The White City
True Colors #1
by Grace Hitchcock
256 pages // published in 2019 // Christian historical fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION
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?
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 think I just found one of my favorite literary heroines of the year. She adores books, has a nose for real-life mysteries, and isn't afraid of a little danger. If there was a sequel with this character in it, I'd read it.
For her novel debut, Grace Hitchcock has hit it out of the park. Her storytelling qualities simply shine forth.
I felt though that a little bit of "telling" comes out, instead of "showing", which slightly wavered my faith in that first wonderfully descriptive page in the book. But in actuality, it really did hook me from the first line, to be honest. And it stuck.
Now, it's a very romancey type of story. Of course, it's all kept very sweet, so for that I'm glad. But a big portion of the plot revolves around Winnie's potential suitors. My preference is typically more action, less romance -- but I still enjoyed it.
The best aspect about the book is that it is Christian fiction, and keeps a soft spiritual undertone. It's not heavy, just a few prayers and scriptures, but I'm so glad that Winnie's faith is illustrated, and that good values triumph.
Gory level: 1. (For a book about hunting down a serial killer, at least we don't have to deal with gruesome scenes. I was anxious about how ugly it could get, so that's why I felt like mentioning it here. It's totally fine!)
Minimum age to to enjoy: 13 to Adult.
"...even though she may look the part of a young socialite, she had an adventurous soul."
Five stars.
Will I be reading the next book in the True Colors series? You betcha.
Will I be on the lookout for what Grace Hitchcock will be writing next? You betcha.
P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.
