The TRUE COLORS series of books are specifically written for people like me! Each book focuses on a true crime, then adds a fictional element that keeps the reader engaged from page 1. Each book is a stand alone, they are all excellent and I'm getting ready to reread them with my book club as a fall project. At the end of each book, I was drawn to research more information about the actual crimes. Read them for yourself and you'll be hooked.

I’ve read several books in this series. I think I would have given this book a higher rating if I hadn’t read another book about the black widow of la Porte that focused more on Belle. I knew what had happened and what was going on so it made me frustrated with Ingrid.

Good story that many won’t know about, but not as enthralling of you already know the story. I was disappointed in the lack of authors note that has been in the other books.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I would have to say, out of all the books I have read for the True Colors series, this one would have to be the creepiest. Especially when you read the historical note at the end of the novel.

And out of all the books I have read by Liz Tolsma, this has to be one of my favorites.

I liked Ingrid. I liked how loyal she was to her family. And I liked Nils. He was kind and sweet. He refused to give up on his brother and was even forced to make sacrifices in order to continue his search.

I was also fascinated by the mystery the author chose. Like I said earlier, it was creepy. I never knew about this serial killer and it was interesting getting to learn about the crime. You can tell that the author really did her research.

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel, especially to people who like the suspense genre. It’s creepy, and while somewhat predictable, you also don’t know what’s going to happen next.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

Belle was constantly looking for her happily ever after or a quick paycheck. Ingrid, Belle’s sister, is caught up in questions about what is going on at her sister’s farm. Nils’ brother goes missing after going to Belle’s farm. What is really going on?
I was originally interested in the book because I had heard of Belle Gunness before. So this book is loosely based on events that actually happened. I really enjoyed this book and the historical notes at the end. If you are a true crime fan, you will definitely enjoy this book.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

We have another true crime story from the Series that’s out by Barbour Publishing. Where I like some crime stories, true crime is a step I don’t usually take. But it is so easy to get wrapped up in the stories that it makes me want to read them all. This one was, just horrific. I couldn’t believe what the crimes were and how anyone can do such things. Author Liz Tolsma does an excellent job of doing her research before she writes this book, and she adds her own flare to it that it balances it out to make it an enjoyable story. Just enough romance to help escape for a bit from the truth of the story. The characters were wonderful in their development.

This is for those of you enjoying any crime story. Its not for the faint at heart. Give this a try, you may be surprised at how much you like it!

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 just the best series, and here in the 9th book, is another amazing story. I can't get enough of these real-life based stories. Belle Gunness is running a pig farm, with her sister. That's no small task, but she's already lost not one, but two husbands. Doing what used to be done, and still is, only now it's on the internet, she takes out an advert to get a new husband. After all, they have a family to care for.

Now things really kick in for this strange and twisty real-life based story. Humm. Missing men. Pigs. A creepy sister. What's going on here?

I loved the mystery, the twists, and history! This author rocks and this series is gripping! I feel like I've heard of Belle before, in Norway, but after reading this it's just... WOW. The part at the back that says this is history, and this is fiction makes this book even stronger. Family, secrets, murder, history, twists, suspense, and some strong characters made this a page-turning turning read.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my copy. This review is my own, left of my own volition. This review is my thoughts and opinions of this book​. A positive review is never required.

This was a DNF for me - I have enjoyed most of the titles in the series so was surprised I just couldn't get into this one. I have read/heard about Belle's story before and it was told a little more "luridly" so perhaps that is part of where I went wrong. The excitement, momentum, and intrigue I typically associate with this historical story just weren't there and I only made it to 25% before giving up. I would encourage anyone who doesn't have a preconceived expectation going in to give it a try for themself - the writing wasn't bad, it just wasn't a match for me.

Ingrid Storset believes her older sister, Belle Gunness, has a deep capacity for love and that if the men who answered her lonely hearts ad would just get to know her, they would want to stay. So when Nils Lindherud arrives to question Belle about his brother Sven's whereabouts, having not heard from him since he left home determined to become Belle's husband and stepfather to her four children, Ingrid implicitly believes Belle's explanation.

But a cold reception from Belle does not deter Nils, and Ingrid finds herself helping him and a rift begins to form between the sisters in The Gold Digger, Liz Tolsma's fourth contribution to the multi-author True Colors series. And in blending the true crimes of serial killer Belle Gunness into a Romantic Suspense story, I was kept guessing a bit between the guild to Belle and the culpability of her former handyman Ray Lamphere despite a passing familiarity with this dark bit of American history.

With the violence and murder happening off page, the story focuses more on the aftermath and the events leading up to the discovery of the crimes. And along the way, a sweet relationship blooms between Nils and Ingrid that serves to soften the experience of this story of an unrepentant and prolific serial killer. This is another strong entry in the True Colors series, which can be read in any order, and is sure to please fans of True Crime fiction, Historical Inspirational Romance, and Romantic Suspense. Not, however, recommended for bedtime reading...

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Whew, this one definitely isn’t a cozy mystery! A young woman heads to America for a new life and goes to her widowed sister’s farm. At the same time Ingrid is settling into her new store and planning a new life for herself, Nils is worried about his younger brother setting off on a wild-goose chase to become a mail-order husband.

The mystery thickens as Ingrid and Nils realize that maybe Sven isn’t the first mail-order husband to come to the Indiana farm and vanish. But who’s to blame?

I did end up with a number of unanswered questions—not surprising in an old case; but I’d have preferred a bit less artistic license in the timeline or a few more questions answered. For example, I didn’t have a clue why the train station needed to be there (people did on occasion get off trains without a building there to welcome them), and I never got how Belle was attracting so many men despite her over-forty age and unattractive style, nor how she got the addresses in the first place. But overall the mood of the story and the strong characterization for Ingrid and Nils won me over.

Don’t read it alone at night!

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

If you like heart-pounding suspense in a story, this one is for you! Just please don't do what I did and read some of it just before going to bed. It nearly ruined a night's sleep for me, since I dreamed about it all night, trying to put a stop to Belle's murders. Knowing that it is based on a true story made it even worse, since I knew that most of the story really happened. I found myself frustrated along with Nils almost all the way through the story. He knew, on some level, what was happening—but how could he prove his suspicions, and how could he put a stop to the terrible violence? Would he find the answers before it was too late for him, or for Ingrid? What a story! Though it was almost too gruesome for me, I could hardly put it down.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma is part of the True Colors series. This book tells one of the creepiest tales of men who go missing. Based on true crime, Ms Tolsma brings to life the true historical story in an entertaining novel. Readers of historical fiction, suspense, and true crime will love this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I received an ARC from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

Wow, Liz Tolma did a great job on this story. I must say that this type of story is not my favorite. But after I start reading it was hard to stop and what amazed me was that even with fictional elements and real-life they both made a great combination. In this story we have two sisters, both are immigrants from Norway the older is a widow and have several children’s and the other we know more through the story. What makes this book interesting is that we have from the beginning many questions and you got that feeling that something bad is going on. To not tell details on the story, I can say how greed can blind someone to do the unthinkable. And although we may not do what happened in this story, I do believe this story bring us to reflect on several topics, the importance of honesty, first with God and ourselves, to have open communication with our family, and finally to examine our love for material stuff and all the world offer us. Good work to Liz Tolma, in my opinion, was a hard story to tell and she added the elements to make it more human and accessible to us.

The True Colors series, based on real life crimes, has kept up it's record of stellar stories throughout. Author Liz Told me has added to the series with riveting, engaging writing that keeps you wondering til the end. The Gold Digger does that admirably. Ingrid and Belle's story is haunting, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. My mind drew out a few possibilities for the ending, and the story kept me reading to find out which would play out. Even in the end, we are left with an intriguing "What it?" Definitely a favorite in the series. I was given a complementary copy of the book by Barbour Publishing, but was not required to post a review.

Apologies for the delay in getting this review in, life got hectic and I over committed myself.

I really love this series! This book was another wonderful addition to the series! The book moved a little bit too slow for my liking but Liz Tolsma does a great job creating an aura of mystery and suspense, keeping you hooked right until the end!

The Gold Digger is another great addition to the True Colors series. It is based on true events surrounding the female serial killer Belle Gunness. I was captivated by Ingrid’s story and was often on the edge of my seat wondering how she would deal with her sister, Belle. I enjoyed her interaction with Nils. The two made quite the duo. I thought the whole book was a thrilling ride and one that I could not have predictable. It was not easy to put down and was so very good. I loved it from the first page all the way to the very last one.

The Gold Digger is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical suspense. I thought it was great.

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

The Gold Digger, written by Liz. Tolsma is the next installment of the True Crime Historical Series. Widowed Bella places personal ads in the newspaper looking for a husband. The problem is - men have started to come up missing. A brother of one of the missing men comes looking for answers. Based on true events without giving away spoilers, this is a page turning thriller. It draws you in and keeps you guessing. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

About half way through this book I felt like I knew the ending and was expecting it to conclude. It get a little drawn out to me, as the reader, but the excited I’d pick back up near the very end.
The plot is based on a true story, one that could only be real life events. The author did a good job filling in missing pieces from the true story and weaving together a more fluid piece. She did bring in the redemptive nature of the gospel and God’s forgiveness to mankind.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.

Right away, the creepy undertones of this story grabbed me by the throat. In some ways, this story reminded me of a darker version of Arsenic and Old Lace—except Mr. Cary Grant’s trademark humor and dashing good looks were absent. When I read the author’s note at the end, I found it was very eerie how many of the details within the novel were based on cold, hard facts. Rather than being the plot for an episode of Criminal Minds, this story was one that real-life people unfortunately had to live out. My heart aches for the victims and their loved ones.

This novel had a lovely cast of characters (despite the evilness of a couple of them). Ingrid was delightful in her innocence and hope for the brightest future possible. Her devotion to her family was remarkable and, at times, overly naïve. While the leading man thought she “had blinders on” when it came to certain events and people, I found the farther along I got in the story, the more outlandish and unrealistic it was that she would so adamantly stick to her belief that a certain person had “the most caring heart of any [person] on the planet.” By that point, it was clear as glass what had happened and who had done it—the person she very stubbornly refused to believe could ever hurt a flea. Denial is one thing; that would have been believable. Utter refusal to accept facts and evidence is completely something else, especially when the person in question had been nothing but surly, grumpy, and rude to a variety of people—including Ingrid herself—throughout the entire story. However, I still liked Ingrid. I loved that she loved baking but shied of the public, found passion for photography and wanted to make that her living, and saw the best in people.

Nils was amazing. I liked that his regret was palpable and his determination to uncover the truth tangible. I really connected with him and the journey he was on. Plus, he had a cool car.

Ray was a surly sort, but he played his part well. At times, he was nothing more than a cliché, but there were certain things that made him unique to other bad-guy sorts of characters.

The kids were lovely. Energetic, rambunctious, adventurous. Just lovely.

The tension throughout kept me reading long into the night. I fell asleep before I could finish, but I remedied that first thing the next morning. This story captured my interest on every page.

I especially enjoyed the fantastic Gothic atmosphere of this story. It had mystery and creepy undertones, stress and tension, a hopeful leading lady, and a dashing and heroic yet still vulnerable and imperfect leading man. All the ingredients of the Gothic genre were well used to tell this unusual and horrifying tale.

I have enjoyed Liz Tolsma's books before. I have also enjoyed this series of true crimes so this was a good choice.
The story flowed very well and kept my interest throughout. The characters were very well developed and the story was told in the least gruesome way possible. I was thankful for that.
The story is also a Christian book and it was well done and not preachy. It showed the way things go when you do and do not follow God.
The story was very well edited and proof-read. I did not notice errors in the book and that is important to me.
I would recommend this book to my friends. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. Very well done, but not over the top.
I was given a copy of this book to read through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

The GoldDigger by Liz Tolsma is a good mystery. The characters are well defined and believable. The
likeable characters are very likable. The creepy characters are easily visualized due to the great
descriptions. The plot is original and intriguing. I liked the historical setting. I found this book easy to
read. I recommend this book for those that like historical fiction and mysteries. This story was based on
true history with a fictional twist. I liked the fact the story kept you guessing as to who was really the
murderer. The romance added to the story. Faith plays a significant role in the story, too. This book was provided through Celebrate Lit and the author for my review. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.