4.5 stars - I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis and couldn’t wait to get thrown this late 19th-century true crime inspired book. Imagine my surprise when I slowly realized that this was actually a romance novel disguised as a true crime novel! I didn’t mind it though, because I immediately fell in love with the characters, and the story was so well-written that I couldn’t help but get entangled in their web of mysteries and undercover work and unravel the truth alongside them.

Winnie was sweet, charming, honest and anything but the naive high-born girl I expected her to be. She was consistently a strong character throughout the book and I appreciated her for it. Detective Thorpe/Jude was the total dreamboat you’d expect as a hero in romance novels. And although he was a total cliche, I couldn’t help but root for them both.

To be honest, I had no idea who H.H. Holmes was but so many parts of the story spiked my interest enough to warrant a pause in my reading and do quick Google searches on him, his hotel aka “Murder Castle” and his victims. Now I’m forever intrigued by America’s first serial killer!

My imagination was ignited right from chapter one. Drawn in with the colorful word imagery and witty dialogue and held captive by the vivacious characters, this is one book that you will want to read!

Winnifred loves to read the popular dime novels, yet sometimes her imagination gets ahead of her. She is nearly certain that she witness's an abduction. However, her father, Inspector Wylde is reluctant to send out detectives on another one of her wild goose chases. Tasked with following her and keeping her safe, detective Jude Thorp becomes her personal bodyguard.

Jude Thorp harbors his own secrets and shadowing a pampered socialite isn't what he had in mind when he moved to Chicago. However, he quickly finds out that Winnifred isn't your typical socialite. She carries a pistol in her muff and she knows how to use it! Jude Thorp's care and protection of Winnifred is one of my favorite things about this story! The slow-growing affection and Jude's desire to have Winnifred's father's approval is quite endearing.  

While Winnifred is trying to uncover the dastardly deeds of the notorious H. H. Holmes a tender, swoon-worthy romance is growing! There are many fun layers to this story, mysteries to solve along the way, and danger lurking in the most unlikely of shadows! I highly recommend this romantic, page-turning story to anyone who enjoys a delightful adventure with their romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)

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.

This book started out slow. I was almost to the point of deciding whether I should finish it. Then about a fourth of the way in it, started to get interesting. I liked Winnie's character. She was full of life and wanted adventure. Today she would have made a top rate detective. In the late 1800's it wasn't even considered. Jude Thorpe was also a likable character. His love for his family is what drives him. He quickly falls in love with Winnie. But her father will not allow it as he is a policeman. Which I thought was strange as he was Jude's boss on the police force. Then there was Percival Valentine. He was also likable. He is the man that Winnie's father and aunt have chosen for her to marry. The only problem with that? She doesn't love him, she loves Jude. As far as the mystery aspect of the book, it was okay. The book did make me look up Mr. Holmes to read more about him.

If the book hadn't started out so slow, I would probably give it four stars. So therefore, I will be giving it three stars.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Due to Winnie's vivid imagination and the suspenseful books that she reads, Winnie's Police Inspector father doesn't believe that Winnie really saw a young woman kidnapped. Her father assigns Detective Jude Thorpe to quietly follow her and make sure that she's safe. Soon after Winnie discovers Jude following her, she convinces him that it would be safer for him to join her in her investigation. Before long, Winnie is working undercover as a secretary to the man that she suspects is the kidnapper with Jude as her secret protection. Winnie's curiosity will put her life in danger. If her life isn't busy enough, Aunt Lillian wants to marry Winnie off before the end of the summer. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really like this book. The book contains mystery, suspense, romance, and some humor. The quotes that started each chapter enhanced the story. I am hoping that there will be another book with Winnie, Jude, and Percy. I recommend this book.

The White City is a well-written romance, suspense, and mystery. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. (The title didn't exactly grab me.) Having the different parts of the World's Fair as part of the setting added a lot of interest to an already great fast-paced plot. Winnie and Jude are well-fleshed out, likable characters. The dialogue felt natural for the time period. I loved the romantic quotes at the beginning of each chapter and the Scripture that is very lightly sprinkled through the book in appropriate places in the story line. I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy from NetGalley. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this excellent book.

What a wonderful debut novel! A fictionalized tale of H. H. Holmes, America's first serial killer, is sure to grab your attention and not let go until you have finished the book. I loved the bookworm, Winnifred, who always had the latest Perceval Valentine novel read and almost memorized. These stories seemed to dictate many of her actions, to the point where she became the heroine in his latest writing. Her amatuer sleuthing found her in a number of dangerous situations, causing her bodyguard a great deal of stress. Would she even survive to prove she had been right all the time? An interesting opportunity to learn a bit more of what life was like in 1893 around the time of the Chicago World's Fair.
I received this fabulous book through Barbour Publishing, Netgalley and CelebrateLit. These impressions and opinions are my own.

I really liked this debut novel from Grace Hitchcock. She brought to life an interesting, funky, take charge heroine, two dashing men as possible love interests and a realistic hero.

Winnie was easy to connect with - her personality was quite feisty and her love for mystery novels sealed the deal. She found herself in a few difficult situations where she sought help instead of being a naive lady who think she can take on everything on her own.

Jude was quite the dashing hero who had my vote from the first time I met him and the tension between him and Winnie was tangible and real.

I would classify this story as a mystery more than suspense (what I initially expected when I read the book summary). There was one scene at the end which was more suspenseful, but the feel for most of the story was more of a mystery - following the leads in solving the crime but not feeling that anxiety of danger. It was very enjoyable. Fact and fiction flowed nicely.

I would definitely read more from this author and looking forward to the series based on true crimes.

Based on the mystery surrounding one of America’s notorious killers, this story inserts you into Chicago, 1893, at the time of the World’s Fair. Winnifred Wylde witnesses a kidnapping in the wake of several women missing, the only problem is that no one believes her because she’s “cried wolf” one too many times with her overactive imagination. Her father is an inspector with the police, and assigns one of his deputies to watch Winnifred because he knows she’ll not give up and will investigate on her own. But Jude Thorpe is convinced Winnifred is on to something, and Winnifred gets a job working for the infamous H.H. Holmes, trying to gain proof that he is behind the kidnapping.

The story and setting paint an amazing tale. I loved reading the historical setting, during the World’s Fair. The plot focuses more on the budding romance between Winnifred and Jude, despite Winnifred being set up with more suitable suitors. While I enjoyed this novel, I wanted more suspense and danger, especially after reading up on the nefarious H.H.Holmes and his horrific crimes. But I enjoyed the chemistry between Winnifred and Jude, and the story had a lighter feel where it could have taken a much darker approach to the crimes. This is Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel, and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved the decision the author made to place the very real serial killer, H.H. Holmes areal in this novel along with her fictional characters. Winnifred Wylde the daughter of Inspector Wylde with the Chicago police department is a truly delightful character. She's high-spirited, brave and very amusing. It' s pretty hard not to love a protagonist who is an avid reader, right? I loved Detective Jude Thorpe who has been assigned as Winnifred's bodyguard by her father. Jude is the perfect hero, he's cautious, intelligent, witty and quite handsome.


Winnifred really does need a bodyguard when she persuades her father to allow her to work undercover as a secretary to Holmes. I found the storyline not only interesting but very entertaining as well. There are several secondary characters who added fun elements especially, Percival a funny, kind and kind of a silly young man. It was refreshing to see Winnie have a social life and her interactions with other characters.


If anyone is expecting a detailed crime, gory detailed novel, this is not what this is. What it is, is a well written and impressive debut novel based on a real life killer with sweet and likeable fictional characters woven into the storyline. I absolutely loved this book which is why I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Hitchcock.

I received a copy from the publisher and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

The first in a series, True Colors, This novel is set in Chicago during the World Fair where the first serial killer, H H Holmes is busy choosing and preparing his next victim. Based on true facts with a few additions for entertainment, this novel is quite enlightening. Recommended!

When I received an email inviting me to read this book I read no further than Chicago World's Fair and kidnapping before accepting the invitation. I knew this book must somehow center around H.H. Holmes whom I had previously read about and maybe a bit fascinated by. I wasn't sure what to really expect from this book but knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed!

I immediately fell in love with Winnifred Wylde. She's adventuresome, witty, and an avid reader so what's there not to love? While on a disastrous date at the World's Fair she sees a woman being kidnapped. What better way to ditch a date than try to save the woman? But when that can't be done Winnifred goes to her father who is an inspector with the Chicago police department. He relents and lets her go undercover to find the woman but she must have a bodyguard and that's where policeman Jude Thorpe enters the story. And Jude is such a swoon-worthy character. He's strong, masculine, and charming. There's such natural chemistry between Judy and Winnifred that readers will soon find themselves wanting these two to fall in love. These two characters are on my list of all-time favorites!

This story is a romance and American crime story that has a perfect mix of each. The author does a great job of putting in details surround Holmes and his schemes and mixes it well with the fictional characters and situations. The author's writing style is wonderful and I found myself surprised that this was a debut novel. It reads like one from a seasoned author. She pulled me into the story and kept my interest until the very end and perhaps left me wanting a bit more. I loved the characters and story so much that I hated to say goodbye to them. Her descriptions made me feel as if I were there with the characters experiencing the fair, romance, and mystery right along with them.

I definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, true crime, and romance. The three combine for a wonderfully written story that's incredibly entertaining. This is a story I won't soon forget and I'll be early awaiting more stories from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

The White City is an intriguing novel that will interest readers who enjoy historical fiction filled with romance, mystery and faith. Grace Hitchcock tells the story of Winnifred Wylde who thinks she sees a woman being kidnapped at the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. Her father, an Inspector for the Chicago Police, questions whether to take her claims seriously due to her sometimes overactive imagination. He ultimately assigns Detective Jude Thorpe to serve as protection for her as she does some amateur undercover work in order to figure out what really happened.

The White City tells a fictional account of the real-life story of America’s first serial killer H. H. Holmes, but the novel focuses more on the antics of Winnifred, her various suitors, and her quest to discover what her new employer H. H. Holmes is hiding. H. H. Holmes is somewhat of a secondary character in the story, with the focus more on Winnifred and Jude. The action increases toward the end of the novel as Winnifred finds herself in danger at the hands of H. H. Holmes.

Readers who are looking to read a fast-paced suspense thriller will be pleasantly surprised to discover this more light-hearted historical mystery. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this different take on the story of H. H. Holmes.

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

What an unusual story! The subtitle indicates this is the first of a series of “Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime.” Quite a combination that I really enjoyed! The historical American crime part focuses on H. H. Holmes, considered the first American serial killer, the subject of Erik Larson’s excellent THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. The romance part includes Winnifred Wylde, a young woman in 1893 Chicago who reads popular romance novels and poetry of the time, including Jane Austen, Tennyson, Browning, and more. The combination of the two provides an intriguing story.

While exploring the newly opened Chicago World’s Fair, Winnie thinks she witnesses an abduction of a woman. Crime has increased in Chicago since the Fair opened, and women especially are disappearing. Winnie decides she must investigate, as the heroines in her novels would do. Her father is a police inspector, and agrees to allow her to investigate, as long as one of his detectives can protect her. Meanwhile, Winnie’s aunt is trying to marry Winnie off to a handsome eligible bachelor who has a mysterious secret. Winnie finds herself torn between two very different men while digging deeper into the dangerous investigation.

The author’s writing style is readable and descriptive, providing very visual images. I love the way she creates a heroine in the style of Austen’s heroines, presents a romantic triangle that could be pulled straight from those novels, and uses books as a fun plot device. I especially like the quotes presented at the start of each chapter that fit perfectly with the actions in those chapters.

The one thing I found odd were the seemingly random insertions of prayers into the plot. I have no problem with characters praying, if it comes naturally in the story. I didn’t think that was the case here. It felt like the prayers were added later, as an afterthought.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a preprint of this book.

A delightful new Historical Christian Fiction series by Grace Hitchcock. The novel takes place in the late 1893 in the midst of the Chicago World’s Fair and is based on H. H. Holmes who was considered to be America’s first serial killer. Laced with history, Hitchcock does a nice job of letting us know Holmes committed horrific crimes without telling us in great or graphic detail. Winnie is quite the endearing sleuth and her relationship with Jude was quite refreshing. A totally engaging story that left me anxious to see what’s next in the series!

What a wonderful suspense story!!! The characters were well done and the detail about the Worlds Fair activities and the timeframe the story was set in were very well done!!! Great story for those who love a strong female character and great mystery with romance woven into the story!

“Charming” and “sweet” are probably not the typical words used to describe crime novels based on true events, but “The White City” is not a typical crime novel - and those words are exactly how I felt about the debut novel of Grace Hitchcock’s True Colors series. While I was expecting more of an emphasis on the crime elements, the story was very engaging and I enjoyed the adorable romance that the book presented instead.

From the adventurous leading lady to the dashing detective who supports her in her investigation, the cast of characters quickly captured my interest and held it right up to the end. The plot may have been somewhat predictable, yet I never found myself bored while reading The White City - in fact, I finished this novel just one day after starting it. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a sweet Christian romance with a touch of crime and danger. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing, and author Grace Hitchcock for the opportunity to experience this tale as a free e-book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. (Review also posted on GoodReads.)

Wow! I could not put this book down. I ordered pizza for dinner so I didn't have to cook so I could keep reading!

This is the story of the murders that took place during the Chicago World's Fair. We meet Winnie Wylde while she is on a date, a set-up by her aunt, at the World's Fair. She is certain she has seen a man with a mustache abduct a woman in a green dress.

Winnie's father this the police inspector. She tells him what she saw, but he does not believe her. He does assign a detective to follow her around since she is set on finding the man with the mustache. She does find him, and spends the next month or so trying to gather proof that he is the man who has been taking all the women.

While all that is going on, Winnie's aunt is still trying to find her a husband. She finds the perfect man, he just doesn't appear to be perfect for Winnie, or does he just need more time?

Between Winnie's search for love and her search for the man in the mustache, you will not be able to put this book down. As a fellow book-lover and chocolate aficionado, I could not have enjoyed my time with Winnie more!

This was reviewed editorially for Mystery Scene Magazine and will be available in the spring issue April 15th

The White City by Grace Hitchcock was a very pleasant read for me. I love how the author went to great lengths to make the reader feel like they were in the time period in the book. Very well done. I fell in love with the characters and wanted to know how things were going to turn out for all of them.

Winnie is the daughter of a police inspector and loves to read romantic suspense novels. When Winnie lets her imagination get away with her in real life a few too many times, her father tends to not believe all that she says about her suspicions. There were times I wondered about Winnie as well, but she always had a great argument to make you think that she was onto something.

When Jude, one of the new guys at the police department, is put on Winnie to make sure that she does not get herself into any trouble by her father, we get a cute head over hills romance. Jude quickly falls for Winnie and is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even though she is into something all the time.

I thought that Percival added a great twist to the story too and loved the relationship that he and Winnie had even though it never really goes anywhere.

Overall I really enjoyed this read and look forward to what Grace Hitchcock brings her readers in the near future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the story of Winnifred Wylde, daughter of a Chicago police inspector, and an avid reader, believes she witnessed an abduction of a woman at a time when many women mysteriously disappeared during the 1893 World’s Fair. Winnifred is determined to follow the clues and find the man responsible. Her father assigns Detective Jude Thorpe as her bodyguard and together they hatch an undercover plan to catch the man they believe is behind the disappearances, a Mr. H.H. Holmes. As her focus becomes stopping the man, she believes is evil, Winnifred must also contend with her Aunt Lillian’s determination to see her married very soon. With suitors vying for her hand and her desire to catch Holmes, Winnifred must decide how far she’s willing to go. Will Winnifred find the evidence she needs to capture this man? Will Jude be able to keep her safe in this dangerous game of cat and mouse? Or will Winnifred become another victim in Holmes’ dangerous game?
More and more people are familiar with the evil H.H. Holmes in recent years and as I am familiar with his horrific crimes, I was curious how Ms. Hitchcock would portray him in a book marketed as “historical stories of American Crime.” I loved how Ms. Hitchcock blended a mix of his crimes with investigative methods of the day as well as Christian faith. I loved Winnifred as she was fun, imaginative and fearless. I enjoyed Jude as a man with a personal mission to solve another crime and protect Winnifred. I loved how the romance between the two was developed. It wasn’t forced or felt unnatural. The objections to the relationship was real for the time and the pressure for Miss Winnifred to be married before she was deemed a spinster was very real. The White City was a fast read for me as it held my attention easily. Since I am familiar with Holmes, his role in the story was no surprise and I liked that Ms. Hitchcock captured how slick he was. I highly recommend The White City.

The White City
will be available in paperback
on March 1, 2019