To Disguise the Truth is the third book in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series by Jen Turano. Readers will finally learn Eunice Hollbrook's secrets and why she poses as a widow shrouded by mourning veils. Turano's memorable characters and snappy dialogue do not disappoint, and this series is a must read!

This Series Will Keep You On Your Toes With Mystery, Sleuthing, Laughter and a Romance!

I can always count on Jen Turano to whisk me away on an adventure and give me a mystery to try to solve and laugh at circumstances that pop up. This book solved many questions in this third book in the series as well as finally answering one’s about Eunice. I hope this isn’t the last in the series.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

For years, the mysterious Eunice Holbrooke has run a boarding house and inquiry agency in New York City. The agency specializes in taking on cases the Pinkerton Agency won’t touch. Cases brought to them by women from working women to society matrons. Some involve the mundane, others involve ferreting out nefarious activities.

But when Mr. Arthur Livingstone shows up in her office, Eunice knows without a doubt she’ll turn down his request for her agency’s services. Even if he promises to triple the agency fees. No matter if he wants to solve the mystery of who murdered her grandfather. It will take the ingenuity of her fellow agents to help her turn away the most persistent potential client ever.

For seven years, Arthur Livingstone has wondered where his employer’s granddaughter, Eugenia Howland, has gone. When her conniving relatives want to declare her dead and divide her inheritance among themselves, Arthur decides to try one last time. Over the years, both private investigators and the Pinkertons have failed to find Eugenia. He rests his last hope in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency.

Only to find his case summarily dismissed by the lead agent, Mrs. Eunice Holbrooke. Determined to fulfill his promise to Mr. James Mason, Arthur doggedly reappears at the agency, even after the agents turn down his lucrative proposal. Will his entreaties to the interesting agents result in finding Miss Howland? And if he does find her, can he get her back to Montana before her relatives declare her dead?

Why I Loved This Book

Turano finally tells the story of Eunice Holbrooke, the mysterious woman draped in widow’s weeds and owner of the Bleeker Street Boarding House. Although part of a series, readers could still enjoy this book as a standalone novel (but why, when the others are so delightful?).

Readers will enjoy the secondary characters (Arthur’s grandfather and younger brother) and gain a new perspective into how Victorian men used insane asylums to control women. (If this topic interests you, check out The Woman They Could Not Silence).

Told with witty dialogue and sparkling characters, readers won’t want to put this one down. Fans of Grace Hitchcock and Regina Jennings will enjoy this book.

You have to love a story where you learn on the first page that the heroine has shot the hero in the arm. before!
Jen Turano’s To Disguise The Truth is book three in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series, but a stand alone novel. Arthur and Eunice’s story is an absolute delight!

I have wanted to know Eunice’s backstory since book one in the series. She is so intriguing, and makes you wonder. Why does she wear Widow’s weeds with dark veils? Why is she so secretive? How does she have such unusual skills? Inquiring minds want to know

I fell in love with Arthur as the story progressed. Truly a great hero with a wonderful heart. His dialogue with Eunice was fantastic. We all need an Arthur in our lives.

The story had many twists and turns that led to me laughing out loud as I was never sure what was going to happen next. The secondary characters were endearing and I felt like I was often in the middle of a very entertaining family gathering. I was immersed in the story.

To Disguise the Truth is in an exciting, funny, plot twisting tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is an ideal read that kept me smiling. I highly recommend this story.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Jen Turano delights once again with her humor in this historical novel. It is full of intrigue between a murder that happened many years ago and a family that has many secrets and tries to have a couple of family members declared dead because of greed. There were a lot of twists and turns in the story and it was enjoyable to watch the characters put their foots in their mouth on more than one occasion. This was an enjoyable read that will make you laugh and entertain you.

This book was so much fun to read. Jen Turano's trademark humor shines bright, so I do recommend either reading this where people aren't around or being prepared to explain why you're laughing out loud! There are so many awesome lines in this book! There's a lot going on in this story, which could make it feel convoluted, but it totally comes together and works well. From the beginning of the series, I've been so curious about Eunice and what her story is--and it was so much more interesting than I could have guessed. Eunice is great character, strong but also vulnerable, and I loved getting to know her in this book. I also enjoyed seeing Eunice and Arthur come to appreciate one another, and I was delighted to see the romances of beloved secondary characters as well. Another great book from a terrific author!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

This is such a fun series! I loved reading more about Eunice and her past. The interactions between Arthur and Eunice were well written. I had a hard time putting this one down!

Delightful and witty, To Disguise the Truth is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Jen Turano.

Eunice has intrigued me since I read To Steal a Heart, so of course I was excited to finally get to read her story and delve into her secrets.

And boy, what a story.

Arthur and Eunice have this great banter that quickly became my favorite part of the novel. And Turano does a great job of developing their somewhat acrimonious relationship into a romantic one. I especially loved the subplot about Arthur rediscovering his romantic side.

Turano also throws in plenty of plot twists, something I love about her books. For those who have read her previous books, you’ll find plenty of cameos from the heroines of To Steal a Heart and To Write a Wrong. However, you don’t have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.

As for the spiritual elements, there’s a great arc about seeking truth, especially when it comes to the lies we tell ourselves.

Overall, To Disguise the Truth is a delightful historical romance perfect for those searching for a heartwarming and comedic read.

There is nothing better for curing a bad day than opening the pages of a Jen Turano book. This one did not disappoint. I think I should start calling her books my therapy reads.

To Disguise a Truth is the last of the Bleeker Street Series and brought the series to a satisfying conclusion after much shenanigans and skullduggery.

Eunice's story finally comes to light and we find out why she had been hiding behind her widow's weeds and weeping veils. This cast of quirky characters offers an entertaining read and a break from reality we all need these days.

This book was provided by the publisher and Netgalley. My opinion is my own.

I can’t think of anything better to do on New Year’s Day than read a book.

Eunices’s story was quite the ride. It was almost like a whodonit and could almost be separated into three distinct parts. I liked how much attention some of our front characters got - namely Ann, Cooper, Ivan, and Judith. Phillip and his dresses are always amusing and we got a bit of that

There was so much going on in this story and surprises and plot twists abound!! Don’t assume you have anything figured out.

This is book three in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. It is a stand alone book, however you do miss a lot of the history from many characters and two good reads if you jump right into this one. You will enjoy this book more fully if you do read the books in order.
Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors, I love her spunky writing style, filled with humor, mystery and history. I literally laughed out load while reading this historical, mysterious, romance. The entire Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency is full of fun, unique women. I loved how even though this series are stand alone type reads, the books will continue to involve everyone, therefore your enjoyment will be magnified by reading them all.
Book three we get to learn more about the mysterious Eunice Holbrooke and the handsome Arthur Livington. There is so much going on in this book and of course it is full of all I have come to expect from Jen Turano. I was given a copy of this book or my honest opinion.

I discovered Jen Turano's books a bit ago and have been so glad I did ever since. I absolutelty love her humor & dialogue. I loved the classic and funny Jen Turano opening. With this particular couple their banter was funny, witty and had me smiling. I enjoyed the antics and situations the couple found themselves in. Eunice had such spirit and character. I highlighted several spots that made me laugh. It was also fun to read the couple of side romances with side characters and see their conclusion. This series has been a greast cast of characters that compliment each other well and I can feel a real friendship and comaraderie with them. I also wouldn't mind a spin off story with Grandpa Lloyd and the brother Chase. I'd say overall a fantastic read with the humor with the classic Jen Turano spin, well written characters, nice flow to the story. I'm already antcipating her next book. Whenever that comes out!
*Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. Thought and opinions are 100% my own.*

I adored the first two books from Jen Turano's series, The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, and the latest installment, To Disguise the Truth, does not disappoint. It is my favorite of the three. Five stars.

A Historical Christian Romance set in 1887 New York, filled with sweet PG romance and a mystery that has lots of twists and shocking revelations. While this book is part of a series that can easily be read as a stand-alone, I hadn’t read the previous books and had no trouble following the story at all.

"Considering she'd once shot the man sitting across from her, Eunice Holbrook was beginning to get the sneaking suspicion her past had finally caught up with her." Jen Turano – To Disguise the Truth

The story follows Eunice, the owner of The Bleeker Street Enquiry Agency, as she hides her identity from the world to protect herself from a mysterious murderer of her past. Unfortunately, her past catches up to her as Arthur comes into the story. He tries to find Eunice to get her to go back to her hometown to claim the inheritance that her Grandfather left her. But she is afraid to go back as the person who murdered her grandfather is still at large, which means she might be in danger too.

While the story starts with a bang it quickly gets sidetracked with Eunice going undercover in an insane Asylum, this part was entertaining but felt like it was added just to make the book a bit longer. After she completes her undercover task the story becomes drawn out repeating how Eunice feels about going back home and the tension between her and Arthur so many times it started to get a bit repetitive.

All the characters were likable and the women were portrayed as strong and independent even though the story takes place at a time when women were seen as lesser. The romance between Eunice and Arthur was sweet and intriguing with a lot of fun banter and flirting.

“Feeling a tingle of something delicious travel through her over the possibilities…” Jen Turano – To Disguise the Truth

There are a lot of plot twists in the story that fuels the mystery which the readers won't see coming and little bits of wisdom that were enjoyable.

“Merely a book should never be said to an avid reader…” Jen Turano – To Disguise the Truth

Although the book is a Christian romance it was subtle and well incorporated within the story even though the ending seemed unrealistic since Eunice would be considered a saint for how she handled her family.

A slow mystery with a touch of romance perfect for the reader that’s looking for a clean romance with a bit of intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fun and meaningful addition to the series.

In this third installment of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series, Arthur Livingston enters the Agency in order to hire them to find a missing heiress named Eugenia, whose family is about to have her declared dead if she doesn't appear to claim her inheritance soon. Eunice Holbrooke meets with him shrouded in her widow's weeds, but she knows what he doesn't--she is actually Eugenia and she has no desire to claim her inheritance. The more Eunice discovers, however, means she needs to do the right thing, even if it is risky in many ways.

Turano's books are always completely delightful and filled with humor and heart. The banter between Eunice and Arthur is snappy and keeps the story moving forward. There are so many hidden secrets that I was engrossed throughout wanting to know who had killed Eunice's grandfather and who might be after her. There are surprises in every chapter and I loved the ending, getting caught up with the lives of all of the characters.

There is a subtle, but very tender and meaningful faith message about the truth and how it can set one free, and trusting God with your life. If you are looking for a lighthearted, yet intriguing historical novel, then look no further than Jen Turano's books and you won't be disappointed.

Oh, how satisfying it was to finally learn about Eunice Holbrooke and why she had cloaked herself in mystery! I must admit - her backstory was nothing like I imagined, but it was thoroughly entertaining and even better than I imagined! As always, Jen Turano's humor is perfectly on point, and this book is 100% non-guilty pleasure as it is clean, romantic, and has a spiritual message. I absolutely loved it!

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.

Arthur Livingston's goal in life is to make his mark on the world as a mining industrialist, but after the man who could help him achieve his goal is murdered, Arthur feels compelled to seek justice for the family--but he's left with more questions than answers after the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency refuses to take on his case.

Desperate to conceal her real identity and avoid the irritatingly handsome Arthur, Eunice takes on a different case that requires her to go deep undercover and entangles her in one troublesome situation after another. When other secrets come to light, Eunice has no choice but to confront her past, hopeful that it will set her free but knowing it could very well place her life--and the lives of those she loves--in jeopardy.

This was such a delightful and humorous story! I can absolutely count on a Jen Turano novel to keep me entertained and laughing. This cast is characters was charming and witty! Eunice, who has made appearances in previous novels, was finally given opportunity to tell her own story and it was full of danger and mystery. I enjoyed both Eunice and Arthur’s characters. The tension between the characters created great romantic chemistry and their argumentative banter was a delight to read. There were many characters from the previous novels who made appearances in this story which was really fun! I enjoyed getting to dive a little deeper into Eunice’s characters and found her to be independent, capable, but enjoyed her romantic heart. I enjoyed this story and thought it was a great conclusion to this really fun series!

From the very first sentence, the author captured my attention and intrigue as this story hits the ground running. First we learn more about the evasive and mysterious Eunice that has been an integral leader of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency throughout this series. We also learn about bit about her past as Arthur Livingston, a man who knows all about her past, comes looking for her. Through a series of delightfully humorous exchanges Eunice and her friends at the agency advocate for their clients and venture out to the streets of New York City to improve the welfare of their clients. At long last, Eunice's past catches up to her and she has to decide whether to remain in the shadows of her widow's veils or to face the music and step into the public spotlight once more to claim what's rightfully hers and possibly find her own romance story in the process.

I loved seeing all of the women at the Agency, all the flirtatious conversations between the men who they encounter and the willful women who stand up for justice. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series but I have to say, I think this one is my favorite of the bunch. Not only is this cover gorgeous, but the character development that Eunice and Arthur go through throughout the duration of this story made this story filled with mystery and intrigue that much more exciting to read about!

Many thanks to netgalley and the Bethany House for an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Jen Turano's To Disguise the Truth is a delightful book full of mystery, suspense, history, adorable romance, as well as comedic relief. I absolutely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I enjoy Ms. Turano's writings and have read a few of her works.  I truly enjoy Ms. Turano's knack for immersing her characters in the Gilded Age without dropping her readers into the midst of a history lesson. Another aspect of Ms. Turano's writing style that I appreciate is how seamlessly she brings her characters' past and personalities into the plot. One thing that needs to be included in an overall description of Ms. Turano's writing is her talent for creating wildly entertaining and quite hilarious plots and situations for her characters stumble into.
Eunice Holbrooke has hidden behind many names and disguises before, but it takes all of her talent and practice to maintain her composure when a gentleman arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency looking for a missing heiress, which just happens to be Eunice herself. Eunice knows that her past has caught up with her. There is a genuine reason for Eunice's reticence to reveal her true identity. Eunice's grandfather was murdered several years ago out west and all the evidence points to Eunice. Eunice knows that she was framed for her grandfather's murder, but is completely in the dark as to whom would be setting her up to take the fall. Can Eunice trust anyone from her past life? What would that killer do if her identity was revealed? Would that mysterious person come after her next?
Arthur Livingston is a man on a mission. Arthur wants to make his mark on the world as a top businessman in the mining industry. He was given the opportunity under the mentorship of a great man in the industry, Eunice's grandfather. When Arthur's mentor is murdered, Arthur takes on the responsibility of the business as well as the duty to bring the killer to justice. Arthur has hired several different agencies to track down various leads, but when he approaches the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency he is flummoxed with their strange behavior and rejection of his case.
Eunice hesitates to trust Arthur and fears that Arthur may discover her true identity, which leads her to take on a dangerous undercover assignment. Eunice's undercover assignment becomes very complicated and dangerous, requiring her friends to help her. Somehow Arthur discovers that the obstinate lady hiding behind the widow's weeds is in fact the reclusive Eunice. What follows in To Disguise the Truth is a wild journey with several surprising twists, leading to some shocking family secrets. Can Arthur and Eunice trust each other enough to solve the years old murder? Can they survive long enough against the many threats? Who is trying to prevent them from discovering the truth?
To Disguise the Truth has just the right amount of adventure, suspense, plot twists, romance, as well as comedy to make it a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed the deep characters, the complex plot, the real historic feel of the context. I enjoyed this book for the above-mentioned reasons, but I would add that the humor mixed into the entire work was perfectly distributed to create an enjoyable, wholesome, and fun read. I hope you have the opportunity to read and enjoy this book. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: Bethany House Publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.