What does Jack the Ripper have to do with a true American crime? Maybe something, maybe nothing. But The Black Midnight opens up and explores some connections that I never even heard about before.

This story takes place over two time lines- just four years apart- but the same main characters. A man and woman team in the Pinkerton Agency. Isaiah Joplin is a Texan through and through and he like the rest of the town does not like the fear that has arisen due to the Midnight Assassin's cold-blooded killing of innocent women. He teams up with British agent, Alice Anne von Wettin, Annie for short, to try to break this case wide open.

Not only do we have a very chilling murder mystery, but to balance it out we have a romance brewing that between these two agents might just not work out. Annie has some secrets of her own that she has been keeping from Isaiah, and her family.

I enjoyed both timelines, especially how the past set us up for the present one and the pace kept moving throughout. There was a lot of interesting facts sprinkled throughout and with these stories the author's notes in the back are priceless.

I think the whole True Colors series should be picked up as a drama series. They do a nice job of balancing the disturbing with the romance.

I was provided 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 is the first Kathleen Y'Barbo book I have ever read, but it looks like it is going to be the first of many! I absolutely loved her writing style! She made me feel as if I were living vicariously through Annie (who I absolutely loved) -- feeling, loving, and crime-solving right along with her.

Like I said, I absolutely loved Annie! She is so full of life and determination, yet we get to experience her feelings as she is torn between following her heart and doing what is expected of her by her family and society.

I also loved Ike as the other main character of the story! He is very much the opposite of Annie in that he is very down to earth and doesn't try hard to impress others. He is who he is and he doesn't change to please those around him. I absolutely loved that about him!

As far as the mystery, it was a gruesome crime-spree so I had to try hard not to picture it in my mind!!! Definitely not suited for young readers! That said, it was an interesting case that I thoroughly enjoyed despite having figured it out way back in Austin. 😉 The story was fast-paced enough to really enjoy it, but not so much so that it was hard to follow.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable read and left me wanting to not only read more books by Kathleen Y'Barbo, but also read more of the True Colors series! Very well written!

*Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion!

I love the True Colors series of crime stories. Even with a variety of authors, the stories are engaging, the characters authentic, and the history well researched. The Black Midnight is no exception. Fast paced and full of surprises. I absolutely recommend this book.

Kathleen Y’Barbo’s contribution to the True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime, The Black Midnight is brilliant! It is such a clever blend of true, unsolved crimes with fictional characters and imaginary scenarios that I was captivated by it. It is evident by the way both Austin and London came to life on its pages that this author has done her research and done it well. And how inspired was it to feature a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria as a Pinkerton detective!

Once again this author has contributed to an evening of my reading pleasure with a well-balanced combination of mystery, danger, suspense, and romance. It was fun to imagine the possibilities behind both the Jack the Ripper and the Midnight Assassin unsolved cases and how they might be connected.

I highly recommend The Black Midnight to all lovers of true crime fiction. I have enjoyed all the previous books in this series but this one is a must. Do pick up a copy for yourself soon.

The True Colors series has been so creative! This particular book allows us a fictional perspective on the true murders in Austin, Texas, and London often thought to be committed by Jack The Ripper. I liked that the author first introduced the characters in 1889 during their reunion before jumping back four years to Texas to detail their initial friendship and first set of crimes that they worked on together. I was momentarily confused by the timeline, but once I understand where she was going, it was the perfect way to get to know the characters before once again jumping forward four years to London to read about them once again trying to solve the murders. I liked the settings in both Austin and London and enjoyed reading about the crime solving skills of English Pinkerton detectives. The plot held my attention with its multiple murders and suspicions of who the real murderer might be. I thought the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for my taste, which meant the climax felt a bit rushed, but nonetheless, I overall enjoyed this story and thought it a great addition to a wonderful series. I recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction based on true events, and those who don’t mind a bit of murder and mystery in their stories!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the Barbour Publishing and Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Kathleen Y'Barbo has added her talent to the True Colors series, with her The Black Midnight. I have loved the books in this series and this one does not disappoint. I have, also, read her books previous and had no doubt her work would fit in perfectly with the series. I thought it was fun to find a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria becoming a Pinkerton detective. The mystery and suspense left me on the edge of my seat. I could not put the book down until I read the last page. It was so very good.

I am giving The Black Midnight a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean and quick suspense filled stories. It is definitely not one to be missed.

I received The Black Midnight from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

What an interesting read! This is my first time reading this author but it definitely won't be my last!
While I am a huge mystery/suspense fan, true crime stories aren't usually my cup of tea, but after having read and really enjoyed the first book in this series (The White City by Grace Hitchcock) I was definitely looking forward to reading another and when I read the description of this one I knew I had to read it, so of course I jumped at the chance to request a review copy!
This story is very good. I knew a few historical basics about Jack the Ripper, but I had no idea about these murders in Austin, Texas a few years earlier, and it was interesting and very chilling to learn that it's likely all of these murders were also committed by Jack the Ripper! I hope and believe that one day, somehow, these horrible crimes will be solved.
I loved Alice Anne, it was so cool that she was a Pinkerton Detective and such a fun twist that she was the great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria!
Isaiah was a great character too! I loved the second chance romance aspect of their story, as that is one of my favorite tropes!
The Black Midnight is a great addition to the True Colors series, and I recommend it! I can't wait to read the next True Colors book, The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham!


I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!

The Black Midnight is part of the True Colors series, which is based on true American crime.

Pinkerton detective Annie, who is Queen Victoria's great granddaughter, and her partner Isaiah investigate a series of murders in Austin, Texas, but the killer disappears. A few years later the Queen asks them to come to London to investigate whether Jack the Ripper may be the killer they are hunting.

I did like the book, but I felt there was too little emphasis on the murders and the mystery, and too much emphasis on the complications of the relationship between Annie and Isaiah.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Another great book in this series! Each author has a unique way to spin fiction around true events to make the story come alive.

The Black Midnight was based on a crime that has had people wondering about for ages… amazingly some who committed crimes like this are coming to light and maybe someday this crime too will be solved!

The latest installment of the True Colors series takes readers to Texas and a spree of murders that took place over a year’s time in the city of Austin.

While this is Kathleen Y’Barbo’s first book in the series, she is well-qualified to write about Texas history. The Black Midnight combines fact with fiction, royalty with Pinkerton agents, and suspense and romance in an engaging tale that held my interest from start to finish.

Y’Barbo’s research is evident, and while the reader knows the murders were grizzly, the details are left to the imagination. The author notes at the end inform the reader of the facts of the book, a few additional facts, and what was made up/adjusted for the sake of fiction.

Like with every other book in this series, when I was finished with the fictional story, I immediately went to research further facts about a part of American history that I knew little about.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Black Midnight
by Kathleen Y'Barbo


Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Books
Christian | True Crime
Pub Date 01 Aug 2020


I am reviewing a copy of The Black Midnight through Barbour Books and Netgalley:


In Austin Texas, three years before Jack the Ripper began his murderous spree on the streets of London, women were dying in their beds as The Midnight Assassin terrorized the streets of Austin Texas. The first murdered occurred New Years Eve 1884. Three years later with suspicion falling on Scotland Yard, and her Majesty’s family Queen Victoria asks her Great Granddaughter Alice Anne von Wettin, a former Pinkerton agent who worked the unsolved Austin case, to discreetly look into the London Case.





Isaiah Joplin may be enticed out of his comfortable life as an Austin lawyer., with the prospect of a second chance to work with Annie. If Isaiah’s theories are right, they’ll find The Midnight Assassin and in doing so they will find Jack the Ripper. But if they are wrong he and Annie are going to find themselves in a bigger mess, than the one he found himself in when Annie left behind when she departed Austin under cover of darkness three years prior.




Will the two be able to find the truth of who is behind the murders before they are drawn into the killer’s deadly game? The story transitions from Austin Texas, to London England the story navigates the fine line between truth and fiction as Annie and Isaiah ultimately find the hunters have become the hunted.



The Black Midnight is a powerful story, that mixes fact with fiction in a smooth and thoughtful way.



I give The Black Midnight five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Black Midnigh is Book Seven in the True Crimes Series from Barbour Publishers. And Kathleen Y’ Barbo does a fantastic job with this one. With the two murders going on, and the vivid descriptions it is clear to see the extensive research that has been done in writing this book.

I really enjoyed following Ike and Annie on their mission to find who is involved in the murders of all of the people. I have read lots of books with Pinkerton agents as characters and always love them!! And this one is no different. There are a lot of characters involved and each one does a fantastic job in playing their part in the story. And I love Miss Hattie! She brings the warm cozy family feeling to the story. And I’ll not go into the story any deeper. I don’t like ruining stories for anyone. I will say I would love to read more about Annie and Ike and their detective adventures as Pinkerton agents. Annie’s spunky personality along with Ike’s dry sense of humor makes for a fun and interesting pair and another story would be awesome!! The Black Midnight gets 5 stars  in my book!!

If you enjoy a good clean crime mystery, this would be the one you want to read. And check out the other books in this series as well for some really great reads.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This is my second book by Kathleen Y'Barbo and I was not disappointed. I think she does an amazing job in her research and making the story believable even though its mostly fiction. This story has a bit of everything, romance, mystery and very light suspense. This is book seven of the True Colors Series, which is a series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime, but it does not have to be read in order.

The story starts in England and the flashbacks to Austin, Texas where Alice and Ike started working the case. I think that's my only complaint about the story is that it gave you a lot of the back story, which is good, but when the time line comes back to the present it felt like it was rushed. I think a little bit more time in the present timeline would have been lovely. Alice and Ike's story is one of forbidden love so to speak as Alice is of royal descent and doesn't really get to choose who she marries or falls in love with. So it was nice to see her make her own choices and choose for herself. I also loved how supportive Ike was on all her ideas especially since that is something that for that time period was not really heard of or seen.

I must make mention of another one of my favorite characters, although minor to the scheme of the story I did absolutely love Miss Hattie, who was Ike's housekeeper. She was a hoot with her no-nonsense attitude.

(I received this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

Was Jack the Ripper in Austin Texas?

Anne von Wettin, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, wanted independence. She fled to American and became a Pinkerton Detective until her father, feeling her life unsuitable, insisted that she go home. Now, however, the Queen has taken an interest in her granddaughter’s profession. Murders have been committed in Austin, Texas that resemble the Ripper’s. There is also concern that a member of the royal family might be responsible.

In December 1885, Annie finds herself back in Austin working on the case of the Midnight Assassin. She is partnering again with Isiah Joplin, the man who romantic attentions were one of the reasons her father whisked her back to England.

When the murderer strikes again on Christmas Eve, the victim is someone known to Anne and Isiah. This murder offers fresh evidence to the investigators, but can they find the killer and solve the case?

This is a well researched historical romance and mystery. The author does a good job of feeding information about the Ripper murders into the case of the Midnight Assassin. The background of the 1800s is well done and makes you feel part of the era. I highly recommend the author’s notes at the end about the actual murders.

Anne and Isiah are perfect as partners and the aura of romance is pervasive, but not over done. I like both characters and felt the romance added to the suspense rather than detracting from it. I also enjoyed the scenes in Britain with Queen Victoria.

If you enjoy historical fiction and unsolved mysteries, this is a book you’ll like.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

The Black Midnight was good, but in my opinion, I don't think it was the strongest of the True Colors series. I feel it dragged a bit from time to time and I felt the main characters were a bit flat. The concept of royalty being in the PInkerton Agency was really kind of cool. And tracking the criminal was very interesting. All in all, I enjoyed it, my complaints are minor and others may not even notice.
I received this book as a gift and did not receive any compensation for writing a review, except a good read.

The Black Midnight
A masterpiece who dunnit. A mystery written with great characters, unique era, interesting storyline,
and a little romance. The extensive research is evident in this story. Easy to read and very informative. I
really appreciated the author clarifying fact and fiction after the story. This book was provided to me
through Net Galley and Celebrate Lit for my review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Black Midnight is a good addition to the True Colors multiauthor series from Barbour. Each of the novels is a standalone and takes a real crime in American history and spins it as a fictional novel. This one is unique in that, like what really occurred, spanned two countries/ continents over a period of several years.

Pinkerton Detective Annie Walters has a secret that only one person in America and one person in England knows. Ike Joplin is also a Pinkerton Detective, and he and Annie have been sent to work together on a special case in Austin. A series of murders has taken place. There are similarities between each death, and a serial killer is suspected. Even though Annie knew nothing could ever come of a romance with Ike, the two lost their hearts to each other. It was devastating to both when she had to turn down his proposal. Over the course of the investigation, a reporter discovered the secret Annie has, and she had to return to England.

Three plus years later, a similar series of murders were committed. The suspected serial killer is nicknamed Jack the Ripper, based on a letter he sent to the police. Annie was requested to put together a team of investigators to free Whitechapel and England of this vicious killer. Despite the risk to her heart, one of the two men she wanted on the case is Ike, since they had worked that still unsolved case in Austin. The killings there had stopped, but based on certain information, Annie believes it is possible the two killers are one and the same.

Ike had since opened his law practice, and was stunned the day Annie came in. He was dating a young woman who had political aspirations for him and had thought he had gotten over her. One look, and he knew he never had. Willing to risk the wrath of his girlfriend, Ike departed for England to assist in the investigation.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. Both sets of crimes are based on real series of murders, and the premise of one killer in both places is fascinating. The investigations are handled well, the mystery is intriguing and well-written. The characters are well defined and likable. For my preference, there was a little too much focus on their mutual attraction, but again, that is a personal preference. I also missed seeing the faith of Annie and Ike. While they are both upstanding, moral people, I anticipated seeing prayers, or church attendance, or some indication of their priority of the Lord, and would describe it as clean historical fiction. And there is nothing wrong with that!

Both sets of murders are well-written and researched, and as always in this series, I appreciate the research the author shows indicating truth versus fiction. The killer is well-hidden within the lines, and I did not guess whodunit until a short time before revealed. Overall, I enjoy this series and the all-star authors who contribute to it, and the twists that are in each novel. I highly recommend this to those who appreciate well-written historical mysteries with likable characters, a basis in facts, and romance.

From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.

The Black Midnight was a fascinating look at a series of true crimes that happen in history! It is part of Barbour’s True Crime series and I have really enjoyed all the books so far.

The character’s in this book were interesting. I liked how Kathleen Y’Barbo took a person whom I would not have suspected and wove a story around her. The different facets of the character were believable and caught my interest from the start. I also enjoyed her male counterpart and how they played off each other, they were a good match. I thought that their occupation as Pinkerton’s detectives was cool, as I love all things from that era, and it really helped shape the story.

The setting went between Austin, Tx, and England. It was interesting to hear the speculations that went around this mystery through to the very end. I had never heard this theory before, but I did like it. I especially liked the author’s note in the back that detailed the actual history behind the book, it gave me more food for thought.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the great research, the intriguing characters, and the interesting ending to the story. The only thing that I did not like was the back and forth in time (which is just a personal preference, and I know most people like it 😊).

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

This story is one of the things I love about historical fiction—fact and fiction overlap so seamlessly that this reader couldn’t tell which was which.
I liked Annie, feisty and no nonsense, she cut to the chase. In an era when women were seen and not heard, Annie roared, fighting both the stigma of her gender and the dictates of her status as a royal.
Ike was a trooper. Taking Annie willingly as a partner, no questions or qualms about working with the weaker gender. And the Queen! The man wasn’t intimidated at all. #kudos
For all the tension of the crimes, I felt the story dragged at times. The [SPOILER] interlude built the romance, but lost the crime story thread altogether.
This reader, however, was unaware of the Black Midnight crimes in Texas, and therefore the tie to Jack the Ripper. What a twist, truly truth is stranger than fiction.

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 Black Midnight, Kathleen Y’Barbo, True Colors Crimes, Celebrate Lit Tours

Book 7 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Three years before Jack the Ripper began his murderous spree on the streets of London, women were dying in their beds as The Midnight Assassin terrorized the citizens of Austin, Texas. Now, with suspicion falling on Her Majesty’s family and Scotland Yard at a loss as to who the Ripper might be, Queen Victoria summons her great-granddaughter, Alice Anne von Wettin, a former Pinkerton agent who worked the unsolved Austin case, and orders her to discreetly form a team to look into the London matter.

The prospect of a second chance to work with Annie just might entice Isaiah Joplin out of his comfortable life as an Austin lawyer. If his theories are right, they’ll find the The Midnight Assassin and, by default, the Ripper. If they’re wrong, he and Annie are in a bigger mess than the one the feisty female left behind when she departed Austin under cover of darkness three years ago.

Can the unlikely pair find the truth of who is behind the murders before they are drawn into the killer’s deadly game? From Texas to London, the story navigates the fine line between truth and fiction as Annie and Isaiah ultimately find the hunters have become the hunted.

My Thoughts: Another great book in the "True Color" series. In this novel, we meet Pinkerton Detective Annie Walters aka Annie Von Wettin, the great-granddaughter to Queen Victoria. No one knows of her relationship with the queen in Austin Texas. This is a great mystery with a mix of romance. The storyline is intriguing, some twists that keep the reader glued to the book. This is a novel that the reader will not be able to put down. For anyone who loves history, this is definitely a book to read. The whole series is good and worth a mention to look at. Each book stands on its own and is all very engaging and intriguing to read. Author Kathleen Y'Barbo has done an excellent job at writing a novel mixed with true facts about Jack the Ripper.