• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Is True Crime My New Favorite Fictional Escape?

by Chautona Havig · 17 Comments

The picture stunned me.  After a lifetime of riding Ferris wheels at county fairs, I saw an up close picture of the original—the first one shown at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Ferris Wheel car 1893

Look, I knew that the ones I’d ridden were tiny compared to the “real thing,” but I was not prepared for that picture.  Sure, it was tall—humongous! But it was also crazy wide!  The little seats that rock back and forth as you climb higher and higher weren’t there.  Instead, great big glass-enclosed trolley-like cars held sixty people each!  There were thirty-six of them suckers!

I’ve never been afraid of roller coasters or other fair and amusement park rides, but something about the idea of being packed in one of those cars with fifty-nine other people gives me the willies.

Let me ride in it alone!

Years after that, I learned about H. H. Holmes—the “first serial killer” in the United States.  Reading up on his castle of horrors was one of those, “Why did you start this?” kind of rabbit trails.  Morbid fascination kept me going, but frankly, that’s why I read fiction—even thriller stuff.  It’s not real. I can convince myself that it didn’t happen rather than aching for the people who really endured such horrible situations.

So, you might ask, if the giant wheel of the World Columbian Exposition and the first serial killer in the US aren’t my cups of tea, why would I voluntarily request a review copy of a “true crime” novel involving both?

I could claim that I didn’t know the Ferris wheel would be in the book.  It would be true, too.  I didn’t know.  It would also be a lie.  Because… see… the answer is, I just don’t know!

Is True Crime My New Favorite Fictional Escape?

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book–opinions are given freely without compulsion (who ever had to compel me to share an opinion, right?)

Is True Crime My New Favorite Fictional Escape?

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 a review copy of The White City! 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.

Share64
Pin
Tweet
Email
68Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
68Shares

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « Is Amish Fiction On The Way Out?
Next Post: 3 Excellent Reasons to Make Hymns a Priority in Your Life »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Comments

  1. Bethany says

    January 14, 2020 at 4:12 am

    Just joined the hold list for this at my library. : )

    Reply
  2. Julie Waldron says

    March 23, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    This sounds like a good book, that would be difficult to put down.

    Reply
  3. Caryl Kane says

    March 15, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    The White city sounds fascincating! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. James Robert says

    March 15, 2019 at 12:20 am

    Hello! Thanks so much for sharing your book with us. Always fun reading about another book to enjoy.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2019 at 3:10 am

      I know you look for fiction for your family. This would be a not-so-gruesome way to introduce them to a historical fact. I really enjoyed the lack of ick in a very icky situation.

      Reply
  5. Rita Spratlen says

    March 14, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    I love crime stories and have been looking into all types of them. You are so right!! This book sounds wonderful too! Amazing what I am finding now that I am looking too!

    Reply
  6. Amelia says

    March 14, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    I can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  7. Florence Wright says

    March 14, 2019 at 11:55 am

    I DEFINITELY saw the similarities between her and Madeline, very early in the book. But what I LOVED is that it didn’t seem like a copy or a rip-off. I really enjoyed the story and was horrified at the end to find out that it is based on truth … eeeek!!! (Because I don’t read any more than I have to to know if I might like a book or not … spoilers!!!! And the oddest most obscure things can spoil books for me.)

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 14, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      Wasn’t that awesome???

      Reply
  8. Emma says

    March 14, 2019 at 11:21 am

    This sounds very intriguing! We read a children’s book about that first Ferris Wheel, The Great Wheel. It’s about how it was built, and has a delightful romance built in. I think we’ve read it two or three times together, and I look forward to reading it again. Those cars are, indeed, amazing.

    Reply
  9. Vicki Hancock says

    March 14, 2019 at 8:00 am

    I have been wanting to read the The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson but now this one sounds just as good. I’ll probably end up buying it if it goes on sale. I

    Reply
  10. achococat says

    March 14, 2019 at 7:52 am

    Everywhere I went, people were talking about how much they loved this book. I finally purchased and read it, and while it was good, I just didn’t understand the hype. For me it was just kind of…”meh.” It’s interesting to me to see that you loved it, too. I wonder what I’m missing?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 14, 2019 at 12:59 pm

      I think people who prefer more authentic true crime that really focuses on the actual criminal and his actions wouldn’t like this. I get why you didn’t, but it had the elements of a good true story without making me live through the suffering of the victims.

      Reply
      • achococat says

        March 14, 2019 at 9:35 pm

        Oh, I think I was getting this one mixed up with the Devil in the White City! Okay, I have to read this one. 🙂 It’s been a while since I’d read it, so I was fuzzy on the details.

        Reply
        • Chautona Havig says

          March 15, 2019 at 3:11 am

          Oh! Yes. I haven’t read that one. Again, this is mostly about a fictional person trying to find that. We get bits and pieces of the true history with a fictionalized version of how he got caught.

          Reply
  11. Patty says

    March 14, 2019 at 4:39 am

    I am not sure that true crime novels would be my cup of tea either, but I might have to check this out based on your recommendation.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 14, 2019 at 4:52 am

      Perhaps read the “look inside” portion at Amazon. It might give you an idea of the kind of fiction it is. 😀

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast
Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Visit Website
  • RSS Feed
Episode 57: A Chat with Women's Fiction Author Cynthia Ruchti
by Chautona Havig

One of the best ways to temper the heaviness of a book dealing with hard subjects is the judicious use of humor.  Cynthia Ruchti is a new author to me (forgive my stupidity, won’t you?) but the brilliant use of humor to open this novel set up a beautiful way to see the personality of a character before her world was turned upside down–genius.

Facing the Dawn should be on every women’s fiction lover’s “next to read” list or at the top of the tottering TBR piles. 

Episode 57: A Chat with Women's Fiction Author Cynthia Ruchti
Episode 57: A Chat with Women's Fiction Author Cynthia Ruchti
April 13, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 56: A Chat with Erin Bartels about All That We Carried
April 6, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 55: Three Great New Romantic Suspense Titles
April 3, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 54: A Chat with Mystery Author Kay DiBianca
March 30, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 53: A Chat with Katie Vorreiter
March 27, 2021
Chautona HAvig
Episode 52: A Chat with Teri Blake
March 24, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 51: A Chat with Sarah Sundin
March 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 50: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel
March 9, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 49: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
March 2, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Preorder Save the Date and Get FREE Books!

Save the Date

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Book 1 Now Available on Preorder!

independence islands series

Join My Birthday Club!

Featured Books

Not a Word

Not a Word
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Book Depository
Not a Word
Buy now!

Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection

Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Book Showed Me the Great Author I’ve Been Missing Out On?
  • How a Relational Journey Became an Amazing and Beautiful Spiritual One
  • 3 Great New Romantic Suspense Novels for Your Springtime Reads

Footer

What Am I Working On?

Flipping Hearts
Phase:Writing
100%
Penelope's Pursuit
Phase:Writing
Due:2 months ago
61.2%
Get Book Updates

Featured

Bookers on the Rocks

Bookers on the Rocks
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Bookers on the Rocks
Buy now!

Disclosure:

Disclosure: Links on this website may or may not be affiliate links and as such, I may receive compensation from the retailer indicated for linking to their product. This money keeps me in Coke and chocolate and enables me to write more. It also helps me pay for the many Amazon Gift Cards I give away each month.

Note: I DO NOT link to products that I do not recommend.

Privacy & Cookies. This website uses cookies (not the delicious kinds that make life grand) to do stuff it needs to do. By staying on the site, you agree to this evil substitution of yummy cookies for internet calorie-free substitutes. For more info, click here and read the boring stuff. Cookie Policy
Something sinister is happening in Kansas.  So p Something sinister is happening in Kansas. 

So pleased to finally be able to share this book!  It's the first of three of mine that will release in the Westward Home and Hearts series.  On Preorder now for just 2.99 until release week! 
https://amzn.to/3agXEYn
#historicalchristianfiction
#kindlepreorder
#mailorderbride
https://amzn.to/3agXEYn #affiliatelink
This is one of my favorite books I've ever written This is one of my favorite books I've ever written.  I spent a lot of time watching, processing, studying, and then using fiction to show the damage we as the church do when we elevate our method of serving the Lord over the PRINCIPLE of service in general.  After seeing family after family slaughtered by unrealistic expectations that weren't Biblically mandated, the Argosy family was born.  They just never knew what was coming when Matt appeared, ready to embrace their world and shake it up at the same time. Affiliate link in my bio.
FREE Through April 22, 2021.  Always free on #kindleunlimited.
#Christianfiction
#Kindledeals
#kindleFree
#contemporarychristianromance
#redemptivefiction
We really are working... #amwriting #writingretr We really are working...

#amwriting 
#writingretreat 
#AdoringApril
Reposted from @lisaprysock Give me a shout-out if Reposted from @lisaprysock Give me a shout-out if you love westerns! I love how this series is growing, and how the readers have made these books bestsellers! You can start enjoying the series today! Series Page Link—: https://buff.ly/3mVccC6 #KindleUnlimited
This is a totally fake shot. The title isn't usua This is a totally fake shot. 
The title isn't usually there, I scrolled the rest of that section down, and I have several more done, but the work begins in earnest now.
#AdoringApril
#amwriting
#marriagesofconviction
#ChristianRomance 
#ChristFic
Finally done. G'night, world!!! Finally done. G'night, world!!!
Omar Khayyam once wrote, "A loaf of bread, a jug o Omar Khayyam once wrote, "A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou." I say, "Pico and chips, a can of Coke, and Penelope."

#amwriting 
#theendisnear 
#writingretreat 
#authorsofinstagram
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!