*This book was received as an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.

Pippa knows she was once part of the circus. But that life was ended for her as a baby when she was left by her parents on the owners doorstep and then raised by them instead. She was raised to be proper, a lady, and most importantly, to obey. But events and questions, and the arrival of a very special elephant make her question if she wants more out of her life. Years in the future, Chandler is trying to raise her son and complete a project; tasks that are made harder by her illness, solitude, and the fact that apparently a murder, that was part of a serial streak of murders, happened at the project location. As she stumbles deeper into the mystery, it, and the people around her, threaten to overwhelm what she's capable of.

Pippa was a bit of a timid character, which is what she was supposed to be, so it was nice to see her grow throughout the book. While I wondered at the motivations of the people around her sometimes, I think that she stayed pretty true to herself. Chandler was a bit tougher; she very much wanted to isolate herself because of perceived reactions and while I understood a little bit of it, it was done in more of a heavy handed way. Which was kind of true of some of the other motivations in the book; there were some I had a little trouble believing were authentic and not just used to make the plot actually happen.

The mystery was good, although not quite what I expected at the end and a little unsettling, just because of aforementioned motivations. While I realize humans are complicated, it did seem a little contrived. I will say this is one of the more approachable Christian fiction books I've seen out there. I didn't even know it was one before I started reading it, but little tells in the book (and a search later at what genre it was included in) clued me in. That being said, it wasn't heavy-handed and was more seamless in the plot, which I appreciated. While it raced to the ending, that too wasn't so bad and overall I think it was an interesting story.

Circuses, intrigue, murder; so many interesting things in this book!

Review by M. Reynard 2020

Jaime Jo Wright has once again delivered an intriguing and heart-pounding story, cementing herself as a master of the time slip genre. Truth be told, there's no one writing stories quite like Wright's. This book delivers suspense, mystery, and horror amidst hope-giving truths of deep faith. In addition to the lyrical and vivid storytelling Wright is renowned for, I found the heroines of Pippa and Chandler to be particularly real and relatable. Come one, come all to the best from Jaime Jo Wright we've seen yet. Like watching the peculiar misfits and mayhem of the ring, it's impossible to look away from the rare and unmistakable brilliance of The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but all opinions expressed here are my own.

I am giving The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus five stars, but I will say that if I had not been familiar with Jaime Jo Wright's books, and had not trusted that she would be true to Christian values, there were places I would have closed the book and moved on. My trust was not misplaced, and I am very glad that I read on. The book takes place in Bluff River, Wisconsin, home of the Bonaventure Circus and the Watchman. Pippa Ripley is the protagonist in 1928, as Chandler Faulk is in the present day. In 1928 the circus was still in its hey day, but animal rights activists were already bringing attention to the circus. The Bonaventure Circus and the Ripley family were being plagued with unsettling events and circumstances. In present day, Chandler Faulk, as a representative of her uncle's company, is stirring up the past as she seeks to renovate and repurpose Bluff River's old train depot, one that was home to the circus train, and the circus owner's office. Her attention is divided between her career and parenting her son, Peter, while trying her best to reflect confidence and bravery.

Jaime Jo Wright is a wonderful author. Her plots are unique and edgy. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

"Welcome to the circus. A place where eccentrics come to hide and where, even here, they abandoned their own."

Jaime Jo Wright has delivered another time-slip suspense novel filled with family angst, personal struggle, mysteries that are linked across time and just enough romance.

This is both a creepy atmospheric tale AND a redemption story like only Jaime Jo Wright can write.

I personally love how this author illuminates people struggling with disabilities. If you like atmospheric novels with a fall, Halloween vibe, stories of small towns, abandoned historical buildings, serial killers or unsolved mysteries, this is the book for you.

Genre: Christian Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Mystery, Historical
Overall rating: 5 stars
Suspense level: 5/5 stars

**I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.

“What was the circus really but a façade for them all? A pretend place of wonder when behind its beautiful and celebratory cover were hurting hearts, broken people and wanderers who had no where else to go.”

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright takes readers on an epic journey. Set in two time periods with connecting mysteries, the story centers around a traveling circus in the late 1920’s. Pippa Ripley longs to connect to her real family. Abandoned by her parents, all she knows is that they once worked for the circus. A mysterious phantom of a man called The Watchman seems to hold the answers, if Pippa could find him. In the present time, Chandler Faulk tries to keep everything together. A single mother, she moves to Bluff River for work. She’s trying to renovate an old train depot but gets sucked into local lore that has the place pegged as haunted by the ghost of a murdered woman.

The novel enchants readers from the start. Jaime Jo Wright has an amazing way with words. The backdrop of the circus brings out incredible imagery – yet it’s almost a behind the scenes tour for the reader. The focus isn’t the glitz and glamour of the show with the big tents and epic acts. This is the story of the people who work in the shadows, the ones who live to entertain others but hide themselves behind a curtain. Jake Chambers is a brooding man that just wants justice for his sister’s murder. Clive is a dwarf dealing with being rejected because of his stature. Their stories come to light as they try to figure out the mystery behind the Watchman. No one knows who he is, but he appears around the circus in a burlap bag mask and is associated with a string of murders along the circus stops.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus definitely gives off some creepy vibes. The author creates an ambiance of Gothic imagery that adds another layer to the imagery and plot line. It all works together to create this world full of magic and mystery, that spans decades and reaches into the broken hearts of the characters with offers of redemption and healing. Many of the character find refuge in the circus, yet the modern setting reflects the same hidden identities of the performers. Both Pippa and Chandler just want to be seen, they long for a place to call their own where they are known and loved. Their parallel stories seem to intersect seamlessly. Chandler tries so hard to overcome her past, that she self-destructs by thinking she can’t manage. Hank Titus brings warmth and depth into her life by seeing her for who she truly is and not expecting her to manage everything by herself.

As far as the suspense, the entire story is a complicated and twisted mystery. Chandler uncovers information about the 1920’s murder, and someone wants her to stop looking. The old train depot definitely makes a great setting for a haunted place. This novel kept me flipping pages to figure out the ending. I had to slow down to make sure I read every word because I just wanted to find out the identity of the Watchman.

I’m such a fan of Jaime Jo Wright! Between the mystery that spans decades, the incredible imagery, and the broken and beautiful characters, this story is one of my favorites!


Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Finding the perfect balance between mystery, suspense, spooky and redemptive is no easy feat and once again, Jaime Jo Wright has demonstrated her ability to master this genre. Wright has a gifting in being able to share dark themed stories with enough Light to keep my heart at peace (never mind the perpetual racing it endures in this story). A dual timeline centered around the circus, a serial killer, and broken, messy families will draw you in and keep you captivated the entire time. The characters are well developed and absolutely draw you into their stories. I could not get through this book quickly enough because I had to know exactly what happened and how it all tied together. Readers will be thrilled, delighted and blessed by this exceptionally creative story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

There's something about the circus. The duality of oddities and mystique that surrounds the circus can effortlessly pull you under it's spell, even just as the setting in a story.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus was a delightedly surprising read for me. I found myself intrigued by each character in this book and clamoring for more about what makes them tick. Throughout the book you get the dual story lines of Pippa (in the 1920s ) and Chandler (present time). Somehow, though roughly 100 years have passed, both women find themselves wondering - is the Watchman a murderer?

This Christian fiction truly has it all: careful character crafting, abandoned historical buildings, small towns, romance, elephants, mystery, and the hint of the paranormal.

I will admit, it did take me a few chapters to get into this one. I really wasn't a fan of Chandler's POV early on, she's kind of intense, but she grew on me! This was my first book by Jaime Jo Wright and I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you will be too!

Once again Jamie Jo Wright has penned a time-slip novel full of suspense, history, along with some hair-raising moments. As with her previous novels I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up way past my bedtime reading. Even with the spooky moments I was able to sleep just fine.

I felt like I'd stepped back into my childhood to when we'd go to the circus, when I met Pippa and Lily, the elephant was born.

Ms. Wright does a great job bringing us into the present day story of Chandler and her son, Peter.

The story switches easily between time periods and storylines. Ms. Wright's ability to not only switch from both time periods but give use deep view of broken, tormented, and rejected characters is visible from page one until the end.

I wanted to find out what the answer to the mystery was but I didn't want the story to end!

The inspirational thread was perfectly placed. It was not overwhelming in the least.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Like all of Jaime Jo Wright's book the latest one has a dual timeline. The first one starts in the 1920s and involves a serial killer. The heroine is Pippa Ripley and she wants answers to her past. She wants information on who her real parents were. The woman who raised her is okay but the man who raised her as his adopted daughter is very cold and harsh to her. The watchman may have clues to who she is but is he the killer? The second timeline is in the current time period and that character is Chandler Faulk. Chandler is a single mother raising her son. She doesn't even know who the father is but that doesn't really factor into the story. She is doing her best to raise her child as a employee doing historial preservation but what she uncovers may put her life in danger. It is linked to what happened 100 years previously. All the people from that time period are deceased so who could possibly want to do her harm? This novel does not really have romance in it. If you want a good mystery without a lot of romance this is the book for you. I think I was more involved with Chandler's storyline for reason I cannot state because it would give too much away.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A fabulous read! An intriguing mystery revolving around unsolved murders, with drama, action and a side of romance all rolled up in a dual timeline tale. I could hardly read it fast enough towards the end!

"Welcome to the circus. A place where eccentrics came to hide and where, even here, they abandoned their own."

A unique cast of characters, multi-layered, with realistic struggles kept my interest from the start. Set in the same town, but nearly a century apart, two young women search for truth, identity, independence and ultimately to be seen, known and loved. The hunky anti-heroes who came alongside them to help were terrific, adding a bit of romance, but also friendship and affirmation. Questions of faith added depth to their search for meaning.
The writing is expert, perfectly paced, knitting the two ends of the timeline together with timely clues, until all is revealed close to the end. Full of many thought provoking nuggets of wisdom to chew on, I could have filled a notebook with all of the highlighted quotes!

"Maybe it was worth pursuing faith. For in the pursuing, one must come out of hiding and run toward grace. Because it was only grace that would ever truly save."

Highly recommend! 5 stars!

I very much enjoyed this story. The setting was great and I liked both POV's.
The ending really did surprise me. I love when I can't predict who did it and how things turn out.

The sheer intensity of this story had me not on the edge of my seat, but in the floor leaning against the sofa. I had to be as close to the words as possible so I wouldn’t miss anything. I have only been to the circus once in my life. A friend took me and I was able to go behind the scenes and see the animals. The elephants were huge and commanded attention. There was a lot of people running around getting things ready for the big show. I noticed during the performance how hard each act worked to make their appearance perfect. It is a sight to see with everything going on at once.

The author presents a story that is a time slip which I adore. I love how the past and present collide. I am amazed how the author parallels two time periods and pieces them together like a puzzle. Pippa is a character that I found very endearing. She has a past that has haunted her for years. She has never felt like she was loved yet she has someone who protects her from harm. The Watchman was very intriguing and I tried so hard to figure out his connection to Pippa. The Bonaventure Circus is surrounded by unexplained deaths, secrets and a mix of characters that explode across the pages. I loved being in this time period and reading how Pippa gets herself mixed up in a mystery that flows over to present day.

Chandler is very determined to prove that she can renovate the now abandoned circus depot. Right away you can sense that something isn’t quite right as unexplained noises and shadows appear that frighten Chandler. I did enjoy reading about her strained relationship with her parents which causes Chandler to push people away. Her son is the most important person in her life and she will protect him at all cost. When Chandler starts to find evidence that links to the murders of the past, she puts her life and her son’s life in danger. I loved how the mystery weaves throughout the story and blends seamlessly from past to present. I was shocked at the ending and gasped as the author reveals answers to questions I had pressing in my head. I wanted to know who The Watchman was and how he fit into the killings. My interest piqued when I got close to the end and someone I never suspected did the unthinkable. This story is one of the best mysteries I have read all year. It includes faith and oh how I loved the spiritual truths the author used to help a few characters find their way back to God.

If you read only one book this year, it must be this one. It is written with depth and oozes with mystery so intense you feel apart of the story. What I really liked was the underlying theme of how we all need someone. We are loved unconditionally and are never alone. This story brings home the emotions of feeling abandoned and lifts you up to the truth that, “We all need saving.” “It’s the idea that we don’t that makes us fools.”

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and the author. The review is my own opinion.

Whenever I start a Jaime Jo Wright book, I want to put a sign on my forehead saying "Go away I'm reading"!! Not to be rude, but I love her can't-put-it-down, meaningful page-turning suspense, and once I get that book in my hands my family will see me when they see me!

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is a dual timeline past/present story with Pippa Ripley who is searching for her birth family from the circus after being left on the doorstep of and being raised by the owner of the circus. Present-day real estate project manager Chandler Faulk and her 7-year-old son come to town and Chandler needs to make a case for keeping the historic old circus train depot.

I love that I am kept guessing and never see it coming. Those are my favorite types of books!

Themes of identity, being seen, belonging, solving decades-old murders, being labeled as a serial killer's family for generations, effects of Lymes disease-causing difficult autoimmune issues, second chances, and family. You really don't want to miss The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus!

Some of my favorite quotes:
"She's a French Fry short of a Happy Meal, God love her "
"Revenge is an evil in and of itself. In it we seek to find ourselves, but more likely than not we become more lost than we ever were before."
I cracked up when Chandler calls Hank "Sasquatch", and "a presumptuous walking Chewbacca"
"I am seen and loved by God. I was created for a purpose. I need no other truth."
"The circus flowed through Peppa like vengeance flowed through him. That insatiable need to attach themselves to a cause, to justice, to protecting what they loved. To have someone fight for them. To be seen."
“We all need saving.” He smiled just a bit. "It's the idea that we don't that makes us fools"

Please check it out!

Wow! This book is amazing! I was hooked immediately! For being a Christian fiction book, this one had me freaked out a little bit. If you get freaked out easily, I would recommend reading this during the day. I couldn’t put this book down though. I was so wrapped up in Chandler and Pippa’s lives! I just had to know their stories! This is one that I know I will read again!



I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I have to admit I had a hard time getting into “The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus” by Jaime Jo Wright, but after a few chapters, I couldn’t put it down! Jaime Jo Wright has her own style of writing, and I have always loved that style with all her books.

This book centers around two women from different eras who both have a disability. Both of their stories intertwine, eventually. The novel goes back in the past and then in the present. This story definitely had a twist at the end. I never saw the ending coming!

I recommend this book to all who like a good, clean, mystery. I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright creates another fascinating dual timeline novel with an abandoned train depot, a serial killer, and a thrilling circus storyline. The past and present storylines in The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus collide as the mystery and suspense increase with Jaime Jo Wright’s trademark “creepiness.” Although the beginning of The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus moves at a slower pace, the two equally compelling storylines will capture the readers’ interest throughout the novel. Enjoy your journey to Bonaventure Circus!

Throughout the novel, Jaime Jo Wright emphasizes that we are born with a purpose, and we are seen and loved by God. Her faith elements are always beautifully integrated into her storylines despite the darkness and mystery throughout the novel. For readers who want something different than the typical romantic suspense novels available, Jaime Jo Wright is the author you are looking for.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

There's something about a circus that never fails to captivate isn't there? On the one hand, it brings about the sense of joy, laughter and childhood with it's over the top and larger than life performances. Still on the other hand, it brings a sense of mystery, fear and darkness. Both of these are certainly very real parts of the history of the circus, and this book encompasses that history in a beautifully written dual timeline novel that I was unable to put down.

In this story, we meet two women from very different times. Pippa is the daughter of the Bonaventure Circus' owner Richard Ripley, having been left on his doorstep by a member of his own circus as an infant. As such, she has always struggled with her identity and where she belonged. We follow her as she learns more about her past and mysterious goings on surrounding the circus in 1928. During the present time, we meet Chandler- a single mom who is working to renovate the old circus train depot and finds herself being haunted by these mysteries of the past. Both of their stories intertwine in this fantastically written novel filled with wonder and mystery.

Jaime Jo Wright is a fairly new to me author. I had only read one book from her before this one, but it was enough to make me want to pick this one up by name alone. If there was any doubt in my mind that she was one I needed to read more from, this book certainly solidified that for me. She has such a unique writing style that I cannot help but love. The dual timelines are filled with such great mystery that truly is unlike any others I have read. I absolutely, positively cannot wait to read more.

If you love a book filled with long ago secrets and mysteries, this is definitely one to check out!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a gifted review copy of The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright. All opinions in this review are my own.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is an interesting combination of mystery and Christian fiction. There is mystery, missing persons, and a serial killer. There are mysterious sounds and events. Is it possible there is a ghost or ghosts haunting the circus grounds? The story is a dual timeline. Pippa tells the story of the past in the 1920s while Chandler shows the reader the present day.

Pippa was adopted by the owners of the circus when she was left on their doorstep as a baby. She has never felt like she belonged with the Ripley family but she also did not feel she belongs with the circus. Chandler feels alone and pushes her family away for fear they will try to take her son. Both women struggle with insecurities and have to learn to trust themselves and the people close to them.

I enjoyed the mystery and suspense in the past and in the present. Pippa's story felt like it started in the middle and took a little longer for me to feel a connection to her a main character. There were enough twists and turns with the plot to keep me wanting more with each chapter.

Christian
Release Date: September 1, 2020

I have long adored Jaime Jo Wright’s deliciously creepy style. But I have to admit I was hesitant to pick this one up until I knew there were no creepy clowns in it 🤡

Happily there aren’t and the story surrounds two young women who struggle with disabilities and their place in the world. It’s sure to entertain those who love twisty mysteries.

And the baby elephant is to die for!

Congratulations to Jaime Jo Wright for another insightful dual timeline mystery.

Jaime Jo Wright has done it again! She is the queen of masterfully weaving dual timelines into a story that readers won't be able to quit.

Oh, I wish I could talk about everything about this book! I can't even form coherent thoughts. It's basically just one big fangirl session, so here we go:

•I dearly loved the characters, even the baby elephant!
•The creep factor was intense--so intense that I started watching for circus ghosts at work. 😳
•I'm a romance girl through and through, so I'm always partial to the romantic bits. And they were FANTASTIC. All the stars, all the heart eye emojis.
•I did not see *anything* coming. Am I just really bad at puzzles or is Wright really that good? I don't know, but either way, the plot is smart and the writing is top notch.
•After finishing the book, I closed it and said, "That was really beautiful." 'Cause it was. ❤

I highly recommend this one, friends. It's all of the right things and has become one of my favorites from Wright.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.