The Thief of Blackfriars Lane (2021)

About the Book

Book: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: January 1, 2021

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.

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My Thoughts

Michelle Griep is a fantastic storyteller. I have loved every book she has written, and I always look forward to what’s next from her. The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is a great story! I loved every minute spent in her fictional Victorian London. The plot of this story is highly engaging — the pages flew by! The characters are spectacular. Every character gives off the unique, multi-faceted flavor of Victorian London, but none come off as mere caricatures. I absolutely adore Jackson and Kit. They have big hearts, they care deeply for justice being served, and they are pretty selfless. I love how even though they come from vastly different worlds they are able to come together and work as a great team. I enjoyed heartily the action of this story. Kit and Jackson find themselves in some seriously crazy situations. And, I very much appreciated the themes and messages discussed throughout the narrative. This book got me to stop and think about quite a few things. I love when a book does that!

So, what’s one thing this book got me thinking on? Well, one thing I thought about A LOT is my independence. I am a pretty capable person. I’m healthy. I’m strong. I have skills. I work hard. I pay the bills. If I’m not careful, I could really get into the mindset that it’s me who is the cause of my capabilities and abilities. Add to this that I have basically been left to my own devices most of my life, and have therefore had to figure a lot of life out on my own, and I really could think that I alone am responsible for my successes, my progresses, my talents, and my place in the world. Kit is in the same boat. She has been on her own for a long time and grew up in the rough and tumble world of London surviving through her own intelligence, wit, and skill. God doesn’t even figure in her life, not really. But then she meets Jackson and he upends her life as she knew it. He gets her thinking about God and her relationship to Him. She does come to realize that God is more present in her life than she gave Him credit for, and, if she is honest, maybe a few of the negatives in her life came from rushing into things before checking in with Him. But it’s often difficult to know what God wants from us in a single given moment. There is this great moment where Kit has to act, but she questions herself: “Was she running ahead of God again? Or had He provided this opportunity for a reason?” You’ll have to read this wonderful story to find out what Kit decides. For me, though, these questions stuck in my craw. How do we know when we are doing something of our own volition or because it’s God’s will? I mean, every single day things are put into our lives. Are those things consequences of our actions or things God has ordained? I’m guessing I’ll be working on the answers to these questions my whole life, but I think it is pretty amazing the deep questions The Thief of Blackfriars Lane has gotten me to consider. I love when a novel is more than just a good story — and, man, is The Thief of Blackfriars Lane more than just a good story!

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is an excellent Victorian Romantic Suspense novel that I highly, highly recommend. If you are a fan of superb storytelling, Romantic Suspense, and Historical fiction, then this is the book for you!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, Michelle Griep, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.