The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Blackfriars Lane #3
Pages: 320
​Release Date: April 1, 2024
Publisher: Barbour Publishers

Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.
 
Namely, her husband.
 
But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.
 
Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.
 
Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

When I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. I just love a good Michelle Griep novel. This one was no exception. She definitely knows how to bring these characters to life!

I love Kit! She is very impatient about certain things, like opening her own business and getting her first client. I love how her dad said to have patience and let the clients come to her first, and indeed they did! After that, things took a turn, and wow, did the pace ever pick up! I just couldn't put this book down. I loved every minute of it.

Bella is just so adorable! She's my favorite character. I love this quote from Kit's dad: "What I think is that you should do some soul-searching. There is no shame in trying something new, and then, when finding out it doesn’t work, admitting it.”

That's where pride goeth before a fall. Some great advice, don't you think? Too bad people don't really know how to use it or do it. Too proud so to speak.

There are many twists and turns and a lot of guessing who did it. Griep is wonderful at this.

5 stars for an excellent adventure. I highly recommend it!

My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"Three years ago Kit Turner had been skiffing marks. Gaming dupes. Looking over her shoulder to stay one step ahead of the law."

"No one would believe it of her now, not standing next to a retired police sergeant in a smart blue suit and married to the chief inspector of one of the city's busiest stations."

And with the sweetest little baby girl in the whole wide world, if only Bella would babble "ma ma" instead of "ba ba," her life would be just about perfect. To add the proverbial "icing on the cake," Kit and her father (the above-mentioned retired police sergeant, Mr. Graybone) were partnering in a brand new venture, "The Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency." What could possibly go wrong?

By now, all of us are accustomed to Kit Turner Forge's good intentions. Her handsome husband (the above-mentioned chief inspector, Jackson Forge), however, was quickly becoming an expert in reading between the lines, discerning how saucy smiles and passionate displays of affection were all a ruse for weasling her way in or out of trouble, which happened often enough that Jackson would be terribly suspicious if she acted in any other manner. But neither Kit nor Jackson nor Graybone (or their friends Charles Baggett and Martha Jones or a litany of others) could have ever imagined the mounds of trouble that Kit's first client as a private investigator would churn up.

"It is God who numbers our days, not you, or I or anyone else. . . . . . . .What I want is you just exactly as God has made you. That's all I've ever wanted . . . you're all I've ever wanted." (Catch me while I swoon over a godly man who loves his wife!)

If it were up to me, this series would last forever. The characters are cast in a most spectacular fashion. Their escapades are daunting, daring, and deliver outcomes of epic proportion (for justice is eventually served), leaving the supporting cast to be just as entertaining to spend time with, even if they are as peculiar as Catchpole.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, and I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

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.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

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 the 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 struggle 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 received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour via NetGalley and as part of the Barbour Review Crew. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

It was wonderful to catch up with Kit and Jackson again in this third installment of The Blackfriars Lane series.

Kit and Jackson are now parents to baby Bella, and both are trying hard to be there for her, but with both starting new careers, that is a challenge. Kit has joined her father to open a detective agency, and Jackson is up to his eyeballs in paperwork as he becomes the new Chief Inspector. But as usual, things are going to take an interesting turn.

Kit is disappointingly still Kit. She is somewhat selfish, only thinking of solving cases and not taking the time to consider the feelings or safety of those she loves. For his part, Jackson is struggling to meet deadlines and deal with his wife. Plus, a strange gentleman will not leave him alone since he saved his life.

With a new case that she couldn't resist sniffing out, Kit once again sets off to do her thing, to the detriment of everyone around her. She is truly hilarious, for the most part. However, she now has a daughter and must mature. But, seeing as it is Kit, that might take a while. As usual, the story unfolds with comedy, danger, romance, and an unsolvable mystery.

While I enjoyed the story, I was somewhat put off by Jackson never calling Kit by her name and always referring to her as "wife." It just seemed disrespectful to me.

Martha and Baggett, however, were a delight to get to know better. Their romance was sweet, and it rounded out the novel quite nicely. There is also a nice faith element.

If you have never read any of the books in the series, you should be okay with reading this as a standalone. However, you would be missing out on the antics of Kit, and I don't recommend that. 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for my honest review.

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