The White City

The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I’ve read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it’s really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.

At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don’t enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what’s not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us – which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she’s talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie’s family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you’re looking for suspense alone, that’s not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World’s Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.

I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.

True crime is even better than fiction…

The title, The White City, caught my eye but what captured my attention was that the book, and the series, is fiction based on a real historical crime. I’m also always interested in debut authors this is author Grace Hitchcock’s first full-length novel.

While The White City felt more like a historical romance the historical crime elements were quite interesting and I especially appreciated the author’s note at the end. The setting was another big plus in my book, the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, an event that has long fascinated me.

A good premise based on a true crime in history, nice characters that you couldn’t help rooting for them to solve the crime in time and for their blossoming romance, and the exciting backdrop of the World’s Fair made this a good read. I know that I am looking forward to more from this author and the series.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

The White City opened with a character I feared would make me run screaming. Winnie Wylde deceptively gives every evidence of being a shallow, self-absorbed, thoughtless girl on the first page or three of the book. Everything shifted around there, and page after page after page passed with me falling more and more in love with the girl at every turn.

No, she isn’t perfect, but she does have admirable qualities and a dogged determination to redeem herself after an unfortunate (or two or three or more) miscalculation of motives and events in the past. Add to that her love of the old “penny dreadful” type stories, and well… can you blame her police inspector father for brushing her concerns aside?

Layer by layer, the story unfolded, and as it did, something delightful happened. You got to see the horrible crime from outside the usual box of all the gruesomeness and ugliness. Instead, Grace Hitchcock told the story from someone out to prove the guilt of Mr. Holmes in order to prevent further horrors.

We’re not treated to all the gory details, because Miss Wylde doesn’t encounter them much herself. Instead, you see her undercover efforts fail and succeed, and watch as she uncovers the truth—all the horrible bits of it. And yet we’re not dragged through much of that horror at all. If all true crime was like this, I’d love it.

But it’s not just a fun book with an interesting storyline.
The White City is also brilliantly written. I don’t know if any part of the writing even once pulled me from the story. In fact, I just sat here for a few seconds, trying to find something I didn’t like, and the closest I could come were the descriptions of Miss Wylde’s clothing. The thing is, there’s a point to those descriptions, and I really didn’t mind. I’ve never read anything by Grace Hitchcock before, but I’m off to find more. This woman… she can write. And anyone who can write like this needs a larger share of my bookshelf space.

So… yeah. Well written, great plot, what’s not to love? What else could there be to recommend it? Well, there is just one more thing….

I just loved how similar Winnie Wylde is to a favorite character of mine—Madeline Brown.

Both girls have a doting aunt determined to see them well married. Both girls have indulgent fathers who, despite desires to protect them, allow a bit of sleuthing where other fathers wouldn’t. And both girls have a great love of detective stories—although Miss Wylde has a taste for the more lurid tales, I think.

Seriously, if you love mysteries, The White City is for you. If you love history, this book is also for you. Is true crime your jam? You’ll want to spread a little of this on your toast (okay, that was just a weird one, wasn’t it?). And… if you enjoy Madeline Brown, you’ll love Winnie. I swear, these girls are literary soul sisters!

Oh, and did I find a new fictional escape? Well, I may change my mind after the next one I’ve requested a review copy to read, but I doubt it. I’m sure not sorry that I requested this review copy! Even if I never read another true crime book again afterward, I plan to read every single one in the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series by Barbour Books.

Winnifred Wylde, the daughter of a Chicago police inspector, sees what she suspects to be a kidnapping while is visiting the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. If she investigates, she could find the answer to the mysterious disappearances of women in the White City. Although she has made similar claims before, and they had proven to be her over-active imagination, Inspector Wylde decides to humor her and allow her to work undercover in order to discover more. The handsome Officer Jude Thorpe has been assigned to follow her to make sure that she remains safe.

Meanwhile, Winnifred’s aunt is trying to find a suitable mate for Winnifred. After all, she is twenty years old, nearly an old maid. As Winnifred immerses herself in her case, she is distracted by her obligations to entertain various suitors.

This is a wonderful story. It is very simple, but I fell in love with the characters. The time period was also a pleasure to read about. I am not a romance reader, but I enjoyed this light book very much.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Why this book…
I first heard about Barbour Publishing’s new True Colors series from Angie Dicken, an author who will contribute a book to the series this summer. Intrigued by the true crime basis of the series, I signed up for Grace Hitchcock’s author newsletter and won this advanced reader copy (ARC) in a giveaway. This book is an unexpected addition to my blogging schedule, but I felt compelled to tell my readers about this promising debut author.

My Thoughts
Just after I began reading The White City, I made a visit to our local library to gain a little background information on H.H. Holmes. Labeled America’s First Serial Killer, this man’s crimes were remarkably heinous. I don’t think the extent of his wickedness is completely fleshed out in the book since it only tells a portion of his story (June-October 1893). However, readers will experience increasing trepidation on behalf of Miss Wylde as she engages in ever riskier behaviors while gathering evidence of his crimes.
Hitchcock took this true crime novel in a direction I was not anticipating. From the synopsis, I expected a historical suspense/thriller. What I held in my hands was a romance novel where Holmes played the villain and the courageous, but overly curious Winnie Wylde would eventually be the damsel in distress. Once I mentally shifted genres, I became immersed in the story—enjoying the numerous suspense-filled scenes as well as Winnie Wylde’s delightful and relatable obsession with books.
Grace Hitchcock’s debut will resonate with historical romance readers. I’d also recommend The White City to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries and amateur sleuthing.

Time Period: 1893
Setting: Chicago

The White City was my first True Colors novel, which, based on my Instagram feed, is a series that has taken the Christian Fiction world by storm. There are 11 books in the series (so far!) inspired by true and unusual crime stories in American History, and The White City is book number one. Well, I love American History, so without hesitation, I clicked the “order” button, and here we are!

Our fictional characters amidst this true story are Winnie Wylde, daughter of an inspector of the Chicago police; and detective Jude Thorpe, who works under Winnie’s father. The real historical person in the novel is none other than H. H. Holmes – or, more commonly known as, America’s first serial killer. Put the three together during the famous Chicago World’s Fair and you have mystery, crime and romance that won’t be easily forgotten!

Here are the things I loved about the novel.

First, even though the subject matter was a very serious crime, the storyline was so focused on the love triangle between Winnie, Jude and another character, Percy, that it didn’t come across as dark or creepy. As someone who enjoys Historical Fiction more than a murder mystery, that was a huge plus for me. Secondly, I adored how the author portrayed Winnie’s struggle to find a suitor with her love of novels, and how Percy played into that. I won’t give away any spoilers, but as a reader, I was seriously caught up with who Winnie would pick (Jude or Percy) about halfway through the novel. As someone who always has an opinion on who a character should end up with, this one had me genuinely stumped. (Great job on the author’s part!) And third, I enjoyed how the last few chapters picked up in suspense and intensity. Most of the novel was like a sweet romance, but those last few chapters reminded you that you were reading about a murderer. lol

Conclusion: The White City was a great introduction to this series and gives readers a taste of two genres – romance and crime. If you’re a person who gets pulled in by odd facts, or enjoys a setting commonly written about (like the Chicago World’s Fair) but with a new twist (hello serial killer) this book is right for you. While you’ll get introduced to a very interesting part of American crime, keep in mind this novel is pretty chill for the most part. (If you’re a Ted Dekker fan, you probably won’t find The White City an intense read.) Recommended for fans of Historical Fiction and those who like a good, clean romance!

This series has been one of my favorites this past year, and I couldn’t wait to read The White City, especially since I have a fascination with the World’s Columbian Exposition, or the Chicago World’s Fair, and one of the first serial killers, H.H. Holmes. I will admit that I could’ve gotten my hopes up about reading a fictional account of the notorious serial killer because, though I loved this story as a whole, I was very disappointed that Holmes didn’t have more of a role in this novel. He felt more like an afterthought, and was not a key player, so if you’re wanting a good historical fiction featuring Holmes, this is no it.

What is highlighted is The White City, the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, an incredible setting, and the author does an incredible job of describing this historical event. Winnie Wylde has such a refreshingly imaginative personality, and the supporting characters were all wonderful. It was so easy to get lost in the narrative, enjoying the little plot twists, the banter between the characters, and the moments where I seriously got the creeps. The end was surprising, both in a delightful way, while at the same time in a horrifying way.

Though The White City was not exactly what I was expecting, I relished my time reading this novel, getting to experience the Chicago World’s Fair through Winnie’s eyes, while also experiencing a good mystery. Grace Hitchcock’s writing is impeccable, as always and though this is not a heart pounding suspense, but a clean mystery with suspense and sweet romance mixed in, there is an overhanding air of menace the entire time you’re reading, making it incredibly easy to get lost in this unique world.

The White City is another rich installment in one of the best series currently out on the market, and a read that I know will not disappoint, and once again proving that you can still have a good mystery, with creepiness, without being vulgar or graphic.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

The White City set in 1893 in Chicago is the first book in the True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime Series and Ms. Hitchcock’s debut novel. Having read 4 other books in this series including Ms. Hitchcock’s The Gray Chamber, I was a little surprised by this one. It is much lighter reading than the others. Although based on the exploits of a real life heinous serial killer, there is nothing dark, gruesome, or disturbing in this mystery. Instead, even though it does include kidnapping and arson, it is an enjoyable, entertaining read with a little humor and a romantic triangle thrown in. Actually, to me the romance overshadows the mystery! The historical persons and events are skillfully woven into the fictional narrative, and the story flows at a fitting pace. The characters are well-developed and likeable. The faith element is woven throughout the story with prayer and scripture. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and the series.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the first in the True Colors series of books based on true historical happenings. I was both fascinated and chilled by what the perpetrator H. H. Holmes was able to get away with. Set in Chicago in 1893 during the Chicago World’s Fair, the descriptions of the sights and exhibits were fun and interesting. Although the subject is quite macabre, Hitchcock managed to infuse the story with a bit of light-hearted romance. I enjoyed Winnifred’s independence and courage and Jude’s caring and devotion to her as they try to find leads in the case. This is a solid debut for Hitchcock and the True Colors series. The covers in the series are fantastic with their dash of color on a black/white background. I’m looking forward to the other books in this series. 3.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Look forward to reading more from this author