Shadows of the White City

...from the publisher...

The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's world unravels.

Brushed off by the authorities, Sylvie turns to her boarder, Kristof Bartok, for help. He is Rose's violin instructor and the concertmaster for the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, and his language skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant communities where their search leads.                                                                                                                                          

From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?

...my thoughts... 

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green is book 2 of the Windy City Saga. While I believe this book can stand alone, I read about three  pages and decided to purchase the first book, Veiled in Smoke.  I simply wanted more of the story about the two sisters, Meg and Sylvie. I am glad I made this decision. I haven't read Jocelyn Green's work before and have quickly become a fan.  I received an advance reader copy from the publisher, Bethany House, for review, so this was a good introduction to Jocelyn's work.  

Simply put, this is a fine piece of historical fiction. The Chicago World's Fair of 1893 is the setting but with all the detail about the exhibits and famous celebrities, it could almost be considered as one more character in our story.  I enjoyed the intrigue involved in the story when Rose disappears and how it brought Sylvie and Kristof closer.  Kristof has troubles of his own yet he is willing to help Sylvie in every way possible. The fair was vast and this small group of connected people whose lives were intertwined within its confines kept this story moving. Inside the cover is a map of the exposition and I referred to it as our characters moved within its boundaries.  I recommend this book to those who love historical fiction with a little bit of added romance and mystery.  Well researched and very thoughtfully written.