Wonderful history, filled with suspense and the power of love. I don’t remember ever reading any true crime novels so The White City was a fabulous way to start something new. Winnie was quite the heroine. Her antics from page one kept me eagerly anticipating the next situation she might unwittingly catch herself running into. Jude and Percy were both excellent suitors, but, of course, we’re going to pick one over the other. Winnie’s aunt is determined to marry Winnie off and end her sleuthing adventures, and Winnie’s father refuses to let her wed a lawman. Naturally, that means we’re going to be rooting for Jude, but Percy is perfectly acceptable suitor material.

The plot was pretty straightforward. I kept waiting for a red herring or some misdirection. I won’t tell you if I ever got it. You’ll have to read and find out for yourself.

Romance-wise, The White City was exactly what I expected for a true crime romance set in the late 1800s. It was sweet, not overwhelming, and genuinely heartwarming. Both Winnie and Jude showed an adequate amount of faith without the message becoming preachy. I enjoyed reading the times when Jude would pray and ask for God’s direction.

Overall, The White City kept me entertained and curious about whether Winnie was correct about the missing woman from beginning to end. Her antics gave her a whimsical air and kept the plot fresh as she worked to be her own woman instead of bowing to society.

I like historical fiction,romances,thrillers and true crime so this is perfect for me.Winnifred is a heroine after my own heart.She is an avid reader who witnesses the abduction of a young woman.Jude is assigned by Winnifred's father to keep her safe.Add in an romantic rival and a historical serial killer and the stakes are high.

This a clean book.I knew a decent amount about the gory details of H.H.Holmes's crimes before going in and the story does a nice job of giving details without being explicit, There are some fictionalized parts (that the author details in an authors note) but the big details are included.

Jude and Winnifred are a sweet couple and well matched..The secondary characters are well developed and not too numerous.

I recommend this book. .The Christian elements are there but woven into the characters themselves and not to jarring.

The White City is 60 percent romance, 37 percent mystery and 3 percent Christian.
In 1893, Winnie is attending the World's Fair in Chicago. While there she sees a kidnapping. Her father, an investigator with the local police, thinks it is her over active imagination is responsible and blows her off. Always practical, he assigns a new detective to follow her because he knows she will find trouble. And Winnie does including murder.
When I signed up for the ARC, I was under the impression this was a mystery with a Christian twist. But it really wasn't. God is invoked when characters are in trouble before a meal. There is no talk f sin and evil versus good. IF you are looking for such books, his is not one of them.
I did enjoy how the writer evoked the world and time period. I enjoyed seeing their every day life with quick peak at the world fair. (Also, have real gumbo and try again with the description. ;-))I also liked the main character and her desire to solve the crime and her imagination.
Over all, if i had truly understand what the book was about better, I would have enjoyed it more.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is a phenomenal start to this new historical series based on true crimes in America's past. As a reader, I love reading both historical fiction and suspense novels. This novel did not disappoint in either of these categories. I am not easily scared, but this novel had me cringing a lot. I think that this novel was harder to read in some respects because it was based on true crime, a crime I already knew a lot about, and I knew how horrific things could turn out for the main character. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's retelling of H. H. Holmes' crimes, reimagined through the eyes of her character. I loved Winnifred, the main character. She is the perfect counterpoint to H. H. Holmes and his evil. I can't wait for more books in this series. This is the first novel that I have read by this author, but it will not be the last. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is the first in a new series of historical romance novels based on true crime events in the U.S. This one is centered on a man some call the first American serial killer, Herman Mudgett. As in the novel, he most often went by the name of Dr. H. H. Holmes. The setting is Chicago in 1893, during the World's Fair.

Hitchcock did a good job of creating Wnnie, the daughter of a Chicago police inspector and a very adventurous woman. She sees a woman being abducted while she is visiting the fair. She is determined to find the man and get evidence to see him convicted. Her father is concerned for her welfare and assigns a policeman to watch over her. We wonder if romance can blossom under such circumstances especially in a time when no one would want their daughter falling for a policeman.

Reading the Author Afterward and doing a little research, I think Hitchcock has done a good job in creating the setting and the social atmosphere of the time. Holmes is a well portrayed creepy character.

I felt the first part of the plot was a little slow. The action really intensified, however, near the end. All in all, I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to readers who like historical fiction based on an actual event and including aspects of it. It looks like Hitchcock will have another novel in this series coming out next year. I'll be watching for it.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The story occurs during the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The lead female character, Winnifred, is a spunky young woman who believes she has witnessed a kidnapping while visiting the Fair. Many times Winnifred and her body guard must go back to the fair grounds so the reader gets a sense of the spectacular buildings and events in 1893 Chicago. I like Winnifred because she is headstrong, yet respectful. She sets out to solve the mystery of the kidnapping, which at this time is her true passion. Her aunt, however, tries to find suitors for her. One of them she likes, most she finds annoying. The love interests are diverse. One is a romantic and the other is a detective. I enjoyed the humor, suspense and mystery found in this book. No one cursed. The author weaves many historical and interesting facts into the story behind the title The White City. A couple of times the story seemed to lag.

I was immediately enthralled by Grace Hitchcock's debut novel, The White City. A must read for fans of historical mysteries!

The setting of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago is a stunning backdrop to one of the most horrific crime sprees in America. Although this is a fictional account of those events, I believe Hitchcock's attention to historical detail and research aided in a masterfully penned story. While the author hints at some of the atrocities committed by Doctor H. H. Holmes (Henry Howard Holmes), she does not share some of the most gruesome details.

Winnifred Wylde believes she has witnessed a kidnapping while visiting the World's Fair. When she reports this to her father, an inspector with the police department, he allows her to go undercover as a secretary for her suspect. The only concession is that she takes the bodyguard he assigns. Hitchcock pens a spunky heroine being courted by two charming suitors. While the romance was predictable, I enjoyed the story. It had everything I love, a good mystery filled with danger, wonderful setting, and an enjoyable cast of characters who relied upon their faith to strengthen and guide them.

Grace Hitchcock is another author to add to my list. I am looking forward to reading more in Barbour's True Colors series that centers around actual events in American history. These are advertised as suspense with a romantic element. While these will be fictional accounts of true crime, I don't believe they will focus on the gory details. But I am sure there will be enough hair-raising moments to please this reader.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley and the author/publisher through CelebrateLit. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Combining fact with fiction in an engaging historical context, Grace Hitchcock kicks off the True Colors trilogy in style with “The White City”. Scads of books and documentaries exist about Henry Howard Holmes, the man given the notorious distinction of being America’s first serial killer, yet in this novel Hitchcock presents a new, albeit fictional, perspective on his case. Introducing Winnifred Wylde, a young woman who loves nothing more than reading the latest romantic adventure novel by her favorite author, Hitchcock takes the reader along on a thrilling quest of discovery. The action begins when Winnifred believes that she witnesses a kidnapping while at the Chicago World’s Fair, an incident that eventually leads her to the employ of H.H. Holmes as she seeks to pursue her suspicions. However, as the investigation proceeds, both her wellbeing and her heart are in danger.

“The White City” proficiently blends genres to create an absorbing narrative. Each chapter opens with an epigraph from classic literature, hinting at its contents, and all of the characters were 3-dimensional and had emotional depth. Their reactions to events and the lingering effects of trauma made them seem true to life. From Aunt Lillian’s matchmaking to Percy Covington’s romantic idealism to Auntie Ann’s outwardly gruff demeanor, each contributed to the flow of the story. Hitchcock captures H.H. Holmes’ charisma as well as sparks of the violence lurking beneath his façade. Along with catching glimpses of the World’s Fair, recognizing the societal and familial expectations of both women and men during the late nineteenth century further set the scene and linked the historical with the fictional side of the tale. As somewhat of a true crime aficionada, this series held special appeal for me as soon as I heard about it, and I am happy to report that the first book exceeded my expectations for a fictional take on the case. What truly made it a five-star read was its Christian foundation and the way that the main characters relied on the Lord throughout their trials and testing.

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

I loved this book. A little history, a little mystery and a sweet touch of romance. The main character, Winnie, was spunky and smart and easy to fall for. Taking place during the World's Fair in Chicago (1893) the descriptions were vivid and truly took you there. Given that Winnie's father is the with the Chicago Police Force, she has a natural inclination to play detective. Witnessing a kidnapping is the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, her past history and vivid imagination compromise her credibility when she reports the crime. But, just in case, dad assigns a new police detective to keep an eye on things and the fun begins. This book is a fun, well written Christian romance/mystery and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

I did receive book through Net Galley with no fee and no compensation in the hopes of an honest review. My opinion is honest and open.

Winnifred Wylde thinks that she has witnessed a kidnapping while attending the Chicago's World Fair but the Chicago police inspector thinks that her report may be due to an overactive imagination. He is also her father and he knows just how much Winnifred enjoys reading those dime novels that are often filled with romance, adventure and mystery. Realizing that she won't let her suspicions rest, Inspector Wylde assigns one of his detectives to shadow her and protect her. This is the beginning of an exciting and adventurous tale and a possible romance between Winnifred and Jude Thorpe as they work together to solve the mysterious disappearances that have occurred at the fair and eventually discover a serial killer responsible for all of this.

This book is labeled as fiction but the storyline features the historic Chicago World Fair and the real person believed to have been America's first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Author Grace Hitchcock successfully captures the atmosphere surrounding the Chicago World Fair in this story that begins in July 1893 and ends as the fair is closing in October. I felt the people's joy of having such an important event and I could feel their anticipation when waiting to ride on the ferris wheel; I could also imagine their doubts and fears as the mysterious disappearances continued to occur.

This is Grace Hitchcock's first full-lenth novel and she has created a story filled with adventure, intrigue and danger. It is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys suspense, historical fiction and Christian romance.

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

I have always been fascinated by the Chicago World's Fair. I think it would have been so fun to see all of the many sights which were like nothing ever seen before. However, one thing I would not have enjoyed seeing would have been all of the crime.  However, I did enjoy reading about some of the crime that took place during the Chicago World's Fair in The White City by Grace Hitchcock, which is a fictional story that she based on a true crime story. 

Mrs. Hitchcock did a marvelous job of balancing suspenseful mystery with romance. Sometimes mysteries can take over and throw the romance in at the very end of the story. That was not the case with The White City.  Romance was interspersed throughout and gave little much needed breaks from the suspense. On the other hand, there was definitely enough mystery that even those who prefer just a mystery might enjoy the book as well.  The mystery was described very well and was very spooky since it was based on a real life criminal's crimes. 

I recommend this book for those who like me are fascinated with the Chicago World's Fair,  for those who enjoy historical mystery and romance, and for those who enjoy books based on actual crimes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this book. The setting is in 1893 during the Chicago World's Fair. Grace Hitchcock has woven a delightful fictional tale of mystery and romance based on America's first serial killer, H. H. Holmes. Winnifred is a strong female character determined to investigate an abduction she witnesses at the fair. At the same time, her aunt is determined to get Winnifred married off before she is written off as an old maid at the ripe age of 19. Will Winnie get the evidence she needs on Holmes or will she become his next victim? Will the aunt get Winnie married off or will Winnie find a love on her own? This was a quick read and a clean, suspenseful mystery romance.

Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
A Book Bar Review: ☕☕☕☕

This book had me going back researching articles for more in debt details of this storyline.
Being an avid reader myself, I could definitely appreciate Winnie’s love for reading and identifying with the characters. In White City, Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel, she takes us back to 1893 in my hometown of Chicago during the World’s Fair. Through the eyes of Winnifred Wylde, we get to experience what was said to be one the first well-publicized cases of serial killings.

While attending the World’s Fair, she is convinced she witnessed a kidnapping. She bolts into her father’s (Inspector Wylde) office with what she thinks is the first lead into the missing women. Too many wolf cries caused him to chalk it up as her overactive imagination. Our Winnie is no damsel in distress and because her father knows she won’t let it go, he assigns one of his detectives, Jude Thorpe to shadow her to ensure her safety.

Fact: The Palace of Fine Arts was constructed for the 1893 World’s Fair. The building is now home to the Museum of Science and Industry.

This was during a time when society dictated a young lady Winnie’s age should be entertaining a suitor, preparing to marry. Aunt Lillian is determined to save face by bringing in what she feels is a respectable suitor lineup.

Things start to pick up, with Thorpe and Winnie becoming somewhat inseparable as she draws him into this investigation and Percival, aunt Lillian latest suitor recruitment begins to insert himself, she has a lot on her plate. These budding romances take a backseat as she goes undercover as Cordelia Swan (heroine in her favorite book series), as secretary with H.H. Holmes, determined to solve this case. The author provides us with vivid images of the tale behind the gruesome tales of one H.H. Holmes.

Fact: There’s a post office today at 611 W. 63rd St., where the hotel owned by H.H. Holmes — known as the “Murder Castle” because it was the site of nine known murders — stood.

The cover pulls you in, but the story makes you stay the course. It keeps you engaged as you try to figure out the mystery behind the missing women and who will win Winnifred’s heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for an unbiased review.
#WHITECITY #NETGALLEY
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Let’s start with the cover — I love this cover because it’s simple but intriguing! I requested this book on Netgalley because the idea of fiction based on true crime fascinates me. I read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson several years ago and enjoyed it, so anything about Holmes and the World’s Fair has consistently captured my attention in the years since I read that book. The novel did not disappoint; I loved it and spent far too much time at night reading it for a couple of days!

What I liked:
For my personal reading tastes — Historical fiction that makes me go research the real history behind it? Check! Mystery and suspense? Check! Romance that keeps me turning the pages? Check!
Winnifred is just the kind of strong female character I love! She knows who she is and what she has to offer the world.
Several times throughout the book, I thought I was reading a Lynn Austin novel. I say that with a tone of high praise — I read all of Lynn Austin’s books, and she is a well-respected author!
I appreciated the elements of faith woven through the story without being “preachy” or excessive.

What I didn’t love:
A big subplot line doesn’t really get thoroughly resolved. It didn’t change my feeling about the story overall, but it would’ve been nice for that to come back around and be settled in more detail. I didn’t really even think about it until a while after I finished reading, so it wasn’t a critical issue for my reading enjoyment.

Overall: Well done, and I can’t wait to read more in this series and more by this author!

I requested this book from NetGalley because of the H.H. Holmes/Chicago World fair element. I loved Eric Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, which is about H.H. Holmes, the Chicago Word's Fair and the creation of Chicago as a metropolitan city. The blurb seemed exciting enough, as just placement in H.H. Holmes Castle of Horrors seems dangerous. That being said, (and I think almost as a disservice to the book) this blurb made me think it was more action orientated than it was. It's a mystery, and Winnifred does secure a position with H.H. Holmes (action!) but it's also a really sweet romance.

Winnifred is caught between two worlds, as the daughter of the police chief but niece to a society dame. Also, she is courted by a police detective and a society author. While on an Aunt-sanctioned date at the World's Fair, Winnifred sees a man abduct a woman. She gives chase and eventually runs to tell her father about what she saw. He humors her and eventually decides to let her work for H. H. Holmes (all while not quite believing she's in huge danger) as long as she brings Jude Thorpe (detective) with her.

What I really liked about the book was how positive it all was. Granted, there's a deranged killer running around, but Winnifred has a best friend (female friendship is often missing from narratives, which sucks), two suitors who are really kind men, and a loving family. There was a romance triangle for a minute but only in the sense that Winnifred is deciding between the two men; both men are kind to her and then respectful to each other.

I think what I wished for was more of a mystery/crime element. H. H. Holmes was super deranged but he only makes a few appearances in the book. The danger happens in the end but it was over fairly fast.

The writing is lovely and the plotting is easy to follow. The romance is sweet and Winnifred is easy to love. It's a well-written book with eloquent prose and characterization.

Loved this book! I'm born and raised in Chicago, so I loved the historical detail and description of the setting of this book. I could very much picture Chicago in the late 1800's World Fair time. And as far as historical fiction goes, this hits all the right notes of what it should be. Cleverly imagined characters while weaving in the true life mysterious serial killer who plagued Chicago's World Fair. Winnie is a truly delightful character full of brains, bravery, but femininity too. As she puts herself straight into danger finding out who is kidnapping women at the Fair, she is also falling for the detective assigned to keep her safe. You will feel like you have been transported to the 1800s reading this fabulous novel. Highly recommend.

•°o•:*:•. Danger and Murder, Faith, Intrigue and Romance.•:*:• o°•

This is completely outside my preferred reading genre, but somebody on Instagram had great things to say about it and so I requested an eVersion. I could not put this book down and stayed up well past bedtime to finish it! I had no idea it was based on an actual serial killer! Yikes! There are details on that at the end of the book.

The story is well-written and told through the eyes of fictional characters who happen to be Christian. I really enjoyed that aspect. There are also fun quotes from authors of days-gone-by at the beginning of the chapters.
“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.” Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey.

Chicago, July 1893 during the World’s Fair
Winnifred Wylde is and inspector’s daughter and has an eye for detail, thanks in part to her dad’s training and her love of dime novels, particularly those of Percival Valentine. Her wealthy aunt would see her married off to a proper gentleman before she becomes an old maid (ahem, she’s 19), but she has other ideas. “I cannot believe Aunt Lillian made me set aside my novel for this. She promised me a day at the world’s fair, not a never-ending monologue.”
When she tells her father of yet another crime she has observed he dismisses her, but just in case assigns newly transferred Detective Jude Thorpe to follow her and make sure she is kept safe.
Jude has requested a transfer from New York to secretly investigate his brother-in-law’s death, but now he has become tied up babysitting. Perhaps it will simply be a good way to impress his new boss. That is until he discovers the lovely Miss Wylde’s hunches tend to be correct and danger seems impossible to avoid.

Tea Quote: “Clutching the gold-rimmed china teacup, she averted her gaze to the front entrance of the Ceylon Teahouse…”

Spiritual Moment: “Oh, well then, I’m all ears after we pray, he said, taking his seat and reaching for his dinner napkin before bowing his head.” I appreciated how these moments were natural and easily woven into the story as a way of life. Not forced.

There is no gore in this story, but the danger does set the heart to beating faster at times. The romance is a nice balance so you are not always focusing on the danger. This book is part of 6 in a new series by 3 authors. Go to True Colors Crime dot com to read more. And seriously, with a last name like Hitchcock, it really is the perfect story!

I downloaded a copy of this book through Net Galley via the publisher with no fee and no compensation in the hopes of an honest review.
Connect with the author at Grace Hitchcock Books dot com.

Upcoming True Colors Books:
June 2019 The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma
August 2019 The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken
January 2020 The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock
And two more tbd

This novel was a terrific historic mystery. Set in 1893 during the Chicago Worlds Fair, I had a sense of the history & ambience of Chicago in the 19th century. The architecture, customs, & dress of these times all added to give me the feeling I was present in these more simple times. I really enjoy historical novels, & this wonderful novel from Grace Hitchcock was no exception. Ms. Hitchcock painted a marvelous picture of Chicago in 1893. Winifred, her father, Aunt Lillian, Detective Jude Thorpe, and the anonymous author Percival Covington (writing under the pen name Percival Valentine), were presented realistically & sympathetically. I enjoyed reading about them. Indeed these characters came alive under the deft writing of Ms. Hitchcock. Bringing in serial killer H.H. Holmes added the elements of mystery & suspense to this well-written novel.
I’ve never read any novels by Grace Hitchcock until “The White City” & plan on reading more of her work,
Thank you, NetGalley & Barbour Publishing, for the opportunity to read & review this marvelous novel.

I don’t know about you, but after watching the show “American Ripper” I’ve been intrigued (and completely creeped out) by the history of H.H. Holmes and his murder castle. So, when I saw that there was a new historical fiction about his effect on the Chicago World’s Fair, I had to check it out.
The White City tells the story of a police inspector’s daughter, who has much more freedom than the average socialite during this time in history. At least Hitchcock managed to create a reasonable answer for why Winnie was allowed to do all she did. But I did have a bit of an issue with how Winnie’s father was so against the idea of her courting a policeman, yet he let her go undercover with a suspected kidnapper/murderer?
However, Hitchcock’s descriptions of Chicago nearing the turn of the twentieth century were well done, bringing to life some of the fascinating bits of the World’s Fair that must have been amazing to see. I also enjoyed her kind of nod to Northanger Abbey, having her main character be so fascinated with novels and getting wrapped up in a plot even more intriguing than she’d find in her favorite books.
Overall, The White City was an enjoyable read, weaving a number of details of the H.H. Holmes saga into what was ultimately a love story, with a bit of mystery and action thrown in to keep the plot advancing. Not bad, but not highly recommended.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

The Chicago World's Fair is an exciting setting for The White City! Winnifred Wylde is the spunky daughter of a Chicago police inspector. I did not find her role very believable as she works to find a person she suspects was kidnapped. Other people may really like her. Winnie's bodyguard, detective Jude Thorpe, is a great main character! This book is based on true history of Chicago which was interesting. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.