For over a century, the town of Gossamer Grove has thrived on its charm and midwestern values, but Annalise Forsythe knows painful secrets, including her own, hover just beneath the pleasant faade. When a man is found dead in his run-down trailer home, Annalise inherits the trailer, along with the pictures, vintage obituaries, and old revival posters covering its walls. As she sorts through the … the collection, she’s wholly unprepared for the ramifications of the dark and deadly secrets she’ll uncover.
A century earlier, Gossamer Grove has been stirred into chaos by the arrival of controversial and charismatic twin revivalists. The chaos takes a murderous turn when Libby Sheffield, working at her father’s newspaper, receives an obituary for a reputable church deacon hours before his death. As she works with the deacon’s son to unravel the mystery behind the crime, it becomes undeniably clear that a reckoning has come to town–but it isn’t until another obituary arrives that they realize the true depths of the danger they’ve waded into.
Two women, separated by a hundred years, must uncover the secrets within the borders of their own town before it’s too late and they lose their future–or their very souls.
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Here’s a fun fact about me: I am a scaredy-cat when it comes to scary/suspenseful books and movies!!! However, I love being scared (as long as it’s not demonic or gory!).
In Jamie Jo Wright’s The Reckoning At Gossamer Pond, I had a chance to read a book that was my favorite type of suspense. In this time-split book, we are transported from current times back to over 100 years ago in a race to solve 2 different mysteries that are connected.
It took me three days to read this book because we have been so busy lately, and each night I fought sleep because I *needed* to finish!
I’m not quite sure which author to compare this to as I believe this is my first time-split suspense novel.
This was my first book by Jamie Jo Wright, and if all of her other novels are like this one, I will enjoy them! With a light on, of course!!
Jaime Jo Wright weaves her magic once again in this tale combining mysteries from two different time lines in the same city. I was drawn into the story because of the characters, loved the story world, and couldn’t put it down because of the mystery. Highly recommend!
This novel is a MUST READ!!! This book grabbed me from page 1 and held me spellbound!! A novel not easily forgotten! A suspenseful tale of murder and a small town’s hidden secrets come to light within beautifully revealed themes of forgiveness and grace even for past sins that seem unforgivable.
Such a haunting beautiful story!! These characters will stay with me for a long time!
Mystery and history mixed among the lives of two women living in a town of secrets provided plenty of anticipation. I enjoyed this time slip novel that kept me guessing. My soul was satisfied when all didn’t end well but God’s grace smoothed the path to brighter futures.
Wow! This is a story not easily forgotten. A split-time story, with a bit of romance, and a lot of mystery, I was drawn in from page one and couldn’t finish fast enough. I guessed the secret of one of the couples almost from the beginning, but the other parts of the mystery were much more complicated. I was pleasantly surprised by how it all came together. Some intense moments, and what some may consider “a good scare” here and there, make it a nice departure from my typical light hearted romances. I enjoyed it so much I bought all her other books!
I was captured by the first sentence. I was caught up in the story and by the wonderful characters. The mystery kept you wondering and turning pages to find out what happens next. I read her first book and was not disappointed with this second one. I will read the third and any that come after because Jamie Jo Wright does not disappoint. Her prose makes you want to lose yourself in a big comfy chair with an afghan, cup of tea, and rain pattering on the window.
Another successfully thrilling story from a gifted author. Wow. This story made me lock my doors and hide under the covers as I traveled back and forth through time with Annalise and Libby. What secrets were being held and what more diabolical things would happen in the midst of uncovering them? Full review is at my website.
Jaime Jo Wright is making a name for herself in time-slip mysteries. I really enjoy historical mysteries, but for years, I have had a hard time finding an author who would do it justice. Wright has stepped up the genre game and has impressed me with her stories. I thoroughly enjoyed The House on Foster Hill, so I couldn’t wait to get a copy of The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Gossamer Pond was much more exciting than Foster Hill. Wright did an awesome job writing this time-slip mystery.
Her writing is clear and concise. I had no problem visualizing the small town of Gossamer Pond. From the quirky characters to the historical buildings and town. I loved traveling through the town in present day with Annalise and Garrett and traveling with Libby in the past.
The mystery was deeply woven together from the past to the present. I don’t know how Wright kept track of who showed what before the other story learned it, but she does a wonderful job at weaving two timelines together. As for the mystery, I really enjoyed it. I had some suspicions on who did the killing, but Wright pulled someone out that I really didn’t see doing it. I flipped back through the story to see if I could follow the trail of clues. The past one I found the trail, but the present one, I didn’t find any clues to signify that person. Oh, well. Maybe need to study more. Overall, the mystery kept my attention, and I couldn’t read the story fast enough. I wanted to spend more time reading, but life gets in the way.
As for the romance, I really didn’t feel anything toward one set of characters over another. They were both interesting and had past elements they needed to reconcile and move forward with. I didn’t see the past relationship coming at all. But I’m glad the present relationship moved forward with the hurts from the past.
The spiritual element of redeeming the past rang pretty strong and clear in this novel. Wright doesn’t shove it down my throat, instead, she wraps it in a wonderful tale.
In conclusion, The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is a captivating tale of mystery filled with a plot of quirky characters who make the story what it is. I spent a lot of time investing in reading this story, and I thoroughly loved it. I really can’t wait to read Wright’s next book. Fans of Johanna Davidson Politano and Wright’s first book would love this book.
I received a complimentary copy of The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Another great book by Jaime Jo Wright! Mysterious events surrounding a church revival in the past affect a young woman in the present. Wright unfolds mystery with a superb layering of tension and conflict, while threading a message of inspiration throughout, making her my new go-to author.
Another amazing book by Jaime Jo Wright! I loved her debut novel The House on Foster Hill but I thought this novel was even better! This romantic suspense novel tells the stories of two mysteries happening in Gossamer Grove, Wisconsin a century apart in a dual timeline/ split time format. Wright tells the present day story of Annalise Forsythe and the story of Libby Sheffield which took place a century earlier. Annalise’s unexpected inheritance of a trailer filled with various items brings up secrets and even danger as Annalise searches for the connection to her past. As Annalise searches for answers in present day, the readers find out clues as the 1907 storyline follows the mystery behind the deaths of several townspeople whose obituaries show up at the local newspaper prior to their deaths.
This novel is one that readers will not want to put down. Fans of Christian suspense will thoroughly love it! It is definitely a page turner and kept me guessing until the end! I never would have guessed “whodunnit” in either of the storylines. Jaime Jo Wright is a master storyteller. The grace and forgiveness God extends to us is demonstrated well in this story. I definitely recommend this book!
Oh my word. Jaime did it again with another FABULOUS dual-timeline story. I loved it. And I loved how she wove in Poe.
I am always intrigued by dual timeline stories…especially if they are as mysterious and gothic as The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond! Jaime Jo Wright is talented at this genre, and I have followed her work since The House on Foster Hill, her debut..(which is fabulous, by the way!)
Jaime is gifted at creating characters that draw you in, stories that challenge and encourage all at the same time, and The Reckoning At Gossamer Pond is no exception. I fell in love with the town of Gossamer Grove, which seems to be a place more reminiscent of an Edwardian time period, which I find fascinating. I can tell the author is familiar with Edgar Allen Poe’s work and the mastery he brought to suspense stories, and there are many nice nods to the style.
Annalise Forsythe is a complex heroine who continues on the journey of discovering the secrets (and skeletons) that hide in the closets of past and present Gossamer Grove residents. Unraveling the mystery will be a read that anyone looking for a great summer escape will enjoy in The Reckoning At Gossamer Pond. Many of the supporting characters (both past and present storylines) are engrossing (and a bit challenging..lol!). You will be guessing until the last moment how the connections all link together, and that’s one of the charms of this book.
Jaime Jo Wright continues to prove that she is one of the authors in Christian fiction to watch. I enjoy her books very much and can’t wait for her next novel, The Curse of Misty Wayfair!
* I received a PDF copy of this book and chose to review. All opinions are my own.
“Two women, separated by a hundred years, must unravel the mysteries of their own town before it’s too late and they lose their future—or their very lives.”~(snippet of the back cover)~
What can I say? I am in love with Wright’s writing! She knows how to pull you so completely into a story, that you feel like you’re trying to wrangle a whirl-wind, whew!! She’ll flip you every which way but up and make you lose your breath from the start. Seriously, I didn’t breathe until the very last page and by that time, I was hyperventilating!
I can’t even formulate the words for this truly delicious mystery/dual time-line/historical with Edgar Alan Poe undertones/satisfyingly inspirational/who-knows-how-to-catergorize it novel. Two stories taking place 100 years apart—1907 to present day—two women struggling to understand things happening around them, and what seems like unrelated family ties mush up like a multiple car pileup. I was left wondering along with both Libby and Annalise why they were involved front and center with events playing out. At first, it felt like someone tossed two 1,000 piece puzzles on a tabletop and we were made to put them together properly. As the story progressed, more and more things started clicking and making sense. Now, I never guessed the culprit behind the murders in 1907 or Annalise’s attacker, it was so well shrouded like the towns hidden past history. So for readers who enjoy a good detective story & a well-written whodunit, you won’t be disappointed! Exquisite prose, richly layered, vivid dialogue, well-rounded characters, mystery, history, and snappy descriptions are sure to please any reader! Along with deep spiritual truths to feed ones soul and savor long after the feast. It’s a gross understatement when I say, I can’t wait for the next book to come out “The Curse of Misty Wayfair” in January 2019!
This is the second book that I have read by Jaime Jo Wright and as much as I enjoyed the first book, this one was even better in my opinion. This book is a dual time line that is laced with mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to any suspense lovers.
Do you have a secret? Something that haunts you and torments you with memories?
It may bring much more than guilt, but actual hurt and trauma…
Jaime Jo Wright is back with her witty writing dealing with the deep hidden side of our souls, the part weighted down by burdens we can’t change. Gossamer Grove is not your quaint charming small-town. A fault-finding newspaper, a quintessential founding family, and cryptic obituaries. Add to that two seemingly censorious brothers speaking promises of revival and there’s enough to start an uproar or keep people fearfully quiet to their own preoccupation. Still, there might be a few who might question if light can shine, and dare they say actually hope for it.
Grace and forgiveness are not unknown concepts, but when do they go beyond an idea to a conviction? Two women centuries apart but connected by the same weight of sin, will they be able to be who the town and their close ones, not to mention their own safety, needs them to be – shrewd characters able to see the river of life within not just the superficial carefully crafted story.
Once again, well done Jaime Jo Wright for writing a thrilling, powerful and thoughtful story.
Very much looking forward to her next book <3
Loved this book! I love mysteries and this book uses the past and present to solve the secrets of a town!!! Great characters!
Jamie Jo delivers suspense, twist and turns that keep a reader turning the pages late into the night!
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys unexpected plot twist all the way to the end!
With her sophomore full-length title, Jaime Jo Wright cements herself as an author to read in the dual-time genre. Wright’s ability to weave an eerie mystery with two separate storylines while giving each their own unique spin is of the highest caliber.
In 1907, the town of Gossamer Grove, Wisconsin is in turmoil with mysterious deaths at the same time as a tent revival has made its way to them. Over a hundred years later, Analise is pulled into the buried secrets and mysteries when a photo of her is found alongside some older ones.
The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is an exploration of the consequences of hiding things from the next generation. There’s truth in the statement, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. And those who aren’t aware of the sins of their fathers just might repeat them. There are freedom and forgiveness in confession, but sometimes the shame of our sin doesn’t allow us to experience either form of grace.
Another solid, thoroughly captivating read from Wright has me wondering what readers have to look forward to with her 2019 release I, for one, cannot wait to read it.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Just a few short days ago I read The House on Foster Hill. Needless to say I could not wait to read The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Mrs. Wright has this way of pulling you in real fast starting with the first sentence.
Faith, hope, grace, forgiveness, romance, intrigue and mystery, what more could be in one book?
Well, one more thing, the 2 timelines that have their own story but yet connects somehow. Both stories are fascinating and somehow it makes you forget you have a house to clean and supper to cook. If you start this book try your best to have a few free hours because you will need them. If you like good clean, faith filled mysteries you will love this one! I can’t wait till Mrs Wright has the next book out. The cover of it is beautiful and you can just tell it’s got a good story within those pages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.