A delightful new Historical Christian Fiction series by Grace Hitchcock. The novel takes place in the late 1893 in the midst of the Chicago World’s Fair and is based on H. H. Holmes who was considered to be America’s first serial killer. Laced with history, Hitchcock does a nice job of letting us know Holmes committed horrific crimes without telling us in great or graphic detail. Winnie is quite the endearing sleuth and her relationship with Jude was quite refreshing. A totally engaging story that left me anxious to see what’s next in the series!

What a wonderful suspense story!!! The characters were well done and the detail about the Worlds Fair activities and the timeframe the story was set in were very well done!!! Great story for those who love a strong female character and great mystery with romance woven into the story!

“Charming” and “sweet” are probably not the typical words used to describe crime novels based on true events, but “The White City” is not a typical crime novel - and those words are exactly how I felt about the debut novel of Grace Hitchcock’s True Colors series. While I was expecting more of an emphasis on the crime elements, the story was very engaging and I enjoyed the adorable romance that the book presented instead.

From the adventurous leading lady to the dashing detective who supports her in her investigation, the cast of characters quickly captured my interest and held it right up to the end. The plot may have been somewhat predictable, yet I never found myself bored while reading The White City - in fact, I finished this novel just one day after starting it. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a sweet Christian romance with a touch of crime and danger. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing, and author Grace Hitchcock for the opportunity to experience this tale as a free e-book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. (Review also posted on GoodReads.)

Wow! I could not put this book down. I ordered pizza for dinner so I didn't have to cook so I could keep reading!

This is the story of the murders that took place during the Chicago World's Fair. We meet Winnie Wylde while she is on a date, a set-up by her aunt, at the World's Fair. She is certain she has seen a man with a mustache abduct a woman in a green dress.

Winnie's father this the police inspector. She tells him what she saw, but he does not believe her. He does assign a detective to follow her around since she is set on finding the man with the mustache. She does find him, and spends the next month or so trying to gather proof that he is the man who has been taking all the women.

While all that is going on, Winnie's aunt is still trying to find her a husband. She finds the perfect man, he just doesn't appear to be perfect for Winnie, or does he just need more time?

Between Winnie's search for love and her search for the man in the mustache, you will not be able to put this book down. As a fellow book-lover and chocolate aficionado, I could not have enjoyed my time with Winnie more!

This was reviewed editorially for Mystery Scene Magazine and will be available in the spring issue April 15th

The White City by Grace Hitchcock was a very pleasant read for me. I love how the author went to great lengths to make the reader feel like they were in the time period in the book. Very well done. I fell in love with the characters and wanted to know how things were going to turn out for all of them.

Winnie is the daughter of a police inspector and loves to read romantic suspense novels. When Winnie lets her imagination get away with her in real life a few too many times, her father tends to not believe all that she says about her suspicions. There were times I wondered about Winnie as well, but she always had a great argument to make you think that she was onto something.

When Jude, one of the new guys at the police department, is put on Winnie to make sure that she does not get herself into any trouble by her father, we get a cute head over hills romance. Jude quickly falls for Winnie and is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even though she is into something all the time.

I thought that Percival added a great twist to the story too and loved the relationship that he and Winnie had even though it never really goes anywhere.

Overall I really enjoyed this read and look forward to what Grace Hitchcock brings her readers in the near future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the story of Winnifred Wylde, daughter of a Chicago police inspector, and an avid reader, believes she witnessed an abduction of a woman at a time when many women mysteriously disappeared during the 1893 World’s Fair. Winnifred is determined to follow the clues and find the man responsible. Her father assigns Detective Jude Thorpe as her bodyguard and together they hatch an undercover plan to catch the man they believe is behind the disappearances, a Mr. H.H. Holmes. As her focus becomes stopping the man, she believes is evil, Winnifred must also contend with her Aunt Lillian’s determination to see her married very soon. With suitors vying for her hand and her desire to catch Holmes, Winnifred must decide how far she’s willing to go. Will Winnifred find the evidence she needs to capture this man? Will Jude be able to keep her safe in this dangerous game of cat and mouse? Or will Winnifred become another victim in Holmes’ dangerous game?
More and more people are familiar with the evil H.H. Holmes in recent years and as I am familiar with his horrific crimes, I was curious how Ms. Hitchcock would portray him in a book marketed as “historical stories of American Crime.” I loved how Ms. Hitchcock blended a mix of his crimes with investigative methods of the day as well as Christian faith. I loved Winnifred as she was fun, imaginative and fearless. I enjoyed Jude as a man with a personal mission to solve another crime and protect Winnifred. I loved how the romance between the two was developed. It wasn’t forced or felt unnatural. The objections to the relationship was real for the time and the pressure for Miss Winnifred to be married before she was deemed a spinster was very real. The White City was a fast read for me as it held my attention easily. Since I am familiar with Holmes, his role in the story was no surprise and I liked that Ms. Hitchcock captured how slick he was. I highly recommend The White City.

The White City
will be available in paperback
on March 1, 2019

Winnifred Wylde is the daughter of a local police inspector, living in Chicago during the World's Fair. She fancies herself as a Victorian era Nancy Drew, but unfortunately her overactive imagination has led to her making too many incorrect speculations and accusations. When she really does see a kidnapping, her story is brushed aside as another absurd tale. Her father, worried that his daughter may follow up on her conjectures and find herself in trouble, sends along a new recruit, Jude Thorpe, to follow her from a distance and keep her from harm.
As a light romance, this tale is delightful and fast paced, despite much of the action taking place in tea parlors and other seemingly innocuous locations. The main characters are likeable and arguably free from any glaring flaws without coming across as cloying. Winnie does jump the gun more than once, often placing herself into potentially dangerous situations, but it feels like a natural part of her character instead of a plot device.
Other reviewers have mentioned that this book may have been mis-categorized. I agree, as it is marketed as true crime, but reads as general Christian fiction or historical romance. There is little detail or psychological insight regarding the serial killer. Instead, he is used as means to draw our two characters together into a relationship that the reader knows is coming from their first introduction. However, I am not going to base my rating on that since the author is not to blame for how the publisher chose to market this book. Putting the true crime label aside and reading it for its own merit, I enjoyed the story as it was written and was instantly swept up into the setting. Although the outcome was predictable, I was invested in seeing how they got there in the end. 3.5 stars.

I would like to thanks Barbour Publishing and netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC which did not influence my honest review.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and Barbour Publishing.

This debut novel from Grace Hitchcock the right combination of historical fiction and romance, the tale of Winifred Wylde is set during the spectacle of the Chicago World's Fair. While finding the perfect suitor is a challenge, finding criminals and crime to report to her policeman father is incredibly easy. Add a meddling aunt and the most notorious serial killer in America, the story is almost perfect.

The White City is a entertaining read.

4 out of 5 stars. Recommended reading.

I enjoyed this sweet, Christian historical mystery. The main character Winifred Rose Wylde, is the daughter of a Police Inspector who longs for the chance to prove to her father that she has a nose for police work too. Unfortunately she has tried a little too hard in the past to prove that there were mysterious happenings only to be proven wrong. So when she does at last witness an abduction at the Chicago World's Fair, her father doesn't take her very seriously. Lucky for her, she is assigned a police bodyguard who actually listens to her and takes her observations seriously.

Soon, they both find themselves involved with a disreputable hotel owner whose business practices reveal his criminal nature. Winifred and her bodyguard must prove that the hotel owner is a nefarious criminal before another young woman goes missing. The story has an exciting climax and a satisfying resolution.

What an endearing debut!
Winnifred had her head in the clouds and for a moment I thought she'd border to be too naive. No fear though, this lady has gumption and determination! And this courageous personality is one the things that first draws investigator Jude Thorpe to her, to the point that almost makes him lose his mind in worry.

Winnie knows Jude is only doing the job her father assigned him by looking out for her, nevertheless she can't help but notice how well they work together and her differently he treats her compared to those who easily dismiss her. But Jude has his own secrets, and Winnie's dad has firmly stated his disregard for her to find a suitor in the law force.

Will these be strong enough reason to keep Winnie and Jude from developing feelings towards each other? Or can they find a way to be together before the dangers be the final straw to keep them apart?

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is historical fiction based on True Crime. This book has elements that will please most readers mystery, suspense., thrills, murder, romance and Christian values. I liked the historical details since I am Intrigued by H.H. Holmes and how he was able to hide his criminal acts for so long. The White City is very fast paced with a daring heroine and is light reading despite its serious aspects.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

This was an interesting read. While it's fictional, it's based on a real serial killer. Most of the info is correct but it just whets your appetite if you love true crime. It doesn't go in depth to H.H. Holmes heinous crimes, most of which occurred outside of the time frame of the book. It is a very sweet romance at the same time (albeit NOT with H.H. Holmes!). The fictional characters are believable and relatable. Winnifred is the main character and she is very headstrong in a time that that wasn't really acceptable. All in all a very good read. I would definitely read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

What a great start to a new series! The characters leap off the pages. This is a story that will hold you til the end., and stay with you for a while. Hitchcock has taken true crime and intricately woven this story. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this historiical crime novel about a young, independent woman who wanted more from her life than the expected marriage proposal and wedding! Taking place at the time of the World Fair in Chicago in the 1860s, the story used the real life criminal, serial killer H.H. Holmes, as the focus of Winnifred Wylde’s desire to be a detective. She is sure she sees a young woman kidnapped at the White CIty, but has difficulty getting others to believe it. So sets the drama of Winnifred setting out to prove what she saw while being sure that this is the person responsible for the many missing women reported during the Worlds Fair.. With the help of another detective tasked by her father to keep an eye on her, she arranges to meet and then work for H.H. Holmes, living under an alias. I recently read another book detailing this White City serial killer and was curious to see how this story followed along with the story, I was happy to see that it definitely was based on factual happenings and built the fictional story along with it. I look forward to reading the other books that will follow in this series. I believe Grace Hitchcock has the makings of a popular series with this first book following the sleuthing abilities of Ms. Winnifred Wylde. I was given an ARC of this book from the author, publisher and Net Galley in return for an honest review, which this has been. #TheWhiteCity #NetGalley

The White City is quite an interesting read. I have read about H H Holmes and it was fascinating to see him part of a story in a fictional book. I enjoyed the suspense and mystery that surrounds Winnifred Wylde. I had no problem reading this whole book in just a few hours.
I am giving The White City a well deserved five plus stars. I can not wait to find out where Grace Hitchcock’s imagination takes the reader in her next release.

White City was a refreshing first book in a brand new series called True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime. Since it is published by Barbour, I knew that it would be a well-written Christian fiction book.

The author, Grace Hitchcock does a wonderful job of making the characters and their actions resonate with the time period they are from. I love how the women and men treated each other respectively the way I imagine life would be in 1893. I especially enjoyed the main character, Winnifred; her love of mystery books and how her somewhat impulsive actions propel her into investigating a crime that so far has been unsolved. Because of past mistakes, there are those who think she couldn't possibly have a lead on anything important.

The plot was well thought out. The romance in the book isn't what I've come to think as the typical girl dislikes boy from the moment they meet, and then within days they fall madly in love with each other. The book offers a romance that falls in the category of an actual courtship with an aunt and father having a lot to say about who Winnifred should date. I also liked that the characters rely on God, and that fact is mentioned. This is a Christian fiction book with Christianity in it.

This book was every enjoyable, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good, clean mystery.

I thought this was a rather fun read with a hint of mischief and romance! I enjoyed the playfulness of the main character and the love that eventually blossomed. As a Christian book, I appreciated that the author drew it back to good morals and the idea to help one another, thus finding fulfillment in self.
This was my first read by this author and I dare say, won't be the last.

NetGalley ARC.

Since my early days of hanging out with Wilder, Alcott, and Montgomery and more mature interactions with Janette Oke and Tracie Peterson, I’ve always had a soft spot for historical fiction. It is still my favourite genre to date. There is something about being transported to another time and place in history that absolutely thrills me – the experience without the discomforts.

I was hopeful when I requested a copy of The White City by Grace Hitchcock. I was excited when I received the notification that a copy was mine for the reading.

The White City was set in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair. It is the perfect blend of historical fact and intriguing fiction. (I never knew the Fair was a hunting ground for a serial killer!) The elements of romance, danger, and intrigue were exquisitely intertwined resulting in a fast-paced, emotionally balanced tale.

I absolutely loved the headstrong, impetuous, intrepid, confident nature of Winnie, our heroine. She was also a book-lover, so what’s not to love? The romance element was delightful and I enjoyed the contrast between the two possible suitors. The portrayal of the era’s societal norms and conflicting desire for a woman to be her own person while being perceived as capable and intelligent was nicely depicted. There was no objectionable content for my friends who like their books G-rated (well, maybe PG with the focus of the investigation.)

An excellent read overall! I’ve already recommended it to a few of my friends. I look forward to exploring other titles from Ms. Hitchcock.

I was provided with a copy of this title via NetGalley, courtesy of the author and/or publisher. All opinions are my own, given with thanks for the opportunity to review this book.

Published by: Barbour Publishing, Inc., Barbour Books;
Publication Date: March 1, 2019

2.5 stars

I enjoy True Crime stories, so I was interested in seeing how Christian fiction would tackle it in this new series, starting with The White City by Grace Hitchcock.

The story is based on H.H. Holmes, a read serial killer who terrorized Chicago during the time of the World’s Fair in 1893. Winnifred Wylde loves romance novels but finds herself playing amateur detective after witnessing what she believes to be a kidnapping. Jude Thorpe, a police detective, is assigned by her father to be her bodyguard as she works undercover as a secretary to investigate the potential suspect. Has she indeed found the killer? Will she end up being the next victim?

I don’t know a lot about this time in history, so I did learn a bit along the way. However, the pace was a bit slower than expected (or preferred). There wasn’t as much suspense as I’d anticipated, especially as it’s based on a real (serial killer) event. At times, the action was spot-on, but it didn’t maintain the pace throughout. When reading books such as this, I enjoy sleuthing out the clues along with the character, but I really wasn’t able to do that with this story. The romance angle was a bit predictable, but it was okay. While this wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I’m interested in checking out other books in the series as they’re released.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to write a positive review.