The first pages was captivating, waking up after being buried (which I'm certain is quite a few peoples' fear) to almost being murdered...this set up an expectation for a thrilling ride. Sadly, the suspense ended there until the last 10% of the book.

The story was still interesting and with Braham and Josie as main characters with their own struggles to overcome, made for an entertaining read. The supporting characters, especially the ladies, added to the entertainment.

The plot of the grave robbers were quite surreal. If I didn't know that it was based on true facts, I would think this was quite a great fictional idea - the fact that it actually happened added to the gloomy feel of the story. There was quite a few hints of who was behind everything and I guessed everything way before it was revealed. Not sure if that was the author's intent but it did subdue the revelations and suspense.

Still a very interesting story and series. This series is more mystery that suspense and would be recommended to people who like "real-life-crime" stories.

From the first sentence of The Yellow Lantern you feel a darkness that encapsulates you, and the further you read the more you become cloaked in that darkness. The subject of death normally does that to you. This story so twisted that it's unimaginable that something similar happened once upon a time. I was left spellbound and wondering just how much of the advancements of medicine is attributed to grave robbing, a regular occurrence in the 1800's. I can only imagine...

Though the ending is bright with promise it took me awhile to shake that dark, depressing feeling, proving just how captivating the story telling really is, immersing you in this seedy business. The depth of characterization is stunning and the setting, though dark, came alive for me, down to the smallest detail that grounded you in this incredibly unique world.

The True Colors series continues to get better and better and is the perfect mix of historical fact and fiction. This was a dark read for sure, and the fact that grave robbing and murdering for bodies is another stain on our nation's history. I loved the "little light of mine" that was apparent throughout, and love that light truly does cast out all darkness, and even when you find yourself in the most hopeless place, remember that all hope is never really lost. Just have faith.

I finished The Yellow Lantern yesterday. This book starts out with Josephine on the surgical table presumed dead but wakes up. This is a thrilling start to this book! I had no idea about grave robbers so this book was quite the eye opener. Between the grave robbing a love story evolves. I really enjoyed the twist at the end. I give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars.

Creepy... Grave Robbers... body snatching... buried alive... murder. Medical Research in the19th Century. All sounds bizarre but it happened back then. I enjoyed the fictional story written around it.

Visit www.truecolorscrime.com



I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

What a chilling predicament Josephine Clayton finds herself in in this story! But really, it’s just as chilling to think that grave robbing was quite an industry at one time—one open to all kinds of abuses, including those that figure in this story.

For all the gruesomeness of the subject, this was not a gruesome read. The historical aspects were well researched, and the opening scene definitely caught my attention, but as the story developed I began to feel as though the plot was driven by the need to have Braham and Josie interacting, and the suspense relied more on Josie calling to mind her real purpose for being at the mill than it did actual grave robbing. There was a definite upswing in the action in the last third of the story, however, as all the threads of the plot began to draw together.

The progression of Braham and Josie’s relationship also felt rushed at times, their interactions too familiar and their regard too developed for the amount of time they had known each other, particularly in view of the employer/employee relationship and the time setting of the novel (1820s). As a result, I never quite reached the point where these characters felt real to me, but I was still sufficiently invested in the story to read to the end.

Overall, this story is likely to appeal to historical romance readers who are looking for an unusual premise and a healthy dose of mystery/suspense.

While this book was not exactly what I had in mind based on the description, I did enjoy it. It was interesting and had to put down.

The history behind The Yellow Lantern was interesting -- I'd never heard of the shady practice of body snatching for medical research. If this book had been novella length, it might have been a decent read. As a full-length novel, it just dragged on and onnnnnnnnnnnn... The cheesy romance didn't add anything to the plot, aside from making it even longer. Some books make me want to read in one sitting. This one took me months.

I really like the premise of the True Colors series, but this is the third book that underwhelmed me. Unfortunately, I will probably skip future titles in this series.

This book grabbed me from the start when Josephine wakes up just in time to find out she was to be Dr. Chadwick's next corpse to experiment on in his lab. Fortunately, Josephine is able to strike a bargain with the evil doctor and save her life and hopefully her father's life as well. As part of the deal, Josephine must put on a new identity and pose as a young mill worker at Gloughton Mill in Massachusetts. The hope then is that the dangerous work conditions will soon produce a dead body. Josephine (now Josie) will pose as a late night mourner and provide a lantern signal to one of Dr. Chadwick's body snatchers that it is okay to come and dig up the fresh corpse. Although trying to be inconspicuous at the mill, Josie's medical/healing skills make her stand out to the other woman and to Braham Terrance, the mill's factory manager. Josie's new connection with Braham and his aunt make it very difficult for her to maintain her part of the doctor's sinister deal. When the women at the mill start to become seriously sick, Josie's healing skills are tested to the max. Will Josie be able to save the women and herself from the evil schemes of Dr. Chadwick?

I found this book to be a little bit different than the first two books in the series because the main characters weren't completely sympathetic to me. I found myself wishing the author could have found a way to keep Josie and her father completely innocent and disconnected from helping with the body snatching operation. I had mixed feelings about another character's change of heart near the end of the book too. Josie was sure quick to let him off the hook for his crimes. It also bothered me that there were a lot of people involved in robbing bodies in this book with very little justice served. Despite my hang ups on this book, I wouldn't hesitate to read more books from this series. All three books of this series have been entertaining and have allowed me to learn some little known facts about American history. Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinions of this book.

All is not as it seems.

I have been on a bit of a mystery kick lately as I have just been more intrigued by their synopsis. As I read the pages, I find that my decisions have been rewarding.

The Yellow Lantern is a True Crime mystery that the subject matter will make your skin crawl but the message of hope lessens the blow. This “Frankenstein-esk” plot, that is based on an actual events in our history, will leave you asking yourself, “What could possibly possess a person to do something so morbid and disturbing?” By the end of the book, you will know.

The time was different and the things we take for granted now where considered a luxury then. Knowing that gave some understanding, but what could possibly convince a young woman to join the grave robber trade?

When I read the first section of the first chapter, I wondered what kind of book I was reading. Soon, my concern was transformed into understanding and from then on, I struggled against heavy eyes just to see what would happen next.

Bravo to Angie Dicken, an author whose work I have not read before, for opening our eyes to the ugly beginnings of the medical profession while giving us hope for these characters.

**This book was provided to me by the publisher through CelebrateLit. These thoughts are entirely my own.

This book, as well as a previous book in the series, The Pink Bonnet, left me bored. I just could not get invested in the story and the first few chapters were difficult to figure out what was happening and who the characters were. There were many abrupt and confusing aspects to the story.

I guess the writing style is just not one I particularly enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a different kind of historical fiction for me. I don’t read a lot of true crime stories. This storyline and the history behind it was so interesting. The intrigue and like able characters kept me turning pages.

This book just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into it, I just didn’t relate to any of the characters and the story just didn’t grab me.

I love reading historical books. Even though they are fiction, they are based on something true. I did learn a part of history by reading this book. I had not heard of body snatchers.

I loved Josie and how she knew about herbs. She was a very caring person. She loved to use her knowledge to help people.

I love this series — fiction based on strange but true history. I will look forward to reading more books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This review is my own opinion.

The Yellow Lantern is the third book is Barbour Publishing’s True Colors series, fiction based on real crimes. I previously read the first two books and enjoyed them, but I was a little apprehensive to read this one about grave robbers. Thankfully, the book turned out to be more suspenseful than spooky or scary. The opening scene did give me the heebie-jeebies, but it laid a good foundation for the rest of the story. There were quite a few characters and I was intrigued how things would connect in the end. There were a few surprises, most of them connected to the web of grave robbers.
This is my first read by Angie Dicken, she is a new-to-me author. I thought the book contained just enough description to not get bogged down, and I loved the individual personalities of the different characters so that they came alive on the page. I enjoyed the romance between Josie and Braham, and I felt for Josie and the terrible bind she was in. I also enjoyed learning more about the mill girls and their lives working the mills.
This story will make you grateful for medical research and for the people who voluntarily donate their bodies to be used to forward medical discoveries.
I recommend this book for lovers of historical mysteries, especially ones based on real historical incidents.

This was a great story! I loved the mystery and the desperation. The eventual truth and freedom. The characters were so well written with wonderful depth. The love story was beautiful, sweet, and clean. The ending was perfect. I definitely recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't finish this book. It wasn't what I was expecting, I thought it'd be more,... true crime.

This book wasn't my cup of tea. I do think it's a good book just not for me.

The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken is the latest release of the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series, and its kind of creepy. The creepy don’t read this late at night kind of creepy.

As with the previous novels in this series, I’ve learned some rather interesting things about history, things that I had previously thought of as untruths. On this one, I was way wrong. During the 19th century there were a number of beliefs surrounding the dead, beliefs that were strongly held and protected by law. It was considered the height of offense and very much against the law to remove a body from its grave, but someone is doing exactly that in a small Massachusetts village. I thought grave robbers, body snatchers had more to do with robbing the dead of valuables; I was wrong.

Josephine Clayton has survived an illness, being pronounced dead, buried and then snatched from the grave. All while being alive. When she realizes it is her employer, Dr Chadwick, standing over her preparing to truly end her life, her terror knows no bounds. Relief sets in when Alvin, a former farmhand for her father, steps in to safe her life, but that relief is short-lived when she learns the costs.

A thickly woven web of lies, deceit and utter greed ensnares Josephine in its grip and it is only her fear of reprisal that drives her, for now she must supply the next one, the next body for the money grabbing schemers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.

This story drew me in from the very beginning. I am fascinated by history but never knew anything about body snatching. I enjoyed the characters of Josie and Braham and empathized with each of them for their problems.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

(rating: 3.5/5)

In this book of historical fiction, set in New England just before the beginning of the Victorian Era, a young woman named Josephine Clayton works for a doctor to pay her father's way out of debtor's prison. But when Josephine becomes sick and is presumed dead, her buried body is stolen by a man working for the same doctor. The story starts with her waking up, about to be dissected, and when the doctor sees she's still alive, he plans to dissect her anyway. To save her own life, and to keep her father out of trouble, Josephine ends up embroiled in the doctor's schemes of body-snatching. She is planted at a cotton mill in the next town over, to spy for the body snatchers and help with the actual snatching. But when the next victim is a loved one of the cotton mill's manager (named Braham Taylor), a man to whom Josephine has become close, the gruesome business becomes a nightmare.

This book was a decent read overall. The setting was interesting. The bigger side characters had personality. I liked the back-and-forth POV between Josephine (or as we know her through most of the book, Josie) and Braham.

I was usually really happy when it switched back to Braham for a while, which tells me I connected with his character more than with Josie. I think that's because his troubles seemed a lot more real and understandable to me. But it's not that Josie doesn't have serious issues. I just think her storyline was convoluted enough that I was only vaguely aware of the danger or of her reasons for going along with the body snatching plot. Her father was in trouble with...the doctor and some creditors, but I don't know who they were, or if I'm even right about that. Alvin (Josie's "handler") was bad but sort of good (which isn't bad in itself), but was owed money, yet still chose to hold back the first body he snatched in the story? It wasn't until near the end that enough of this network of body snatchers was sorted out enough that I was at least able to appreciate the conclusion. This was probably my biggest problem throughout the book.

I began to get frustrated with Josie's decision to help her father, whose decisions had been pretty terrible, even though it made her do some things she really didn't want to do. In some ways, I appreciated her loyalty, but it got to a point where it seemed like maybe he father would actually be better off (safer, if nothing else) in debtor's prison, or regular prison, or wherever his confusing problems might send him.

For the first quarter of the book, at least, I was reminded strongly of NORTH AND SOUTH by Elizabeth Gaskell. It's set in a cotton mill, the male lead runs the cotton mill, and the female lead is not terribly happy about coming to the town. It's also set in a similar time period. I love NORTH AND SOUTH, so that may have helped draw me into the book at first, but it did veer off to become a vastly different story, and a good one in its own right.

The other big downside, in my opinion, is that the body snatching was really not as big a part of the plot as it seemed like it should be. I mean, it haunted Josie throughout the book, and at the end, we can see an inter-connectedness that we didn't necessarily know was there sooner, but it was supposed to be a twist, I think, that these things were connected. So they didn't seem to play into the body snatching plot, except that it was predictable enough that I didn't really see much shock factor in the reveal. Or maybe it wasn't supposed to be a surprise, and in that case, it was just kind of bland. But in the end, she wasn't actually that involved in the plot, and I can't say more than that without spoiling things.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. The book is listed as Christian, and it holds up well in that department. The romance was sweet and clean (just how I like it), and I would recommend this book for fans of Christian romance, though probably not for fans of crime novels.

Everything you could want… I guess. I wish there had been a bit more historical fact. I wish the protagonists were a little more developed (at times they felt a little banal.) The gruesome side of this tale and the secondary mystery held my attention more than the actual main storyline. I will say, however, that the author opened the book with a remarkably intense scene that set a tense background to the whole of the book.

Overall, a quick read that I would recommend for a bit of historical mystery, drama, and danger – a little on the light and perhaps even a tiny bit colourless. This one might not be exciting enough for someone looking for a thrill.

My thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this complimentary title. All opinions are my own.