Once again Michelle Griep captured me with a tale that I couldn’t put down. Intrigue, mystery, determination and desire to do their part to make the world a better place draw Kit and Jackson together, though a constable and a con-artist are a most unlikely pair.

The creativity of the story, with its twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I could appreciate the humanity of Jackson’s character and how his over-zealous nature led him to make mistakes, yet also gave him the tenacity to not give up.

If you like a page turning mystery, along with a smidge of romance, then I recommend The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

I received a free digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is an absolutely delightful and entertaining historical mystery. Constable Jackson Forge has just begun his dream job...making the streets of London a safer place to be, when he runs into Kit Turner, a crew leader who swindles people out of their money to help the poor. When a close friend of Kit's goes missing and Jackson's job is on the line, they join forces to find him before it's too late. Their adventures, near scrapes with death, and witty banter lead them into a growing appreciation of one another and a desire to keep each other safe. I really enjoyed the progress of their relationship along with their own personal growth. The story had really good pacing and just enough action to hold my complete interest. This was an excellent read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Warning – this one had me from the very first page; be ready to drop everything else! Set in 1885 London, this follows the story of a young, ambitious constable, Jackson Forge, as he takes on “petty” thievery, not realizing what a major ring he’s stumbled onto. I loved the character of Kat Turner and the interaction between her and Jackson, and the many dangerous escapades they endured took my breath away! The author’s descriptive language made me feel like I was right in the underground tunnels, the grimy warehouses, and the creepy boat docks late at night. This one will keep you thinking long after the last page – does the end really justify the means?

I received this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review, all opinions are my own.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep was the perfect official inaugural read for this booklover. This smashing work of fiction, however, was published January 1st and seemed the exactly right title to start my new book year fresh. I finished it in the wee hours of the morning, being fully ensconced in this sweet, mysterious, and fast-paced romp, aided in part by a miscalculated (but enjoyable) coffee at 9 p.m. last night.

I was swept back in time and settled in for a delightfully vivacious adventure. The author crafts a beautiful word picture that will immerse you in the action, location, and emotion on every page. The romance lends itself to sweetness and naivete, while the need to meet a deadline lends a sense of urgency and need to engage. Through this clever and compelling novel with elements of faith and trust, I was transported through the smelliest, darkest parts of London where danger and deception lurk to the glittering ballrooms of the wealthy (where danger and deception lurk) to the noble halls of the historic metropolitan police. A 5-star read to start the year off right. What a delight!

I was provided with a complimentary digital copy of this title via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was given an e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased, honest opinion.

Constable Jackson Forge has a singular desire to save the world following a childhood accident. Unfortunately, he runs into Kit Turner, a genius swindler, and his world takes an unexpected twist. Forge is assigned to searching for a missing jarvey, and Kit is searching for her friend. If Jackson doesn't find the cabbie soon, then he will be fired. If Kit doesn't find him, then her friend is simple lost forever. Working together seems to be the only option for both.

Everything was so attention grabbing from the beginning. The combination of history and mystery was spellbinding. I felt like I could smell the tunnels from Jackson and Kit's descriptions.

I enjoyed Kit, because of her ferocious determination and her loyalty to her friends. She is everything that a strong woman should portray. However, there were times her attitude put her and Jackson in danger. As for Jackson, he had more whiney qualities as well as a naivety that I just could not believe in a London constable. What saved his character was his stubbornness. Being someone who is perpetually stubborn, I could relate to that one aspect of him.

I rate this story 4 out of 5 stars, and will continue to follow Michelle Griep.

A real surprise and a reading treat! Readers will feel the grit and grime of Blackfriars Lane, and will enjoy the witty dialogue and suspenseful mystery until the very last page. Good luck figuring out who the culprit is! Looking forward to more from this author.

Michelle Griep is a fantastic storyteller. I have loved every book she has written, and I always look forward to what’s next from her. The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is a great story! I loved every minute spent in her fictional Victorian London. The plot of this story is highly engaging — the pages flew by! The characters are spectacular. Every character gives off the unique, multi-faceted flavor of Victorian London, but none come off as mere caricatures. I absolutely adore Jackson and Kit. They have big hearts, they care deeply for justice being served, and they are pretty selfless. I love how even though they come from vastly different worlds they are able to come together and work as a great team. I enjoyed heartily the action of this story. Kit and Jackson find themselves in some seriously crazy situations. And, I very much appreciated the themes and messages discussed throughout the narrative. This book got me to stop and think about quite a few things. I love when a book does that!

So, what’s one thing this book got me thinking on? Well, one thing I thought about A LOT is my independence. I am a pretty capable person. I’m healthy. I’m strong. I have skills. I work hard. I pay the bills. If I’m not careful, I could really get into the mindset that it’s me who is the cause of my capabilities and abilities. Add to this that I have basically been left to my own devices most of my life, and have therefore had to figure a lot of life out on my own, and I really could think that I alone am responsible for my successes, my progresses, my talents, and my place in the world. Kit is in the same boat. She has been on her own for a long time and grew up in the rough and tumble world of London surviving through her own intelligence, wit, and skill. God doesn’t even figure in her life, not really. But then she meets Jackson and he upends her life as she knew it. He gets her thinking about God and her relationship to Him. She does come to realize that God is more present in her life than she gave Him credit for, and, if she is honest, maybe a few of the negatives in her life came from rushing into things before checking in with Him. But it’s often difficult to know what God wants from us in a single given moment. There is this great moment where Kit has to act, but she questions herself: “Was she running ahead of God again? Or had He provided this opportunity for a reason?” You’ll have to read this wonderful story to find out what Kit decides. For me, though, these questions stuck in my craw. How do we know when we are doing something of our own volition or because it’s God’s will? I mean, every single day things are put into our lives. Are those things consequences of our actions or things God has ordained? I’m guessing I’ll be working on the answers to these questions my whole life, but I think it is pretty amazing the deep questions The Thief of Blackfriars Lane has gotten me to consider. I love when a novel is more than just a good story — and, man, is The Thief of Blackfriars Lane more than just a good story!

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is an excellent Victorian Romantic Suspense novel that I highly, highly recommend. If you are a fan of superb storytelling, Romantic Suspense, and Historical fiction, then this is the book for you!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, Michelle Griep, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Mystery and Romance with a Dickensian Background

Jackson Forge is a likable, but rather naive young man. A newly minted police constable, he dreams of cleaning up the criminal elements of Victorian London. On his first day on the job, he suffers a sham robbery used to get money from him. First rob the mark than return the purse for a reward.

Kit Turner is the ringleader of the gang. She’s an orphan who tries to help her neighbors with her ruse to get money. She’s a complex character. Lonely and vulnerable, she tries to hide it beneath a brave and feisty front.

Jackson, who is in some trouble with his superiors for being late to his first briefings as a constable, is given the job of finding a missing cabby. The cabby is Kit’s foster father. Although unwillingly at first they team up to find him. This leads them into a dangerous underworld of cutthroats and thieves.

The background is Victorian England and there is a definitely Dickensian aura. I thought the author did an excellent job of capturing the mood of the time. She obviously did a great deal of research to achieve the effect.

Jackson and Kit are likable characters. Both are strong and have much to learn. Together they make a great team and romance follows.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

From the minute I saw the author describe this book as, “Think of Zootopia set in Victorian England minus the bunny and the fox,” I knew it was going to be great!
Honestly, this story has it all - mystery, romance, faith, adventure - wrapped up in one extremely well-written story. Michelle Griep is an author that can write anything and it will be amazing; The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is no exception!

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley but these opinions are 100% my own. This book is great!

Delightful and exciting. I was most frustrated when the clock said it was 1:00 am and I still had about 2 1/2 hours of reading to go. I was dying to know what would happen next. I hadn't been able to predict much correctly so every time Jackson and Kit hit a roadblock I wondered how in the world they would get around this one. Jackson and Kit are both good people wanting to right the wrongs of the world yet they take very different paths to achieve the goal. I loved them both.

This is Christian lit but I didn't find the messages to be too "in your face". The theme is along the lines of put your trust in God.

I definitely recommend this read.

Sex: Leering creep types
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

An incident in Jackson's childhood filled him with a desire to become a constable, keeping the streets of London safe. Now at last it's his first day - and he manages to earn the ire of his superior. Another blunder almost gets him kicked out, but he is given one last chance: find a missing cab-driver within 48 hours and he can keep his job. The hunt brings him into contact with a woman he discovers to be the leader of a local Blackfriars gang, but she's on the same quest as him and he is forced to team up with her rather than dragging her to justice as he desires. Will they solve the mystery in time to save Jackson's job? And can spending time with Kit help Jackson to come to terms with his past?

Another great character-driven story from the author - as I've come to expect. This foray into the streets of London has a fascinating setting, an intriguing cast of characters, and a mystery to tie it all together. Watching Jackson and Kit gradually face the demons of their respective pasts is inspiring, and the skilled storytelling makes the book quite difficult to put down. Highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

If an author wanted to combine the sleuthing of Sherlock Holmes, the culture of Charles Dickens, and the charity of Robin Hood, the resulting book could very well be The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

Michelle Griep has written one of the most satisfying faith-based mysteries that I have read. As I finished reading late last night, I was able to lay down knowing that all was right with the world. Kit was a lady of the streets who had spent years building her reputation. Jackson was a newly hired constable that appeared to be a massive failure as he was dismissed from the constabulary and told to never return to London. The book weaves together the story of these two broken people who must work together to find the four very different men who had gone missing from the streets of late 19th century London. The author has done a marvelous job of building a story of grace, mercy, and love, that will speak to the souls of many.

I appreciate the brief appendix that the author includes highlighting the historical context of the book and the bibliography the author used to describe 150-year-old London. The book easily has a place in the church and public library, both for its literary appeal and its historical perspective. I easily give it 5-stars and wish I could give it more.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane
by Michelle Griep
Back of the Book: “There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.”
Impressions: I loved every moment of this adventure! This was so easy and fun to read. There was a perfect balance of mystery and suspense as well as romance. Well done Michelle Griep!
Rated: murder, physical fights
Liked: There were so many elements to this story but everything worked together so well. The characters and scenes were painted so well with words sucking you into the book.
Quotes: “Even with the extra funds Bags Gleason so freely handed over, I fear your help is nothing more than a short-term fix. A bandage if you will.” – I often feel this way when I’m working on where to tithe and volunteer my time. We live in a broken world and it can be so very discouraging to look at all the broken things. A later quote says, “Perhaps I cannot save the world. But that does not mean I cannot make it a better place.” – Don’t lose hope in doing what is right friends! The chain effect of your actions sends ripples through generations.
“Oh Son, failure is fatal only to those who refuse to learn from it, for only One has lived who is perfect. The question is not if you will fail. Rather, will you let God redeem your failure for good, turning your end into His beginning?”
“It is often in tragedy where we find our life’s purpose, and that purpose is love God and man.”
“…the only true failure in life is refusing to do what God has asked of you.”
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

While it took this book a while to grab my interest, once it did I was totally hooked. The story is centered around the exploits of a rookie constable and a street swindler and con-woman who strives to stay just barely on the side of right in her efforts to care for the poor of Blackfriars. Through no desire of their own, they join forces toward a common goal, finding a missing jarvey, a taxi driver of the day in 1885 London. What caught and held my interest was the author's ability to plan out convincing cons, and her knowledge of the types of manipulation to be employed. Throughout the second half of the book, I found myself highlighting points of wisdom relating to finding and pursuing God's purpose for one's life and the positive role failure may play. I was struck by the comment that failure is but an instructor, not an undertaker.

I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane from Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley, without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

(4.5 stars) - an entertaining partnership of determined earnestness with streetwise savvy

This story's Victorian setting, which pays some tribute to the works of Dickens & Gaskell, introduces us to Jackson Forge, an earnest young man seeking to become a constable, and Kit Turner, a streetwise young woman who is trying to help her neighbors in need the best way she knows how.

Jackson is a likeable hero, but he is kind of naive, while Kit is a strong & capable heroine who's more likely to rescue than need rescuing.

When the cabbie who has been a father figure to Kit disappears, she and Jackson each try to press the other into service as they try to find him. Their initially reluctant alliance leads them to develop a friendship, then more, as they go thru some gripping and suspenseful situations - and some unexpected twists.

The story does have a few moments when it drags a little as it's setting up the next step in the case's progress, but the payoff is worth it. The ending is both a satisfying conclusion and a promising new beginning. Definitely worth the read!

*Romance level: sweet kisses, a bit gritty but nothing really graphic

*Religion: Christian, with themes of forgiveness & trusting in God, not preachy

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, by Michelle Griep, will be officially released January 1, 2021, to an already primed group of reader-fans, who know to expect a great story, skillfully woven and usually (but not always) set in Victorian England, and this book is no different. We, as readers, are plunged into an exciting tale that introduces the amorphous “Turner” and the very green constable, Jackson Forge, as they become wary and unwilling partners, trying to find a missing cabbie.Forge’s inexperience is evident and convincing, but he nonethless secures our wanting to see him succeed in an unlikely situation with an even more unlikely companion.
Griep’s characters, frequently endearing, are even more life-like than in previous tales. She creates a situation with the inept deputy with remarkable weapons skills which required a significant suspension of disbelief, which readers will willingly embark upon to keep pace with this page-turner. The book is reminiscent of both Robin Hood and Oliver Twist, and both new and seasoned readers will greatly enjoy her craft and storytelling skill in what borders on a thriller of a novel. This tale also begs a sequel (or three or four), which we hope will eventually materialize.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane will immerse the reader into the back alleys and sewers of the underworld of Victorian London. While one would envision the dark underworld of Dicken's novels, readers will find it filled with the light of hope that Griep's readers have come to expect.

As danger seems to follow Kit's endeavors, she teams up with an inexperienced constable to find a missing cabbie. As they work together, they uncover a web of deceit that leads to the glittering ballrooms of Victorian London.

Expertly plotted, their action-packed adventure is a clever combination of mystery and romance. I loved the playful, witty sparring between Kit and Jackson. Woven between the adventure and romance was a beautiful message of hope that comes for the reliance upon God.

A delightful read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A story that is full of surprises, some good, some not so good, and as I was reading I was reminded of the TV show Leverage, so many things happen here that are reminiscent of that show.

The author gives us an eager young constable, and we meet him on his first day, and he runs headlong into Kit Turner, now Jackson is trying to get to work, but also wants to stop crime, and thus we are off.

While Jackson's impression at the Police Department is very shaky, and he is given a hopeless task to save his job! Thus enter a partnership between the thief and the law, and what a journey you are about to begin.

We get to parts of London that most people never see, and this part never sees the light o day! Kit is very familiar here, and she has a heart for the less fortunate, thus taking from the rich and giving to the poor.

Will these two find the missing men? Well, hang on this journey get bumpy, and boy are there surprises, most you won't see coming!

Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

An exhilarating, flawlessly written story from Michelle Griep! The Thief of Blackfriars Lane captivated me from the beginning; I constantly had a smile on my face while reading, it was so good. Griep’s wonderfully authentic diction and dedication to character and setting never failed to amaze me. I was easily transported to the streets of Victorian London, which was appreciated more than ever in a year such as this. Kit and Jackson’s relationship left me laughing, smiling, and enchanted. I’ve never been disappointed by one of Griep’s stories, and The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is certainly one for the keeper shelf! 5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.

For a book to grab my interest, it must have a mystery. This book did not disappoint. And it was full of surprises right up to the end. For sure, the bad guy was a surprise. And there were some interesting twist and turns as the main character, Jackson gets caught up in catching him. Certainly he was thwarted in that endeavor over and over. But to his credit, he didn’t entirely debunk the help he received from Kit. I also thought Ms. Griep was very creative as she went about solving the crime. I do think the book was very well researched for the time period that it covered.

To be honest, the love/attraction of the two main characters was a bit much for me. Thought it wasn’t surprising since this was considered a historical romance. But if it’s must be a romance it’s nice to have it be a good clean romance.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and net galley for a copy of this book. The comments are my very own