You will need a strong stomach to read The Gold Digger but it will keep you reading to see what happens next! Belle is a widow who keeps advertising for a husband but the men arrive and are not seen again! Nils comes to town searching for his brother who answered Belle's ad. Quiet Ingrid is a sweet young woman who loves her sister, Belle, and adores her nieces and nephew. You won't believe the gruesome things going on in LaPorte! I received a complimentary e-book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Another thrilling installment of the True Colors, strange, but true, crime stories with an inspirational infusion. You do not have to read these in order to appreciate the gripping tales. In the Gold Digger, the story of Belle Gunness, a truly evil woman in 1907 Indiana , is brought to light in a way that will keep you turning the page until the very end. While the main plot is predictable, the journey there and the slight twists and turns keep you just unsure enough to keep reading. The sweet romance between Ingrid and Nils is a redemptive component that makes the story a little less dark. I really love the infusion of Christian faith and despite evil, pain and suffering, there is still a redemptive plan that can be used for good. Be sure to read the author’s notes.
I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

I think I have heard of Belle Gunness before, probably through some other book or article I was reading. But did not know the extent of it, and this book certainly had my attention from beginning to end.

The story obviously follows Belle Gunness, a widow living in LaPorte, Indiana, who advertised in Norwegian newspapers for a new husband. It also followed her younger sister, Ingrid Storset., and Nils Lindherud, the brother of one of the men who corresponded with Belle and disappeared. With Ingrid and Nils inching closer to what happened to his brother, Sven, and to all the other men who she corresponded with, Belle becomes increasingly strange, moody, and emotional. But never did Ingrid and Nils expect she would go as far as she did, nor hurt those most innocent.

I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to other readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Everytime I read a True Colors Book I think this series just keeps getting better and better! The Gold Digger was great. It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down, in fact I stayed up WAY too late one night reading it. I highly recommend this book!

Wow!! Another True Colors story that leaves me utterly speechless! Up to this point, I have never read anything about Belle Gunness, but now I know this will be one of those true crime stories that will stick with me for a long time.

Ingrid has moved from Norway to help her sister Belle out with her pig farm and her children. Belle also solicits men to come help on the farm and possibly become her husband. When Nils Lindherud's brother Sven answers the advertisement and mysteriously disappears after leaving to Indiana to meet Belle at her farm; Belle being the last person to see him. Nils has no other choice to go on a manhunt to find Sven. What is uncovered changes everything.

So many unanswered questions shrouded in mystery keeps the characters and readers guessing, not quite knowing what to believe anymore! I knew in the back of my mind what happened, but just like Ingrid, I didn't want to believe it.

The biggest thing that bothered me was Ingrid and her naivety. She refused to see what was right in front of her, and there were times I just wanted to shake her, but the truth comes to light, like it always does, and awakened a living nightmare.

To know that this is based on a true story is gut-wrenching, especially when you think about all that was lost and the why of it all. Liz Told did a phenomenal job of bringing this gruesome story alive while not being overly graphic. I can't imagine how hard this novel must've been to write!

I love this series so much, as it has shed light to so many stories that need to be told, and I can't wait to read the next installment!

***Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Expected release date December 1, 2020.***

⛏️⛏️⛏️⛏️
4 - 4.5 stars

Another very solid installment in the "True Colors" books series. This one is written by Liz Tolsma, and centers on Belle Gunness who was found to have killed at least 14 people (including 2 husbands and her own children). Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for enjoying this series as much as I do considering the subject matter, but as always am looking forward to the next one. 😄

The Gold Digger is an amazing book of fiction based on a true historical crime! There is a romance introduced in the story that adds joy and life to the chilling tale. Nils and Ingrid make a delightful couple even though they are at odds on what they think is happening. I highly recommend The Gold Digger to mystery and suspense readers, romantic suspense readers, and to readers of historical fiction and of true historical crime books. I've read several in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I would recommend them to family and friends. Also, I have liked everything of Liz Tolsma's that I've read and hope to have the opportunity to read more. I received a copy from NetGalley.

This book is about two sisters though one seems to be doing something quite fishy. That fishiness seems to come out when a brother comes to town looking for his missing brother. We have Belle Gunness who seems to cry a lot or seem to be mean.

Why does the town seem to pick on a guy named Ray? Ingrid seems a bit naive about what her sister is doing but she loving her sister and children. Is her sister Belle a murder or looking for easy money? The town seems to think nothing of it when men go missing or think they just leave suddenly.

We do see that Ingrid and Nils seem to connect after meeting each other. They seem to take their time getting to know each other and courting. The plot of this story is deep and detailed. The story is done well. It just seems like found out who the killer is quite quickly. It just seems that Nils had to convince Ingrid and the town sheriff or the real killer and not the one they keep pulling in to question.

There are some surprises when it is all revealed and solved. Though there is still a twist at the end as well. There seem to be a mystery and lots of crimes. This is good in the sense that it tells some history of American crime and historical fiction and crime. It is a true crime. I rate this 4.5 Moons (stars).

Several elements I like about The Gold Digger. First, family loyalty plays a huge part in this well-researched story. Ingrid is particularly concerned about the unkind rumors circulating in town about her sister. Unfortunately, Ingrid’s naivety leads her to turn a blind eye to Belle’s true personality. Likewise, Nils is worried about his brother and his mother. Also, he is afraid of committing the same mistakes his dad did. Second, the author helps us remember hope is available even when are experiencing our darkest hour. Many dark hours occur in The Gold Digger, but the characters’ faith helps them cope.
I enjoyed this story, especially knowing it is based on true crime. This is another book in the True Colors series, a series worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I knew that this was based on a true story, but it was so horrible and gruesome it was really hard to believe it could be true. The story centers around Belle, a widow with 4 children who corresponds with men ostensibly looking for someone to help her on her hog farm and to marry her. The problem is that the men seem to come for a few days and then disappear. When Sven tells his brother Nils he is gong to LaPorte to marry Belle, Nils is dismayed and tries to persuade him to stay. When Sven disappears without a word, Nils heads to LaPorte to find out why. As the story unfolds the tension builds as we learn more about the different characters in play. I admit that I had heard about this story before, but the author did a super job of telling the story without too much gore. Because it was Christian fiction, the story ended on a hopeful note.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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

I have had a strange fascination with Belle Gunners since I heard about her through my own research, so I was delighted to get to read an early copy of The Gold Digger, a fictionalized version of her story. And while i haven’t read all the books in the True Colors series, I feel this is the darkest of the ones I’ve read, due to the proximity both leads have to the crime, whereas the other books were more about outsiders investigating these dark events.

I really liked the complex sibling relationship between Ingrid and Belle, and how Ingrid really wants to see the best in her in spite of the suspicions of others, until it’s too much to ignore. It’s juxtaposed really well by Nils and his desire to get answers about his brother Sven’s disappearance, with Sven having last been seen when he was leaving to answer an ad for a husband placed by Belle. I enjoyed seeing them work together and give each other some perspective, especially as Ingrid learns who her sister truly is. It’s a sweet romance that comes about amid dark events.

Tolsma excels at creating a truly creepy atmosphere as events unfold. Belle’s guilt is pretty much a foregone conclusion, but I couldn’t help but be chilled as the layers of her facade were pulled back. And Lamphere, also recorded as a historically shady character, is equally creepy.

This is a fabulous book that shows this series at its best. If you love true crime or romantic suspense, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

I didn’t realize when I started reading this book that it was part of a series. But when I discovered that fact I checked out the other books. Oh my goodness. First, the book covers drew my interest, and then I read a few of the descriptions. I can’t wait to delve into more of this series.

Okay, that being said, I guess you can sense my excitement about this writer and reading more cases based on facts that are stranger than fiction. I didn’t mean to get sidetracked, but now you know that I must have been pleased with this book.

The characters reminded me of those you might find in a cozy mystery. Though, honestly, I’m not sure if I’ve ever read one. But many of them just seemed relatable and sweet. And parts of the story were sweet. Wouldn’t it have been nice if the facts ended that way? But we know, at least one character is rotten to the core. These special characters had me quickly turning pages.

This story, which is based on historical facts, focuses on Belle Gunness, who puts ads in the newspaper searching for a husband to help her run her farm. But when one man, who has brought her the cash to help pay the mortgage, disappears it leads to trouble for her.

Nils Linderhud, the brother of the man who disappeared, brings to light lots of problems for Belle. Things she’d rather keep private. Forever.

Tolsma does an excellent job of creating interesting characters that keep the story moving. She also manages to gently add a message of faith throughout. Plus, as with any good mystery, she creates some reasons to keep us doing a little bit of guessing.

As mentioned in the Details, this is based on a true crime, though fictional characters also come into play. Crime obviously isn’t a pretty picture, however, the author manages to share enough details to make the story complete, without bringing into play too much hear-breaking description.

What Concerned Me
Nothing

What I Liked Best
Tolsma was able to research a fact, and then put her personal touches to make it come to life. I loved that she shared her research and pointed out exactly what was based on truth and how other facts and fiction were woven to make the story complete. The excellent writing brought it all to life for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Lots of men came to LaPorte, Indiana, to meet and marry Belle Gunnsen. Instead of marrying her, they all disappeared, including Nils Lindherud’s brother Sven. Nils leaves his home and business in Detroit to search for Sven. He meets Ingrid Storsen, Belle’s sister. As he begins to suspect Belle’s honesty, Ingrid refuses to believe her sister could do anything so sinister.
Based on true events from the early 1900s, The Gold Digger moves along at a brisk pace with enough red herrings to keep you guessing. I read this in one evening.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've read every book in the True Colors series so far, and was thrilled to see this one pop up on NetGalley -- and that it was written by Liz Tolsma. She's a talented author, and I knew the read would not disappoint!

That being said, having read the other books in the series (each of which is a standalone read), I've discovered just how much I struggle with historical cases that didn't fully resolve when they originally happened--meaning that the fictional story about them doesn't either! I appreciate more resolution than we see here! :D

And yet, it's also fascinating to read the denouement and historical note (always included in this series). It's a testament to the publisher and the authors that they pick really meaty historical events for novelization.

Tolsma does a fantastic job at presenting facts, seamlessly blending them with fiction to create a story I was intrigued by from the start. While it did take a couple chapters to get into (more plot buildup than anything else), by a third of the way in, I was hooked. Both the era and locations truly came to life around me--as did the characters, for that matter. And the climax may have evoked some out-loud reactions while I read ... so it was a good thing I read it at home in the privacy of my living room!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The latest in the True Colors series is based on the well-to-do widow, Belle. Readers will quickly become aware of something amiss when Belle's suitors keep disappearing. Belle's sister, Ingrid blissfully glosses over her sister's changing moods, which I found unrealistic. Loved the author's notes. True crime readers will find this gruesome story appealing. Recommended!

Very good book about a female serial killer who finds husband's with money so she can attain their assets . I loved the idea of this book it was well written a very unique way to tell a true crime story .

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma was a great mystery. I literally could not stop reading it. Of course, all of Ms. Tolsma’s books are wonderful and I try to read all of them. This riveting story takes place in LaPorte, Indiana in the early 1900’s. Since I am familiar with that area it was of special interest to me.

Ingrid Storset comes to America at the request of her sister, Belle Gunness who has just lost her husband. She owns a large farm near LaPorte and never seems to run out of money to support herself and her many children. Belle sets Ingrid up with a bakery business, although that is not exactly what Ingrid wants to do.

Ingrid starts to get suspicious about Belle putting ads for a new husband in the paper and all the men who apply, but leave quickly, never to be seen again. Nils comes to LaPorte in search of his brother who was determined to wed Belle, but was never heard from again by his family. Nils makes Ingrid even more suspicious about what her sister is doing. I was really into this novel. I wanted to see what was going on and I was nervous while reading this because I feared for Ingrid. This is the way that Ms. Tolsma grabs you into her stories and won’t let you go until you finish the book. I highly recommend this book.

There was only one thing that I would like to comment negatively about: since the Miranda Rights Act went into effect on June 13, 1966, it is highly unlikely that a police officer would use those words from this Act before arresting someone in the early 1900’s. I noticed this in one part of the book and thought I would mention it to the editors.

This newest edition to the True Color series, The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma is just as engaging a the others in this series. While I haven’t read them all yet, I am pleased to get my fingers on this one!

Miss Ingrid Storset, originally from Norway, relocated to LaPorte, Indiana with her sister Belle and Belle’s four children. Belle purchased a large hog farm with the life insurance money of her deceased husband. Belle also purchased a building where Ingrid could make and sell her sweet treats and lice upstairs.

LaPorte, Indiana is actually a place I’ve visited while I lived in Indiana about 15 years ago. A few friends I went to college with grew up there. It’s amazing how you can visit a place and never know the things that haunts the city’s past.

Belle writes an ad in the Norwegian newspaper asking for a gentleman to marry her and help her on the farm. She happens to write them for a few months and then practically commands them to come to LaPorte. A day or two later, they disappear. Belle tells those who ask that the man left for California.

One Sven Lindherud is one who leaves Detroit, Michigan with the intention to marry Belle, work on her farm and help her with the children. But Sven hasn’t returned inquiries from his brother, Nils, for months, asking if he’s made it and how he’s enjoying LaPorte. It is then that Nils drops everything to venture to LaPorte and find out what’s going on.

The mystery grows thicker after Nils arrives in LaPorte. He meets the sweet and gentle Ingrid at her confectionary when he stops to ask for directions. How ironic that he just met Belle’s sister. who invited him to dinner at Belle’s!

While Belle once again tells Nils that Sven has moved on without a word of where he was going, Nils is inquisitorial and Belle orders him off her property. But it won’t be the least of Nils.

My favorite character in The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma is Nils Lindherud. He’s a man on a mission. A man who cares deeply for his family and their well-being. He also is very observant and gentle in nature. While he’s a bit impulsive at times, he seems to learn from his own errors.

The character I don’t really understand is Belle. She’s portrayed as a very rough woman, abrupt and condescending, yet usually sweet to her kids? I say usually because there are instances where she orders the children to be silent. Belle seems very bipolar in my observation. However, it makes sense for her to be like this for the purpose of this historical fiction story.

Now this story reminds me a lot of the mysterious murders of The Black Midnight by Kathleen Y’Barbo, also of the True Colors series. Like all True Colors books, it involves a crime or two, or more. Someone always shows in these books, too, consistent with this series.

A digital advanced copy of The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma was provided complimentary in exchange for an honest review. I give this book 4 out of 5 tiaras because while it all ties together nicely, it doesn’t express that Belle was making money of these suitors to make the title make sense. It also seems to be more about Ingrid and Nils than Belle.

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma will release on 12:02/20. Be on the lookout for this addition to the True Colors series!

Wow! I have never read anything by this author and this book was not what I expected. It is a true crime story set in LaPorte, Indiana. Although it is not a genre that I usually read, the author spun the story in such a way that I couldn't stop turning the pages. I definitely did not expect the outcome at the end of the story.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

This novel based upon true crime kept my interest from beginning to end.

Belle, originally from Norway, has lost two husbands and is running a pig farm in Indiana. To obtain help on the farm, she regularly solicits men to be her next husband. Oddly, they never marry and are never heard from again.

Belle's sister Ingrid is a budding photographer with a heart of gold. She loves her sister and her nieces and nephew. Belle's prior farm hand, Ray, seems to be obsessed with Belle.

The author does a great job of creating tension keeping readers wondering what's happened to the would be husbands.

Loved the Afterward which shared what was factual and what was fictional in the pages.