I was not familiar with Jaime Jo Wright’s work before this, but I will definitely be seeking her out. This story was split between 1928 and present day and each story was very well written and could easily have stood on its own instead of being combined. I enjoyed the mystery of the circus and the trials they were going through with the protestors, I also found The Watchman to be extremely creepy in a Scarecrow sort of way. The present day story had a single mom struggling to balance work & her son, on top of a ghost story and mystery of her own. Overall I really enjoyed both halves and how they came together.

Wow! I LOVED this book, 4.5 stars, rounded up! This is the second book I have read by this author, and this one is my favorite of the two (they were both good, though). The cover of this book is STUNNING! I love all the little details in the artwork, the fonts, everything about it! The dedication of this book, from the author to her son, is the most precious, endearing dedication I have ever read, full of magic and love. It really set the tone for the book, for the relationship between Chandler and her son Peter. I have heard from people who say they usually skip the dedications/acknowledgements/etc. -- don't skip this one, it's poetic and beautiful!!

This book shifts timelines back and forth between the peak of the Bonaventure Circus at its home grounds in Wisconsin in 1928 with Pippa, the daughter of the owner of the cirus, to present day with Chandler sent to look over and set up a proposal for renovating the old train depot in the town that was next to and a part of the old circus grounds. Pippa was left on her parent's doorstep as a baby with a twisted leg. She has never felt close to her parents and is looking to fit in, hoping that the circus her father owns will provide that. She receives notes from the elusive Watchman that she hopes will provide answers to her parentage and help her find a way to fit in. Chandler is a single mother struggling with juggling motherhood, her job, and her health, trying to prove herself to her uncle, who runs the company she works for. Both the time periods are very well done, as well as the characters, story lines, mysteries, and even the tiniest details. There are red herrings that kept me guessing throughout the book and wondering how everything would finally all tie together at the end. There are also Christian themes woven throughout both time periods, with Pippa and Chandler both struggling with their faith and beliefs. I didn't think it was too prominent, but it might be a lot for someone not used to the references. I highly recommend this book!! Great read on so many levels!!!

You won't breathe from page one to the very end...

Oh. My. Goodness. I'm still reeling from this book. I'm gobsmacked. When I started The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus I knew it would be good, it IS a Jaime Jo Wright book after all. I didn't know that once again, Jaime Jo Wright would top herself. While, The Curse Of Misty Wayfair may always be my favorite of her books, I can, with all candor, say that The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus is one of the most moving books that I've ever read.

Jaime Jo Wright has one of the most amazing gifts for digging deep, into our darkest parts, down into the hidden hurts and fears that each and every one of us has, the pain that is universal. With her flawed and scarred characters she brings it all to the surface and into the light. Through fiction and suspense she helps us the need of taking those broken pieces we try so hard to hide to the only One who can make them into something beautiful. She reminds us that no matter how fragile and shattered we are, we have value and a purpose.

All of that, you ask, from an an almost 400 page book featuring a circus? Yes, I tell you, and much more. The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus is a fun read, it is riveting, it's engrossing, and yes, it's quite entertaining, but I dare you to read it and not be deeply moved, to not see the truth on the printed page. I dare you to not wish to be seen.

I loved this book and it is getting an unreserved five stars from me, I wish it could be more. I loved the depth of emotion and the multi-layered multi-faceted mystery that spans 100 years. I enjoyed trying to figure out a serial killer's identity and who would go to any lengths to cover up the past. It was a perfect read and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone.

Oh, and I dare you to look at the circus in the same way again...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

“Welcome to the circus. A place where eccentrics came to hide and where, even here, they abandoned their own.”

“Maybe this was why the Watchman was so elusive? He was trying to guard her, to protect her from the troubled secret world of this place. This vibrant, glorious, dark place called Bonaventure Circus.”

“I am seen and loved by God. I was created for a purpose. I need no other truth.”

Welcome to the circus! Jaime Jo Wright, the master of dual timeline novels, once again has penned an amazing book. While The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is probably my least favorite Wright book so far, that speaks volumes when it still gets a 5-star rating! I enjoyed the circus aspects of the 1920’s and the modern day plot that centered around a possible renovation of the buildings that belonged to the circus. The characters are beautifully broken people, either lost and searching or saved and seen by God. There is a lot of great faith aspects per usual and I found myself highlighting a lot of great passages. I also enjoyed how Jaime Jo Wright blended in real areas of her own life (a character battling the effect of Lyme disease and a son like her own who helped come up with the superheroes in the book). The gothic style writing is so distinct which makes Jaime Jo Wright stand out in the Christian fiction market. And the fact that she is so good with endings and surprises makes me a huge fan and one that will keep reading all of her future books!

I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love stories that revolve around the old circus days. The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus had given me a lot to hope for and I only wished it brought forth more of the circus vibes. I would have loved to learn more about the circus politics and the circus criticisms outside of animal safety because I think there is so much more to discover. The glimpses I got in this book felt like a tease and I would have loved to learn more.

I wish the entire book centralized around Pippa and her tenacity to discover her lineage. I think there was much more to explore by keeping the story really tight, especially if the murder of Jake’s sister had just occured and the suspicion was circulating around the circus folk. With two storylines, it was fairly complicated to keep track of who was important to the story that once Pippa gets her answer, I felt uninterested.

My main issue with the present tense plotline was that I felt like Chandler was a pretty passive character. And there are some issues with her and other characters who are solely defined by their disability, with the exception of Pippa. Chandler was chained by her disability and since she could never get her feet under her, it felt as if the story was happening around her. I also noticed that this book is categorized as a Christian book and it felt like that aspect of the story was uninspiring. Chandler’s faith does not add anything to the overall plot and does not have anything to do with Chandler’s arc. You could have removed the religious component and the story would have remained the same.

At the end of the day, I loved all experiences with Pippa. I enjoyed her rebellious nature when she felt she was being silenced and I appreciated that while she had a disability, she was recognized throughout the book as being more capable than anyone could have guessed. I wanted more Pippa and more of her relationships with the various circus folk and even some more prior knowledge of her relationship with her parents.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of the book. You can also find this review on Goodreads.

Abounding with eerie history, shadowy mystery, and chilling suspense, The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus might just be one of Jaime Jo Wright's best novels to date. It is especially rich in characterization, detailed in its settings, and utterly captivating in its mastery of the dual-timeline plot structure. With excellent pacing, important details are carefully revealed, exposing the secretive and dangerous circumstances in which the characters find themselves. The journey to make sense of the unsettling and frightening events makes for an extremely riveting reading experience. 

As it both conceals and reveals its mysteries, the circus setting itself, both in the past and in the present, becomes a grim, complex character whose presence shapes and transforms the story itself. Within this circus setting, the characters grapple with fear, loss, and insecurities. Yet, they display tremendous courage in their determination to find hope and to pursue truth. No matter what secrets are revealed or what facts are discovered, the characters learn to believe that they have been created with purpose, and despite various setbacks, they can still live lives that are meaningful and valuable.

Though I have read all of Jaime Jo Wright's novels so far, I continue to be amazed by the profound skill she displays as she arranges words into sentences that bloom into paragraphs and blossom into stories. In The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus, her writing often appears effortless, yet it is always thoughtful, clever, and very well-researched. Page after page she welcomes the reader into a world that is raw and real, relevant and redemptive. This newest novel by Ms. Wright is exceedingly special, a genuine treat for any lover of stories well-told. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

*I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

After being immediately swept up in the world built by the author, the character development, and the writing style, I felt let down as I closed the book. While the main mystery was wrapped up, it felt pedestrian and like the author just threw up her hands towards the end of the book and rushed to finish. Everything is here for this to be a great novel, and yet, the ending feels flat and almost like another author took over towards the end.

Sometimes writing a review is effortless — you easily check off the boxes of plot, setting, characterization, theme, etc. But other times a book is one that defies simple description. The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright is one of those. This dual timeline novel is complex and multilayered and deserves a slow and thoughtful reading to glean all of its goodness. It took me a while to read this book — it is definitely not a quick and easy read. But it is one that is highly recommended!

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus has two storylines: one set in the present day, and the other in the late 1920s, both in Bluff River, Wisconsin. The mysteries of both time periods are intertwined and call out to be uncovered. Main characters Pippa and Chandler appear to have little in common, until the reader gets into their heads. Insecurity, doubts, and the tendency to run away from hard things plague both characters, yet their desire to discover what is true in their worlds urges them on. Setting plays a large part in the novel, and Wright creates a town and its circus that capture the imagination. The mystery builds slowly, gaining momentum as the book heads toward its ending — I could not keep the pages turning fast enough as more and more is revealed. The ghostly aspect created some delicious little shivers. And the twists? Let’s just say I was surprised numerous times. Wright also kept me engaged in both stories, leaving me eager to visit both periods as the narrative shifted. There are a number of themes and spiritual truths expressed in Haunting. All speak to the reader’s heart. I have followed Wright on social media for a while now, and I appreciate how much she poured her own story into this book’s pages. Many things are disclosed at the end of the book, but the rest of Pippa and Chandler’s stories are left up to the reader’s imagination. I chose to create very happily-ever-afters for both. 😉

I have read all of Wright’s novels, and I think The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is my favorite. A great book for discussion, I urge you to gather some book-loving friends to read this one. I promise you will have a long, meaningful, and fun conversation.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This is a Christian ghost story set in a circus and complete with a baby elephant and a serial killer. I'm not even joking. I feel I may have been tricked into downloading this, but I do not regret it. I thought I was reading something completely different, until I realised the characters were white. There's a lot of weird jesus talk that i don't really get, coming from a secular society.

Pippa was adopted from the circus as a baby by the owner of the circus, but she's not allowed to mix with them (tho she does, all the time). A serial killer is haunting them and she's determined to find out who they are, all the while bonding with a baby elephant.

Meanwhile, in the future, the bizarrely named Chandler, who is ill with one of those unseeable mysterious illnesses (no shade, I have spinal issues), moves to town and is trying to renovate the old circus space, uncovering clues to the serial killer and what happened in the past.

I found the dialogue a bit contrived, especially when they dipped in and out of the christian chatter. I don't get it. It was a distraction. Having your characters go to church or temple is enough. I don't see what god had to do with anything in the end. It certainly didn't add to the story.

The story, however, has real gothic potential and who doesn't love a baby elephant who only likes one person? (Why can't that be me? Probably because I'm an atheist.) I liked it a lot in the end and was so blown away by the plot twist that I gasped. If you can see it coming, good on you, but I missed it and was really struck.

Will make a great TV series if someone is brave enough to make it and cut the jesus bits out.

I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend reading this book during the day. I liked the split time story that had a fun mysterious feel to it. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC! The opinion is my. genuine opinion.

“The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus” is Jaime Jo Wright's 5th novel. It is every bit as good as any of her other split-time novels. I think it is her best yet. Two stories, parallels in many ways. Each centered around a circus's main headquarters and the small town it resides in. Secrets, suspense, even a murder or two...or more. With all her novels there is that element that makes it deliciously creepy without being graphic.

Her characters in both the historical (1920's) and contemporary are well done and relatable. The secondary characters in both stories have their own battles to fight. We find in the historical story many members of the circus family and those that employ them. She also includes an endearing baby elephant that gives some of the characters purpose and space to grow.

The contemporary characters all have a past of their own. How Jaime Jo Wright weaves the story lines together and yet keeps them separate is well done.

Both of her main heroine characters have challenges, one a slight physical deformity, she also takes a dive into creating a character with a chronic illness which isn't common in most Christian fiction. She handles it well, opening up the readers eyes to a struggle they may not be familiar with. Jaime Jo is wonderful at showing grace, hope, and redemption without being preachy. There are also themes of forgiveness both spoken and unspoken. We watch the main characters struggle with who they are. Eventually, they realize that they truly are seen, loved, and accepted for the way God created them.

This book was an excellent concept. The author did a great job keeping the duel timelines crisp and understandable. The 1928 timeline was fantastic. In fact, I wish the entire book was just about Pippa, Lily, Jake, Richard Ripley and the circus. It had some slow parts that I skimmed through but Pippa’s journey was definitely the very best part of the story.

The modern timeline was a grind. I didn’t care for Chandler. I wasn’t really moved by her, her lack of introspection and her self destructive ways. Some people would probably find her really relatable. The modern story just didn’t grip me, I found myself constantly wanting to flip back to Pippa.

All in all, the author is a good writer. There is good detail throughout, decent character development (in the 1928 timeline for sure) and the story was certainly very creative. Just wasn’t really executed as well as I would have liked.

Jaime Jo Wright's gift of writing time split novels it outstanding. She has the gift to knowing when to rip the reader from the time they're reading in and throw them back into the other time. It's rather jolting. Each time I left whatever time period I was in, I was desperate to back to that previous time, finishing what was happening in that moment. There was almost a desperation to go back to it.

I was absolutely drawn into the story of The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus. Like Pippa, I wanted to go to the circus world, something I've never even considered, but I think it was because of her deep desire to belong and to be known.

Sakes alive, there was definitely a creep factor with the Watchman. Is he good, is he evil? What does he know about Pippa's past?! I felt her anguish to want to know right along with her fear of how she'd find out.

Then there's Chandler in our current time learning about the lives surrounding the train depot and costume house. Those and the murders as well as missing people. I'm not a believer in ghosts, but Jaime Jo's writing definitely messes with me into almost... almost thinking that there could be something to it.

Once again, I appreciate the faith element that goes along with this story. There's a build up of it because of how the story is written, but it's fluid and makes sense. The characters' journey to understand how God is working in and through their lives during their time is a powerful one.

Honestly, there's SO much to say about this book but I can't say anything specific because there's NO way I'm giving anything away. If anyone ever wants to talk about the book as you're reading it, message me... it's THAT good. I just want to talk to others about it!

Jaime Jo Wright delivers a novel that is entertaining, spooky, and romantic in all the right ways. With diverse, mysterious characters she brings the 1920’s circus to life in vivid detail while simultaneously telling a contemporary story that reveals bits and pieces of the serial killer that terrorized the circus a century ago... A hauntingly, magnificent story that will thrill, delight and spellbind readers!

If there was ever a marriage of the creepy and wicked with the romance and inspiration of Christian fiction, then this is it. This book left me in a sort of awed delirium with its curious, haunting tale.

Mysterious murders, ghosts, misfits, outcasts, secrets and wild animals captured my attention in this time slip novel which was a riveting blend of historical and contemporary fiction.

The characters were relatable, diverse, mysterious and appealing. If you ask me to choose a favorite in this particular story, I couldn’t. I adored Pippa, Jack, Chandler, Hank and little Peter. Even the sub-characters were amazing! I had no trouble envisioning them thanks to Wright’s descriptive, visionary narrative. The romance in this story was passionate, exciting and perfectly seasoned throughout the novel.

I appreciated how Wright wove internal and external conflict throughout the story for her characters, bringing to life an inspiring story of breaking the chains of the past to find freedom in faith, and in the love of friends and family. Her references to faith in God were subtle, yet deeply inspiring too.

The plot, which moved smoothly between the two different eras, revealed clues to the mystery at each transition. The tensions and suspense built throughout the novel and captivated me as a reader. It was thrilling, entertaining and enjoyable. Thus, I couldn’t put it down.

Could I say more about this book? Yes. And I will! I’ll be talking about this story for many months to come. It is one I will recommend often and one I’ll come back to read again. I encourage readers who enjoy mystery, thrillers and suspense to divulge in this novel. Appropriate for mature readers 16+.

This book wasn't what I thought it would be, based on the description. That's not necessarily a bad thing...it just was. I enjoyed the past storyline much more than the current day storyline...it was more intriguing and mysterious. The current day story just lacked for me, for some reason But this is definitely a book that will find its audience!

I’ve loved the circus since I was a child, and this book drew me in immediately when I saw the title, and kept me turning the pages late into the night. Pippa Ripley was rejected at birth from the inner family at Bonaventure Circus and taken in by the owner’s, who protect her at all costs from the circus she loves. She wants to know why she was rejected, and when she receives messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find out what connection he has to her birth. She discovers that a serial killer is haunting the circus train and must figure out if the truth about her birth is worth dying for.
Decades later, Chandler Faulk is trying to decide whether to save an old circus train depot's future. Should she allow it to be torn down or preserved for historical importance? Digging into the history of the depot, she meets up with psychic Lottie and her son, who is tell her of ghosts and spirits haunting the place. At the same time, she is fighting a newly diagnosed disease and raising her son on her own. Unsolved murders of the past are discovered, and Chandler must make some difficult decisions on which way to turn.
Told back and forth between the two time periods and the two main characters, I enjoyed every page!

I was immediately drawn in the story builds and is written in a way that allows for vivid imagery and is also so relatable! I grew up loving the circus and craving the ability to go see it whenever it was near us there are many memories of firsts at the circus - this story touches on the lure and draw of the circus how we can see so much bravery and skill while others see lives less than theirs or entertainment sources over people and animals. The story then also speaks to my current view and the knowledge that comes with age to the darker side of the circus and how people can use and abuse both the animals and the people of the circus. The story also talks about the unity and divide of such create families and situations...

I loved the focus on the animals and the description of their souls and their love - I am so happy they took a moment to defend pits and break down the stereotype and provide a history and context ... the author was educational and presents the information in a way that makes you want to join the stand and join the fight. The beautiful expression and detail of the elephants especially little Lilly - I don't think animals are "personified" because they truly do hold the traits of our souls and are to be cherished just like humans they seek bonds and connections... I so appreciated the presentation and discussion of the animals in this story and it may be what drew me most but it is close the plight of the people of the circus and the abandoned or unwanted also spoke wo me .. to be given up as a child spoke to me and the struggle for identity and self worth / value and security - the story was so well done and so raw and real... the various discussions of society's view on people who are different, disabled, etc .. the discussion of women's rights and views as they changed, the struggle of single mothers and trying to be strong and independent, the need of family and connection... Pippa and Chandler are both such amazing women on a search for their true identity and security while also fighting for their independence...

I cannot speak enough about the characters and the way the author draws you in creating investment and hope for them all ... the story line is just so well done the past mixed with the present in telling the story of not only serial killings but the history of the circus and the changes in people.. there is just so much !!! I loved reading the author's note and realizing she really created a world and story full of her favorite things from the details of the animals, the setting, the coffee drinking and appreciation this is her story but also so many peoples stories inclusive of many common fears, hopes, desires., and struggles

If you grew up in the time of the traveling circus you will likely love this stroll down memory lane, if you are intrigue by serial killers or ghosts and mystery you will also likely greatly enjoy this story... if you love animals and feel the draw and connection held in their eyes and hearts you may struggle at times reading this but you will also appreciate the presentation and story told.

I highly recommend this book

When i first heard of this book i was really hoping it was completely set within the 1920's. After reading so many wonder circus Biographies I have been hooked on the magic and mystery that surrounds it. And though This is told in a dual time line i still found it enjoyable and was pleased with the way the 1920's were portrayed. I am not going to tear apart the way the author set up each character, as some have found the characters to be one sided cliches'. But i did not. and I am a Nel. I am in a wheelchair and i am "cool with that". I would rather have happy cliches in novels than a bunch of "debbie downer" characters. I found the pace a little slow at times but over all i loved the easy to understand flashbacks and genuine relationships built between the characters in the past and present. AND you can't go wrong with elephants.

Great book that intertwines two stories set roughly 100 years apart. It takes a little bit to see how both stories are intertwined, of course with the revelation of exactly how they are intertwined not coming until the last 10% of the book. Chandler and Pippa's characters are very realistic, flawed, and relatable. Wright's writing is very intriguing and truly makes you wanting more until the end. Just the right amount of spook and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but still allowing you to sleep at night. A great read for those who love suspense, romance, and historical fiction.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Though it is classified as Christian fiction, I think it also passes as general fiction. I have read a few books with parallel stories stretching across time recently and this one seems to be the most eloquently done. The two seemingly unrelated stories came together at the end. The setting was creepy and the mysteries held my attention well.

The characters were intriguing and relatable. Each of the main characters suffered from their own disability, which is refreshing in literature to see main characters struggling with real life issues like these.

There were parts where the dialogue was a little stiff, but otherwise it was believable and realistic. The ending was satisfying to me if a little rushed. A lot happened in the last few chapters. After the relatively slow pace of the rest of the book, it felt like it moved too fast.

Overall, this was a great story with an intriguing mystery.