The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Outstanding Debut Novel from an Author to Watch Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives--including her own--are lost?

Oh, a new author to follow! :) I wasn't sure what I was getting into, with the spooky tones, but I really, really loved the mystery that is strewn through the story, parallel in the two time frames as each character (Ivy and Kaine) probes into the mysterious secrets surrounding the deserted Foster Hill house. A murdered girl was found in a hollow tree a hundred years ago. Ivy, in the early 1900s, is the doctor's daughter and the keeper of the book of deaths, her way of writing obituaries for townspeople.

Ivy is considered odd after her brother's early death leaves her pensive and quiet. Her quick intuition leads to town rumors of a “second sight” and leaves her even more alone. At the young woman's mysterious death and unknown identity, Joel re-enters her life: her brother's best friend who disappeared years before and left her to face her grief alone. He's just returned as the new sheriff's deputy and is soon in the midst of the attempt to solve the crime.

Kaine, the modern-day heroine, is also doubted by her community after no real evidence shows up for a stalker she knows she has. The person who caused her husband's fatal car accident, she's sure, must still be after her. Problem is, the death was ruled accidental. Only her sister believes she's telling the truth, and isn't simply overly forgetful or suffering from some form of PTSD. Unable to stand the sinister tricks any longer, she quits her job, buys a historic home in her ancestors' hometown, and heads off to an adventure. Trouble is, the realtor's pictures were overly kind, and she finds herself in a world of hurt trying to make her new home livable. And things begin to happen there...things like what her stalker did, only more aggressive than before.

There are quite a number of creepy passages, melodies from an abandoned house, “ghosts” in the halls...but it's not sensationalized. The focus remains on the house's mysterious past rather than the creepy phenomenons. I liked having an engaging mystery with a touch of the shiver-y to keep it compelling, and I actually enjoyed both timelines equally.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook for review. A positive review was not required.

With this being [a:Jaime Jo Wright 13916081 Jaime Jo Wright https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447624511p2/13916081.jpg] debut novel, I can definitely say that I hope she has more on the way! She has a way with words and nothing is missed in the details, from the first word to the very last page. On the edge of my seat is truly how I would describe this riveting book. With two storylines that intertwine together and flow across time periods, it captivates your heart and sense of adventure. One minute I was processing the scene, the next I was haunted by the words and at other times, hopeful for love. Just when I was pondering a “how” or “who” or “what”, she swoops back in gives you a hint or one more piece of information. Her female characters are right up my alley - bold, adventurous and able to hold their own. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for solid female main characters. This book weaves historical periods, mystery, crime and a bit of romance in a perfect blend.**Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy for review. A positive review was not required and is my own humble opinion.

It was not the right time for me to be reading this. It was okay, but didn't compel me to read every line and read it quickly. I skimmed it quickly instead. Not quite sure why it didn't click with me, but this just wasn't the right time for me to read this one.