This dual timeline story centers around Bonaventure Circus, the diverse cast of characters within it, and the mysterious deaths following the train to its destination back in 1928. Chandler Faulk finds herself in the town the circus would stop at over the winter on a project to restore the abandoned train depot located near where the circus grounds would have been back in the day. The town takes great pride in the history of the circus and capitalizes on the suspicious murders, one of which took place at the former costume house that Chandler uses as an office space. As she deals with the stresses of her job, she must put up with talk of ghosts and murderers while also trying to get her son settled in the new town and trying to keep her auto-immune disease in check. For a woman with so much on her plate and a tendency to never ask for help, things quickly get out of hand when truths from so many years ago begin to come to light. And, back in 1928, Pippa Ripley is the adopted daughter of the owners of Bonaventure Circus – left on their doorsteps by someone from the circus who could not care for the baby. With a deformed leg and questionable roots, Pippa is desperate to find where she truly belongs. She feels suffocated in her role as obedient, docile charge of the Ripleys’ and longs to rejoin her family in the circus. Only she has to find them first. And not everyone she believed she could trust turns out to be the saviors she thought them to be. As she slowly learns about the dark side of the circus she has always felt drawn to, she must learn to rely on her own desires and intuitions that she has been suppressing for so many years.
This was such a gripping narrative. No matter which timeline was being focused on, I stayed hooked the entire time. I also didn’t see hardly any of the twists coming before their masterful reveals. This is a beautifully conceived mystery as well as a drama and story of strength, hope, and community. The characters were all perfectly rounded and easily conceptualized. The women especially were made real through their gradual realization that being a strong woman doesn’t mean you have to always hide your weaknesses or differences or solve every problem on your own. With Chandler, we see her struggling to accept help from others whereas Pippa struggles to accept love – yet these are things both women desire; Chandler does want a father for her son even as she wants to keep him to herself and be the main provider for him and Pippa longs to be wanted and loved even as she struggles to find personal freedom. These conflicting desires showcase the duality of humanity, our drive to be independent and our deep-seated instinct to make meaningful connections within the world around us. Humans are social creatures and when we isolate ourselves, we often lose sight of who we are meant to be. Once we open ourselves up, even though it makes us more vulnerable, we actually can get to know ourselves better and connect more with our aspirations. Especially when we are given love and support.
This is a powerful story with many moving parts that draws you in from the start. It’s got so much going for it thematically as well with a mix of mystery, drama, thriller, romance, and even a historical feminism angle. I believe any reader could easily find something to love in this story. I highly recommend it!
For All Story Lovers! 