Just by the synopsis, I knew this was right up my alley. Who doesn't love a good murder mystery? It also just made me want to re-read Sadie.

Different POVs are not everyone's cup of tea, but I adore them. It is sometimes refreshing to see the same storyline just with a different perspective. The different time periods also give it a good edge. After reading Furyborn it gave me a headstart on dealing with different storylines.

We have Pippa in the 20s, and Chandler in the present day. Just by reading the first few chapters I knew I was going to like them both. They seem to have the the same view on life, and just wanting to make it better no matter what gets in their way. I loved Chandlers passion with re building the old train station, it really does inspire you to try and do something different with your life.

Overall I was hooked on this book from the beginning. The great thing about Netgalley is that I have found so many good books, by just taking a chance. I think we can all learn something from these characters, that no matter what scares you don't give up.

This book is to be read at night to feel the whole murder mystery, haunting and spiritual vibe.

1920s
Pippa is adopted by the owners of the circus, the Ripleys. Her father is a tyrant and Pippa is very much under her thumb. Abandoned by her parents, she longs for a connection and freedom. She only knows that they worked for the circus. A mysterious figues "The Watchman" seems to hold all the answers. But are his intentions pure? What if he is responsible for the string of murders that have been happening. Is it worth risking her reputation and life?

Present time
Chandler is a single mom with an autoimmune disease, who has recently moved to the town where the ancient circus used to be. She is hired to renovate the old train depot. She is trying so hard to do everything on her own. Raising her son, struggling with a disease and to top it all. The buildings and the town she is in seems to be the epicenter of the hauntings of a women who was murdered in 1920s.

I couldn't get into the rhythm of the book at first. The dual timelines flow very nicely throughout the book and then ultimately increase in pace as the book progresses. Both the female leads were quite well written. There was some good character development as it progressed. This book is an emotional gateway into the lives of the people in the circus. The connection between Lily (elephant calf) and pippa was very endearing. Not to mention the mother son bond between Chandler and her son Peter.

Let me say this. I'm very difficult to scare and that expectation I think really hampered me from enjoying the book fully. Otherwise this seems like one of those perfect Halloween reads.
What I also didn't like is that the mixture of murder mystery, the haunting, the excitement and thrill really picks up only after you've finished half the book. The first half of the book was a very slow burn. Which includes the romance as well. It made me almost give up the book untill I reached that point halfway through the book.
Overall I didn't enjoy the book as much as I was hoping to.
⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you @netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sadly the book I was hoping for didn't materialise.
The story is a dual timeline set in small town USA with Pippa in the past and Chandler in the present, the past having serious repercussions in the present
It was far too long and drawn out, very slow and heavy going. So many God references I found it hard to stomach. . Pippa is apparently ugly with a deformed leg, Chandler is a single mother with a long term chronic health condition (quite why she has this-no idea- it seemed an odd choice)
Neither Pippa or Candler are particularly likeable.
Thankfully we have outlawed animals appearing in circuses and I was definitely not a fan, in fact felt sickened by the treatment of the elephants. Far too long was spent on this.
The ending was par for the course really, no shocks or surprises

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for given me chance to read The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus. I am honoured to be able to give review.

Actually I did felt like some part are kinda slow but nevertheless I still enjoyed it. I determined to know the truth behind the mystery. I could never easily have a thought about the truth behind the mystery.

Overall, those who loved mystery, should try to pickup this book at once ! I enjoyed the present stories more since they finally uncovered the mystery of that surrounding in the circus.

Have some Phantom's vibe too anyway and I will always be able to pickup vibes that exists in books and related to movies. It has to be gotten some inspiration from Phantom. Anyhow, it is not totally same, no worries. Have the Phantom's vibe but different plot has been created.

3.5* I’ll be honest I was expecting more ghosts but overall this was a good book. I was genuinely surprised by the ending. It had me guessing the entire time.
There were A LOT of references to God that, as an atheist, kind of slowed the story down for me but I also recognize that that’s just my personal beliefs clashing with the author’s and that might actually be an attractive theme for some other readers. It just wasn’t for me.

What an interesting and intriguing plot filled with mystery and suspense! A definite page turner with interesting characters and a unique plot.

In 1928 in the hustle bustle of the haydays of the circus. Given up at birth, Pippa was raised by the owner of the Bonaventure Circus along with his wife. Born with a deformed leg and sacrificed to the will of a strict father, Pippa was lost and felt so unloved, always searching for acceptance. She sought out her rendezvous with the ‘Watchman’, a mysterious and elusive man skirting the edges of circus life, who claimed to know about her past. Thinking that he truly cared for her, she sneaked around trying to find out who he really was. Only to find something much more than she hoped for and a truth she wasn't ready to face.

In the present, Real estate developer Chandler Faulk sees the restoration of the grand old circus grounds in Bluff River, Wisconsin as a way to prove herself and to prove her uncle that she is not only capable of being a single mother, but proficient enough to handle this job better than her counterpart Jackson. Then she stumbles on a mystery that spans time and could threaten her whole mission.

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is an interesting combination of mystery and Christian fiction. Although, I didn’t see much of the spiritual message in the story except some snippets here and there about believing in the God. However, I like the backdrop of the circus and the bond created between Pippa and Lily, the elephant calf. Both Pippa and Chandler struggle with insecurities and have to learn to trust themselves and the people close to them.

The story is a dual timeline. I like seeing the stories of the two eras come together and a mystery of the past continues until today. I have to admit the ending seems a little bit on the dim side. After creating a well woven plot, a nanny to hold responsible for everything seems a bit redundant. Yet it is highly readable and can be read as a general mystery or suspense novel.

* I received a NetGalley e-copy of this book by the author and Bethany House for my honest opinion. All opinions are personal.

Jaime Jo Wright has carved out her own niche in inspirational fiction, and what a niche it is! I don’t know of any other author who blends time-slip novels with dark suspense (not sure if this is the correct term, but I don’t know what else to call it); each of her books is a compelling, atmospheric, slightly creepy read that keeps the reader turning pages as quickly as they can. The ending of each chapter in this book propelled me forward and made me want to read more, and I really liked the character development. And that cover! It is beautiful, and is probably one of my favorites this year. Highly recommend it and I’m looking forward to whatever book she publishes next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a NetGalley copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A split time novel set almost 100 years apart in a small town that hosts a circus in the off season. Although there is elements of hauntings, the story is about fears, expectations, and the desire for freedom (real & perceived). Beautifully woven together, the story deals with relationships and long lasting perceptions of people and of one's self and how people react to different situations.

Another great book by Jaime Jo Wright. I always love her ability to weave the past and present together in stories that intrigue. This one is no different. I didn't know what to expect with the concept of the circus, and I found it very compelling. I would highly recommend this book by Jaime Jo Wright if you like a book that is equal parts mystery, and suspense, with a little bit of romance thrown in!

Superb! This is definitely a novel with a twist and a “ I didn’t see that coming!” A little mixture of historical fiction, mystery and romance. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up because I have a thing for books about circuses and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed and the story kept me engaged and interested.

Jamie Jo Wright's writing style reminds me of an old favorite author of mine. Actually a combination of two...Stephen King and Frank Pieretti (I never remember how to spell his name.) This book reminded me of how much I like mystery, supernatural and the overwhelming need to know what happened in the past and how it connects to the future.

I did enjoy the book with a few exceptions...but to give much detail on them would be too many spoilers.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC and the chance to review this book.

i got intrigued by the book description and because i love good mysteries i was in for it and now i love it too! this book served and this is my first time reading from this author, and would love to read more works from them, this was a definitely a solid and good read, a recommend! thank you for the arc provided, it was a ride!

In my opinion when reading a suspense book, being totally shocked at who is responsible for the mystery! This book delivered! The author has a talent for weaving together the past and the present. Chandler, Hank, Pippa, and Jake were detailed so well. They were all on a journey individually and together. The Watchman was such a puzzle, were they good or bad? Who was the ultimate bad one? And Lily, the baby elephant, such a sweet addition to the circus life. I loved the insight into circus life, the people and the animals. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions stated here are my own.

I was almost surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I became sick of the circus when I got older and I usually avoid books with circuses. I am so glad I read this book. I love how Jaime Jo Wright writes a book with 2 storylines that interconnect even though they are a hundred years apart or more. I could not figure out most of the mysteries until close to the ending. I could not put this book down and it made me cry for some of the characters. This gives one a good look at what is behind a circus and the members of a circus. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

True to Jaime Jo Wright fashion The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is a time split book that keeps you on the edge of your seat with plenty of suspense, mystery, spookiness and unsolved murders that I'm sure will give you the willies to the very last page.
This is definitely a book that you don't want to miss reading.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

1928
All Pippa Ripley wants is to be accepted and figure out why she was abandoned as a baby by The Bonaventure Circus. When she starts receiving messages by the mysterious “Watchman,” it thrusts her into figuring out her heritage, but as she does it brings her closer to the circus serial killer.

Present Day
Real estate project manager Chandler Faulk wants to restore the old circus train depot, but when mysterious happenings begin, she discovers clues to the haunting unsolved murders of the past. This puts not only herself but her son at risk.

Can both Pippa and Chandler solve the hauntings at the Bonaventure Circus, or will they lose their lives in the process?

Jaime Jo Wright gives us another haunting read! The author’s descriptions of the circus in 1928 and the circus train depot in the present day puts the reader right into the thick of it, picturing every detail. The characters are engaging and will have you cheering them on.

I loved the mysterious danger and how they are connected from past to present. The twist at the end was unexpected and I loved that!

This author shows her gift of writing once more with this delightful but haunting tale.

I give The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus five baby elephants (like sweet Lily). Once again…be sure to read this one with a light on!

**I received a NetGalley e-copy of this book by the author and Bethany House for my honest opinion. All comments are my own.

Well written and enjoyable time hop novel. The setting is adequately creepy on it's own but Jaime Jo Wright does enhance it some as well. She does a fantastic job of creating and holding the desired atmosphere through both time periods. She weaves the two together seamlessly but distinctly separated so you don't get confused. I definitely enjoyed the past story line more than the present day, but that's just my own personal bias.

This is a fantastic easy read that can be enjoyed by anyone.

This is another spellbinding tale from Jaime! She writes the most unusual stories and this may be the most unusual yet. I really enjoyed the circus angle, that made for fun reading and then to incorporate all the mystery threads made this book IMPOSSIBLE to put down. I HAD to know how all the threads came together. Jaime did a masterful job at weaving the threads of this story. It was so good!