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Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

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In 1910, Effie James is living a dream for two. Her younger sister is harboring a secret that has left timid Effie determined to fulfill her daring sister's grand plan of seeking out adventure in their small Iowa town. When a British gentleman arrives, disrupting their peace with efforts to find the wife many claim lived her final days at the now abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue, Effie is thrust into intrigue she couldn't have prepared for. But what she finds inside will forever link her to the scandal staining the house's walls and to a woman whose secrets promise a curse.

A century later, Norah Richman is living out her late-twin's dream of running their great aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue--a place Norah believes nothing good can come out of after her sister's abduction and murder thirteen years ago. Her first guest is a crime historian and podcaster, and Norah resolves to stay far away from the charming and enigmatic man--until another guest is found dead. As they dig deeper, something sinister unfurls that will reveal an ominous unknown far greater than the possibility of death itself.

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2024

145 people are currently reading
5711 people want to read

About the author

Jaime Jo Wright

29 books2,394 followers
Daphne 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 353 reviews
Profile Image for Milena Bookish❤️.
292 reviews146 followers
April 9, 2024
Happy New Release!

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a Masterfully- Powerful Read... creepy and ghostly mystery is filled with suspense and gothic elements. I love every word of it. Jaime Jo Wright's attention to detail is evident in every scene, exquisitely written with Captivating --vivid descriptions and a tangible atmosphere.

“I can hear the darkness.”

This captivating Christian Historical-Contemporary Fiction story unfolds in two timelines and includes some spooky scenes. The setting is my favorite part of the book, and both heroines from each period struggle with fear and grief. The story's theme is overcoming fear, learning to live, and moving on.

“We’re afraid of death in part because we’re afraid of the grief that follows. Death is momentary, but grief is what’s left behind"

1910 Effie's sister witnesses a horrible crime that turns the town upside down.

Present-Norah is fulfilling her late twin's dream by managing their great aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue, a place Norah believes nothing good can come out of after her sister's abduction and murder thirteen years ago.

Two murders, separated by two centuries, occurred in the same house in a small town. and how everything is connected. Wright skillfully brings to light the fears and how they can shape our path if we allow them to... The story illustrates also how giving in to fear can corrupt our minds, leading to destruction. “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.”

A gripping tale of mystery, Faith, a bit of romance, and lots of suspenseful scenes that will keep you intrigued until the end. My last thoughts: I loved The House on Foster Hill which remains my favorite book. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue had me guessing up to the reveal...This book it's hard to compare it to anything else...If you're a fan of mystery-crime podcasts, I highly recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Caitlin Miller.
Author 4 books317 followers
January 15, 2024
4.5/5

I finished this book in just two sittings (and would have devoured it in one had it not been too late to keep reading, haha!). So good. The author has a way of keeping me on the edge of my seat and having me turn page after page until there are none left to turn. Few books (or authors, for that matter) invest me as much as Wright does, and that's why she's one of my top favorite auto-buy authors.

While this book wasn't one of my "top" favorites of hers, it was still such a good read (top two reads by her are "The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater" and "On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor"). Each timeline presented compelling reads, and I was so invested in the story and curious to see how everything unfolded and connected. Two murders, one home, one small town, two centuries apart. Connection? You'll have to read and find out ;)

The anxiety rep in the story was one of my favorite aspects of it. As someone who has struggled with anxiety for years now, it always means a lot to me to see characters struggling in a relatable way but also slowly overcoming those struggles one step at a time.

As always, Jaime Jo Wright developed a compelling story full of faith, page-turner scenes, and real characters. And that teaser at the end of the book for her fall 2024 release?! I. Can't. Wait.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a gripping, powerful read, and I’d absolutely recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Profile Image for Amanda (BookLoverAmanda).
712 reviews1,018 followers
October 18, 2025
Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright
3.5 - 4 Stars (4 on Goodreads)
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

I have read so many Jaime Jo Wright books! She is known for her haunting, Gothic dual-timeline mysteries/suspense style with good Christian content, combating the supernatural with the reality of the Christian faith. She usually has a good romantic sub-plot too. This one is set in 1901 and present day for our timelines.

Jaime Jo weaves together the lives of Effie James and Norah Richman, two women connected by tragedy, secrets, and an eerie house at 322 Predicament Avenue.

I think my favorite timeline was the present day because of the crime podcast stuff.

My favorite part of this book is honestly the atmosphere and the strong writing I’ve come to expect from Jaime Jo. I did struggle to stay fully invested this time but honestly, I listened to the audio and think I just wasn't as invested because the timelines and mysteries felt a bit too similar at points, and I found myself having to stop and remember which story I was in and who we were talking about. It’s totally a ME thing. I’m also struggling to connect with stories right now for some reason so I probably forced reading when I should have taken a break.

Even still, this is one that if you love a good gothic mystery, check this out. The ending reallllly surprised me!
Profile Image for Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction).
481 reviews437 followers
October 23, 2025
She got me…from page one. I was hooked! I was pulled into the town of Shepherd - and I was ready to watch the madness unfold.

The writing was haunting and eerie, yet beautiful with a message of hope that was stunningly woven throughout the pages and wrapped up with the most lovely bow at the end.

The author’s note truly described each of the character’s growth so well! Of her view on humanity. And the truth of what fear truly is…a thief.

I got to the point, that while I was absolutely still invested in the “who & why”, I was rooting more for the living! I was cheering on their choices to LIVE and HOPE and not just survive.

While I always recommend Jaime’s books, I think this one will go to the top of my list of recs!

4.5/5 stars

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*
Profile Image for theliterateleprechaun .
2,447 reviews217 followers
April 9, 2024
“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out quite yet.”

Wright seems to have the perfect recipe for a gothic-inspired mystery! She’s mixed together 1 address (322 Predicament Avenue) with 1 small town (Shepherd, Iowa). Then set it 2 centuries apart (1901 and present day) and sprinkled in 3 murders (Isabelle Addington, Naomi Richman, and Walter Miller) and dusted it lightly with a dash of ‘faith’.

Everyone in Shepherd agrees that 322 Predicament Avenue is haunted. It’s the “strangest and most mysterious place in the entire small Iowa town.” To two girls, Eupehmia ‘Effie’ and Polly James, the old farmhouse holds allure. The decision to follow through on a bold sister’s dare changes everything for the James siblings. Haunted houses and dares go hand in hand, don’t they?!

In the present day, Norah Richman has inherited her Aunt Eleanor’s farmhouse on Predicament Avenue. Struggling with anxiety and deep in grief with her twin sister’s death, Norah is uncertain what to do with her inheritance. Upholding her sister’s dream to open it as a Bed & Breakfast, Norah welcomes her first guest, Sebastian Blaine who arrives expecting a ghostly experience. He’s a true crime podcaster and digs into the house’s history on ‘Cold, Dead, But Never Buried’. When a second guest dies, Norah fears the house’s past is catching up with its present.

I thought this was a perfect balance of suspense, mystery and faith. I appreciated the focus on the sisterly bond, anxiety, grief and loneliness, as well as the exploration on how we face our fear.

“We’re afraid of death in part because we’re afraid of the grief that follows. Death is momentary, but grief is what’s left behind.”

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,532 reviews137 followers
March 19, 2024
*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 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 and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Profile Image for Morgan Giesbrecht.
Author 2 books186 followers
May 6, 2024
Did I binge read two Jaime Jo Wright books this quiet, grey Sunday afternoon? Yes, and I have no regrets!

Atmosphere & brilliant twists are two of Jaime’s writing charms—she’s truly a queen. You can feel the chilliness & foreboding, and I never saw those end twists coming.

I enjoyed having the contemporary timeline set between 30-somethings. The dynamics were mature but relatable regardless of age. And I really just loved Nora & Sebastian (& Harper!). The historical romance angle was borderline risky in my opinion, as **SPOILERS** Anderson was posing as a married man and had interest in Effie even before it’s been revealed his actual wife has been dead for a year already. **END SPOILERS**

The themes were especially poignant and timely. Living in fear feels safe, but it’s a prison of its own kind. It’s time to let go and live in hope.
Profile Image for DevotedToHope.
657 reviews96 followers
March 20, 2024
Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright is a gripping tale of mystery, faith, and redemption that will keep readers enthralled until the end.

Set against the backdrop of the ominous 322 Predicament Avenue, Wright crafts a narrative that seamlessly weaves together two timelines - one in 1901 and the other in the present day. Both timelines are intricately connected by the haunting presence of the old farmhouse, shrouded in rumors of ghostly apparitions and unsolved murders.

In the past, Polly and Effie's innocent act of daring sets off a chain of events that will reverberate through the decades, while in the present, Norah tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding her family's tragic past.

Wright's writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing, drawing readers in with its evocative descriptions and palpable sense of atmosphere. The suspenseful plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth behind the chilling events unfolding at Predicament Avenue.

What sets Night Falls on Predicament Avenue apart is Wright's skillful exploration of faith and hope amidst the darkness. Through her characters' struggles and triumphs, she delivers a powerful message of resilience and the enduring strength found in God's grace.

The characters themselves are beautifully drawn, each with their own compelling arcs and motivations. From Norah's crippling fear to Effie's unwavering courage, Wright imbues her characters with depth and complexity, making them feel like old friends by the end of the novel.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a masterfully crafted journey depicted as a relentless battle against the fear of death, the suffocating weight of grief, and the daunting task of reclaiming life's vibrant essence. With each twist and turn of the narrative, every character is thrust into the turbulent currents, their struggles shaping their paths with raw intensity and unyielding determination that will appeal to fans of mystery, suspense, and Christian fiction alike. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and thought-provoking themes, this is a novel that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a captivating and meaningful read. An essential suggestion and heartfelt recommendation: Take time to read the Author’s Note!

I received a digital copy of Night Falls on Predicament Avenue via Celebrate Lit Publicity Group through NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the excellent writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Profile Image for Kay’s Library.
105 reviews144 followers
November 17, 2025
✨ Spoiler-Free Book Review ✨
Title: Night Falls on Predicament Avenue
Author: Jaime Jo Wright
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Summary:
In 1901, Effie James is determined to carry out her sister’s plans for adventure in their small Iowa town but their excitement quickly turns dark when they become witnesses to a murder. When a mysterious British gentleman arrives searching for a missing woman rumored to have died in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue, Effie is pulled into a web of secrets she never expected. A century later, Norah Richman is trying to honor her late twin by running their great-aunt’s B&B on that same ominous street … until her guest, a crime podcaster, becomes entangled in a new death that forces Norah to face both old grief and an unsettling evil far beyond murder.

My Thoughts 💭
The story was beautifully written and never dragged, but the final 30% absolutely took off and kept me wanting to keep reading!

What I Loved:
The gothic vibes were immaculate, and the plot twists were WILDDDD! I genuinely didn’t see them coming. I also appreciated how the book explores the real-world impact of true crime media on the families involved. The themes of grief, healing, and the fear of moving forward were handled with great depth. 🩷 I also loved that the “ghostly” elements were ultimately grounded in reality rather than supernatural. 👻

What I Didn’t Love:
- The romances didn’t work for me. Both relationships read more like father-daughter dynamics than believable romantic pairings. It was kind of awkward 😬
-retrospectively the motives seemed a little out of left field and I’m not totally tracking how the stories were supposed to connect 😂
-🎧I also recommend skipping the audiobook for this one … the accents were a bit all over the place. I’m pretty sure the Englishman sounded half like he was from Tennessee, and half Mobster. But if you want a good laugh then go for it 🤭

Faith Elements:
They felt really strong to me! There are several heartfelt conversations about how God brings peace, hope, and comfort especially when facing the unknown of the afterlife. 🩷✝️

Would I Recommend?
Yes especially if you love a gothic mystery suspense! But be sure to check trigger warnings if you’re sensitive to graphic content.

Trigger / Content Warnings:
• Murder descriptions (semi-graphic)
• Frequent mentions of blood and discovered bodies
• Child abduction
• Sick/dying sister
• Grief
• Unplanned pregnancy
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,409 reviews120 followers
April 26, 2024
I think the reason this author’s books are so popular are because they are based on fear. A childhood fear, that we still have a fascination with though we may not admit it to ourselves. In reading these books we can explore this fear in a way but through a safe medium, a book. It’s a book we can completely get lost in as we enter this world of creepiness and whatever the author wants to convey to us but safely at any time, we can leave it.


With a dual timeline we find ourselves volleying between 1910 and modern times. Rumors can destroy or accentuate something. With rumors still running amuck about the house on Predicament Avenue that started over one hundred years ago the curious among us still gather. Rumors are usually started by something being true and adding on to it, an embellishment of sorts until it gets out of hand and can become dangerous.

A purported murder of a woman taking place long ago has the curious gathering. Is Predicament Avenue haunted or is it just the eerie descriptions messing with our mind?

The characters were exactly as the author wanted them set up to be, The unknown is in full force in this book and if you listen closely, you will hear the dead whispering a message to you.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Celestria.
379 reviews453 followers
June 13, 2024
I wasn't happy with a couple things that happened, which I can't say because of spoilers, and this wasn't really suspenseful, but otherwise I did enjoy this mystery!
Profile Image for Erin Laramore.
833 reviews77 followers
April 3, 2024
Another great dual timeline mystery by Jaime Jo Wright! I'm uncertain if this one felt less creepy or if I'm just getting used to it, but I didn't have an issue reading this one after dark like I did some of her others, but that did not make it any less good. The creepy old house made for a setting that was almost a character in and of itself in both timelines. It was a bit of a twist for the house to be run-down in the historic timeline, but refurbished in the modern day timeline. Both timelines had a smarmy British hero, a small-town timid heroine and an unsolved murder associated with 322 Predicament Avenue. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery elements of both story lines as suspense has always been my first love in reading, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the character development. There is, of course, a minor romance element that comes through in both timelines, but it is not in the forefront, so those of us who prefer the suspense to the romance are happy with that balance. However, those who need some romance in their suspense can be assured that there is some within these pages as well. This author handles the topic of grief like a pro and that was a pretty common theme in this particular storyline, as was the topic of fear. The faith thread was a bit more subtle, but when it showed up, it was solid. All in all, if you enjoy a good murder mystery, this is one I'd heartily recommend. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
Profile Image for Life of Literature.
414 reviews24 followers
April 10, 2024
Of course I loved it!! This novel kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first page until the very last page. Spooky and suspenseful, the book takes many twists and turns that are unexpected. And while initially things seem supernatural, the truth is soon revealed to be very logical. I loved how once again this talented author starts two seemingly unrelated stories separated by time and slowly reveals secrets that link details together across centuries. I also really like how this author is not afraid to dive deep into real struggles with her characters, and the demons that Effie and Norah struggle against are no exception. Grief, love, faith are all explored in such rich ways that make the characters come alive. Did I stay up too late to finish this book, and flinch at every nighttime noise outside my window? Yes! Was it all worth it? Also, yes! I highly recommend this novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book507 followers
April 10, 2024
“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out quite yet.”

I have said it before and I will undoubtedly say it again (in fact, I’m getting ready to right now) – Jaime Jo Wright is a master at writing delicious creepy, twisty plots that always end up surprising me. No matter that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she will stay true to Scripture and Scooby Doo (iykyk), I can rarely figure out the ‘reasonable explanation’ ahead of time.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue takes readers to 1901 and present day Iowa, as a true crime podcaster researches a century-old cold case mystery. The fact that he’s staying in the supposedly-haunted farmhouse owned by the sister of the small town’s only other murder victim amps up the suspenseful tension quite nicely. And the fact that he’s got a very swoony British accent amps up the romantic tension because yes I am that shallow. I really enjoyed – and appreciated – the way Sebastian (the swoony British podcaster i was just talking about) understands Norah’s anxiety and really seems to ‘get’ her. I thought Wright wrote Norah’s anxiety with empathetic insight and accuracy, and I am very glad that this is getting more of a spotlight in fiction lately. Especially in fiction that spreads hope. The 1901 timeline has its own swoony Brit – Anderson – and another stronger-than-she-realizes heroine in Effie James. I so admired how she rose to the occasion and exhibited more bravery than she would admit to having.

"The house at 322 Predicament Avenue held secrets, and they were screaming out to be revealed."

I loved both timelines equally in this book (usually I gravitate toward one or the other), and I was completely engrossed in the mystery of who killed Isabelle (if she was, in fact, killed), how it might connect to the more recent murder of Naomi Richman (if it does), and WHO is haunting the house on Predicament Avenue (if such a thing is possible). I was not expecting any of the twists that Wright so cleverly wove into this story – even when I was blatantly looking for them – and I thought the way the timelines end up being connected was brilliantly done. There’s absolutely no way I could have put this book down before I finished it, not even for a total solar eclipse (which I found appropriate considering the title). I was hanging on every word and fully immersed in rural Iowa and that secret-filled farmhouse and loving all the delicious tension.

Bottom Line: Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is another fabulously engrossing read from the master of dual timeline creepy stories, Jaime Jo Wright. The four main characters came effortlessly to life, holding me captive to their puzzling mysteries and complex layers – Sebastian and Norah in the present day and Effie and Anderson in the 1901 timeline. The questions and suspicions swirling around that old house on Predicament Avenue kept me on the edge of my seat, as did the occasional vignettes from someone we only know as “Her” for the majority of the story. Was she Isabelle … or Naomi… or someone altogether different? I HAD NO IDEA lol and so I kept reading, turning the pages as fast as I could but also trying to savor the expert storytelling and delightfully spooky atmosphere. The exploration of fear and grief is also particularly poignant and well-written. If you haven’t yet read a Jaime Jo Wright, this is a great place to start!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Profile Image for ♥Rachel♥.
2,271 reviews923 followers
April 12, 2024
Norah struggles to run the bed and breakfast on 322 Predicament Avenue, a dream of her sister Naomi’s, whose murder still haunts her, thirteen years later. But that’s not the only murder to occur at the old farmhouse. True-crime podcaster, Sebastian Blaine shows up at the B & B to feature the murder of Isabelle Addington, a woman who was murdered over a hundred years earlier at 322 Predicament Avenue. Norah fears his podcast will drudge up her sister’s unsolved case and all the crippling memories with it. However, as details come to light, Norah realizes there are things she didn’t know, casting what she thought was true in doubt. With Sebastian’s help Norah digs deeper to find the truth.

Over a hundred years earlier in 1901, Effie and her sister Polly stumble upon a grisly scene taking place at 322 Predicament Avenue, and at first no one believes them. Soon after a Mr. Anderson seeks Effie out after hearing about the event and proclaims the murdered woman must be his wife, Isabelle Addington. They search for clues together, and it seems they are getting close to the truth as Effie and Polly narrowly escape harm.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue
was an engrossing mystery, but the pace was slow at first and took a bit to get into. From the start there was an atmospheric, spooky vibe and I wondered if the danger was from supernatural or real-life threats. You’ll have to read it to find out! There’s also a bit of romance for both Effie and Norah, but it wasn’t front and center. The story ramps up in suspense chapter by chapter and ends in an exciting and satisfying conclusion!

A copy was kindly provided by Bethany House Publishers via Austenprose PR in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,249 reviews611 followers
August 8, 2024
I didn't realize going into Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright that it was Christian fiction, but that didn't really come into play too much in the actual storyline. I was actually surprised by how dark this ended up being, and the climax was truly shocking. I loved the premise of the creepy house on 322 Predicament Avenue, and the dual timelines made things even more interesting. There is a great paranormal aspect that I especially loved, and I spent much of the book wondering how *real* those pieces actually were.

The audiobook was great, and I thought Libby McKnight did an excellent job narrating. I really enjoyed listening to her and she made my time with the book even better! I thought the podcast element brought more to the story on top of everything else that was going on, and I came to really like our podcaster despite Norah's initial misgivings about him. I can definitely see why Night Falls on Predicament Avenue was allll over #bookstagram and I am very glad I decided to pick it up. This would be a great fall/spooky season read as well!
Profile Image for Stacy Wilson .
318 reviews172 followers
April 22, 2024
3.5 stars. It's not my favorite of hers. It started out great, but I really didn't like how either time line played out. The reason for the murder in the modern timeline was just weird.
Profile Image for Jeanne Alfveby Crea.
972 reviews106 followers
March 30, 2024
Oh my gosh, I completely ignored by long to-do list so I could finish this brilliant dual timeline story infused with page-turning mystery, debilitating fear, and ultimately precious hope.

In this story, the reader encounters two unsolved murders a century apart in the same town with ties to 322 Predicament Avenue. The more I read, the more I found myself suspecting just about everyone! The author does an amazing job creating the characters in this story, and making them real, and flawed like all human beings. I absolutely loved this captivating mystery that kept me turning pages, and the lessons learned throughout.

"And when the night falls, those who sleep can choose to fear, or hope, turn away or believe, rebel or reconcile. Because in the end, that's what life really is. The moments before we are face-to-face with God, and He enacts justice or grace. I fear the first, but truly in spite of my sins, I believe He offers the second, even if I am almost too lake in asking."

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is a gripping, powerful read, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Abigail McKenna.
911 reviews151 followers
April 23, 2024
I really enjoyed "The Curse of Misty Wayfair" when I read it last year, so I was very much looking forward to this release and I'm happy to report that I absolutely ate it up. It's a story about grief and fear and life and death, but at its heart are Effie and Norah, two women both dealing with different facets of losing a sister. The split-time aspect had me pinning imaginary string to an imaginary corkboard, trying to piece together the puzzle of Isabelle Addington and 322 Predicament Avenue. The faith aspect was so well done. And credit where credit is due, I was genuinely spooked a few times, and the ending caught me totally by surprise (I mean, I kinda called it, but I was suspicious of EVERYBODY so I don't think I can really say I guessed 🤣)

It easily gets 5 stars from me, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
Profile Image for Rebecca (booksandbreggs).
939 reviews38 followers
June 21, 2024
I enjoyed Night Falls, but the ending was a little abrupt. I felt like the feelings and emotions were described well throughout the book, but after the reader learns of the duel timeline murderers, it just ends. There is a light discussion of what will happen, but the main POVs didn't seem to have a closure chapter. Maybe I missed something?
There was very little faith in this book as well. Wright did meaningfully discuss the faith of the characters in the Author's Note, but the book lacked faith aspects.
I still really enjoyed this book and gave it 4/5 stars. It was clean and had a good plot. In some of her books, I sometimes like one main protagonist but dislike the protagonist from the other timeline. In this book, I liked all the characters.
Profile Image for Amanda Tero.
Author 28 books544 followers
March 10, 2025
Another good read by Jaime Jo Wright. It has all the creep factor you could want plus a mix of real people going through real life situations and feelings.

This one did have a sadness about it. It didn’t bother me, but now that I think back on it, it was just sad for parts.

I can’t say anything about the mysteries without being a spoiler but they weren’t quite as I expected, which I appreciate.
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,659 reviews1,227 followers
November 2, 2024
April 9, 2024
New book as of today. I was about to buy the Audible version, but when I listened to the sample and realized it was Libby McKnight, I said, "Nope". Not a fan. Far too melodramatic and all wrong voice intonations.
Authors or publishers, if you want to sell audiobooks, choose Nancy Peterson. Now that's a good narrator! I discovered her a couple months ago and was gobsmacked at how perfect her reading was.
Okay, there's my uninvited critique.
I won’t include this in my review of the book whenever I get it.

July 2, 2024.

Well, I did wade through this book since it came to me free through Libby (Overdrive). The narration wasn’t great, as I expected, but since I couldn’t get the kindle version I managed to finish the audio.

I absolutely love Jaime Jo Wright's writing. Love the two time periods and all the characters, plus the mystery of who killed who, and what Predicament Avenue had to do with each timeline.

Very well done with a few surprises I didn’t see coming.

I won’t give the review stars-down for the narration. The review is of the book and author's work only.
Profile Image for Angela Bell.
Author 5 books370 followers
May 28, 2024
The Mistress of the Macabre has penned another five-star stunner!

“Night Falls on Predicament Avenue” features Jaime Jo Wright’s signature blend of atmospheric prose, eerie suspense, and spiritual depth. Black as a mourning veil, this literary cuppa is enriched by the aromatic earthiness of a forgotten graveyard and contrasted with a honeyed note of hope—warm and bright as a candle’s flame, flickering amid shadows.

The authentic characters of Effie and Norah will make readers feel seen and heard, especially those who suffer with anxiety, and the absorbing plot will keep readers turning pages into the wee hours, eager to navigate the mystery’s winding paths of intrigue. And the end! OH MY WORD, DEARIES! THE END!!!! That final plot twist ripped a gasp straight from my chest. A literal, audible, GASP! Good gracious, was I well and properly gobsmacked! Wright has truly outdone herself with this haunting tale’s jaw-dropping, mind-reeling, gut-punching conclusion!

If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts and gothic fiction, be sure to visit Predicament Avenue...preferably, before night falls!
Profile Image for (Katie) Paperbacks.
925 reviews394 followers
July 15, 2024
Deliciously spooky good time!

What another great read from Jamie Jo Wright! It had me hooked right from the beginning and wouldn't let go. I loved the mystery and the connection with both of the timelines. I really enjoyed the characters and the representation for social anxiety. I actually really enjoyed both timelines in this story, I usually enjoy the historical more but in this story I loved both. It was creepy but not the extent that I would have to stop reading it at night, unlike some of her other books 🤣. I think this would be a great introduction if you're new to Jaime Jo Wright.

*thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for a copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary).
339 reviews66 followers
November 3, 2025
OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

HOW!? That is the immediate question I have! HOW on earth does Jaime Jo Wright pen such masterful novels? If I wasn’t such a lightweight who can hardly keep my eyes open past 9:30pm, I would have binged this one in a single day. As always, this story was hauntingly beautiful. You’re immediately captivated from the first chapter. The ending of this one really got to me. Emotionally stunning. An epic story of survival and hope.

322 Predicament Avenue in the town of Shepherd will forever be engrained in my heart. Present day and 1910 timelines are woven together through tragic murders that have taken place on the property. The stories of Effie James and Norah Richman will leave your jaw hanging open as you read about these two fiercely protective women fighting to protect the tragic happenings of their sisters. Some claim that 322 Predicament Avenue is cursed and there is little to explain the horrific events that have unfolded. These women are determined to crack the unsolved mysteries and seek out solid evidence and answers.

The creepy and gothic vibes are top notch, as is always the case in Jaime’s books. In one of the timelines, I did have suspicion of one character, which turned out to be correct in some aspect, but NOT in the way I had it plotted out in my head! Oh, how I love the twists and turns this author always takes the reader on. Another MASTERPIECE! If you haven’t yet read a Jaime Jo Wright book, you are absolutely missing out. Get her onto your TBRs ASAP. You won’t be sorry you did.

*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
Profile Image for Carly.
247 reviews35 followers
May 9, 2024
I don't even know where to begin with this. First off, if you can, buddy read this. This was hands down the best buddy read I've ever done as the twisty, creepy plot kept me guessing and properly freaked out and needing to know how everything was going to be resolved. As always, this author masterfully weaves together two wildly connected timelines into one dark, yet surprisingly hopeful, gothic novel. Night Falls definitely has a darker, heavier vibe than the other books I've read by this author, but it made the element of hope shine even brighter. We can all either surrender to hope or fear. Fear is at the root of every act of evil or hurt, yet by God's grace, we can choose to pursue hope, life, freedom, and joy. Hope, no matter how seemingly elusive, can always be found and chased after towards brighter tomorrows through God's love and sacrifice, no matter how dark our pasts. A great representation for grief and anxiety, with chilling twists and characters we can all see ourselves in, and the choice we have to either let fear trap us or to receive God's strength, this spooky yet hopeful story will stay with me for a long time. ❤❤❤❤❤
Profile Image for Anne (In Search of Wonder).
747 reviews103 followers
October 26, 2025
This was soooo good! Jaime Jo Wright has outdone herself with this one.

I loved the characters, who were varied and flawed, and, I think, more fully fleshed out than some in her other books. I loved the themes of fear and grief and hope.

There were some moments throughout that marred what is otherwise a perfect book... moments that seemed either awkward or unlikely. But it was a fantastic compelling read and I loved it.
Profile Image for Katie (kt_readz).
215 reviews20 followers
March 24, 2024
Another thrilling dual time line crime mystery from Jaime Jo Wright. In the early 1900s Effie's sister witnesses a horrible crime that turns the town upside down. In Present day, in the same house on Preicament Ave that the crime was committed, Norah is trying to make her bed and breakfast afloat when tragedy strikes. What follows is spooky, spine tingling, and page turning as both women are trying to understand the danger that is close by. What took my breath away wasn't just the mystery. It was the themes of healing from grief and the HOPE that was found at the end. The author always says that she wants to leave her readers with hope and light at the end of her books and she does. One particular quote got me,
"How do you find such peace? The adventures you wished to had?"
"I have so many adventures coming. Who said they stop when a soul goes to heaven?"

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict.
384 reviews163 followers
May 4, 2024
honestly not sure with this one. I really liked the story and plot, and of course this one has the typical Jaime Jo creep factor. But the execution of the story really needed to be edited over a few more times and honestly I think this story would have benefitted from more time spent on it. It felt rushed, clunky in certain spots, and there are so many plot holes where I'm wondering what happened. This just doesn't feel like the Jaime Jo writing I've become used to.

Also, the historical romance was totally inappropriate. By the time the issue resolved itself so that the relationship could be seen as appropriate, a relationship was already fully established. It took too long and too much invested in the story to get there.
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