The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW:

What could be better than a new adventure with Kit and Jackson? The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane, the final installment of the latest series by Michelle Griep fully met my expectations and more.

Kit and Jackson have settled into married life and now have a much loved daughter. Kit’s dreams of her own detective agency have been realized with a partnership with her father. Jackson has become the new chief inspector of his station. But sometimes there is a price to pay when achieving dreams. Kit finds there does not seem to be enough hours in the day for everything she needs to do as detective, wife, mother, and homemaker and she feels that she is missing important moments of her child’s life. Jackson is overwhelmed with the disaster his predecessor left behind and the paperwork keeps piling up while he attempts to act as administrator and continue his work solving crimes. A new case taken on by Kit against her father’s advice puts them all to the test.

The historic streets of London came alive as I followed the exploits of the multi-dimensional characters. Plenty of drama, action, danger, and suspense fill the pages. A secondary romance developed that added an extra bonus and I hope I will have a chance to find out how it resolved. Interaction between characters was natural and made me want to get to know them better. I was quite happy with the way Jackson and Kit eventually resolved their issues, especially the paperwork problem!

I am sorry to see this series end. The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane is a must read book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: April, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

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?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.

MORE FROM MICHELLE:

Oh Inspiration…Wherefore Art Thou?

There are several questions I am asked frequently as an author.

“Hey, how much money do you make?”

“Can you help me get my book published?”

“How come it takes you so long to finish a story?”

But probably the most common query is this: what sorts of things inspire you? Now that is a question I can go on and on about! Don’t panic, though. I’ll be brief.

Story ideas come from every place imaginable. I’ve had plot thoughts from watching kids’ movies or even from eavesdropping at a coffee shop (note: beware what you say in public). TV series are also a favorite of mine, so much so that my latest release, The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane, is loosely based on one of my all-time favorite PBS series.

Have you seen this show? If not, do yourself a favor and ride that pony. If you have, then you know what I’m talking about. Either way, you should know that, the main character, is a detective in Victorian London—a very sassy yet classy lady. And that’s what struck me light a lightning bolt.

This woman is Kit, the heroine in my Blackfriars series, like right there on the big screen.

So, for book III, I decided I’d let ol’ Kit open her own private investigation agency with the help of her father, a recently retired police sergeant. Of course much intrigue and chaos ensues, just like in my all-time favorite PBS series, bringing the Blackfriars series to a satisfying end.

Inspiration honestly comes from anywhere, so next time you’re rubbing elbows with an author, beware. You just might end up as a character in their next book.