The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright was a great spooky read for late October. Thank you Bethany House Publishers for offering this on NetGalley.
This dual timeline novel focuses on Bonaventure Circus based In Wisconsin. In 1928, Pippa Ripley is exploring her identity as the adopted daughter of circus owner Richard Ripley, reluctant fiance; of circus co-owner Forrest, and nursemaid to a newborn elephant calf. The present day storyline features Chandler Faulk and her young son Peter who have relocated to Wisconsin for Chandler's real estate project manager job to redevelop the old circus train depot.
Both women struggle with circumstances that undermine their self-worth. Then unexplained events centering around a mysterious person called the "Watchman" impact both of their lives.
I enjoyed this novel, but because my reading experience was incredibly disjointed, I found it challenging to track the large cast of characters. Within the Christian fiction genre, this is very 'edgy' but likely too tame for readers of mainstream thrillers.
This dual timeline novel focuses on Bonaventure Circus based In Wisconsin. In 1928, Pippa Ripley is exploring her identity as the adopted daughter of circus owner Richard Ripley, reluctant fiance; of circus co-owner Forrest, and nursemaid to a newborn elephant calf. The present day storyline features Chandler Faulk and her young son Peter who have relocated to Wisconsin for Chandler's real estate project manager job to redevelop the old circus train depot.
Both women struggle with circumstances that undermine their self-worth. Then unexplained events centering around a mysterious person called the "Watchman" impact both of their lives.
I enjoyed this novel, but because my reading experience was incredibly disjointed, I found it challenging to track the large cast of characters. Within the Christian fiction genre, this is very 'edgy' but likely too tame for readers of mainstream thrillers.
A fabulous read! An intriguing mystery revolving around unsolved murders, with drama, action and a side of romance all rolled up in a dual timeline tale. I could hardly read it fast enough towards the end!
"Welcome to the circus. A place where eccentrics came to hide and where, even here, they abandoned their own."
A unique cast of characters, multi-layered, with realistic struggles kept my interest from the start. Set in the same town, but nearly a century apart, two young women search for truth, identity, independence and ultimately to be seen, known and loved. The hunky anti-heroes who came alongside them to help were terrific, adding a bit of romance, but also friendship and affirmation. Questions of faith added depth to their search for meaning.
The writing is expert, perfectly paced, knitting the two ends of the timeline together with timely clues, until all is revealed close to the end. Full of many thought provoking nuggets of wisdom to chew on, I could have filled a notebook with all of the highlighted quotes!
"Maybe it was worth pursuing faith. For in the pursuing, one must come out of hiding and run toward grace. Because it was only grace that would ever truly save."
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
"Welcome to the circus. A place where eccentrics came to hide and where, even here, they abandoned their own."
A unique cast of characters, multi-layered, with realistic struggles kept my interest from the start. Set in the same town, but nearly a century apart, two young women search for truth, identity, independence and ultimately to be seen, known and loved. The hunky anti-heroes who came alongside them to help were terrific, adding a bit of romance, but also friendship and affirmation. Questions of faith added depth to their search for meaning.
The writing is expert, perfectly paced, knitting the two ends of the timeline together with timely clues, until all is revealed close to the end. Full of many thought provoking nuggets of wisdom to chew on, I could have filled a notebook with all of the highlighted quotes!
"Maybe it was worth pursuing faith. For in the pursuing, one must come out of hiding and run toward grace. Because it was only grace that would ever truly save."
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
