The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma

MY REVIEW:

I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of the books in the True Colors series thus far. It is so interesting reading Christian fiction based on True American Crime. It seems that with each book the depth of evil becomes more and more horrifying. These stories are reminders of how easily and how far one can fall without faith in the Lord.

The Gold Digger is a tale that illustrates just how calculating and heartless greed can make a person and the lengths they will go to achieve their goals. It was eye-opening how easily even close family members could be deceived and how even they were not safe from their loved one.

It is difficult to review this book without a major spoiler or two so I will not try to describe the story. It is a dark and disturbing tale yet some light and hope does shine through in places, especially in the developing relationship between Nils and Ingrid as well as in their faith.

As in all the books of this series, The Gold Digger is based on something that actually happened in the past. The details were well researched and any departure from what actually happened was explained by the author. It is a difficult story that was handled tactfully and with only the necessary details. Even so, my imagination easily filled in the blanks. I apparently am like my sister in that I enjoy true crime novels but I am thankful for Christian authors like Liz Tolsma who spare me the excess blood and violence.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: The Gold Digger

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian/Historical/Suspense

Release Date: December, 2020

Men Are Disappearing in LaPorte, Indiana

Book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Click here to get your copy!

Men Are Disappearing in LaPorte, Indiana

Book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.

MORE FROM LIZ:

This story was so much fun to write, and the research was so interesting. It has to rank up there with one of my favorite books to write. That’s what makes my job the best around.

There are a great number of characters in The Gold Digger who are historical. Many of the places I mention are also historical. I had the pleasure of spending a day in LaPorte, Indiana, to research the book and take some pictures they had in the museum there. Research is one of my favorite aspects to writing. I could have spent much, much longer losing myself in the museum and in the archives. Good thing my cousin, who I was staying with, called me to let me know that it was getting dark and she had dinner ready, otherwise who knows how long I would have been there. Probably until they kicked me out!

One thing that the people of LaPorte would want you to know is that they really are nice people and that their town is a nice town. Lots of good people have been born there or have lived there over the years, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, William Mayo, who founded Mayo Clinic, and William Scholl, who found Dr. Scholl’s. They kept emphasizing to me while I was there what a great place LaPorte is. Judging by their friendliness and helpfulness, I would have to agree.