Review: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

 

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

by Michelle Griep

About the Book

There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint.

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 drive 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

I loved this book! Michelle Griep is a master at writing Victorian fiction. She can capture the essence of the era in a way that makes it come fully to life in her novels. Her adventurous style of writing pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page. Her tone is tough, yet is underscored with heart, offering her audience a rich reading experience.

I loved the lead characters, Kit and Jackson. Both were so endearing on their own, as well as together. Their banter was a delight and the love they had for one another practically leapt off the page. I loved the idea of a female Robin Hood type character that was paired with a straight-laced police officer. Both were very different people, yet were just what the other needed, bringing out the best in one another. I love this trope.

The Dickens-esque London setting feels so real, you feel as if you’re there on the damp cobblestone streets as horse-drawn carriages click by. Kit and Jackson’s adventures through this vivid Victorian backdrop will have readers flipping through the pages at breakneck speed. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down. 

This story simply sparkled. If you love Victorian fiction, you must needs read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.