The Green Dress by author Liz Tolsma is Book Six in the True Colors series.  That series is comprised of fiction books based on strange historical true stories.  Each story will be unbelievable at times, but it is documented to be true.

When I started this book I was immediately intrigued.  It only took a few pages for me to become invested.  The author has an inviting style of writing.  It drew me in and had me turning page after page until I had the book finished.  The story was riveting.

Set in 1880s Boston, this is the tale of Harriet Peters.  She has a millinery shop and enjoys making hats.  Her best friend is Lizzie Robinson.  Lizzie’s entire family loves Harriet.
Some mysterious illness has been attacking this family and they are dying.  They need  Harriet’s help.

The neighborhood has a new doctor, Michael Wheaton, and he is determined to find the cause of the deaths while protecting Harriet.  They begin working together to solve the mystery, but then they become in jeopardy.

The author has done an exceptional job researching this story and adding her details.  The twists and turns will have you guessing.  The characters are either lovable or despicable, and believable.

I highly recommend this thrilling tale.  It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.  A copy was provided by NetGalley but these are my own words.

I loved this book. It’s one that I easily devoured and couldn’t put down. Harriet is so sweet and I fell in love with her and her desire to please and help out early on. She has a strong sense of what family should be. And it’s everything hers was not. When her adopted family keep dying from a mysterious illness she knows she must do something, but why does no one believe her?

Harriet’s best friend Lizzie gets deathly ill with the same sickness that has killed several of her family members. Each time the mother has a “vision” and says that the dead have come to talk to her and told her that this person will die. She has it for Lizzie. And then Lizzie dies. And ooh, she just happened to have been making Lizzie a new dress that she can be buried in.

Obviously something seems off. When the new doctor comes in and then is summarily dismissed you begin to scratch your head. And when Harriet is forbidden to leave the house or continue her job it really gets going!

I loved this book and the way it read. It read so fast and wonderfully. I was sad to see it end if only because I enjoy this author and I knew I was going to have to wait for the next book!

This is a book that I highly recommend. The entire series actually is wonderful! Enjoy!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Delightfully creepy. This series is not for everyone. They are dark stories, made even darker because they’re based in fact.

That being said, The Green Dress was wonderfully twisted. I know it probably seems strange to be putting those words together, but despite the horrendousness of the crime, the story is quite moving.

Harriet and Michael worked together to solve this puzzle while a budding romance helps to push motivations and emotions higher and higher. The writing is superb, the tension tight, and your sense of justice sent careening on a mission for truth.

I could read this book again and again without losing interest, even though I already know the outcome.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma is a true crime that takes place in the 1880s that has been fictionalized. A beautiful hatmaker Harriet Peters offers to help the Robinson family as member after member dies of a mysterious ailment. She confides in Doctor Micheal Wheaton who has secrets of his own and together they try to find the answer to the deaths. Harriet's loyalty to the family frustrated me sometimes but because they saved her from a life on the streets, this was her way of paying them back. This is part of the True Colors Series that looks at different true crimes with a Christian focus. The pace really gets going at the end and you won't be able to put it down. Also, keep an eye on the green dress. Great!

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

Intriguing tale of good versus evil based on history. After multiple deaths take place in the same family with the same symptoms but no attributable cause, suspicions are raised, the unbelievable is considered and the sides are clearly delineated. The possibilities are appalling at best and who could ever commit such acts. Can anyone stop the evil. I was drawn in by the pull of wanting good to win over evil while being forced to admit the evil was possible. What kept me reading was an innate desire to make sense of it all as well as rooting for good to overcome. This is one of those books you simply cannot get out of your head after reading them. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

In Boston, 1886, Harriett Peters desires to assist the Robinson family and remains loyal to them as they have taken her in off the street. She is finally grounded as her hat making business progresses but life becomes more traumatic as the storyline continues. Her friend, Dr. Michael Wheaton is concerned is desperate to aid her. Harriett watches Michael find strength in his faith as locals mock him and it may rekindle her own trust in God as she watches Robinson family members die one by one.

Liz Tolsma creates a mysterious air that causes the reader to keep wondering what is the truth. I read late into the night to discover the answers to Harriett and Michael's quests.

I received a copy from Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
#The Green Dress #NetGalley

3.5 stars- This is the latest installment in the True Colors series. This is a unique series that takes a look at true crimes throughout history. I have learned a lot of history throughout these books that I was unfamiliar with. It has all been pretty gruesome but the books do a good job of infusing a thread of hope throughout each book even when the situation seems hopeless. This latest book, by Liz Tolsma, is no different.
It tells the true story of a seemingly normal family that either has the worst of luck or there is something very sinister going on. Family members keep dying of a mysterious illness and no one can figure out why. When Harriet Peters suddenly loses her best friend to the unexplained stomach ailment that killed several other family members, she can’t imagine not helping her friend’s grieving family, especially her friend’s mom, Sarah Jane Robinson. She also notices the handsome new doctor that has opened his practice near her. But when suspicions falls on Sarah Jane, will Harriet believe them or not?
The historical aspect of this story was both shocking and ridiculous at the same time. Shocking that the events ever occurred and ridiculous in the blindness of almost everyone involved. The adage is so true that truth is stranger than fiction and this story is a prime example.
This is a story that will keep your interest just so you can find out what happens next and to see how it ends. The relationship between Harriet and the doctor is an extra bonus.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma is a totally gripping Christian historical crime suspense and part of the True Colors series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Liz Tolsma has taken a true life crime and woven her story around the facts. It is both mesmerising and horrifying as the reader knows that all that happens is true.
Crimes are committed. At first it seems like bad luck but as the body count rises so does the suspicion.
The characters are all well drawn. The young children’s mannerisms and innocence were perfectly captured. The leading lady has a kind heart, looking out for the innocent. She struggles with the concept of a good Father as her earthly father let her down. “Why did God have to do this to her?” God does not ‘let’ anything happen, it is man’s free will and His Holy Spirit grieves.
The novel has the theme of trust. Both the reader and the characters have to decide where to place their trust.
We see the question of grace arise as a character asks “Have I been good enough?’… ‘You aren’t asking the right question… Did He [God] love you enough to send His Son for you.’ “ We will never be ‘good enough’ in our own strength. It is not about what we do. It is about what Jesus has done.
I am loving this True Colors series. It is both fascinating and horrifying as all the stories are grounded in fact. The Green Dress, as with all the previous books, inspires me to delve deeper into the facts. Thank you Liz Tolsma for a marvellous read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma is a book in the True Colors series, a series of historical true crime. I have really enjoyed the other books in this series and I was excited to read this book as well. I found this book fascinating, with the true story of poisonings for profit. Ms Tolsma did a great job of bringing this story to life along with a lot of suspense and danger. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

The Green Dress, by Liz Tolsma, is part of the True Colors series which are fictional stories based on true American crime. Having read the previous books in the series I was looking forward to reading The Green Dress and was not disappointed. The author drew me in immediately as, in the first few pages she describes a desperate note written to Harriet, asking for her help. Set in the late 1880s in Boston, the book tells the heart-wrenching story of a family who is being decimated by a mysterious illness. The who, what, why, and how of this tale is well told by Liz Tolsma and kept my interest to the end, wondering if Harriet would end up like her desperate friend Lizzie, if Doctor Wheaton would figure it out before it was all too late. The characters are realistic and either likable, relatable, or despicable. Dialogue flowed seamlessly without sounding forced. I had a hard time putting the book down and pretty much read it in one sitting. The story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock and horror, anger and revenge, sorrow and compassion. It is a thought-provoking book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. The green dress in the title is in the background throughout most of the story and the reader is left pondering its significance before all is revealed near the end. As a reader I was yelling at the characters to see what was in front of them as the story unfolded - far from being a bad thing, this shows that I was engrossed in the story. Well written historical fiction. Recommended.

Another book from the True Colors that bases fiction on strange, but true, history. Harriet Peters left her home because of an arranged marriage to a much older gentleman and fled to Boston where she is taken in by the Robinson family when she is found wandering the streets and is treated like one of the family. But then family members begin, one at a time, to develop a strange debilitating stomach ailment that leads to their death.

Tolsma's development of the characters was well done, and I especially loved Harriet and her strong loyalty to the children. Michael Wheaton, a new doctor to the area haunted by a past, made a great partner for Harriet in both the sleuthing and romance. This is one of the shorter of the True Colors book, and I easily read it in a few hours. The pace of this book seemed to move more slowly than others in this series, and I basically had the culprit down to 2 people before I had read very far into the book as well as the probable cause.

A good addition to this series, and an easy enjoyable read.

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

In this fiction story based on true history, author Liz Tolsma tells the story of Sarah Jane Robinson. Mrs. Robinson and her family took in Harriet Peters who fled to Boston in 1882. Harriet became like one of the family and was especially close to Lizzie. When Lizzie falls deathly ill like several other of her family members, Harriet begins to ask questions. She partners with Dr. Michael to determine the source of the mystery illness.
I didn't care for the romance, and the writing is choppy in places. But the mystery was exciting. I appreciated how Harriet and Michael continued to search for the truth despite roadblocks, such as Michael's childhood trauma from bullies and Harriet's concern about alienating her adopted family. And Michael reminds Harriet and readers that we need not fear death since we have a glorious home waiting in heaven.

This book was a great edition to this series. While I didn't know the history going in, I pretty quickly figured out what was going on. I was so involved that I "talked" to the characters lol. I'm not crazy I swear!

I love the way that this book (and the rest of the series) takes a true crime and uses the details to make it into a story. It's funny because the real history was unbelievable. I was discussing it with someone and they thought it was just a solely made up story.

While I got this free for a review, it's something that I would pay to read. It's a good length and an engrossing read. I've almost read the whole series now and I hope that it keeps going!

Massachusetts 1886
Harriet is a milliner who has been building her business nicely when she gets a note from her best friend that she needs her. Harriet rushes to her side, and promises to take care of the children. Mrs Robinson and Jane had taken Harriet in some time back when she had run away from a bad situation at home. They even helped her to get started in her business. Things start going very wrong at the Robinson house and the mystery builds. This author is so skilled that even though you guess what happened, it never gets boring and holds your interest to the end. This is based on a true horror story. Good read. Christian Historical Fiction
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #TheGreenDress #NetGalley

The Green Dress, by Liz Tolsma, Is part of the True Colors series by Barbour Publishing. This story takes place in Boston in 1885. Harriet flees her home to avoid a marriage she does not want. She meets the Robinson family at church and they take her in and help her find a job. Just as she has gotten her business going, her only true friend Lizzie Robinson become ill with the same symptoms that took her father, aunt, uncle and sister. When Harriet is asked to be with Lizzie, she calls in the new doctor in town, Michael Wheaton, hoping he can help Lizzie as no other doctors were able to help the others.

This is a great series of stand alone stories that are based on real crimes that have taken place in history. The crimes are well researched and used as the basis for the fictional stories. This story really grabbed my attention and held it right to the end. I did not want to put the book down as I kept wondering who could be poisoning the family members. The writing is so clear, it is easy to imagine the surrounding and even sense the desperation in finding out what is happening before another family member dies. The parts of the story I enjoyed the most are the struggles Harriet has with caring for the family, yet knowing something is not right. Another is how Michael's younger years have affected him, even into his adulthood.

I would highly recommend this story, and the whole series, to anyone who enjoys crimes stories and history. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I read this book in an hour and a half! It was honestly that suspenseful!

It's pretty clear that there's a poisoner in the story, and the body count here is staggering! I hoped the first one would be saved, hoped another would be saved...you get the idea. And there's not a single thing to tip off the police because it looks more like a family curse than a targeted poisoner. I couldn't stop flipping the pages as my suspect list dropped from three, to two...to one crazed individual who's lost all control and nearly all fear of getting caught. Who's going to survive that final rampage?

The heartbreaking thing was knowing that this crime actually happened, that these folks really did die from the poisoner's tricks. Tolsma did an excellent job building the suspense and really tapped into the emotion of the story. Well done!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

This is the first book I’ve read of the true American crimes series, and it really pulled me in! I had no trouble reading quickly until the end.

Now I want to read more of the series.
I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars / This review has been posted at https://bookwormishme.com/2020/06/the-green-dress

It’s 1886 in Boston and Harriet Peters has finally gotten what she’s always wanted - her own flat above her own millinery shop. While working in her shop one day, her best friend Lizzie’s brother arrives to ask her to come quickly. Lizzie has taken ill with the mysterious illness that keeps killing members of the family. It’s Harriet’s worst nightmare - the thought of Lizzie dying.

Lizzie’s family had taken Harriet in when she had nothing. Harriet feels completely beholden to them. So when Lizzie’s mother asks her to move back into the house, Harriet reluctantly agrees. The children, Tommy and Gracie need her. But will she be risking her own life by doing so? Are these deaths just a strange illness that has taken the Robinson family? Or is there something more sinister going on? Harriet cannot imagine that there is a serial killer in the Robinson family, still, these deaths one after another by the same illness make no sense.

What I love about this series of novels is that each one takes a real life accounting of crime in our nation’s past and creates a new story including the details of the crime. The True Colors series addresses sometimes horrible crimes, but also includes some Biblical wisdom and teachings. No spoilers here! Read the novel and see whom you think might be responsible! And when you’re done reading The Green Dress, definitely move on to other books in the series. You won’t be disappointed.

Another well-written edition to the True Colors series.
The Green Dress focuses on a Boston family in 1886. A mysterious illness takes the lives of various family members and doctors are baffled as to what the illness even is. Harriett Peters is the best friend of Lizzie Robinson, who falls suddenly ill with an ailment that has already taken the lives of her aunt, uncle, father and younger sister. Harriett fears for her friend’s life and goes in search of a new doctor who may be able to shed some light on the plight of the Robinson family.
Dr. Michael Wheaton has a past he is trying to escape. When he comes to Harriett’s aid, if what he suspects isn’t true, the past will catch up to him and leave him with a tarnished reputation and inability to practice medicine on the east coast.
The author draws the reader in right from the first page. Vivid descriptions enable the reader to imagine the gut-wrenching pain the patient is going through and through the narrative, readers begin to question along with Dr. Wheaton if things are all they seem. Readers can look for the clues as they read the story to solve the mystery.
Relatively new science techniques are indirectly introduced.
I enjoyed the sweet story between Michael and Harriett. Harriett’s character is sweet and devoted, and Michael is kind but careful. Both have come from traumatic experiences and take small steps toward complete trust in the other. They are likeable characters and readers will be rewarded with a satisfying conclusion to their story.
Oh, and the title, The Green Dress? I shuddered when it was revealed the reason for it.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.