About the Book
Step into True Colors — a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
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?
Excerpt
“Thorpe! Get in here.” The inspector’s voice cracked over the din of the precinct, sending the officers by the water station scattering to their desks.
Dropping his paperwork, Jude tugged on his coat and adjusted his cuffs and collar, eager to impress his new captain. He stood in front of Inspector Wylde’s desk and clasped his hands behind his back. “Sir?”
The inspector lifted the open file in his left hand as he tapped it with his right. “Judging from your records, you were one of the best in New York. Says here that you single-handedly captured one of the leading criminals in the city.” His brows rose as his lips pressed into a line. “Pretty impressive for an officer only twenty-four years old.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jude tipped his head, pleased that he was being recognized on his first day.
“So, I want you to follow my daughter.” He dropped the file on the desk and, setting his elbows on it, pressed his fingers together into a steeple point.
“Your daughter?” Jude repeated tentatively, unsure if he had heard the inspector correctly.
“My daughter has a tendency to exaggerate because she reads too many of those penny novels by that Valentine author, but she is observant. If she did indeed happen to see a man out there with a revolver kidnapping a woman for ransom, I want her protected.”
“Pardon my asking, but if she is so observant, won’t she notice me trailing her?”
Inspector Wylde chuckled. “That’s why I’ve chosen you to do the job. If you are as good as your records indicate, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Is this some sort of test? “No sir, it is not. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“I want you to protect her privacy. I trust my daughter and only need to hear a report from you if you find her in a potentially dangerous situation. I only wish for her to be safe and distracted until I have the real devil of the White City behind bars.” He set aside Jude’s file and reached for another, effectively dismissing him without another word.
With a bow, Jude retrieved his hat and headed for the street, the sticky, warm breeze greeting him. He scowled as he pulled his hat over his brows. It was far too hot to be running around Chicago playing nanny, but if this was what it took to get on Inspector Wylde’s good side, he would do it.
Review
This book didn’t end up being the story I thought it would be. With the series being dubbed “Historical Stories of American Crime”, I was expecting something more along the lines of a suspense/mystery than a romance. This was definitely a romance. Some suspense, yes, mainly at the end, but Winnifred felt more like a somewhat-naïve girl playing undercover detective than a heroine I could take seriously.
Meanwhile, the hero, who had supposedly been “one of the best detectives in New York”, got off on the wrong foot for two reasons. Firstly, he was unsuccessful in trailing the heroine without being noticed—after Winnifred’s father made a point of asking him specifically because he would be competent enough to escape Winnifred’s notice. Secondly, he proceeded, in the same scene, to draw a hasty conclusion based on minimal evidence and make himself look like a rookie cop. First impressions matter in fiction as well as real life, and Jude’s left a lasting impression.
When it came to the crime, I found myself a confused as to what that actually was. It began as a kidnapping and referred to several other people who had mysteriously disappeared, but there wasn’t any resolution to these matters in the story. Another crime is uncovered along the way, but there really wasn’t a lot of detective work going on and the conclusion wasn’t terribly satisfying in that case either. Once I looked up H. H. Holmes and did a little reading for myself, I could see why the story went the way it did, but I then found myself wondering whether Holmes was the best choice of subject for a true crimes story. In short, the crime/suspense plot didn’t deliver for me.
In light of my opening comments, it’s perhaps not surprising that I didn’t feel as though I connected with these characters. I didn’t dislike them; they just never became real to me. The romance was cheesy at times and followed a predictable path, negating any of the tension I might have derived from that part of the story, and I didn’t feel an emotional connection developing between the characters.
With all that being said, I can see that this book would appeal to many historical romance readers, particularly those looking for a light read with a bit of a suspense plot worked in. It just wasn’t what I was expecting or looking for. I do love the premise of the series, though, and would be interested in checking out future books as they’re released.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
About the Author
Grace Hitchcock is the author of The White City and The Gray Chamber from Barbour Publishing. She has written multiple novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son.
Connect with Grace: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
I agree wholeheartedly with your review. I was very disappointed with this book. I thought there would be much more suspense/mystery and agree the romance was cheesy. I’m hoping the other “Colors” in this series will be better.
I’m kind of glad to hear you say so. I hate being disappointed in a book, but it’s comforting to know it’s not just me!