I believe this was my first book I’ve read by Jaime and it most definitely will not be my last! I loved how this story played out and how we got to see the dual timelines flip back and forth with the same characters involved. I also love that Marian’s great great grandson was included in the present day timeline within the mysterious case. There were surprises I didn’t even guess, which I ADORE that aspect in any suspenseful novel, and I loved the feel I got of seeing the light through the darkness.

This gothic suspense story was entertaining and inspiring albeit eerie and ominous I found the lessons in it thought provoking. I’m pulled toward writing thats poetic and atmospheric and Wright certainly succeeded in gripping my attention. The familial drama and instances where the characters trauma bonded was so well done. Showcasing them struggling to have faith regardless of fear truly spoke to me. I loved the inclusion of the “ You are wanted” affirmation I feel that so many of us deserve to hear that or be reminded of that notion more. Overall, a solid gothic story with interesting characters and a strong faith message.

Read this is you enjoy,
Dual Timelines
Dual POV
Gothic stories set in October
Mental Health advocacy

Thank you @jaimejowright @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose for the gifted copies for the tour.

Jaime Jo Wright will forever be one of my favorite authors--she knows how to write stories that give you goosebumps and move you emotionally in unexpected ways. Specters in the Glass House was both of those things, and I especially loved the disability rep in the story.

While I didn't really love the present day timeline for various reasons, the past timeline was really engaging and I really connected with the characters and was invested in the mystery aspect of the story.

4/5 from me!

I know I can never go wrong with a Jaime Jo Wright book, and this one was no exception. I loved the mystery and thriller aspects of the book and was quickly absorbed by the story. As always, Wright writes a book that is based on Christian ideals and yet also has ghosts, monsters, and things that creep in the night. It is, of course, all explained at the end, and I love how she does it!

Specters in the Glass House is a dual timeline gothic mystery romance! I am such a huge fan of Jaime’s and this was another excellent mystery by one of my favorite authors!

Read for:
- Mystery and suspense
- Dual timeline: prohibition & modern day
- Mental health/mental illness rep
- Haunted house vibes (perfect for spooky season!)
- Romance
- Hope and redemption arcs
- Compelling storytelling

Synopsis:
An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron’s empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family’s Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian’s sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer’s ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer’s quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold’s mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian’s great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

One of my favorite places to go as a child was the Butterfly House in St. Louis. Jaime Jo Wright took the butterfly house, made it the scene of a murder with dead butterflies serving as the killer's calling card, and skillfully uses a dual timeline to create a gothic atmospheric mystery. Set during Prohibition in Wisconsin, Marian Arnold grapples with the death of her parents, troubling visions, and a serial killer on the loose. In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw is hired to investigate Marian Arnold's life and her ties to butterfly killer murders. Readers should slowly read this book to engross themselves in the world Wright has masterfully created intending to unravel the secrets before the last page.

Eerie…heartbreaking….touching….haunting….shocking… Those are just some words to describe this fascinating story. The ending really had me in shock. I love how things all came together in the end. Jaimie’s stories always pull at a variety of emotions. The unknowns that carry the story along are fascinating. But what I love the most in how she can weave God’s story into even the worst of circumstances. This story was just another example of how good can come from any situation and that God’s grace can shine through anything.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Like Jaime Jo Wright's previous books, this story is told in dual time periods.
A story told around prohibition and in the present an old Manor house that
has a hidden past. It's a book that kept me guessing. Jaime is clever at
weaving a creepy story that gave me the shivers.

Thank you to @jaimejowright @netgalley and @bethanyhouse for this #gifted book!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Specters in the Glass House
Author: Jaime Jo Wright
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: “I protect my family because they protected me. So no. Some stories were never meant to be told. Especially by Elton Floyd—or you for that matter.” Remy Crenshaw is hired by Elton Floyd to investigate what some say is a haunted manor and the mystery of Marian Arnold and the Butterfly Butcher. When she discovers a glass house left to the ruins of time, she is surprised to find a grave inside with mysterious messages surrounding it. As Remy dives into the history of Mullerian Manor, she finds the haunting may not really be so scary but instead speaks to problems that are unseen and perhaps affect more than we care to admit.

Analysis: Jaime Jo Wright holds such a unique space in Christian fiction, and this new book speaks to issues that you may be surprised to find in the Christian fiction world. But that’s exactly why I love this author and this book! The story will keep you turning the pages and maybe even up a little too late as you try to uncover this masterfully told mystery. You get all the suspense without the gore and horror. And perhaps most importantly, these characters point to hope. They deal with darkness—murder, broken pasts, personal struggles—but ultimately they look for the light that we can only find in Christ. If you’re looking for the perfect fall mystery, add this book to your TBR! And you might as well add Jaime’s others too! You’ll definitely want more when you turn that final page.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Split time mystery with memorable characters and a twisted plot. Lose yourself in the story that will keep you guessing to the very end, NetGalley, the publisher and author, provided this book for my review. Opinions are my own thoughts. #NetGalley #SpectersintheGlass House. #JaimeJoWright

This was my first Jamie Jo Wright and I enjoyed it, though I am not a huge dual timeline, but I knew that is how she writes before trying her so I was okay with it. I thought both timelines were done pretty good and keep me curious about both so that was good. There was a fun twist at the end I didn't see coming that I liked. I would say the only thing I wasn't a fan of is the cause for the visions that was revealed but that is because I am not of a fan of that type of storyline. I will try another one from this author..

Specters in the Glass House is officially my favorite Jaime Jo Wright book to date!
This book had so much depth while handling sensitive topics carefully. Both storylines were captivating, having me turn page after page, teasing me by switching storylines when I needed to find out what happened with the other one.
There were many unexpected twists and turns—like every Jaime Jo Wright book—but ones that hit me in my feels also unexpectedly.
The romance in both storylines was sweet & tender, with selfless heroes.
The faith was woven beautifully through each time period, pointing them to the Creator through the beauty He’s placed in this world despite the dire circumstances they faced.
If you’re looking for a fall-theme, spooky, twisty romantic thriller, with faith, be sure to get your copy of Specters in the Glass House.

RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💋
✝️✝️✝️
16+

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of a spooky side, Jamie Jo Wright never disappoints. Her latest book, Specters in the Glass House, gives a honest and hopeful look at mental illness that is compassionate and not condescending. This one has a little different feel than her previous books, but fans of Wright won’t want to miss it!

Readers are always excited when this author releases another book. Gothic, spooky and erie all described this highly anticipated novel. With two time lines, a strong emphasis on fairh this novel respectfully highlights the struggles of mental illness. Recommended.

Wright is such a brilliant storyteller managing to juggle two time periods with challenging themes and somehow connect it all. Oh, and we can't forget the suspense, a bit of creepiness and gothic elements. Yep, "Specters" has it all and once again is a riveting read that keeps the reader guessing.

I appreciate how Wright explores mental health maladies in her stories and gives them a wide reign, always allowing us to build empathy for her characters who experience them. She holds them gently, doesn't preach nor belittle and allows her characters to hope there is life with the malady.

Marian Arnold and Remy Shaw are the lead characters; Marian in the 1920s prohibition era and Remy in the present day. Both have been led to a house of dubious history, some might even suggest, it's haunted. This large Wisconsin estate was built by Marian's mother who would often change her mind during the building process resulting in rooms that weren't complete and doors that led to brick walls. Marian is left the estate by her father in the family will, he having died having lost much of his brewing wealth due to prohibition.

Remy arrives at the same seat 100 years later to take up the position as research assistant to eccentric elderly writer, Elton Floyd, who is writing a book on the Arnold family and the Butterfly Butcher who was rumoured to be responsible for a number of deaths at the estate including Marian's mother.

It's all quite enthralling and we're kept guessing which is a feature of Wright's story craft. Marian and Remy are wonderful characters: complex, a little troubled, and wanting to be loved. The male leads, Felix Dale and Tate Arnold are similarly broken, the former from WW1 and the latter from his family heritage. They provide a depth to the story in giving Marian and Remy hope even though both have troubled histories.

The house and glasshouse are almost characters in themselves in this story and Wright provides excellent visional imagery to allow the reader to feel they're within their walls.

The unravelling of both stories was quite surprising and one has to keep one's focus as it proceeds. The story wraps up well and leaves the reader wishing there was another Wright story not too far away on the horizon.

Another beauty from Wright which I highly recommend.

I feel especially blessed by receiving access to an early version of the story from Bethany House via the Net Galley App and this has no bearing on my review.

I always love Jaime Jo Wright's books....and they are especially fun to read in October when I'm looking for a slightly creepy book. Specters in the Glass House alternates between Marion's story in 19221 and present day Remy. Jaime does a wonderful job intertwining these stories and wrapping it all up very nicely at the end.

I read/listened to the audio version and thought the narrators did a great job. I've listened to several historical fiction books read by Pilar Witherspoon. Rebecca Quinn Robertson was new to me but I enjoyed her voice.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 1 October 2024

Wowza! Jaime Jo Wright is the queen of dual timeline creepy stories. Yet underneath, she spins a web of faith that brings light amidst the darkness. Told from the viewpoints of the heroine in both timelines, Ms. Wright expertly switches between the two with a well-paced plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Just when I thought I had figured out the villain, well-placed clues and red herrings led me in a totally different direction.

There is a lovely message of accepting the Creator's imprint on each of us, acknowledging one's value in a world that does not value those who see it through a different lens. A wonderful story addressing the difficulties faced by those struggling with mental health.

Filled with all the creepy vibes of a delightful fall read!

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

A mysterious woman, a ghostly house, and a serial killer in the past are the research subject for a present-day woman who discovers the deadly secrets from the past have reawakened. Jaime Jo Wright has a gift for dual-timeline suspense. This is only my second visit to her books, but the experience rivaled my first time for engagement and enjoyment of the atmospheric tone she creates, the character stories and the mystery plot that winds to some tension-wrought surprise reveals.

The past story takes place in the Prohibition Post WWI-era at a mysterious gothic-style mansion built by the wife of a Milwaukee brewery baron with all sorts of architectural oddities including a butterfly house on the grounds. Marian Arnold’s family wealth is mostly gone now that Prohibition has closed the lucrative family brewery and she has recently buried her sole remaining parent. Her inheritance is the Victorian gothic-style mansion in the Wisconsin countryside that was designed by her eccentric artist mother and was the family summer home. Now, she’s alone in a house with a reduced serving staff, her memories of her mother who had a deep fixation for butterflies, and a ghost who warns her of danger and death. She thinks the arrival of her partying anti-prohibition cousin and his fiancée will take the burdens and loneliness away, but instead death and a growing horror for the killer who leaves dead butterflies arrives as well. Only her once childhood friend struggling with his own post-war night terrors and loss of a leg seems to steady her.

In the present, Remy Shaw, a one-time foster kid finds it surreal that she was hired as research assistant to a well-known biographer who bought the Mullerian Mansion and is researching the story of the cryptic Marian Arnold who is thought to be one the victims of the Butterfly Butcher serial killer. Odd and inexplicable events happen in the place and everyone in the household seems to be harboring secrets including the descendant of the Arnolds who doesn’t want Marian’s story written.

At first, Marian’s story was the more powerful inducement for me, but eventually I got equally invested in Remy’s end of the story. I was curious about a few matters and had my suspicions of some of the answers. I was right about much of my guesses, but still got some good surprises there in the end. I enjoyed the blend of historical background, suspense plot, the character descriptions and subtle romance developments. There are mental health and inspirational elements handled deftly by the author and woven into the larger tale so well. My curiosity and emotions were equally piqued. Who knew the presence of butterflies could send a chill down one’s spine? This would make a fabulous fall spooky read cozied up with a hot cider, a fuzzy blanket and a nice fire on a crisp, dark night.

This was one of the most unique books I’ve read in a very long time. Between a historical fiction with dual timelines, mystery with some thrill involved, and mentions of God, it was easily a favorite. And a perfect book for October!

I really didn’t know what to expect. Parts scared me a little, but just could not stop reading…and I’m so glad I didn’t. It was just such a great book, with unexpected twists toward the end.

The pacing throughout the book was steady, and I didn’t feel as if there was a slump. It just kept pushing forward and the story was so intriguing that it was practically impossible to put down. And in both timelines the story was equally captivating, it was a great balance.

I felt like I was there, figuring out the truth surrounding Marion and the deaths at her house. I was just solving mysteries with both main characters - Marion and Remy - in both era, though they did a much better job and actually figuring it out than I did.

There were parts that I felt were a little creepy, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I may have even jumped when my own dog moved my door unexpectedly. I’m not usually one for books like this, but when I hit the ending it was definitely worth it.

The book had also so many great quotes, and I appreciated when the story pointed to God. I will just leave you with one of my favorites:

“You have to choose to believe that when your world is shuttered and dark with unknown dangers, life is still worth fighting through. That God sees into it even when you don’t. That you’ll come out the other side with purpose.”

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from @jaimejowright @bethanyhousefiction and @austenprose . However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright is a well-crafted story that is one intense read. I chose this book because I was looking for a spooky read for October and because I find the prohibition days interesting.

The story took place at Müllerian Manor near Milwaukee, WI At that time, a lot of the brewery families there were of German heritage. I appreciated how the backstory of the 1920s post- WW1 cultural bias against these families was skillfully woven into the story line.

The story takes place in two timelines. Murderous events happened in Marian's 1920s world. Modern day characters, Elton and Remy, are researching Marian's life and the serial killer, the Butterfly Butcher. What surprised me was that Remy's story quickly became the larger part of the book as happenings turned ominous and threatening with multiple parallels to Marian's life.

I found the plot lines multi-layered and well developed. I was invested in each character's journey. The cover is a beautiful representation of the butterfly house from Marian's day.

This was the first book I have read by this author and thriller-level suspense is not my usual genre. It turned out that with threatening and murderous things happening in both times - it was just too much for me. Thad to jump to the end of the book to see whodunnit and WHY? I also found the way it was jumping back and forth from the 1920s to the present too much for me to keep track of.

Though this was more suspense than I was ready for I am sure that those who seek thriller level mysteries spanning dual times will want to dig into this one.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.