Looking for love in the wrong place

Have you ever heard the song “Man Eater” by Hall & Oats? Of course, you have if you’re alive and old enough to know what you were listing to in the ’80s. Well, it is precisely that song that came to mind as I read through The Gold Digger (I know it is talking about a different kind of woman, but some of the lyrics fit all too well.) Every mama that sent her boy off to meet and marry the woman was only kissing her baby goodbye.

The mystery and suspense was definitely present, like it is in all Liz Talsma’s contributions. I had my suspicions on the “Who-done-it” around the halfway point, but still enjoyed every minute of the build-up. Until the end, that is–it fell flat for me. Oh, and the romance bit–total lack of chemistry. I know the romance bit isn’t part of the genre, but if you have a couple, I want to at least read the blooming romance in the middle of tragedy, at least a little more than what I witnessed. Just make me believe it was possible.

Anyway! I did enjoy this story. The history and the drama left me eager to see what Nils and Ingrid would find, praying the whole time that the inevitable would never come to pass. My own heart paused when I read the end result of at least a dozen people. It is all beautifully translated in the story. If you are looking for something different, this book, like the rest of the series, will be just the right distraction.

(I know some of these books get a little graphic but rest easy, this is not one of them.)

***I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit Publicities. All views expressed are my own and a favorable review is not required.

They came to the gold digger one by one...

I'm going to be honest, in my estimation The Gold Digger has topped all of the other True Colors books as the most chilling... Seriously, I was reading it all by myself late at night and I got so creeped out that every shadow and every creak of the settling house had me jumping and I had to lay it aside until morning. Well done author Liz Tolsma! She seriously got to me! 

I had actually heard of Belle Gunness and her heinous crimes before, though I'd forgotten her name and the location, so I knew things would get quite gruesome before the end. What I didn't expect was how quickly I got caught up in the stories of the fictional characters. There were several times when I was so emotionally involved in their losses and pain that I had to remind myself Ingrid and Nils weren't even real. That all of the obvious signs, the missed opportunities, the clues, were all fiction.

Needless to say, I was totally impressed by Liz Tolsma's engrossing writing skills and her ability to drop me so effectively into The Gold Digger and La Porte, Indiana of 1907-1908. This may be the 10th True Colors book but with titles like this one I can tell you that the series is only getting stronger...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

This series has been very intriguing and I have enjoyed reading about historical events that took place during the 1900s.  Each book can be read alone but I would encourage you to read each one in the series. The theme of the book is about a crime that was committed and the people who feel victim to  unthinkable acts of violence. 

Belle just plain out gave me the chills. On the outside she appeared to be a kind woman who loved children. Beneath the surface laid a sinister woman who hid her dark side very well. I can’t believe that men would travel to her farm and want to start a life with her. Why would they trust a complete stranger? That question troubles me . Was she capable of manipulating people in order to hide her secret? I loved how the author introduces  us to  the men who came to be with her and how their disappearances start to cause doubt in the eyes of some. 

Ingrid wants to believe her sister would never do anything to harm anyone. My thoughts were always on the children as I soon discovered that one of her children were sent away. I suspected that this innocent child met foul play but without the technology we have today, it was almost impossible to find evidence. I so wanted Ingrid to start to really look at her sister and her mysterious actions. I know Ingrid didn’t want to believe her sister was crazy. The author does an excellent job of using historical facts to deliver a story that not only had me on the edge of my seat but drew me into the world of a woman who seemed to show  no remorse for anything. I wonder if she was even capable of having feelings at all. 

I did like the historical notes at the end and appreciate that the author wrote true to the original account of the crimes. My heart hurts for the children who became victims by a woman who will always be a mystery to us. Did she survive? No one really knows but I want to think that somehow justice was served and those who died at her hands are at peace. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

 My Thoughts:  Another thrilling novel in the "True Colors Series".   It's amazing what people can and will do for money.  This is a suspense novel that will certainly entertain, if not shock the reader.   This is a novel that will keep the reader captivated until the end.  I don't want to give to many details to give away the plot, but this is a very interesting case.  If you like true mysteries, this is a book to read.  The author has written a novel based on a true story, keeping to the true history as much as possible.   The author does give the gospel message  in the book which I appreciated.    I truly enjoy this series and look forward to reading more.

Gold Digger is book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History. While it is part of a series - they are all standalone. Each book keeps getting better and better. I have been fortunate enough to read each one. Liz  Tolsma is one of my favorite authors that I have discovered in the last few years. She always writes such amazing historical novels. 
In this book - we travel to 1907  in LaPorte, Indiana. We see Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness. Belle has had a cloud of bad luck over her. Belle is known as being quiet and kind. She has lost several husbands and children. Ingrid starts to wonder - is her sister causing issues. 
This book is action packed. There are so many twists and turns that it will leave you guessing. It will draw you in within the first few chapters. The author has done some amazing research. I went and looked up the story of Belle Gunness. The author did a great job bringing her to life. I am always fascinated by women who hae lead a life of crime. 

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.

The Gold Digger, #9 True Crimes by Liz Tolsma is yet another compelling, chilling read of romanticized history. Each book in this series is extremely well-written and researched, and The Gold Digger is no exception. I love the historical notes at the end from Tolsma.
The 1907 town of LaPorte, Indiana, is the scene of widower Belle Gunness‘s successful hog farm. A Norwegian immigrant, Belle provides everything she and her children need except a man’s loving care. Many men have answered Belle’s lovelorn ads for a match, but her sister, Ingrid Storset, is surprised no one stays to take the matrimonial plunge. When Nils Lindherud appears, searching for his missing brother, events crescendo to a finale that will make the strongest head spin.
To start The Gold Digger is to set other duties aside to give this incredible historical romantic suspense your undivided attention. The taut storyline, the knowledge you’re going to learn of some horrific crime (and in this series, often a spree), and the budding suspense mesmerize with a dark fascination.
Yet there is light in this tale. In the building romance between Ingrid and Nils. In the familial love we see between Ingrid and those in her sister’s family, and in Nils’s and Sven’s family. There is also light in the hope in God and His comfort, companionship, and love, as well as His help. The faith aspect was well-woven into the tale. It made me have hope that I can have greater faith to trust God completely, even if I don't like the outcome of a situation. My fave quote is as follows:

“God will be on one side of you, and I’ll be on the other.”
Looking for ways to use it in real life!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I am voluntarily leaving this review, and all opinions are my own.

I love reading this series of books of fiction but based on true murders.  Each of these stories puts a couple in the story that are there to help solve the murder and for some romance.  Ingrid and Nils are the couple that provide the romance in this story.  It is awful what Belle does in the book.  It is hard to understand what some people are capable of.  I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This was a great story. The history behind the book is creepy yet the story itself is done with grace. I enjoyed reading about Belle, knowing that some characters were real while others were fictional.

I loved Nils’ dedication to his brother. He refuses to give up, no matter what he’s told or what others would have him believe, Nils holds fast and pushes forward. Ingrid is a little more difficult. Her staunch defense is honorable, even if misplaced, but she doesn’t know that.

Seeing the story from all sides made this a book I couldn’t put down.

Liz Tolsma always writes a story I can get lost in. This strange-but-true historical is one of my favorites.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was sent this book by Net Galley because of another book that I reviewed, right now the other book escapes me. So I had no idea what this was about. I mean an offer for a free read one cannot turn down. I started to read it and I thought, ok, not bad, not great. I love the year of the story, 1907. Indiana, ok, good. THEN I really got into it. It massively picked up. Things were happening with twist after twist. The character development was brilliant. The reader really connects with the two main characters. It was only after I finished reading when I was in awe at the ending - one can guess at some things but how we get there is what is so awe inspiring - that I found it all this was based on a true story! The two main characters were fiction but the gold digger herself, the town, time and even details of the crimes were real. Tolsma really brought this real life crime to life! Normally with real crime it can be dry. One reads accounts and it reads like a police blotter at times. But this, this made one feel like one was watching real events. It was not just simple guessing or fiction. In many ways this account could have been how it went down. My advice is to read the book first, do not even look up the real account. When one knows the real story then one spends the whole time looking out for what they already know. Reading should be an adventure. This book first and then check out the true crime. You can thank me later.

Liz Tolsma’s depiction of Belle Gunness and the atrocities that occurred on her big farm in the early 1900s cast suspicion on two people. And left me with just enough suspicion of each of them throughout the book to keep the story engaging and moving at a fast clip.

While the missing men and murders did occur in LaPorte, Indiana, The Gold Digger is told through the eyes of two fictional characters. Despite many hints pointing toward Belle’s culpability, Belle’s sister, Ingrid, refuses to believe the worst of her sister. Nils’s search for his missing brother is what leads him to LaPorte and the strange clues to the mystery on the Gunness farm.

There are some dark parts to this story with somewhat gruesome descriptions (but if you search this woman’s story online, you’ll find even more gruesome details than what is in the book). However, Tolsma also shines a light of truth into the darkness with the blossoming romance between the main characters, Ingrid’s personal growth and confidence, and the faith both she and Nils lean on throughout the ordeal.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

“They were taking a risk. They both wanted answers, but different ones. No matter what happened, one of them would be disappointed. More than that. Likely devastated.”

An interest in forensics has led me to a variety of TV programs and books over the years, because while the crimes themselves were heinous and reprehensible, solving them intrigued me. Considering the lack of both sophisticated equipment and knowledge about DNA until recent years, it seems quite impressive that earlier investigators were able to solve as many cases as they did. The drawback of reading material of this nature is its darkness, which can be nightmare-inducing at times, and this is why I love Barbour’s True Colors (Historical Stories of American Crime) series so much. Able to be read in any order and written by a variety of authors, each story focuses on a major criminal event that occurred in America sometime between the late eighteenth through the early twentieth century. Best of all, these books are not only clean, leaving out the graphic details, but also inspirational, with a faith message in each.

Each True Colors book proves to be fascinating, and “The Gold Digger” by Liz Tolsma is no exception. Even though I was already familiar with the story of Belle Gunness, I was a bit hazy on some aspects of the case, so I still very much enjoyed reading this story. With a story such as this, it is easy to recognize the draw of sinful activities that may and perhaps even do start as one-time events that escalate. The enemy knows that it is more difficult to grow and to mature in our faith walk when we’re isolated, and most of the attacks that happen in this story are perpetrated at night when the victim is alone. Nevertheless, this is when prayers need to become all the louder and more confident, knowing that the God who promises never to leave or forsake us is the same God who created us and who has numbered every hair on our heads. 

Echoing the sentiment of Jesus’ parable of the rich fool as found in Luke 12, “The Gold Digger” exposes the raw and evil root of greed and how it negatively affects relationships. To people living in the early twentieth century, without the means of immediate communication with others regarding business and especially personal matters, family was essential. So, it seems, was keeping secrets. Ingrid Storset, Belle Gunness’ fictional sister, ruminates on the thought that “When you didn’t have family, you didn’t have anything.” As an immigrant to America, her only relative and friend is her sister, Belle; Ingrid has great difficulty in speaking with others and lives under Belle’s shadow. When the threats begin, however, Ingrid starts to wonder whom she should trust, especially as “a stranger in a strange land.” This is the current status of all of us who belong to the Lord as we await His return.

Tolsma employs chilling, clever foreshadowing throughout the narrative. It often has a double meaning, and for those who do not know the story beforehand, it is definitely worth a re-read so as to pick up on all of the delightful literary clues scattered throughout the work, pointing toward what will happen.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

This is one of those books that you can’t stop reading.
Fascinating in a terrible way, history so awful you wish it would be fiction.
Ingrid is such a sweet lady. Her sister Belle has set her up with her own confectioner's shop, so she could do what she'd always wanted to do, and be close to her Belle and her kids.
Belle is in search of a husband, and Ingrid doesn't understand why she's not finding one. In Ingrid's eyes, Belle would make someone a great wife. Hardworking, loving, and she's got a nice farm, in addition to her sweet children.
Then Nils shows up in town trying to figure out what happened to his brother Sven. Ingrid tries to convince him that he left town in search of better things, because he didn't want to do the hard work that would be required with living on a farm.
As Nils searches for truth, Ingrid is determined to be loyal to her sister.
Liz Tolsma does such a good job at bringing this event to life.
The crime is felt, and shown, without too many descriptive details, without being too gory. And yet, it was enough. I think if I wouldn't have had any inkling what was coming, it might have been too much. That is the awfulness of this happening. This was one of those events in history that I had never even heard of.
Sobering, eye opening, and well worth reading.
Be forewarned - just plan to read this book all in one sitting, so don't start until you can read it all!!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Liz Tolsma does such a wonderful job of turning historical facts into compelling fiction!  Her research is excellent, and the fictional elements sort of fill in the "what-ifs" in the real story.  She sets the scene in such a way that I could visualize all the places, and adds details that anchor the reader in the time period.  
Belle Gunness was such a harrowing villain.  I could just feel shivers every time you knew she was lying and that terrible things were happening.  This story paints her as quite the silver-tongued liar.  Everything just came so easy to her - including the horrible acts she committed.  
Ms. Tolsma also writes dynamic characters of faith - they are realistic in their doubts and struggles, but experience the transformative power that faith in God can bring to the most hopeless situations.  The inclusion of clean romance makes for very well-rounded stories with a little of everything.  
For anyone concerned about content, there are no graphic scenes, and no descriptions of any of the murders, just some descriptions of things that were found in the investigation.  Nothing too over the top.

The Gold Digger, by Liz Tolsma, is volume nine in the True Color series published by Barbour Publishing. This series is written by different authors and each book focuses on an unusual crime in history. This story takes place in 1907 in Indiana. Belle lives on a farm she and her second husband had. Now years after his death she is advertising for a husband. She convinces the men to bring money with them to help save her farm. But none of the men stay around very long.

This is an interesting story to read. It is full of suspense with why the men do not stay and where do they go when they leave. Even though Belle is the main character of the story, I found I enjoyed her sister Ingrid much better. She is such a positive and loving person. She thinks the best of others even when things look suspicious. I also enjoyed the character of Nils, who will do what ever he can to find his missing brother. I appreciate the information the author gives at the end of the story that gives the real accounting of this crime.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

Wow! Just wow! These True Crime stories just boggle my mind! Great job Liz Tolsma coming up with filler surrounding the facts! This was an interesting read! You will not want to put this book down for long.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I read The Gold Digger in a matter of days because this true crime fiction was very intriguing.  Tolsma does a good job of writing a suspenseful story while making several scenarios plausible along the way.  The fictional characters the author added are endearing people who begin to chase clues together.  Amidst uncertain circumstances, an unlikely romance develops.  They face tragedy and still find hope to face the future.  Tolsma’s research into this historical crime is evident making this another great addition to the True Color Crime series.  I’m glad to see that she will be writing another upcoming book for the series.  I was given a copy of this book by the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

I very much enjoyed this well-written novel of murders committed in early 1900’s America. The murderer and most victims are real people; the author also discloses which characters are of her design. At times it seems clear who the killer was but there is just enough doubt regarding another person. The characters are well-defined through realistic dialog and actions, and the author’s research into the true crime and history of the time show the accuracy of the novel. Faith in the Lord is evident through the prayers and actions of several characters.

Belle has a pig farm that she inherited from her second husband. Twice widowed, she has taken in homeless children and raises them as her own. Her sister Ingrid is somewhat of a newcomer to America, having come from their native Norway five years earlier. Belle purchased a building in LaPorte, Indiana, and gifted the use of the storefront and upstairs apartment to Ingrid to open a candy store. Ingrid is painfully shy and doesn’t speak English well, but she can’t turn away the gift from her sister. Ingrid’s dream is to be a photographer, and this building has a basement she can use as a darkroom.

Belle has advertised for men with a goal of marriage in various Norwegian newspapers in the Midwest. Several men have come to meet her and see the farm, but each one left shortly after arrival. A former farmhand, Ray, still hangs out by the farm as he wants to be her next husband as she had once promised. Even though she fired him, he is still obsessed with her. 

There are very few motorcars in LaPorte; the second unfamiliar one recently seen in town arrived and a young Norwegian man came to get directions from her. Nils, who owns a motorcar dealership in Detroit, is looking for his brother Sven, who had gone to Belle’s and not been heard from since. Their ailing mother is very worried, as it isn’t like Sven to be out of touch so long. Ingrid remembers Sven and his automobile, as Sven was a very nice man who left as the others had. She told Nils how to find the farm.

Over the next few weeks, Nils, with Ingrid’s help, exhausts leads searching for Sven, and will have to return to Detroit without him. Jennie, the teen who Belle took in several years ago, is gone. Belle claims to have sent her to a finishing school in California but refuses to share her address. Someone set fire to the candy shop with Ingrid sleeping upstairs.

The author’s talent for writing Christian suspense and historical novels is evident. The mystery is written with excellence as one tries to discover what really happened to the missing men and other unusual occurrences. The characters, faith, and suspense make this a truly worthy addition to Barbour’s multi-author True Colors series. The end is satisfying with loose ends tied up as much as was in the real events. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the author or series, Christian suspense with roots in true crime, and potential for romance.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Celebrate Lit, and this is my honest review.

The World is Full of Depraved People

A truly horrific tale of greed and deception, Liz Tolsma has given us a look at a horrendous crime from the turn of the twentieth century that many of us have never heard of. The Gold Digger offers a look into not only cultural issues that we might not be aware of (did you know that there were Norwegian papers people subscribed to at that time?) but also shows how blinded we can make ourselves to things we don't want to be true.

Certain elements, such as the sister's inability to see the obvious, may feel far-fetched until you really look at what is happening and try to imagine someone you only know as loving and caring actually doing something so horrific.  Add to that a world where there weren't TV shows bombarding you with this kind of sensationalism, a life of poverty that prevented you from reading dime novels (there are some advantages to poverty, I suppose), and it starts to make some sense. Many characters ignored the obvious because the obvious was just so implausible.

So what about this story?  Good?  Bad?  Indifferent?

While it has a few things that bother me (tiny things that either are or feel anachronistic) Liz Tolsma manages to tell a truly gruesome story without the kind of gory details that replay themselves in your mind indefinitely.  Most of the ugliness is off-page in that we don't watch the murders take place, and Tolsma works hard to show the horror without spraying you with the residue of it.

Recommended for readers who love true crime, suspense, and mystery as well as those who like a nice dollop of romance at the end.  Very sweet and well-infused romance.  Very sweet. ;) Thrilled I had a chance to read it, and grateful for the free review copy.

The Gold Digger is another addition to the True Colors series, about true crimes, and I have read some very disturbing ones and this one is near the top. Here we have a woman, Belle Gunness who keeps collecting men for husbands and children like some people collect baseball cards. Except the men are nowhere to be found and the children sometimes go missing too.

In this story, her sister Ingrid believes the best about her sister and is rather shocked when a man comes to town looking for his missing brother. Ingrid at first is rather naïve when it comes to her sister and lets Belle explain things away or Ingrid will explain it away in her own mind. But Ingrid grows in her character, and she and Nils Lindherud are the bright spots in this disturbing historical account. 

What makes this one so creepy is the secrets that still abound about this old crime and the questions that still have never been answered. I will not say anything more, but be sure to read the author's notes at the end on this disturbing crime.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

This is a very good one. Although, if you sensitive to some things you might want to proceed with caution. For me this book was right up my ally, since I love shows like Forensic Files. I actually looked up more information about this book before I even finished it because I found it so interesting.

Liz did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. The characters are well developed and honestly if you didn’t know how this story turned out it would keep you guessing.

It is truly a tragedy. The senseless death of so many men and the others that were taken all because of selfishness.

If you enjoy this type of story I highly recommend this book.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.