Heather’s Bookshelf: Witch in the White City
Author: Nick Wisseman
Released: 04/16/21
Genre: Historical Fantasy
“Those closest to him pulled back so violently that at least two men fell from the Pier. Passengers ahead of the porter ran pell-mell down the Movable Sidewalk toward the steamer; passengers behind him jumped aboard the return belts and sprinted back to the Casino. One girl leapt from bench to bench before she lost her balance and tumbled into the arms of a shouting old man.”
“Witch in the White City” follows Neva, a young and gifted woman performing at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago when the unexpected occurs. In the middle of her act, a swarm of insects fall onto the stage, stinging and biting her. The venom has a strange effect, leaving distinctive marks on her skin.
Neva soon finds she is not the only one to have such markings. Unfortunately, there have been several deaths associated with similar events. Rumors abound of connections to a cult and even to Jack the Ripper. But after her brother disappears, she sets out to find him, the killer, and the truth.
Along the way, she uncovers several truths- revealing secrets about herself and those closest to her. Neva’s skills are not just developed…they’re gifts. And she’s not the only one to have them.
Trigger Warning: racism/racist language, adult language, suicide, murder, rape (memories of)
Overall, I enjoyed this genre bending combination of historical fiction, fantasy, and murder mystery. The setting of the World’s Fair in Chicago provides a dramatic backdrop to an equally intriguing story. The approach to the “gifts” depicted in the story drew me in and followed through the remainder of the story. The way they were incorporated into the story was creative and different. Neva, as a protagonist, was complex and endearing. Her emotions shown through the story and her plight with her family was felt through the pages. She’s strong, resilient, and living in a time when everything’s stacked against her just because of the color of her skin. I also loved the twists and reveals throughout the story. However, many of the ancillary characters were muddled and not well developed. The emotional connection that should have been there for some of the plot twists was a little lost as a result. This story was unusual in a way that kept me reading and the ending wrapped everything up nicely.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A murder mystery wrapped in a historical fantasy. A protagonist with intriguing gifts will keep you engaged.
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