“1928. The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the “Watchman,” she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa’s search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer. Present Day. The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.”
Thank you to Love Book Tours and the author for my e-copy of this book and my spot on this blog tour.
Review of The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright
My rating: 3.5/5
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus follows Pippa and Chandler in this crime and mystery set at the intersection of past and present.
In 1928, Pippa tries to uncover the mystery of her birth. Her birth parents have been the part of the circus, The Bonaventure Circus, but she has been raised as a Ripley, a daughter of the owner of the circus. Watched by someone called The Watchman, she’s searching for the answers. In the present day, Chandler discovers more and more dangerous history about the place she aims to renovate. She’s trying to raise her son on her own, while also feeling exhausted, her autoimmune disease affecting her health daily.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is fast-paced and atmospheric read. Personally, I have enjoyed Pippa’s story more, and almost felt that it could be enough for the narrative of the whole book. She has been an interesting character, who throughout the book was becoming a strong and more independent woman, so I wished that there was more of that. Her character and story had so much potential.
What I really liked about the book, is discussing the disability and chronic illness. Pippa has been suffering from a deformed leg her whole life, but she tries to not let it define her completely. Chandler, on the other hand, feels like she cannot manage as a result of her chronic disease. Yet, she discovers that it’s okay to ask for help from those around her and from her family.
Who is the book for: I think that those enjoying historical fiction and the atmosphere of the circus, may find The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus interesting. You can get a copy here.
For those interested in knowing more about the author:
Jaime Jo Wright is the author of five novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hilland Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo, her husband Cap’n Hook, and their littles, Peter Pan, and CoCo.
Alicja Writes 