The Sleuths of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep ~ a book review

 

 

This is the third book in the Blackfriars collection.  While it is a stand alone story, it would be helpful to read the two prior books.  However, the author does a great job of bringing in the back stories.

This story is based in Victorian times and set in the less affluent neighborhoods.  You get a very real impression of what life was like in that situation.  The main characters, Kit and Jackson Forge are new parents. Jackson is made the new chief inspector of a police station in London and requires a big time commitment.  Kit is a former street “swindler”, who is in partnership with her father in a detective agency.  She is not afraid of taking risks and her street smarts comes in very handy. 

This is a very entertaining story with witty dialog and suspenseful mysteries.  Who is the culprit they are after and will they catch their suspect in time?

We are shown the rough and tumble and sometimes brutal form of police interrogation that was normal for that time, although shocking and cringeworthy now. 

There are exciting high speed carriage chases, disasters and unpleasant confrontations that keep the reader engaged.

I loved the commitment between Kit and Jackson.  Their love for each other is very evident. There is a bit more intimacy than you might find in other Christian romances but it's not offensive.

My only complaint is that the characters profess a deep faith in God but many of their actions don’t support that.  There are many instances of deception, lying and cruelty.  It reminds us that no one is perfect and …”all have sinned…” 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“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?”

I have enjoyed other books by Michelle Griep and this one doesn’t disappoint! I hope there is a book four in the plans!

Go HERE to read an excerpt and to order

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir ~ a book review

 

When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

 

The event that this story is based on was an actual event.  The author states in her notes, “This book is fiction, and I have used literary license to imagine the thoughts, words and actions…” of the characters.  She also says that her research involved many stories of the victim’s and survivors. Many of the story lines are inspired by the accounts written of that day. The circus fire of 1944 really happened.

This is a gripping and heart wrenching story about two people who are trying to overcome and accept their past.  Evelyn is a young widow whose husband died in WW1 and has had to give up her home and move in with her brother, Bill, and his family.  They live on a very small home with their two children. Evelyn works as a waitress in a small diner for very little pay. 

Hank is one of the many circus workers.  His main job as a circus clown lets him conceal his identity.  He is hiding from his past and the repercussions of his former actions.  He is present when the circus fire takes place and assists in leading many of the attendees to safety.

While Evelyn is not at the fire, her family is. The author describes the Big Top fire vividly without being overly gruesome.

 The events of that day and the weeks following help to bring Hank and Evelyn closer together and grow and renew their faith.  This is an historically accurate, Christian fiction romance.  The element of faith is very evident, and it is not an overly, “sugar-sweet” romance. Evelyn and Hank learn that they may not always know why God allows certain things to happen, but His ways are always good. The balance of faith, romance, suspense and danger makes this a riveting, thought provoking story. 

This is from the publisher's website:

" Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?
 
Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.
 
Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.
 
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.
 
On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devasting blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity."

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.