Book Review | Shadows of the White City

Bethany House, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing Spot

Shadows of the White City is the second book in Jocelyn Green‘s The Windy City Saga. When Sylvie Townsend’s adopted daughter goes missing during the Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, she accepts the help of her daughter’s violin teacher to find her.

Kristof Bartok is concertmaster of the Colombian Exposition Orchestra and Sylvie Townsend’s tenant. He’s had feelings for the independent business owner, but kept them under wraps since she’s made it clear she has no need for a man. But he can’t let her go through searching for her daughter alone. Especially if he could be part of the reason she’s missing.

After reading Veiled in Smoke, I looked forward to reading Shadows of the White City. Though I knew the Colombian Exposition was several years after the Great Fire, Sylvie’s age took me aback. I still saw her as the young woman in book one. Because of the gap between the two books, I don’t believe you need to read book one to understand book two, but doing so does offer more depth and understanding to the story.

The search for Sylvie’s daughter held many threads and kept me turning the pages. I loved how the author brought the Exposition to life. Both the good and the dark. Many historical figures received cameos, too. As a Chicagoland native, my many visits to modern day Chicago added a fourth dimension to the vivid pictures the author paints.

If you like second chance romance and real life settings, try Shadows of the White City. Kristof’s musical side and Sylvie’s literature side blend together in a symphony of words that bring the story to life.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

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