Oh my blooming crikey! Another series I need to add to the TBR and this one is blazing! The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep is a very well researched, very well described, action-packed historical mystery.

Now, I must admit that I was a bit adrift at the beginning, but became utterly immersed into the narrative as it is abundantly clear that Griep is passionate about the era and knows what she is talking about, let alone creating characters that are reflective of the sensibilities of the time (which is exemplified by the dialogue used throughout and it is lively that is for sure)

Strong and immersive storyline, beautiful narrative creating a deep ambience and fantastic character development.

Thank you to Netgalley, Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction and the amazing author Michelle Griep for this outstanding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Book 3 in a series but easily read as a standalone, THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE, by Michelle Griep, is an historical mystery that’s highly action oriented and borderline thriller; a thrillystery!

Even without reading the first two books, I was able to enjoy this fast paced story. It took some investigation on my part to fill in key relationship info between Kit and Jackson, the main characters. It’s for that reason that I gave 4 instead of 5 stars. If you have read either of the first two volumes, you’ll be more tuned in to references that are made. Griep does get the past retold but imo, it’s too late on her storyline. Solid characterizations are non negotiable for me.

That point aside, Griep keeps the cast to a manageable size. The players are unique and have individual voices rather than a nest full of parrots. Second to the action and driving the story is dialogue; IT IS FEISTY! Some of it is right on the verge of being a genre buster - right out of inspirational into cozy mystery. Depending on your personal POV, you’ll find that as realistic, (due to Kit being a redeemed Artful Dodger type), or find it potentially offensive and too close to commandment breaking. Just to be clear, there are no actual expletives uttered.

Historical research is very good and the inclusion of Historical Notes, (more like a reference guide), for key items and concepts of the times, is a very useful addition. Griep also provides some of her reference material that will be helpful to readers that are interested in diving deeper into the topics or location.

This is an author who is clearly in love with Victorian English everything. Her attention to detail will take you there: architecture, transportation, clothing, language, food, hairstyles, social mores and so much more. Gripe’s style is immersive and intense; full of action, adventure, family and faith without being preachy. Multiple twists to keep readers engaged and a bit of a taunt that has me wondering if there’s more volumes on the way. I’m a reader if they are 📚

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane, the third book in the Blackfriars Lane series, returns us to the streets of Victorian London for a final exciting adventure with Kit and Jackson packed with mystery and danger. The cleverly plotted storyline twists and turns keeping you guessing at the outcome. A diverse cast of secondary characters plus a unique pet add interest and depth to the story. Besides Kit and Jackson’s dramatic adventures, which I thoroughly enjoyed, my favorite part of this book was the development of Charles and Martha’s romantic relationship! I also appreciate the gentle faith thread in the story. I think fans of historical romance will enjoy this book and the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was really excited to read the third book in this series as I loved the first two. The story line was interesting overall and there were a few unexpected twists that keep me on my toes. It was nice to see Kit and Jackson work through challenges as parents and then also to see kit working with her father. Michelle knows how to capture your attention and keep it till the very last page. However, I do wish that it was a bit cleaner as it is a christian book. There was a lot of cussing from the characters and some scene that were too much. Still looking forward to reading her books in the future as she is a great author!

AHHH! What an adrenaline rush! Perfect ending to one of my favorite historical series!

Kit and Jackson are back and married and busier than ever. Jackson is a new police chief, Kit is running a detective agency with her father...and they are now parents! But when a case puts their family in danger like never before, they must decide how to balance it all while keeping their family safe.

What you'll love:
Victorian era
Streets of London
Multiple POV
Kit & Jackson as parents
Non-stop suspense
Mystery to be solved
Crazy plot twists
Brooks
Swoony romance
Wit and humor
Great side characters!
Perfect ending
Light Christian fiction

Reading a Michelle Griep book is a full sensory experience - the sights, the sounds, the smells. I feel like I am there in the back alleys of Victorian London!

I fell in love with Kit and Jackson in their first book and each book of the series has drawn me in more. What I love about their characters is that they are so raw and real. They were flawed but they learn and love and work and grow together.

Such a well crafted story full of intrigue, mystery, danger, family, and some very sweet romance! Five stars for this conclusion to a wonderful series!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

This book had me snickering and smiling at Kit's dilemmas. Now, what I LOVED about this book was that it addressed some issues of motherhood I've struggled with. How to balance being a mom and wife with the need to have a purpose of your own. I loved Kit and Jackson's relationship, how they both have grown from the couple who was about to get married to a couple with a baby. Their care for each other is so uplifting. Was happy to have Kit's father in this. It was an altogether pleasant read. Next, please.

#thesleuthofblackfriarslane

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane is a well written suspense. Great plot and character dynamics. The plot kept me glued to the action. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I love all the Michelle Griep books I’ve read, but Kit is my favorite character so far!
Kit is very street smart and she doesn’t always think before acting. But now that she is married and a mother, she is struggling to find her place in life.
This story is full of twists and turns. It is well crafted including a surprising pet at Kit’s home.
I would start with the first book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This is a delightful Christian historical fiction set in London. Was a wonderful mystery that is a fast action packed book. I enjoyed some of the Victorian slang. The book demonstrates a couple love stories and spends a small amount of time on God’s teachings. Wrestles with a wife and mother who is trying to also work for the good.

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP is the third novel in the series but it can easily stand alone. I really enjoy this author’s novels for the gripping stories, wonderful characters and the strong Christian message running through them.
This book has a real Dickensian feel about it - in fact I can just see Charles Dickens with a coroner called Mr Morttis! The description of London in the late 19th century is superbly done and one can really feel the tension and danger that Kit, who is a partner with her father in the Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency, and her husband Chief Inspector Jackson Forge, feel as they try to bring justice into the poorer areas of London where the criminal element is alive and well. Kit is facing a dilemma in that she has a baby girl, Bella, with whom she is not spending enough time. Should she give up her work and befome a full time housewife? Both she and Jackson adore their offspring and each other….
There is another romance in the story and we wonder if Inspector Charles Baggett will ever have the courage to court the lovely Martha Jones…..
In amongst the murder and mayhem there are some interesting characters such as the very strange Ezra Catchpole and the rather useless Inspector Ira Harvey - both of whom are totally underestimated by Jackson, bringing to light the fact that one should not be quick to judge. The headstrong Kit also learns a lesson after she decides to help Mrs Charlotte Coleman, against her father’s advice and without praying for the Lord’s direction……
This exciting book, which is full of adventure, danger and suspense is a real page turner, and I cannot recommend The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Such a great way to end the series! This book was filled with dangerous situations, adventure and an amazing plot.
I love how much we were able to see Kit grow throughout this series.
Will definitely be giving this series a reread :)

Wow! What a book! The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane is exciting, dangerous, on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense. But Michelle Griep never forgets her purpose for writing and that is to lift up the Lord. This book is the third in a series of books about Blackfriars Lane featuring Detective Jackson Forge and Kit Turner. If you haven't read the series I highly recommend them even though it is not required to understand this book. In this book the two characters are married and have a precious little daughter that calls everyone "ba-ba". Jackson is now the Chief Inspector and Kit is a detective. They each are pulled into conflicts and situations. It's like watching a roller coaster twist and turn and take huge plunging dips. You wonder if it will come back up but it does and that is the beauty of Michelle Griep's writing. She holds you captive until the very last word. I highly recommend this book and all of the other Blackfriars books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Barbour Fiction for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of the book. The review I gave was my own opinion.

I was really excited when I saw this book was up for review on Netgalley as I had been watching for it for quite a while. Unfortunately, I was disappointed because of the sheer amount of negative content.

Things I liked: Jackson's and Kit's sweet daughter Bella and her darling interactions with her Grandpa Turner. Also, her pet armadillo named Brooks. Martha was also a favorite character of mine. She had so, sooo much on her plate, but she handled it marvelously, was a wonderful mother to her children and a good friend to all. She spoke up for what was right and good, but she used tact. A true role model.

Things I didn't like: Language. Kit swears and I mean, a LOT. It's not always written out, but it's mentioned 3 times that I remember right off that she was swearing like a sailor and/or saying oaths that would make a sailor or deckhand blush. While I know Kit raised herself on the streets and had a hard life, she's had time over the last book to mature and mellow a bit. This along with along with several inappropriate comments she makes or thinks about her and Jackson's love life was part of why I rated this lower than I otherwise would have.

Hellhole, hell, Hades, hell bent, fools, what the devil, etc are used by various characters.

Sexual Content
A trollop or tramp in a slum district sports a horrifyingly revealing top that cause her to practically spill out the top of it. She flaunts herself and tries to provoke a undercover cop into staying with her. He refuses of course, and she comes off with a very vulgar retort on how a man's face or head wasn't body parts she paid attention to. A mention of a bawdy house and a flash house. A mention of a circus woman's scandalous costume. A mention of a married Kit trying to seduce Jackson to get her way, the details which I won't mention.
Someone mentions the "scoundrel that spawned us.."
A mention of a man having an affair with another man's wife. A villain who is likely a rapist crudely "jokes" about how he wouldn't squeal to the cops, but that he sure makes the ladies squeal.

Triggers:
Brief mentions of alcohol and a couple cops waiting to go out for a pint after work. Mention of a violent girl dismembering rats to scare other children.
Blood, deaths, moderate violence.

Sorry to say, I can't recommend this book. If you want a cleaner read, pick up either of the previous books in the series and you'll be better off.

Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary e-book I received to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and thoughts above are my own.

I loved catching up with Kit and Jackson! I particularly enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as parents as well. They are such a sweet couple and it is fun to read about!



The sleuthing was exciting in the story as it left me guessing as to who was involved. As Kit and Jackson get further involved in the case, the reader is left cheering them on and hoping they come out unscathed.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.



The review will be posted on my blog as of March 1, 2024.

Another wonderful read. This is full of mystery, suspense, adventure, and romance and with a variety of stories running through the book, never boring. This author has a wonderful way of writing, blending many stories but never leaving you confused. This is the third book in the series. It was very hard to put down. Jackson and Kit are now married but the love they have for each other and the way the author had them learn what God would want for them and helped them to deal with their mistakes. I enjoyed the Christian addition to the story without it being over the top. Well worth the read for anyone who likes murder, mystery, and romance. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane is the third book in Michelle Griep wonderful trilogy : “Blackfriars Lane” .
I loved catching up with Kit and Jackson! Jackson and Kit's marriage is tested as they try to deal with home life, work life, and raising a new baby.
They are now parents to a little girl Bella. Kit is struggling to find a balance between being a wife, mother and detective without giving up on one or the other. Jackson has his hands full with trying to keep his job as the new chief inspector at a London station.
Against her father's advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, and it becomes more complicated than she expected and endangers those she loves.
As I expect from Michelle Griep’s books, the plot is gripping, chock full of action, danger, intrigue, and an interesting cast of new characters.
After a slow start, the story begins to pick up steam with lots of twists and turns and dangerous situations. In a word, it’s unputdownable!!

This has been one of the most enjoyable books I've read for a while. (I had no idea that this was part of a series, just thought it was a single book). The tale was gripping with twists and turns. It had me gripped throughout. I highly recommended this book.

Michelle grabs the reader's attention from the first page. Keeping business in the family, Kit and her Father, who has retired from the police force, start the story as they commence a new detective business in the town and Kit's husband is Chief Inspector at the local police station. As they go about their daily work, solving cases that come their way, many characters are cleverly intertwined into the story that is set in 1700/1800's England. Michelle remains true to historical businesses and landmarks, along with the colloqial speech of the day as the story unravels.
Read on to find out if Kit is able to balance motherhood and her passion of detective work? Can the family escape an unexpected turn of events when the Mr Child, the opium trader, comes up on top? Does Charles, the Inspectors right hand man, acknowledge his love for Martha, a mother of many children and carer for Kit and Jackson's daughter or does he choose to keep his love silent? Kit's spiritual learnings are delicately sprinkled throughout, offering an opportunity for the reader to pause and contemplate their own situation.

Michelle Griep did not disappoint. This book was a slow start for me but I am glad I kept going. The characters are enjoyable and the story line is both plausible and encourages you to think. I liked that the characters were not "perfect" but realized their weaknesses and worked on them. There was a great Christian theme that did not feel forced at all, which I love. There were several parts that made me chuckle and many of the events that I felt alongside the characters. A well written book that I will definitely recommend to my children.

Kit and Jackson are now wed and have a little girl in this, the third in the series, set in Victorian London. Enjoyed this one in parts, but didn't like the kidnapping aspect. Might just be me. Would still recommend this one though, and encourage you to read the others too.