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.
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!
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.
Just joined the hold list for this at my library. : )
This sounds like a good book, that would be difficult to put down.
The White city sounds fascincating! Thanks for sharing.
Hello! Thanks so much for sharing your book with us. Always fun reading about another book to enjoy.
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.
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!
I can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!
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.)
Wasn’t that awesome???
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Perhaps read the “look inside” portion at Amazon. It might give you an idea of the kind of fiction it is. 😀