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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Jaime Jo Wright fills her books with enough suspense, mystery, and intrigue to keep the reader turning pages far into the night. She throws in enough romance to provoke some sighs and also adds inspiration in the form of forgiveness, redemption, and mercy. I was constantly surprised by all the twists and turns this story took. What an intriguing, convoluted storyline—actually, two storylines told in a time-slip about a century apart. Wright has masterfully created multi-layered characters and placed them within the tale where she peels back their layers gradually, exposing the inner person to view. With included references to Edgar Allan Poe’s works, this story drips with atmosphere and enough creepiness to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Wright is a talented writer. I admire her ability to take two different, but related, stories and tie them together and make them not only work, but intertwine cohesively. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Great story! An old mystery and a modern one entwined. The author does a great job of combining characters and setting in this story of sin and redemption, forgiveness and grace.
I love an author who can intermingle the past and present with breathless ease. The book made me feel like I was time traveling and witnessing the 1900s and the escapades of revival and mystery layered deep in the roots of the people in the town. I can remember when I was younger going to tent revivals. My dad was a pastor so he was invited to speak at some. It was so hot under the tents and I always thought people were strange there. As a child I didn’t understand what was going on and I was always ready to run out of the revival and hide as soon as the shouting started. I can just imagine this same type of atmosphere during this story.
Libby is quite a character. She works with her dad at the paper and discovers obits of people before their death. I call that creepy but intriguing. The author is a master at subtle hints and weaving stories within stories. She has the ability to jump from the past to the present with precision while never missing a beat. It must have been hard to keep the two story lines flowing with intensity. I applaud her for her technique to achieve a high level of mystery that is like puzzle pieces fitting together to complete a picture.
Annalise is very different and I immediately was drawn to her. She has a dark secret that many don’t know about. It has kept her away from God and she is riddled with guilt. I can relate to her because there was a time I was completely lost and knew my mistake would never be forgiven. Annalise will open doors that have been closed for many years. Will she find healing from her past? Garrett is a thorn in Annalise’s side and has played a big part in her bitterness. Why has he come back to town? Will he help Annalise solve the mystery behind who is causing her to lose sleep? I feel that danger surrounds her and I was on the edge of my seat the deeper the story drew me in.
I loved learning about genealogy and how in depth the author took the past and present and started to connect the dots. It is not an easy task and very detailed records must be maintained to prove who is related to who. The story goes much deeper in mystery as characters past and present play detective. I loved how the two women each carried a deep secret that has caused them to feel guilty and ashamed for years. Secrets always come out and like a rushing wave, cause damage . I loved the theme of the book about sin and forgiveness. Christians tend to judge others but forget they are not perfect themselves. This is the author’s best book yet.
“One may carry guilt and shame with them for years, only to discover that while they attempted to dodge God’s judgment, they instead cheated themselves of His forgiveness.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishing. The review is my own opinion.
The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is a spine tingling mysterious romance that takes place in two time periods – cool eh? – I just love when that happens. It is about forgiveness, fear and forgiveness in the sight of terror, and the most important mainstay of this book is Faith – with all that was going on with the character’s lives and how they would like to keep it that way. The main characters (Annaliese and Libby) were dealing with the past and the present. – Annaliese lives in one time and Libby lives in the other.) The author did an incredible thing – she was able to bring the town to life – in both time periods – you are able to see them clearly and concisely – she also is able to bring History to life for you as you read on. The book is intense and greatly relying on Faith which increases the value of the story. The town has a nasty old secret and the Characters are also with their own secrets as well. What are they? Do they learn to lean on each other as things get more dangerous with every movement they make? The town has a fight going on between two different opinions on GOD – led by two different traveling preachers. Something started when they got to town – tearing the town apart but that isn’t the worst that happens – this is where the thriller/mystery begins – You wouldn’t believe it if I told you – the two lady’s work on solving the crime living a century apart – now how breathtaking it is. It is dangerous, damaging, deadly – very deadly, calculating and being very careful or you could be the town’s next problem. Will she listen to CHRIST or move on her own? Will the town’s own sick secret win out – become the norm? Will that person who is doing this going to get away with it? I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
If you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, by Jamie Jo Wright, is truly an impressive novel! When the mysteriously strange events hidden in the past are dangerously linked to dramatic and suspenseful events of the present, this intensely gripping time-slip novel becomes utterly compelling and engrossing. With excellent pacing, important details are carefully revealed, unraveling the secretive and puzzling circumstances in which the characters find themselves. The journey to make sense of the unsettling and bizarre events makes for an extremely captivating reading experience.
Despite being separated by more than a century and told from two different viewpoints, the two interrelated storylines mingle and meld together with incredible skill and careful attention to detail as though they were painted with a delicate watercolor brush. The intricate plot is absolutely riveting as it gradually reveals its surprising truths. In the face of daunting circumstances and painful secrets, the characters possess an inner strength and determination that is intriguing and inspiring. As they struggle with fear, loss, and insecurities, the authentic characters manage to cling to hope, renewal, and redemption.
The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is an incredibly fascinating novel from start to finish. The absorbing mystery and thrilling suspense are intensely satisfying. It is a well-written, engaging, and relevant novel, and I highly recommend it.
I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
This is my first book from Jaime Jo Wright and I’m eager to read more of her! Wow!
I like the mystery and suspense genre, but some books are a bit predictable. This was not the case. It was a totally page turner that had you guessing and suspecting of everyone right until the end. A totally unexpected conclusion! I love it when I’m surprised!
Gossamer Grove was a town prideful on being a charming and traditional community… until maybe it wasn’t.
Annalise Forsythe has painful secrets of her own, but she is just about to discover more as a man is found dead on his home trailer and Annalise inherites the trailer, along with all its mysterious owner’s belongings… she will uncover unimagined things that will put her life at risk.
A century ago, Libby Sheffield discovered the dead body of the church’s deacon, a respectable man, within hours of having received a strange obituary with his name for the newspaper where she worked. She and the deacon’s son will try to unravel this crime, but before they know it, stranger things happen, and it may be too late to escape the consequences of the secret that lurks behind…
The lives of this two women entwine and relate in this misterious and gripping tale. The writing style flows naturally and helps you immerse in the story. It has descriptions and details of the era, the characters, the small town, that will make you feel you are part of the story. I shuddered a few times as I felt I was in Annalise or Libby’s shoes, and danger was lurking just behind me.
This story indeed reminded me of some of the Edgar Allan Poe stories I read when I was a teen. But I think this story was better because it has a Christian message where redemption and forgiveness are the key to the peace that only God and the truth can give.
I would recommend this story to anyone who likes a good mystery with a touch of romance. The novel addresses some hard issues, but I think it is done tastefully and with respect.
I really couldn’t put down this book and I’m sure the same will happen to you. Definitely worth the read! A thrilling and riveting story! It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end! Well done Jaime!
When an author has an award winning book the first time out you wonder if it is possible for their second book to be as good. The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is definitely proof that Jaime Jo Wright is no one-trick pony! She has written another fantastic split timeline novel and this one features both present day events and others that happened over a century ago in the small town of Gossamer Grove, Wisconsin. The two heroines, separated by 100 years, are both affected by a mystery that began in 1907 with Libby Sheffield and is still creating havoc in the present day life of Annalise Forsythe. As we go back and forth between then and now, we are given two different stories of good and evil, sin and judgement and eventually grace and forgiveness. The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is filled with suspense and mystery and there are moments when you doubt that there can be any happy or peaceful resolution and then, magically, readers are treated to profound truths and moments of clarity as the author ties the past and present together. The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond has many references to Edgar Allen Poe and the master himself couldn’t have done better because the endings of both of these stories are both surprising and satisfying!
Jaime Jo Wright isn’t afraid to share her own personal beliefs and readers are reminded that even as we struggle to just keep moving forward we can be assured that there is ultimate victory for those who believe and trust in God’s love and His grace. I cannot say too many good things about this book and I highly recommmend it to all who enjoy mystery and Christian fiction!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Historical fiction with a mystery separated by a century, Gossamer Grove is home to two strong, but realistic female protagonists who find themselves threatened by secrets, betrayals, and the question of God’s grace. Written with beautiful prose and atmosphere, Jaime Jo Wright has created a masterpiece worthy of the Edgar Allen Poe quotes throughout her book. While her first book, “The House on Foster Hill” was excellent in and of itself, this book takes it to the next level of literature, with thought provoking phrases I was prompted time and again to underline and annotate. Gossamer Grove is a small, quiet town, but filled with sinful people. For a book so filled with edge-of-the-seat mystery, I didn’t want it to end! But when I finally read the last chapters, I was so pleased. I don’t want to spoil it, but there is a surprising love story twist at the end of the book that is SO perfect–a love story for people like me who don’t like love stories. It’s raw, witty, awkward, and weird, but so, so right (Wright).
Goodness gracious – another edge of your seat, page flipping, suspense filled story! So much nail biting and gripping mystery that you won’t be able to put it down. I loved the author’s perfect sense of dual time-line and how threads unravel equally with no confusion. She has a gift for great secondary characters to round out a great town and fill out Annalise and Libby’s lives. I felt their pain and my heart squeezed with them as they overcame obstacles. Such fabulous gripping words! There is always a convicting theme woven in and it doesn’t disappoint. We are reminded of a God bigger than this world and his unconditional Grace! Amazing novel and a bookshelf keeper!
This story exceeded my expectations. The depth of the characters, the exceptional descriptions of location and word imagery that go beyond your typical fiction novel. The very atmosphere of the story is vivid and realistic. I didn’t just read this story, I lived the story! I walked the streets of Gossamer Grove, I took a seat on a stale staw bale of hay that stuck the back of my legs. I felt hurt and sadness at the painful secret that Annalise has had to live with. I turned on lights and nearly reached for my pepper spray at one point. I found myself looking over my shoulder and gasping in shock as the truth was revealed.
Jaime Jo Write has expertly woven together two time periods, each filled with dynamic characters and circumstances. The author doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics. Within the pages, you’ll be challenged to take a hard look at sin, judgment, forgiveness and extending grace. I didn’t want to put this book down for a moment, I was captivated!
I’m typically not a huge fan of suspense, I’ll occasionally pick up one to read. However, I’m coming to the conclusion that if it’s by this author, I’ll want to pick it up every time! Trust me when I say that you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to read this outstanding new book! I give it 5++ stars and encourage you to snag a copy for yourself!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Hang on for a great ride with author Jaime Jo Wright! The second book by this gifted writer will not disappoint anyone who enjoys history and suspense. This duel timeline also incorporates some of the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, which are such a great fit in this deliciously scary story.
The characters are well written and complex. Wright successfully weaves two time periods together to create a mystery that I found intriguing. While this story is rich with detail, I was able to follow it. However at no time did I figure it out. Every time I thought I had another wrinkle was thrown in. I was also surprised to learn that a couple of the characters really did exist. I won’t go into who so that I don’t give any spoilers, but that aspect of history was interesting to learn about, and to see the differences in personalities.
Dark family secrets, murders, and other sinister happenings will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, through it all was God’s grace and love. He is always active in our lives.
This story is entralling and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Where to begin to describe this grab you from the get go book. First of all I’m such a fan of dual time line books that are done well, but this surpasses that. It is ethereal and climatic …..drawing you in and not letting go. Make sure you have time to finish this page turner, as you won’t want to put it down. I loved both heroines, Libby and Annalise. Have fun trying to figure out how they are connected and what the common thread is, as their stories are masterfully told. The suspense is breathtaking and it all blends together into a beautiful watercolor. Top ten must read of the year.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Wright’s second novel is just as good as her debut! This mysterious suspense with a dual timeline, kept me up at night, reading. The storylines were engaging and interestingly intertwined. I enjoyed the characters from both time periods and wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite. Wright’s characters are real and face struggles, fears, and insecurities. While dealing with their pasts, some of those characters discovered the true meaning of grace. Their relationships kept me guessing and the romance is a nice touch. I’m looking forward to Jaime Jo Wright’s next book. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are mine.
The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright is a phenomenal book!
Jaime is a wordsmith indeed. She has deftly woven a tale through two time periods. Her insight into the human condition is a wonder to behold. Her descriptions are pure poetry. From page ten: “ The shaft of sunlight seemed to lead a path straight to the carriage house doors where it collided with a darkness that could only be described as evil.” And from page 168: “The breeze rustled the new leaves on the oak and maple trees. Glowing almost emerald green with vegetation, the forest was beautiful. Like life should be if one could only look ahead and forget the ruins they’d left in the past.”
Jaime uses a bit of history to build her suspenseful, dual-time tale. The twin revivalists were based on real people as were some of the accounts of them. Jaime weaves a fascinating story around this history.
The story connects two heroines who lived a century apart. Libby is recounted in the spring of 1907 and Annalise’s tale is told in present day. Each of them is looking for real faith and forgiveness. But each also encounter evil. Where do these two lives converge? Annalise is striving to uncover old mysteries. Will her search endanger her own life? A myriad of old secrets is revealed about the inhabitants of their home town- but will the answers to the questions they raise be worth it? Annalise ponders: “The well-mapped world she lived in had exploded into shrapnel that spanned centuries. It had created a puzzle that was missing many, many pieces.” Jaime peels back the layers of the secrets masterfully.
The Gospel message of Grace, Hope and Forgiveness rings true in the words of Jacobus, one of the twin revivalists, as he is quietly leading Libby along in her faith.
Romance comes from an unlikely direction. And an almost kiss is as good as the real thing!
If you enjoy riviting mystery with a gothic twist, grab this book! But beware! It will hook you and not let go.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing on behalf of the author. I was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
The House on Foster Hill, Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel, was excellent but in my opinion, The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is even better! It was a story that grabbed me from the very beginnng and wouldn’t let go, and I’m still not sure that I’ve been released. Considered a dual timeline novel, it vacillates between 1907 and present day. Each of the 41 chapters has either the name Libby (1907) or Annalise (present day) as the title of the chapter. I had no problem keeping up with which time period I was reading about.
The characters were compelling and some even a little mysterious. Were two deaths in 1907 suicide, accidental or murder? The journey to find out has some interesting twists and turns. How does the past impact the future of this small community of Gossamer Grove?
A tent revival led by twin evangelists stir up the people in this community of 1907. Are their sins being repented of or hidden from all? And what are the consequences?
Annalise owns a coffee shop, a food pantry for the poor and is trying to buy property to build a homeless shelter. Standing in her way is ex-boyfriend Garrett along with mayor Nicole and developer Doug Larson. They are pushing for a wilderness retreat to bring in more tourists and money for the town. How does all this tie in with the people of 1907? And Garrett and Annalise have a secret of their own they have been hiding for the past twelve years.
Lots of questions but the fun part is reading the novel to find out the answers. The core of the story seems to be forgiveness, mercy and grace.
An added bonus is the author’s notes and discussion questions at the back of the book. Don’t pass them by!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher but was not required to write a review.
“Didn’t you know? Didn’t you read? Tonight is your time to die.”
Deep, dank, dark secrets. The town of Gossamer Grove has been drowning in them for well over a century; curious notes bearing sad tidings for their recipients, confirming that “the boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague”.
It all began when Libby Sheffield found Deacon Greenwood hanging from the rafters of his carriage house at the break of dawn. Traumatized and confused when two totally different obituaries are submitted, Libby and her friend Elijah decide that the truth isn’t worth pursuing, but a second death follows the first. It seems that someone in Gossamer Grove has taken the words “vengeance is mine” completely out of context; while twin revivalists stir revolt among the souls of many. Some would say that the two are related, while Libby finds herself caught in the middle.
Years later Annalise Forsythe is forced to remove the scabs of her own wounds when the untimely death of the local town hermit brings her painful past back to life. His entire trailer is not only filled with historical memorabilia; Annalise’s life is shockingly pasted all over the walls. What possible connection could she have to Eugene Hayes? And why is someone upset enough about it to threaten her safety?
Two women, separated by decades, sharing common regrets, desperately seeking freedom, learning that “life is hard and it take guts, faith, and a massive amount of out-of-this-world grace” to move forward. “For the wages of sin is death, . . . . . but the gift of God . . . . is eternal life . . . . ” And that’s no secret.
Who wouldn’t love a story like this one?
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not obligated to write a positive review.
Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel captivated me and I knew that she was an author to follow. Her sophomore novel only deepened that resolve.
Gossamer Grove is a town of Midwestern charm and home town values. However, Annalise Forsythe has painful secrets and knows more and they all hover over the pleasant façade the town displays. She is suddenly bequeathed a run down trailer and discovers it is full of obituaries, and photos of her! There are indeed some dark secrets in this town.
Over a century earlier, Gossamer Grove is stirred to repentance by the arrival of two twin revivalists, come to town to bring God to the midst of these people. They instead create chaos and people begin receiving their obituaries before they’re even dead. Libby Sheffield, the newspaper owner’s daughter, receives those obituaries at the paper. She begins to try to solve these crimes, then realizes she herself is in great danger.
Wright once again writes in a dual timeline, switching effortlessly between the two, captivating her readers with this mystery that has been going on for over a century. One mystery is wrapped up in another and the two blend in a completely spellbinding way. Both women, a century apart, work to solve this mystery before more lives are taken and maybe even souls ruined. I was completely caught up in this and could not wait to find out what the end result would be. I was totally surprised, too. Highly recommended. I find myself longing for Wright’s next novel.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. My opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Wow! This mystery filled with long hidden secrets and unexplained deaths will captivate its readers from the beginning.
Ms. Wright has proven that she is not just a one-and-done writer. The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond has placed her on the top of my list. She writes time-slip novels with the skill of an expert, connecting a modern-day mystery to one in the past. She has a knack to keep me equally involved in both Annalise and Libby’s stories. The two stories were deftly woven together, leaving the reader guessing at the common link until the very end. The suspense builds equally as each story unfolds. I found the mystery surrounding the murders during a small-town revival to be unique, filled with an original, quirky and broken cast of characters. There is an underlying theme of grace and forgiveness for the broken that spoke to me. It is not preachy, but flows seamlessly throughout the story.
Fans of historical fiction and mysteries will not be disappointed. Wright has raised the bar for all who follow her in this genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
After Jaime Jo Wright’s release last fall, The House on Foster Hill, I didn’t think it possible that anyone could top it. Oh my goodness, The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond is outstanding!
Annalise Forsythe knows that somehow current day secrets are related to the past; secrets that affect not just her but the entire town of Gossamer Grove. A dead man in a dilapidated trailer. Annalise is shocked to find that the trailer has been willed to her, and it is chock full of pictures of her. The police are curious and so is she.
Libby Sheffield works for her father’s newspaper; it is a century prior to Annalise inheriting the trailer, along with a mystery from Libby’s day. Something rather weird is going on; Libby receives an obituary for placement in the newspaper, only the person is not dead! Concerned, Libby rushes to the man’s house only to find him, in his garage hanging from the rafters. The deceased is a deacon in the local church.
Working with the deacon’s son to unravel the mystery behind the deacon’s death, more obituaries begin coming in.
Both women, Annalise Forsythe and Libby Sheffield determine to uncover the mysteries that seem entangled across time. For each, to fail is death for both women.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher; I am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions, therein, are solely mine.
Though mystery/suspense is not my usual choice in reading material, Jamie Jo Wright kept me riveted with her debut novel, so I was eager to read this new release. Sometimes it’s hard to live up to a successful first story, but Wright did just that with this book!
These characters are complex, all four of the main ones and many of the secondary ones as well. They all have positive and negative traits and backstories that are slowly revealed. There were moments I really didn’t like any of them, to be honest; at other times I wanted to reach out and hug them through the pages.
Historical detail is excellent. I learned several things about the early 1900s as I read; she actually answered several questions that I didn’t even know I had, like why mirrors were covered in black crepe after a loved one’s passing.
The mystery is knotty, and every time I thought I had untangled something, Wright threw in another wrinkle to confuse me again. I am amazed at how each detail fit into the narrative, across two separate but connected timelines. It still surprises me that this is only the author’s second full-length novel–the writing is that good!
I am at a bit of a loss in how to describe the spiritual content. Messy might be a good word. Or real. The Christians in this novel are in no way perfect, but then, no one really is. We become good at hiding the mess we make with our sin, but it never goes away until we take it to God. The novel does a good job of showing the damage we can do to our lives, and the lives of those around us, when we refuse to do that.
While handled appropriately and without graphic details, murder is always disturbing as are some of its motivations and other details related to the story. The topics included are best suited to adults, so I would recommend caution for teens. But for mature readers, this is a read full of suspense and a mystery that is difficult to decipher until the end. The themes of grace and forgiveness, and God’s inexhaustible supply of both, make it an incredible read that satisfies on many levels.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed are both honest and my own.