Alexander Moore is going deep undercover. His assignment? To lodge at the Blue Hedge Inn in Dover, engage himself to a viscount’s daughter, and apprehend a traitor to the Crown. The one difficulty is that it isn’t the viscount’s daughter who’s caught his eye, but the innkeeper’s daughter instead.
Ever since her father’s death and her mother’s injury, Johanna has been trying to keep the inn afloat on her own steam. But with a rascal younger brother to care for and few paying guests, it’s getting harder and harder to pay the rent. When a handsome wine merchant calling himself Alexander Morton rents a room, Johanna finds herself irresistibly drawn to his broad shoulders and kind generosity. But what are his motives for helping her? And can he be trusted to tell the truth?
This unequivocally Christian historical romance is set during the Regency period of England (although few of its elements besides the Bow Street Runners felt specific to the Regency time period). It features murderous smugglers, sadistic rope makers, crazy ventriloquists, and more people with secrets than just Alexander Moore. It was a little confusing at parts and a little predictable at others, but it was also one of those books that kept you reading, despite the romantic cliches and convoluted mystery. Alex was a likable hero and out of the supporting cast, I was most interested in learning more about his ghost-like associate Thatcher. I was intrigued to see the author’s portrayal of Sir Richard Ford since he also features in my Pevensey novels, albeit as a much different character.
The Innkeeper’s Daughter can stand alone, but I believe it is loosely connected to Griep’s earlier book Brentwood’s Ward, which features another one of the brotherhood of Bow Street Runners.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Rosanne E. Lortz 