Even when a title doesn't call to me, a good story will sweep you away. It wasn't so sure about this one, but I have read the author before. Boy, I'm glad I didn't skip this book. Victorian London is quite alive in the pages of this novel. It was fantastic! Kit was a worthy heroine and the 1850s were just so well done in this book! From the police to the mystery and crime, to God's great grace with unlikely people and places, this book could be a movie. It also reminds me a tad of Oliver Twist or another classic, which made it even more fun!

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my copy of this book. This review is my own, left freely.

Oh, how easy it is to be deceived! So many things are not as they appear. The Thief of Blackfriars Lane has so many examples of this. The bumbling, newly hired constable. The thief who so cunningly acquired the constable's money, the ... Sorry - can't give too much away here, now can I?

Jackson was so fun! Idealistic. Confident. Naive. I just knew he was in for trouble from the very start as he confidently made his way to the briefing his first day on the force. And I was far more right than I had imagined. He was so gallant, too. But I think I mostly loved his zeal for protecting. Or perhaps his confident faith in the Lord. Mistake after mistake, embarrassing himself and the constabulary, he managed to worm his way into my heart in a big way.

Kit was a different story. Sly. Conniving. In charge of a ring of swindlers. Oh, but then there is the way everything she did was to help those in need. And how many there were! I loved getting to know her better and seeing her true character emerge. To see her go from fighting against the hope that God truly cared about people - because if He did, why didn't He care about her - to seeing that she needed to surrender to Him.

Mystery and mayhem abounded in this delightful romp through the Victorian streets (and sewers!) of London as Jackson and Kit wended their way through the seedy underground seeking answers regarding the missing cabby. All the while, finding they were deeper in intrigue than they realized.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun story! If you enjoy fiction set in the Victorian era with Dickensian characters, be sure to pick up a copy of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

This was a wonderful story from the very beginning. The story and characters had depth and the story moved at a fast pace so there was no lagtime in the story. This story offered drama, suspense, murder, romance and so much more. While there was a criminal element to the story, it wasn't unseemly or unpleasant to read and added to the development of the story.

Jackson had been involved in a terribly tragic event as a young man and someone he loved was seriously harmed. He was determined, now that he was an adult, to rid the world of the criminal element. So, off to London he went to become a constable. Unfortunately, his first few days on the job didn't go as planned. He was in danger of losing his job before really starting it.

On the way to work the first morning, he came across a woman who intrigued him. He discovered the second morning that she was part of a pickpocket scheme and he was determined to make her pay. He learned very quickly that it was her who could provide him with a way to solve a crime and keep his job. The trick would be if they could work together without killing each other.

I was given an arc copy of this book by NetGalley and I willingly offer my honest review.

In The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, Michelle Griep takes readers to parts of Victorian-era London rarely read in books. From tunnels to police stations and everywhere in between, Griep immerse readers in her setting and brings them along for the ride.

And what a fun ride it is!! Kit is smart and determined but underneath the tough exterior lies a heart of gold. Jackson is also determined and focused but plays by the rules, which Kit snubs her nose at. When these two get together, there is plenty of clashing of wills, but with the witty banter in almost every situation, I couldn’t help but enjoy each and every scene.

Add in the mystery that kept me guessing and the romance that builds at just the right pace, and this is my favorite of Griep’s books yet.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Everything and more! The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep, my first five-star read of the year!

“For want of a properly working pocket watch, Jackson Forge failed to save the world today—or at least the City of London. Now he’d be lucky to save himself.”

With this beginning as an indicator, I had a feeling that I was in for a great read. And it was everything! Every raving review I had read, every five-star rating, everything I was hoping for and more. Rarely do I form a final opinion about a story until I finish, but this was an exception. I rated it a five-star read from the first page and by the time I was halfway finished, I was ordering a paperback copy, knowing that it would be an instant favorite. From interesting characters and thrilling plots, to surprising twists and unexpected conclusions, this story was a non-stop adventure from beginning to end. The author’s writing style has a unique tone that perfectly balances detail and dialogue to fully immerse readers into the characters’ lives. I love Jackson and Kit and would enjoy reading more of their adventures!

Another reviewer wrote this story is reminiscent of Zootopia without the animals and it is true. I thought the resemblance was neat since Zootopia is another favorite of mine.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is the first book I have read by Michelle Griep and I am excited to read more of her past and future releases!

Suspense, drama, intrigue, precarious situations
with shocking twists and turns put the characters
to the test. This is a truly enjoyable read full of
antics and interesting, well created characters.
The story takes the reader on a scary trip through
London’s underground in 1885. Intrigue, suspense,
dynamic circumstances add drama and twists to
keep the reader’s full attention.
The book has three dimensional and multifaceted
characters in a complex, fast paced plot.
A young man, Jackson has come to London to
become a Constable on the police force. On his
first day, he finds himself late after being run into
on his way to work. This was part of a con. Little
does he realize what results will occur from this
meeting of fate.
Kim, the Thief of Blackfriars Lane is an orphan
who has grown up in the streets. She runs a ring
of con-people who con the rich to give to the poor.
Then the man who is like a father to Kim disappears.
Where has he gone? Who has taken him? His wife
turns to Kim.
When the case comes to the police, Jackson says
he will find him in order to keep his job. To find the
cabbie Jackson and Kim will need to pool resources.
A thrilling drama that will take you through the
dreads of society then mix you with society’s elite.
I throughly enjoyed reading this tale of historical
fiction.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
I volunteered to read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing via NetGallery for
the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane gives readers a trip to Victorian London with a twisted mystery to solve. Jackson Forge’s training to be a constable is hanging by a thread. He gets one last chance prove himself by solving the crime of the missing cab driver. He teams up with Kit Turner, whose streetwise attitude is the opposite of Jackson’s law-and-order stance.

The characters in this story are charming and witty, and the pairing of the cop and the con artist works well as they con the bad guys so Jackson can close the case. The story wasn’t action-packed, but read more like a cozy mystery. The author added lots of details that makes readers feel like they’re running around the streets of London helping Forge and Turner track down clues, meeting lots of shady characters along the way. It’s a fun and quirky mystery story.

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Thief of Blackfriar’s Lane by Michelle Griep is an adventurous romp through the streets of 1885 London. From the smelly, grimy sewers to the opulent mansion of the Lord Mayor, following Kit and Jackson on their quest to find a missing cab driver is sure to entertain--with laughs, intrigue, danger, and romance.
I absolutely loved this story, and I felt like it kept getting better the more I read. I loved how Kit, with her intimate knowledge of the city, worked alongside fresh-from-country constable, Jackson. They may make an unlikely pair, but their search for the truth forces them together. And the results are plenty of witty barbs, electrifying scapes with death, and a blooming admiration for each other.
I loved Kit, her independent spirit, and her compassion for others. I laughed more than once at her enthusiasm at jumping headfirst into danger to find her friend. She is truly fearless, and it was entertaining to see the more logical Jackson get flustered at following her into one dire situation after another.
Jackson’s story of struggling to succeed was touching. So many can relate to not measuring up to the standards we set for ourselves. It warmed my heart to see how he dealt with his disappointments and the idea that even our failures are God’s way of shaping our paths in life.
Overall, I enjoyed this action-filled, twisty-mystery of a story. There was never a dull moment with Kit and her schemes. I would recommend this novel to any fan of historical Christian fiction. It is a real treat!
I was given a copy of this book by the author with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A rollicking adventure that takes you from the grimy streets London to the lush ballrooms of the upper crust, as a constable fighting to save his job and a clever thief work together to uncover what really is happening on Blackfriars Lane.

Newly minted Constable Jackson Forge is thrilled to finally be able to take his place as a man on the side of the law, fighting to bring justice to the streets of London. He has dreamed of this day for years, but everything seems to be unraveling faster than he can make sense of it as his dream starts to disintegrate before his eyes. I admired his passion for justice, his dedication to his job, and finding the truth. He is clever and good at thinking on his feet, and I admired his strong faith.

Kit Turner is a street savvy thief, she knows how to prey upon people's emotions and their better angels. She is cunning, always thinking one step ahead, but she knows when to bluff it and when she is outfoxed, and I liked that she also has a softer side.

This is such a fun and entertaining read, with fantastic protagonists who have excellent rapport and dialogue with each other. I loved the author's evocative style that brings a sense of place and action packed storytelling that crescendos into a thrilling climax. A twisting plot, filled with intrigue, makes for a worthy romantic adventure full of faith.

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

This is the first book I have read which has been written by this author. From her list of titles, I sensed she mostly wrote romance novels, which did not interest me. However, this title was classified as historical fiction and seemed to have a bit of a mystery storyline so I decided to check it out. I am glad I did. The author does a really nice job of blending mystery, romance and history into this work. The storyline moved quickly and was entertaining and interesting. I don't know if she plans to continue this as a series or if this is a standalone work. It comes to completion, but allows for an easy transition to a serial work. I look forward to seeing where she takes this from here forward.

A sweet story laced with adventure, romance and mystery. Jackson Forge finds himself in the bustling streets of London as a inexperienced constable. He’s living his dream job and can’t get anything right. Mysteriously people are disappearing and he is going to find out why. Kit Turner’s show up in the story and her presences is a force to be reckoned with. She’s fearless, smart and dangerously protective.
There was a little bit of what I call, “we can’t be together” thing going on, but I pushed past it. I dislike reading about people who spend most of a book doing that.
I recommended this to fans of historical fiction that like Laura Frantz and Jody Hedlund.
Thank you Barbour Publishing via Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own. And I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really liked the setting of this book-Victorian London. The characters were believable with lots of action thrown in. It was a good story!

4.5 stars- I always enjoy Michelle’s books. Her books have any elements: intrigue, adventure, humor, romance, history. She does a great job of transporting her readers back to Victorian England or earlier and helping them really sense the smells, sounds and tastes of that time.
This latest book was a fun romp through lesser known, less savory parts of London. From the moment I opened this book I felt like I was reading “Zootopia” set in 1880’s London. That actually made the story more fun, comparing characters and scenes. Jackson and Kit were both such great characters. They made such a great team and their chemistry and connection was so fun to read. I could definitely see them solving more cases together. My fingers are crossed that the author turns this into a series.
Another great read by Michelle Griep. I look forward to the next tale she pens, knowing I won’t be disappointed. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jackson is a young man who’s come to the city to make his mark on the police force as a constable and save people from crime. It isn’t as easy as he expected, and he fears being sent home a failure.

We meet Kit Turner right away, though it’s not flattering. Kit heads a gang of con artists in a seedy section of the city. However, she prides herself on never having technically stolen anything.

When the two of them are thrown together to solve a series of disappearances, her street smarts and his wisdom just might save London afterall.

Overall, I enjoyed this somewhat-Robin-Hood story and the action. At first, I wasn’t too sure about Jackson. He comes across as a complete bumbler. So much so, I couldn’t imagine looking on him as hero material. It seemed everything he did went sideways. But he turned out to be more competent than I gave him credit for at the beginning.

On the other hand, Kit was totally in control—smart, independent, and quick-witted – a little too much of each for her own good.

Bottom line: I’m giving The Thief of Blackfriar’s Lane 4.5 stars for characterization, setting details, and the semi-twist at the end. (I’d figured that out long before the reveal.)

On his first day, Rookie London Constable Jackson Forge is in trouble with his sergeant for being late. Jackson had been delayed repaying Kit Turner who returned his leather pouch. Jackson was delayed the next day when he tried to chase Kit down when he realized that Kit was a scam artist. Kit walks a fine line with the law, but is not a thief. After arresting the wrong man, Jackson is in danger of losing his job. His only chance is to find a missing jarvey Tom Card. Kit is also trying to find Tom. When Jackson and Kit join forces to find Tom, Kit shows Jackson a different London and Kit starts him on a big adventure. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This book set in a poor and dangerous part of Victorian London is a sometimes amusing and often suspenseful story. I like how Jackson and Kit brought different strengths to their partnership. I also like how they evolved through the book and learned to trust and care about each other. I also enjoy reading the author's historical notes at the end of the book. I really like this book and have never been disappointed by anything this author writes.

I loved reading the adventures of Jackson and Kit. Kit reminded me of a modern-day Robin Hood - although she conned, vice stole, from the rich to give to the poor. Jackson is a rookie constable who is trying to prove himself. When Jackson finds out there are things going on in London that should not be, he ends up on the wrong side of the his boss. The boss gives Jackson 24 hours to find a missing cabby, and Kit is just the one that can help. She knows that side of the town and ways around that many do not. The adventures they go on as Jackson tries to find this man. Well-written story and I love the historical information that Ms. Griep includes at the end. Love reading this story of faith, love, and new beginnings. Thank you to Ms. Griep, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. Cannot wait to read what the next adventure holds for us.

What an incredibly fun read! This is my first book by this author but I look forward to more. Dare I hope this will be a series?! The story drew me in immediately and the characters are fantastic. Kit and Jackson were constantly surprising each other which made for a few laughs along the way. I didn’t want the book to end but I read the last half in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down! I particularly enjoyed Kit's feistiness.

Michelle Griep has a talent for writing realistic, exciting fiction that completely draws the reader in. Her books are always impossible to put down and The Thief of Blackfriars Lane was no exception.

Constable Jackson Forge is bent on righting the injustices of the world after years of living with the guilt of knowing his brother will never be the same because of his actions. London seems like the perfect place to start--but is it really all it's cracked up to be? Wannabe Robin Hood, Kit Turner runs the streets, swindling from the rich to help the poverty-stricken people of Blackfriars Lane.

After making one too many mistakes, Jackson's job is on the line. When Kit's friend and local jarvey, Joe, goes missing, Jackson seizes the last-ditch opportunity to save the day--and his job. Will he and Kit be able to work together to find the missing man while staying within the bounds of the law?

If you enjoy historical fiction with a healthy dose of romance and heart-racing suspense, you won't want to miss The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

I _so_ wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get past the character of Constable Jackson Forge. I think he was meant to be a delightfully confident newcomer, but he came across as an arrogant, cocky, stupid jerk who refused to learn from his mistakes. I wanted to kick him in the ass repeatedly-DNF.

This was such a fun, well written, descriptive and thoroughly engaging and enjoyable historical tale.