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!

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.

As an avid reader of Christian fiction as well as general market fiction, I’ve been very interested to read a novel in the True Colors series, written by various authors, that “explores true, riveting stories of American criminal activity layered in historical romantic suspense.”  These are definitely a departure from the common (mis)perception of Christian fiction.  The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma was my introduction to this concept.

This saga begins in 1907 Indiana and features Belle Gunness, a real person in history who was a serial killer.  Tolsma excels at weaving fictional characters around gruesome facts to allow readers to unravel the story as those involved at the time likely did.  While the writing was less sophisticated than the novels I usually enjoy, I was completely engrossed in Belle’s actions and was impressed by the factual accuracy of the novel’s plot.  I doubt I’d read a true crime book about this case, but I couldn’t turn the pages of The Gold Digger fast enough.  I look forward to reading more books in this series soon.

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

The Gold Digger is another can’t-put-down, read-in-one-day thriller penned by Ms. Tolsma in the True Colors Crime series.  It exceeded my expectations which were very high since I love all of this gifted storyteller’s books!  The real-life characters are seamlessly meshed with the fictional ones, and all are well-developed and unforgettable.  The evil of the horrendous crime portrayed in this story is tempered with a strong faith element and a touching romance.  The fast-moving, suspenseful plot keeps you turning pages and anxiously anticipating the outcome!  The historical notes at the end of the book are especially helpful in differentiating the true elements from the fictional ones. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and the series. 

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fascinating story! I have to admit once I started reading I didn't want to stop. I just had to know why men were disappearing.
I couldn't imagine why such a sweet lady couldn't hold onto a man. 
She said they changed their minds and left suddenly. It sounds suspicious.
True historical account intertwined with some fictional characters.
Really good book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Shy, kind Ingrid really is grateful when her older sister Belle provides the money for her to start a business, even though the confectionary shop isn't exactly what she wanted. She's doing her best to make the shop a success but continues to visit Belle's farm often to spend time with the only family she has in America - Belle and her children. Belle has been widowed twice and has been putting ads in the Norwegian newspapers looking for a husband to share the work of the farm. Ingrid isn't comfortable with the idea, especially since none of the men stay very long. She realizes Belle isn't attractive or easy to get along with, but wants to believe her sister is good hearted and is just misunderstood.

Nils is behind on some loan payments and worried about his car dealership, but he's more concerned that he and his mother haven't heard anything from his brother Sven for so long. Sven left months earlier to meet Belle and planned to marry her after corresponding for awhile. Nils decides to go to LaPorte to find out what happened to Sven. He meets Ingrid first and she tries to be helpful in his search, but Belle is uncooperative, and Nils is sure she knows more than she has told him. With Ingrid's often reluctant help he continues to pursue answers. Suspicions mount as they notice strange behavior and realize that none of Belle's prospective husbands have been heard from. As Nils and Ingrid get closer to the truth, they are both in very serious danger as well.

The true crimes of Belle Gunness are gruesome, but just like all the novels in this series, the story is told balancing the suspense with an accompanying story of a sweet and hopeful romance. The fictional characters of Ingrid and Nils are very believable, as Ingrid struggles to understand how the sister she loves and relies upon could be capable of such evil. This book is a real page-turner, and while the crimes are horrific, it was the enjoyable reading that kept me up late rather than any nightmares!

*I received a complimentary copy (digital ARC) of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. 
#TheGoldDigger #NetGalley

This historical fiction is actually based on true history.  It is part of a true crime series.

I am sure if you are someone that enjoys crime books, you would enjoy this one.  This book was not one I would have read had I known more about it in regards to the true crimes represented in it.  I really did not enjoy reading this book.   That said, I do have to say that I had to finish it to see how it would end.  It was more gruesome than I enjoy.

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

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma is an exciting story based on a real-life crime that occurred in LaPorte Indiana beginning in 1907.  Belle places newspaper ads looking for a husband to assist her and running her hog farm. She tells them she needs money and they must bring it with them to be considered. The mystery begins when the men don’t stay long and move on. Or do they? Has a crime been committed and if so, who is responsible?
This book is an excellent next edition to the True Crime Series and it keeps you guessing all the way to the end. As usual in mysteries the ones you may suspect at first have nothing to do with any supposed crimes. The book is well-written and reads like a novel and not just another true crime mystery. The characters that are added for the story fit in very well with the real-life characters and to some extent you don’t know who’s who until the end. I give this book 5 of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good true to life mystery. 
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ingrid’s sister, Belle, surprises her with an amazing gift, just not one she’s altogether happy about, except for the ability to have a darkroom.  Belle owns a hog farm and is frequently advertising for a husband to help her with her farm.  Sven is introduced early in the story, coming in to Ingrid’s store and she gives him directions to her sisters.  Weeks later, Nils comes to town, looking for his brother, Sven.  Many suspicions abound throughout the story that is well told.  Ingrid and Nils are great characters and easy to relate to.  We also meet Ray, Jennie, Lucy, Myrtle, Phillip, the Sheriff, hotel clerk, Sven and Nils mother, and Gillespie.  Fast paced story set in LaPorte Indiana in 1907-08, that is hard to put down.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley.  A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Gold Digger
by Liz Tolsma
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
 You Like Them
Barbour Books
Christian | Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 01 Dec 2020   |   Archive Date 01 Feb 2021

Love the true-crime premise of this book. The events in this book are true! That's what made it even more interesting for me to read.  Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. 
Fascinating! 

5 star