This was such a haunting read! This story is shared by two points of view separated by generations. Two young women who are both impacted by loss at the same theater. The author skillfully weaves a mystery around you as she takes you on a journey to discover the secrets hidden in the theater.

. The plot line of adoption and Kit’s struggle between knowing she is loved but expecting that love to run out were heartbreaking. It echoes the struggle I’ve seen some of my friends face.

This is a clean read full of faith and just a tad spooky

Jaime Jo Wright always writes such delicious ghost-y stories. I love how the story feels spooky and it was perfect for spooky season. I think one of the reasons I like Jaime’s stories so much is because they remind me of Nancy Drew or the old Mandy stories I read when I was a kid. I’m kinda a scaredy cat and this story was just my speed. There is paranormal but it’s also balanced with some faith woven in. I also love the duel time frames. Thank you to Netgalley, Jaime Jo Wright and Bethany House for an advanced copy of this book.

Seriously. If you know you have a thing for ghost-like stories, but want to avoid them but still experience the thrill--you need to go for Jaime Jo Wright. She somehow manages to give you the spooky vibes, yet weaves excellent faith lines throughout her book.

This is a dual time story that progresses sequentially--so as things are mentioned in the modern day--you see it play out in the timeslip. PLUS you get answers to the questions and "unsolved mysteries" from the modern day. So like you have a behind the scenes look.

speaking of behind the scenes...that's what this book is in a sense. Which is fun since it takes place surrounding the Barlowe Theater. Our main characters are Kit Boyd and Greta Mercy. Kit is modern day and Greta Mercy is in the past. Both women are experiencing a connection with the Barlowe Theater--Kit because her best friend Madison just went missing in it. Greta because she saw a woman drop a baby over the balcony during a performance and no one believes her--and her brother died in construction--and now her OTHER brother has disappeared inside the theater!

Kit struggles with deep deep deep seated fear of abandonment and that loyalty and love have a time limit due to her abandonment as a baby. Even though she has a beautiful family that adopted her shortly after--she has lived her whole life trying not to upset the apple cart for fear that it will then cease the love. And now with her friend disappeared--she has panic attacks because it is bringing those feelings of abandonment to life. she even projects this into her relationship with God--convinced that at some point God will be done with her.

This is woven throughout the book in her interactions with others and part of her inner dialogue. I think it's something that I'm sure others who have dealt in adoption, foster care, or abandonment would relate to. I appreciate it because I kept finding myself going--HOW can you think those things? And just having to accept that I cannot project my own background and emotional strength onto someone else. I have to accept that they have a perspective different than my own.

and that my that my friends is why reading is soooo important.

Okay--now back to the plot. I always find it interesting how Jaime ties in the modern line characters to the historical characters. Even if you see the name connections--it's never QUITE what you think.

I also liked how the Grove House goes from being a place where to put people no one wants--to being a restoration and helping place as a food pantry.

I give this one a full 4 stars. :)

**I was given an ARC copy from the publishers and NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

4.5 stars

“Death stuck with a place.”

Ahhhhh…. just reading that first line of the contemporary timeline again makes me want to dive back into this story, never mind that I just finished it. I’m always up for a creepy-good ghost story, and Jaime Jo Wright always delivers … all while keeping the explanations true to Scripture and Scooby-Doo. You’d think that knowing there’s always a reasonable explanation would keep me from fully embracing the as-yet-unexplained in her stories, but the opposite actually happens. I jump in completely, trying to figure out the non-paranormal reality of things, and I NEVER DO lol. This author is so masterfully talented at crafting a twisty plot that keeps me hanging on every word and always … always … takes me by surprise.

But let’s get back to her latest novel, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. The Barlowe Theater reminded me of an old theater in my Northern Illinois hometown, so I could easily picture the scenes there as though I was sitting in the audience or traipsing around the theater with the characters. It really is its own character, in both timelines, and I loved the atmospheric vibes it gave the story. The 1915 timeline happened to be my favorite this time (it changes, depending on the book), but I was also engrossed in the present day plot and – particularly – in how the two would tie together. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I missed a significant clue to that regard, one that should have been obvious but for the author’s clever art of misdirection. Just as well, though, because I got to experience all the feels of the ‘aha’ moment when it all clicks together.

Greta, our 1915 heroine, drew me in right from the beginning – her tragic situation filling my heart with the compassion of shared grief and what she saw (or didn’t) in the theater immersing me instantly in the possibilities. Through her part of the story, we also get a peek at the poor houses, the stigmas, and the corruption of the era. And Oscar… oh blissful sigh. I loved Oscar. His steady support of and clear affection for Greta had me swooning on her behalf more than once. But who IS the ‘woman in white’ that Greta saw? WHERE are the ‘lost boys’ who disappeared inside the theater one night and still haven’t come out? I knew… I KNEW … there would be a non-supernatural explanation of some sort behind these terrifying events but I had no idea what it would be. And oh, it’s so layered! I can’t wait for you to discover it for yourself.

Kit, our present day heroine, also has several intriguing layers that piqued my interest – from her work at the food pantry to her adoption story (and the residual effects that still haunt her). And I loved that a ghost hunt show is featured in a Christian fiction novel, specifically because of the faith discussions it triggers between the characters and how the author frames it. So often, Christian fiction avoid topics like this because it gets murky and fine lines get finer and feathers get ruffled. But it needs to be brought into the light and addressed against the backdrop of Scripture, and Wright does a great job doing so. I was on pins and needles as they searched for Kit’s missing best friend. Evan, the skeptic on the show, didn’t grow on me right away (I imagine this was intentional), but I came to really love him in the end. And Corey – what a great character!! I wanted to hug him more than once.

Bottom Line: A ‘cursed’ theater. A mysterious, ghostly woman in white. Missing boys in the past. A missing young woman in the present. A ghost hunt show. Each of these deliciously creepy elements awaits you on the pages of Jaime Jo Wright’s newest gothic dual timeline thriller, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. Also waiting for you is a solid but gentle faith thread that points you to Scripture, sorts the truth from mental lies, and reminds you that God will never abandon you. The story takes readers on a twisty thrill ride that keeps the goosebumps high as it races toward a solid finish, one where all the pieces fit into place even as you think there’s no way they can. Nobody writes Gothic thrillers like Jaime Jo Wright, and this latest novel is a prime example!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

It’s tricky to write a book with a dual timeline with equally interesting stories, but this book succeeded!! All of her books are so great!!

Loved that the ghost stories from the theater are based on an actual theater in the authors hometown!

Huge thank you to Netgally for an ARC of this book! (Even though I didn’t finish it before it was published!)

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.
Since I started reading this author’s work, I have been trying to read every book she has ever written. She never disappoints and this one is no different. There are so many intertwining stories, it seems the reader won’t be able to keep up with who is who and who is related to who and how it all ties together, but in the end it does.
In these pages, we meet Greta and her brothers, Oscar and Eleanor Boyd, the Farrington family. We learn about the Barlowe Theater and the story behind it. We also get to fast-forward to the present day where we meet Kit and her friend, Madison. We also meet Heather and Evan who are filming a show about the Barlowe Theater and its history.
Each one of the above characters has a backstory that is interlaced with each other. Greta and her brothers were in the lower class of Kipper’s Grove back in 1915. The way Greta’s life is described makes it easy to understand what it was like to be poor back then, coupled with learning what folks thought of a poor woman having friendships with those who were of a higher class. Greta also holds onto hope, hope for a better future.
Kit and Madison. This is a story of friendship that directly correlates, at least I thought so anyway, to Greta and Eleanor. The added layer here is Kit’s story, how she struggles with her own thoughts and feelings, her own insecurities. Throw in Evan and he’s a curveball Kit was not expecting.
This is a story the reader could easily get absorbed in and read the day away, learning about all the intricacies that surround the Barlowe Theater. Is it really haunted? Are there really missing boys? Is this all a myth and nothing really happened? What secrets are really hidden between the walls of the theater? Just wait until you find out what really happened all those many years ago at the Barlowe Theater. My favorite part of this tale of Barlowe Theater – the twists that were thrown in.
I cannot say enough about this tale of Barlowe Theater. It’s the best one yet second to The Vanishing at Castle Moreau.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is the perfect October read. This is my second book by Jaime Jo Wright and I will be reading more. Wright is a master at weaving a perfectly spooky and page turning story. She pulls you right into the story and you immediately care about the characters. I love how Wright ends her chapters. Once you get to the end of one, you have to find out what will happen next. The pacing is perfect. I know I have said this before, but I love dual timelines and Wright writes them magically. Greta and Kit are both entangled with the mysterious Barlowe Theater. Greta in its early days, as her brother goes missing trying to help her. Kit, visits during a ghost hunt and then events that follow mark her too. The theater was a character itself. Imposing and mysterious in both timelines. Greta’s story has so many tragedies and unfairness for her part of the story. Kit’s too was full of accidents and mishaps. And I loved every page. The twists and turns with the mystery! What was not to enjoy?

I received a Netgalley copy from the publisher for tour purposes. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

The perfect read for spooky season! With mystery, ghost stories, rumored hauntings and a hefty dose of historic nostalgia, this brand new release was dramatic and thrilling!

From the first chapter, I was instantaneously enraptured in this sensational story. I thoroughly enjoyed the dual timeline, switching between Greta’s story set in Kipper’s Grove in 1915 and Kit’s story in Kipper’s Grove of present day. Wright, as always, expertly delivers an interwoven tale of dark secrets, mystery, danger and intrigue. Reading this story was like trying to solve a riddle. I devoured the book in a matter of days (would have been hours if I’d had the free time!). I could hardly put it down.

As a long-time fan of Wright’s stories, I enjoyed the spine-tingling sensations of the spooky, dark moments and the rich, multi-layered characters she delivered in this latest release. Her characters are easily seen as real people who face real-life problems while finding themselves in the most suspenseful, creepiest situations! I love every moment of feeling on edge, feeling the heart palpitating fear, the breathless surprise, the eye-widening wonder of moments that are designed to frighten, to intrigue and to draw a reader deeper into the heart of the story.

Of course, these dark moments are expertly interwoven into a story that allows for some lighthearted sarcasm, beautiful friendships, a hint (or two!) of romance and the beauty of hope love and family. This balance offers an opening that displays a strong thread of faith and the light of goodness over evil. In addition, Wright always offers a simple explanation for the unexplained that leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction and knowing that darkness will not prevail.

Overall, I couldn’t have loved this story more for the main characters, Greta and Kit. Greta’s character is strong in her perseverance, her grit and her determination to protect her brothers at all costs. I loved seeing her find restitution and deliverance, as well as love. Kit’s story, all together different, offered a look into an adoptee’s heart and the deep sense of grief and loss, a sense of abandonment that many adoptee’s struggle with and I found her story to be so heartwarming and authentic. Both Oscar and Evan, as Greta and Kit’s counterparts, won me over too for all together different reasons - but for sure for their protective nature!

A definite 5 star read for all things suspenseful and ghostly with the expert delivery of multi-layered characters and that unique hint of romance and faith among it all! DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. BOOK!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Jaime Jo Wright's stories are always a must read and they simply get better as she develops her craft and storytelling chops!

A story featuring two timelines as is usual for Wright and two brilliant female leads that are so cleverly crafted around themes of familial loss, adoption, societal class and community secrets. Greta Mercy and Kit Boyd are wonderful. We very quickly become part of their cheer squad and are hooked into their individual mysteries that need to be solved. A fine supporting cast helps both ladies after initially questioning their particular stories. Oscar Boyd is this quirky nerd who is born into wealth but struggles to make it fit because he has a heart for the oppressed and downtrodden. Having been a friend of Greta's for much of her life, he chooses to believe her based on their friendship and past history when so many others think Greta to be mentally unstable. I really liked Oscar as we don't get to see many of his ilk in stories.

Kit's best and oldest friend, Madison, mysteriously disappears on a theatre tour being conducted by the anchors of a TV show exploring the paranormal. Kit, having been adopted by the Boyd family, when she was a baby, has experienced a lifetime of trauma around abandonment. Madison 's disappearance ignites this trauma and we see Kit determined to find her friend.

Yes, there's a bit of creepiness with apparent sighting of ghosts and mysterious noises being heard in the ancient Barlowe Theatre, but Wright handles all this very well.

It's a story that is very easy to keep turning pages and Wright keeps us guessing as to the who, how and what of the two mysteries. The fact they're linked, not just by the theatre but the Boyd family, adds more suspense and intrigue.

But it's the movement in both Greta and Kit's hearts and situations that grabbed me the most and Wright brilliantly pulls it all together with a few surprises.

Once again, I feel very blessed to have received an early ebook copy from the publisher via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review.

Jaime Jo Wright has the ability to always make me wonder how things are going to come full circle. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater does exactly that and much more.

Written in dual timelines (1915 and present day) both times are dealing with uncertainty revolving around the mysterious Barlowe Theater.
The historical timeline featuring Greta, a young woman that witnesses a horrific event at the theater, was my favorite of the two timelines. Her story was filled with perseverance and the mystery held an eeriness that kept me guessing.

Some of the topics dealt with in this book are out of the comfort zone for typical Christian fiction which almost led me quit reading this book. However, I kept going because of other trusted readers glowing review and the reassurance that faith elements would prevail.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for an advance reader copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In a Nutshell: Christian + mystery-thriller – a combo I never thought possible. Slowburn but intriguing. A good story that delivers the chills while staying true to the Christian aspects. (i.e. thrills without blood and gore!)

Story Synopsis:
1915. Kipper's Grove, Wisconsin. A few months ago, Greta Mercy’s elder brother lost his life during the construction of the Barlowe Theatre. Now one of her younger brothers Leo has gone missing after breaking into the same building. Orphaned Greta knows that she can’t afford to invest much time in locating Leo as she has two more young brothers to care for, else they will lose their home and be shifted to the poorhouse. But how can Greta let go of Leo without doing anything?
Present Day. When Kit Boyd agrees to help her best friend Madison have a ghost walk in the Barlowe Theatre for a television show that deals with the supernatural, she never thought that Madison would mysteriously vanish. The show hosts – psychic Heather and sceptic Evan – agree to help Kit discover what happened to Madison. But do they have an ulterior motive behind their support?
With increasingly creepy happenings in both timelines, we see how the two women, though separated by a century, are linked by circumstances and destiny.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspectives of Kit and Greta.

Bookish Yays:
😍 Honestly, I never thought there could be a ‘Christian’ book that focussed on thrills or the supernatural. The two components are so at odds with each other! But this book surprised me in a wonderful way, making the strange combo come together seamlessly.
😍 As a Christian fiction, the thrills are delivered in a clean manner – no gore or gruesomeness. But this doesn’t reduce the intrigue of the book. Rather, it kept me on my toes with its timely twists, and never made me feel like a dash of blood would have helped enhance the plot. Furthermore, the faith-related aspects are incorporated well into the plot, with the belief system of the characters influencing their thinking rather than merely spouting mere biblical verses. The plot never gets preachy as well. The romances are also clean, with just a couple of kisses mentioned.
😍 While both the timelines have a romantic arc, these are quite subdued and never overpower the main plot. The focus stays on the mystery than on the couples. Love it when romance isn’t pushed to the forefront in a non-romance novel!
😍 For a change, both the timelines are equally gripping. Each has a missing person situation, but this doesn’t create repetition. The investigation follows different paths, and it takes a long while to see how the two tracks come together. If you pay attention to the names of the characters, you can take a few shots at guessing some of the twists, but the author has plenty more surprises in her kitty. I couldn’t figure out the main mystery at all until it was revealed.
😍 There are several mini-cliffhangers in the book, just before swapping to the other timeline. These are well-timed and never seem forced. The author’s firm control over the story was evident throughout.
😍 The writing is wonderfully descriptive. The Barlow theatre and all the other historical locations are sketched in such a vivid way that it is easy to visualise them all. I loved the author’s lyrical style.
😍 Through Kit’s arc, we get an interesting glimpse at abandonment issues in infant adoptees. In her parting note, the author mentions her own struggles with the same, and her honest thoughts added a great touch of authenticity to Kit’s feelings.
😍 It’s always great to see an ending that springs naturally from the narrative instead of being forced into place. I also appreciate how the characters aren’t cast into clear positive or negative roles. This offers a nice lesson on not jumping to judgemental conclusions.
😍 The author’s note also reveal some intriguing facts that motivated this fictional work. These sent me down a rabbit hole of research.
😍 While I mention the author’s note often in my reviews, this is the first time I am mentioning the ‘Acknowledgements’ section. This book has among the most amusing acknowledgements I have ever read. The author’s sincere thanks to Walmart and local coffee shops and cats made me chuckle and won my heart.

Bookish Nays:
😒 The contemporary timeline sometimes spills the beans on the suspense of the historical timeline well in advance. This sullies the fun of discovery. I wish such foreshadowing had been delayed until after the incident came up in the story.
😒 The story is somewhat slow. There’s a lot of build-up in the first quarter. While it is still gripping, I wish the pace had been a bit quicker.
😒 In the initial chapters coming from Kit’s perspective, there is too much of a focus on how good-looking Evan is. I wasn’t reading a romance, ergo I neither expected nor relished so much gushing over a man’s physical appeal when there were important mysteries to resolve.

Despite the tiny niggles, I enjoyed this story as it combined several of my favourite genres while avoiding their pitfalls. Though slow, it proved to be an engrossing entertainer.
Definitely recommended to mystery-thriller fans who would enjoy a touch of the spooks and wouldn’t mind a touch of the faith.
This is my first book by this author. I can’t believe I have never read her works before; her repertoire seems so amazing! Will surely keep an eye out for her future works and grab a few of her past releases.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

What I love about this author’s books is how atmospheric they are. In this dual timeline, you will feel like you are experiencing everything right there with the characters.
This is a fast-moving plot that will have you looking behind yourself as you’re reading. What was neat was that the historical part of the book is loosely based on a theater where the author lives. I love stories based on facts.

Barlowe Theater is where Greta’s oldest brother perished during its construction. Will she have to concede to another brother lost to her when he goes missing in the theater after breaking in with a few other boys?

Rumors of underground tunnels in the basement sound like the perfect place for the police to look for the boys. When they can’t find anything, theater owner Mr. Barlowe refuses to let Greta search.

I enjoyed reading about the opulence of the theater in its prime. With its velvet seat covers and drapes, vast size, and box seating for the rich, it sounds like a magnificent place to see a show.

During a ghost walk at Barlowe Theater, which social media influencer Madison hopes will boost ratings, she and a ghost-hunting host, along with Madison’s best friend Kit, decide to tour the theater and see if they can find evidence of the ghostly rumors that have been around for a long time. When Madison seemingly vanishes before their eyes at the theater, Kit becomes wrapped up in finding her best friend.

Logic seems to have gone out the window as searching the theater seems to bring no new clues, but things are getting creepier all the time with rumors swirling about ghosts and other eerie things in the theater.

Yes, the same theater where the boys went missing a century before. There is something or someone trying to keep them from searching and finding answers. Eerie, fast-paced, and no one is quite who they seem to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

Wright is at it again, creating a book full of suspense, ghostly appearances, historical accuracies and a dash of romance!

If you enjoy Christian fiction but want something a little different, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater has you covered. When a theater has a history of missing boys, tragic accidents, and ghosts...a team of modern day ghost hunters will insert themselves to find some answers.

This is a dual POV story that goes back and forth to solve a mystery a century apart. It deals with harder topics that each main character is going through such as poverty and adoption but also has a light hope and faith vein to round it all out. And romance fans, no fears here because theres a little something in here for you too.

Both characters have a lot to lose and don't know who to trust. Will the mystery be solved before time runs out? You'll just have to read it to find out.

I also loved that this story is based on historical foundations. A great read thats spooky for October, but wont keep you up at night.

This was the perfect book to read over an overcast, chilly, fall weekend. This dual timeline story has plenty of not-easily-explained-away ghostly sightings and sounds, and tales of missing people, both in the past and present. Greta Mercy was a single woman of the working class doing her best to care for her orphaned brothers in 1915. Circumstance after circumstance seem to be stacking up against her, and most of them lead back to the owner of the Barlowe Theater, the hub of most of the unexplained apparitions. Kit Boyd struggled with having trust and faith in humans, an issue rooted in her feelings of abandonment by her birth parents. Now her best friend is missing, and even though Kit believes Madison to be innocent of any wrong doing, she struggles with wondering about the possibility that her best friend has also abandoned her. As Jaime Jo Wright leads readers along the path of solving these mysteries, she allows them to enjoy shivers running up their spines while readying them to accept the truths that are to be revealed.

As usual, Jaime Jo Wright has provided hours of reading pleasure with a very satisfying ending, and I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. I hope others will enjoy this spine tingling tale as much as I did.

The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater - Jamie Jo Wright - 4.5 Stars

Wow, Jaime Jo does it AGAIN! This is a haunting and intricately woven novel that seamlessly combines elements of mystery and suspense. We have richly developed characters and a storyline that spans generations. This book is going to keep readers engaged from start to finish!

Set in the eerie backdrop of the Barlow Theater, this story is told through dual timelines - one in present day and one in the early 1900s. In 1915, we see Greta Mercy, who is skeptical of the theater as her brother died there in an accident during its construction. When her younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta hopes the local police can help her solve this mystery of where he is. Plus, early on in the story, Greta caused quite the uproar when she says she saw a child fall from the theater balcony during one of the productions...yet no child was found. Was she seeing things or is there more to this theater than meets the eye?

Decades later during present day, we follow Kit Boyd, whose best friend Madison goes missing at the Theater when TV ghost-hunting host and skeptic, Evan Fisher, is there with their crew filming episodes of their TV show trying to catch secrets of the theater on film. Evan and Kit work together trying to piece together the puzzle and find Madison before it's too late.

I am so glad I read this! It explored so much in both timelines and Jaime Jo always weaves the timelines and generational families together SO well! I can't say which timeline I liked better because I genuinely wanted to keep reading both! There were some parts that dragged a little for me but this is truly a 4.5 to 5 star read and I think if you are looking for a good, gothic fall read, this is for you! The content was not triggering for me in any way, the opening is a little unsettling with the thought of a possible child that fell from the balcony, but we soon question if that even truly happened or not.

I loved Evan and Kit together most of all - he was just an awesome guy and I loved how he combated the "medium" or "psychic" in this story and explained how the supernatural world we "think" of today is most likely an illusion from the devil making us see what we think we want to see and how many of these things are things God doesn't want us even dabbling it - preach it Evan! The faith in this book is also weaved in very naturally and isn't preachy - it's beautiful to see how Evan reminds Kit that God hasn't abandoned her yet and he still won't. Jaime Jo may have had some details with psychics and mediums in here but she made sure to debunk what they were doing and point it back to God!

In conclusion, The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater will grip readers as an engaging and eerie fall read and I highly recommend!

In 1915, Greta Mercy’s brother and two other boys go missing in the grand Barlowe Theater after she witnesses a woman in white drop her baby from the box seats. In present day, the theater strikes again when Kit Boyd’s best friend disappears on a ghost walk of the historic building. Both Greta and Kit must encounter possible paranormal activity and endure their own personal struggles to find the people they love.👻

This was my first Jaime Jo Wright book, and when I saw that this was a Christian book that included ghost hunting and ghoulish appearances, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. But this book had the perfect amount of spookiness while also having a great explanation for all the seemingly paranormal experiences that happen in the book. If you’re looking for an October read with a lot of mystery and a little bit of romance, definitely check out The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater!🤎

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A big thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📕

THE LOST BOYS OF BARLOWE THEATER by Jaime Jo Wright is a wonderfully atmospheric Christian romantic suspense/mystery story for the Halloween season. This story is told in dual timelines by two female heroines trying to find loved ones lost in the eerie Barlowe Theater in Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin.

The female heroine in 1915 is Greta Mercy. After the death of her parents and her eldest brother, she is trying desperately to keep her younger brothers with her. Her brother, Leo disappears with two other boys in the Barlowe theater. Her storyline was very believable and felt appropriate to the period. The female heroine in the present is Kit Boyd. Her best friend disappears in the Barlowe as they are filming with a crew from a TV show about psychics and skeptics. While I understand some adoptees have abandonment issues that make it difficult to trust and form attachments, Kit brought up her issue with this continually and I lost my sympathy with her because it just became annoying. Both women meet men that assist them with their investigations and become their HEAs. There is no sex and I felt little build up or chemistry to their relationships.

I really loved the intricate plots in the dual timelines that constantly had me guessing if this story was going to delve into the paranormal, spiritual, or just pedestrian criminal human realms. My angst level was high while I was reading this book, and I could not stop until the solution of both timelines. The discussions of faith, spirits and demons, and skepticism were interwoven in the timelines and illustrated the differing beliefs in the differing time periods. Both stories are based around missing loved ones and even though they were different, they blended perfectly.

I recommend this Christian romantic suspense/mystery for a haunting good read.

Another winner from Jaime Jo Wright!! She is the master of weaving two storylines together to create the ultimate suspense and never fails to have a good biblical perspective. The characters are not perfectly beautiful, but have relatable character flaws and struggles.

Jaime Jo Wright knows how to keep me turning pages. She always has great characters and gripping suspense, and The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is no exception. From the beginning, she throws you straight into the action, and I was here for it!

Greta’s storyline and Kit’s storyline blend together well, and I loved the way Wright dropped clues in each one. And the supporting characters made it even better. There’s also a very nice romantic thread.

There are plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing, and a lot of surprises along the way. But one thing I love about Wright is the way she weaves spiritual truths throughout the book in a subtle way that still resonates.

Overall, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a gripping dual-timeline suspense.

Jaime Jo Wright writes dual storylines like no other and The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater is no different. It was the perfect book for me this October with it's just right amount of creepiness.
Historical storyline has poor Greta Mercy trying to raise her three younger brothers alone and trying to stay out of the poorhouse when the oldest of the boys disappears one night in the Barlowe Theater. He and friends were there to prove that poor Greta had seen a lady drop her baby over the balcony, an act no one else saw. Contemporary storyline has Kit Boyd trying to find her best friend after she disappears in the same theater while taping a paranormal TV show. A show that Kit has her doubts about as she does not believe in the paranormal. Soon it appears that someone or something is after Kit also.
I do no read books that have ghosts that are real in them, but I love creepiness and Jaime Jo Wright gives me that every time. She always gives a human explanation that I wonder through the whole story how she will solve the mystery without paranormal, but she does. Her touch of faith is also just right in the book, not preachy, but makes it known her beliefs.
I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater, but all opinions are my own.