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The White City: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime
by Grace Hitchcock - This is the first in a fascinating new series of historical novels based on true crime stories. The setting is in Chicago during the World Fair of 1893. Winnifred Wylde has fairly earned her reputation for having an over-active imagination, but she is certain about what she witnessed at the fair - a young woman being kidnapped. She goes to her police inspector father for help, and he downplays her claim but does assign a detective to guard her - without her knowing it, or so he believes. Winnifred does notice that Detective Jude Thorpe is trailing her, and soon convinces him that they should work together to track down the suspect, whom they identify as a Mr. Holmes.
Jude is skeptical to begin with, but since he realizes that Winnifred is very observant and intelligent, he agrees to partner with her to ensure her safety. As they get to know each other, he trusts her with a little information about his own personal investigation into his brother-in-law's suspicious death. Soon they are fast friends as well as investigation partners, and are falling in love too. Unfortunately, Winnifred's father will not allow their courtship, and insists that she consider another suitor, Percival Covington. Winnifred finds Percival interesting, especially when she discovers that he is the author of some of her favorite romantic novels, but her preference is still Jude.
Hoping to find evidence and further leads, Winnifred goes undercover as Mr Holmes's secretary, with Jude continuing to act as her bodyguard. They find plenty to raise suspicions, and with every new lead Winnifred's own safety is at increased risk. Can she and Jude uncover enough information to get a warrant and open an official investigation before Winnifred becomes a victim?
The mystery behind the kidnappings and Holmes's illicit activity is intriguing, and especially fascinating because it is based on the true story of a man who became known as America's first serial killer. Although I didn't read the historical note about Holmes until I'd finished the book, just knowing that the kidnappings really took place gave an extra interest to the story and I was very quickly drawn into the mystery and the danger to the fictional characters felt more real. This story wove historical details and events with well-drawn fictional characters in a very believable way.
by Grace Hitchcock - This is the first in a fascinating new series of historical novels based on true crime stories. The setting is in Chicago during the World Fair of 1893. Winnifred Wylde has fairly earned her reputation for having an over-active imagination, but she is certain about what she witnessed at the fair - a young woman being kidnapped. She goes to her police inspector father for help, and he downplays her claim but does assign a detective to guard her - without her knowing it, or so he believes. Winnifred does notice that Detective Jude Thorpe is trailing her, and soon convinces him that they should work together to track down the suspect, whom they identify as a Mr. Holmes.Jude is skeptical to begin with, but since he realizes that Winnifred is very observant and intelligent, he agrees to partner with her to ensure her safety. As they get to know each other, he trusts her with a little information about his own personal investigation into his brother-in-law's suspicious death. Soon they are fast friends as well as investigation partners, and are falling in love too. Unfortunately, Winnifred's father will not allow their courtship, and insists that she consider another suitor, Percival Covington. Winnifred finds Percival interesting, especially when she discovers that he is the author of some of her favorite romantic novels, but her preference is still Jude.
Hoping to find evidence and further leads, Winnifred goes undercover as Mr Holmes's secretary, with Jude continuing to act as her bodyguard. They find plenty to raise suspicions, and with every new lead Winnifred's own safety is at increased risk. Can she and Jude uncover enough information to get a warrant and open an official investigation before Winnifred becomes a victim?
The mystery behind the kidnappings and Holmes's illicit activity is intriguing, and especially fascinating because it is based on the true story of a man who became known as America's first serial killer. Although I didn't read the historical note about Holmes until I'd finished the book, just knowing that the kidnappings really took place gave an extra interest to the story and I was very quickly drawn into the mystery and the danger to the fictional characters felt more real. This story wove historical details and events with well-drawn fictional characters in a very believable way.
From the publisher:
Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World's Fair
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
While attending the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question -- if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.
Will she be able to expose H.H. Holmes's illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This is a book by an author who is new to me, for the 2019 Modern Mrs Darcy Reading Challenge.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I’ll be adding this to my wishlist.
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