First of all, can I just say how fabulous this book cover is? I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but this cover really drew me in as I scrolled through netgalley and I'm so glad that I requested to have an opportunity to read an arc of this book. Thank you netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book! All thoughts are my own. I really enjoyed the two main characters and their unique backgrounds in this story. The plot was well done, the mystery was complex enough to prevent easy predictablility but not so complex that it was too difficult to follow along with. There was a lot that both the main characters could learn from one another. I enjoyed the strong, independent female main character who captured the interest of the male lead, not by her beauty (although he certainly noticed her beauty) but because of her skill, her adeptness and her aptitude to survive and help those around her in poor living conditions. This has a great social justice theme mixed with mystery. I liked the faith elements to the story and appreciated that that theme was present in the story without overpowering/dominating the storyline. The lesson that Kit learned in the story as far as trust is very relatable and relevant during this pandemic, that's for sure! I also enjoyed that there was alot of action (on the run, facing bad guys, that sort of thing) and a realistic, gradual romantic development. The only thing I wasn't super enamored with about this book was that to felt like it took a while to get where it was going. The story started to feel like it was lagging 1/2'- 2/3 of the way though the book but once it picked up into the final dilemma/plan to solve the mystery and catch the "bad guy" so to speak, I was hooked and riveted until the conclusion. This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm now interested in checking out more of her writing in the future.

Michelle Griep is truly one of my favourite authors. Reading this book confirmed that. I would buy any book I see with her name on it, no need to even read the back cover. I couldn’t say that about many authors. This was a captivating Victorian era romance set in London, full of romance, mystery and intrigue. Yes, please! The characters were well thought out and highly entertaining. Griep’s stories are always well paced, not allowing the reader to grow bored, and have a solid ending. I honestly have no negatives to mention here. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend to any historical fiction fan.

This book was so good! It's a clean romance with mystery and action and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. The author brings the book to life with her words and makes you feel like you are there. This book was a great read! Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really liked this book! Jackson Forge is trying to make it through his first few weeks as a constable when he has a run in with a thief, Kit Turner. He eventually realizes that there is more to her that meets the eye. When his job is on the line, he relies on her to lead him through the seamier streets of London to solve not just one case, but a conspiracy that has mystified the entire department. I've read a lot of books set in Victorian London lately, but I really appreciated that this one was very unique! Neither Kit nor Jackson are wealthy aristocrats; neither of them seem "too" perfect, which makes them feel real. This also isn't solely a marriage plot book. Griep uses the dialogue to plunge us into the London streets (the very opposite of posh Downton Abbey), which took me some time to follow along but overall goes a long way towards building the world of the book. It's very entertaining to follow Kit and Jackson through all parts of London and see what they do to try and blend in. It did take me a few chapters to get into, but I'm glad I kept with it! Once I was hooked I couldn't put it down. It was a well-written mystery that kept me guessing. I really appreciated the twist at the end too-I did not see it coming. A great read!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. I was not required to provide a positive review.

I really want to love this book so much, but I found it hard to connect to the characters. Perhaps because I found the prose stilted for my taste. Still, I love the atmospheric setting and how the author depicted life in the streets. But the connection between author and reader, I didn't feel it here.

It's another case of "It's not you; it's me."

Another captivating treasure from storyteller extraordinaire Michelle Griep!
The Thief of Blackfriars Lane has it all: a fast-paced plot with surprising twists and turns that keep you turning the pages; well-crafted, endearing characters who come alive and capture your heart; and vividly described settings that transport you to the scene of the action. Historical people and places are believably infused into the fictional story. The use of the street vernacular of Victorian London adds credibility and flavor to the narrative. The witty banter between the “unlikely and unstoppable” hero and heroine pair is delightful. Faith flows naturally throughout the story focusing on trusting God and His perfect timing for your life regardless of the circumstances. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Jackson Forge is a police officer a fresh and new addition to London's constabulary force he wants to make a good impression on his superior, make his father proud and be the best officer that he can be (his beat is a little boring). Kit Turner is a thief, a foundling she was taken in by a kind couple her foster father goes missing and Kit is using every resource at her disposal to find him. Investigating another string of disappearances Jackson gets caught up in a web that might end his career before it is truly begun. Kit is a woman used to fending for herself but Jackson is a useful guy to have around. They grow to rely on each other in many ways but when their intersecting investigations puts them on a dangerous path can they stay the course?
This book was an amazing read. It felt very much of the time, smells, daily life, the going to and fro in the day felt very much of the time it was set in. Kit and Jackson were interesting characters that had their own tragedies and felt very authentic go their lives and stations. I will heartily recommend this book to anyone who love a good historical or mystery or historical mystery.

This is a fun historical adventure romping through Victorian England. This tale takes a street smart young lady and a new constable teaming up to find a missing man and to uncover deception and the culprit behind it. There is a sweet and light romance too.
I enjoyed this book and thank Barbour publishing for giving me a copy of it. This is my honest opinion.
4 .5 stars.

When I read the premise, I was so so hooked. I really loved the writing although I had some problems following the story (that's probably just me). In my Zoom classes, all I could think about was reading this book. I was really hooked from the beginning. The characters are lovely and I love how Kit is super b@d@ss.
The story in general was really good, I was invested in the story from start to finish. However, I personally feel like there could have been more romantic moments. Also, I'm not a religious person, so when I read the scenes where they talk about God, I just couldn't relate. That's on me. I knew this book was Christian when and I picked it up. It really didn't make me hate the book.
Therefore, if there's a second book, I would totally read it. It ended in a way that I want to know more about what happens in the future for the characters.

Overall, great book!!

Christian-fiction, historical-novel, law-enforcement, London, verbal-humor, situational-humor*****

Kit heads a gang of petty thieves in a dark area of London, the twist is that the money is used for the needs of the poor, the sick, and the unwanted. Forge is a young man who desperately wants to be a policeman, but he already flubbed it twice. They work together to find a special cabbie and encounter unknown dangers. I thought it was a very pleasant read for a cold afternoon.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Barbour Publishing, Inc./Barbour Fiction via NetGalley. Thank you.

I am sad. I tried downloading this book after being approved to read it but I was unable to see the book in my shelf.

I hope it is a technical glitch because my phone has been faulty these last few days.

I really would love to read this book.

In the meantime, a proper review might come out in the nearest future.

Happy reading and what a beautiful cover!

Newly hired Jackson Ford is determined to prove himself a worthy constable and protect the people of London. Meanwhile, Kit Turner is the local Robinhood, taking from the rich and giving to the needy. When Jackson is swindled by Miss Turner, he's determined to find bring her to justice. But, when a local cab driver goes missing, he's forced to team up with Kit to find the missing man. Along the way, they stumble upon bigger trouble that could cost them both their lives.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not one to ever read historical or Christian fiction but this book has me wondering why I never looked more into the genres before. The characters were interesting. I liked the chemistry between Jackson and Kit. The plot twists were alright, though most of them are kind of obvious. I do agree with another reviewer that the Christian aspect suddenly appeared in the novel. I wasn't even aware it was a Christian novel because it's mentioned so abruptly, like it was forgotten and suddenly thrown into the rest of the book. Though his faith is so important to Jackson, it isn't apparent at all in the beginning - just his strong sense of justice seems to be a driving factor in his decisions. Kit's lack of faith in God is mentioned once in a while. That was the only part that didn't seem consistent to me. The rest of the book was well tied in together.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Michelle Griep, Barbour Publishing, Inc. and Netgalley for the ARC of THE THIEF OF BLACKFRIARS LANE.
This is a fun romp through Victorian London, with a sassy girl, Kit who looks after those who can't look after themselves, and Jackson, who is a new police constable who wants to put the world to rights.. Their relationship gets off to a bad start when she talks him into parting with a sovereign to help her and her young accomplice without actually robbing him. Jackson gives chase but she's too clever for him, and when their paths cross again they find they have a common goal, They join forces and between them they discover who the guilty party is. I really enjoyed it and I hope there's more to come for Kit and Jackson.

Newly minted Constable Jackson Forge can’t wait to bring justice to the filthy, merciless streets of London City. If he can make it to work on time. And if he can keep his job. He almost loses it for arriving late on his first day of work when he chases down a pickpocket and ends up flat on his face splattered with filth.

Jackson knows he has the fortitude and drive to bring criminals to justice and right wrongs—like the one his family suffered years ago at the hand of ruffians. But his sergeant doesn’t share Jackson’s opinion. Of course, missing merchants, barristers, and MPs keep the constabulary busy and provides Jackson with a chance to redeem himself.

Kit Turner learns early in life to fend for herself and never display weakness on London’s mean streets. Left at birth at a foundling house, Kit has only one tie to her mysterious past—a button she wears around her neck with an engraving on the back. But she loses it when an over-eager constable chases her through the streets.

She runs a crew of reformed pickpockets and thieves who paint stories for an often-unsympathetic public in order to earn money to keep her band of misfits, widows, and orphans alive. Kit has never stolen and has vowed to never stoop so low.

But she does know the streets of London—as well as myriad passages and tunnels beneath the bustling city’s surface. Kit has connections and fiercely protects those she calls her own. When the only father figure she has ever known joins the list of missing persons, Kit strikes a bargain with a fresh-faced constable who has her token.

If only keeping a job and redeeming a token were their only worries. Kit and Jackson start peeling back a plot involving corruption at the highest levels. And it might just cost them their lives.

Why I Love This Book

Michelle Griep has meticulously researched London—both above and below ground during Victorian London. Her details allow the reader to feel and smell the pathos of a city that glitters for the rich and grinds for the poor. Griep’s unique characters never come from the wealthiest sectors of society but from the ordinary working classes. This fresh approach brings life to her period tales.

The witty dialogue and suspense keep the reader hooked from the first line to the last.

Get ready for a journey into Victorian London on the streets of Blackfriars Lane. Newly hired constable Jackson Forge discovers a group of swindlers led by Miss Kit Turner--or so he thinks. He gets way more than he bargained for in Kit, though. Way more! When they team up to find a missing cabbie, Jackson learns a lot about the underworkings of this area of London. Things he never even knew existed, but well known to Kit.

I never miss a Michelle Griep novel. Ever. She is a master storyteller and makes every every genre she writes come alive for her readers. I loved these two main characters. Griep molds them into 'get off the page and come alive' characters for me every time. Jackson Forge was a hoot as he was guided into the underbelly of Blackfriars Lane by the world-wise Kit Turner, who is so street savvy, she stunned me. I finished in one day! Now I'm sitting here wishing for another Michelle Griep novel. I received this book from Barbour Publishing through Net Galley and was not required to leave a review. All opinions in this review are expressly my own.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep is an excellent historical fiction that has a little bit of everything: murder, mystery, romance, intrigue, and excellent characters. This is a Victorian London setting that puts together two initial opposites: Kit Turner- a on-the-sly petty thief and Jackson Forge- down on his luck police officer that is at a pivotal point in his life and career. They are both thrown together, their fates entwined, and are forced to join together to solve a crime.

There is grit and darkness that is balanced out nicely with wit, humor, banter, great chemistry, light moments of redemption, and romance.

I loved the interplay of the two main characters, I loved the setting, the plot, and the ending. A great read!

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Fiction/Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

This fast paced Dickensesque suspense novel set in the slums of London caught my attention straightaway and never lost me. Griep writes gripping novels that make me want to live in 1880s London, even when the characters are trudging through sewers Les Miserables style.
A cop with a job at stakes and a female thief ban together to figure out what happened to a missing person. From the Lord Mayor's ball to the sewer sludge this novel never stops moving. If you like Oliver or the recent novel, Olivia Twist, or any of Griep's other books you will love this one too!

I received this novel from netgalley for my honest review.

GLORIOUS & INTRIGUING ROMP THROUGH 1885 LONDON!
Loads of surprises as Kit Turner & Constable Forge try to solve the mystery of Joseph Cad, a missing jarvey.
He's new to the force and eager to prove himself at 23. She's spent her whole life trying to prove herself and survive the streets and maybe make a better life for those around her. But, as they search out clues there is danger at every turn. These 2 strangers are forced to work together particularly as they get deeper into the puzzle.
"here he was again, chasing the little pixie through the streets of Blackfriars, this time in the shadows of a day on the cusp of breaking."

Surprisingly there is only 1 refc to tea but it paints a fun picture: "Left untreated, Martha might take tea with her Maker this very afternoon."

FAITH QUOTE: “Then you also know that perfect love casts out fear. Bidden or unbidden, God is with you always. And though I daresay it is a small consolation, I shall be with you the whole way as well."

A well-written and tantalizing bit of diversion from regular life. 4 stars (=very good).

I was gifted an eBook from NetGalley & the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation.

If not already done, reviews will be posted closer to the release date to my blog, AMZN, B&N, BAM, CBD, Goodreads, Google Play Books, KOBO, & Pinterest.

Really enjoyed this historical mystery! It had a little bit of everything and a setting that kept my interest! The dynamic between the characters was great and there was plenty of action to keep the plot moving! Wondering if this one is going to be a series? I think the feel of the Victorian era was well displayed in this book and it make me enjoy the story even more. The romance was sprinkled in throughout the story and it was perfectly balanced to make it enjoyable and also believable for the characters and setting. This was a great read and I’m hopeful we might see more of this character pairing in future books!

What a fun book! I really enjoyed reading Kit and Jackson's adventure! Jackson is a new constable, trying his best to be a good officer, but there are misunderstandings that he gets into that keep him in trouble with his boss. Kit is a street girl that doesn't actually do anything illegal, but she is a girl that finds herself always being accused of being a thief. She even gets arrested! Excellent clean story that I enjoyed!