The White City: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime

Written by Grace Hitchcock

Narrated by Rachel Botchan

Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World's Fair 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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980047186

Reviews for The White City

[lisa5127 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! I could not put this book down. I ordered pizza for dinner so I didn't have to cook so I could keep reading!

This is the story of the murders that took place during the Chicago World's Fair. We meet Winnie Wylde while she is on a date, a set-up by her aunt, at the World's Fair. She is certain she has seen a man with a mustache abduct a woman in a green dress.

Winnie's father this the police inspector. She tells him what she saw, but he does not believe her. He does assign a detective to follow her around since she is set on finding the man with the mustache. She does find him, and spends the next month or so trying to gather proof that he is the man who has been taking all the women.

While all that is going on, Winnie's aunt is still trying to find her a husband. She finds the perfect man, he just doesn't appear to be perfect for Winnie, or does he just need more time?

Between Winnie's search for love and her search for the man in the mustache, you will not be able to put this book down. As a fellow book-lover and chocolate aficionado, I could not have enjoyed my time with Winnie more!

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"The White City" is an intriguing novel set in Chicago at the World's Fair. Part true crime and part historical novel, the plot keeps the reader involved and interested, alternating moments of suspense with romance. The characters are likeable and realistic. I would recommend this novel to readers interested in the Chicago World's Fair, as well as true crime and historical detail. The Christian aspect of the story is there, but lowkey. The only negative is that I am not convinced that a police inspector father would allow his civilian daughter to go undercover and serve as bait for a killer, no matter how confident, skilled, and trained she might be.I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[hes7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Take a trip to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 with Grace Hitchcock’s debut novel The White City. Transporting and intriguing, it does not disappoint.When the observant, headstrong daughter of a police inspector, Winnifred Wylde, notices a kidnapping, it is up to her to catch the culprit. Her pursuit of justice brings her into contact with dashing Detective Jude Thorpe and devilish H.H. Holmes. With suspense, romance, and drama amidst the fair atmosphere, the story unfolds excellently.Both The Devil in the White City and Timeless peaked my interest in H.H. Holmes and his hotel, so I had high hopes for another suspenseful spin on his true crimes. Hitchcock’s story does justice to the history, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.Thanks to Celebrate Lit, I received a complimentary copy of The White City and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this quick read, and it had a lot of danger, or heart stopping moments, you never knew when evil would strike.The place setting is the Chicago World’s Fair, and we get to experience through these character’s some of the happenings here, some of the new inventions, that we take for granted, and others that have been replaced.The story does focus on a young woman, Winnifred Wylde, and her Aunt’s wish for her to marry socially well, and a young detective who desires to find and convict the people responsible for his brother- in-law’s death.Now our girl has a vivid mind and loves to read and has in the past suspected things that weren’t really happening, but now she finds a woman being kidnapped, and has she cried wolf to long?You don’t want to miss this one!I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

[sn11386 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is a new book series. Every book tells a story based on real American history crimes. In this book (book one) is a mysterious tale around the real facts of a serial killer amidst the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. We are brought into Winnifred Wylde life. She is a sweet, stubborn and isn't afraid to speak her mind, Her father is an inspector for the Chicago police department. He assigns detective Jude Thorpe to keep an eye out for her protection. She falls in love with two men, Jude her bodyguard and Percy Covington. Which one will she choose?One lesson I received is don't cry wolf too many times because no one will believe you when it actually does happen.Hitchcock did a great job of letting the reader know what is the facts and what is fiction. Her characters are relatable and well thought out. Jude was a charming hero but also a tortured soul. He falls in love with Winnifred but there is real tension between them. Winnifred wasn't afraid to ask for help especially with all of the difficult situations that happen through the book. She fills every page with vivid details allowing you to adventure back to 1893. I would consider this book to be more of a Historical Romance Mystery. I look forward to reading more of Grace Hitchcock's books.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The White City is the first in a new series from Barbour. The True Colors series presents fictional accounts of real American crime stories from the past. This first book in the series by debut author Grace Hitchcock promises readers who love history, mystery, and suspense a great reading experience. I loved how the book swept me back to another time. It is definitely a recommended read!Engaging characters make The White City. Main character Winnifred Wylde is a society girl with a longing for adventure. Her novel reading may have influenced her a tiny bit as she sees mysterious doings all around her. I loved her spunk and tenacity. Her partner in the investigation of missing women is a hunky detective who fits the hero label very nicely. The two have great chemistry, and fans of romance will like the sweet relationship that develops. But societal expectations prove a major stumbling block for the two, as Winnie is expected to find a suitable husband from her own class. This point, as well as the fashions, transportation, and general description of the fair and Chicago of the time, captured the essence of the time period. As for the mystery, the author kept me turning the pages. There was definitely something very fishy about Winnie’s boss and the building he is supposedly turning into a hotel. I loved that I got the rest of the story from the author’s afterword. That old cliche — truth is stranger than fiction — is alive and well in this chilling story. Although there is a good bit of danger awaiting Winnie and Jude, The White City also has a light side. It is just a fun read!So if you are looking for a historical crime story with romance aplenty, The White City is the book for you.Recommended.Audience: older teens to adults.(Thanks to Barbour for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful story based on true events. The main characters of Winnifred and Jude are both not real but the circumstances they are placed were real. I love reading the history of the Chicago Worlds Fair and learning more about the first known serial killer in the United States. The story and the characters were well written about and everything was well tied together. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[huberk-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the White City, True Colors-Historical Stories of American CrimeBy Grace HitchcockWinnifred Wylde and her father live alone, with her Aunt Lillian living just next door. Winnifred saw a man kidnap a woman in a green dress at the fair and since her father is the Head Investigator of their police department she runs as quickly as she can {hearing in her head "A lady never runs," from her Aunt Lillian}. Investigator-Wylde doesn't always have a good solution to his beloved Winnifred's "helpful ways," but since the World's-Fair is here in the White-City, he feels he must have an officer following her, so she does not get into trouble.He decides on a new recruit, Jude Thorpe, who is a recent transfer from New York. Jude goes and does what he is told. But, following the trail of a police officer's daughter is not so easy, if you're trying NOT to be spotted. Winnifred catches on to him and asks him if he'd like to travel beside her, instead of after her, since she knows he is there? Together, they investigate small clues. Winnifred accidentally ends up getting a job offer from the man she saw kidnap that woman. Oh no! She knows she has to accept the secretarial job. Her father agrees to it, only with Jude or another officer ALWAYS watching out for her. She can keep the job, as long as her Aunt Lillian is out of town. That meddling woman, Winnifred gets exasperated with her, she's always pushing "young, handsome & rich" young men at her. She isn't ready to get married yet. She wants to fall in love with the right man.Check out White City, a delightful, mysterious book. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing, with no obligation to review.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Winnifred Wylde thinks that she has witnessed a kidnapping while attending the Chicago's World Fair but the Chicago police inspector thinks that her report may be due to an overactive imagination. He is also her father and he knows just how much Winnifred enjoys reading those dime novels that are often filled with romance, adventure and mystery. Realizing that she won't let her suspicions rest, Inspector Wylde assigns one of his detectives to shadow her and protect her. This is the beginning of an exciting and adventurous tale and a possible romance between Winnifred and Jude Thorpe as they work together to solve the mysterious disappearances that have occurred at the fair and eventually discover a serial killer responsible for all of this.This book is labeled as fiction but the storyline features the historic Chicago World Fair and the real person believed to have been America's first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Author Grace Hitchcock successfully captures the atmosphere surrounding the Chicago World Fair in this story that begins in July 1893 and ends as the fair is closing in October. I felt the people's joy of having such an important event and I could feel their anticipation when waiting to ride on the ferris wheel; I could also imagine their doubts and fears as the mysterious disappearances continued to occur. This is Grace Hitchcock's first full-lenth novel and she has created a story filled with adventure, intrigue and danger. It is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys suspense, historical fiction and Christian romance.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love mystery books and was very intrigued by this story. We all have heard about different notorious crimes that have been committed such as The Boston Strangler. This book is based on Dr. H.H. Holmes who was known as America's first serial killer. I had never heard of him until I started this book. It is quite an interesting read and really takes you back to the late 1890s where the infamous serial killer made history. It is hard to believe that something so horrific happened that few people may be aware of. Winnifred is a quirky character who is determined to prove to her father that something is happening to women in the city. I was surprised that her father let her become involved in a plot to catch the killer. She has a lot of confidence and I loved her strong willed attitude to stop whatever evil was going on. Holmes from the beginning was a shady person. He made my skin crawl and I didn't like the way he looked at women and the secretive life he had. Winnie starts working for him and that really puts her life in danger. Thank goodness her father had the good sense to hire Jude to protect her. At times, I don't think he was such a great detective and was perhaps smitten by Winnie and didn't fully concentrate on his job. There is one chilling part in the story where Winnie noses around in the basement and almost gets caught. What is Holmes hiding down there? I could feel the darkness overtake her and the creepy feeling she got as she tried to find out answers. I loved how Winnifred took advantage of every opportunity to snoop around where she worked at. She could sense Holmes was up to no good and was willing to risk her safety to find out . I was on the edge of my seat as Winnifred encountered the person she has suspected of killing people. The details are chilling and I loved how the author brought the story to a shocking ending. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Barbour Publishing. The review is my own opinion.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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 acquisition 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."

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Combining fact with fiction in an engaging historical context, Grace Hitchcock kicks off the True Colors trilogy in style with “The White City”. Scads of books and documentaries exist about Henry Howard Holmes, the man given the notorious distinction of being America’s first serial killer, yet in this novel Hitchcock presents a new, albeit fictional, perspective on his case. Introducing Winnifred Wylde, a young woman who loves nothing more than reading the latest romantic adventure novel by her favorite author, Hitchcock takes the reader along on a thrilling quest of discovery. The action begins when Winnifred believes that she witnesses a kidnapping while at the Chicago World’s Fair, an incident that eventually leads her to the employ of H.H. Holmes as she seeks to pursue her suspicions. However, as the investigation proceeds, both her wellbeing and her heart are in danger. “The White City” proficiently blends genres to create an absorbing narrative. Each chapter opens with an epigraph from classic literature, hinting at its contents, and all of the characters were 3-dimensional and had emotional depth. Their reactions to events and the lingering effects of trauma made them seem true to life. From Aunt Lillian’s matchmaking to Percy Covington’s romantic idealism to Auntie Ann’s outwardly gruff demeanor, each contributed to the flow of the story. Hitchcock captures H.H. Holmes’ charisma as well as sparks of the violence lurking beneath his façade. Along with catching glimpses of the World’s Fair, recognizing the societal and familial expectations of both women and men during the late nineteenth century further set the scene and linked the historical with the fictional side of the tale. As somewhat of a true crime aficionada, this series held special appeal for me as soon as I heard about it, and I am happy to report that the first book exceeded my expectations for a fictional take on the case. What truly made it a five-star read was its Christian foundation and the way that the main characters relied on the Lord throughout their trials and testing. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"Miss Wylde, you have shocked me to my very core. Imagine a gentlewoman going into danger for the sake of justice."Winnifred Wylde is at the World's Fair in 1893 Chicago when she witnesses a kidnapping. Her father, Inspector Wylde, allows her to investigate undercover as secretary to the man they suspect of guilt: H. H. Holmes. But Winnifred must have her pistol with her at all times and submit to the protection of a bodyguard, Detective Jude Thorpe, in The White City by author Grace Hitchcock.I first want to point out that I think this is a well-written novel overall. I was drawn by the excellent book cover—its spot-on use of black and white with a touch of gold and how the mysterious tone nails its theme of Historical Stories of American Crime.However, the book cover seems to have a darker and more serious weight to it than the story does. The read turned out to feel more like a light, sometimes melodramatic romance with some mystery/suspense woven in. But the suspenseful side of the plot is fairly slow until the end, and Winnifred's forgetfulness about some key issues at critical moments seems a bit contrived.There wasn't anything unpredictable or challenging for me in the romance, and I'm usually turned off when there's a lot of emphasis and repetition about the characters' great physical looks. I'll admit I'm also not a fan of love triangles most of the time, when it's like the heroine's romantic feelings and ideas are fluttering around from one direction to the other.Still, I can see the appeal in the novel for other fans of historical ChristFic romance. And I'm yet intrigued by the "true crime" concept of this multiple-author series, so I may go on to read the next book when it releases.____________I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful debut novel! A fictionalized tale of H. H. Holmes, America's first serial killer, is sure to grab your attention and not let go until you have finished the book. I loved the bookworm, Winnifred, who always had the latest Perceval Valentine novel read and almost memorized. These stories seemed to dictate many of her actions, to the point where she became the heroine in his latest writing. Her amatuer sleuthing found her in a number of dangerous situations, causing her bodyguard a great deal of stress. Would she even survive to prove she had been right all the time? An interesting opportunity to learn a bit more of what life was like in 1893 around the time of the Chicago World's Fair.I received this fabulous book through Barbour Publishing, Netgalley and CelebrateLit. These impressions and opinions are my own.

[grammy57 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was pleased to be able to read and review this book through Netgalley. This is Grace Hitchcock's first novel and it is wonderful. I will not give a synopsis in this review, you can read that elsewhere. I will give you my personal opinion.I really enjoyed this book. It is based on true events but is a wholly fictional book. It is part love story and part mystery. It flows well and kept my interest through the book. It was a book that you want to not put down. The characters were well developed and interesting. It is a Christian book but not at all preachy. It does show what it means to have faith in God.I did not enjoy the quotes at the beginning of each chapter but just didn't read them after the first few. I also wish the ending was a bit different but that's just me. The author did give the real ending in an after story pages. When I read that, it explained why the ending was as it is.I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I do recommend this if you like historical, Christian fiction and/or love stories and mysteries.