Liz Tolsma is one of my very favorite authors. The subject matter of her books is always very interesting and developed with an eye to each character and their part in the story. I also love the way she incorporates the history of the book setting in her novels.

“The Green Dress” is the latest novel that I’ve read. I wasn’t sure about the nature of the story because Ms. Tolsma’s previous novels that I’ve read had to do with a particular time in history, usually during W.W.II. This one surprised me and caught my interest immediately.

The story takes place beginning in 1886 in Massachusetts. The Robinson family has been suffering devastating losses for the past few months. Firs,t the father, Mr. Robinson, passes away with horrendous pain and suffering. Then one by one, Mrs. Robinson’s sister, brother-in-law, two daughters, a son, and a nephew also die quickly and horrendously from the same disease or family trait.

Harriet Peters was taken in by the Robinsons, on the verge of starvation, after being cast away by her family. She and Lizzie Robinson became fast friends and there was nothing that Harriet would not do for the family who so graciously took her in. Lizzie, on her death bed, asked Harriet to look after the little ones, her cousin, Tommy, and her sister, Gracie. Before all of these deaths, Mrs. Robinson has had premonitions that her dead husband is calling the family members to him in death. Harriet moves in with the Robinsons‘ after Lizzie’s death to take charge of the two young children. It seems that the family is holding its collective breath until another is taken from them with the same malady.

Although Harriet and the doctor who attends the family knows something is causing these premature deaths, no one can put their finger on just what is causing this. As a reader of this novel, my suspicions are aroused from the first and I keep wanting to shout that I know what it is. All during this time, Mrs. Robinson is sewing on a green dress. Just what does the presence of the green dress signify? Even though this question may come to mind a couple of times while reading the novel, it isn’t until the end that its presence is explained.

I read this novel in two days. I could not put it down as has happened with other novels by Ms. Tolsma.

I couldn't put this book down! I loved it. I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series - true crime with a Christian message. I like crime fiction but often find it gets a little graphic, or writers feel like it has to be "gritty". With this series, I know I don't have to be concerned about graphic detail or language. I have also learned so much through this series - It is obvious Ms. Tolsma did her research into the case. And, she brought it to life through her fictional re-imagining of the story.
Poison was a difficult murder weapon to deal with at a time in history when medicine was more limited, and testing took time and effort many physicians lacked the resources for.
I did feel like the ending of this story got rushed just a bit, once murder was finally confirmed. The how's and why's were kind of glossed over. But, all in all a fast paced well-written mystery, and a most enjoyable series!

Get out of the house while you can....

Imagine hearing that statement inside your head - several times. Would you be inclined to act on it if it meant life or death? The True Colors series teaches us some rather bizarre history, some of which is almost impossible to believe. It seems, from the observational point, that those unfortunate folks who found themselves in these situations would be inclined to leave town as soon as possible. However, as life is, most of us would have trouble believing that such evil exists and thus would remain.

Harriet Peters arrives in Somerville, Massachusetts all alone. Finding a new family in the Robinsons, she slowly built her life in a new place. When members of her new family die of a mysterious illness, she looks to the new doctor in town to figure out what is killing them. Will their investigation bring further harm or can a diagnosis be found?

Once again I have learned that history can be hard to believe at times. This digital copy was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. My comments and impressions were in no way solicited.

The opening paragraphs set a quick pace. The author uses historical evidence to lead the reader into a page turning story of intrigue and death. The female lead, Harriett, has been living with the Robinson family for a few years. She quickly befriends Lizzy and they become like sisters. Unfortunately, several family members die a mysterious and painful death all of them exhibiting the same symptoms. Harriett worries she might be the next. She and Dr. Wheaton must hurry to find a cause or cure.
For the reader who enjoys nail biting historical fiction with a touch of romance, this is the book for you.
I received an advanced copy of this book from #TheGreenDress and #Netgalley. The opinions are my own.

A Chilling Tale of Family Murders

Harriet Peters is hastily summoned to her friend Lizzie Robinson on a bitterly cold night. Lizzie has developed the severe stomach pains that led to the deaths of several relatives including the recent death of Lizzie’s uncle. Needing to do something, Harriet races off to get a doctor. The closest is a new doctor in the area, Michael Wheaton.

Although he does his best, Michael is unable to save Lizzie, but watching the death, he thinks something is wrong. Too many members of the same family are dying.

On her deathbed, Lizzie makes Harriet promise to take care of the Robinson children. The only way Harriet can continue her millinery business and take care of the children is to move in with the family. Michael, who has become fond of Haarriet, is worried about her safety and together they decide to find out what is happening.

This is another well researched true crime story. The deaths of so many people and the danger to Harriet are emotionally chilling. The author does a good job of setting the scene and keeping the tension high. The romance between Michael and Harriet is chaste and sweet. It adds an air of normalcy to a truly horrifying situation.

If you like historical crime stories with a hint of romance, this is a good one.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

The first 30-40% was a bit slow, especially after it was clear after the first death who killer was and why they did it (though towards 70% I was wondering if someone else was also involved). But the last 60% was quite fast paced and suspenseful. There was a lot of heartache as well within these pages.

I loved Micheal as the hero. He had his own fears and worries to overcome but was a strong fighter for those who can't. Harriet was a compassionate, lovable character but I found her a bit naive quite a few times.

The last comment from the murder to Harriet was quite chilling and shown how truly evil this person was.

Another fascinating read! The True Colors series is one based on true crimes but written from a Christian fiction perspective. I have enjoyed several of these books and although each entry is written by a different author, they're all captivating.

While Sarah Robinson deals with the loss of several family members from an unknown illness, Harriet, who is new to Boston, is drawn to the Robinsons. As she is welcomed into their home, Harriet begins to become suspicious of the illness that continues to take members of her de facto family away. Can she and Michael, a doctor that's also just arrived to the area, solve this riddle before more lives are lost?

This series is amazing and I look forward to new ones! I was an early reader, thanks to Barbour Books. All opinions are my own.

This is another good novel in the True Colors series, novels based on actual criminal events from time past. It takes place in Boston in the 1880s. The heroine is Harriet who had been taken in by the Robinson family in 1882, when Harriet first arrived in Boston. Several members of the extended Robinson family have died from the same malady. As the novel opens, another Robinson is dying, Harriet's good friend, Lizzie. Harriet enlists the aid of a new doctor in town and the situation becomes quite dangerous for her.

Tolsma is an accomplished historical fiction author and she does a good job of taking us into the tragic situation. The Author Notes at the end of the book reveal that most of the aspects of the novel are based on recorded facts. Tolsma does a good job of fleshing out the story by crafting the characters and building a budding romance between Harriet and the young doctor.

This is a good novel for readers who enjoy historical fiction done well.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The Green Dress by Wisconsin Christian author Liz Tolsma is part of a true crime series by different authors, each story featuring a crime that “shocked the world” and made headlines in its day. The Green Dress tells the unbelievable story of Sarah Jane Robinson who in the 1880’s methodically poisoned members of her own family (children, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and possibly a land lord, to collect life insurance and other payments. In each of these true crime novels from Barbour Publishing, the authors have created fictional characters as witnesses to the criminal acts. In this story, Harriet Peters, a young women who has fallen on hard times when she arrives in Boston in 1882, is taken in by the large Robinson family. She quickly becomes best friends with Lizzie Robinson and is devastated when Lizzie falls ills and dies from the same unidentified illness that has killed other family members over a multi-year span. A chance meeting with a young doctor puts both on a path to finding out the truth about these unexplained deaths. Little does Harriet realize that her actions will endanger her own life. The book was a fast read, and I’ve always found Liz Tolsma’s books to be well-researched, enjoyable reads. That she is from Wisconsin is an added plus for this reader.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love true crime, especially so the True Colors series from Barbour seemed right up my alley, and The Green Dress in particular introduced me to a serial killer I hadn’t previously known about, Sarah Jane Robinson.

Through the fictional leads, Harriet and Michael, a friend of Sarah’s and the local doctor respectively, I felt the growing unease about the mortality of those close to Sarah was well conveyed, balanced with a sense of goodness and hope to counteract the pure evil of her actions.

Both Sarah and Dr. Beers are so well drawn to elicit a chill up the spine of the reader as Tolsma hints at their malicious intent and actions. While to an extent they steal the show from the POV characters, this is only right given the tone of the book and the balance between Christian fic which leans toward a heavy spiritual center and romantic suspense which features those dastardly villains.

This is a wonderful book that has a compelling suspense plot that introduced me to a historical figure I now want to know more about. If you love true crime, especially women serial killers, then I think you’ll enjoy this book.

This is a wonderful addition to a series I have truly enjoyed.

Liz Tolsma has penned a suspenseful story of a serial killer in 1880's Boston. The book started a little slow for me, but the last half of the story had me glued to the page. Tolsma's skill of storytelling, combined with her flawless research is a recipe of success for mixing fact and fiction. While the story itself was suspenseful and at times dark, the faith thread was one of hope, lending the fictional heroine strength.

This story along with many of the crimes highlighted in Barbours True Colors: Historical stories of American Crime series were previously unknown to me. I love learning more of America's history, including some of its darker stories as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.

What a fascinating, sad story! One of the reasons that I love Historical Fiction is that I learn something while being entertained. This story definitely did that! In The Green Dress members of the Robinson family keep dying. When their good friend Harriet moves into the family home to help care for the youngest of the family, things begin to seem suspicious. But the question is who could be hurting this family? And how? You'll have to pick up this excellent book to find out. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A real life adventure of serial killer involving
the blood chilling and horrific deaths of
members of the Robinson family mixed with
a fictional romance. This combination
makes for a moving historical fiction read.
This story grips you from the beginning.
It intensifies until the final word.
The story takes place in the town of
Somerville, Massachusetts, near Boston.
The time period is the late 1880s.
Milliner Harriet Peters had sought aide with
the Robinson family. Harriet has her own
shop but when her best friend is dying from
a strange, painful death, Harriet vows to
care for the younger children in the
Robinson household. Harriet moves back in
with the family. She watches as the
matriarch of the family has fainting spells
supposedly caused by the ghost of her
deceased husband predicting death of the
one that is ill. Nothing seems to help save
anyone once the severe stomach pain starts.
Death is the end result!!
Dr Michael Wheaton is a young doctor who
is trying to become established in town. He
gets called in to the Robinson’s by Harriet.
He feels something is amiss in the household.
He fears for Harriets safety.
Throughout the story the reader will note
Mrs Robinson making a green dress.
Stunning emotional and gripping read!!
The book is extremely ably plotted and skillfully
written with cleverly crafted characters, well
defined and interesting characters that will pull
on the reader’s emotions. The story will chill
your blood. The reader will feel the terrorizing
and horrifying events along with the all the
character taking part in the drama.
I volunteered on read The Green Dress.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing via Net Gallery
for the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and
my own.

This book takes the true story of a serial killer and makes it come to life. With a setting that illustrates the time period and the desperate feelings of the characters within the story Liz Tolsma rewrote the history in a meaningful way. She managed to create suspense in who the killer was, keeping it a mystery between several different people while adding a hint of romance. Little bits of information throughout add intrigue and clues as to who will be the next to die and what is happening to each of the patients.

While this story was short, the suspense and anticipation was high. I would have enjoyed a little more added to the story. It did provided a nice read on a late night.

The Green Dress is about a woman who is staying with the Robinson family. There seem to be strange illnesses or deaths occur. It seems to be about a woman named Sarah Jane Robinson. What is going on in the house is strange.

Harriet seems to bring in a Dr. Weaton. She moved into the Robinson family household but things seem to happen more once Lizzie passes away. But we do not know who it is. As the story goes on and more death occurs. The suspicions rise. Who is killing the Robinson family members and why?

The author does a wonderful job of having you trying to figure out the culprit. You get a history of some of the members. What a way to show some true colors in some folks. This story has you wanting to turn the pages and rooting for the heroes to save the day. You are pulled in emotionally as well. I was guessing Dr. Beers or even Mrs. Robinson. Can Michael and Harriet save the Robinson family members or will it all go bad?

Barbour Publishing's True Colors series is a collection of novels, written by a variety of authors based on true historical stories of American Crime. Liz Tolsma's The Green Dress is the latest installment. It is a fiction piece based on the crimes committed against Sarah Jane Robinson's family, and which occurred in the years 1881-1886. In this story Harriet Peters becomes concerned about the illnesses and deaths of many of the family members of the family that took her in when she fled to Boston to avoid an arranged marriage. She enlists the aid of Dr. Michael Wheaton who becomes increasingly concerned for Harriet's safety. The Green Dress is a most wonderful addition to this intriguing series. It held me spellbound, and I believe most historical fiction and mystery fans will love it. I am grateful to have received a copy of The Green Dress from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, ad received no monetary compensation.

This book is based on a true story in Boston in 1882. Harriet Peters meets Lizzie Robinson when she needs help the most in her life. She is estranged from her family after refusing to marry the man that she was promised to.. She has almost become part of the Robinson family and has come to care deeply for them. Everything is going fine until the deaths begin. The family members get some type of sickness that results in nausea, severe stomach illness, and then death. When Harriet's best friend Lizzie passes away, she meets the Dr and forms a relationship. Michael recognizes that something is wrong and fights endlessly to get to the bottom of it all. It is pretty obvious from the beginning what is going on, yet no one is figuring it out very quickly. The book was overall well written, but really lacking in mystery. The love story seems to come out of thin air and I left this book just wondering if everyone was just inept. I did like the tie-in with the green dress though. "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

Thank you to the author Liz Tolsma, Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I simply loved this book! I will be honest.. I am not generally a fan or historical pieces. I just relate better to stories that are more modern. However.. I could not put it down!! It was gritty at times, beautiful, sad.. hopefully and based on a true story?? Yes.. all of they above.

Excellent book! Will definitely read more from this series!

This book was okay, but not as fascinating or as intriguing as some of the others in this series. This particular title is based on a real life incident of several members of a family taking ill and dying under mysterious circumstances, and the race to figure out what the cause of the illness was. Unfortunately I figured out the end of the story very early on; I kept reading to see if I would be surprised by any plot twists, but I wasn't. All in all I have a feeling that maybe reading about the real-life case would be more fascinating than reading this fictional take on it. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for being a mostly enjoyable, although predictable, story.

Set in 1886 near Boston, the occupants of a house on Hollister street are one by one coming down with a mysterious illness. This family befriends Harriet and takes her in when she's destitute. As time goes by, Harriet feels indebted to them and takes on the care of the small children when their mother dies. A lot of strange happenings in this house.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.