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The Premonition at Withers Farm

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Told in duel timelines this faith based suspense/thriller novel gives a satisfying thrill to anyone looking for a clean thriller. Told in duel timelines the characters are likeable and the mystery of the two murders keeps one engaged. This is the second book I have tried by this author and while I appreciate the faith based mystery it just doesn't quite live up to other thrillers I've read. A good solid read though. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e copy for an honest review.

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Imagine if you had suddenly purchased a farm from your husband’s employers. A farm that had a history attached to it, you just didn’t know how much of a history. Imagine this all happening while you were dealing with a personal crisis of your own, one that seemingly was pulling you away from your husband. That is exactly the situation Molly Wasziak found herself in. Now, imagine the main farmhouse having basement walls built from gravestones that had mistakes on them. Back in the day when the farmhouse was built nothing was wasted, thus a repurposing of these markers.

Now enter the past - way back to 1910 where Perliett Van Hilton toted herself as a healer of sorts, she just wasn’t a doctor. Of course, the town’s doctor, George Wasziak, could do nothing but laugh at Perliett and her apothecary box. Maribeth Van Hilton, Perliett’s mother, held seances, but the one spirit she would not call on was PaPa and Perliett always wondered why. Then, there’s Jasper Bridgers, a newcomer to town, who was taken by Maribeth, but not for the reasons you may think.

In this tale, the whodunnit was one I was not expecting, especially when I thought I had it figured out. There is mayhem and murder, love interests, family squabbles, family secrets, and personal tragedy. I am really enjoying this author’s writing style; there is such a consistency in her writing and a consistency of her books with the past running into the present, and seemingly there’s always some sort of building involved.

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Another great book by Jaime Jo Wright. I love how creepy and suspenseful her stories are and how you don't know who is behind things until the end. This book was very well told and kept me on the edge of my seat.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

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"The Premonition at Withers Farm" is a fascinating and intriguing novel that seamlessly weaves together two timelines to create a compelling mystery. The characters of Perliett and Molly are well-crafted and relatable, each facing their own challenges and struggles that make them feel like real people. The historical setting of 1910 Michigan is richly depicted, transporting the reader to a time when superstition and spiritualism were prevalent. The present-day storyline of Molly's search for her family history adds a layer of depth and complexity to the plot, creating a sense of urgency and intrigue that will keep readers hooked until the very end. The mystery itself is expertly crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing while still providing satisfying answers by the conclusion. Overall, "The Premonition at Withers Farm" is a captivating novel that will appeal to fans of both historical and mystery fiction, and is sure to leave readers satisfied

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The Premonition at Withers Farm, by Jaime Jo Wright, is emotionally stirring, honest, and truly riveting. From the first page to the last, this novel features a gripping dual-timeline story that is exceptionally well-written. When tragic events from the past collide with shocking events of the present, the story is infused with drama, mystery, and suspense. Excellent pacing, eerie settings, and unforgettable characters strengthen a story that is powerfully moving and meaningful.

In the past as well as the present, the sprawling cornfields and farms of rural Michigan are pivotal within the story, as they are filled with dangerous secrets, frightening truths, and hidden evils. It is in this setting that the characters struggle with fear, loss, and lingering unease. Even while they cope with anxieties and unknown perils, they persevere in their determination to find real hope and truth. In the face of uncertainty and genuine grief and trauma, the characters manage to open their hearts to healing and to the possibility of a future redeemed by grace.

Though I have read all of Jaime Jo Wright's novels, I continue to be astounded by her captivating stories! Piecing together the unsettling and frightening events in her books always makes for a highly engrossing reading experience. Her writing talent is astonishing as she continues to craft books that are thoughtful, clever, relevant, and redemptive. The Premonition at Withers Farm is engrossing, touching, and memorable, and I sincerely recommend it.

*I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

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I think the reason this author’s books are so popular are because they are based on fear. A childhood fear, that we still have a fascination with though we may not admit it to ourselves. In reading these books we can explore this fear in a way but through a safe medium, a book. It’s a book we can completely get lost in as we enter this world of creepiness and whatever the author wants to convey to us but safely at any time, we can leave it.
With a dual timeline we find ourselves volleying between rural 1910 and present day. Presented with tombstones in a basement, hearing haunting whispers, a lonely dark stretch of road and a rustling in the cornfield, what’s in there, a creepy childhood nursery rhyme, and contacting the dead through spiritualism. The atmosphere is very well done, it’s raw and gripping. The characters are realistic, and you’ll get lost in this story.

Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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Another wonderful, nail-biting, hard to put down read from Jaime Jo Wright! I have to wait to start her books until I know I have a solid block of time to read, since they are so hard to put down. This one did not disappoint!

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I didn’t finish with this book. It was difficult to read as a Christian and expecting Christian fiction. The demonic element was too strong for my taste. This author is not one for me.

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A great ghost story. I enjoyed most of the book (except the beginning, it felt a little too slow for me). Both time periods were interesting and very well set, I liked both main characters and how their stories entangled during the development of the narrative. The mysteries were on point. There was this horror looming over both women and it compelled me to never stop reading. And the ending! was so good!

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Good suspenseful dual-time mystery with time periods of contemporary and early 20th century. Both main characters in the respective time settings are strong characters who are relatable. The mystery held my interest from beginning to end. The author deals with difficult subjects of miscarriage, depression and seances in a Christian setting and does it compassionately and realistically. Having enjoyed this book and other books from this author, I look forward to reading more from Ms. Wright. I won a copy of the book from LibraryThing and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

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This beautifully creepy story hooked from day one, but it wasn’t due to the chill factor.
I love the way JaimeJo Wright writes split-time novels. The characters’ stories mirror each other in almost every way. In The Premonition at Withers Farm, Perliett and Molly suffer from great loss and they long for what isn’t there anymore. But it is the looming murder mysteries that kept me engaged as the author took me on an eerie journey through the practices of spiritualism of the early 1900s and the current issues of mental health and pregnancy loss. Our two main characters wade through the fog of loss and depression while doing their best to stay alive as they are haunted by things that move in the shadows.
Perliett longs for the clarity and sound advice of her father but she struggles with the fact that her mother won’t do for her what she will do for outsiders. As she almost begs her mother for some sort of resolution to her grief, the brooding doctor does his best to talk sense into her while trying to keep her and other towns folk alive.
Molly lives in a constant state of depression due to repeated loss but things have gotten so bad that she starts to see things that leave her questioning her sanity. All that compacted with the growing distance from her husband just puts her in a deeper state of loneliness.
Some may be turned off by what is implied during these two time periods and the mysteries that surround these women, but let me encourage you to see it through. JaimeJo Wright wraps it all together with precision and grace and still points her broken characters to God.

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Let me start by saying that you can tell, almost feel the way Jaime Jo Wright poured her heart and soul into this book. It is so beautifully written. So touching. The way she handles Molly's depression, a result of several miscarriages. It was just.....well I can't really put it into words. She sheds light on a topic that so many people shy away from. And I'm not sure if it's because they don't want to think about it, or they don't realize how much a miscarriage can really affect a person, a family. I think this very topic made this story so much more special then Wright's previous novels. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love them all. They are spooky and fun and creepy and engaging. But this one? It was so much more.

The Premonition at Withers Farm has all the classic Wright features - a fun mystery to solve, seamlessly jumping between time periods, relatable characters, enough creepy factors to keep you on your toes but not hiding under the sheets, and two timelines that come together as if they belonged all along. Her writing is exquisite. She could write one word and it would speak to my heart - that's how good she is. She makes these characters come alive. You feel for them. You grieve with them. You might even find yourself talking to them (no, just me?). She is a master at making you feel like you are inside the story instead of just reading it.

It's probably not a surprise that I highly recommend this novel. Trigger warning for the depression and miscarriage topics, but I think even if you have or are suffering from that, this story will show you hope. I encourage you to give it a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is the second book I've read by Jaime Jo Wright and I'm a huge fan of her writing style. I love how well she balances the two different timelines and how interconnected the two stories are. I also liked that this novel dealt with some very relevant topics such as grief, anxiety, and depression. Also, the two mystery plots kept me on the edge of my seat!

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The Premonition at Withers Farm is probably the first title by this author which has not been made into an audiobook. I can, in part understand why. It covers some very controversial content most notably Spiritualism, which was rising in popularity in the early 20th century.
The protagonist’s mother holds seances in her house for money and publicity. I will say that this content, although explored, isn’t glorified, or encouraged: it’s treated from a biblical standpoint as something people shouldn’t dabble with. The novel also goes into the reasons why many people were drawn to spiritualism, and how the inability to deal with grief and loss in a healthy way could be exploited.

The modern protagonist, Molly, was struggling with postpartum depression after several miscarriages. Except, she didn’t really understand what was happening to her or how the condition could impact her when she had lost her children before birth.
I was compelled by the central mystery of this story (Jaime Jo Wright’s books are always thrillers) which wasn’t predictable at all and the exploration of life, death, guilt, shame, and the secrets within families. I did think some of the romantic elements felt a bit contrived or inappropriate at times, though. I’ve felt that about some of the other books by this author and I sometimes wonder if the romance is even necessary since her books are good enough as dual timeline thrillers. That said, the modern protagonist is already married, so it’s not a traditional “romance” in that regard.

This novel also covers matters relating to mental health, in this case the complex and controversial subject of psychopathy. Some have complained that mental illness is used as an “excuse” for behaviour of characters, but I think this represents a misunderstanding of mental illness as whole. In the case of this book the idea that psychopaths are born not made comes into play: this is something which has been explored by psychologists, as psychopathy seems to be the only psychological condition which has no identifiable cause and may be genetic.

I’d recommend this title for all fans of the author and thrillers. I had some major issues with her last book which thankfully are not present here. It managed to be spooky and gripping without resort to graphic violence or descriptions of violence and returns to being more of a psychological thriller.
Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title. I wasn’t required to write a review, and all opinions are my own and given freely.

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My Thoughts:
I have yet to miss a Wright book. There’s something positively addicting about them. I love and appreciate a gripping mystery. And I equally love and appreciate a dual-timeline. And she brings both together in perfect harmony. If you’re into creepy mysteries, you’ll certainly want to pick up this or any other Wright novel.
Just like with the rest of her books, I’m left guessing to the very end. The setting was very interesting. On the “safe” hand, you have an old farm house, complete with chickens. It’s cute and endearing. And the couple is struggling with their marriage, so it was a blessing to watch them reconnect. On the very “unsafe” hand, you have ghost sightings, unsolved murders, and talking to the dead.
I knew going into this book that we’d be touching on a subject that I don’t really care to dabble with. But I felt confident that Wright would bring in a balanced approach by the end of the book, which she did, however, after a while, it did feel a bit … uncomfortable to continue walking into a seance. To be fair, I knew this would be a topic on the table and Wright was clear about what the Bible teaches on the subject, so I can’t complain there. Just personally … I kinda wanted to not go back in the room after the first one.
But this was, once again, a very well-told story.

Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving it 5 stars. I recommend it to those looking for Christian mysteries, dual-timelines, and especially those looking for the on-the-edge-of-your-seat mysteries.

~ I received a copy from Bethany House. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

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Wow. This is a real
Ghostly story.
Jaime jo Wright does it again…takes the spooky and
makes it all come out right in the end.

I've been putting off writing this review.
This is another one of those books that I feel completely inadequate to write a review.
JJW has a way of blowing me out of the water with her creative genius.

I really don't like ghost stories. And, well....this story does kind of have some of those tendencies.
In 1910, there is the story of Perliett, a self-proclaimed healer. And her mother, a spiritualist who holds seances and regularly converses with the dead. It is in this time line that there are some very spooky murders taking place.

Then there is the present day heroine, Molly. Her life has been a hard one. She deals with depression. Then when she & her husband move to an old farm, everything just gets a little bit worse. Is she hearing voices, or seeing things....OR WHAT?!

It was very intriguing to me, reading both of these stories, watching for how the storylines would converge and overlap...what would happen both in the past and present day.

Lots of excitement, action, ghost sightings and more. (Warning - I do not recommend this book for anyone with a weak stomach or a faint heart...)
I do recommend this to anyone wanting to discover an exciting and suspense filled adventure.

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

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I love a dual timeline story, especially when I can't decide which time I enjoyed more! Loved the farmhouse, the creepy aspects and of course the spiritualism. Another wonderful read by Jaime Jo Wright!

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This book is the perfect fall vibe! It has corn, it has spooks, it has a bunch of weird stuff that makes it hard to sleep at night. I mean, it's got it all. At first, I was a little suspicious of where we were going with the spiritism and all that jazz, but she NAILED it and the ending was superb. As always with a dual timeline, I started off enjoying the past story best, but by the end was totally into the contemporary storyline. The two tangled together in a way I did not see coming, and, as per usual with Jaime Jo Wright, I had absolutely no clue who was the bad guy until the end of the story. I am so good at guessing antagonists in suspense (I'm pretty sure I have at least a silver medal in the sport) but she gets me every time. There were even a couple other plot twists that I did not see coming but that I cannot speak of because it will be a spoiler, but they got me good. Perliett was a fun character to follow around and her annoyance with George was hilarious. Molly is such a touching, heart-breaking character that you'll just love to know.

Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is still my all-time top favorite book by her, but if you don't mind spooky vibes, you should grab a copy of Premonition and try to solve the murders.

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4.5 stars

Jamie Jo Wright it is one of my go to authors. I know I’ve mentioned it before in each review, but what I Iove about her books is how she weaves current social situations with stories of the past.

In The Premonition of Wither's Farm Wright took this reader back to 1910 to a young woman named Perliett. Perliett had hopes of becoming a doctor one day, but instead finds herself in the midst of a local murder and herself a target. Present day is the life of Molly, who has recently moved into the country, to the area from Perliett's past. Reeling from multiple miscarriages, depression and anxiety follow.

These two lives collide in a way I didn’t anticipate. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the friendships and the how mystic/spiritualism stayed true to the times. A little slow at times but I was kept on my toes as both story lines unfolded. The characters were unique and likeable. Again, the author doesn’t hold back in describing Molly's deep hurt and feelings of worthlessness as she struggles day to day.

The conclusion and how these 2 story lines meshed fit the bill nicely. One I didn't really see coming. Premonition is Christian fiction that reflected authentic day to day struggles in a realistic manner.

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Per usual, Jaime writes a solid dual time line novel where the past and the present blend together so well. There's always that spooky level with the murder mystery but at the end there is always the gospel of love and hope through Jesus.
Jamie writes about the old farmhouse so accurately and I would know because my brother bought a 100 year old remodeled farmhouse that has a celler (if you know you know) and creaky floors. And you gotta love the chickens! And myself living in the country in the middle of a cornfield, those cornfield scenes? Right on the money. 5 stars!

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