The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

By: Jaime Jo Wright

Narrated by: Libby McKnight, Pilar Witherspoon

It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s eldest 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 unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat 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. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater’s curse unravels Kit’s life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.

©2023 Jaime Sundsmo (P)2023 Recorded Books

You’ll want to listen to this with the lights on!

Have you ever watched a ghost hunting show? In this latest thrilling, gothic, romantic suspense from Jaime Jo Wright, a creepy theater is the site of unexplained disappearances and ghosts. It’s a riveting dual time period mystery that kept me guessing to the end. Be prepared to read this with the lights on!

1915 - Greta Mercy is just trying to care for her brothers and keep a roof over their heads after the tragic deaths of her parents and older brother. She’s befriended by a wealthy brother and sister who offer her the chance to escape her problems and go to the theater. When Greta witnesses a terrible accident, her sanity is called into question when no one can confirm what she saw. Her younger brother and his friends break in to the theater to investigate, but never come out. Where did they disappear to? Are there ghosts haunting the theater, or is there something more sinister at play?

Modern day - Kit Boyd reluctantly agrees to participate in her friend’s latest scheme to save the Barlowe Theater. She’s invited a popular ghost hunting show to check out claims that the theater is haunted. As they explore the creepy underbelly of the theater, Kit’s friend Madison suddenly disappears and is no where to be found. Desperately trying to find her, Kit and the show’s hired skeptic Evan Fisher explore the theater’s past and venture back into the tunnels. But, will they make it out alive?

I loved this book! Jaime Jo Wright pulls out all the stops. The intricate plot, sympathetic characters, and nail biting suspense had me on pins and needles the whole time. It was impossible to put down. Yet, while there are definitely creepy, spooky moments, she always manages to keep things in the cozy horror realm. There’s also a refreshing dose of faith & sweet romance.

I loved both Greta & Kit and found both time period stories compelling. I loved the message of knowing in Whom to put your trust. The theater was its own character and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the tunnels and secret passageways.

I listened to the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed the narrator for Greta’s story. Kit’s story was just okay for me. I wasn’t a fan of the way she voiced the male characters. But, all in all a great listen if you enjoy audiobooks.

This is definitely a must read for romantic suspense fans & the perfect book to usher in the spooky season. I received an advanced complimentary copy from Partners in Crime Tours and also purchased the audiobook version from Audible. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.