Book Review (+Giveaway!): The White City

18 Mar

About the Book

Book: The White City

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense

Release Date: March, 2019

The white CityMysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair

Step into True Colors —  a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

 

Click here to order your copy.

 

About the Author

grace hitchcockGrace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

 

Guest Post from Grace

True Colors — Fiction Based on Strange, But True, American Crime Stories

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through 6 unique stories of historical romantic suspense in the exciting new True Colors series.

In book one, The White City, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped while attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a detective, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

The Real Criminal Behind the Story

While Winnifred Wylde is a fictional character, Doctor H. H. Holmes was very real and became infamously known as America’s first serial killer. Learn more about him HERE.

My Impressions:

The White City is the first in a new series from Barbour. The True Colors series presents fictional accounts of real American crime stories from the past. This first book in the series by debut author Grace Hitchcock promises readers who love history, mystery, and suspense a great reading experience. I loved how the book swept me back to another time. It is definitely a recommended read!

Engaging characters make The White City. Main character Winnifred Wylde is a society girl with a longing for adventure. Her novel reading may have influenced her a tiny bit as she sees mysterious doings all around her. I loved her spunk and tenacity. Her partner in the investigation of missing women is a hunky detective who fits the hero label very nicely. The two have great chemistry, and fans of romance will like the sweet relationship that develops. But societal expectations prove a major stumbling block for the two, as Winnie is expected to find a suitable husband from her own class. This point, as well as the fashions, transportation, and general description of the fair and Chicago of the time, captured the essence of the time period.  As for the mystery, the author kept me turning the pages. There was definitely something very fishy about Winnie’s boss and the building he is supposedly turning into a hotel. I loved that I got the rest of the story from the author’s afterword. That old cliche — truth is stranger than fiction — is alive and well in this chilling story. Although there is a good bit of danger awaiting Winnie and Jude, The White City also has a light side. It is just a fun read!

So if you are looking for a historical crime story with romance aplenty, The White City is the book for you.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults.

(Thanks to Barbour for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

Blog Stops

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Just Your Average reviews, March 16

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Bibliophile Reviews, March 17

Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 18

Through the Fire Blogs, March 18

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Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 24

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 24

Maureen’s Musings, March 25

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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

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Godly Book Reviews, March 27

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Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The White City!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dd7d/the-white-city-celebration-tour-giveaway

9 Responses to “Book Review (+Giveaway!): The White City”

  1. susiesellnergmailcom March 18, 2019 at 9:11 am #

    This sounds like an intriguing story, especially knowing that it’s based on a true crime, recreating the time period and location so well. I’m eager to read it!

  2. diannekc March 18, 2019 at 10:54 am #

    “The White City” sounds like a fascinating book. I like the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair storyline.

  3. Rita Wray March 18, 2019 at 11:25 am #

    Sounds like a good read.

  4. This sounds like a very good book. I love fiction mixed with real historical facts and I love that the book has some “fun” in it also. Definitely going on my TBR wish list!
    Debbie

  5. Debbie P March 18, 2019 at 1:48 pm #

    This book sounds like a terrific read. I love that it is a story set in Chicago which is where I am from. And I can’t wait to read it. Congrats!

  6. heatherdaygilbert March 18, 2019 at 8:46 pm #

    I’ve had my eye on this one–sounds right up my alley!

  7. Grace Hitchcock March 19, 2019 at 10:19 am #

    Thank you for such a wonderful review!

  8. Sue Wendt March 23, 2019 at 11:55 am #

    Have you read the nonfiction DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY? If not, I recommend it. I both read the book and listened to the audio version. I learned so much about the World’s Fair, the American economy and place in the world at that time, and science advances. And the truth about the serial killer goes so way deeper than this new fiction novel. I enjoyed the novel and it achieved its purpose, but I am so glad I knew more about the fair itself and Chicago at that time.

    • rbclibrary March 23, 2019 at 12:00 pm #

      I haven’t read that book. Thanks for the suggestion. The author’s notes pointed towards a deeper and darker story than the book. But I agree, the book achieved its purpose, and for those who want more, they can look for the “rest of the story”.

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