“A ghost had risen up from the album's pages, beckoned to her, and begged to have her story told.”

This book should come with a warning label: Do Not Read At Night! I mean you are talking an age old curse of Misty Wayfair who is said to haunt the woods that surround an old asylum. Just reading about the legend had my skin crawling...GAH! But as with the other two novels Wright has written, there really is much more to it than meets the eye! Layers upon layers and threads upon threads twist and curl like a ghostly hand to keep you absolutely glued to the pages. And again, as the other two Wright novels, the lives of two women separated by a hundred years of history weave a tale of family secrets that would rather stay buried in the ground. They don't want to give up the ghost, in a manner of speaking!

With her signature snappish prose and words that come alive, Wright had me digging deeper into two families who seemingly have no connection. As those threads began to knit together, more and more questions begged to be answered. How did Misty Wayfair connect two women? What do Thea and Heidi have in common? And how can I possibly write a review without giving anything away? Just know that I as I read this, I was both scared out of my mind and yet was too morbidly fascinated not to continue till the end. After all, there were answers I needed to know, almost as necessary as breathing! Really under it all is the lesson two women learn trying to find their identity and place in the world, but ultimately finding their Creator God had already carved out a place for them in Him.

“We weren't created to find our identity in life. We were created to discover our Creator. In doing so, our identity is defined.”

Compelling, beautifully haunting, poignant, engaging, and thrilling, this story will wrap itself around you capturing more than just your emotions. It'll remind you of who you are and what you were meant to be in Christ.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House on the author's behalf and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

This book was absolutely amazing! In typical fashion for this author, this book was a dual timeline mystery where the full story only unfolds once both timeline mysteries are solved. Also, in true Jaime Jo Wright fashion, the mysteries had a serious "creep factor" element in them. I'm hyper sensitive towards those things, and could therefore not read this one at night (as is, I still had creepy ghostly dreams a couple of nights while reading this one!).

This book follows the story of Thea Reed, who in 1908 was a traveling post-mortem photographer and Heidi Lane, who in present day, is the family black sheep and prodigal daughter, so to speak. Both of them make their way to the small town of Pleasant Valley, WI, based on a letter received about their family history. Both go to this small town that boasts of a lumber mill, an asylum built in the woods, and a legend of a familial curse that come by hauntings. They go seeking answers about their pasts and their tales end with them finding so much more - about themselves and their Creator. It doesn't hurt that they both find love along the way, though the romance thread is pretty subtle.

This book touched on some more sensitive topics, including treatment of the mentally ill, anxiety disorders and living with someone with autism. The author researched these topics well and handled them with finesse. This book also plumbed the spiritual depths and spoke to the difference between legalism and grace. I really appreciated the spiritual arc in this book and it really spoke to me where I am as well.

I've been a HUGE fan of Jaime Jo Wright since I read her debut novel about a year ago. I believe The Curse of Misty Wayfair is her best yet. The legend in the story is about a ghost and I honestly didn't know until the very end whether or not the ghost was real. This was one that stuck with me any time I would put the book down. While I was at work, I was thinking about the characters and the story line and wondering what was true and what wasn't. The mark of a good story is how well it sticks in your subconscious and since I was dreaming of Misty Wayfair, it tells me that it was pretty stuck in my subconscious. :) The emotions (and yes, the creep factor) went pretty deep, and because of that, the underlying message hit just right. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery, historical or contemporary fiction, I would highly recommend this one!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for an advanced copy of this book. I was not obligated to write a positive review and the opinions contained herein are my own.

I started reading The Curse of Misty Wayfair at night. I made it about 20 pages before realizing it’s much better to read in … oh, broad daylight! 🙂

Misty Wayfair is both very similar to and very different from Jaime Jo Wright’s other books, The House on Foster Hill and The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. (Read my reviews on Foster Hill here and Gossamer Pond here.) Wright uses dual time periods to follow Thea Reed’s 1908 story and Heidi Lane’s, set in present day, to great success (no surprise there!). This method was very successful in Wright’s other books, and she absolutely pulls it off here.

Misty Wayfair felt darker to me than the others, though perhaps most comparable to Gossamer Pond. Certainly spooky, and focusing on a mystery many characters believe to be a ghost, it makes for quite the Halloween read! An October release date would not have gone amiss.

I took quite a bit longer reading this book, as well. Part of that was to savor Wright’s way with words (pardon the alliteration); she truly has a rare gift. I knew this already, but Misty Wayfair cemented it! I was also just plain scared at times, and may have channeled “Home Alone”‘s Kevin McAllister, turning on all the lights after a bout of reading.

Jane Austen’s Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey) would love Misty Wayfair‘s Gothic turn; L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, etc.) would say it’s the perfect story to make you “deliciously scared”.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is a suspenseful story. A ghost haunts an asylum, allegedly. Told in past and present points of view, this story is creepy and engaging. You will want to read it in one setting. It's gothic and dark and mysterious. The characters are complex and inspiring. Overall a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

You’ve got to wonder about a mind that can produce the thrilling kind of stories Ms. Wright produces, but I just happily devour each and every one. From an abandoned mansion, tragedy at Gossamer Pond or an abandoned insane asylum, each book just gets better and better and better.
I would call the theme for this novel searching. In this wonderfully crafted time split, each character is searching for their mother, and what they realize least of all is that they are also searching for their true identity. Heidi Lane (Present day) is searching for a grain of coherence in a fog of dementia that her mother now lives in. Thea Reed (Past character from 1908) is simply searching to see what happened to her mother. She was dropped off on the doorstep of an orphanage. The lonely, orphaned girl takes on a traveling photography business when her benefactor passes away - a most unusual business and one that you would probably not find today. She photographs dead family members as a keepsake for the remaining family members.
Present day Heidi hasn’t seen her family in years, but returns at the request of her mother via a note that says she’s in danger. Heidi has never really felt like a part of her family, and success has simply failed her. Sinister and dangerous things begin to happen that alienate her even more from her older sister. A mysterious photo album obtained from the local antique store ties some of the mystery together, and she purchases it after finding a photograph that looks IDENTICAL to her.
The asylum outside of town is what ties this story all together. Although in present day the asylum is abandoned and falling down, the story takes us back to the early 1908 where there were patients still in residence there.
This is a well-defined dual time novel that will definitely keep you reading all night if you’re not careful. Don’t worry about not being able to figure out which timeline character you are reading about, the author does an excellent job of making it crystal clear which era/character you’re reading about. If you’re looking for mystery and suspense, this is for you. Chances are that you won’t figure it all out until the bitter end! I know I didn’t and I loved every minute of it.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. However, I am in no way required to give a positive review and all ratings and thoughts about the book are completely my own.

Honestly, I didn’t make it very far in this one. I admit, I am incredibly lightweight on scary stories. This isn’t a horror story (no blood and gore...as least as far as I got). But it still gave me chills. It is incredibly interesting, but I just can’t read it alone at night! From the fascinating fact that Thea takes photographs of dead people as mementos (back in the 1800’s this was a thing), to the insane asylum, to the mystery of Misty Wayfair, this book has many intriguing factors. But I’m a wimp. So I couldn’t read much at all. Jamie Jo Wright is an excellent author and I’ve enjoyed her debut book, so if you have a bit more intestinal fortitude than I do, give this one a shot! Just not on Halloween night.

Rated PG-13 for ghosts. :)

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is another fabulous book from Jaime Jo Wright. Miss Wright knows how to draw a reader into a story and this one is no exception. This is definitely her best writing to date. I was instantly intrigued from the beginning all the way until I read to the end.
I give The Curse of Misty Wayfair a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this powerful suspenseful and inspiring tale.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

If you’re looking for bone-chilling suspense, a ghost story, romance, and deep theology, you need to buy Jaime Jo Wright’s latest book, The Curse of Misty Wayfair.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not really a ghost story, because the only ghost the author believes in is the Holy Ghost. Only ghosts of memories, buried secrets, and the consequences of man’s inhumanity to man populate the story.

Likewise, the curse has nothing to do with witches, voodoo, or magic. But the author does reveal the curse of consequence—the consequence of not truthfully dealing with our mental hygiene and family history.

Once again, Wright weaves together two stories—each spanning a hundred years. When Thea Reed arrives in Pleasant Valley, WI in 1908, she hopes to find information about her mother. Pleasant Valley seems rife with mystery and conflict relating to a feud between the Kramers and the Coyles. Local gossips tell weird tales of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman whose spirit haunts the woods.

As she settles into the life of the town, Thea finds herself drawn to Simeon Coyle and the Amos family. They provide bulwarks of reason in a town that seems mad. When she stumbles upon a hospital for mentally ill deep in the woods near town, Thea’s life changes forever.

Heidi Lane, modern mess-up, single, and thirty-something, arrives in Pleasant Valley eager to figure out the meaning of a mysterious letter her mother sent her. Because her family has written her off as the ‘screw up’ that can’t do anything right, Heidi hasn’t seen her family for ten years, nor visited them in their new town.

When she spots her older sister walking down the street, Heidi ducks into an antique shop to avoid her. A photo she finds inside has a dead woman in it who looks just like her. The trajectory of her life will change as she tries to discover more about her doppelganger—and unravel the mystery of Misty Wayfair.

If you’re still not sure about the whole curse and ghost elements, let me show you what I mean. One of the most profound scenes takes place between Simeon and Thea as they discuss loneliness. “When you see death face-to-face, you wish to know what lies after. I know one ghost exists. It is the ghost of my soul, suspended, with a choice to make. To acknowledge a Creator, or to acknowledge only myself and assume I am all I have.”

Readers who love suspense, mystery, history, and a good story will love this book. Readers who feel like they’re stuck in the present trying to understand their past, those who feel lonely, and those who feel as if they never get things right will adore this book. Readers will find themselves relating to both the prodigal and the older sister in profound ways. This one is going on the shelf to share and reread.

My plain words will not do this book justice. But that is okay, this book is what it is - a work from the heart, and nothing I say will change that. So pick it up :)

Pleasant Valley is an ironic name to city Thea Reed and Heidi Lane believe lies the answer to their inner turmoil.
One simple word can help break the bounds that weigh on them, can give them the worth they've never felt, the light to who they are and what their purpose is. Then all melancholy and past hurt can be put to rest, then the way forward can be found.

But Pleasant Valley holds more secrets and stirs more questions than gives answers. A city divided by shallow prejudice, a family tainted by a curse, and the mystery of what atrocities lie within the woods - could this truly be the place where Thea and Heidi will find the light into their story they need, or will the truth only cover them with more darkness? Will the ghost of Misty Wayfair turn them into one more victim of her retribution to those who only abandoned her?

Thea and Heidi carry baggages not chosen but flung on them by fate. And sorrow comes knocking on the door, a restlessness for reasons is our constant companion. Where does rest lay? Where can peace be found?
In search of these virtues, one will be confronted with the ghosts that haunt us, the midst that blinds us, the truth that sets us free: there's always a choice and it's up to us, stay in the deceptive protection of the midst that feeds our pride, our "rights", or step out into contentment, into the legitimacy of our story - that it is not passive, inconsequential but dynamic, relational and surrounded by the all comforting arms of our Creator.

Having finished this book, my heart is left pounding out of my chest. Not just because of the deliciously eerie edge of this story, but because of the hope that our brokenness is what makes us essential to our communities.

This is the third book I’ve read by Jaime Jo Wright and in my humble opinion, the best one yet, although they are all great reads!
This is a time slip novel that went back and forth from the early 1900s to present day but in the same small town.
I was held “captive” from the very first chapter right up to the end. Thea, from 1908, and Heidi, from present day were two very lost souls that had me sad because of their plights. Neither felt loved nor wanted from childhood on. It warped them in different ways and had them searching for acceptance as well as where they came from in their family histories.
The stigma of mental illness, special needs and anxiety disorders were all included but dealt with in a sensitive and thoughtful way by the author. The hinting of “ghosts”, strange messages and break-ins all added to the excitement and mystery along with an insane asylum hidden in the woods outside of the town.
The way patients were looked at and treated has changed dramatically over the years. Many were left in these asylums to be forgotten and eventually die. Even I in my twenties worked in a hospital that did numerous electric shock treatments daily. My son is an RN that works in a mental hospital and procedures and treatments are so much more humane than they used to be.
You will find yourself spellbound and quickly turning pages to find out what the mystery is involving Misty Wayfair. I never figured it out on my own, but was dumbfounded right up till the end. To me, signs of a great writer with a very vivid imagination!
I received an ebook from the publisher through Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

Jaime Jo Wright never fails to keep my attention! I was really wowed by this book, as it brings to light issues that we rarely discuss: mental health, family secrets and the ties that bind. Jaime crafts characters that you will find yourself rooting for, especially the ones you can personally relate to.
The Curse of Misty Wayfair is a book that will draw you in, make you believe in ghosts and question family loyalties.
Heidi Lane is the contemporary character in this time slip novel, and she has some issues of connection with her estranged family. As a pastor's kid, she experienced pressure and legalism that has pulled her away from God and any type of long term commitment to faith. She has also dealt with anxiety and a general feeling of being unable to belong anywhere. But she has been called back to her hometown of Pleasant Valley by a mysterious letter from her mother (who is now facing Alzheimer's) that sparks an interest in Heidi's origins.

Thea, the character from the turn of the century, is an aspiring photographer facing questions about her family history. She follows the lead of the photographer who took her in as a child, helping families record the last photos of their loved ones before burial. She's now got the chance to take over the only work she's known since her benefactor passed away.

While Pleasant Valley seems like a wonderful place, the asylum that is hidden in the woods holds a secret that will change both these ladies' lives. There they will find the answers to the questions long held secret by the community that shrouds their fears in rumors and ghost sightings.

And, like any great Wright book, you have the supporting characters. There's the brooding hero, Rhett, who owns the local garage and employs Heidi's brother in law. Then there's Connie, the local antique store owner and her intelligent, autistic daughter, Emma.

In Thea's time period, Simeon Coyle has an unspoken connection to Thea, as well as Mr. Amos, the photographer that agrees to take her on as an employee. There's also Rose, the tea loving nurse at the asylum, who continues to assist the residents of the asylum in the woods. The elusive Misty Wayfair makes her appearance several times throughout the story, too!

The patchwork of characters that help bring this story to life are, as always, well written and very relatable. The subtle message of God's grace and provision amidst dark circumstances is one that leaves the reader with encouragement and the knowledge that we are never forgotten Just as the dark reveals ghosts, the light will always draw out the good.

Wow!!! The Curse of Misty Wayfair was amazing! I loved Jamie Jo Wright's first two novels, but I thought The Curse of Misty Wayfair is her best one yet! This suspense novel tells the stories of two mysteries happening in Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin a century apart in a dual timeline/ split time format. Wright tells the 1908 story of post mortem traveling photographer Thea Reed and the present day story of Heidi Lane. A century apart, both women received letters that compel them to visit Pleasant Valley to find answers to their past. When she arrives in Pleasant Valley, Heidi’s unexpected purchase of an old photo album in an antique store brings up secrets and even danger as Heidi searches for the connection to her past. As Heidi searches for answers in present day, the readers find out clues as Thea's 1908 storyline follows the mystery behind the deaths of several local people, the secrets that the local asylum holds, and a murdered woman who, as legend has it, has haunted Pleasant Valley throughout the years. There was even a chance for romance in both storylines.

Jaime Jo Wright brings out the "creep factor" with ghosts sightings and asylums as her fans have come to expect and love. In the words of Jaime Jo Wright, "The stories she would uncover behind the walls of Valley Heights would not end pleasantly. For there were no happily-ever-afters in an asylum."

Fans of Christian suspense will thoroughly love The Curse of Misty Wayfair! It is definitely a page turner and kept me guessing until the end! Jaime Jo Wright is a master storyteller in weaving together clues throughout the book and having the two storylines come together seamlessly at the end. The themes described throughout this novel are identity and life purpose. The spiritual content in the novel focused on the fact that we are all beautifully and wonderfully made by our Creator and that there is a purpose to our lives. As readers see how the storylines are resolved, there is nothing that would go against Christian teachings.

The author shared how the mentally ill were treated a century ago and included present day characters with autism and anxiety in this novel. She emphasized throughout the storylines that no matter what a person's struggles are, everyone was created with a purpose. I definitely recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

What I Loved: The Curse of Misty Wayfair is quite a blessing for the reader! From the moment I opened the book, I was drawn into Pleasant Valley alongside both heroines. The legendary curse intrigued me as much as the heroines did. And the heroes! Sigh. They were both so real and flawed. The tension between the couples was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and yet the lustful tones were at a minimum. It was a very clean and chaste romance and beautifully written.
I didn’t find Misty Wayfair to be as suspensful as Foster Hill, but that’s not a bad thing! I’m not a big suspense reader so I found it to be the perfect amount. The mystery itself was wonderfully crafted. I felt like I had a good understanding of how it would pan out, but the conclusion was more in-depth than I had expected, so I was very pleased.
The spiritual content was a surprising blessing. The theme centered around being lovingly crafted with a purpose. However, it was the struggle Heidi had with her family that convicted me. Sometimes a parent’s love isn’t understood very well. Being able to experience and sympathize over Heidi’s hardships through her perspective opened my eyes to see that there may be things that I say or attitudes that I carry that isn’t understood well by my teen.

Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving The Curse of Misty Wayfair 5 stars and gladly recommend it to those who enjoy Christian mystery/suspense, dual-timeline novels, or just a great novel.

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

Jaime Jo Wright offers a riveting story about the secrets that haunt us and the power of freedom found in discovering the truth. She offers some of the strongest writing I have read in recent years, and the alternating perspectives are one of Wright’s most effective storytelling tools. It allows for a slow, suspenseful revelation of information that ultimately displays Wright’s creativity and brilliance. You root for the characters, get creeped out by the mysteries, and end the novel with beautiful lightbulb moments. This story is fresh and creative with a plot-twist you won't see coming.

If you're a fan of eerie suspense, smart plots, and characters with depth, check out Jaime Jo Wright's newest novel. This is one you certainly won't want to miss!

{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel via Netgalley courtesy of Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. All expressed opinions are my own.}

Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. 

This was my first time reading a book by Wright, and now I need to go get her other two and read them right away. This creepy, suspenseful book is right up my alley. I love ghost stories and supposed hauntings. 

This book is told in a dual time line, which is another favorite of mine. I like how the setting of the story is in the same place because of the echoes of the Misty Wayfair haunting in both parts of the book. It made the story that much more suspenseful for me. I was intrigued by Thea and her line of work. I had heard of momento mori photography before now, but I have never seen it as a profession for a character, so right away I was hooked into Thea's story. I loved the tenacity of her character. Even when everyone around her was afraid or trying to make her afraid, she didn't stop until she found what she was looking for. The fear was not enough to hold her back. 

Heidi's story was equally as creepy. I like how her struggle was relatable. Her struggles with anxiety is something that I love to see represented in novels because it's something that is struggled with by lots of people. Along with the inclusion, I like how Wright also included a character with Autism. Representation matters. Heidi has a lot to struggle through, but she too, is tenacious.

I like how both of these characters grapple with their faith throughout the story. They must figure things out the hard way, which can be related to by some people. It can take a special person to help communicate the Gospel in the way that a person understands it to accept it.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is an exceptionally eerie time slip novel that will pull you in and not let go! Jaime Jo Wright has outdone herself with this story and written a book you will NOT want to put down.

Thea is a postmortem photographer in 1908 and Heidi, living over a century later, is the irresponsible black-sheep of her family, coming to see her mother who's in the end stages of dementia. Both women's stories land them in Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin where they learn the ghostly legend of Misty Wayfair.

In this most gripping story, Wright beautifully handles the subjects of mental illness, asylums, autism, and finding our acceptance and identity in our Creator. These themes are written with delicacy and grace and left me with goosebumps! I cannot wait to see what Jaime Jo Wright comes up with next!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book at first was a little hard for me to get into. I had a difficult time connecting with the character in this century. I felt like she was childish and I wanted to reach through the book and slap some sense into her! But about halfway thru the book her struggles and why she is the way she is finally clicked into place and I found myself having compassion for her. I liked how this book did not leave me thinking every noise I heard in my house was someone breaking in to kill me. Like the house only foster hill book did! But it had just enough of mystery and intrigue!

Emotionally gripping, Jaime Jo Wright delivers a captivating split-time mystery that'll leave you unable to breathe and unwilling to put this book down until the very last page.

Ethereal in its ghostly beauty is the mysterious legend of Misty Wayfair, the ghost that beckons for someone to hear her cries, learn her story, and see her suffering. Ms. Wright invites readers into the haunted lives of two women, Thea and Heidi, whose own troubled pasts trap them in a century old curse.

Chilling in its setting among the bluish gray forest that hides the secrets of an asylum, Ms. Wright holds nothing back. Bringing her characters to their knees to reveal deep wounds that can only be healed by the precious balm of truth she so aptly weaves into a story that offers not only hope and redemption to her characters but the chance to be seen for who they really are.

This story will resonate with readers and move them. A must read. Ms. Wright's best story yet.

An amazing and intriguing book. It gave me goosebumps as I was reading through this creepy story. I love a story that keeps me guessing until the end, and usually stories tend to fall short (I can figure most out long before the end). But not this one. It had me guessing all the way to the last page.

#TheCurseOfMistyWayfair #NetGalley
A creepy tale set in 1908 and present day. There's a curse that a women is seen along the banks of a river, in both 1908 and present day. Thea of 1908 and Heidi of present day, are determined to break the curse and find the answers.