Cover Image: The Green Dress

The Green Dress

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Get out of the house.

There’s a fine line between providing enough detail and delving into the realm of the macabre when relating a horror story, especially when that story is true. The True Colors series by Barbour Publishing focuses on historical tales of true American crime, written as fiction but based on actual events. Often the main character is invented by the author to serve as an eyewitness to the crime, which makes for an interesting interpretation because while the narrative becomes biased according to that character’s viewpoint, it also increases the mystery as readers experience everything alongside the protagonist.

This was certainly the case for me as I read Liz Tolsma’s “The Green Dress.” So far, this is the only book in the series about a crime that I was not at least somewhat familiar with already, which was exciting in and of itself. I will admit that I figured out the crime and the whodunit by chapter two, and I was concerned that I would lose interest, wondering how the book could go on for 26 more chapters. However, my fears were unfounded, and I read almost all of it in one sitting. Tolsma’s talent shines through in this fact alone, as well as in the necessarily redundant nature of the tale’s occurrences. I was never once bored! I did, though, want to shout at the characters a few times so that they would see things that seem blatantly obvious to us as vicarious readers.

What I appreciated most about this story is how Tolsma weaves together the historical truth, the faith element, and the color theme into one seamless tapestry. Everything coalesced and worked together well, which is no easy task when writing with so many elements already fixed in place from the outset according to the series parameters. One particularly touching moment in the story addresses Harriet’s concern about whether she is good enough to go to heaven, to which Michael replies, “Did He love you enough to send His Son for you? He did, didn’t He? Then that’s all you need to know. No more fear. Because, though I pray the Lord gives you many more years here, when it is your time to leave this earth, you can have assurance of where you will spend eternity. It’s not what you did. It’s what He did.” I love that this is included in the story because so often we forget that we are saved by grace, not by anything that we do. May our faith, like Harriet’s, grow and increase as we experience the magnificent power of the Savior’s love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I am really enjoying this series. I have read several of the books in the series. Liz Tolsma has created a story of a serial killer in 1880's Boston. This book has a lot of suspense, twists and turns in it. Harriet flees her arranged marriage to a much older man - and is taken in by a family in Boston. The family treats her like just one of the family members. However the family members one by one have developed a strange, hurtful stomach issues that ulimately leads to their deaths. The other main character, Michael the new doctor is a well written character also. I like how they partnered together to try and figure out what is causing the deaths. Michael, as a doctor knows that something does not make sense. I love how well written this story is - I love that the author did an amazing job staying true to history.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I have read several of Liz Tolsma’s WWII books in the past and have enjoyed her ability to weave a beautiful story around tragic events. While this book is a departure from that particular era, I found this true crime novel to be not as far a leap as I thought; this story also deals with people’s cruelty and strange events that seem impossible yet remain based in truth.

Harriet is a likeable character for whom the reader is able to feel immediate sympathy. She has lost so much, and now stands to lose her best friend to a mysterious and painful illness. This brings her to Michael’s door, seeking help for Lizzie from the doctor just down the block from her own millinery shop. But the illness proves to be a different kind of danger than either is expecting.

The suspense ratchets up quickly, and having my own suspicions from the beginning, I couldn’t help but worry for Harriet and Michael both. Clues are hidden in plain sight, becoming clear as the tale continues, with a few instances of suspicion proving misplaced from early assumptions on my part. The author does a good job of giving enough information to keep the reader engaged, but without giving everything away from the outset.

I recommend this book for those who are interested in true crime stories but who don’t want foul language or gory details to be part of the content. This book does a good job of navigating a balance between reality and remaining clean, while still delivering a chilling story of suspense and man’s often inhumane treatment of others.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate LIt but was under no obligation to post positive remarks. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Green Dress is part of a series of historical romantic suspense novels based on American criminal activity. As with the other stories I have read thus far, this was a riveting, sit on the edge of my chair journey through some very dark and scary days.

The characters were very well developed and very believable except for Sarah Jane Robinson. Not that the author didn’t do an excellent job portraying her, but that Sarah Jane Robinson’s behavior was, to me, unbelievable. Harriet was right in saying, “May God have mercy upon your soul.”

I felt the frustration of the police and those suspicious of the activity in the Robinson house as they sought actual evidence to bring charges against their suspect. Lives were lost in the waiting. Every time Harriet heard the voice saying, “Get out of the house,” or the green dress was mentioned I got chills.

There were some very evil people balanced by some very virtuous ones. The fictional parts of this story were sometimes easier to believe than the factual ones. Both Harriet and I are very grateful that Dr. Michael Wheaton came along and risked his career on a bad feeling.

This is a very good book. I thank both Net Gallery and Barbour Publishing for allowing me access to an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

n evil house and a green dress, what more could one want? I’ve read everyone of these True Colors stories of actual crimes interspersed with a bit of fiction. Many of the characters are real people you can Google and read more about, but a few are also fictionalized to make a more compelling story. I also like that each book is written by a different author. I am able to get to know the writings of new as well as familiar authors with each new True Colors story.
The Green Dress gave me many goosebumps and chills. A mother, Sarah Jane Robinson, birthed eight children but also held greed as more advantageous. One by one, members of her family are dying a horrible death attended by a Dr. Charles Beers. This illness seems to be contained within this house only. Is this a genetic problem or something else?
Harriet Peters is taken in by the Robinson family and cared for after finding her destitute and hungry on the streets of Boston. She feels an obligation to them even though she’s treated like a babysitter and housemaid. She meets Dr. Michael Wheaton and together they try to find out the reasons for so many deaths in the Robinson family. I was held captive to this story and read it in record time. Even though True Colors is a series, each one may be read as a stand-alone. But I highly recommend reading them all. I’ve learned so much about these strange but true crime histories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

Was this review helpful?

The Green Dress is an intriguing mystery, especially so since it is a fictional account based on actual history. Liz Tolsma has taken the horrible true account of multiple deaths in the Robinson family and crafted it into a spine-tingling story.

Many of the characters and events in this story were drawn directly from historical accounts from Boston in the 1800s, and others were added to flesh out the fictional story. All of the characters, though, were well-developed, and each added much to the story. Although there were clues along the way pointing to the final resolution of the mystery, I wasn't certain of the answer until the end. And the title "character" of the book -- the green dress -- was hinted at along the way, but its chilling meaning was not fully revealed until near the end of the story.

Fans of historical fact-based fiction involving mystery should enjoy The Green Dress. And you just might find it hard to put the book down!

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book I've read by Liz Tolsma, but it certainly won't be the last! She kept me on the edge of my seat as she spun faith and romance into this historical murder case. I loved the layers she built into her main characters, from loyal Harriet Peters to dedicated Dr. Michael Wheaton. Even the maniacal murderer was fascinating in a scary way (and the line that revealed the reason for the title of this book was the most chilling of the whole story!). The mounting death toll and Harriet's fear of death gave this story a "Hitchcock meets Spurgeon" kind of feel. It was so hard to put down that I finished it in one day. I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley and was not required to post a positive review.

Was this review helpful?

“Zane’s first thought when he came to was that the world was coming to an end.” With an explosive start like that, Beth White quickly lights a fire under the reader to delve into her last story of the Daughtry House series, A Reckless Love.
I was a little confused at first, because this sister’s chronicle backtracks a little from where the last book ended. But White has her reasons. By the way, this is one series that needs to be read in order.
The year is 1870, and slavery has been abolished. Many on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line struggle with racial equality. When Judge Teague, a beloved mentor of Deputy Marshall Sager, is attacked for ruling over a race-related trial, Sager vows to visit justice upon the guilty. Sager gets to know the Daughtry sisters as he works with Riggins, Selah’s husband, who is also a Pinkerton. Both men are working at ending organized racial intimidation and suppression in the South.
I find Aurora amazing in that she has a good business head at nineteen, but she is also high-handed, determined to orchestrate events as she sees fit. Every one else had better get in line behind her. She is a tough cookie but loves anyone with a good heart. She is brave and unconventional.
Sager is independent, also brave, and other than the judge, not one to be close to others. His appearance helps out his tenacious personality, but he is hiding a weakness. Plus, he failed at the protection gig once. He is afraid of failing again. If “there is no fear in love,” then there is no love in fear.
White, like Joelle, has a proclivity towards big words. I had to google quite a few definitions. I very much enjoyed getting to know all three of the Daughtry sisters in this series.
Notable Quotables:

”Find a man who serves Christ first. Then his love for you will fall rightly.”

“Honey, we all get left behind at some time or another. Only one person is always there.”

“And when somebody gives you a hand out of the mud, you don’t spit on it just because it doesn’t land you exactly where you want to go.”

“...secrets were burdensome things.”

“...he packed more raw emotion into one eye than most people conveyed in two.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Revell Reads program. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is book 6 in the True Color series of fictional stories but true history books. This story is written from a true murder that happens in Boston during 1882, the story is fiction and has been changed some. Liz gives the actual background in the back of the book, do not read until you read the book! This is the story of Harriet and how she has run away from home and moved in with her friends family and then has gone out on her own. She is forced to move back with this family after her friend Lizzie has died of a strange illness and makes Harriet promise her she will look after the 2 children. Harriett agrees and feels she must give up everything to keep her word to her friend. The house Lizzie lives in is with her whole family, mother, brothers, sister, cousins, aunts and uncles.... Only most have all pasted away the past few years with the same illness and all have died. What is the cause of this illness, is it the house, is it the enviroment, is it a condition in the family genes? No one knows, will Harriet be next? Can she keep her promise to her friend or will she end up the same as the others? What is the true meaning of the green dress???


I would recommend this to those that really like a good mystery that moves along and has some truth behind the story. This is book 6 in the series however, each book is of a different true historical read, so you can read anyone of them in any order or just this one. This book kept me reading until the end, twist and turns. The story keeps you guessing and at the end the real reason for the green dress is a draw dropper.... It is one that you want your friends to read so you can talk about it with them..... GREAT MYSTERY!!!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this exciting, well-written novel, sixth in the multi-author True Colors Series. As with previous offerings, The Green Dress gives a fictionalized account of a true historical crime. Liz Tolsma expertly pens a compelling read and weaves together the crime, those part of or affected by it, and how the faith of some leads them to seek the truth. Characters are very well defined, and the mystery is challenging.

Harriet is the happy, hardworking owner of a millinery shop in Somerville, Massachusetts. Four years ago, she ran away from home and the bully her father wanted her to marry. Sarah Jane Robinson and her family had taken Harriet in after they met at church. Harriet was happy to join this huge family. Over time she and Lizzie, the daughter closest to her age, became best friends. Harriet went to work at the department store where Sarah did and apprenticed to make fine millinery. While she lived at and helped in the Robinson home, Sarah’s husband Moses and sister Annie died, as well as one of her daughters.

Several months earlier, when opening her shop, Harriet moved into its upstairs apartment. One day Lizzie’s brother Charley brought an urgent message to her. Lizzie was very ill and needed her to come see her. The pain Lizzie had was excruciating and had come on quickly. The home is still mourning the passing of another family member a few months earlier. Dr. Beers, retired and a family friend, is there with Lizzie, as is Mr. Smith, the Sunday school superintendent, who is laying on hands and prayer over her. Harriet left and returned with a new, young doctor whose office is near her shop. She will pay for Dr. Michael Wheaton to come. The symptoms are mysterious except for one thing. They are the same as several family members suffered from before they died. Lizzie asked Harriet to promise that if she dies, Harriet will make sure her younger sister Gracie and orphaned nephew Tommy.

I like Harriet; her loyalty to Lizzie and the Robinson family is exemplary. Michael is a wounded healer, who still remembers the taunts of children he grew up around who refused to play with him because his mother was in the local asylum due to unrelenting mental illness. I very much appreciate the faith issues brought to light, including the concern Harriet had of whether she was good enough for God to forgive and allow her into His heaven, and the fear Michael had of inheriting whatever made his mother so ill. Many members of the Robinson family are endearing, especially Gracie and Tommy.

This novel is a breathtaking race against time to learn what is happening in the Robinson apartment. It is a time when few people could imagine the depth of what Dr. Wheaton proposes. He faces threats to have the mental illness of his mother revealed to the medical community if he doesn’t stay away from Harriet and the Robinsons. Harriet faces losing the shop she has worked so hard to get as Sarah Jane makes increasing demands on her. Tensions and suspense rise even as expressing their faith in the Lord helps Michael and Harriet. The end is satisfying, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend this novel to those who appreciate the True Colors series, novels of faith and suspense, and are fans of the author.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the Celebrate Lit and the publisher, and this is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Here is a series that just keeps getting better and better. I'm so addicted to it! In The Green Dress, we find Harriet Peters in shock, grief, and great risk. Her best friend has been killed and what's worse, so have members of her family. All she wants to do is run her millinery. That's an occupation "of old" that I find fascinating. This series ties true crimes into fantastic living stories. Dr. Micheal is a perfect romance, as well as his own strong figure in this story. As the danger of her life being forfeited draws too close for comfort, will they out the killer in time? For a book that the author states had a hard time after the first few chapters, you would never know it and I found this to be a fascinating and page-turning installment in this series with nothing left out in regards to the mystery, romance or faith aspects. It's a binge-worthy read.

My thanks to Celebrate Lit for this copy of this book. This review is my own, left freely, and a positive one was not required.

Was this review helpful?

I have loved all the books in the True Colors series and I think that this one has been my favorite. This book showed the horror that this poor family went through with a mother that only thought of money. I like how Harriet and Michael were worked in to the story. This story made me sick in some ways to see how horrible some people really are. I could not put this story down. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Was this review helpful?

This series!! What horrific tales!!! The depravity of man exposed in a “palatable” fashion—fiction, with fictional characters woven deftly through the fabric of the story.
Ms. Tolsma opens her story with a chilling scene, dousing the reader immediately with high drama and tension. As Lizzie fades away and Harriet struggles with the loss, Mrs. Robinson stands out as either a suffering mother and victim herself—or a sinister and wicked woman.
I was fond of Harriet and appreciated her devotion to the Robinson family. But I questioned her willingness to be manipulated; it happens of course, but Harriet was clever and quite tenacious at times, too.
While the story was gripping—who was the guilty party and why—I felt that it rather dragged on somewhat. The dialogue was, for this reader, dry and bland. And though Mrs. Robinson was a seamstress, there was (if memory serves) only one vague reference to a green dress with a subtle implication that it presaged Harriet’s death, which begged the question of the purpose of the title.
Still, as the story built, and more people died, the more I kept turning the pages to find out the answers.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
THREE FEATHERS

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Green Dress, Liz Tolsma, Celebrate Lit Publicity

Was this review helpful?

The Green Dress
by Liz Tolsma
A look a the real life murder spree of a convicted killer. A young woman rushes to the side of only friend to find her dying. She like a number of her family members have a strange illness. One by one it takes people of the family in a dispersion of months, with the same symptoms. Starting in 1881 to 1886, one family member after another are dead. The doctors don't know the reason, the public only see that the family has gone through too much loss. Sarah Jane Robinson had been raised poor in Ireland, to move to the US to hope of making her fortune. She finds that despite all her hard work she is not living the life she wants. She found a solution, that puts her family in jeopardy.
a hard look a the mental status of people at the turn of century and the cyclical problems of poverty. The book reminds us that we can not white wash our history, nor will we be able to save all those who are put in danger in the conquests of those who find that life is only an acquisition of things. Liz Tolsma works hard in her story to show the human side of the story, but does not down play the tragedy of this situation.

Was this review helpful?

This was sort of a disturbing story based on actual events.  Harriet Peters comes to Boston and is befriended by the Robinson family.  She becomes best friends with Lizzie.  But family members start dying horrible deaths.  The doctors can't help.  

This is well-written.  It isn't overly descriptive.  What is disturbing is what is happening and who is doing it.  

I enjoyed reading this.  I would not recommend it as bedtime reading for the kids, but if you want a well-researched historical novel that flows well, this could be it.

Was this review helpful?

A gut wrenching mystery about people who are mysteriously dying. This story is based on a true story, which makes this even more intense to read knowing it actually happened. A fantastic story where fact meets fiction in a flawless blend. I really enjoyed this dark, creepy read with plenty of twists keeping you guessing what really going on. A delightful addition to the True Colors Series.

Was this review helpful?

Have you ever heard of a wolf in sheeps clothing?

Yet agin, True Colors series rises to the expectation to produce an amazing, riveting story.

The Green Dress proved to be just as heart wrenchingly beautiful in its own frightful way as the others stories in the series. The pain of loss after loss clearly penned on the pages in such a way that if one is imaginative, your heart might hurt for Herriet and the family. If only the haunting feeling of the grim reaper wasn’t always present in the town house.

I know Harriet’s pain of losing so many loved ones in a short amount of time–it tears your heart in fours. Not only is she mourning, her mind plays games as to the validity of her salvation. Ah, but incomes the dashing doctor Michael to help her see the Father’s love for her as well as discovering the truth to the deaths. “Have you ever heard of a wolf in sheep’s clothing?” Michael asks her as they try to figure out who could be the culprit. (Can you say “chills”?)

Now, I was given a copy of the book by the publisher for this review, but I bought it on Audible so that I could listen while I was doing other things around the house and sitting in my car for a week filled with doctor appointments. I must say that the narrator, Justis Bolding, did a magnificent job in telling this story. And she has a stellar Irish accent. Even though I listen to the story, I was entranced by it. It felt like I was listening to one of those old radio shows. I loved it.

Liz Tolsma did a magnificent job in writing The Green Dress and True Colors people produced another chilling book. I look forward to reading, or listening, to more soon.

***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through CelebrateLit Publicities so that I might offer an honest review. A positive on was not required.

Was this review helpful?

I was riveted by this story. From start to finish! It was truly mind boggling that this was based on a true story! This was a well written story about a difficult story. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This book definitely delivered the creepy vibes. While the plot made me a bit anxious, overall it was really obvious and predictable. I did not care for Harriet’s character. I didn’t understand her motivation to stay somewhere that she was treated abominably. It seemed so obvious that something was wrong and her unwavering defense of the people who were treating her terribly was grating. There weren’t really any twists or turns to speak of, so there were not any really big shocking moments at the conclusion. This one just missed the mark a bit for me. Definitely creepy, but I didn’t love the characters.

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and creepier too. I really enjoy these novels based on True Crimes with fiction woven in. I find them fascinating and interesting but also horrified that someone can be so evil. Liz Tolsma brings Sarah Jane Robinson to life and has you looking over your shoulder. After reading this I researched this woman on the internet and she made my skin crawl just looking at her. I enjoyed learning about this killer but found her method of causing so much suffering horrendous. The author handled it perfectly and showed that even in the darkest times there is hope.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley/CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Was this review helpful?