Book Review: The White City by Grace Hitchcock

About the Book:

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?


My Thoughts:

I found The White City by Grace Hitchcock to be a refreshing, light read despite the serious crimes that occurred within its pages. Part mystery, part suspense, and part romance, the plot seemed equally driven between Winnifred's quest for evidence and her love life. I would have liked more character development as Winnifred's moments of immaturity annoyed me. Jude was my favorite character from his first ride with Winnifred on the Ferris wheel.

The book lover in me was delighted by Winnifred's voracious of books and Percy's secret occupation. There's some serious book love by the characters in this story and the author uses it well to inject humor and endear the novel to book lovers.

One aspect for potential readers to consider is the quiet faith that Winnie holds to as she delves deeper into her investigation. At it's strongest point, Winnie quotes Scripture to herself, but other than that, there is not much faith-based content, making it feel more like a clean read than an overtly Christian novel. 

Bottom Line: I enjoyed The White City while I was reading it, but I'm not sure I would read it again. The novel is not a heart-pounding suspense thriller, but if you're looking for a clean, entertaining story of mystery and romance, The White City might be the book for you.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the first novel in the True Colors series produced by Barbour Publishing.

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