annoying as only very young women can be. Her vigilante sense of adventure was fueled by the novels she read. How could I resist liking a bookworm?

The White City is the first in a promising new true crime series. I loved how debut author Grace Hitchcock incorporated a sense of history in its pages while keeping the story fresh and original. It’s a swoony sort of story. Be prepared for lots of sighs, puffed sleeves, and gazing up through lashes. It’s a clean title with very innocent romance. There are some scriptural references as well. I thought it was perfectly balanced.

I’m a fan of suspense and thrillers, but sometimes they can be overly dark. The White City kept the intensity on a slow burn, gradually turning up the heat until it was too late to escape!

What an enjoyable story! It's the first time I've read this author and I really enjoyed the book. It was well written and had just the right combination of romance, drama, suspense to make a great read. Looking forward to the next one!

The White City was a delightful surprise for me! I believe it is this authors debut book and it was so much fun! I will definitely be looking forward to reading more by Grace Hitchcock. This book is part of a new series that is written by different authors, but they are all based on true events. The history was really interesting in this book. The main character though, she made this story so much fun to return to ever chance I got! Winnifred was spunky, smart and so much fun! I recommend this entertaining mystery!

I received a copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

From the first sentence, The White City had my attention! Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel is well written with a creative storyline that is filled with historical details from the Chicago World’s Fair. As the suspense builds, a romance wants to bloom. But the next sentence I read had me laughing out loud. Hitchcock’s use of humor is a gift. I gave up sleep to keep turning these pages and it was so worth it! My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer, because I just wanted more of the story and these characters. Needless to say, I am definitely ready for another book by Grace Hitchcock. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are mine.

Three and a half stars, really. I almost rated this book 3 stars. Having read a previous book about the Fair and Holmes, I was eager to read this book. I found it engaging, and it immersed me in the time period. But the mystery was difficult to read, and I was disappointed in her treatment of the Chicago World's fair.

As I said, I felt immersed in the time period. Hitchcock's use of unique words facilitated that. To cite one example, she used "grip car" rather than "trolley." Her writing was full of small details like that. I enjoyed all of the characters. The love triangle was not my favorite, but it was not the typical love triangle, so it didn't bother me too much. She is a Christian author and used an under-theme of faith and prayer throughout her book, which I really enjoyed since that is how I live my life.

However, these positive traits didn't prepare me adequately for the mystery nor did they do the World's Fair justice.

H. H. Holmes was such a creepy person. I didn't want Winnie to be one of his victims. Grace Hitchcock handled Holmes well, though. She left out the horrifying, hideous details that would have turned this book from the genre of romantic suspense to that of horror. If I hadn't known about Holmes I would never have know how truly awful he was. In my opinion, that is good. However, because I did not know all of that until the end of the book, I was unsettled during the entire read.

I also wish she had been more descriptive and attentive to the "The White City," Chicago World's Fair. It introduced new inventions and products that are now common to us. I wish she would have taught us more about the Fair--after all, that is what the name of her book indicated it was about.

Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A well written historical mystery. Great plot and characters. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc this is my unbiased review.