4.5 stars

This might be the most gruesome story of the True Colors series so far. I enjoyed the story despite the dark nature of it.

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

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma is the latest release in the True Colors series. These stories are based on actual crimes in American history. The Gold Digger explores some strange events from LaPorte, IN in the early 1900’s, centering around Belle Gunness and some of her suspicious behaviors. She’s a widower twice-over, and she takes out personal ads looking for a husband. But when men show up to her farm, they never heard from again. Belle’s sister, Igrid Storset, meets Nils Lindherud who is in town looking for his missing brother. Together they begin to unravel terrible secrets at the Gunness’ farm.

This story isn’t for anyone looking for a cozy mystery. The truth is strange, terrifying, and unresolved, and the author does a great job of bringing out the drama. But it’s such a twisted story to begin with. I love the author’s notes at the end of the book showing the research behind the real Belle Gunness. It’s truly a heartbreaking and horrifying situation in real life, and Liz Tolsma does a great job of bringing the details to light, but tempering it with faith and a love interest. But it’s definitely intense, creepy, and disturbing at times.

Definitely an intriguing read, and if you are a fan of this true crimes series, you’ll be taken with this one!

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

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

This is another page-turner in the True Colors crime series! I love this series, as each of these authors finds a way to build great fiction around true historical crimes. This novel is no exception. From the first page, I became engaged.

Like the others in the series, this story is based on a true crime. In addition, the story constructed around this crime makes it even more interesting than a great fictional story. As I tried to figure out who did the crimes, how they would get caught, and where the bodies were, my eagerness to finish the story grew. No spoilers will be given here, but the author did a great job with this story. If you love true-crime drama or are looking for a new genre to read, pick up a copy of this book. In fact, pick up the whole series. The stories deal with different crimes and each may be read as a standalone.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley but the thoughts expressed are my own.

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.

Liz Toslma has done it again! She's simply a fabulous writer most especially with this weird part of American history.
This series is one of the best I've read in quite sometime. Each author brings to life a character that I've never heard of and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about. This story didn't disappoint either.
Like most readers I pretty much figured out where this was heading but I kept reading to see what Belle would do next. She soon didn't disappoint. I think my mouth dropped open in some parts of this book because I was truly astounded! Soon I was all in and sitting on the edge of my bed eagerly turning the pages and before I knew it I was at the end! Oh no! I wasn't happy that it was over so quickly! That's how much I enjoyed it.
I hope this author writes another book in this series. I can't wait to see what comes next!
I highly recommend this series and especially this book. I think it might be the darkest one in history yet!
5 stars hands down!
My thanks to Netgalley/Barbour publishing for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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.

This book was so good and interesting in a creepy way. I love stories that are based on actual historical events and this one did not disappoint. As I read, I was thinking that what I think is happening cannot be true, but indeed it was. One really becomes engaged in the story as you learn more about Ingrid Storset, Nils Lindherud, and Ingrid's mysterious sister, Belle. What is really going on at Belle's house? You have to read to the end to find out the whole truth and even then there are still some questions left unanswered. A truly riveting story with plenty of plot twists based on actual historical events. I highly recommend this book!

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

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!