Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
Series: True Colors – a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime Stand-Alone: Yes Publisher: Barbour Books Publication Date: March 1, 2019 Genre: Historical, Romance and Crime
This book had me going back researching articles for more in debt details of this storyline.
Being an avid reader myself, I could definitely appreciate Winnie’s love for reading and identifying with the characters. In White City, Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel, she takes us back to 1893 in my hometown of Chicago during the World’s Fair. Through the eyes of Winnifred Wylde, we get to experience what was said to be one the first well-publicized cases of serial killings.
While attending the World’s Fair, she is convinced she witnessed a kidnapping. She bolts into her father’s (Inspector Wylde) office with what she thinks is the first lead into the missing women. Too many wolf cries caused him to chalk it up as her overactive imagination. Our Winnie is no damsel in distress and because her father knows she won’t let it go, he assigns one of his detective, Jude Thorpe to shadow her to ensure her safety.
The Palace of Fine Arts was constructed for the 1893 World’s Fair. The building is now home to the Museum of Science and Industry.
This was during a time when society dictated a young lady Winnie’s age should be entertaining a suitor, preparing to marry. Aunt Lillian is determined to save face by bringing in what she feels is a respectable suitor lineup.
Things start to pick up, with Thorpe and Winnie becoming somewhat inseparable as she draws him into this investigation and Percival, aunt Lillian latest suitor recruitment begins to insert himself, she has a lot on her plate. These budding romances take a backseat as she goes undercover as Cordelia Swan (heroine in her favorite book series), as secretary with H.H. Holmes, determined to solve this case. The author provides us with vivid images of the tale behind the gruesome tales of one H.H. Holmes.
There’s a post office today at 611 W. 63rd St., where the hotel owned by H.H. Holmes — known as the “Murder Castle” because it was the site of nine known murders — stood.
The cover will pull you in, but the story makes you stay the course. It keeps you engaged as you try to figure out the mystery behind the missing women and who will win Winnifred’s heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for an unbiased review.