The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is a well-crafted tale of a bumbling constable and a cunning swindler. With fantastic world-building and witty dialogue, Michelle Griep transports her readers to the streets of London and engages them in a satisfying romance.
Book Blurb
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.
My Thoughts
Jackson is not your typical hero. He’s bumbling, eager, and at times clumsy. But goodness, it just made me love him more. His tenacity serves him well, even if he does annoy his sergeant more often than not.
Putting him opposite capable and street-smart Kit was genius on Griep’s part. They complement each other well, even if they don’t realize it at first.
And Kit herself is an interesting character. Tender-hearted yet tough as nails. Though originally viewed as a villain by Jackson, readers quickly see her softer side and understand her motivation.
Both of these characters quickly get you invested in their adventures through sewers, ballrooms, and London’s underbelly. By upping the suspense throughout the novel, Griep keeps you invested, not just with the mystery but with the characters themselves.
And there’s a great spiritual arc about being loved and seen by God and His role in our lives. Watching the characters grapple with guilt over their past or feeling unwanted not only made me relate with them but also got me to thinking about God’s place in my life. An excellent thought for Christians to consider whether they’re new believers or mature Christians.
Overall, The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is an engaging read historical romance readers will love.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Further Information
The Thief of Blackfriars Lane releases January 1. You can click the book cover to order from Bookshop.org, a site that supports independent bookstores, or you can visit your favorite book retailer.
And for more on Michelle Griep, visit her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also check out my reviews for her novel The House at the End of the Moor and her Christmas collection Once Upon a Dickens Christmas.
