Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright!! This story gave me all of the Water For Elephants plus Tim Burton’s Dumbo meets The Museum of Extraordinary Things with a splash of Unsolved Mysteries. I loved how truth of different aspects of God’s character were questioned and discussed without that becoming the central plot line (even though it really is). There was mystery and family drama and one hunk of a Hank to remind us all we really don’t have to do everything always alone. (I found a small continuity error at the end of Chapter 25 regarding Nel: when she is introduced as the best friend we are told she’s in a wheelchair because of Spina Bifida; then later Cystic Fibrosis is referenced as her ailment. That seemed like a confusion of major diagnoses for such a minor character who barely appears in the storyline. I didn’t know if that was intentional, but it felt a little excessive and more like discontinuity.) Obviously, baby Lily stole the show, but rescue hero Hank was a really close second!!

I have heard a lot about this book this year, saw it many times in different bookstores, and since I love a good circus read (lovers of The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron unite!!), I really wanted to take a read of it this fall. What a cozy and thrilling read as the leaves change colour + the world falls asleep all around us!

This book is written wonderfully. Wright's handling of the separate timelines and characters was masterful. She introduces us to two dynamic, diverse and individual characters: Pippa Ripley in 1928 and Chandler Faulk in 2020. Both of their lives, wound taught around a dark and twisted mystery, teach us the true meaning of love + family. Through the unassuming friends they meet along the way (ghost whisperer and baby elephant (!!!!!) included), Pippa and Chandler draw us in to their worlds with empathy and show us what family is really all about. Pippa in particular provides an important commentary on the difference between being loved and between being treasured. Adopted into the wealthy and opportunistic Ripley family after being abandoned at birth, Pippa is regarded by her father as no more than one of his priceless elephants: treasured, but not loved. As she begins to unravel the mystery of her adoption and the dark secrets of the circus, Pippa finds love in the most unexpected places: as does Chandler nearly a century later. In the quirky characters of Bonaventure Circus and the small-town people of Bluff River, Jaime Jo Wright develops her cast of characters meaningfully and deeply, delighting and horrifying all at the same time as the mystery of the Watchman is unraveled and solved right before our very eyes.

I LOVED - repeat, LOVED - Jaime Jo's voice as she narrated the story with an almost prosaic pen. The book opens with this majestic quote: "Life was not unlike the wisp of fog that curled around the base of a grave marker, softly caressing the marble before dissolving into the violet shadows of the night." I mean, come on!! Who doesn't want to keep reading after an opening like that? Her voice, the development of her characters and the mystery itself are plenty reason alone to pick up and enjoy The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus.

The only reason this book is not getting a higher rating from me is because of some of the uncomfortable choices the author made in relation to the supernatural realm. A little bit of spook never hurt in a good, old-fashioned, mystery-at-the-circus story, but Wright danced dangerously close to topics such as ghosts, demons and an overall 'horror' feel, especially for a book marketed as Christian fiction. I would have no problem enjoying this book if it were marketed in any other genre, but when it is put forth and sold underneath the banner of Christ, I begin to have an ethical issue. If there had been any kind of resolve to these topics, a Biblical approach to addressing the topics the author chose to write on, I would have had no problem. But there was none. In fact, there was a general overall lack of a Biblical narrative whatsoever. If you are reading Christian fiction as a complete substitute to your own meaningful + personal time with the Lord, that is a much larger issue all to itself. I am not suggesting Christian fiction should be an exegesis on any given text, because that is never what it was designed to be. What I am suggesting is that Christian fiction should have some redeeming qualities that point it's readers to the Gospel. I found The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus sorely lacking in that regard. While some characters quoted semblances of Scripture or godly truth, it presented itself more as subjective truth rather than objective. Again, I am not suggesting Christian fiction be an exegesis or some kind of devotional that could take the place of regular time spent in the Word. Christian fiction should never be a substitute for time spent with God, but it should be a supplement, one that points our hearts to "set your minds on things above, not on things that are one earth." (Col. 3:2)

When all is said and done, The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is a wonderful fiction book to read. I really can say that with the upmost honesty. It is beautifully written with a gorgeous setting, lovable characters and a breathtaking mystery. It is the perfect book for you if you love a good Murdoch Mystery or Sherlock every once in a while. But, if you're looking to be encouraged in your faith, I'd suggest going somewhere else. The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus thrills and delights with it's prose and mystery, but it's lacking in the faith department.

Many thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Author # Jaime Jo Wright has a new mystery novel. #'The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus'. I myself really enjoyed the duel timelines. And highly recommend this for my bored stay-at-home crowd!! My Instagram blog will have a regular review this week at Maddie_approves_book_reviews.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, # Jaime Jo Wright, and # Bethany House for the advanced copy

To be reviewed in February's edition of Historical Novels Review. Per their policy, I will update the review after it appears in the magazine.

Read this book if you’re looking for:

✓ historical fiction novel
✓ awe-inspiring writing
✓ suspenseful mystery
✓ well-developed characters
✓ dual POVs (split time: 1928 mixed with present-day)
✓ circus stories (animals)
✓ subtle romance

I loved 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴! This is the first book by Jamie Jo Wright I’ve read, but it will definitely not be the last! I checked her other books & they’re on my tbr pile now!

In 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 two parallel stories unfold, one in the past (1928) and one in the present. Each story gives us a gripping insight into the completely different lives of their respective characters. A secret lurks at the edges of each page, but the protagonists are as unaware of what is happening as the reader. Neither are they aware of the existence of the other, but their lives are inevitably connected. Jamie Jo Wright creates fascinating characters, but her love of mystery is evident in their portrayals as well. You constantly feel as if a piece of the necessary information is missing. The 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 are both incredibly captivating, and we all know how rare that is!

This book is 𝙨𝙤 worth reading if you love historical fiction and mysteries!

I had no idea that this was a Christian book when I read the description and decided to read it and I'm not terribly upset that I didn't know it because I may have skipped it. I really enjoyed the mystery and the back and forth of the writing. Half the time you follow Pippa who was born with a twisted leg to a circus family and was left on the doorstep of the owner of the circus who adopts Pippa and raises her their own. Despite having everything Pippa always feels a pull toward the circus and figuring out her roots.

The other half of the book focuses on Chandler, recently diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease she is trying to hold onto her job as her Uncles right hand person, evaluate the abandoned train depot as a renovation project and raise her son on her own. She feels very alone and is overwhelmed by all the strange things happening around her and her new condition.

This was a well written mystery and very interesting I didn't realize it was a Christian book until more than halfway through when the whole God and faith thing really took a strong hold however I was able to push through and found that this was actually a very good read about people who feel outside the norm and are just trying to find connection as everyone does.

First, thank you to author Jaime Jo Wright, Bethany Press publishers and NetGalley who gave me a free digital ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

.Ghost stories are one of my all time favorite subgenres of mystery/thriller category of books. I have been studying the paranormal and in particularly ghosts and hauntings since I was 13 years old so the topic doesn't scare me. In fact, I am usually looking at the story with interest and trying to solve the reason of the haunting.

For the most part, I liked d the book because of the ghost story and the crimes committed there in the distant and recent past. And that story set around a circus and the train depot where they traveled from was a very different setting so it lent a satisfying creepy aspect to the story. I wish it had been set entirely there, though.

Unfortunately, I have a dislike of dual timelines in novels. This book was particularly a problem for me because of the skipping back and forth between two time periods and with so many characters, it was always up and down for me which is one reason I had a hard time finishing the book. I didn't much care for Chandler as she seemed very standoffish and didn't seem to think well of other people. It seemed weird she was such a devoted mother but was not that devoted to the train depot project and wanted to abandon the project and tell her client to forget it because of the location's past history. I never warmed to her at all. Pippa seemed to be a contradicting character who was living in an almost perfect world yet she she longed to be "back at the circus where I belonged" when she was given away as merely an infant and could not have any memory of her brief life there.. I felt like she was a silly spilled rich girl who wanted everything her way. The outcom3e was not that satisfying to me either. It was just too hard for me to believe in it. I was very disappointed. As with most dual timeline novels, I always find one timeline more interesting than the other and I usually prefer the past and that is true in this book. I preferred the earlier timeline and would have liked to have had Pippa and her story in the circus setting either as a member of the circus or a person living in the village. I just can't see a rich guy wanting to adopt a child born of circus people with his low opinion of them as humans, even if he was doing it for his wife who couldn't bear children. I am sure it wasn't his last or only option. It was also hard to read how women were treated in those days but I consider the time period and accept it as what it was then. I am surprised as much of a rebellious as Pippa was, she looked down on suffragettes and scorned her cousin being in involved in the protest of the cruelty of animals at the circus. Pippa was also some kind of circus miracle saving a baby element when she had no experience working with animals before. The elephant must have sensed Pippa was "of the circus" and had the magic to save e her. I thought it was pretty silly and unnecessary.

I was also surprised that the author write Christian fiction. To me, this did not seem like a Christian fiction book until toward the end when all the characters suddenly got religion. That wasn't a major gripe with me since most the book wasn't steeped in religion but i just thought it was weird coming out toward the end. To each their own.

If you like a good ghost story and a pretty good mystery and dual timelines don't bother you, read the book and enjoy!

First book I've read by Jamie Jo Wright and now I want more. This was such a mix of suspense, ghost story, mystery and a little bit of romance thrown in and I really enjoyed it. The story is split between the present day following Chandler and 1928 with Pippa but both story's connect and flow really nicely especially at the end I was so gripped I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going on. I second guessed myself the whole way through and some guesses were correct and some not.
I really enjoyed the circus vibe of the story I've never read anything like it before. I great story one I would definitely recommend

Absolutely stunning! Five solid stars. I started the book, couldn't race my way fast enough till the wow ending. Beautifully written and original, having read couple of circus themed books before I was skeptical it'd follow the others, not that they weren't good. It gripped me strongly from page one with a powerful first paragraph.
Highly recommended and will seek Jaime's other books indeed.

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

This book wasn't for me. I blame myself for not carefully reading the description and realizing that despite the cool cover and intriguing plot premise, this is a Christian author. Point in fact: I'm not the right audience for this book, and I don't read books to be converted or to have my soul saved.

This would not necessarily be an issue for me; after all, C.S. Lewis is a great writer whose fantasy novels toe the line between true fantasy and Christian fiction. I tried to go into the novel with an open mind, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was intentionally marketed to appeal to non-Christian readers who like murder mysteries and ghost stories -- again, I get it, that's the job of marketing -- except that modern Christianity is super judgmental and likes to get books banned, so I kind of see this as trying to have your cake and eat it too.

The story isn't bad, except that I think the author can't decide who they are as a writer, so they end up writing a story that zealots won't like because it deals with the complexities of being human and supernatural elements while also adhering to the Christian themes that this publisher is known for. I feel that by straddling two worlds, the writer chose neither.

Both Pippa and Chandler are interesting characters, and I enjoyed intertwined narrative in two different timelines. The writer is clearly talented. I'm just not sure I agree with their intention and beliefs, and that's where the story lost me.

I loved the inclusivity of the novel; I question whether the core audience will. I'm just not really thrilled to give any kind of positive feedback for a faith that cannot be disentangled from the fiction, and who is simultaneously sanctimonious and condescending about sin...unless they're the ones doing the sinning. I hope that if this author ever ditches their publisher to go secular, that they'll be able to truly come into their own as a writer and create a book that showcases what they're truly capable of writing.

An understated and eerie mystery unfolds in Jamie Jo Wright's, The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus. 

Following two timelines, one in 1928 and the other set in the present day, the novel follows two heroines, Pippa and Chandler. Pippa is an offcast, a young woman trying to find herself in the post suffragette world. Taken in by the owner of Bonaventure Circus, she has always wondered who her birth parents are. When notes come from a character calling himself 'The Watchman,' Pippa believes she will finally have answers to why her parents discarded her. 

Chandler is a single mother with a slippery downfall resulting in her pregnancy during her college years. She isn't sure about the father, she's struggling to prove her worth to her uncle, and she has recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Struggling to find a new balance for her son and her job as a real estate flipper, she unknowingly puts herself in the center of a decade's long history of serial killers and small-town secrets. 

The characters are likable, specifically Pippa, who has more of a character arc and resolution. Chandler's peculiar paranoia that someone will take her child away from her seemingly stems from nowhere. Character histories get muddled by wordiness. Too often in Chandler's present-day setting, Wright brings us inside her head, instead of allowing a more natural unfolding of her actions to reveal her past. These tangents make the story sluggish where otherwise it would be catchy and engaging. 

Both Pippa and Chandler's timeline include sweet romances, with Pippa's being more poignant and obvious. The similarity between both love interests being the brooding, quiet male figure for both women seems a bit too cliche. These striking similarities might be echoes of the past; one theme The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus is all about. It is clear Wright is commenting on prejudices and judging a book by its cover.

Though the themes of Faith and Christianity are more prominent in this book than in other Christian Fiction I've read, it was not distracting. Should you be looking for something eerie but not one of the more intense books of the horror/mystery genre, The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus would be an excellent choice.

I was given a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was something I needed to get my reading slump going again! Worth the try. I had been in awe of Jaime's work since forever and I was so happy that NetGallery gave me a chance in reading this fantastic masterpiece.

The only reason why it didn't get that last star was because it took me a while to get a feel for the story, to immerse myself in the plot.

What a wild ride! I enjoyed the thrill of this book and am glad I read it. The dual timelines came together and it was quite a page-turner.

This is a wonderful book! The author has a fantastic way with words and shifting between 1920’s Bluff River home to the famous Bonaventure Circus and present day when single mom Chandler came to the town to work on some projects that would definitely awake some ghosts!
I’m no particularly fond of thrillers, however this book is a great one as it incorporates such good cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, detailed historical research, suspense and important topics such as women’s rights, chronic disease and physical disabilities, and forgiveness.
It kept me awake reading and trying to get to the resolution of the story, I liked the characters are well built and that the Christian message is incorporated beautifully in the novel.

This is my first ARC from NetGalley and I really loved it! All my opinions are my own.

I’ve been wanting to read a Jaime Jo Wright novel for quite some time and have nearly, if not all of them on my bookshelf or Kindle, but honestly, the title and cover of this book drew me in and thrust it to the top of my TBR pile.

As a lover of historical fiction, Wright captured my imagination and interest immediately with life in a 1920s circus as seen through the eyes of the disabled circus owner’s adopted daughter, Pippa. As Pippa grows increasingly curious about the circumstances surrounding her birth and adoption, she is drawn to the Watchman and deeper into the forbidden, secret and very dangerous world of the Bonaventure circus.

The contemporary thread introduces us to Chandler Faulk, a single mom with a demanding career who is struggling with Chronic Lyme disease. As Chandler works to renovate the old circus depot, she learns about a series of murders that occurred around the circus during its heyday in the late 1920s and accidentally stumbles onto clues that may shed light on who had actually committed them.

I found both the modern-day and historical mysteries thrilling, and Wright had me guessing to the end who the murderer actually was. I can honestly say, I hadn’t seen that coming!

I really liked both of these heroines. I give Wright great kudos for writing both of them with difficult physical disabilities that provided many challenges for them throughout the story. The two women also shared an intense inner struggle to be seen and heard, to figure out who they are. As the novel developed, each realized that their journey was really one of self-acceptance and to fully embrace themselves the way God created them, flaws and all.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh wow wow wow! Before I get into this review, I must say that I am an avid anti-circus person. Animals belong in their natural habitats, and should never - never ever - be forced to perform tricks. That's just antiquated and a dark age mentality. You may as well poke bears with sticks as prod elephants. Or tigers, lions, horses...whatever. Just no.

There is, however, another side to the circus, one I first glimpsed when I was a young lass and read what is today still one of the most memorable books I have ever read, Twilight, by Dean Koontz. The circus, or carni, life is a complicated one. These are people bound by a silent code, one that revolves around an unspoken oath to protect, to shelter, to defend. A fierce loyalty born of careless cruelty (to themselves), outcasts of society in a world where only the average, the mundane, the accepted stand a chance. The abnormalities, the free spirits, the freaks, all souls deserving of the same treatment as anyone, as everyone; yet looked down upon and shunned as the outcasts, not fit for 'decent' society.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus took me a while to get into. It jumps between the past and the present, and in both cases, there is a strong female and even stronger male lead. I loved Chandler, a plucky fighter that stood her ground, as did Pippa, despite troubling and difficult circumstances. I'd have to say Hank was my man of the moment, what a fellow to have by your side, especially when you spend your time wandering around deserted - and haunted - abandoned circus depots!

This tale was tragic (Lily made me feel ever so sad, and despondent, poor, wretched creature). As did Patty, for different reasons obviously, but it also made me wonder how often something like that happens to someone like that, and how it's swept away, out of sight, because it's just not a someone that matters to the right people. But it was also so much more than the emotion of sorrow or regret. There was the eerie specter of The Watchman, a dark and shadowy figure lurking in the background throughout the story; Forrest, an enigma of uncertainty, and contradiction. And then there was Richard Ripley, menacing, hard and authoritative...

But let me say no more, lest I spoil it. Suffice to say that nothing is as it seems and there is something here for everyone, a bit of suspense, a bit of spooky, a bit of romance, and a whole lot of nostalgia, for a time that once was, and is no longer. And that is probably for the best, despite our romanticizing of the good old days, they weren't always as grand and carefree as we'd like to think. Well, not for everyone that is.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Jaime Jo Wright and Bethany House for my ARC.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright was a great spooky read for late October. Thank you Bethany House Publishers for offering this on NetGalley.

This dual timeline novel focuses on Bonaventure Circus based In Wisconsin. In 1928, Pippa Ripley is exploring her identity as the adopted daughter of circus owner Richard Ripley, reluctant fiancé of circus co-owner Forrest, and nursemaid to a newborn elephant calf. The present day storyline features Chandler Faulk and her young son Peter who have relocated to Wisconsin for Chandler’s real estate project manager job to redevelop the old circus train depot.

Both women struggle with circumstances that undermine their self-worth. Then unexplained events centering around a mysterious person called the “Watchman” impact both of their lives.

I enjoyed this novel, but because my reading experience was incredibly disjointed, I found it challenging to track the large cast of characters. Within the Christian fiction genre, this is very ‘edgy’ but likely too tame for readers of mainstream thrillers.

Pippa Ripley was taken in by the Ripley's as an infant and only knows that her birth parents were part of the circus her adoptive father owns. In 1928, she is engaged to her father's minority partner, struggling to be the obedient daughter and fiancé expected of her while being pulled toward the circus by the mysterious Watchman who leaves Pippa mysterious notes. Jump to present day and Chandler's company has purchased the train depot and costume house that once were the center of the circus' winter home. She has moved with her son, Peter, to oversee the project of renovating or demolishing the buildings. But it seems that the past won't stay in the past and Chandler might be dealing with a killer, or a killer's ghost.

Murder, circus freaks, stalking, deformity, prostitutes, ghosts, and God? All contained in one interesting story. All of the mentioned things smoothly make a cohesive story except for the last. The addition to Christianity not only does not add to this book, it detracts and is oddly shoved in where it is not only not needed, but clumsy and awkward. One of the murdered characters talks openly about God and how she is exactly where she needs to be due to God's guidance. So, I guess God for sure wanted her murdered savagely. UGH.

The writing is solid. The plot is there. The characters are honestly a bit annoying, but nothing that can't be overlooked for a good story. BUT, it seems that the author wants to write about the supernatural, serial killers, and the ugly bits of society while making sure everyone knows she's religious. It's almost like a guilty teenager adding these bits in to appease an overbearing parent.

Anyway. I wouldn't say avoid it, but I wouldn't recommend it, either. Christian Supernatural Murder Mystery isn't a thing for a reason.

Jaime Jo Wright has done it again! The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is another creepy thrill ride certain to keep your eyes glued to the pages whilst huddled in a safe place in your home (preferably with an e-reader under the covers...). With a clever plot straddling two timelines held together by in-depth characters, this is a story that will not soon be forgotten. I greatly enjoyed Jaime Jo Wright's style of writing as she infused enough "teasers" and twists through the novel to keep you guessing until the very end. And, at the end, when things are most climatic in both timelines, the point of view switches back and forth rapidly between timelines for back-to-back cliffhanger moments, rendering it near impossible to put the book down. Jaime Jo Wright has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and I look forward to each new release with great expectations. Suspense and mystery lovers will LOVE The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus for its keep-you-guessing plot and unique story-telling.


Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book to read and provide my true and honest opinion thereof.

In 1928, we see Pippa Ripley, a cripple rejected at birth but taken by the bigwigs of the Bonaventure, Circus navigate through her life, understanding its meaning while trying to uncover her birth story in the presence of an unknown, mysterious guardian, The Watchman. In the present time, Chandler, a working, independent, single mom is struggling to balance her parenting and ab impossible job that can be taken away from her as easily, in a new town with too many secrets and a deadly past, and perhaps present too. The town’s ghost sightings interrupt Chandler’s hopes of renovating a train depot, and the only way to get past it is to understand what happened, back in 1928.

The well-crafted, slightly eerie, extremely suspenseful story hops between the two timelines, while slowly uncovering all the important secrets of Bluffy River and the Bonaventure Circus that is the very crux of the town. Pippa Ripley is a character to be admired. Her transition from a girl who believes she is simply not meant for anything greater than being controlled by her father and fiance to learning to realize her true importance in the circus is such a delight to watch. Every single character in the 1928 timeline has a certain depth, with the perfect amalgamation of historical references and fiction crafting a beautiful and bright alloy of circus culture, its importance and effect on the society. The representation of certain marginalized people and apparent apathy towards the ‘different’ is very true to the times and such subjects have been handled with quite a lot of sensitivity. However, the characters of the present seem a bit too dull and dreary in comparison, and hardly held any weight to the story. Some plot trajectories felt a little too unnecessary for the overall story.

The story of the past was extremely engaging and carried the whole book forward. While the present did have its moments, and the alternate timeline style is quite refreshing, the ending became a little too messy and confusing, especially has too many plot holes needed to be covered in the last 30 or so pages and became too hushed. However, the story did not end with any loopholes and all questions were answered.

Overall, the story started brilliantly and I absolutely loved and enjoyed the subtle story-telling with a cute little elephant navigating the story forwards. I loved everything about the past, learning about the historical significance of the Suffrage Movement, prohibition and beginning of animal welfare activism as a non-American. The story of the present could have been better, but was still quite engaging and plays an important role in the view of the story. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a little suspenseful thriller with historic fiction elements.