The Innkeeper's Daughter (Volume 2) (The Bow Street Runners Trilogy)

This is the second installment of the Bow Street Runner’s Trilogy and I truly loved it!I read Brentwood’s Ward, so I already had high expectations for this book and I was not disappointed!Michelle Griep has a style of storytelling that I love, it reminds me very much of Charles Dicken’s. The way she develops her characters, usually flawed in some way, but honest and selfless in others.Alexander Moore has a difficult assignment: he must go undercover to Dover, England, as a gambler, in order to expose an important plot against the Crown. He rent’s a room at the Langley family’s Inn, where Johanna takes charge, helped by her ailing mother and her mischievous teenage brother who resists to carry his load of work. Alex has a mission to fulfill, and it unfortunately involves offering his hand, even if it’s pretending, to the daughter of a rich man, suspicious of high treason to the King.Johanna can barely make ends meet. They have very few tenants –and not all of them pay- and they need to pay their debts to the ruthless owner to a very close deadline that he refuses to postpone. Alex is a true gentleman, and after he saves her from possible injury, her heart starts to melt to his charms. But she can’t be distracted, and she’s not sure if he’s to be trusted, even if her heart tells her he’s a man of integrity and a man of his word. But what will happen if she finds out about his impending betrothal? Alex is at odds with where he wants to go regarding Johanna and his sense of duty… Will his duty to the Crown blow his chance at a one in a lifetime love? You’ll have to read to find out! I'll only say that this is a heartwrenching and inspirational journey that will touch you in more ways than one.The characters are relatable and so lovable. I really fell for Alex, he was a true hero, a charming one at that. And Johanna was such a strong and resilient woman, a bit hardened and tight because of the hits life has thrown her way, but she was so kind and selfless, I couldn’t help but admire her. I loved teenager Thomas, and Johannas mother was an instrumental character in this story, I loved her role.The plot is fast pacing and not dragging. The story has mystery and intrigue that keeps you captivated until the end where you will discover who the traitor is. An unexpected twist!I definitely recommend this book to lovers of the historical romance genre. This can totally be read as a standalone but the other books are awesome as well. You get a glimpse of previous characters as the Bow Street Runners are good friends!

Normally, I do not read historical novels from this time period. However, given the opportunity to read this e-book for free, I decided to give it a shot. I was not disappointed.The author does a great job of including likable, believable protagonists, along with complex and challenging characters with a few obviously dubious antagonists. There is plenty of spine tingling suspense, along with uproariously funny situations. It is not a shallow, sappy novel, like some I have read. Moreover, you learn some interesting and possibly little- known facts about certain aspects of British culture from this time period.Alexander Moore, a Bow Street investigator, is assigned a case going undercover as a wine merchant to uncover a network of French sympathizers. He is ordered to lodge at a rundown inn, where he meets Johanna Langley, an attractive but scrappy young lady struggling to keep her family’s debt-ridden business afloat. Sparks and fists fly, as Alex divides his days between the gaming tables at a wealthy man’s estate, the company of the nobleman’s unhappy daughter, secret meetings with his contact from the force, and at the Blue Hedge Inn with Johanna’s family.Meanwhile, Johanna has to deal with a bubble-headed tenant who won’t pay his bills, a mischievous younger brother who won’t carry his share of the workload, traveling minstrels with more appetite than actual talent, and a ruthless bill collector. Past experience with unsavory men has made her suspicious of the gender in general and resistant to any attention from a man, convinced their interests cannot be honorable. Desperate to pay off her late father’s debts and care for his ramshackle inn, she finds herself unexpectedly caught up in the very intrigue in which Alex has been inserted.The message of this Christian novel seems to be the grace of God for those willing to abandon their own efforts and surrender to Him. It also has themes of honesty and trust. It contrasts the way of the wicked, greedy and powerful with the meek, hard working and god fearing—along with the naive and gullible.Even though it is part of a trilogy, this novel stood on its own quite well. I wasn’t even aware of any missing background, nor was I left hanging at the conclusion of the story in anticipation of the next installment. Overall it was a satisfying combination of mystery, suspense, humor and romance, which I recommend for anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction.

As usual this author never lets me down. Another great story with a window to the struggles of the working class in Regency period.

Would definitely recommend this book. Thank you for a great read and a splendid adventure full of twists and turns.A prolific book reader