We are back in Blackfriars Lane with Jackson, Kit and baby Bella. Kit and her father have started an investigative agency and her first case pulls on all her heartstrings. Jackson has his hands full at the station. We have Charles, Martha and Frankie along with Mary's other children taking on some story points. We meet a meet a couple interesting characters, one of which is Catchpole. Kit takes on her case without her father's approval and it stretches her as she fights to work through the case and being there for her baby daughter. Her father's case seems to have some of the same players. Jackson has his own troubles, which due to Charles helping Kit, seem to spiral towards her case as well. Lots of plot twists as we are taken on this story's journey, clear up to the completion of the book.

The third and final adventure for Jackson and Kit! Now a wife and mother Kit's life is very different but that doesn't stop her fro being a great detective. Jackson now the new chief inspector is busier than ever. There are always so many funny, original characters in this series its such a fun time to get to know them. As Kit is following a new case danger is around every corner. She has to come to a conclusion to how will balance being a detective and a mother. And this is in 1887 when women are expected to stay home with the children.
Jackson and Kit's romance continue within the story as their love grows. The danger that ensues only makes them realize how much they mean to one another. A side story of the romance between Kit's friend Martha and inspector Charles Baggett was so endearing. This was a fun ride and I wish we would have more adventures with the Forges.

4 stars

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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Who Knew that Opening a Private Detective Agency Would Lead to So Much Danger?

In "The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane", Michelle Griep sucked me in from the first riveting page, & pulled me deeper into her intricate, danger-filled plot!

This is MG's 3rd "Blackfriars" Historic Suspense Novel, set in Victorian London. Kit & Jackson now have a baby Daughter. Jackson has been promoted to Head Police Detective. Kit & her Father have just opened a Private Detective Agency.

Jackson & Kit can't handle all their responsibilities, & the danger that comes their way, without God's Help. I Highly Recommend You 📖 this Thrilling, Awesome, Engrossing, Action/Adventure 📗, to see how everything turns out! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kit Forge has overcome many obstacles in her life—abandonment, hunger, and growing up on London’s streets, to name a few. Each experience has honed her observation skills and turned her into a woman who can read others (especially those with criminal inclinations) and bring justice to the streets.

After falling in love with Jackson Forge, one of London’s finest constables, Kit overcomes her fear of commitment and settles (sort of) into married life. Her unique upbringing makes her ill-suited for the life of a housewife; fortunately, Jackson has no desire to fit Kit into a mold.

A growing relationship with her newly found father turns into a detective agency partnership. Despite their pact to agree on clients, Kit can’t resist taking on a case for a client with a missing child. The deeper she delves into the case, the more danger Kit encounters.

Jackson has his own woes as the newly appointed chief inspector at a busy London station. His predecessor left him with a mountain of paperwork and chaos in every department. To make matters worse, the superintendent gives him a deadline, and the most incompetent new constable Jackson has ever seen on a police force.

As Kit unravels layer after layer in her case, she and Jackson struggle with the conundrum of spending time with each other, their baby daughter, and other family while meeting all their work commitments. When the case takes an ugly turn, Kit faces a decision that will change the course of her life.

What I Loved About This Book

Readers who struggle with Supermom Syndrome (even a little bit) will relate to Kit and her dilemmas. How does a woman cope with all the demands (and decide which are imposed by self, significant others, or society) in her life? Jackson, while more enlightened than the average male of this century or any century in the past, can identify why he fell in love with Kit and what makes her unique (it’s not her cooking skills).

Kit and Jackson show readers how love doesn’t stop growing and adapting once the bride and groom say their vows. Any lasting relationship takes communication, compromise, and trust. For Kit and Jackson, a little nail-biting adventure and dangerous intrigue help them learn the lessons of married life faster than the average couple.

I adored Michelle Griep's 2023 release, Man of Shadow and Mist. I was mesmerized by her beautiful writing style, and I couldn't wait to give another one of her books a try. Even though I hadn't read the first two books in this series, I went into it with high expectations, as certainly it was going to be as great as her last release was! Unfortunately, that ended up not being the case, and while I would still love to read more of her books in the future, I won't be picking up any of the other titles in this series unfortunately.

What I Liked:

The author has a unique way of setting up her mysteries, and I enjoy how thoroughly she's able to immerse the reader in its unfolding. While I had my suspicions, everything still came together in a way that left me quite surprised, and I always enjoy when an author is able to accomplish that.

It's always obvious to the reader that Michelle Griep spends copious amounts of time researching the historical time periods she's writing about, and I enjoyed leaving this title with many new to me tidbits about this time in history. It kind of had a Dickens-esque vibe for much of the story, and I thought that was pretty fitting.

Lastly, I adored Charles and Martha. Their romance was sweet and swoon worthy, and showcased the big hearts they had for each other and the world around them. Their story ended up being my favorite part of the book.

What I Didn't Like:

Unfortunately, this one ended up being nothing like what I was expecting, and mainly that was because of the following two reasons.

First, I'm sorry to say that I couldn't stand the main character, Kit. She was manipulative, selfish, rude, and willing to step on anyone or anything to accomplish what she felt she deserved to. It got monotonous pretty quickly to hear her constantly talk about she has no homemaking capabilities, and that it was basically Martha's responsibility to raise her child and/or provide her family with their meals and treats. This perhaps wouldn't have been the biggest deal, but the way she comes across during these passages is like she feels she's too superior to be bothered with such responsibilities, and almost felt like she was saying she was better than anyone who did concern themselves with such things. I ended up feeling like a lot of what goes wrong with the mystery plot never would have happened in the first place if she had just been willing to listen to anyone else's opinion besides her own. I'm sorry to say that her character never ended up growing on me, and I felt that she showed next to no character growth or remorse by the end of the story.

And lastly, I couldn't believe the amount of unnecessary content that the author felt inclined to include. The sexualized tension between Kit and Jackson seemed to go on and on in certain passages, and the reader begins to get the impression that Kit is manipulating her husband sexually to get what she wants from him. Kit's constantly "cussing like a sailor" in her words, and there's many passages about drugs, alcohol, and even some brazen references to prostitution.

All in all, I can't really recommend this one because of the content issues, and I would highly recommend checking out some of the author's other titles outside this series.

It wouldn't stop me from picking up another of her books, but I will definitely not be reading any more titles from this series.

Final Rating: 3/5.

Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hello! Many thanks, firstly, to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I always appreciate reading anything by Michelle Griep, and the books in the Blackfriars Lane series are no exception. I am super glad that the Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane continues the exceptionally-brilliant story and character development of the first two books. The names of Kit and Jackson Forge are perfect for these heroes and their endeavors. Particularly, the name of Forge says it all. That this third book juxtaposed and parellels a story of Kit's and Jackson's child with the prominent case of a missing child is compelling. Michelle is well able to capture the strength of a working mother in Victorian times, and her writing always gives me such a wonderful immersion and perspective of a time and place that is unattainable in reality but yet so close in our imagination. I highly recommend the Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane. Thank you! :)

Kit and Jackson are a truly delightful couple. Kit, full of passion, and often referred to as a fiery sprite, is facing a new phase in life. She believes in the pursuit of justice in the very core of her being and as a reformed street urchin, she’s quite successful. She can outsmart the best of crooks and add her own personal flare while doing so. Jackson, the straight-laced law man still doesn’t know what to
do with Kit on the best of days. Now, as the Chief Inspector his hands are quite full. Not to mention, there’s little Bella that both Jackson and Kit are quite enamored with. Jackson loves Kit exactly as she is, even though there’s nothing domestic about her. So he agrees to her desire to partner with her father in a detective agency. Kit being Kit, you better believe chaos ensues. However, Kit has grown and matured quite a bit and starts wrestling with who/what she needs to be. Jackson has his own struggles, but through it all, I love his steadfast devotion to his wife and his daughter. He’s a protector and he’s learned how to love Kit in a way that helps her flourish. She, in turn, supports him completely. Together, despite crazy chaos of everyday life, they show how to love each other well. I love the development of friendships and the Truth that is shared and encouraged between family and friends.
There are many twists and turns that kept me on my toes throughout. The last few chapters…wow! That was quite a ride. I adore this couple! Their chemistry, the balance to each other, their partnership, and their commitment to upholding justice.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This is the third installment in the Blackfriars Lane series. I think I enjoyed the first two maybe a little more than this one but it was still good. At first I couldn't figure out who the bad guy really was, which was the author's intent. We started to get hints as the book went along but unfortunately for Kit, the reader can figure it out before she really does. The story is high drama and thrilling in terms of the mystery. There is still some romance but much of it is in the form of their marital relations. There is nothing on the page but from the innuendo, the reader is well aware that they are a rather frisky couple. It kind of fits their personalities though.
There are a number of evil villains and they are quite evil. And there is a body count but even so, the reader doesn't really see much of it. Some of it is the bad guys inflicting it upon others, off page, but some of it comes after the good guys are in pursuit but they don't actually kill anyone. They spend a lot of time in defense instead of offense. And there is a suicide that the reader does witness. It isn't graphic, thankfully. I was appalled by the police brutality. We should all be appalled by that.

I love that Kit and Jackson are so in love with each other and with their child. They, and the grandfather are rather doting. I love that Jackson has no real expectation of Kit becoming a dutiful housewife. I'm not quite sure why they don't hire a cook though. Or at least get Kit cooking lessons since she keeps attempting and miserably failing in the kitchen. I love that Jackson has no desire to change her from her true self and fit into a societal mold.

Mild-ish Christian themes
Potential triggers: kidnapping, suicide, police brutality

Sex: innuendo references to marital relations, references to prostitution
Language: no
Violence: yes, murder, suicide, potentially dangerous situations, kidnapping, emotionally threatening situations, police brutality
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Perhaps God didn’t intend for her to stop pursuing justice, but rather change the way she went about it?

Return to London in 1887 and join Kit and Jackson in their ongoing adventures. The author does a fabulous job of taking us right down the streets and into the lives of those who lived in and around Blackfriars Lane. Martha, who cooks and cares for her family and many others - keeping them all from starving. Charles Baggett, police inspector, who is always ready to ferret out the criminal element. And then there is Catchpole whose part in the story causes the reader to stop and consider where God fits in this life.

Kit and her father have started The Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency. But how far is she willing to go to apprehend those whose sole purpose seems to be illegal? After all, she is now a wife and mother! Perhaps it is time to learn to trust in God’s timing and not her own and seek different ways to change the world they live in.

An early copy was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

4.5 stars
I read the first two books in the series and love them. So I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time. I did feel like it got off to a bit of a slow start, but I really like the characters of Jackson and Kit which propelled me onward. I was not disappointed. This author can weave a tale that keeps you invested to the very end. Murder, mystery, suspense, intrigue, romance, Victorian era make up most of this book. But watching Kit transformed to a mother was endearing, not withstanding her dangerous escapades. There are many interesting and quirky characters in this story, that were entertaining to read. The plot was intense and gripping.
I appreciate the authors attention to detail and decorum but also keeping it true to the timeline and circumstances. It can be read as a standalone story, but I would recommend reading the first two books it gives you a good background on the characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kit Forge starts a detective agency with her father. Her husband Jackson is the new chief inspector in London. Kits first case takes her & her family & friends into the heart of danger because she was driven by her emotions & charging into situations without help or thinking about the consequences. She ends up at a crossroad of which is more important - family or work. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

It was wonderful!!! I love reading books by Michelle Griep! She knows how to write a plot that will pull you in and not let you go until the very end. And her characters are so well developed that you can't help but feel like they are your friends and you could be sitting there having tea with them or out chasing around the streets of London searching for clues and answers!

I've loved the adventures I've taken with Kit and Jackson throughout this trilogy and am sad to see it end. But what an ending!!! I was swept up in trying to discover whodunnit! I had several guesses and kept changing them when more information was revealed. I loved the atmosphere of the story, which added another wonderful level to the book!

I would recommend reading the books in order for the greatest enjoyment and understanding but I feel like the author wrote this is such a way that you could pick it up without having read the others.

Get ready for a merry chase around London in search of criminals, discovering secrets, meeting old friends, making new friends, budding relationships and so much more!!!

Content: Clean. This is a Christian fiction novel. There are some moments of mild peril, and fights, and guns and carriage chases, and kidnapping. But it was all written very tastefully and clean. No swearing and nothing further than kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

The adventures of Kit and Jackson Forge take a dangerous turn as Kit and her father, Henry Graystone, open a new inquiry agency.
It was a joy to read such an entertaining story full of memorable and colorful characters especially when Ms. Griep used amusing words and phrases from the era. It fits right in with the type of story Dickens wrote.
Kit is now a mother of one year old Bella and is not quite settled into domestic pursuits as evidenced by her horrible cooking skills. But the romantic sparks still fly between Kit and her husband. Kit is torn between staying home with Bella and bringing justice to evildoers. It is a good thing her husband is Chief Inspector of police at the local precinct.
There is comic relief on several fronts in the form of a pet Armadillo, a lazy member of the police squad and the unusual Mr. Catchpole whose life changes when he meets Inspector Forge.
I love the way the author infused the story with Christian elements. Kit and Jackson may stugle a bit in their faith but they grow and recognize that God is in control.
I do hope there are more adventures in store for this intriguing duo.
* I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed the other books in this trilogy. It was good to see Kit as a mother and watch her try to figure out what to do with her life. Should she continue pursuing justice for everyone she possibly can? Or, should she stay at home and just care for her child? How could she juggle all her responsibilities and still make the best use of the talents she has been given? There was just the right mixture of danger and intrigue, and daily life, for me. What I did not appreciate about this book, though, was the allusions to the physical side of marriage. That was just a little too much for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

The Sleuth of Blackfriar's Lane is the third book in the series. Each book in the series continues Kit and Jackson's story, as such, I think it's best to enjoy them from the start so as to have the best understanding of their history and relationship. That said, I had not read both of the previous books and found I was able to enjoy this one just the same. In this story, we catch back up with them as Kit is adjusting to balancing life as a new mother and her career as a detective--- a career that can be rather dangerous at times, as their current case goes to show.

This story was filled with twists and turns that kept me captivated in the story and wanting to see what would happen next. The characters were flawed, but I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story. This truly was such a great blend of mystery, romance, history and a beautiful message of faith too. It was quite interesting to see some of the historical facts the author included at the end... which just helped me appreciate the research that went into bringing this great story to life all that much more.

If you're looking for a good historical mystery, this is one you'll want to check out for yourself.


**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I almost didn’t finish this book, but I powered through to give an honest review. My thanks to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the free eARC.

Story: 3/5
Worldview: 3/5

First things first, the mystery plot was fine. This is a trilogy, and though I never read the first two books, I was never confused. There was a big reveal at the 50% mark that just dropped my interest entirely and that’s where I skipped to the end. There was a lot of repetitive scenes, with Kit dropping her baby off with her friend, Jackson going to the station and being distracted, and then the third friend being head over heels for another character. So by the 50% mark, I was expecting the twist and it didn’t surprise me.

Worldview is where I was most let down. I liked that Kit and Jackson both believe in God. From the beginning, I knew Kit was going to have to confront a big flaw in her character, but there was a lot more going on that wasn’t discussed. Kit has a problem of cussing like a sailor (her words). She also tries to seduce her own husband to manipulate him, and as time went on, she just got more selfish. It’s hard to take “God, help me!” seriously when you’ve ignored all the warnings from those who love you and plowed right into the barrel of a gun. The ending pulled together a theme of how God holds our lives in His hands, but by the time Kit almost died four or five times, it rang hollow.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author. I am interested in trying another novel of hers, but not from this series.

Note: mention of blood, assassins, dismembering a rat, hurting a baby, and a few (3+) moments of Kit and her husband talking about what they’re going to do when they get home later.

In the third book of this series (oops again) wife, mother, and former street criminal Kit Forge partners with her father at an enquiry agency. Her father finds their first potential case suspicious, but Kit takes it behind his back. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of a massive case that endangers her and her family and friends several times over.
Unique characters (including a pet armadillo). Love the friendships between characters. Very interesting plot with several twists, including one massive one that I didn't see coming. Love the explanations of terms and slang at the end. I had two issues with the book, and they are significant. First, there were a lot of innuendos and thinly veiled sexual references. Even though most were between husband and wife, it feels extremely awkward and TMI. Plus, things like this can often cause stumbles into sin. I'm surprised to be seeing this more and more. The second is a couple references to animal deaths, which were sad.

Have you not yet learned to trust in God’s timing instead of your own?”

What an exciting adventure this series has been! 
I love being transported back in time to Victorian London for a time, while still enjoying the comforts of indoor plumbing! Michelle Griep always makes me feel like a bystander in her immersive storylines. I would fall off my chair if, one day, she wrote me in ... but please, Michelle Griep, don't make me eat eel pie!

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane could technically be read as a stand-alone, but I think it would increase your enjoyment of the story if you read the previous ones first.  Or at the very least, the first book, where you will glean the bulk of the important backstory facts. However, every book has been a fast paced adventure, so why not enjoy them all!

Each novel is unique and throughout the series the main characters have done a lot of growing. From street theif and very green police officer to a young couple in love and now parents of a baby girl. As a mother, Kit struggles with a dilemma many women battle through today -- how to balance work and family. 

The action is practically non-stop in this explosive race against time.  I was glued to the pages for the latter seventy-five percent of the book, eager to find out what would happen next. The plot has more than one mysterious case that is being investigated and it was intriguing how Michelle wove them together into one "mega-case".  I enjoyed the bloom of a new, sweet romance between two of the secondary characters and the quirky masked man who kept popping into the story making me suspicious of his role and character.

There was a part of the story, that I found distressing and wished it hadn't been as descriptive or diabolical as it was, but evil is actually E.V.I.L. and it bothered me. A lot.  Probably more-so because it involved a child and it tore at my own mother-heart.  I would still recommend the story, just steel your own mother-heart before you begin.

Read if you like:
Complex mystery
Victorian London
Mulitple POV
Loveable Characters
Faith thread

If you enjoy Miss Scarlet and the Duke, or enjoyed Pepper Basham's Grace and Freddie mystery series (this one is more gothic) there is a good chance you will also enjoy The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane.

Thank you, Michelle Griep, Barbour Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

So good! I have enjoyed this entire series and The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane did not disappoint. Kit and Jackson are happily married but that has not slowed them down one bit! All the adventure you would expect is there and there is a big twist in the story that I didn't see coming and it was done so well. It is a series I would definitely suggest to others. And also one I was strong recommend be read in order.

Although a touch slow at the beginning, simply because a basic foundation needs to be laid, once the story gets going, there's none stop action. On top of that, Kit needs to learn how to balance her desire to work and bring justice to her part of the world with being a mother to an infant she dearly loves. Well well researched and written, it was hard to put down as it was engaging and easy to imagine the scenes based on the descriptions. Well worth the read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.