Oh my goodness, what a book! I have never read a Jaime Jo Wright book that I didn't like... but this one is definitely one of her best! From the first page, I found myself drawn into the story and it held me right through to the end.

Now, for those who have never read a Jaime Jo Wright book, you might be wondering what ghosts and psychic mediums are doing in a Christian fiction book? Believe me, that was my initial question when I read my first of her books. But don't let that idea sway you from giving it a chance. While she does a beautiful job of creating haunting and spooky tales that seem as if they have no other possible explanation... in the end, it's all explained in ways that make sense and are very much not what they seem. It's like the unmasking at the end of each Scooby Doo mystery! Even knowing this about the author, I still found myself thinking there was no natural explanation that would explain this one... and yet, that's exactly what happens! I love the mystery of it all! This book is a prime example of why Jaime Jo Wright it one of my favorites!

If you're looking for a spooky (but not too scary) read, this is absolutely one to check out!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Honestly, I think this might be my new favorite. I haven’t read a book that it’s been this hard to put down. I loved the dual timelines with Kit and Greta, but also the history of the town and theater. Every chapter left me wanting more and wanting to know where the story was going. I’m a big Ghost Hunters fan so having a skeptic and medium in the book made it so interesting. I loved watching Oscar/Greta and Kit/Evans romances happen.

I've really enjoyed this story! It was so very good that I lost sleep because I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
Wright is just so fantabulous at what she does! I love her writing style.
She can manage to creep you out no matter what story she happens to write. And of course I read this at night soooooo.....you can imagine it made me shiver lol.
My favorite part as you can tell is Greta's. She's an amazing woman trying to keep her family together.
I found myself feeling sorry for the boys and yet hoping for a good outcome for them.
Kit's was interesting as well. I loved the mystery part of her story.
Will the two timelines tie together or not? Y'all just have to read this story to find out!
I think this will be my 3rd favorite book by her because I love anything written about the theater. Especially haunted ones!
The cover of this book is simply gorgeous! Every time I look at the cover it draws me in and I feel like I'm there watching whatever show is being performed!
I can't wait for her next book!
5 stars of course for this amazing adventure and I enjoyed being back in the theater again. I've missed it!
5 stars for an awesome story! And beautiful cover! Made me feel like I was there!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another outstanding book by the award-winning author, Jaime Jo Wright. I really enjoyed this dual timeline story filled with her signature creepy vibes. In the modern day storyline, a young woman goes missing in a historic theater. Her mysterious disappearance sparks a resurgence of the stories of the legendary woman in white and the unsolved case of the lost boys.
The story starts off slow, but as the author lays the backstory, the suspense skillfully builds in both story-lines, keeping me invested in both Greta's and Kit's stories. There are so many seemingly unrelated threads to the story which are woven together into one satisfying conclusion.

I love how the author has a character who is grounded in their faith as they are confronted with legends of the supernatural. The themes of finding value and escape from the fear of abandonment are addressed in a faith thread that is woven seamlessly throughout the story.

Fans of suspense will definitely want to grab this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher thorough Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wright is one of my favorite authors. I love her imaginative creativity in developing unique plots combining a mystery in the past with one in current time. I like how she does a dual time revelation with secrets from the past deftly being revealed in chapters alternating with the current mystery as it unfolds. My favorite aspect of Wright's book is how she can conjure up the creepiest and scary plots yet have them all work out in a suitable way for Christians.

Wright explores several issues along with providing a captivating mystery. The historical story includes a revealing example of class distinction and treatment of the poor. That is countered in the present with Kit's work at a food bank, a way of helping the poor. Another issue from the past was the embarrassment of mental illness and attempts for the wealthy and influential to hide it. And yet another issue was adoption and child bonding, something Wright comments on in her Author's Note.

I highly recommend this novel to readers who like one pitting the possibility of paranormal activity against what Christians generally understand to be true about the spirit world. You'll get an entertaining read and some thought provoking ideas from Wright. She's already at work on the next novel and I can hardly wait to read it.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

•Dual Timelines
•Mystery & Secrets

The book is gripping and it has secrets and mystery in it. There is a gothic mystery of a Theatre and multiple Characters with Dual timelines. It has a slow burn mystery. The characters were intriguing. There are secrets, curse, gothic history, twisted mystery and a quest.

I enjoy the author’s writing. I really liked how the mystery slowly unraveled. Greta decides to unveil the mystery behind the disappearance of her loved ones. The truth is twisted and unpredictable. First her oldest brother disappears then another one. While in present, Kit’s friend Madison disappears in the theatre so there are not just secrets and mystery but the journey of getting to the bottom of mystery becomes perilous. Will they be able to find the people who disappeared? Or there is some ghost behind the mysterious disappearance of boys?

Thank you Netgalley, Publisher and Author

This was another fantastic book by Jaime Jo Wright! The mysteries being looked into are very suspenseful and kept me guessing until the end. I couldn't help but empathize with Kit and Greta and their struggles while also rooting for things to work out with Evan and Oscar. I love how Wright always ties everything together so well!

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a mysterious theater built in Wisconsin over 100 years ago. There are talks of spirits, and a psychic who can commune with ghosts visits the theater to broadcast on TV. During filming, one of the crew vanishes into thin air. It seems something very similar also happened in the early 1900s when the theater was built.

Told in alternating timelines, it was storytelling at its finest. I loved all of the characters in both time periods. I was always anxious to get back to the other timeline, as I missed them.

This story was expertly crafted, the mysteries unfolding at a perfect paced. I'd say it's a little spooky, I'd call it light scary, and absolutely perfect for spooky season.

Jaime Jo Wright did it again! The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is another gothic masterpiece! I've read all of Wright's books, and this is one of my favorites. I'm always in awe of the way she is able to write spooky and atmospheric tales that have such a strong and unwavering Christian message.

This story immediately drew me in and had me gripped to the pages. A cursed theater, missing people, mysterious deaths, and a ghost-hunting TV show? How could I resist?

I enjoyed both timelines and couldn't pick a favorite if I had to. They both featured great characters and compelling mysteries. Even though they take place over a hundred years apart, it was so interesting to see the parallels and connections between the two.

I highly recommend this book, and I can't say enough good things about it. I loved it so much!

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

One of the things I most enjoy about Jaime Jo Wright’s work is the way that she crafts stories that are high on the creepy scale, that I can never come up with a “natural world” explanation, and the fact that when she presents the explanation for the creepy, mysterious happenings, the explanation is not only “natural world”, but completely plausible. The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater is possibly one of the best examples. All the way through the book, I was trying to come up with some explanation that didn’t require a ghost. As is true in most JJW books, I didn’t have the mystery solved until it was revealed by the author (which I love).

I preferred Grace’s timeline over Kit’s, and I’ll go so far as to say that I would have enjoyed the book even more had it been a single timeline story. The author’s note at the end definitely added value to Kit’s story, however.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“Secrets are meant to stay that way or old curses come to life. Nobody wants that.”

Wow! So many different moving pieces to this puzzle, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, by Jaime Jo Wright.

1. What do you need to know, in a nutshell?

This is a dualtime, occurring in 1915 Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin, and in present time, same place.

2. The first line is a killer, and will draw you in. “Sometimes death came quietly.”

3. The main characters in the past are Greta Mercy, a poor girl, who has been befriended by wealthy socialites Eleanor Boyd and her brother, Oscar. Greta is struggling to keep herself and her brothers out of the poor house, when she falls under the curse of the theater.

“Barlowe Theater was not a place that brought joy and entertainment, as was its supposed purpose. No, it had already taken lives in the construction of it, tortured the ones who dared stand in its way, and now it was hunting those innocents who had happened into the shadows of its deadly interior. The theater was cursed.”

4. Have your blood pressure medicine ready. The stress, the angst, the wondering how many family members might be lost due to the theater‘s curse!

5. In the present day, the main characters are Kit Boyd, a food pantry liaison, and Evan Fischer, a dissenting critic for a psychic TV show. Evan took a while to grow on me! Kit and Evan are searching for Madison, who disappears on a tour of the theater.

6. Only Jaime Jo Wright can take so many mixed-up creepy cards from two different stories, shuffle them thoroughly, deal them seemingly randomly, and produce a thoroughly satisfying end result, minus the fear. One you won’t see coming! One which includes not just suspense, romance, and creepiness, but God’s Truth coming to light.

Run out and get your copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater now!

I received a copy of this book from Early Readers on Library Thing via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“But in truth, hope was too terrifying a thing to lose to reach out and grasp it. It was easier to function without it—without expectations. Then, when loss visited, it was a familiar silence.”

“Love, loyalty, and heroism came with expiration dates. It was only a matter of time.”

“You can line up all the facts, but at some point you have to step out in faith too.”

“True loyalty isn’t based on a scale.”

“Anyone who puts all their faith in another person is bound to get hurt.”

“That was how loyalty began, though, wasn’t it? Walking through trials together and then coming out the other side of them . . . together.”

I am a huge fan of Jaime Jo Wright. She has a way of writing that has me enraptured and chilled to the bone from the moment the book begins. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theatre is a slow burn that slowly sends your mind weaving through the maze of ducts and tunnels below the theatre. People seem to vanish without a trace, leaving loved ones behind wondering whatever happened to them. The White Lady haunts every corner, leaving you breathless and ready for her next sighting. I love that the theatre is based on Wright's hometown theatre, that was started by one of the brothers of the Ringling Bros. Circus. You know I took a deep dive into a rabbit hole on that one. The characters are well formed and thought out, adding more depth and layers. The connection between the two timelines is fantastic and adds to the big finale at the end.

Kit has always had a fear of abandonment. She knows it is linked to her adoption and that never-ending nagging feeling that her real parents never wanted her. She has a loving group of friends and family that would never dream of abandoning her. But when her absolute best friend disappears while doing a tour of the local theatre for a tv show, Kit is left with that vacant fear. As the days tick by and Madison is not found. Kit and the historian on the show dig deep. Discovering that Madison is not the first person to disappear. The Lost Boys vanished and were never heard from again in the late 1800s. It is told that if you listen close enough you can hear them banging on the walls to be freed. Are there tunnels that run beneath the theatre? Do people become lost and cannot find their way out or is there more occurring?

I loved the setup of this book. You are given just enough information to let your imagination run wild. You can see the White Lady as she drifts by, feel her nails dig into your skin, the boys banging on the walls to be let out. You can also feel Kit's anxiety build and her fear grow as Madison is not found. I also appreciate that Wright brings in her own history into the book. Making it that much more personal and relatable. Thank you so much to Jaime Jo Wright for sending me a copy of your newest book!

Wow, wow, wow. I’ve read most of the author’s other books, and while I did enjoy them, I *loved* this one—it’s so deserving of a five-star review.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a dual timeline novel, present day and 1915. One of my favorite parts of the book were the themes represented through the characters—especially Kit’s character, who struggles with abandonment from her childhood and now struggles with the fear that anyone you hold close will eventually leave you, so it’s better to keep them at arm’s length. How she learns to unravel that fear and find faith and trust in a God who never leaves her was so beautiful.

Also, I just have to take a second to talk about Kate and Evan, and Oscar and Greta. Gosh. I won’t spoil anything, but the way their love stories unfold is one of the best I’ve read.

And the PLOT?! I was literally on the edge of my seat—eyes bugged out, mouth slightly agape, and turning pages late into the night. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of I-did-not-see-that-coming plot twists, beautiful redemption arcs, and faith. Could you ask for more?

Hats off to Jamie Jo Wright for this incredible book. I can’t wait to order a physical copy and have it on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

Jaime Jo Wright has an amazing way at making spooky, captivating. I have yet to read a book of hers that I wouldn't recommend. In her newest release we are met with two main characters in two different time lines. In the past we are introduced to Greta Mercy who is now responsible for her younger brothers after the death of her parents and older brother. We follow her after seeing a traumatic event while attending the theater with friends. After that night, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever. In the present we meet Kit, who is helping her friend bring a film crew in to the local theater that has whispers of being haunted. When her friend goes missing during filming, and strange accidents keep following her, she begins questioning everything she knew.
This is full of intriguing mystery that will keep you awake until you get to the last page. You won't know who to trust or who to root for. Jaime has this crazy way of making sense of the madness around the characters. The faith in this book is beautiful especially from Evan who reminds Kit of faith, and God's everlasting love. Once again Jaime Jo Wrights book kept me up until I got to the end and I don't regret it at all.

Couldn’t put this book down!! The mystery and spooky ghost story had me hooked from the very first opening scene. I loved the character driven story-lines and the two different timelines – one part of the story happening in 1915 and the other in present day. The characters are so relatable and I could see parts of myself in the various struggles they faced. Greta was quite lovable with her fiercely loyal and determined spirit. Kit on the other hand had abandonment issues to face, in addition to battling confusing and heartbreaking incidents. I love how JJ Wright creates stories that are both creepy and haunting with real world natural explanations at the ending. This is a perfect book for Fall to deliver those eerie vibes. And somehow the author manages to take the mystery and darkness and bring it into the light with a mind-blowing ending that attempts to point the reader towards a deeper walk of faith. This book is a new favorite of mine and I can't wait to purchase a physical copy.

Thank you NetGalley for a free advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

In this atmospheric dual-time tale, two women--separated by a century yet bound by the ghosts of the past--pursue light in the face of darkness. A ghosty mystery- with turns and twists.

I thought the story was spooky, but not quite horror-level creepy. The writing style was interesting and the slow build-up was intriguing. However, at times, I’m not sure where to connect the dots, with so many characters. I must say, The House on Foster Hill is without a doubt my favorite of the author's previous works.

While I struggled to focus at first, I found the stories to be captivating. I was impressed by the emotional depth the author was able to convey and how they shed light on darker themes. Both timelines are executed and intertwined brilliantly, that being said, I am not interested in reading about fake ghosts, voodoo, or psychic mediums. If you are looking for a mystery or haunting story, this may be for you.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for the eARC.

The dual timeline stories in this book perfectly lend themselves to drawing the reader into the mystery surrounding the Barlowe Theater. As in other books by Jamie Jo Wright the creep factor had many moments of heart pounding fear, and shivers.

I empathized with Greta as someone who’s been homeless and worked to help take care of my siblings. She was vulnerable yet determined to do whatever necessary to protect her brothers. She didn’t let fear hold her back even though she was targeted by a powerful man with a secret. Her connection to Oscar and Eleanor Boyd, friends from the elite side of the community was an unexpected bonus. Oscar’s loyalty and devotion was a sweet addition to her story.

Kit had her own experience with insecurity as an adoptee who fears abandonment. When her best friend disappears into the bowels of the Barlowe Theater she isn’t sure what to do or who to trust. Everything happening is being seen partially through the eyes of a television series that looks at two sides of the supernatural — real or fiction? Evan is the skeptic of the show and determined to ferret out the truth. Can he be trusted?

I found myself unable to put this book down, sneaking moments between my daily commitments and staying up late to get to the next part. The mystery was a web of secrets and lies that wove its way right to the end. I loved it.

I received a copy courtesy of Bethany House. This is my honest review.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright is simply amazing! It’s a Christian romance book, and it’s scary, creepy, and exciting! When you read a Jaime Jo Wright novel, it’s imperative that you commit to reading the entire thing before making any judgements. Anytime I see a review where someone says that there’s no way this is a Christian book, so they didn’t finish it, I want to scream! If the novel says it’s a Christian novel, and you know that the author is a Christian, don’t make assumptions!

This is a dual timeline novel jumping from 1915 to the present. I loved the main characters in both timelines. Wright writes characters that are realistic with both strengths and, quite frankly, sins. They have layers to their personalities. I feel like I am living at least one of the character’s lives in her books. I got so engrossed in this novel that I felt the same feeling I felt the first time I watched Gone With The Wind…like slowly emerging from a dream. Wright describes the settings with so much detail…from the theater with its opulence to the poorhouse with its bleakness. It totally feels real. And the plot is amazing! It’s fast-paced which makes it impossible to put down. It’s got just the right amount of dialogue…I can’t stand too much dialogue!

Wright deals with deep issues in The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. Trust, abandonment, doubt…Lots of us face those too. Faith plays a big part in the book, especially regarding the things the characters face. I just can’t say enough good things about this brilliant novel. I highly recommend it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I would be the first to admit I am a big theater fan. If I had my choice, I’d be attending musicals or plays every week. I take a trip to New York City almost every year mostly because of Broadway. When I saw The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright, I could not resist it. Missing loved ones? A baby whose existence most everyone denies? Rattling pipes, muffled cries, unexplained scratches? SIGN. ME. UP. When I spent a weekend on a historic aircraft carrier many years ago, I went to the special evening “ghost stories.” In September, the ship was even named to be one of the most haunted places in Texas! I’m not one for horror novels or haunted houses, but I couldn’t read The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater fast enough.

The novel occurs in two different timeframes: 1915 and the present. Both feature missing loved ones…and barriers galore that stand in their ways. Circumstances—sometimes dangerous ones—try to divert their focus, but Greta and Kit have friends that support them even when hope feels lost. What’s so incredible about Wright’s writing is how these two stories intertwine. She created two complete plots that easily could have stood alone. Instead, Wright sews them together in a way that’s chill-inducing. Each chapter serves a purpose; there’s no meaningless filler. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater demands your attention, and it doesn’t let go.

This brings me to the book’s one constant—outside of Wright’s astronomical storytelling, anyway: The theater. From the beginning, Barlowe Theater has a personality all its own. The theater grows with the book, Wright unveiling all its qualities slowly and perfectly. Imagine a budding relationship. You start off with the basics before diving into any hidden corners or secrets. The theater isn’t only a setting but its own character. I’ve been to countless theaters at this point in my life. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright makes me want to ask questions of the places I love. What sort of tales do the halls hold?

If you want a good ghost story for Halloween, give Jaime Jo Wright’s book a try. I loved everything about it, and you will, too.

“The theater was cursed.”

“The woman in white, the lost boys . . .”

“Human nature is conditional. People, unfortunately, are conditional for good or bad reasons. But God is not. So you trust Him, you step out in faith that others will care for you in His strength and grace, and you realize that sometimes people make mistakes. They leave you. Or they betray you. Or life just sends you in different directions.”

Another winner from Jaime Jo Wright! Perfectly creepy with its vanishing characters, the woman in white ghostly legend, and a supposedly cursed theater.

I enjoyed the dual timelines of 1915 and present day. Like most of her stories, this one is an interesting slow burn that has you asking all kinds of questions of what is going on in the first half and then is a roller coaster of action in the second half that reaches a more than satisfying conclusion by weaving the timelines together.

As always, the character development is top notch. While I usually prefer the characters of the present timeline, I am always fascinated at the realism portrayed in the past timelines. Jaime Jo Wright can always propel me into a time in history so much different than my own experiences. And she always does so by pointing out societal norms and flaws.

I love the faith aspect in The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater. I think most people, in one way or another, can relate to the fear of being abandoned or hurt by others. And I loved how she brought in a ghost hunter reality show into a Christian book, along with Evan the skeptic. And as always, she shines a light within a fallen world full of broken people. I don’t quite understand how she is able to write TWO amazing books every year that blend her gothic style with faith elements; I am just grateful as fan that she is blessed with that talent to share with her faithful readers.

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