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The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater
Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her uncover the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must put the threat of the phantoms to rest.
Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. When television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher engages Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history, Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of also finding out what happened to her friend. As the theater's curse begins to unravel Kit's own life, she sets out not only to save the historical building and her friend, but to end the pattern of evil that has marked their hometown for a century.
In this atmospheric dual-time tale, two women--separated by a century yet bound by the ghosts of the past--pursue light in the face of darkness.
Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. When television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher engages Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history, Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of also finding out what happened to her friend. As the theater's curse begins to unravel Kit's own life, she sets out not only to save the historical building and her friend, but to end the pattern of evil that has marked their hometown for a century.
In this atmospheric dual-time tale, two women--separated by a century yet bound by the ghosts of the past--pursue light in the face of darkness.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2023
71 people are currently reading
6699 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Jo Wright
29 books2,429 followersDaphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history's secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
October 17, 2023
In a Nutshell: Christian + mystery-thriller – a combo I never thought possible. Slowburn but intriguing. A good story that delivers the chills while staying true to the Christian aspects. (i.e. thrills without blood and gore!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 Honestly, I never thought there could be a ‘Christian’ book that focussed on thrills or the supernatural. The two components are so at odds with each other! But this book surprised me in a wonderful way, making the strange combo come together seamlessly.
😍 As a Christian fiction, the thrills are delivered in a clean manner – no gore or gruesomeness. But this doesn’t reduce the intrigue of the book. Rather, it kept me on my toes with its timely twists, and never made me feel like a dash of blood would have helped enhance the plot. Furthermore, the faith-related aspects are incorporated well into the plot, with the belief system of the characters influencing their thinking rather than merely spouting mere biblical verses. The plot never gets preachy as well. The romances are also clean, with just a couple of kisses mentioned.
😍 While both the timelines have a romantic arc, these are quite subdued and never overpower the main plot. The focus stays on the mystery than on the couples. Love it when romance isn’t pushed to the forefront in a non-romance novel!
😍 For a change, both the timelines are equally gripping. Each has a missing person situation, but this doesn’t create repetition. The investigation follows different paths, and it takes a long while to see how the two tracks come together. If you pay attention to the names of the characters, you can take a few shots at guessing some of the twists, but the author has plenty more surprises in her kitty. I couldn’t figure out the main mystery at all until it was revealed.
😍 There are several mini-cliffhangers in the book, just before swapping to the other timeline. These are well-timed and never seem forced. The author’s firm control over the story was evident throughout.
😍 The writing is wonderfully descriptive. The Barlow theatre and all the other historical locations are sketched in such a vivid way that it is easy to visualise them all. I loved the author’s lyrical style.
😍 Through Kit’s arc, we get an interesting glimpse at abandonment issues in infant adoptees. In her parting note, the author mentions her own struggles with the same, and her honest thoughts added a great touch of authenticity to Kit’s feelings.
😍 It’s always great to see an ending that springs naturally from the narrative instead of being forced into place. I also appreciate how the characters aren’t cast into clear positive or negative roles. This offers a nice lesson on not jumping to judgemental conclusions.
😍 The author’s note also reveal some intriguing facts that motivated this fictional work. These sent me down a rabbit hole of research.
😍 While I mention the author’s note often in my reviews, this is the first time I am mentioning the ‘Acknowledgements’ section. This book has among the most amusing acknowledgements I have ever read. The author’s sincere thanks to Walmart and local coffee shops and cats made me chuckle and won my heart.
Bookish Nays:
😒 The contemporary timeline sometimes spills the beans on the suspense of the historical timeline well in advance. This sullies the fun of discovery. I wish such foreshadowing had been delayed until after the incident came up in the story.
😒 The story is somewhat slow. There’s a lot of build-up in the first quarter. While it is still gripping, I wish the pace had been a bit quicker.
😒 In the initial chapters coming from Kit’s perspective, there is too much of a focus on how good-looking Evan is. I wasn’t reading a romance, ergo I neither expected nor relished so much gushing over a man’s physical appeal when there were important mysteries to resolve.
Despite the tiny niggles, I enjoyed this story as it combined several of my favourite genres while avoiding their pitfalls. Though slow, it proved to be an engrossing entertainer.
Definitely recommended to mystery-thriller fans who would enjoy a touch of the spooks and wouldn’t mind a touch of the faith.
This is my first book by this author. I can’t believe I have never read her works before; her repertoire seems so amazing! Will surely keep an eye out for her future works and grab a few of her past releases.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
1915. Kipper's Grove, Wisconsin. A few months ago, Greta Mercy’s elder brother lost his life during the construction of the Barlowe Theatre. Now one of her younger brothers Leo has gone missing after breaking into the same building. Orphaned Greta knows that she can’t afford to invest much time in locating Leo as she has two more young brothers to care for, else they will lose their home and be shifted to the poorhouse. But how can Greta let go of Leo without doing anything?
Present Day. When Kit Boyd agrees to help her best friend Madison have a ghost walk in the Barlowe Theatre for a television show that deals with the supernatural, she never thought that Madison would mysteriously vanish. The show hosts – psychic Heather and sceptic Evan – agree to help Kit discover what happened to Madison. But do they have an ulterior motive behind their support?
With increasingly creepy happenings in both timelines, we see how the two women, though separated by a century, are linked by circumstances and destiny.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspectives of Kit and Greta.
Bookish Yays:
😍 Honestly, I never thought there could be a ‘Christian’ book that focussed on thrills or the supernatural. The two components are so at odds with each other! But this book surprised me in a wonderful way, making the strange combo come together seamlessly.
😍 As a Christian fiction, the thrills are delivered in a clean manner – no gore or gruesomeness. But this doesn’t reduce the intrigue of the book. Rather, it kept me on my toes with its timely twists, and never made me feel like a dash of blood would have helped enhance the plot. Furthermore, the faith-related aspects are incorporated well into the plot, with the belief system of the characters influencing their thinking rather than merely spouting mere biblical verses. The plot never gets preachy as well. The romances are also clean, with just a couple of kisses mentioned.
😍 While both the timelines have a romantic arc, these are quite subdued and never overpower the main plot. The focus stays on the mystery than on the couples. Love it when romance isn’t pushed to the forefront in a non-romance novel!
😍 For a change, both the timelines are equally gripping. Each has a missing person situation, but this doesn’t create repetition. The investigation follows different paths, and it takes a long while to see how the two tracks come together. If you pay attention to the names of the characters, you can take a few shots at guessing some of the twists, but the author has plenty more surprises in her kitty. I couldn’t figure out the main mystery at all until it was revealed.
😍 There are several mini-cliffhangers in the book, just before swapping to the other timeline. These are well-timed and never seem forced. The author’s firm control over the story was evident throughout.
😍 The writing is wonderfully descriptive. The Barlow theatre and all the other historical locations are sketched in such a vivid way that it is easy to visualise them all. I loved the author’s lyrical style.
😍 Through Kit’s arc, we get an interesting glimpse at abandonment issues in infant adoptees. In her parting note, the author mentions her own struggles with the same, and her honest thoughts added a great touch of authenticity to Kit’s feelings.
😍 It’s always great to see an ending that springs naturally from the narrative instead of being forced into place. I also appreciate how the characters aren’t cast into clear positive or negative roles. This offers a nice lesson on not jumping to judgemental conclusions.
😍 The author’s note also reveal some intriguing facts that motivated this fictional work. These sent me down a rabbit hole of research.
😍 While I mention the author’s note often in my reviews, this is the first time I am mentioning the ‘Acknowledgements’ section. This book has among the most amusing acknowledgements I have ever read. The author’s sincere thanks to Walmart and local coffee shops and cats made me chuckle and won my heart.
Bookish Nays:
😒 The contemporary timeline sometimes spills the beans on the suspense of the historical timeline well in advance. This sullies the fun of discovery. I wish such foreshadowing had been delayed until after the incident came up in the story.
😒 The story is somewhat slow. There’s a lot of build-up in the first quarter. While it is still gripping, I wish the pace had been a bit quicker.
😒 In the initial chapters coming from Kit’s perspective, there is too much of a focus on how good-looking Evan is. I wasn’t reading a romance, ergo I neither expected nor relished so much gushing over a man’s physical appeal when there were important mysteries to resolve.
Despite the tiny niggles, I enjoyed this story as it combined several of my favourite genres while avoiding their pitfalls. Though slow, it proved to be an engrossing entertainer.
Definitely recommended to mystery-thriller fans who would enjoy a touch of the spooks and wouldn’t mind a touch of the faith.
This is my first book by this author. I can’t believe I have never read her works before; her repertoire seems so amazing! Will surely keep an eye out for her future works and grab a few of her past releases.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 13, 2023
The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater - Jamie Jo Wright - 4.5 Stars
Wow, Jaime Jo does it AGAIN! This is a haunting and intricately woven novel that seamlessly combines elements of mystery and suspense. We have richly developed characters and a storyline that spans generations. This book is going to keep readers engaged from start to finish!
Set in the eerie backdrop of the Barlow Theater, this story is told through dual timelines - one in present day and one in the early 1900s. In 1915, we see Greta Mercy, who is skeptical of the theater as her brother died there in an accident during its construction. When her younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta hopes the local police can help her solve this mystery of where he is. Plus, early on in the story, Greta caused quite the uproar when she says she saw a child fall from the theater balcony during one of the productions...yet no child was found. Was she seeing things or is there more to this theater than meets the eye?
Decades later during present day, we follow Kit Boyd, whose best friend Madison goes missing at the Theater when TV ghost-hunting host and skeptic, Evan Fisher, is there with their crew filming episodes of their TV show trying to catch secrets of the theater on film. Evan and Kit work together trying to piece together the puzzle and find Madison before it's too late.
I am so glad I read this! It explored so much in both timelines and Jaime Jo always weaves the timelines and generational families together SO well! I can't say which timeline I liked better because I genuinely wanted to keep reading both! There were some parts that dragged a little for me but this is truly a 4.5 to 5 star read and I think if you are looking for a good, gothic fall read, this is for you! The content was not triggering for me in any way, the opening is a little unsettling with the thought of a possible child that fell from the balcony, but we soon question if that even truly happened or not.
I loved Evan and Kit together most of all - he was just an awesome guy and I loved how he combated the "medium" or "psychic" in this story and explained how the supernatural world we "think" of today is most likely an illusion from the devil making us see what we think we want to see and how many of these things are things God doesn't want us even dabbling it - preach it Evan! The faith in this book is also weaved in very naturally and isn't preachy - it's beautiful to see how Evan reminds Kit that God hasn't abandoned her yet and he still won't. Jaime Jo may have had some details with psychics and mediums in here but she made sure to debunk what they were doing and point it back to God!
In conclusion, The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater will grip readers as an engaging and eerie fall read and I highly recommend!
Wow, Jaime Jo does it AGAIN! This is a haunting and intricately woven novel that seamlessly combines elements of mystery and suspense. We have richly developed characters and a storyline that spans generations. This book is going to keep readers engaged from start to finish!
Set in the eerie backdrop of the Barlow Theater, this story is told through dual timelines - one in present day and one in the early 1900s. In 1915, we see Greta Mercy, who is skeptical of the theater as her brother died there in an accident during its construction. When her younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta hopes the local police can help her solve this mystery of where he is. Plus, early on in the story, Greta caused quite the uproar when she says she saw a child fall from the theater balcony during one of the productions...yet no child was found. Was she seeing things or is there more to this theater than meets the eye?
Decades later during present day, we follow Kit Boyd, whose best friend Madison goes missing at the Theater when TV ghost-hunting host and skeptic, Evan Fisher, is there with their crew filming episodes of their TV show trying to catch secrets of the theater on film. Evan and Kit work together trying to piece together the puzzle and find Madison before it's too late.
I am so glad I read this! It explored so much in both timelines and Jaime Jo always weaves the timelines and generational families together SO well! I can't say which timeline I liked better because I genuinely wanted to keep reading both! There were some parts that dragged a little for me but this is truly a 4.5 to 5 star read and I think if you are looking for a good, gothic fall read, this is for you! The content was not triggering for me in any way, the opening is a little unsettling with the thought of a possible child that fell from the balcony, but we soon question if that even truly happened or not.
I loved Evan and Kit together most of all - he was just an awesome guy and I loved how he combated the "medium" or "psychic" in this story and explained how the supernatural world we "think" of today is most likely an illusion from the devil making us see what we think we want to see and how many of these things are things God doesn't want us even dabbling it - preach it Evan! The faith in this book is also weaved in very naturally and isn't preachy - it's beautiful to see how Evan reminds Kit that God hasn't abandoned her yet and he still won't. Jaime Jo may have had some details with psychics and mediums in here but she made sure to debunk what they were doing and point it back to God!
In conclusion, The Lost Boys of Barlow Theater will grip readers as an engaging and eerie fall read and I highly recommend!
October 7, 2023
Wow, wow, wow. I’ve read most of the author’s other books, and while I did enjoy them, I *loved* this one—it’s so deserving of a five-star review.
The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a dual timeline novel, present day and 1915. One of my favorite parts of the book were the themes represented through the characters—especially Kit’s character, who struggles with abandonment from her childhood and now struggles with the fear that anyone you hold close will eventually leave you, so it’s better to keep them at arm’s length. How she learns to unravel that fear and find faith and trust in a God who never leaves her was so beautiful.
Also, I just have to take a second to talk about Kate and Evan, and Oscar and Greta. Gosh. I won’t spoil anything, but the way their love stories unfold is one of the best I’ve read.
And the PLOT?! I was literally on the edge of my seat—eyes bugged out, mouth slightly agape, and turning pages late into the night. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of I-did-not-see-that-coming plot twists, beautiful redemption arcs, and faith. Could you ask for more?
Hats off to the author for this incredible book. I can’t wait to order a physical copy and have it on my shelf!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a dual timeline novel, present day and 1915. One of my favorite parts of the book were the themes represented through the characters—especially Kit’s character, who struggles with abandonment from her childhood and now struggles with the fear that anyone you hold close will eventually leave you, so it’s better to keep them at arm’s length. How she learns to unravel that fear and find faith and trust in a God who never leaves her was so beautiful.
Also, I just have to take a second to talk about Kate and Evan, and Oscar and Greta. Gosh. I won’t spoil anything, but the way their love stories unfold is one of the best I’ve read.
And the PLOT?! I was literally on the edge of my seat—eyes bugged out, mouth slightly agape, and turning pages late into the night. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of I-did-not-see-that-coming plot twists, beautiful redemption arcs, and faith. Could you ask for more?
Hats off to the author for this incredible book. I can’t wait to order a physical copy and have it on my shelf!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
May 1, 2024
I will say this again…Jaime Jo Wright books are the BEST buddy reads ever! There’s nothing better than freaking out about the same plot twists, creating your own hypothesis, and just overall sitting on the edge of your seat with someone else!
This book was a WILD! RIDE! I was enthralled from page one and had the hardest time setting the book down when I got to the daily page count.
I really did enjoy both timelines. (though the historical timelines always hook me a bit more) I thought both stories were told well throughout the length of the book.
I was *a little* unsatisfied with the way the present day timeline came to a close, but I was 100% invested the whole way through!
I really love how Jaime never shies away from the spiritual! It exists, but she always shows (reminds us) that God doesn’t need help from “anybody else”. She has great faith elements while still showing real life, human struggles.
I would definitely recommend this book!
4/5 stars
This book was a WILD! RIDE! I was enthralled from page one and had the hardest time setting the book down when I got to the daily page count.
I really did enjoy both timelines. (though the historical timelines always hook me a bit more) I thought both stories were told well throughout the length of the book.
I was *a little* unsatisfied with the way the present day timeline came to a close, but I was 100% invested the whole way through!
I really love how Jaime never shies away from the spiritual! It exists, but she always shows (reminds us) that God doesn’t need help from “anybody else”. She has great faith elements while still showing real life, human struggles.
I would definitely recommend this book!
4/5 stars
October 23, 2023
A can't put down, but shouldn't read at night thrilling read from the queen of creepy goodness.
I loved this new book by Jaime Jo Wright! It was the perfect amount of creepy and entertaining fun. I really loved both timelines but the Historical timeline is usually my favorite in dual timeline books, which is the case in this book. I was so invested in the characters and what was going to happen to them. I loved both Greta and Kit and couldn't wait to turn the next page. I dropped everything else to read this book😍.
*thank you to Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
I loved this new book by Jaime Jo Wright! It was the perfect amount of creepy and entertaining fun. I really loved both timelines but the Historical timeline is usually my favorite in dual timeline books, which is the case in this book. I was so invested in the characters and what was going to happen to them. I loved both Greta and Kit and couldn't wait to turn the next page. I dropped everything else to read this book😍.
*thank you to Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
dnf
November 28, 2024DNFd at 15%
The opening chapter was extremely unsettling, and then for the rest of what I read, it couldn’t capture my attention, so, c’est la vie 🤷🏼♀️
The opening chapter was extremely unsettling, and then for the rest of what I read, it couldn’t capture my attention, so, c’est la vie 🤷🏼♀️
January 6, 2024
Confound it, she did it again. To be honest, I’m rather perturbed with Ms. Wright. Why? Her writing continues to get better and better, and with each publication of one of her new books, I find myself skimming through words and phrases, hoping to find out what happens in the story. It’s rather annoying because her descriptions are wonderful and her build up of every scene is a feast for the senses that should be savored. To be honest, it’s just not fair that one person can have so much talent locked up inside them to share with their readers in one fabulous book after another. And this is another great novel that not only tells a fascinating story, but another that delves into the past and exposes a little known or talked about side of history. In this case, it’s poor houses which were so numerous around the turn of the century, as well as modern adoption. As with so many of Jaime Jo Wright’s books the dual timelines and plots are over the top great, but it it the historical timeline that grabs me the most and takes my breath away. And this one was no different. Sheer reading delight!
There is no need to go into detail about this novel. You can anyone else’s description of the plot and characters in a dozen other reviews. Simply put, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a thoroughly enjoyable and unputdownable book!
There is no need to go into detail about this novel. You can anyone else’s description of the plot and characters in a dozen other reviews. Simply put, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a thoroughly enjoyable and unputdownable book!
May 24, 2025
For those new to Jaime Jo Wright, I think this would be an excellent first read. It isn’t quite as creepy as some of her others and the ghost element is not ambiguous in the end.
I loved this read. There were a lot of heartfelt moments and the characters had a good growth pattern. Also, who wouldn’t want a story about a creepy beautiful theater?
I loved this read. There were a lot of heartfelt moments and the characters had a good growth pattern. Also, who wouldn’t want a story about a creepy beautiful theater?
September 26, 2023
I always love how JJ Wright can write a creepy, haunting story with absolutely always a real-world, natural explanation for all the ghostly encounters + experience.
"Kit mumbled an apology to the Almighty, who was probably rolling His eyes at their attempt to mess with the spirit world. But this was Madison. She believed ANYTHING was possible. Kit had been raised to believe that this type of anything was probably demonic. There had to be a middle ground. Hadn't there?"
For a tiny second there this quote had me worried about the direction this book was heading. A middle ground? No thank you. I absolutely believe there is a spiritual world that we have not even the slightest understanding in, with Satan trying to snare believers and unbelievers alike. 1 Peter 5:8 clearly proves this truth. We can't change anything (or, 'mess with the spirit world'), but we can always fight the devil with prayer. Anyway, this is a tangent on a topic that isn't even a big deal in the book, because everything gets clearly resolved. I just had to pause when I read that part, because it gave me as the reader a chance to question what was real and what wasn't. And in this scenario, I don't think that's necessarily a good thing.
Anyway, this book features a medium psychic who thinks she can speak to the underworld, which was all clearly explained away by the end. However, it left me thinking I could have spent my time reading a good, solid theological book on spiritual warfare instead of a book with fake ghosts and voodoo/psychic medium stuff. This is something I've never had before when reading one of JJ Wright's books. Again, I love her books. But I guess I'm feeling convicted more and more lately of what kind of material I spend my time reading, and how profitable it really is in the grand scheme of things.
So this review isn't a knock against this book (because it really was executed very well!), but I'm just not in the headspace lately for books that make me question what reality is actually true. But if that's your thing, go pick up this one because it really is a thrilling read. Both timelines are executed and intertwined brilliantly. Not to mention, the subplots in both timelines (especially the historical) are incredibly complex and not the typical topics brought up in most Christian historical fiction. I would recommend to anyone who loves thrillers and haunting stories.
"Kit mumbled an apology to the Almighty, who was probably rolling His eyes at their attempt to mess with the spirit world. But this was Madison. She believed ANYTHING was possible. Kit had been raised to believe that this type of anything was probably demonic. There had to be a middle ground. Hadn't there?"
For a tiny second there this quote had me worried about the direction this book was heading. A middle ground? No thank you. I absolutely believe there is a spiritual world that we have not even the slightest understanding in, with Satan trying to snare believers and unbelievers alike. 1 Peter 5:8 clearly proves this truth. We can't change anything (or, 'mess with the spirit world'), but we can always fight the devil with prayer. Anyway, this is a tangent on a topic that isn't even a big deal in the book, because everything gets clearly resolved. I just had to pause when I read that part, because it gave me as the reader a chance to question what was real and what wasn't. And in this scenario, I don't think that's necessarily a good thing.
Anyway, this book features a medium psychic who thinks she can speak to the underworld, which was all clearly explained away by the end. However, it left me thinking I could have spent my time reading a good, solid theological book on spiritual warfare instead of a book with fake ghosts and voodoo/psychic medium stuff. This is something I've never had before when reading one of JJ Wright's books. Again, I love her books. But I guess I'm feeling convicted more and more lately of what kind of material I spend my time reading, and how profitable it really is in the grand scheme of things.
So this review isn't a knock against this book (because it really was executed very well!), but I'm just not in the headspace lately for books that make me question what reality is actually true. But if that's your thing, go pick up this one because it really is a thrilling read. Both timelines are executed and intertwined brilliantly. Not to mention, the subplots in both timelines (especially the historical) are incredibly complex and not the typical topics brought up in most Christian historical fiction. I would recommend to anyone who loves thrillers and haunting stories.
February 27, 2024
This was a book I was able to get lost in, enjoyed returning to each day, and was eager to keep reading to see how it would all turn out!
Told with dual timelines - 1915 & present day - you get to meet two young ladies who are each attempting to navigate very challenging circumstances, both interacting with the strange and mysterious Barlowe Theater.
Though each heroine is supported by a male lead, I especially liked the relationship between Greta (1915) and Oscar. Greta was committed to the truth regardless of being ridiculed, and Oscar was a hero that drew you in based on his character, his protectiveness, and his trustworthiness.
Throughout the entire story, clear and authentic faith was displayed in the characters. Though paranormal activity is unconventional for Christian fiction, I loved how it modeled the way to “take captive every thought making it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). There were parts that seemed “deliciously scary” (thank you Jaime Jo & Anne Shirley), but then the author would pull back the curtain and help you understand the truth.
The beginning is a bit of a slow start, but by the mid-marked I was hooked and flying through the pages. I also had to make sure I was paying attention to keep track of a large cast of characters.
If you’re generally a fan of mysteries, thrillers, or paranormal stories - but you’re bogged down by the icky content that’s so common - give this one a try!!! You’ll love it!
😇: Christian publisher (Bethany House); clear Gospel themes; authentic faith in characters
😍: an innocent kiss or too
🤐: no language!
Told with dual timelines - 1915 & present day - you get to meet two young ladies who are each attempting to navigate very challenging circumstances, both interacting with the strange and mysterious Barlowe Theater.
Though each heroine is supported by a male lead, I especially liked the relationship between Greta (1915) and Oscar. Greta was committed to the truth regardless of being ridiculed, and Oscar was a hero that drew you in based on his character, his protectiveness, and his trustworthiness.
Throughout the entire story, clear and authentic faith was displayed in the characters. Though paranormal activity is unconventional for Christian fiction, I loved how it modeled the way to “take captive every thought making it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). There were parts that seemed “deliciously scary” (thank you Jaime Jo & Anne Shirley), but then the author would pull back the curtain and help you understand the truth.
The beginning is a bit of a slow start, but by the mid-marked I was hooked and flying through the pages. I also had to make sure I was paying attention to keep track of a large cast of characters.
If you’re generally a fan of mysteries, thrillers, or paranormal stories - but you’re bogged down by the icky content that’s so common - give this one a try!!! You’ll love it!
😇: Christian publisher (Bethany House); clear Gospel themes; authentic faith in characters
😍: an innocent kiss or too
🤐: no language!
October 16, 2023
Wright is at it again, creating a book full of suspense, ghostly appearances, historical accuracies and a dash of romance!
If you enjoy Christian fiction but want something a little different, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater has you covered. When a theater has a history of missing boys, tragic accidents, and ghosts...a team of modern day ghost hunters will insert themselves to find some answers.
This is a dual POV story that goes back and forth to solve a mystery a century apart. It deals with harder topics that each main character is going through such as poverty and adoption but also has a light hope and faith vein to round it all out. And romance fans, no fears here because theres a little something in here for you too.
Both characters have a lot to lose and don't know who to trust. Will the mystery be solved before time runs out? You'll just have to read it to find out.
I also loved that this story is based on historical foundations. A great read thats spooky for October, but wont keep you up at night.
If you enjoy Christian fiction but want something a little different, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater has you covered. When a theater has a history of missing boys, tragic accidents, and ghosts...a team of modern day ghost hunters will insert themselves to find some answers.
This is a dual POV story that goes back and forth to solve a mystery a century apart. It deals with harder topics that each main character is going through such as poverty and adoption but also has a light hope and faith vein to round it all out. And romance fans, no fears here because theres a little something in here for you too.
Both characters have a lot to lose and don't know who to trust. Will the mystery be solved before time runs out? You'll just have to read it to find out.
I also loved that this story is based on historical foundations. A great read thats spooky for October, but wont keep you up at night.
October 30, 2023
My favorite!
October 7, 2023
“Secrets are meant to stay that way or old curses come to life. Nobody wants that.”
Wow! So many different moving pieces to this puzzle, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, by Jaime Jo Wright.
1. What do you need to know, in a nutshell?
This is a dualtime, occurring in 1915 Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin, and in present time, same place.
2. The first line is a killer, and will draw you in. “Sometimes death came quietly.”
3. The main characters in the past are Greta Mercy, a poor girl, who has been befriended by wealthy socialites Eleanor Boyd and her brother, Oscar. Greta is struggling to keep herself and her brothers out of the poor house, when she falls under the curse of the theater.
“Barlowe Theater was not a place that brought joy and entertainment, as was its supposed purpose. No, it had already taken lives in the construction of it, tortured the ones who dared stand in its way, and now it was hunting those innocents who had happened into the shadows of its deadly interior. The theater was cursed.”
4. Have your blood pressure medicine ready. The stress, the angst, the wondering how many family members might be lost due to the theater‘s curse!
5. In the present day, the main characters are Kit Boyd, a food pantry liaison, and Evan Fischer, a dissenting critic for a psychic TV show. Evan took a while to grow on me! Kit and Evan are searching for Madison, who disappears on a tour of the theater.
6. Only Jaime Jo Wright can take so many mixed-up creepy cards from two different stories, shuffle them thoroughly, deal them seemingly randomly, and produce a thoroughly satisfying end result, minus the fear. One you won’t see coming! One which includes not just suspense, romance, and creepiness, but God’s Truth coming to light.
Run out and get your copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater now!
I received a copy of this book from Early Readers on Library Thing via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But in truth, hope was too terrifying a thing to lose to reach out and grasp it. It was easier to function without it—without expectations. Then, when loss visited, it was a familiar silence.”
“Love, loyalty, and heroism came with expiration dates. It was only a matter of time.”
“You can line up all the facts, but at some point you have to step out in faith too.”
“True loyalty isn’t based on a scale.”
“Anyone who puts all their faith in another person is bound to get hurt.”
“That was how loyalty began, though, wasn’t it? Walking through trials together and then coming out the other side of them . . . together.”
Wow! So many different moving pieces to this puzzle, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, by Jaime Jo Wright.
1. What do you need to know, in a nutshell?
This is a dualtime, occurring in 1915 Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin, and in present time, same place.
2. The first line is a killer, and will draw you in. “Sometimes death came quietly.”
3. The main characters in the past are Greta Mercy, a poor girl, who has been befriended by wealthy socialites Eleanor Boyd and her brother, Oscar. Greta is struggling to keep herself and her brothers out of the poor house, when she falls under the curse of the theater.
“Barlowe Theater was not a place that brought joy and entertainment, as was its supposed purpose. No, it had already taken lives in the construction of it, tortured the ones who dared stand in its way, and now it was hunting those innocents who had happened into the shadows of its deadly interior. The theater was cursed.”
4. Have your blood pressure medicine ready. The stress, the angst, the wondering how many family members might be lost due to the theater‘s curse!
5. In the present day, the main characters are Kit Boyd, a food pantry liaison, and Evan Fischer, a dissenting critic for a psychic TV show. Evan took a while to grow on me! Kit and Evan are searching for Madison, who disappears on a tour of the theater.
6. Only Jaime Jo Wright can take so many mixed-up creepy cards from two different stories, shuffle them thoroughly, deal them seemingly randomly, and produce a thoroughly satisfying end result, minus the fear. One you won’t see coming! One which includes not just suspense, romance, and creepiness, but God’s Truth coming to light.
Run out and get your copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater now!
I received a copy of this book from Early Readers on Library Thing via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But in truth, hope was too terrifying a thing to lose to reach out and grasp it. It was easier to function without it—without expectations. Then, when loss visited, it was a familiar silence.”
“Love, loyalty, and heroism came with expiration dates. It was only a matter of time.”
“You can line up all the facts, but at some point you have to step out in faith too.”
“True loyalty isn’t based on a scale.”
“Anyone who puts all their faith in another person is bound to get hurt.”
“That was how loyalty began, though, wasn’t it? Walking through trials together and then coming out the other side of them . . . together.”
August 4, 2023
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Jaime Jo Wright’s newest thriller, THE LOST BOYS OF BARLOWE THEATER! It doesn’t release until October, so get your preorders in. The first printing will go quickly!
A dual-timeline mystery and suspense—and dare I say—thriller and chiller.
Greta Mercy is invited by her wealthy friend and brother to the elegant Barlowe theatre. Coming from the poor section of town, she initially enjoys pretending to belong to the affluent members of society. Until, that is, she spies a ghostly apparition throw a baby from the balcony across from where she sits. Understandably upset, she screams and is hysterical. Unfortunately, no one witnessed the incident—and only her friends support her claims.
Greta’s older brother was killed in a strange accident during the building of the theatre. Her younger brother and friends sneak into the theatre to prove his sister’s claims before the theatre’s owner sues the already destitute Mercy family. The boys are now missing.
Decades later, Kit Boyd is unwillingly pulled into her friend’s scheme to keep the Barlowe theatre from being razed by her grandfather. The strange sightings continue after all these years and her friend decides to capitalize on the phenomenon. When her friend goes missing and several attempts on Kit’s life follow, no doubt there’s something nefarious going on.
Jaime has done it again! Given me chills and a higher electric bill—you know, all the lights are on while I read—and addresses real social issues in both timelines. How does she do it? However you do it, keep it up, Ms. Wright! Keep it up!
Highly recommended for those who prefer clean fiction and aren’t afraid to enjoy a good scary book! An ARC was provided by the publisher for my honest opinion.
A dual-timeline mystery and suspense—and dare I say—thriller and chiller.
Greta Mercy is invited by her wealthy friend and brother to the elegant Barlowe theatre. Coming from the poor section of town, she initially enjoys pretending to belong to the affluent members of society. Until, that is, she spies a ghostly apparition throw a baby from the balcony across from where she sits. Understandably upset, she screams and is hysterical. Unfortunately, no one witnessed the incident—and only her friends support her claims.
Greta’s older brother was killed in a strange accident during the building of the theatre. Her younger brother and friends sneak into the theatre to prove his sister’s claims before the theatre’s owner sues the already destitute Mercy family. The boys are now missing.
Decades later, Kit Boyd is unwillingly pulled into her friend’s scheme to keep the Barlowe theatre from being razed by her grandfather. The strange sightings continue after all these years and her friend decides to capitalize on the phenomenon. When her friend goes missing and several attempts on Kit’s life follow, no doubt there’s something nefarious going on.
Jaime has done it again! Given me chills and a higher electric bill—you know, all the lights are on while I read—and addresses real social issues in both timelines. How does she do it? However you do it, keep it up, Ms. Wright! Keep it up!
Highly recommended for those who prefer clean fiction and aren’t afraid to enjoy a good scary book! An ARC was provided by the publisher for my honest opinion.
October 11, 2023
It is another eerie, secret-filled, masterfully written dual time novel from Jaime Jo Wright. The two timelines are seamlessly melded together yet the main characters, as well as the secondary ones, in each timeline are uniquely memorable. In this story, we are transported to Kipper's Grove, WI, in 1915 when the recently built Barlowe Theater in town threatens all that Greta has left. In present time Kipper's Grove, Kit is emotionally and physically haunted by her best friend's disappearance, sabotage at workplace, and menacing bodily threats. How the disappearance of Greta's brother and Kit's circumstances tie together is absolutely mind-blowing. Twists and turns and surprises along the way will have you hanging on for an adventure you won't forget.
Though wounded by tragedy and sting of poverty, Greta was quite lovable with her fiercely loyal and determined spirit. Oscar and Eleanor were great side kicks as Greta went searching for her brother.
Kit, adopted as an infant, had her own battle with abandonment to face, in addition to battling confusing and heartbreaking incidents. Evan was a logical, level-headed person to lean on and I really enjoyed watching their friendship bloom.
With intricate plot, well-developed characters, and wonderful reminders about faith, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater will thoroughly captivate you as only a Jaime Jo Wright book can.
I received a compliment copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via Interviews and Reviews and LibraryThing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Though wounded by tragedy and sting of poverty, Greta was quite lovable with her fiercely loyal and determined spirit. Oscar and Eleanor were great side kicks as Greta went searching for her brother.
Kit, adopted as an infant, had her own battle with abandonment to face, in addition to battling confusing and heartbreaking incidents. Evan was a logical, level-headed person to lean on and I really enjoyed watching their friendship bloom.
With intricate plot, well-developed characters, and wonderful reminders about faith, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater will thoroughly captivate you as only a Jaime Jo Wright book can.
I received a compliment copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via Interviews and Reviews and LibraryThing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2024
‘Tis the season for Jaime Jo novels! 🍂 🎃
Reading a Jaime Jo Wright novel feels like watching another episode of your favorite mystery show. The episodes may seem slightly repetitive at times, but they still carry that element of suspense and intrigue which makes you come back for more again and again.
The Lost Boys of Barlowle Theater has been high up on my TBR for-ev-er! It’s always looked so interesting! And everything was wonderfully done!
It carries the same beautiful suspenseful flare as her other mysteries, with its own unique setting (a “haunted” theater).
I think what limited my rating was the fact that I found it really hard to connect with all the characters. And like some of the reviews I’m seeing here, I connected more with the past storyline than with the contemporary storyline. In the earlier Wright books I read (I.e. The first 4 books Wright published) I was able to connect easily with both timelines and they wove together very well. While this book did connect well with the mystery of the first and second storyline, I just wasn’t fully engaged with the modern story.
What I did really enjoy about this book is it felt very reminiscent to Scooby Doo, which made my little Scooby heart very happy.
It wasn’t my favorite JJW book, but it was not my least favorite by any means! Therefore, I give this a hearty 3.5 stars! ✨
Reading a Jaime Jo Wright novel feels like watching another episode of your favorite mystery show. The episodes may seem slightly repetitive at times, but they still carry that element of suspense and intrigue which makes you come back for more again and again.
The Lost Boys of Barlowle Theater has been high up on my TBR for-ev-er! It’s always looked so interesting! And everything was wonderfully done!
It carries the same beautiful suspenseful flare as her other mysteries, with its own unique setting (a “haunted” theater).
I think what limited my rating was the fact that I found it really hard to connect with all the characters. And like some of the reviews I’m seeing here, I connected more with the past storyline than with the contemporary storyline. In the earlier Wright books I read (I.e. The first 4 books Wright published) I was able to connect easily with both timelines and they wove together very well. While this book did connect well with the mystery of the first and second storyline, I just wasn’t fully engaged with the modern story.
What I did really enjoy about this book is it felt very reminiscent to Scooby Doo, which made my little Scooby heart very happy.
It wasn’t my favorite JJW book, but it was not my least favorite by any means! Therefore, I give this a hearty 3.5 stars! ✨
February 1, 2024
Well! I wasn't sure if this one was getting a bit dark for my tastes and couldn't see how the author was going to work things out in a way that wasn't heartbreaking in either one or both timelines. However, I have read quite a few of this author's books and so I persevered.
I'm very glad I did. I found both timelines equally intriguing and was on the edge of my seat wanting to have everything revealed. The author did a great job of creating a spooky atmosphere and a sense of heaviness associated with it linked to the various deaths and ghosts attributed to it.
I was happy with the way things wrapped up and were explained and connected within both time lines.
I'm very glad I did. I found both timelines equally intriguing and was on the edge of my seat wanting to have everything revealed. The author did a great job of creating a spooky atmosphere and a sense of heaviness associated with it linked to the various deaths and ghosts attributed to it.
I was happy with the way things wrapped up and were explained and connected within both time lines.
September 8, 2023
Wright consistently writes dual timeline novels better than anyone else I've read. Both timelines are fast-paced and filled with suspense--there's never one timeline that seems boring compared to the other. Instead, the timelines alternate from suspenseful moment to suspenseful moment. I also appreciate that no matter how weird events get, there is always a real-world explanation. Sure, there might be a psychic trailing Kit around with knowledge she shouldn't have, and Greta might be facing doubts to her sanity because she saw something no one else saw or believes, but there's always an explanation that doesn't rely on the supernatural. Always.
I love how the setting--Barlowe Theater--is nearly a character in its own right, hiding secrets in the past and present. The creepy old theater ties the two storylines together with its history of disappearances and aura of mystery. But it isn't only the setting that connects the timelines--Wright also does an excellent job with connecting them on a thematic level. A fear or reality in Kit's timeline is echoed in Greta's, and vice versa, increasing the sense that the two stories are intertwined. Excellent, as always!
Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.
I love how the setting--Barlowe Theater--is nearly a character in its own right, hiding secrets in the past and present. The creepy old theater ties the two storylines together with its history of disappearances and aura of mystery. But it isn't only the setting that connects the timelines--Wright also does an excellent job with connecting them on a thematic level. A fear or reality in Kit's timeline is echoed in Greta's, and vice versa, increasing the sense that the two stories are intertwined. Excellent, as always!
Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.
November 3, 2023
This book I had issues with pretty early on😅 it only took a couple of Kits chapters for me to realize that I really didn’t like her🫣😬
Kit was very caught up in her head in my opinion. She struggled with abandonment issues from her birth mom leaving her when she was an infant and was adopted. She thinks everyone she knows and loves is going to leave her even though they’ve shown no signs of this happening; especially when her best friend Madison goes missing.
Now, I’m not saying these feelings aren’t valid. But I am saying she was not in the right head space for the entire book. She’s suffering depression and anxiety on top of the abandonment issues, plus some other things that are spoilers. This made Kits side of the story much more dark and heavy to read. And she got mad when people would try to look out for her! Which is so frustrating to me when a woman wants to refuse help from a man simply because he’s a man and she doesn’t need a man to protect her🙄 It’s for your own safety! It’s not that deep Kit! Uuuuhhhhgggg!!!!😡
Anyway. I liked Greta. Greta’s story was so much more interesting to me. It also made more sense…👀 Greta did make some dumb choices herself, but I felt like she had more character development than Kit, and her story seemed more well rounded.
Speaking of the story…the present day was so confusing to me because why did it feel like no one but Kit was looking for Madison? And why were they not very concerned about the theater? Last known location, people! Not to mention you have four witnesses that she went in but never came out! 😳🙄 This is where the story circles back to Kit and her mental problems…
I did feel some bad for Kit though because she kept being pulled in too many directions. Corey would tell her he needed her at the pantry, but then tell her she needed to rest because of the whole situation, but then whine to her that he needed her at the pantry🥴🫠
I did like the ending to both sides though. It all came together pretty nicely and I liked the explanations to everything. 🤷🏼♀️
Kit was very caught up in her head in my opinion. She struggled with abandonment issues from her birth mom leaving her when she was an infant and was adopted. She thinks everyone she knows and loves is going to leave her even though they’ve shown no signs of this happening; especially when her best friend Madison goes missing.
Now, I’m not saying these feelings aren’t valid. But I am saying she was not in the right head space for the entire book. She’s suffering depression and anxiety on top of the abandonment issues, plus some other things that are spoilers. This made Kits side of the story much more dark and heavy to read. And she got mad when people would try to look out for her! Which is so frustrating to me when a woman wants to refuse help from a man simply because he’s a man and she doesn’t need a man to protect her🙄 It’s for your own safety! It’s not that deep Kit! Uuuuhhhhgggg!!!!😡
Anyway. I liked Greta. Greta’s story was so much more interesting to me. It also made more sense…👀 Greta did make some dumb choices herself, but I felt like she had more character development than Kit, and her story seemed more well rounded.
Speaking of the story…the present day was so confusing to me because why did it feel like no one but Kit was looking for Madison? And why were they not very concerned about the theater? Last known location, people! Not to mention you have four witnesses that she went in but never came out! 😳🙄 This is where the story circles back to Kit and her mental problems…
I did feel some bad for Kit though because she kept being pulled in too many directions. Corey would tell her he needed her at the pantry, but then tell her she needed to rest because of the whole situation, but then whine to her that he needed her at the pantry🥴🫠
I did like the ending to both sides though. It all came together pretty nicely and I liked the explanations to everything. 🤷🏼♀️
October 22, 2023
4.5 stars
“Death stuck with a place.”
Ahhhhh…. just reading that first line of the contemporary timeline again makes me want to dive back into this story, never mind that I just finished it. I’m always up for a creepy-good ghost story, and Jaime Jo Wright always delivers … all while keeping the explanations true to Scripture and Scooby-Doo. You’d think that knowing there’s always a reasonable explanation would keep me from fully embracing the as-yet-unexplained in her stories, but the opposite actually happens. I jump in completely, trying to figure out the non-paranormal reality of things, and I NEVER DO lol. This author is so masterfully talented at crafting a twisty plot that keeps me hanging on every word and always … always … takes me by surprise.
But let’s get back to her latest novel, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. The Barlowe Theater reminded me of an old theater in my Northern Illinois hometown, so I could easily picture the scenes there as though I was sitting in the audience or traipsing around the theater with the characters. It really is its own character, in both timelines, and I loved the atmospheric vibes it gave the story. The 1915 timeline happened to be my favorite this time (it changes, depending on the book), but I was also engrossed in the present day plot and – particularly – in how the two would tie together. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I missed a significant clue to that regard, one that should have been obvious but for the author’s clever art of misdirection. Just as well, though, because I got to experience all the feels of the ‘aha’ moment when it all clicks together.
Greta, our 1915 heroine, drew me in right from the beginning – her tragic situation filling my heart with the compassion of shared grief and what she saw (or didn’t) in the theater immersing me instantly in the possibilities. Through her part of the story, we also get a peek at the poor houses, the stigmas, and the corruption of the era. And Oscar… oh blissful sigh. I loved Oscar. His steady support of and clear affection for Greta had me swooning on her behalf more than once. But who IS the ‘woman in white’ that Greta saw? WHERE are the ‘lost boys’ who disappeared inside the theater one night and still haven’t come out? I knew… I KNEW … there would be a non-supernatural explanation of some sort behind these terrifying events but I had no idea what it would be. And oh, it’s so layered! I can’t wait for you to discover it for yourself.
Kit, our present day heroine, also has several intriguing layers that piqued my interest – from her work at the food pantry to her adoption story (and the residual effects that still haunt her). And I loved that a ghost hunt show is featured in a Christian fiction novel, specifically because of the faith discussions it triggers between the characters and how the author frames it. So often, Christian fiction avoid topics like this because it gets murky and fine lines get finer and feathers get ruffled. But it needs to be brought into the light and addressed against the backdrop of Scripture, and Wright does a great job doing so. I was on pins and needles as they searched for Kit’s missing best friend. Evan, the skeptic on the show, didn’t grow on me right away (I imagine this was intentional), but I came to really love him in the end. And Corey – what a great character!! I wanted to hug him more than once.
Bottom Line: A ‘cursed’ theater. A mysterious, ghostly woman in white. Missing boys in the past. A missing young woman in the present. A ghost hunt show. Each of these deliciously creepy elements awaits you on the pages of Jaime Jo Wright’s newest gothic dual timeline thriller, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. Also waiting for you is a solid but gentle faith thread that points you to Scripture, sorts the truth from mental lies, and reminds you that God will never abandon you. The story takes readers on a twisty thrill ride that keeps the goosebumps high as it races toward a solid finish, one where all the pieces fit into place even as you think there’s no way they can. Nobody writes Gothic thrillers like Jaime Jo Wright, and this latest novel is a prime example!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
“Death stuck with a place.”
Ahhhhh…. just reading that first line of the contemporary timeline again makes me want to dive back into this story, never mind that I just finished it. I’m always up for a creepy-good ghost story, and Jaime Jo Wright always delivers … all while keeping the explanations true to Scripture and Scooby-Doo. You’d think that knowing there’s always a reasonable explanation would keep me from fully embracing the as-yet-unexplained in her stories, but the opposite actually happens. I jump in completely, trying to figure out the non-paranormal reality of things, and I NEVER DO lol. This author is so masterfully talented at crafting a twisty plot that keeps me hanging on every word and always … always … takes me by surprise.
But let’s get back to her latest novel, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. The Barlowe Theater reminded me of an old theater in my Northern Illinois hometown, so I could easily picture the scenes there as though I was sitting in the audience or traipsing around the theater with the characters. It really is its own character, in both timelines, and I loved the atmospheric vibes it gave the story. The 1915 timeline happened to be my favorite this time (it changes, depending on the book), but I was also engrossed in the present day plot and – particularly – in how the two would tie together. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I missed a significant clue to that regard, one that should have been obvious but for the author’s clever art of misdirection. Just as well, though, because I got to experience all the feels of the ‘aha’ moment when it all clicks together.
Greta, our 1915 heroine, drew me in right from the beginning – her tragic situation filling my heart with the compassion of shared grief and what she saw (or didn’t) in the theater immersing me instantly in the possibilities. Through her part of the story, we also get a peek at the poor houses, the stigmas, and the corruption of the era. And Oscar… oh blissful sigh. I loved Oscar. His steady support of and clear affection for Greta had me swooning on her behalf more than once. But who IS the ‘woman in white’ that Greta saw? WHERE are the ‘lost boys’ who disappeared inside the theater one night and still haven’t come out? I knew… I KNEW … there would be a non-supernatural explanation of some sort behind these terrifying events but I had no idea what it would be. And oh, it’s so layered! I can’t wait for you to discover it for yourself.
Kit, our present day heroine, also has several intriguing layers that piqued my interest – from her work at the food pantry to her adoption story (and the residual effects that still haunt her). And I loved that a ghost hunt show is featured in a Christian fiction novel, specifically because of the faith discussions it triggers between the characters and how the author frames it. So often, Christian fiction avoid topics like this because it gets murky and fine lines get finer and feathers get ruffled. But it needs to be brought into the light and addressed against the backdrop of Scripture, and Wright does a great job doing so. I was on pins and needles as they searched for Kit’s missing best friend. Evan, the skeptic on the show, didn’t grow on me right away (I imagine this was intentional), but I came to really love him in the end. And Corey – what a great character!! I wanted to hug him more than once.
Bottom Line: A ‘cursed’ theater. A mysterious, ghostly woman in white. Missing boys in the past. A missing young woman in the present. A ghost hunt show. Each of these deliciously creepy elements awaits you on the pages of Jaime Jo Wright’s newest gothic dual timeline thriller, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. Also waiting for you is a solid but gentle faith thread that points you to Scripture, sorts the truth from mental lies, and reminds you that God will never abandon you. The story takes readers on a twisty thrill ride that keeps the goosebumps high as it races toward a solid finish, one where all the pieces fit into place even as you think there’s no way they can. Nobody writes Gothic thrillers like Jaime Jo Wright, and this latest novel is a prime example!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
October 24, 2023
Jaime Jo Wright always writes such delicious ghost-y stories. I love how the story feels spooky and it was perfect for spooky season. I think one of the reasons I like Jaime’s stories so much is because they remind me of Nancy Drew or the old Mandy stories I read when I was a kid. I’m kinda a scaredy cat and this story was just my speed. There is paranormal but it’s also balanced with some faith woven in. I also love the duel time frames. Thank you to Netgalley, Jaime Jo Wright and Bethany House for an advanced copy of this book.
September 23, 2023
“The theater was cursed.”
“The woman in white, the lost boys . . .”
“Human nature is conditional. People, unfortunately, are conditional for good or bad reasons. But God is not. So you trust Him, you step out in faith that others will care for you in His strength and grace, and you realize that sometimes people make mistakes. They leave you. Or they betray you. Or life just sends you in different directions.”
Another winner from Jaime Jo Wright! Perfectly creepy with its vanishing characters, the woman in white ghostly legend, and a supposedly cursed theater.
I enjoyed the dual timelines of 1915 and present day. Like most of her stories, this one is an interesting slow burn that has you asking all kinds of questions of what is going on in the first half and then is a roller coaster of action in the second half that reaches a more than satisfying conclusion by weaving the timelines together.
As always, the character development is top notch. While I usually prefer the characters of the present timeline, I am always fascinated at the realism portrayed in the past timelines. Jaime Jo Wright can always propel me into a time in history so much different than my own experiences. And she always does so by pointing out societal norms and flaws.
I love the faith aspect in The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater. I think most people, in one way or another, can relate to the fear of being abandoned or hurt by others. And I loved how she brought in a ghost hunter reality show into a Christian book, along with Evan the skeptic. And as always, she shines a light within a fallen world full of broken people. I don’t quite understand how she is able to write TWO amazing books every year that blend her gothic style with faith elements; I am just grateful as fan that she is blessed with that talent to share with her faithful readers.
I received this book free from publisher Bethany House and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
“The woman in white, the lost boys . . .”
“Human nature is conditional. People, unfortunately, are conditional for good or bad reasons. But God is not. So you trust Him, you step out in faith that others will care for you in His strength and grace, and you realize that sometimes people make mistakes. They leave you. Or they betray you. Or life just sends you in different directions.”
Another winner from Jaime Jo Wright! Perfectly creepy with its vanishing characters, the woman in white ghostly legend, and a supposedly cursed theater.
I enjoyed the dual timelines of 1915 and present day. Like most of her stories, this one is an interesting slow burn that has you asking all kinds of questions of what is going on in the first half and then is a roller coaster of action in the second half that reaches a more than satisfying conclusion by weaving the timelines together.
As always, the character development is top notch. While I usually prefer the characters of the present timeline, I am always fascinated at the realism portrayed in the past timelines. Jaime Jo Wright can always propel me into a time in history so much different than my own experiences. And she always does so by pointing out societal norms and flaws.
I love the faith aspect in The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater. I think most people, in one way or another, can relate to the fear of being abandoned or hurt by others. And I loved how she brought in a ghost hunter reality show into a Christian book, along with Evan the skeptic. And as always, she shines a light within a fallen world full of broken people. I don’t quite understand how she is able to write TWO amazing books every year that blend her gothic style with faith elements; I am just grateful as fan that she is blessed with that talent to share with her faithful readers.
I received this book free from publisher Bethany House and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2023
Jaime Jo Wright has done it again. The Boys of Barlowe Theater is a chilling, spine-tingling read that’ll keep you turning pages late into the night—if you can take reading it then. 🤣
As always, Wright brings a breathtaking redemptive arc for the characters, and her author’s note at the end should not be missed.
As always, Wright brings a breathtaking redemptive arc for the characters, and her author’s note at the end should not be missed.
October 9, 2023
The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is a mysterious theater built in Wisconsin over 100 years ago. There are talks of spirits, and a psychic who can commune with ghosts visits the theater to broadcast on TV. During filming, one of the crew vanishes into thin air. It seems something very similar also happened in the early 1900s when the theater was built.
Told in alternating timelines, it was storytelling at its finest. I loved all of the characters in both time periods. I was always anxious to get back to the other timeline, as I missed them.
This story was expertly crafted, the mysteries unfolding at a perfect paced. I'd say it's a little spooky, I'd call it light scary, and absolutely perfect for spooky season.
Told in alternating timelines, it was storytelling at its finest. I loved all of the characters in both time periods. I was always anxious to get back to the other timeline, as I missed them.
This story was expertly crafted, the mysteries unfolding at a perfect paced. I'd say it's a little spooky, I'd call it light scary, and absolutely perfect for spooky season.
September 19, 2024
Omgeeee!! I LOVE Jaime Jo and her storytelling so much. This was a ride! I will say I enjoyed the past timeline the most but leave it to Jaime Jo to build a mystery, bring in some spooky elements but explain it away in the perfect way, and have great faith elements in the characters growth to all come together for a bingeable reading experience. Always will recommend her books!
October 13, 2023
In 1915, Greta Mercy’s brother and two other boys go missing in the grand Barlowe Theater after she witnesses a woman in white drop her baby from the box seats. In present day, the theater strikes again when Kit Boyd’s best friend disappears on a ghost walk of the historic building. Both Greta and Kit must encounter possible paranormal activity and endure their own personal struggles to find the people they love.👻
This was my first Jaime Jo Wright book, and when I saw that this was a Christian book that included ghost hunting and ghoulish appearances, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. But this book had the perfect amount of spookiness while also having a great explanation for all the seemingly paranormal experiences that happen in the book. If you’re looking for an October read with a lot of mystery and a little bit of romance, definitely check out The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater!🤎
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📕
This was my first Jaime Jo Wright book, and when I saw that this was a Christian book that included ghost hunting and ghoulish appearances, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. But this book had the perfect amount of spookiness while also having a great explanation for all the seemingly paranormal experiences that happen in the book. If you’re looking for an October read with a lot of mystery and a little bit of romance, definitely check out The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater!🤎
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📕
September 19, 2023
Another creeptacular dual timeline from the Christian goth queen! While this one didn't give me quite the same spooky vibes as some of her other books, this book was fraught with mystery that spanned generations, potential spooks, unexplained (until the end) disappearances and of course, a message of hope. The book opens in the historical timeline when Greta Mercy witnesses a woman in white dropping an infant over the box seats at the theater in the middle of a performance. This one event becomes a turning point for Greta's life as major life instances spiral from that. This same event becomes a catalyst for Kit in the modern timeline as her best friend Madison vanishes into this air during a ghost tour walkthrough in the old Barlowe theater. Questions about the validity of both the woman in white and the lost boys hover over the plot through the entire story in both timelines.
In addition to a stellar plotline and a mystery that kept me turning pages, there were subtle romance threads in both timelines. Themes of adoption and abandonment, poverty and social structures, and reliance upon God to overcome hardships were prevalent throughout. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable story with elements for fans of all genres and one I can heartily recommend. Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
In addition to a stellar plotline and a mystery that kept me turning pages, there were subtle romance threads in both timelines. Themes of adoption and abandonment, poverty and social structures, and reliance upon God to overcome hardships were prevalent throughout. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable story with elements for fans of all genres and one I can heartily recommend. Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
October 13, 2023
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THE LOST BOYS OF BARLOWE THEATER by Jaime Jo Wright is a wonderfully atmospheric Christian romantic suspense/mystery story for the Halloween season. This story is told in dual timelines by two female heroines trying to find loved ones lost in the eerie Barlowe Theater in Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin.
The female heroine in 1915 is Greta Mercy. After the death of her parents and her eldest brother, she is trying desperately to keep her younger brothers with her. Her brother, Leo disappears with two other boys in the Barlowe theater. Her storyline was very believable and felt appropriate to the period. The female heroine in the present is Kit Boyd. Her best friend disappears in the Barlowe as they are filming with a crew from a TV show about psychics and skeptics. While I understand some adoptees have abandonment issues that make it difficult to trust and form attachments, Kit brought up her issue with this continually and I lost my sympathy with her because it just became annoying. Both women meet men that assist them with their investigations and become their HEAs. There is no sex and I felt little build up or chemistry to their relationships.
I really loved the intricate plots in the dual timelines that constantly had me guessing if this story was going to delve into the paranormal, spiritual, or just pedestrian criminal human realms. My angst level was high while I was reading this book, and I could not stop until the solution of both timelines. The discussions of faith, spirits and demons, and skepticism were interwoven in the timelines and illustrated the differing beliefs in the differing time periods. Both stories are based around missing loved ones and even though they were different, they blended perfectly.
I recommend this Christian romantic suspense/mystery for a haunting good read.
THE LOST BOYS OF BARLOWE THEATER by Jaime Jo Wright is a wonderfully atmospheric Christian romantic suspense/mystery story for the Halloween season. This story is told in dual timelines by two female heroines trying to find loved ones lost in the eerie Barlowe Theater in Kipper’s Grove, Wisconsin.
The female heroine in 1915 is Greta Mercy. After the death of her parents and her eldest brother, she is trying desperately to keep her younger brothers with her. Her brother, Leo disappears with two other boys in the Barlowe theater. Her storyline was very believable and felt appropriate to the period. The female heroine in the present is Kit Boyd. Her best friend disappears in the Barlowe as they are filming with a crew from a TV show about psychics and skeptics. While I understand some adoptees have abandonment issues that make it difficult to trust and form attachments, Kit brought up her issue with this continually and I lost my sympathy with her because it just became annoying. Both women meet men that assist them with their investigations and become their HEAs. There is no sex and I felt little build up or chemistry to their relationships.
I really loved the intricate plots in the dual timelines that constantly had me guessing if this story was going to delve into the paranormal, spiritual, or just pedestrian criminal human realms. My angst level was high while I was reading this book, and I could not stop until the solution of both timelines. The discussions of faith, spirits and demons, and skepticism were interwoven in the timelines and illustrated the differing beliefs in the differing time periods. Both stories are based around missing loved ones and even though they were different, they blended perfectly.
I recommend this Christian romantic suspense/mystery for a haunting good read.
January 25, 2024
With her tenth novel, Jaime Jo Wright proves once again that she’s incapable of writing a bad book. Indeed, I’m beginning to believe she doesn’t sit down to write, so much as open her window and beckon untold tales to emerge from the shadowed forest of imagination. I can just see the stories flying through the gnarled trees to the Mistress of the Macabre’s castle and alighting on her outstretched hand like so many ravens. Each winged story, once trained by Wright’s skillful pen, is then released with a lantern in its talons that shields a flickering flame of hope. A light to guide her readers through the dark.
“The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater” is the latest story to have been thus summoned from shadow. Within its pages, readers will be utterly captivated by spine-tingling suspense, keep-you-guessing mystery, heart-achingly real characters, and atmospheric prose that immerse the senses. Fans of “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux and “The Women in White” by Wilkie Collins will adore this haunting page-turner!
If you’re drawn to eerie gothic fiction, you’ll most certainly want to hear the tale of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater!
“The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater” is the latest story to have been thus summoned from shadow. Within its pages, readers will be utterly captivated by spine-tingling suspense, keep-you-guessing mystery, heart-achingly real characters, and atmospheric prose that immerse the senses. Fans of “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux and “The Women in White” by Wilkie Collins will adore this haunting page-turner!
If you’re drawn to eerie gothic fiction, you’ll most certainly want to hear the tale of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater!
November 26, 2023
I finally did it — I read a Jaime Jo Wright novel, and I loved every single second. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is an outstanding story. I was hooked from page one, and hated having to put this book down. The reason it has taken me forever to read a Wright novel is because I’m a baby. I have a hard time with books that are creepy or horror-like, and many, many people told me that Wright’s books fit the bill. I didn’t feel creeped out by this story at all. Rather, I felt enthralled by the mystery and suspense. Pages flew by because I had to know whodunnit…in both timelines. The structure of the story is my favorite aspect. I love how the mystery of the 1915 storyline permeated into the suspense of the 2023 storyline. Absolutely brilliant! Usually, when a story has two timelines, one timeline stands out as my favorite. In The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater BOTH timelines were my favorite equally. I was excited to be in the timeline I was reading, but I also eagerly anticipated getting back to the timeline I had just left. What talent to be able to write two unique storylines at the same time that both make me want to devour pages. The characters are all excellently crafted. I love how the 1915 storyline made me feel like I was watching characters from an Edward G. Robinson flick. The characters felt gritty and real and complicated. My heart hurt hard for Greta. I wanted so badly to enter the pages of the story and hug her and tell her everything will be OK. My tiger-mama instincts reared pretty hard with Greta. And that made me love Oscar all the more. My heart will always swoon for a man whose #1 goal is to protect, and, boy, did Oscar protect Greta. I also love how the 2023 storyline felt so realistic. I could easily be friends with Kit. I respect how deeply she cares for others, especially the downtrodden, the poor in spirit, and those who are just a touch different from “normal.” Evan is a great hero. I heartily enjoyed his banter with Kit, but I also liked how he was not afraid to tell Kit truth even if it hurt to hear it in the moment. I appreciate how this novel ends for Kit and Evan…with possibility. When one finishes a story, the story is typically finished. But leaving The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is different. I am leaving this story feeling like it could still go on for Kit and Evan. I like the idea that these characters aren’t done yet. Like they could be out there in the world, growing into a happily ever after.
There is so much more to say about The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. I barely cracked the surface with this review. I didn’t touch on the lost boys, the abandonment issues of adopted children, the penchant in today’s society for “real-life” tv and ghost hunting, or the gaslighting people have always done in order to manipulate masses and masses of people. There is all that and so much more with this highly engaging, totally engrossing novel. If you are a fan of Wright’s work, if you love a good mystery and suspense story, and if you are a fan of characters that grip your interest from page one and refuse to let go, then you have to read The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. This story is SO, SO good!
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on October 9, 2023, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There is so much more to say about The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. I barely cracked the surface with this review. I didn’t touch on the lost boys, the abandonment issues of adopted children, the penchant in today’s society for “real-life” tv and ghost hunting, or the gaslighting people have always done in order to manipulate masses and masses of people. There is all that and so much more with this highly engaging, totally engrossing novel. If you are a fan of Wright’s work, if you love a good mystery and suspense story, and if you are a fan of characters that grip your interest from page one and refuse to let go, then you have to read The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. This story is SO, SO good!
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on October 9, 2023, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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