A NOBLE SCHEME by ROSEANNA M WHITE

Publication date 19/3/24

A NOBLE SCHEME is the second novel in the Imposters series by ROSEANNA M WHITE. Like the first novel, it is beautifully written and it is great to come across the characters we came to know and love in A Beautiful Disguise. Although it can stand alone, I suggest you read the books in sequence. I cannot wait for the third and final book in the series.

Full of emotion, exciting, and with a strong Christian message, A Noble Scheme has everything that makes for a most enjoyable and inspirational read.

The story takes  place in 1909-1910  with the Imposters looking for a young boy that has been kidnapped from Fellsbourne, Lord Wilfred’s country estate. The kidnapper took the wrong boy, a poor relation’s son, and the hard hearted Lord Wilfred refuses to pay the ransom to set him free……

We see how the loss of their little Jamie has affected Gemma with hatred towards her husband, and Graham with anger towards God. 

Grief over lost children is a major theme in the novel, together with the importance of forgiveness….

Things are not as they seem as we see the mystery unfold and the four friends trying to unravel the clues…..

I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.

I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are competely my own.

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 1/4/24

THE SLEUTH OF BLACKFRIARS LANE by MICHELLE GRIEP  is the third novel in the series but it can easily stand alone. I really enjoy this author’s novels for the gripping stories, wonderful characters and the strong Christian message running through them. 

This book has a real Dickensian feel about it - in fact I can just see Charles Dickens with a coroner called Mr Morttis! The description of London in the late 19th century is superbly done and one can really feel the tension and danger that Kit, who is a partner with her father in the Blackfriars Lane Enquiry Agency, and her husband Chief Inspector Jackson Forge, feel as they try to bring justice into the poorer areas of London where the criminal element is alive and well. Kit is facing a dilemma in that she has a baby girl, Bella, with whom she is not spending enough time. Should she give up her work and befome a full time housewife? Both she and Jackson adore their offspring and each other….

There is another romance in the story and we wonder if Inspector Charles Baggett will ever have the courage to court the lovely Martha Jones…..

In amongst the murder and mayhem there are some interesting characters such as the very strange Ezra Catchpole and the rather useless Inspector Ira Harvey - both of whom are totally underestimated by Jackson, bringing to light the fact that one should not be quick to judge. The headstrong Kit also learns a lesson after she decides  to help Mrs Charlotte Coleman, against her father’s advice and without praying for the Lord’s direction……

This exciting book, which is full of adventure, danger and suspense is a real page turner, and I cannot recommend The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane highly enough.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.