 Author: Jaime Jo Wright Genre: Dual-time Mystery/Suspense Pages: 368 Release Date: April 9, 2024 Publisher: Bethany House As 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.
 Reviewer: Adriann Harris Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, a creepy, ghostly mystery filled with suspense and gothic elements, by Jaime Jo Wright, is the best of the best when it comes to writing bone-chilling stories. This duel timeline has the perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and faith, with a sprinkling of romance to keep one enthralled from beginning to end. The heroines from both periods struggle with grief, fear, and anxiety. Wright masterfully guides them through these life-altering issues, with her superlative prose adding to the overall emotional experience of the story. Wright’s suspenseful plot will keep you enthusiastically turning the pages to uncover the truth behind one chilling incident after another. I used to read these types of stories at night underneath the bed covers with a flashlight when I was young, and I have to admit, I still do so when reading a story by Wright. I highly recommend this bump-in-the-night, whodunnit Christian gothic suspense mystery, and I definitely recommend taking the time to read the author’s note. A complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.  Reviewer: Linda Klager The author mentioned that there was much fear in this book. Effie feared death. Anderson feared grief. Norah feared living. Sebastian feared himself. You could call this book one in which the characters faced much fear. The book begins in 1901 with Effie and her sister, Polly, wanting to go to the strange house on Predicament Avenue to kiss the lion's head as their brothers had done. Polly witnessed an alarming event. Polly was traumatized by what she saw through the window. Polly was not a strong girl and suffered greatly. Effie went along reluctantly with Polly. Afterward, Effie felt very guilty that the two of them had visited this house. She dearly loved her sister. The book covered two eras, the first being 1901 and the second being the present day. The author covered these two periods very well. Investigations began because two murders were linked to the dilapidated house. The characters in the book were trying to solve what happened because the original victim's body was never recovered. Norah had two men in her life who were very loyal to her. One of them was not who he claimed to be. This caused much heartache. Although this book was written very well, it was not the kind of book that I usually read. The story is too haunting for me. For my honest review, I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Beverly Laude The author has once again created a wonderful story by weaving together two distinct yet intertwined stories. In 1910, Effie James and her sister, Polly, find themselves caught up in a mystery surrounding 322 Predicament Avenue. It seems that Polly has witnessed the murder of a woman there, but nobody has been found. Effie must try to discover what actually happened when a mysterious man from England shows up in the small town of Shepherd, Iowa, looking for his missing wife. Many years later, in the present day, Norah Richman is living in this same house after her sister, Naomi, is murdered. Is it just a coincidence that the only two murders in this small town involved this house? Norah also finds herself involved in the mystery of the earlier murder when a podcaster from England comes to stay at her B&B to investigate. The two stories are woven together in a wonderful way, and the reader slowly learns the truth about both crimes. Strange occurrences start to happen to Norah and her guests, and the characters begin to wonder if something supernatural is at work. As both tales unfold, the people involved have to deal with their belief in God and how to handle their grief. The author does a fantastic job of character development, creating a slightly spooky atmosphere while solving the mystery of both murders. There are a couple of quotes from the book that will stay with me long after finishing this book: "Death is momentary, but grief is what's left behind." "The more you pursue hope, the brighter it becomes, and the more we discover that fear is not of Him. Hope is." I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a faith-filled book full of mystery and hope. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis Author Jaime Jo Wright has done it again with a frightening dual-time mystery that will keep you reading late into the night—if you dare! I don't know how she does it! The suspense builds with this one and keeps you on your toes. I was positive I knew who the killer was in both timelines until I didn't. Wright is writing two stories that somehow have to merge, and she does it brilliantly! The theme of fear runs through this novel from beginning to end. Fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of trusting others, and ultimately taking those fears to the only One who can calm them. If you enjoy murder mysteries and cold-case files with a vibrant cast of characters, you will love Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review. Reviewer: Raechel Helwig Did I get scared while reading this book? Maybe once or twice. But in my defense, I was deep into the book at a particularly eerie scene when the wind blew so fiercely in real life that it jarred me. The second time, my phone rang, which may have made me jump. But that just means this book was extra engrossing, right? Haha. For real, author Jaime Jo Wright does it again, giving us a deliciously eerie but fantastically creative story of who-dunnit and what-is-it. 322 Predicament Avenue contains much history and a mysterious past that present-day heroine Norah wishes she could escape, and historical timeline heroine Effie wishes she could avoid. But it can neither be escaped nor avoided for long, and both women find themselves wrapped up in the mystery as well as dread of it all. The plot of this book...well, I didn't see the ending of either time period coming. Wow. I was trying to sort out who could have committed the horrible deeds described between the pages, but when it came to light, I was quite flabbergasted, especially to one in particular. But I don't want to give away any spoilers, so if you're curious now, you'll just have to read the book to find out for yourself! While I think I liked the historical storyline the best, both sides of the story absolutely drew me in and kept me hooked. Effie's portion was my favorite, and Mr. Anderson may have won me over through the reading of it too. Their ending was so good. Both endings, really. And though the faith message was faint at times, I very much appreciated the author's note at the end. I thought that was a beautiful wrap-up to Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. The only thing left to say is that the author is good at what she does. I don't read any horror or creepy books, or even a lot of split timelines, but if it's Wright's book, it's definitely worth the read. This book was provided courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own. Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise "Death had been a guest here at Perdicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death was not ready to check out just yet." Mystery in a small town with only two murders in its long history. And they both have connections to the same house, an old, dilapidated manor house brought back as a bed and breakfast, shrouded in spooky tales. Norah Richman has grown up in the house but has no love for it since her sister was murdered and the killer was never found. A famous podcaster, Sebastian Blaine,comes to research the first murder, and Norah agrees to help him just to put an end to all the speculation, for the body of Isabelle Addington was never discovered. The author captures the atmosphere of the 1910 setting and poses believable explanations for the lack of information on the first murder and its victim. Likewise, she slips into the present with unexpected events that satisfy our quest for resolution. Throughout the book, we see how fear affects different people. But as Polly speaks about her faith in her Creator, she will not let fear win. “Fear steals our joy and is the agony of those with no hope. It will not define us. Fear is the enemy we will defeat.” Another winner from the Queen of Creepy. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer Jamie Jo Wright does it again with another intriguing story! I have read just shy of a few of her books, and all I can say is that she is amazing! She is one of the few authors I can never figure out who did it, and I'm stunned each time I complete a book. This certainly is the case for this particular story. Effie and her sister Polly are wandering around after hours and discover something isn't right at 322 Predicament Avenue. When a strange Englishman shows up, everything changes. Nora is the current owner of 322 Predicament Avenue and is grieving the loss of her sister. She opened the house as a bed and breakfast. An English podcaster shows up to cover the murders. This story is a page-turner and thick with mystery. You will wonder, until the end, who did it! This author is amazing, and I recommend every story she writes! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Ewurabena Wilson
Thank you, Jaime Jo Wright, for writing a frightening but excellent book! If there are three words to describe Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, it would be scary, suspenseful, and impactful. Scary, because I was frightened right at the beginning of the novel and almost returned it. Suspenseful, because even though I was a bit scared, I just could not put the book down. Impactful, because I am beginning to question the essence of being afraid of the unknown. I have been on a long sabbatical leave from any literature that creates distorted images in my mind. Then Jaime Jo Wright comes along with Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. Set in a dual time of 1901 and present day, this novel revolves around a property in Shepherd Town, Iowa, at 322 Predicament Avenue. A gruesome murder at this property alters the lives of Euphemia ‘Effie’ James, her sickly sister Polly, who was a witness to the murder, her family, and the sleepy Christian town of Shepherd. The arrival of Lord Lewis Anderson Archibald Mooring, who claims the murder victim, Isabelle Addington, is his wife, adds more intrigue to the murder case. Who is Isabelle Addington, where is her body, and why would anyone want to kill a woman who is a stranger in the town? In modern times, Norah Richman is a woman still grieving the loss of her twin sister, who had been murdered after missing for some time. She is the current owner of 322 Predicament Avenue, now an inn and a place that, in modern times, is associated with the ghost of Isabelle Addington. The sudden death of a guest and the residence of Sebastian Blaine, an investigative podcaster, at her inn, along with ghostly settings, compels Norah to confront her fears and discover what led to the deaths of two women, her sister and Isabelle Addington. I must say that this is one mystery novel where all my possible murderers’ guesses were wrong. The conclusion of the novel made this novel worth reading. The themes of fear and hope echoed throughout the novel. All the main characters had a particular fear that they were holding on to. One question that came up was: do I have a justification to be afraid of the things I am frightened of? If you do not mind a significant increase in your heartbeat while reading this novel and love a good, scary mystery novel, then I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Leave a Reply. |
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