I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it. I knew that it was a fictional account, however, the characters were so realistic, you could almost forget that part while you were reading. I liked that the main character wasn't your typical woman in stories from this time, who just sits back and lets the guys work. I liked that she wanted to jump in and have an adventure and make things right. It was good to get to see the inner workings of HH Holmes' building. I just wished there had been more actual interaction with Holmes to get to meet the man in the story. Overall, I felt like there were really just a few pages of Holmes and a lot more around the relationships and love stories of the other characters.

I found Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel to be not quite what I was expecting; it’s not really a “true crime” suspense novel, although it is based on true events. An exceptionally enjoyable read, I found the romance factor to be more strongly focused. Based on murders occurring at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, the novel captures much of the awe and excitement the crowd experienced. The protagonist Winnie is a strong-willed, imaginative, voracious reader of crime novels, the daughter of Chicago’s Police Inspector. As she bravely single-handedly sets out to uncover the murderer, she encounters many precarious events. Along comes Jude, another member of the police force who Winnie’s father assigns to guard and protect her. The author includes mostly fictional characters, although she does allow us to meet H.H. Holmes, the true murderer, and envision some of his methodology.

A very clean novel, not overtly preachy, although Winnie does incorporate her Christian values throughout. This novel is an easy and enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

I love mystery books and was very intrigued by this story. We all have heard about different notorious crimes that have been committed such as The Boston Strangler. This book is based on Dr. H.H. Holmes who was known as America's first serial killer. I had never heard of him until I started this book. It is quite an interesting read and really takes you back to the late 1890s where the infamous serial killer made history. It is hard to believe that something so horrific happened that few people may be aware of.

Winnifred is a quirky character who is determined to prove to her father that something is happening to women in the city. I was surprised that her father let her become involved in a plot to catch the killer. She has a lot of confidence and I loved her strong willed attitude to stop whatever evil was going on.

Holmes from the beginning was a shady person. He made my skin crawl and I didn't like the way he looked at women and the secretive life he had. Winnie starts working for him and that really puts her life in danger. Thank goodness her father had the good sense to hire Jude to protect her. At times, I don't think he was such a great detective and was perhaps smitten by Winnie and didn't fully concentrate on his job.

There is one chilling part in the story where Winnie noses around in the basement and almost gets caught. What is Holmes hiding down there? I could feel the darkness overtake her and the creepy feeling she got as she tried to find out answers. I loved how Winnifred took advantage of every opportunity to snoop around where she worked at. She could sense Holmes was up to no good and was willing to risk her safety to find out . I was on the edge of my seat as Winnifred encountered the person she has suspected of killing people. The details are chilling and I loved how the author brought the story to a shocking ending.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Barbour Publishing. The review is my own opinion.

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?





My Thoughts: This novel was based on the famous criminal of the time H.H. Holmes. The author did a wonderful job mixing truth and fiction. This is an intense novel, full of mystery, murder, romance, and a little humor.


The main character Winnie happens to be the inspector's daughter, who just happens to read mystery novels. Put a strong, bold woman and a runaway imagination together and you have the perfect setting for suspense.


Not only is Winnie searching for the mysterious abductor, but she has to make a choice between two men vying for her love.



Author has done a wonderful job of mixing some true facts and fiction to make a great novel. Her writing flows easy and she keeps the reader in suspense. No lagging or dragging of the storyline in this novel.


The characters carry the story well, they are well developed and easy to like or dislike in some instances. I truly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the others in this series. I highly recommend this book to those who like to read historical or mystery novels.

What an interesting fictional story about the Chicago World's Fair and the infamous H.H. Holmes. The author has clearly done her research into the time period and Holmes' relationships. Although the novel never gets to the actual arrest, the true life tale didn't end in Chicago either.

The characters around which this story revolved are likable and believable. Winnie is plucky, but I'm not sure that Jude should have continued to let her put herself in danger. Wasn't there another way? The repeated discussion of danger without an attempt to find a real alternative, like going to to the police chief directly, was my only rub and the reason I didn't give this story five stars.

It was exciting to read as the two, seemingly unrelated, story lines came together -- combining kidnapping, murder, insurance fraud, and arson. An amazing romance novel built around one of America's most notable serial killers. Sounds unlikely, but true!

I love books about mystery. And crime. And anything and everything along those lines. So when I heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it.

I also love the setting of this book...the World's Fair set in Chicago. How I would have loved to be able to see it. All the excitement of that great event.

Now, about the actual story...

The heroine is Winnifred Wylde (how can you help but love a gal with this name?!), she's the daughter of a Chicago police officer. She is just SURE that she saw a crime committed before her very eyes. But...because of previous similar experiences she's had, her dad is not inclined to believe her. So she sets about solving this mystery on her own.

Because there was a serial killer on the loose, her dad sends one of his younger officers to tail her, to keep her safe. (and here of course is where the romance enters..)

This book has action and adventure, and yes, it is based on true crime! If you enjoy historical suspense, you may want to give it a try!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The White City was fast paced, well written, and a great romp through history! I really enjoyed this book. My life has been really hectic lately and this was the perfect light and fluffy read to help put a smile on my face.

The pacing of this novel was pitch perfect. The author grabbed me right from the very first page. I breezed through this book incredibly quickly. The plot is tightly knit, the characters are likable, and the historical setting gave the entire book a very unique flavor. I love reading historical fiction and I’m particularly fascinated with the Gilded Age.

Last winter, I read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I found Larson’s retelling of the murders at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair to be particularly fascinating and that is why I was interested to read this novel. Larson’s book is nonfiction and full of disturbingly graphic details regarding the true crime events; therefore, I was a little worried, that this novel would be overly graphic as well- but that wasn’t the case at all! Grace Hitchcok, does a great job of building suspense without being overly gruesome. Her unique spin on the 1893 World’s Fair was a delight to read.

I was also huge fan of the protagonist, Winifred.. I can really relate to her overactive imagination and her love of books. Her relationship with Jude is very sweet and it was fun to read about the two of them falling in love.

This book was a solid start to a new series of historical Christian novels and I’m interested to see what other surprises the series has in store. I recommend this book to fans of mystery, inspirational romance, and historical fiction.

Note: I received a free digital copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours in Exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author used actual people and events from the life of H. H. Holmes in this story. Winnie sees a young lady being kidnapped at the Chicago World's Fair and tells her father an inspector for the Chicago police. Her father sends a detective, Jude, to watch after her and in the process Winnie identifies the kidnapper as H. H. Holmes and with her father's permission goes undercover as a secretary to try to find proof that Holmes is kidnapping these young women. In a side case Jude has moved to Chicago to find the man responsible for his brother-in-law's death and finds the two cases are connected.

I enjoyed this quick read, and it had a lot of danger, or heart stopping moments, you never knew when evil would strike.
The place setting is the Chicago World’s Fair, and we get to experience through these character’s some of the happenings here, some of the new inventions, that we take for granted, and others that have been replaced.
The story does focus on a young woman, Winnifred Wylde, and her Aunt’s wish for her to marry socially well, and a young detective who desires to find and convict the people responsible for his brother- in-law’s death.
Now our girl has a vivid mind and loves to read and has in the past suspected things that weren’t really happening, but now she finds a woman being kidnapped, and has she cried wolf to long?
You don’t want to miss this one!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

Would I recommend The White City? Yes!  This was a delightful read. There were some edge-of-the-seat moments (which my thriller-loving-soul delights in), but it wasn't gruesome.  I love characters that are believable and yet don't quite fit their time or their community...I think I am a lot like them, so they help me figure out how to be me and how to walk with God in my perpetual season of out-of-place.  I think my favorite part was the true test of character and love at the end (I won't spoil it!), and that Winnie's dad saw it too.  If you enjoy mystery, crime, or historical novels,  you'll like this one.

The White City is an interesting read that is based on the true crime story of a serial killer. This adaptation has more of a light, mysterious feel rather than a creepy, depressing feel like some murder mysteries have. The characters make this book shine. They are interesting and charming. This is a good, clean read that is an impressive debut for Grace Hitchcock. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is her debut novel and the first book in the True Colors series by Barbour Publishing.

I really enjoyed this story! I liked the romance, I liked the mystery, I liked the setting, I liked the characters! The romance had touches of sweet with moments of swoon-worthy. I didn't know much of anything about H. H. Holmes, so the mystery was quite intriguing for me. I enjoyed having true crime come to life. The setting of Chicago's World Fair was perfect. (Of course, it helps that the actual crime took place there. ;)) The characters were fantastic. Winnie Wylde is a spunky, adventurous, witty heroine that has a weak spot for a good mystery. Jude Thorpe is the quintessential hero. Strong, handsome, chivalrous, and a police detective. He's attentive to Winnie and her hero more than once.

The writing of this story is very well done! It flowed perfectly, nothing was rushed, and I enjoyed it immensely! I'm very much looking forward to what comes next from Ms. Hitchcock and also the True Colors series!

I received a complementary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am quite excited for this new series based on true crime stories in America. Even though the main characters are fictional, they do come across the true criminals. In the White City Winnie has been enjoying the Chicago Fair and not enjoying her Aunt’s constant setting her up with different beaus. When she sees a suspicious kidnapping scene at the fair she goes to her father who is the police chief to report it. However due to a past false claim, her father allows her to continue her little investigation while not truly believing her. He does set her up with a police detective for a body guard, the newly arrived from New York Jude Thorpe.
I have heard of America’s first serial killer before, so this story was a little bit chilling one that had the characters looking over their shoulders frequently. There is also a “forbidden” romance storyline along with another suitor that I also really liked. Winnie is not a damsel in distress; she truly believes what she saw and goes on this investigation adventure to save other women. She has a good head on her shoulders and would make a good detective if women were allowed in that position in 1893. She is, though a bit innocent in how evil someone can truly be.
Jude is her knight in shining armor and the main person that takes her claims seriously. But Jude and Winnie are playing a dangerous game with a very evil person and their lives are in real danger.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

This novel is set in Chicago 1893, during the World’s Fair. People are coming to the city from all over increasing the crime rate by thieves, pickpockets, shysters, even murderers. Based partially on fact, this story drew me in and kept my heart pounding during certain events.
Winnifred sees a woman being forced by a man to leave the fair by gunpoint. Her accusations are overlooked at first by her Inspector father. But for safety reasons and to ease his mind, he asks Detective Jude Thorpe to discretely follow her when she’s out and about. On one of her trips to the fair she is approached by the man she realizes is the kidnapper. He offers her a job as his secretary and she convinces her father to let her go “undercover” as a detective. She is determined to find out what happened to that woman. Even though Jude is watching out for her, her bravery astounded me. She mentions numerous times that she seeks out adventure, and this time she finds it and then some. This kept me in suspense many hours into the late night, where I kept thinking I heard thumps, bumps and creaks around me!
Follow along on her “adventure” where you will find your heart thumping as you turn the pages and yes, a sweet romance to add the cherry on top.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit.

Winnifred loves to read crime novels. Her father is a inspector with the Chicago police. The book starts out when she thinks she sees a kidnapping and sets out to find the kidnapper.

Her father has detective Jude Thorpe be her body guard. He has reasons of his own to help solve the crime.

I loved all the comparisons to the novels she was reading. This is a very well written book. I found very interesting from start to finish. I look forward to reading more books from the author.

I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I still enjoyed the read. It was a bit lighter than I was anticipating, but still an interesting read none-the-less.

Winnie is a spunky character and nothing gets in her way when she sets her mind to something.

Jude is a dashing and strong hero and I was rooting for him.

But there is an added element that had me wondering where this story was going to go and what part this other person played in the overall story.

This read more like a light mystery.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

The White City is the first in a new series from Barbour. The True Colors series presents fictional accounts of real American crime stories from the past. This first book in the series by debut author Grace Hitchcock promises readers who love history, mystery, and suspense a great reading experience. I loved how the book swept me back to another time. It is definitely a recommended read!

Engaging characters make The White City. Main character Winnifred Wylde is a society girl with a longing for adventure. Her novel reading may have influenced her a tiny bit as she sees mysterious doings all around her. I loved her spunk and tenacity. Her partner in the investigation of missing women is a hunky detective who fits the hero label very nicely. The two have great chemistry, and fans of romance will like the sweet relationship that develops. But societal expectations prove a major stumbling block for the two, as Winnie is expected to find a suitable husband from her own class. This point, as well as the fashions, transportation, and general description of the fair and Chicago of the time, captured the essence of the time period. As for the mystery, the author kept me turning the pages. There was definitely something very fishy about Winnie’s boss and the building he is supposedly turning into a hotel. I loved that I got the rest of the story from the author’s afterword. That old cliche — truth is stranger than fiction — is alive and well in this chilling story. Although there is a good bit of danger awaiting Winnie and Jude, The White City also has a light side. It is just a fun read!

So if you are looking for a historical crime story with romance aplenty, The White City is the book for you.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults.

Young Winnifred witnesses a crime in Chicago, around the time of the World's Fair. As she becomes somewhat of an amateur sleuth, her life is blessed with the attention of two eligible men, and a father who loves her very much. The story is light and totally predictable.
I wanted to love this book, but I can say that I mildly liked it. It would better be classified as "Young Adult". I might have enjoyed it when I was in High School, but as a more mature reader, I was bored.

Barbour Publishing has struck gold with their new series, True Colors, Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime. I went into this book unsure of whether I would like it or not. Sometimes, novels (or movies) based on true stories can come across as biographical in nature instead of a story. Not so in this case! I know this may sound silly, but I couldn’t tell these characters were real at all! That’s a good thing!
While it was taken from a true event, The White City read like a novel. The characters were well-developed and the plot and setting just sucked me in. I didn’t want to stop reading! I couldn’t put the book down! This is a book-lovers book as the main character is an avid reader and lover of good stories. Which is what gets her into trouble.
Winnifred is sure she’s seen a crime take place and she is set on proving it to her father, the Inspector for the Chicago Police. Unfortunately, for the poor police officers assigned to protection detail, Winnifred is more passion than caution. She’s stubborn and barrels ahead without thinking things through. She’s rambunctious and bold and readers will love her!
I loved the backdrop of the Chicago World’s Fair. It brought a fun, whimsical element to an otherwise brutal murder mystery. I loved how true to the real story the writer remained, while adding the necessary elements to tell Winnifred’s fictional story.
The White City is Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel. I strongly recommend this book to lovers of romantic suspense and mystery. Also, for book-lovers who love to read about those who love books. This book has a romantic “triangle” that most readers have dreamt about! What would you do if your favorite romance author claimed you were their muse?

First, let me tell you about a mistake I almost made with this book. I very nearly passed on the opportunity to read it. I am so glad my curiosity won out and I did read it.

I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read a “true crime” type story and I’d never read a book by this author. Let me fully admit to you that I was completely wrong on both counts. This is a well-written, intriguing story and I will be looking for more books by Grace Hitchcock.

It’s based in facts about a true crime, but the writer has taken the basis of those facts and written a very interesting story with great characters. I loved the characters of Winnifred and Jude. Winnifred is a strong-minded, courageous young woman who is being pestered by her family to find the right person to marry ( as in rich and well-established in society). Winnifred, however, is all about adventure, and fueled by her imagination and romance novels, thinks she sees crime happening everywhere. Until the day she actually sees a crime occur at the World’s Fair—and she then has a hard time getting her police Inspector father to take her seriously. However, he assigns one of his best officers, Jude, to protect Winnifred. As Jude comes to know Winnifred better, he comes to believe her story. The action in the story really begins from that point. I won’t give away details, but I will tell you that Jude proves himself quite the hero.

This is a good Christian historical suspense novel with a thread of faith and a little romance running through it. I think I’m going to follow this series to see what’s next.

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