Effie James will do anything to make her younger sister happy—even flaunt conventions by dressing up in her brother’s clothing and sneaking onto the porch of the allegedly haunted house at 322 Predicament Ave. to kiss a lion-headed door knocker. In 1901, respectable women from prominent small-town families didn’t indulge in hijinks—especially young, unmarried women.

But when Effie’s sister peeks through the window and witnesses a horrific murder, the harmless prank has consequences that reach through generations of Shepherd, Iowa residents. The scene renders Polly speechless, and Effie fears someone in town will do anything to prevent her sister from sharing what she saw.

Present Day

Norah Richman, the dubious proprietor of a bed and breakfast establishment at 322 Predicament Ave, struggles to make it through each day. Stuck in grief, Norah feels like she’s wasting her life fulfilling her murdered sister’s dream. After years of therapy, Norah takes the first steps towards independence, only to get tripped up by a guest’s untimely death and ghostly sightings around the house.

Could the ghost of a woman murdered over a century ago haunt the house on Predicament Ave.? And does the true crime podcaster in one of the upstairs rooms have anything to do with the ghostly sightings?

What I Loved About This Book

Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly wraps a story of haunted houses and unsolved murders around one of the deepest questions haunting contemporary readers: How can a person stop being afraid when truth has no standard and no foundation but is instead whatever a person makes up to make themselves feel better?

Wright doesn’t bury the questions but has her main character state them boldly as she wrestles with the known, the unknown, and faith in contemporary America. Readers who love time-shift novels, history, ghost stories, and unsolved crime podcasts will love this book.

Despite the questions and searching for meaning, I wouldn’t hesitate to share this book with non-Christian friends, especially those who love crime podcasts or ghost stories. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue rates as one of the best books of 2024.

This atmospheric dual timeline book is a work of absolutely chilling perfection that had me up late at night, looking over my shoulder, and enjoying every moment.

In the small town of Shepherd normal everyday life is shaken twice—almost one hundred years apart—when murder creeps into their town,
In 1901 Effie allowed her sister Polly to talk her into escorting her to the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Neither anticipated the events that would follow. A scream, a murder, a missing body, and danger around every corner.

In present day Shepherd, Norah inherited the house at 322 Predicament Avenue and turned it into a B & B, not for herself but because it was her sister’s dream. The sister whose murder remains unsolved. It isn’t long before the old crosses paths with the new; a death, a ghost, and her sister’s things showing up after more than a decade, and the arrival of a true crime podcaster looking into the past.

I love how the pacing revealed the connections and events at just the right time to keep me engaged and curious as to what would happen next. The descriptions of the house with a graveyard in the back, of the mystery, the heaviness in the air, the fear, added to the emotional aspects of the story.

I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it. I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House and this is my honest opinion of the book.

Wow! What a novel!! Jaime has not shied away from the hard things in life in this one and has brought us a beautifully nuanced look at the journey of grief. These characters might be her most complex and interesting so far, and the writing - Oh. My. Word. It’s stunning! Some of the prettiest prose I’ve read in a while.

This story is slightly slower paced than her usual edge of your seat thrillers, but it still has plenty of suspense and will keep you guessing until the end! And the slightly slower pace provides space for the complexity of the characters, the deep themes and the beautiful writing to shine through.

I think the best way I can describe this book is if you take Jaime’s usual style and mix in a dose of beautiful prose - think Amanda Dykes’ style - that gets you somewhat near this one.

Something a little different from Jaime for sure, but still just as good as everything she ever writes! Jaime never disappoints if you want complex characters and a suspenseful plot that you can’t guess.

Thanks so much to @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the ARC.

Another thrilling dual time line crime mystery from Jaime Jo Wright. In the early 1900s Effie's sister witnesses a horrible crime that turns the town upside down. In Present day, in the same house on Preicament Ave that the crime was committed, Norah is trying to make her bed and breakfast afloat when tragedy strikes. What follows is spooky, spine tingling, and page turning as both women are trying to understand the danger that is close by. What took my breath away wasn't just the mystery. It was the themes of healing from grief and the HOPE that was found at the end. The author always says that she wants to leave her readers with hope and light at the end of her books and she does. One particular quote got me,
"How do you find such peace? The adventures you wished to had?"
"I have so many adventures coming. Who said they stop when a soul goes to heaven?"

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a gifted copy.
Things happen at 322 Predicament Avenue. Things that make you wonder if something really does go bump in the night.
Norah found herself inheriting 322 Predicament Avenue when her Aunt Eleanor passed on. It was never Norah’s goal in life to be a bed-and-breakfast owner, it was her sister Naomi’s dream. Naomi, sadly, wasn’t around to make that goal happen.
Jump back to 1910 when the residents of 322 Predicament Avenue were members of the James family, specifically Effie (Euphemia) and her sister Polly, two sisters who got up to all kinds of mischief at Polly’s insistence, much to the dismay of their parents and inappropriately so for the time period.
Back to present day, when we meet Sebastian who is a podcaster staying at 322 Predicament Avenue to uncover what happened to Isabelle Addington back in 1910.
Back to 1910 when Isabelle found herself in Shepherd, Iowa, where this story takes place, and the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Also, back in 1910, the ousted family of Shepherd, Iowa, the Oppermans. They’re the family that the town avoided. Mabel Opperman held onto 322 Predicament Avenue because she couldn’t stand the thought of someone else in the town owning the property, so it became a shelter to passersby, transients, random strangers, and the like.
Staying true to her style, this author writes in a dual timeline, that being 1910 and present day, and has a building involved, that being 322 Predicament Avenue. What I enjoy the most is the overlapping of characters and their different yet similar personalities. In this tale, we have Norah and Naomi, sisters, and back in 1910 another set of sisters, Effie and Polly. Each sister pairing suffers a tragedy. We also have Sebastian, the podcaster of today, and Mr. Anderson of 1910, both seeking answers as to what happened to Isabelle Addington. Between these four characters, we also have a hint of love interests, which is also an entertaining offshoot to this tale.
There are a whole host of other characters that make up this tale of Shepherd, Iowa. We have Otto and Ralph, a pair of brothers who Norah grew up around, who her Aunt Eleanor cared about, but there is a deeper story to these two brothers. Their counterpart back in 1910 would be Mabel Opperman and her son Floyd, and the cloud of suspicion surrounding the Oppermans.
There is a lot going on in this tale of 322 Predicament Avenue. I was especially intrigued by the ‘ghostiness’ of this story. You could liken the house at 322 Predicament Avenue to a modern-day haunted house that you might traverse through, or maybe even an old, abandoned house in a town that refuses to tear it down so there it stands in all its ominousness just waiting for folks to pass through. With a graveyard out back for good measure. There are a couple of twists to this haunting tale that I sure wasn’t expecting and came out of the blue, but I think that was the intent.
If you like a good, haunted house/ghost story tying the past to the present with characters that can be quite colorful, with a few twists thrown in, don’t miss this one. I think you’ll enjoy it.

I thought this story starts off good. It really took me several chapters to figure out what was going on. I was confused for awhile. The chapters alternate between past and present. I found the story in the present more interesting. It does have a ghost story feel to it.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue
by Jaime Jo Wright
Pub Date 09 Apr 2024
Bethany House |Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance

Bethany House and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Night Falls on Predicament Avenue for review:


As usual, Jamie Jo Wright does not disappoint:


In 1910, Effie James does everything in her power to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and vulnerable to the killer's revenge. When a British gentleman arrives at Effie's home, he interrupts her quest for proof with his efforts to find his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. The blood staining the walls will forever link Effie to a scandal she could never imagine, and to a woman whose secrets threaten to curse anyone who exposes them.


As Norah Richman runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue, she struggles with social anxiety and grief. While Norah has little affection for the house, she is committed only to carrying out the dreams of her murdered sister until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its grasps and threatens more than just death when a guest is found dead.


I give Night Falls on Predicament Avenue five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

1910

Effie James’ sister falls into a catatonic state after witnessing a horrific crime. Effie is determined to protect her from a killer’s reprisal. The problem is no body has been found and no one believes her. When a British gentleman arrives in town searching for his missing wife who was last seen at none other than 322 Predicament Avenue, the scene of the murder, he believes Effie. However, her relief is short lived when their search for the truth uncovers secrets some have already killed for.

Present Day

Drowning under the weight of social anxiety and grief, Norah Richman struggles to run her late great-aunt’s bed and breakfast at 322 Predicament Avenue. Norah longs to escape the haunted building and all its memories, but she is determined to keep her murdered sister’s dream alive. BnB guest and podcaster Sebastian Blaine’s investigation into the past pokes dormant ghosts back to life, threatening to bring death once more to the doorstep of 322 Predicament Avenue.

Jaime Jo Wright returns with another gothic tale that will keep you guessing until the end. As always, the author pens vivid settings that transport the reader deep into other worlds and time periods. It’s no secret that I love pretty much everything about her books—the unique characters, creepy mysteries, mind-twisting plots—but the settings are hands down my favorite. They stick with me long, and I mean LONG after finishing the last page. I have read all Wright’s stories and her early books stick with me as clearly as her latest ones.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue delivers all Wright’s trademark elements—ghouls of the human kind, breath-snatching mysteries, and of course a message of hope. I strongly recommend Wright’s novels to readers who enjoy stories on the eerie side that don’t sacrifice morality and faith.

I really enjoyed the other book I read from this author (Barlowe Theater), but the particular content of this one just wasn’t for me!
I think goal of writing paranormal content within the Christian fiction realm is really interesting. There’s an art to writing something that feels “creepy” but in the end is revealed for the trick/smoke & mirrors that it is. She also does a great job at writing characters that have depth; specifically, Christian characters that are authentic with their faith, but who grapple with real questions and doubts.

But with this particular book, I didn’t enjoy the “ghost story” elements. And the revelation of one of the culprits made me feel upset & icky. I felt there were so many characters that it was hard to keep track. And the love interest between Effie & Anderson seemed inappropriate, especially considering what the reader knew at the time.
Unfortunately, it was hard for me to finish this one beyond just wanting to know the conclusion.

I’d probably try another one by this author, but it all depends on the specific type of “paranormal” content.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright is a gripping tale of mystery, faith, and redemption that will keep readers enthralled until the end.

Set against the backdrop of the ominous 322 Predicament Avenue, Wright crafts a narrative that seamlessly weaves together two timelines - one in 1901 and the other in the present day. Both timelines are intricately connected by the haunting presence of the old farmhouse, shrouded in rumors of ghostly apparitions and unsolved murders.

In the past, Polly and Effie's innocent act of daring sets off a chain of events that will reverberate through the decades, while in the present, Norah tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding her family's tragic past.

Wright's writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing, drawing readers in with its evocative descriptions and palpable sense of atmosphere. The suspenseful plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth behind the chilling events unfolding at Predicament Avenue.

What sets Night Falls on Predicament Avenue apart is Wright's skillful exploration of faith and hope amidst the darkness. Through her characters' struggles and triumphs, she delivers a powerful message of resilience and the enduring strength found in God's grace.

The characters themselves are beautifully drawn, each with their own compelling arcs and motivations. From Norah's crippling fear to Effie's unwavering courage, Wright imbues her characters with depth and complexity, making them feel like old friends by the end of the novel.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a masterfully crafted journey depicted as a relentless battle against the fear of death, the suffocating weight of grief, and the daunting task of reclaiming life's vibrant essence. With each twist and turn of the narrative, every character is thrust into the turbulent currents, their struggles shaping their paths with raw intensity and unyielding determination that will appeal to fans of mystery, suspense, and Christian fiction alike. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and thought-provoking themes, this is a novel that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a captivating and meaningful read. An essential suggestion and heartfelt recommendation: Take time to read the Author’s Note!

I received a digital copy of Night Falls on Predicament Avenue via Celebrate Lit Publicity Group through NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the excellent writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

*Death had been a guest here at Perdicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death was not ready to check out just yet.*
Mystery in a small town with only two murders in its long history. And they both have connections to the same house, an old dilapidated manor house brought back as a Bed and Breakfast, shrouded in spooky tales. Norah Richman has grown up in the house but has no love for it since her sister was murdered and the killer never found. A famous podcaster, Sebastian Blaine,comes to research the first murder and Norah agrees to help him just to put an end to all the speculation, for the body of Isabelle Addington was never discovered.
The author captures the atmosphere of the 1910 setting and poses believable explanations for the lack of information on the first murder and its victim. Likewise, she slips into the present with unexpected events that satisfy our quest for resolution. Throughout the book, we see how fear affects different people. But as Polly speaks about her faith in her Creator, she will not let fear win. “Fear steals our joy and is the agony of those with no hope. It will not define us. Fear is the enemy we will defeat.”
Another winner from the Queen of Creepy.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
1 like

Another page-turner by Jaime Jo Wright! It had me reading late into the night to find out if the mysteries would be solved and justice done.
It is a dual timeline story with some spine-tingling scenes, and a deeper theme underneath to connect the characters with hope and grace. Both heroines from each time period struggled with fear, anxiety, and loss. Their personal difficulties added a spiritual element to the story in the end as they dealt with grief. Learning to live and move on after suffering a loss is something I could relate to, and it made the characters seem more authentic. The scary scenes were more suggestive of suspense, and not too graphic. This author does the creepy factor well, playing on the imagination of the reader, but reveals the truth to explain it in the end. The "a-ha" moment was unexpected and had me guessing up to the reveal. A little bit of clean romance, but certainly not the focus.
Mystery fans should enjoy this one. Recommend! 4.5 stars

Jaime Jo Wright proves once again that she is queen of suspense in this dual timeline mystery. With expert plot pacing, Ms. Wright skillfully parcels out clues in both storylines, keeping her readers engaged from the first page to the last. Two unexplained murders occurring a hundred years apart have given the house at 322 Predicament Avenue a creepy reputation.
While I guessed at the identity of the villain in one of the storylines, I was taken by surprise by the other. I love how Ms. Wright builds the suspense equally between both stories. While I enjoyed both, I was quickly drawn to Norah. Hoping she would be able to overcome the overwhelming grief and fear that continue to haunt her.
While I can always count on the author to pen a great mystery filled with gothic creepiness, I also count on the subtle faith elements woven throughout. While this story is definitely tainted with tragedy and grief, it also has a strong message of hope. Eagerly awaiting the next book!

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

Jaime Jo Wright is truly a master at creating stories that are simultaneously suspenseful and spooky, while also filled with hope. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue was absolutely no exception and I absolutely loved it!

This is a dual timeline story, alternating between 1910 and present day. In the past, Effie and her sister stumble upon a murder scene at 322 Predicament Avenue, but when police investigate, no evidence of such is found. When a stranger shows up believing they heard to the murder of his wife, Effie is thrown into the investigation. In present day, Norah is now running a B&B at the residence, where Sebastian- a true crime podcaster- is staying and researching the historical case, the ghost that seemingly haunts it, and even perhaps that of Norah's very own sister. Both stories were equally captivating and had me at the edge of my seat. There were many twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The stories were heartbreaking, but there was a beautiful message of faith within it as well.

If this is your first Jaime Jo Wright read, you might be questioning the idea of a ghost story within Christian fiction, but the thing that I love most about her books is that nothing is ever quite what it seems. While it has all those spooky vibes of a ghost story, in the end, everything is perfectly explained.


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

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue – Jaime Jo Wright
Predicament avenue is the address for a mysterious death in 1910 and as we move into a different era a century later, it seems that not much has changed for this ramshackle old house. The author deftly takes you through the dual timeline tale with Effie at the center of the 1910 timeline and Norah, a century later as the proprietress of the bed and breakfast. The first line is “I can hear the darkness.” I am a mystery and suspense lover, so this one line speaks volumes to me. I also appreciate the well plotted dual timeline that is never difficult to discern which era you’re reading about. Be aware that there’s always a bit of murder and mayhem in the author’s tales, but there is always a more plausible justification, with the author always pointing the way back to the light. So, if spookiness causes you apprehension and invokes thoughts of ghosts and such, be aware that this is never the intention of the author, and she knows that the light speaks for itself.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed everything the author has published and don’t hesitate to recommend any of her novels, all of which are all stand alone. This is her eleventh book, so you have plenty of suspenseful reading to keep you up late at night reading! She is one of my favorite authors and an auto buy for me! Ms. Wright is also a Christy Award winner for her debut, The House on Foster Hill which is still a favorite of mine. She is also a 2023 Christy Award Finalist for The Souls of Lost Lake and a Carol Award Winner for The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond.
I received an e-copy of this book from Net Galley 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 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Another great read by Jaime Jo Wright! I'm always amazed how the different timelines tie together at the end. The mystery was engaging and kept me wondering until the end. The characters are interesting and their development throughout the course of the story is well done. Norah's struggles with grief and her hesitancy to trust Sebastian was very relatable, and the tension between Effie and Anderson was fantastic.

Shepherd, Iowa—a small town with two unsolved murders in one hundred years. Both murders revolve around the farm house at 322 Predicament. As the story unfolds in a dual time-line, we find that is not the only thing each of the murders have in common. Both murders are resolved, and the central character in each of the murders discovers that she is stronger and more resourceful than she thought she was. Hope in the future comes to them with the discovery of the murderer. The book is well-wtritten. The characters are realistic, and I really cared about them. The suspense never fades. I was surprised by the resolution. If you are a mystery fan, reading about the happenings at Predicament Avenue would be a good way to spend a couple of cozy evenings in front of a fireplace. I will definitely be looking at Jaime Wright’s other novels.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thank you!

Another great book by my favorite Christian author.(Gothic Mystery)
Split-time, Creepy, Haunting. A book you should read in the dark with only a candle burning. The characters are very well written. This book kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend Night Falls on Predicament Ave. You will not be disappointed. Can't wait to read her next one.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue
by Jaime Jo Wright
Pub Date: April 9, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.
This book combines two of my favorite genres, Christian Fiction and Mystery.
Another great book by Jaime Jo Wright. I am always in awe at the quality of her books. They always bring layers of creepiness, suspense, and faith elements. In Night Falls On Predicament Avenue, grief, loss, and hope are major themes and Wright masterfully handles them in both timelines. This is a book where I equally liked both timelines and the parallels between the two were excellent.
5 stars

“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out quite yet.”

Wright seems to have the perfect recipe for a gothic-inspired mystery! She’s mixed together 1 address (322 Predicament Avenue) with 1 small town (Shepherd, Iowa). Then set it 2 centuries apart (1901 and present day) and sprinkled in 3 murders (Isabelle Addington, Naomi Richman, and Walter Miller) and dusted it lightly with a dash of ‘faith’.

Everyone in Shepherd agrees that 322 Predicament Avenue is haunted. It’s the “strangest and most mysterious place in the entire small Iowa town.” To two girls, Eupehmia ‘Effie’ and Polly James, the old farmhouse holds allure. The decision to follow through on a bold sister’s dare changes everything for the James siblings. Haunted houses and dares go hand in hand, don’t they?!

In the present day, Norah Richman has inherited her Aunt Eleanor’s farmhouse on Predicament Avenue. Struggling with anxiety and deep in grief with her twin sister’s death, Norah is uncertain what to do with her inheritance. Upholding her sister’s dream to open it as a Bed & Breakfast, Norah welcomes her first guest, Sebastian Blaine who arrives expecting a ghostly experience. He’s a true crime podcaster and digs into the house’s history on ‘Cold, Dead, But Never Buried’. When a second guest dies, Norah fears the house’s past is catching up with its present.

I thought this was a perfect balance of suspense, mystery and faith. I appreciated the focus on the sisterly bond, anxiety, grief and loneliness, as well as the exploration on how we face our fear.

“We’re afraid of death in part because we’re afraid of the grief that follows. Death is momentary, but grief is what’s left behind.”

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.