1928The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the “Watchman,” she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa’s search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she … circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.
Present Day
The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.
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I’ve always been in awe of timeslip novelists & this author is exceptional. The incredible cover is fine wrapping for this riveting, unique tale & all its colorful characters & complications. Wonderfully unpredictable & engrossing!
“The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus” is the third Jaime Jo Wright novel I’ve read this year. Upon turning the final page, each subsequent novel instantly became my new favorite, which just goes to show that Wright is doing what great authors should—improving her craft from book to book while consistently delivering what won her readers over in her debut.
In Bonaventure, Wright’s signature haunting style and atmospheric prose are enhanced by a poignant tale of two women who long to be seen, yet fear being fully known. Through Chandler and Pippa’s interwoven stories, Wright draws the reader close enough to lift our chin, meet our gaze, and assure us that there is One who will never lose sight of us. One who sees us for all we are and doesn’t turn His face away. Highly recommend!
Author Jaime Jo Wright just keeps getting better. Her style of writing is simply incredible. And the level of creepiness in her stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters in this story are very well developed, they have depth. They seem real. The descriptions of places, of scenery, of buildings, is incredibly well done. You feel as if you have been placed right there. I’m sure I could hear the elephants trumpeting!
Since this is split time, remember that 1928 is going to call for different phrasing. Things will be worded differently then they are today. People will be treated differently. That is all historical and necessary to the story be it labels or supposed stereotypes. Wright has done her homework in making this authentic to the time.
Wright always crafts a great mystery with many trails to follow and this one is no different. While the title implies ghosts etc Wright always reveals Biblical truth, so don’t let that possibility stop you from reading any of her books. Faith elements are beautifully woven into the story as we’re reminded that we are special, and we are loved.
If you are looking for something different, with a twist you won’t see coming, then grab a copy and go to the Bonaventure Circus.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I stayed up far past my bedtime to read this book by Jaime Jo Wright. If the circus world and dual-time stories are your jam, then this one is not to be missed! Beautiful story-telling, fun twists, and relatable characters make up one haunting tale!
Captivating!
This was a great daytime listen for me! (I can’t do suspense before bedtime, I tend to stay up all night to finish.)
I was captivated by the mysteries surrounding the circus. I did guess one thing correctly but was completely surprised by another.
I was also completely shocked at parts of the present-day storyline. I can’t say anything without spoilers, you must read or listen for yourself.
I loved how the author wove true faith elements throughout both stories in a natural way and let the characters make their own decisions.
Oh goodness, Jaime Jo Wright’s books just seem to get better and better! I may or may not have made the mistake of reading some of this in the nighttime. Maybe one of these days I’ll learn my lesson haha. I don’t know how she manages it but just as with her others, Wright has done a masterful job of creating suspense that causes readers’ minds to spin wildly as they attempt to put all the pieces together. And no longer shocking, the ending still managed to be full of surprises.
Pippa was such an easy character to love and the deeper I got into her story, the more I hoped for her to find love and a place to belong herself. My heart also went out to Lily the elephant and it warmed my heart to see the connection she had with Pippa. I’ve seen others make comments about wanting to pray for a fictional elephant and now I get it!
It was very easy to see that a whole lot of heart and soul went into Chandler’s character and that of her son Peter. The mother-son bond was powerfully written and there’s no question that real emotion went into their creation.
I do believe I’ve found my new favorite Jaime Jo Write novel and now I must sit impatiently waiting for what she comes up with next. Her books are ones you don’t want to miss! Just read during the daytime… you’ll thank me later 😉
*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Wow! This book is amazing! I was hooked immediately! For being a Christian fiction book, this one had me freaked out a little bit. If you get freaked out easily, I would recommend reading this during the day. I couldn’t put this book down though. I was so wrapped up in Chandler and Pippa’s lives! I just had to know their stories! This is one that I know I will read again!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Whenever I start a Jaime Jo Wright book, I want to put a sign on my forehead saying “Go away I’m reading”!! Not to be rude, but I love her can’t-put-it-down, meaningful page-turning suspense, and once I get that book in my hands my family will see me when they see me!
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is a dual timeline past/present story with Pippa Ripley who is searching for her birth family from the circus after being left on the doorstep of and being raised by the owner of the circus. Present-day real estate project manager Chandler Faulk and her 7-year-old son come to town and Chandler needs to make a case for keeping the historic old circus train depot.
I love that I am kept guessing and never see it coming. Those are my favorite types of books!
Themes of identity, being seen, belonging, solving decades-old murders, being labeled as a serial killer’s family for generations, effects of Lymes disease-causing difficult autoimmune issues, second chances, and family. You really don’t want to miss The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus!
Some of my favorite quotes:
“She’s a French Fry short of a Happy Meal, God love her ”
“Revenge is an evil in and of itself. In it we seek to find ourselves, but more likely than not we become more lost than we ever were before.”
I cracked up when Chandler calls Hank “Sasquatch”, and “a presumptuous walking Chewbacca”
“I am seen and loved by God. I was created for a purpose. I need no other truth.”
“The circus flowed through Peppa like vengeance flowed through him. That insatiable need to attach themselves to a cause, to justice, to protecting what they loved. To have someone fight for them. To be seen.”
“We all need saving.” He smiled just a bit. “It’s the idea that we don’t that makes us fools”
Please check it out!
Once again Jamie Jo Wright has penned a time-slip novel full of suspense, history, along with some hair-raising moments. As with her previous novels I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up way past my bedtime reading. Even with the spooky moments I was able to sleep just fine.
I felt like I’d stepped back into my childhood to when we’d go to the circus, when I met Pippa and Lily, the elephant was born.
Ms. Wright does a great job bringing us into the present day story of Chandler and her son, Peter.
The story switches easily between time periods and storylines. Ms. Wright’s ability to not only switch from both time periods but give use deep view of broken, tormented, and rejected characters is visible from page one until the end.
I wanted to find out what the answer to the mystery was but I didn’t want the story to end!
The inspirational thread was perfectly placed!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jaime Jo Wright has done it again! She is the queen of masterfully weaving dual timelines into a story that readers won’t be able to quit.
Oh, I wish I could talk about everything about this book! I can’t even form coherent thoughts. It’s basically just one big fangirl session, so here we go:
•I dearly loved the characters, even the baby elephant!
•The creep factor was intense–so intense that I started watching for circus ghosts at work.
•I’m a romance girl through and through, so I’m always partial to the romantic bits. And they were FANTASTIC. All the stars, all the heart eye emojis.
•I did not see *anything* coming. Am I just really bad at puzzles or is Wright really that good? I don’t know, but either way, the plot is smart and the writing is top notch.
•After finishing the book, I closed it and said, “That was really beautiful.” ‘Cause it was.
I highly recommend this one, friends. It’s all of the right things and has become one of my favorites from Wright.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.
Jaime Joe Wright crafts a lyrically haunting and heart pounding suspese novel that readers will stay up past their bedtime reading. A fantastically written duel timeline story, Wright weaves the story of two women and a frightening murder that connects them into a story of intrigue and horror. It’s the perfect story to keep readers on the edge of their seats and wanting more. Both Pippa and Chandler are easily relatable, as well, bringing this thrilling story to life. This is a tale that readers will not soon forget!!
Genre: duel timeline, historical, contemporary, romance, mystery, thriller
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication date: September 1, 2020
Number of pages: 393
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
A great read especially for October. Different from my usual reading I found this book hard to put down. Great characters and setting. I recommend it highly.
Intricate and intense. A masterpiece of a mystery that spans two eras, with highly unique setting and characters. The unlikely pairings for the two romances seem absolutely perfect by the end of the novel. Excellent read. Highly recommended.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is packed with amazing, unique, characters separated into two groups, one past, one present. Following true to the rules of a time slip, the past-a unique and beautiful story, telling Pippa’s journey- is very connected to the present – a very different story, telling Chandler’s journey. Weaving two unique stories together is not an easy task. Yet, here is a great example.
I especially enjoyed the look behind the curtain into the lives of Circus workers. This is one of the great reasons why this is the next book you should read.
This is not a token 5 star. I have to be wowed to give one. Needless to say, this book is packed with amazing characters, well painted settings, action, struggles, heartache, romance, (love Hank and Jake), and well researched writing that kept Pippa in her century and Chandler in hers.
Oh, and you’ll fall in love with Lily.
Dude. That…wow. That was a wild ride. I’d never read a Jaime Jo Write book before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but her covers really made me wanna try it out. And I’m so glad I did!
Chandler and Pippa were two different characters nearly a hundred years apart, yet the way their stories intertwined was so cool. I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy the book—the word haunting should give you a hint as to why—and while the ghost talk made me uncomfortable, there was only one character that actually made it an obsession, and the rest of the talk about it didn’t completely make me dislike it, sooooo.
(I’m having a really hard time organizing my thoughts, I shouldn’t have waited two weeks after I finished reading it before I reviewed, haha)
BUT. I did love Chandler’s character! She was so relatable, and so was Pippa (actually, Pippa was the more relatable one for me, I’d say)! Can you believe I actually found a book where I loved both female protagonists?! Actually, I think I liked them better than the male characters. *GASP* Yes, you heard that right. While I loved Jake (and Clive and the other circus dudes, for that matter) and enjoyed Hank (once I saw past his ego), my favorite characters were Chandler and Pippa. Pippa especially. So may we all just stand and applause Ms. Wright for accomplishing this?!
Okay, so, the plot. *grins and rubs hands together* the plOT! Duuuude. So, I don’t remember the last time I read a historical mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Couple that with the modern-day mystery that hinted at the past, it made me want to SCREAM because THAT person was going to die and I just wanted to go back in time and warn the characters.
The mystery with Pippa was centered around the Watchman. This part confused me a bit, as I wondered just how she knew that he held the key to her past. But, he did, and duuuude. So, like, I had my suspicions about the serial killer. I thought I had the culprit pegged close to the beginning of the book. But then I thought “Nah, I don’t think so.” And ya know what? I WAS RIGHT. Liiiiiike…#mindblown And then to find out the rest about Pippa’s past, and who the Watchman was, andandand *deep breath* Did I mention that this was a wild ride??
Okay, so, Chandler’s mystery. Not quite as nail-biting—at least, not until she broke through the wall. (those that have read the book KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING.) Every time I thought we’d get to the bottom of the mystery, a new development would pop up and screw everything and make my head spin. Aaaaaand then we find out who the bad guy is. And I was NOT expecting that and so once again, #mindblown
Sooooo, the last part to talk about is the romance. Actually, it wasn’t so much that I would take it down a star! There were a couple scenes (especially that one with Pippa) that I could’ve done without, but the rest of the book made up for it.
All this to say, Jaime Jo Wright did a fantastic job on her latest book!
*I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
Pippa, 1928 – Daughter of circus workers, abandoned and raised by the owner’s family, Pippa is now considered “circus royalty,” above the grit and grime of the circus, yet still feels like she belongs down in the community. Pippa has felt a presence nearby all of her life, watching her, protecting her, calling to her. When The Watchman, as she calls him, begins to step out of the shadows, Pippa will have to decide who to trust.
Chandler, present day – Niece of the new owner of the old circus train depot, Chandler is tasked with determining if the building is a candidate for renovation or if it should simply be demolished.
When the ghosts of the circus’s dark and foreboding past threaten Chandler in the present, she finds herself digging into the story of a serial killer who preyed on the circus in the past. But even in the present day, there’s a very real danger that leads Chandler to be uncertain of who she can turn to.
I had a very difficult time reviewing this book. The idea of an old-fashioned circus as the setting/backdrop, solving a bit of a mystery in the past that connects to the present, it all sounded really intriguing. And though the title certainly doesn’t scream Christian fiction, it’s billed as such. However, there is so much about this book that I struggled with, and in the end, I just don’t understand how it was released like this. I’m going to try to sort out my thoughts in sections below, to at least attempt to keep this review coherent.
Story – The past storyline on its own was decent, if a little muddled. The question of who The Watchman was and what he wanted from Pippa definitely kept me going throughout the book. There was not nearly as much exploration of circus life as I expected, as much of the story takes place in Pippa’s family’s house or in the elephant house, where Pippa is helping to care for an injured baby elephant. But that story on its own was pretty good, from beginning to end.
However, I found the present-day storyline completely pointless. I thought that, as the reader, some of the answers of the past mystery wouldn’t be revealed there in the past, but would come to light when discoveries were made almost 100 years later. I was wrong. It was basically an entire story in itself, with the past storyline a somewhat unnecessary background. And I didn’t like the present-day storyline at all. Seriously, Chandler just needed to put surveillance cameras in the buildings and that would’ve solved an awful lot of her trouble.
Characters – There’s an interesting dynamic between the two main characters. Chandler is fiercely independent, and Pippa is fiercely subordinate to all of the men in her life, even the one in the shadows, obeying his every secretive whim. And this is something the book did mostly well with, as both of these women found their way to a more neutral stance, allowing themselves to breathe a bit and have a bit more freedom. Overall, though, Chandler just drove me crazy. She had some issues that weren’t necessarily unrealistic, but man was she hard to like. In some ways, I felt like the only reason the author included her part of the story at all was so that she could create Chandler, who was perhaps a reflection of the author herself.
One glaring coincidence that I’m surprised more people aren’t bothered by is that both storylines have practically the exact same male romantic interest. They were both large, well-muscled, gruff, brooding men with long hair/beard, and even had the same basic goal driving them. Their names were even similar (Jake & Hank). The author even set up a really easy explanation for this coincidence, but then quickly shoved it aside and let it be just that–pure coincidence.
Writing – I don’t know who edited this book, but it needed a little more work. There were some strange inconsistencies here and there. For example, right from the first chapter, I got the feeling that Pippa was already accepted within the circus and its workers. It mentioned her dear friends in the circus, even listed them by name. Then we proceed through the story to find that most of these people she barely knows. Barely has met. Some of them barely acknowledge her or don’t like her (she’s “above” them, after all). If this was simply meant to show us that Pippa is delusional, imagining these people as her friends because she’s lonely, that never came across to me. Instead, I found myself wondering if the story was written out of order.
Additionally, Linda Pike is said to have disappeared when she was 12. Then later it says she went missing at 18. And I noticed an observation that Pippa made about Jake regarding how good he looked smoking a cigar that was then repeated, almost word-for-word, a few chapters later. There are others, and these aren’t tiny typos, but fairly noticeable mistakes, so many that it took me out of the story quite a bit.
Genre – Now for the thing that bothered me the most throughout the book. It’s listed as Christian fiction, and I’m not sure who decided that was a good idea. I get that for Christian authors, it can be difficult to find a good middle ground sometimes. You don’t necessarily always want to write a book where there’s a solid Christian message, but if you include any Christian talk, it’s deemed too religious to be secular. But wow, the characters were so incredibly confused about their own faith that it could easily leave a reader confused too. I think that if you’re going to write a book where there’s a hint that ghosts and hauntings might be real, and call it Christian, you should definitely come down on one side or the other about whether or not it was a real haunting. At least that way Christians who read the book can agree or disagree. But the “supernatural” events in the present day were really never explained, more just “hand-waved” away at the end. I was left feeling incredibly unsettled (not because it spooked me, but because it was so unpleasant), and I don’t think I’ll read another book by this author.
I don’t read only Christian books, and I don’t necessarily expect every book by a Christian author or in the Christian genre to have a solid Christian lesson or message. But to call it Christian and have one of your main characters this confused over what the Bible even says about what’s going on, or whether or not she should let a psychic contact the spirit world on her behalf, because maybe the psychic was sent by God and Chandler was wasting the opportunity because of a Sunday school lesson (wow!)…to me, this is not a good message anyone should be reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review.
The Haunting At Bonadventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright is a marvellous Christian dual timeline novel that consumes from the start.
The action is in present day and in 1928. Crimes committed in the past seem very close to home but who? And how?
Secrets of our ancestors travel down the years. We are not destined to repeat their crimes. We have the power to break free but reputations are hard to shake.
There is the theme of parents. God is our perfect parent who will never let us down. Sometimes we project our experiences of our earthly parents onto Him. This is unfair. We should never compare God to man because He is God and they are not. God will always love us and never let us down.
Prayer is important. When we do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. “He [God] didn’t expect perfection in prayer. He only expected prayer.” God does not want a polished performance. He wants a pure heart.
We may feel like God is absent. She “prayed that God would come out of His hiding place.” God may be silent but He is never hidden.
When life threatens to overwhelm us, we can run to God. He will give us a peace in spite of our circumstances. “Sometimes God brought peace in the most unusual… ways.”
Trust is a major theme. We must decide where to place our trust. Sometimes trust is misplaced.
Life is made up of imperfect people and a perfect God. Sometimes our imperfections are visible and sometimes they are hidden inside. God looks at our hearts more than our outward appearance.
We often judge ourselves too harshly. We need to be kind to ourselves and extend grace to the face in the mirror.
There is the theme of parenting. Parents do what they think is best for their children but they do not always get it right.
I loved The Haunting At Bonadventure Circus. It was a thrilling read with an eclectic mix of characters – including a baby elephant who warmed my heart. It is a marvellous suspense crime that I can highly recommend.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus
By Jaime Jo Wright
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus takes the reader to 1928 and the present day as a mystery surrounding the Bonaventure Circus is slowly revealed. In 1928 we are introduced to Pippa Riley, daughter of the family who owns the circus. But Pippa has a special connection to the circus, a connection that has her venturing into a world that a proper lady would never venture into. When an accident threatens the future of the circus Pippa may be the only one who can help out. But there is a darkness surrounding the Bonaventure Circus and it could very well destroy her.
In the present day, Chandler Faulk has come to Bluff River, Wisconsin, seeking to restore what had been the winter home of the Bonaventure Circus. But the grounds are linked to a murder and rumors of ghostly hauntings. But Chandler is dealing with her own personal demons, demons that include a health issue that demands more attention than she is willing to give especially given her potential restoration project and her young son Peter. But as Chandler digs into the history of Bonaventure she finds herself drawn to the mysteries surrounding the circus, but the ghostly speculation has her more than a little wary. And then there is her landlord and his nephew who seem determined to be part of her temporary life in Bluff River. But the darkness of the past isn’t ready to reveal its secrets.
I have read Jaime Jo Wright’s books in the past and have to date not been disappointed in them and The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is no exception. The books all have a mystery that tends to be on the slightly creepy side. Not a good book to try to go to sleep go to sleep with as it most definitely will be one that you will tell yourself just one more chapter – but one more just isn’t enough once you get into the book.
I was provided a complimentary copy – all thoughts expressed are my own.
After hearing so much about this book I just had to read it. This was an amazing book and should be made into a movie! It is a split time mystery and had so many plot twists and nail-biting scenes it is one that once you start reading it you won’t want to put it down. I loved the complex storyline, flawed characters, the suspense, mystery, and the exciting conclusion. As an additional bonus, the cover is brilliant and perfectly captures the events of the story.
Rarely am I speechless, but after I read this book, this was my reaction.
What?!
Huh?
Really??
Wow!!
I never saw that coming! What book of hers can I read next?
If you are an Agatha Christie fan or you love complex stories and mysteries with a bit of romance, this book is for you! 5+ stars
Title: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus
Author: Jaime Jo Wright
Pages: e-book
Year: 2020
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
This novel is one of split-time storylines. The first takes place in 1928, with the main character of Pippa Ripley. Pippa is a young woman who was abandoned by her parents on the doorstep of the owner of a circus. He reluctantly allows his wife to convince him to raise her as their own. As a young adult, Pippa longs to find her parents and discover why she was abandoned. She wants to know who she is and how she fits in. She wants to be loved and to love somebody. She has been browbeaten by her verbally abusive father. She obeys him to a fault, except where the “Watchman” is concerned. She thinks the notes left by him might lead her to an actual meeting. Is this man who she believes has been watching over her, protecting her, maybe her father?
The second timeline is present day, featuring Chandler Faulk. Chandler is a young woman who works for her uncle, restoring or repurposing old properties. She is a single mom with no idea who the father of her child is after a rebellious streak in her college days. She has taken on the project of refurbishing some old buildings from the 1920s that housed circus employees when they weren’t traveling. There is a rumor that one of the seamstresses of the circus was murdered in one of the buildings, and a local real estate agent takes people on tours of the site where the creepy factor for ghosts is prominent. Chandler also struggles with her health due to Lyme disease that takes a toll on her if she isn’t careful with her diet and rest regimen. Enter Hank, a biker/repairman whose uncle owns the house Chandler is renting. His gruff exterior and how he dresses puts her off at first, but she learns not to judge a book by its cover. She also has experienced that herself with her physical condition. Hank helps her and challenges her, but he is also seeking the answer to an old mystery. Chandler gets involved and what they find is not at all what they expect.
Here is another good story that builds the creepy factor over the course of the book but when all is said and done, the creepiness is explained with facts. For those who like a little bit of scariness in their fiction, this fits the bill. I like the mystery between the two timelines and how they thread together to form an enjoyable read. Faith is plays a role in the story, which I always like to see, and maybe in the next story that could be more evident. There is also a bit of romance, too!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.