About the Book
Book: The White City
Author: Grace Hitchcock
Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense
Release Date: March, 2019
Mysterious 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 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
Just the Write Escape, March 14
A Baker’s Perspective, March 14
The Lit Addict, March 14
janicesbookreviews, March 14
The Power of Words, March 15
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Livin’ Lit, March 16
Lis Loves Reading, March 16
Just Your Average reviews, March 16
Rev. Rebecca Writes, March 17
For the Love of Literature, March 17
Bibliophile Reviews, March 17
Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 18
Through the Fire Blogs, March 18
By The Book, March 18
A Reader’s Brain, March 18
Girls in White Dresses, March 19
Stories By Gina , March 19
EmpowerMoms, March 19
Inklings and notions, March 19
All-of-a-kind Mom, March 20
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20
Bigreadersite, March 21
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Emily Yager, March 22
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 22
Pause for Tales, March 22
Inspired by fiction, March 23
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Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 24
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 24
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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25
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Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 26
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , March 26
Godly Book Reviews, March 27
For Him and my Family, March 27
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
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!
“The White City” sounds like a fascinating book. I like the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair storyline.
Sounds like a good read.
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
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!
I’ve had my eye on this one–sounds right up my alley!
Thank you for such a wonderful review!
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.
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”.