On Friday, I shared the first line of this book. I mentioned how much the first line shows Jaime Jo’s talent, and it does. She makes you feel the store, and touches on all the senses. Guys, if you like a creepy, suspenseful, wonderfully written novel, then I highly recommend this one!
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About the Book
Night Falls on Predicament Avenue Author Jaime Jo Wright
Published by Baker Books
on April 9, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Christian / Suspense, Fiction / Romance / Suspense
Pages: 368
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookbub | ChristianBook.com | Goodreads | Baker Book HouseAs the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.
In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.
A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.
My Perspective
If suspense novels were like romances, this would be a slow-burn suspense novel. In the beginning anyways. Wright gives readers just enough to keep the pages turning. Enough to get your interest, get you thinking and wondering. As the story moves along, the intensity builds – again at a slow pace. And when I say slow, I don’t mean boring. I just mean you gotta hang in there, and look at each piece of the puzzle as it’s given. Then, about the 2/3 mark, BAM. There’s that fast paced, lots of things happening, everything is coming together wonderfully moment you were waiting for. And you forget to breathe on occasion, but it’s ok because the end is soon. And boy is it a good one.
I just love the way she writes. How she brings the dual timelines together. You don’t always see it, until you do if that makes sense. And sometimes I can look back and go, yeah I could see that now. I was just too caught up in the storyline to pay close attention to the minor details that you don’t think matter. They do matter by the way.
Night Falls on Predicament Avenue has everything I’ve come to love from Wright. A good creep factor, a “Scooby-Do” explanation of sorts, mystery, flawed characters that we can relate to, and even a little bit of romance in there! I honestly cannot get enough of her writing, and highly recommend to anyone who loves a good suspense. Just maybe read it in the daylight hours 🙂
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes
“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out just yet.”
“Grief is a beast we wrestle with only when we’re ready to face it.”
“Tomorrow doesn’t wait for us to be ready. Tomorrow doesn’t wait for us to stop being afraid.”
” A promise has never been broken by our Creator.”
About the Author
aime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes – providing an exhilarating amount chaos.
Visit her at: http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com and listen to her podcast MadLit Musings on your favorite podcast player or at http://www.madlitmusings.com.
What interests you about this story?
Sounds like another winner of a story. Great review! 🙂