I have long been a fan of Jaime Jo Wright’s novels. She always delivers intriguing plots with characters that touch the heart. She outdid herself with The Premonition at Withers Farm. The dual timeline plots are shivery good! I was immediately swept into both stories wondering where the twisting paths were going to end up. Both main characters, Perliett from the early 1900s and Molly in the present day, are struggling with making sense of the world around them. Both are grieving, but they demonstrate that grief in very different ways. I loved that Wright showed that grief comes in many forms and that the process of loss and healing takes many different directions. There is an emphasis on the afterlife in this book, and there were times I wondered where Wright was taking the characters. Be assured that God is honored and that each character comes to acknowledge His supremacy over life. But boy, this book sure kept me on my reading toes with all the twists and turns and gasps and goose bumps! Wonderful storytelling is backed up with a great sense of place. The Withers farm and its environs added its own unique flavor and again, creepiness. One aspect I really loved was that Molly is married. Often suspense novels hinge on a romantic thread with two characters thrown together in tense situations. Molly and Trent’s was truly a love story, just 10 years of married life in the making!

The Premonition at Withers Farm was just what I needed — a tale to keep me turning the pages, characters to love and relate to, and just enough creep-factor to make me look over my shoulder. 😉 It is definitely a very highly recommended read!

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this ARC. The following is my own opinion and review of this book. This is the second book I have ready by Jaime Jo Wright. I really enjoy her writing style, and her characters are interesting and relatable. I like how she weaves faith into the storyline. We need more books like this for young readers as well. Similar to the previous book I read, The Souls of Lost Lake, Jaime alternates between past and present storylines and brings them together in the end, which kept me engaged in the story and wanting to see how it all came together in the end. Well done, Mrs. Wright! I look forward to your next great read!

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Jaime Jo Wright's new release.

I have mixed feelings about it, but still enjoyed the book overall. I loved the mystery, the very creepy atmosphere and the writing was great.

The things I was not a great fan of were the mentions of spiritualism and mediums. This is a Christian book, so I do want to say that Jaime did a great job in showing that we shouldn't delve into the works of the devil and to seek out the dead. But to seek the Lord with all of your heart and not search for help in those dark places.

A dual timeline book filled with mystery and intrigue. An unsolved murder from the early 1900s is somehow connected to a recent murder. Strange noises that go bump in the night and being chased by unseen voices. If you want a faith filled book, with a very suspense filled feel then this is it.

Thank you to @bakerpublishing and #netgalley for a copy of the book to read and review.

*TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Mental health issues, depression, and mentions of miscarriages.

Too much darkness for me. I know others will enjoy the spooky atmosphere, conjuring up the dead and the mysterious cornfield ripper. Molly's story and her struggle with postpartum depression was realistic. I could have done without the exploration of the spiritual world, the thin line between it and reality. In the end the author does provide answers.

Absolutely, completely, thoroughly creepy, in the best way possible. I will never pass by a cornfield without thinking of this book again. And nursery rhymes will often come to mind as well.
Perliett Van Hilton is a likeable character, despite being called a quack. I love her willingness to fight back and stand up for what she believes in. Along with that though, Dr. Wasziak pushes back just as hard and causes her to consider and rethink some long-held beliefs and questions. I loved the discussions that come out of their interactions and sparring related to the spiritual world and interactions that people seek with those on the other side. If this makes you nervous, please know that God is absolutely, completely glorified and all things point to Him.

Molly immediately drew me in because of her broken heart just looking for a pulse of her former self. She is relatable and you cannot help but want to see good things happen to her. On the flip side, her husband is wonderful, and you can see, as an outsider, how things can be misconstrued or misunderstood. Both of them have been wounded and are looking for a way to move forward in their life as it is now. I loved her best friend and the balance she brought. It was an excellent homage to dear, honest friends who are willing to love you through all things.

All in all, while this book was creepier, it was also more honest and looked at grief and raw pain in a way that Jaime Jo Wright’s other books have not. You can see and feel her heart bleeding on these pages. It is nothing less than beautiful in that it points you back to God.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

“The mind of a killer is a journey into chaos.”

What makes a Jaime Jo Wright novel, esp The Premonition at Withers Farm, such a great read? For those who like “spooky,” “eerie,” and a murder mystery, there is plenty of that vibe going on in both parts of this split-time novel. For any that have dealt with depression caused by life’s circumstances, Wright deals compassionately with this as we see Molly in the present day, struggling to survive another day. For those who like to see the power of a good friendship, I loved the support that Sidney provides to Molly. Also the supportive friendship George offers a resistant Perliett.

Some will say that séances and evil have no place in a Christian novel. My answer would be, see how Jaime Jo Wright deals with them from a Christian perspective. She doesn’t wham the reader with absolutes early on, but slowly, non judgmentally leads to her Biblical conclusions. A very satisfying tale from all threads involved!

Highly recommended!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“There will always be agony in the living. But it is in the agony that we discover our roots, and so often what we thought we needed wasn’t really what we need at all. It’s who we needed.”

“faith wasn’t something you achieved, it was something you fostered.”

“Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting.” She dropped her hand, wiping a cobweb onto her shorts. “It means living with their memory until God reunites us. It means finding a resolution to their death so you can keep on living.”

“Funny how when a person took a step back from all the expectations they had on themselves, that grace stepped forward and picked up the pieces that made no sense.”

BOOK REVIEW - The Premonition at Withers Farm - 5/5 Stars

Generally I avoid any scary movies or books, Jaime Jo Wright books are my one exception and this one simply great! Though I've decided since I started living on my own that's it's best if I read them during the day....

THE STORY
Now how to describe this story without giving anything away? This story was so haunting, in the very best way! The story delves into the spiritualism fad that was so prevalent during that time period adding a delicious layer of intrigue and eeriness. It's no light read as it explores loss, depression and grief but it will hold your attention to the very end.

THE ROMANCE
The best thing about dual timelines is that I get to read two romances! Though this book wouldn't be classed as a romance it's got enough to keep me happy. 1910s Perliett is intrigued by two men while contemporary Molly's marriage is strained by grief and loss. It was so satisfying to watch both romances develop!

THE TRUTHS
Spiritualism is quite a touchy subject but Jaime Jo Wright deals with it in a really delicate and enlightening way. I don't want to give anything away but if you have questions about spirits or contacting the dead and God's views on them, then I think you'll find satisfactory answers through this story.

The story is very eerie at times and I was a little uncomfortable with the storyline. I don’t like anything to do with people who claim they can talk to the dead. I have read other books by this author so I knew somewhere in this dual story were God and His truth. The house itself felt chilly and almost like readers had interrupted some sinister goings on. I was intrigued by where the author was going as she takes us from past to present.

I liked Perliett and how dedicated she was to caring for the sick. She may not have a certificate saying she can practice medicine but she does have answers that help those who need it. I’m not sure I cared for her mother much since she believes she can speak to the dead. Oh how this part of the story made me uneasy. Underneath Perliett’s smile is a grief so big that it overwhelms her. Losing her father was hard on her and she misses him everyday. What she can’t understand is why her mother can’t speak to her father but is able to help others who have lost a loved one. I had to know why myself and that kept me going page after page. There is some danger for Perliett as she becomes involved with a mystery.

As we move to the present we meet Trent and Molly. They have just purchased an old farm house which I don’t think Molly is thrilled with. Their marriage isn’t great at the moment and with the added burden of a place that needs work, more stress comes their way. It was sad how many miscarriages Molly has experienced and her grief consumes her. When a body is found by Trent and it is revealed that the woman is a relative, the town starts to gossip. Why didn’t he tell Molly that he knew who the dead person was? Why would he keep the information about the house they bought a secret ? Something is not adding up and the plot thickens.

In both timelines it is evident that the past is destroying relationships. Grief overshadows each of our characters as they seek guidance and truth. We also have a mystery involving the Cornfield Ripper. That sent chills down my spine as I began to see how this crime would connect the past to the present. The author does an excellent job of weaving in and out seamlessly through history with riveting characters and suspense that will keep you glued to the pages.

The ending is very good and connects the dots from the past to the present in an adventure where evil plays games with the innocent. It was hard to read the book at times because I didn’t like the topic of spirits, ghosts and talking to the dead. But have patience readers because the author gives us a solid ground of faith. She shows that the only spirit we should be talking to is the Holy Spirit. When we allow our mind to wander we can get trapped into believing things that are not of God. It is a warning as you read this book to guard your mind against anything that is not of God. In the end we see that grieving is something that takes time and we need to allow God to keep our mind focused on His Word.

“Grief is a shadow man that follows us into our futures and swallows it up if we let him.”

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

"Death came in all shapes and sizes, but it always left the same catastrophic damage behind, along with the scars that would last an eternity."

This is another wonderful Christian time slip suspense book by Jaime Jo Wright. How everything was resolved was very satisfying. But I will say that parts of the book made me a bit uncomfortable.

Why? Because she delved into the thought of whether or not people can or should communicate with the dead. I had never pondered this concept before. After reading this book, I am now more convinced that God intended there to be a line. I completely agree with Detective Pell's thoughts at the end of chapter 8, but I do not want to share that spoiler quote. So, if some of the thoughts presented also make you feel apprehensive, keep reading to find out how it is all resolved.

This book also talks about family lines and heritage. I always love the fact that the past and present storylines are always connected in some way. The main characters have some major situations to overcome, and I loved how they learned to support each other.

As for the suspense, I definitely did not figure it all out. Both the past and present "villains" were a surprise to me. I could put down the book until it got to a certain point. By the time I was about halfway through the book, I had to finish it to find out what happened. Let's just say that I do not suggest picking up the book in the middle of the night.

Trigger Alerts: Miscarriage is a big part of this plot. This book does contain some traumatic situations. And you may never think of corn fields in the same way again.

I did receive an advanced copy of this book. I wanted to review it. All opinions are my own.

Every time I read one of Wright's stories I wonder if she can better it. And she does. Every time. She is definitely the Queen of Timeslip fiction. Especially suspenseful and mysterious timeslip.

This story was hard to put down. And when I did I longed to be back reading Molly and Perliett's stories. It's wonderful when an author has you excitedly expectant to get back to their story.

There are some wonderful messages that run through this story. Postpartum depression, dealing with loss from miscarriages, its impact on a marriage, the mystery of the spiritual world, familial legacy, agape friendship love and the hope in shared grief. Oh, and there's murder, unexplained apparitions and haunted houses.

Wright has this effortless way of jumping between 2 stories that makes the reading experience seamless and deeply connected. We're drawn into both worlds, a century apart, with such powerful narrative that we're present in the scene; being chased through cornfields at midnight, squeezing our bodies into crawl spaces under basement floors and desperately trying to escape that basement that is slowly filling with smoke and soon to collapse due to the raging fire above. It's breathtaking and delicious.

Jaime Jo Wright is now a must read author for me and I can't wait for the next one.

I was very fortunate to receive an early ebook copy of this wonderful novel from Bethany House via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a mysterious work of time slip fiction. This is Ms Wright at her best! She explores the creepy and unexplained while never losing sight of the real human sources of evil. Readers of this genre will not be disappointed and will not be able to figure out what is happening until the end. This is an amazing read and I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

"Because we know that even the smallest of joy is a gift - a momentary gift from God - but that this world will inevitably steal it away, because that's what happens in a broken place. So even joy hurts because we love hard."

It's another eerie and beautifully crafted dual-timeline murder mystery by the fabulously talented Jaime Jo Wright. I loved how seamlessly Perliett's 1910 voice merged with Molly's present day story. Centered around a local farm that Molly and her husband buy, the plot unearths ghost stories and murders from long past when another murder pops in the present time around the farm. The writing is lyrical, the characters so real, and the plot quite intricate and delicious.

The book isn't just a murder mystery though. It has examples of great faith and also addresses some really tough topics like emotional and spiritual aftermath of miscarriages, climbing out of grief and depression and anxiety, and working through a rocky patch in marriage. It also has a couple of characters that flirt with the spiritual world that they don't quite understand but the author balances this out with characters solidly rooted in the Bible. I really enjoyed Perliett and George's banter and discussions and I really loved Molly and Trent's relationship as it grew and stretched.

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Wright is known for her spooky novels and this one is no exception. It is a dual time novel with the historical aspect in 1910 and the other aspect current day. A murder and other scary events are revealed alternately with a contemporary woman trying to understand her own spooky experiences. We readers see the connections between the two eras. Wright does a good job of revealing historical events as current events demand it.

This novel explores that thin border between the spiritual world and the life we live here. Perliett's mother is a spiritualist during a time when interest in spiritualism was at an all time high. That border is thin and curiosity in that area could be dangerous, a friend of Perliett says. (2620/5814) And so it is.

Christian readers might be put off with the spiritualism. We are not to delve into such practices and the danger of it does become clear in this novel. There is one character in the novel who maintains the Christian viewpoint, offering many warnings to the dangerous practice.

Readers of her novels know that Wright usually comes out in the end with a good explanation for spooky events and this novel is no exception. I enjoyed the novel and was glad to see how almost everything ends up to our understanding. In the end there is a little mystery left because, after all, we do live near that thin border of the spiritual realm.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my copy in exchange for a review.

“But I can tell you this. I think the line between life and the spiritual world is thin. I think it’s also something that engages our curiosity and could be extremely dangerous if we’re not cautious.”

Jaime Jo Wright always manages to blend mystery, dual timelines, Faith, and horror
into a unique cocktail that just works. While I haven’t read all of her work, this book was definitely the scariest of the ones I have read.

I really liked how the mystery in 1910 and the present day mystery intertwined. Both female main characters, who are grieving different ways, were so well written. I also liked how Wright highlighted the spiritualist movement in the early 1900s and the relatable human desire to communicate with our beloved deceased. I really loved her Author’s Note in which she describes how she puts her faith in God but also acknowledges how God can often use signs to “comfort in grief in various ways,”

Read if you love:
-spooky farmhouses
-cold cases
-creepy cornfields
-mysterious seances
-disturbing nursery rhymes

CW: miscarriage, postpartum depression, murder, violence against women

4 1/2 stars! Cornfields, creepy basements, old nursery rhymes, & possibly ghosts! Jaime Jo Wright has done it again, creating a romantic, edge of your seat, suspenseful, spooky read that’s unputdownable! Interwoven with the gothic mystery & suspense are second chance and enemies to lovers romances along with messages of healing & faith. Set in the small farming community of Kilbourn, Michigan, residents are terrorized in two different time periods by a vicious killer.

1910 - Perliett Van Hilton has always wanted to be a doctor. She’s studied all the homemade remedies she can, yet the local doctor, George Wasziac doesn’t appreciate her meddling. When two women are brutally murdered, the town turns to Perliett’s mother for answers. She claims to be able to contact the dead, but is it real? When the creepy Cornfield Ripper targets Perliett, will she escape?

Molly & Trent Wasziac are looking for a second chance in their marriage. When they bought their small town farmhouse, they had no idea it was known as a murder house. Suffering from depression and grief after several miscarriages, Molly begins seeing and hearing things, but is what she’s seeing real? When her husband discovers a murdered woman near their property, she digs into the past to try to find a modern day killer.

This book is definitely one to read with the lights on! I’ve always found nursery rhymes creepy, and the way this one is used in this story is particularly morbid. There are definitely scenes that play on our worst fears. However, Jaime Jo Wright knows how to balance the terror with two heartfelt romances and messages of faith. I loved the way she used George and his rival as symbols for faith and superstition. It was a brilliant way to showcase the real choice between putting one’s trust in God and truth versus the occult. I also loved the way she handled the painful reality of miscarriage and depression. The second chance romance was beautifully written.

Highly recommend this amazing book especially to Christian suspense & romance readers! And if you’re worried about it being too spooky, don’t be. The romance and inspirational message far outweigh the fear factor. I received advanced complimentary copies from the author and publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

Another amazingly spine tingling book from Jaime Jo Wright. The Premonition at Withers Farm perfectly ties together two murder mysteries as it jumps between times. The first takes place with Perliett in 1910 and the other is with Molly who is from the present. The murders from these two time periods are woven together seamlessly with “ghosts”, visions, and hidden letters from the past.

This book does deal with tough subjects such as depression, miscarriages, death, and loss. The author however address these hard topics with grace showing that each person deals with these issues in their own way, and that with love and understanding healing can begin.

The author also touch’s on the subject of seances and communicating with the dead, while using the characters to address what the Bible has to say on the subject and pointing to why such practices are wrong.

I would definitely recommend this book. It would be a great spooky season read.

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Christy Award winning Jaime Jo Wright presents a new dual timeline suspense which alternates with 1910 Michigan and introduces Perliett Van Hilton as a self-professed rural healer with a mother who is a spiritualist. The current timeline finds Molly Wasziak who is depressed and has suffered multiple miscarriages but has a link to the 1910 timeline through her husband’s lineage. A spooky old farmhouse, the “cornfield ripper,” and a truly hideous nursery rhyme ties these time periods together as Molly and her husband settle into the farm house only to discover a terrible tragedy. I always enjoy Ms. Wright’s tomes and have to admit that she has upped her “creepy factor” significantly for this novel. However, I know the author as an award-winning author, so please read the acknowledgements at the end that helped her subjects in this novel align with her Christian faith.

I have read and enjoyed almost everything that the author has published except a couple of early novellas that were part of a collection. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill is my all-time favorite. I highly recommend her for her deft handling of dual timelines with an appreciation for the spookiness of her novels but with a definite Christian word view that comes shining through each and every time.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

What’s better than a new Jaime Jo Wright book? How about a new mystery releasing right before Halloween!!!

Perliett Van Hilton is a healer; it’s 1910 in Michigan and her healing practices leave the local doctor frustrated. She has grown up in an unconventional household with her mother working as a spiritualist. Perliett ends up the target of a superstitious killer and to avoid the killer she must seek help from the local doctor who doesn’t care for her and a newcomer to town. Jump to Present day, the life of Molly Wasziak is anything but the life she dreamed it would be. She has had several miscarriages leading her down a spiral of depression when her husband buys an old farmhouse. Here she finds clues to a very old murder and as she digs deeper, mysterious things around the house make it even more ominous as she finds a purpose for her life once again.

Wow, wow, wow! Jaime Jo Wright has outdone herself. Every time I pick up one of her books, I know I am in for a fantastic read and this newest one releasing right before Halloween gives all the chills and thrills. Each new book always proves me wrong in thinking she can’t top the last one; somehow, they get better and better. The feel of this one hit me hard, Molly was such a fantastic character and once she was at the farmhouse, the story enveloped me in such a tight hold there was no way I was getting out of it. I sat down and devoured this book in a weekend, had I not had responsibilities like taking care of my two children, it probably would have been read in a single sitting. There are a lot of authors out there that are just mediocre, the more I read the more I realize this and have gotten to the point of being disappointed more often than not when picking up a book to read lately. This book and this author will not disappoint you! Grab her books, any of them, and escape into the wonderful world of fiction and suspense that is a glorious getaway from the world we live in. I foresee this being one of my top books of the year!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A few chapters into The Premonition at Withers Farm, I told my husband that if I didn't trust Jaime Jo Wright so much I would have put this book down due to concern as to whether it was appropriate Christian reading. Having just finished the book, I am so happy that my trust was well-placed. Jaime Jo Wright writes the creepiest of tales,but in the end the message at the root of the story is true to the Word.

The Premonition at Withers Farm is a perfect chilly fall evening read, although you will want to be prepared for it to keep you awake well into the night. The dual timeline ties together the Withers and Wasziak families in both the current times and the early 1900s. Both stories involve apparitions and murder, chills and thrills!

While I give this book five stars, I must state one caveat. If you have dealt with miscarriages, be aware of your tolerance for books that make this experience part of the storyline. While Jaime Jo Wright handles this with tact and sensitivity as one character deals with intense grief, readers must decide if this is the best read for them at the time.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Premonition at Withers Farm from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own

I really wasn't sure where this book was going with all the spirits and the ghosts and visions. And I had ZERO clue who the killers were In either timeline which is rare for me but a pleasant surprise! I'm bummed Bethany house is restricting these books now. I'll miss getting to
read my favorite authors early.