Free Book Friday - "The Innkeeper's Daughter" by Michelle Griep
Today's "Free Book Friday" feature also happens to be a rather new 2018 release from Michelle Griep. Prior to this book, I had only read two of her novels, although she has published eight novels, one non-fiction work, and contributed to several collections of novellas.
Johanna Langley has been assisting her mother in running an aging Dover inn since her father's death. Although she has valiantly struggled to keep it afloat, the creditors are knocking, the patrons are thinning, and the Blue Hedge Inn is foundering. When several new guests suddenly appear on her doorstep, she finds herself unsure whether these men are trustworthy or treacherous.
Alexander Moore, a young officer in service of the Crown, has been tasked with a dangerous mission: gathering intelligence to uncover traitors with dangerous ties to France. This covert operation requires him to return in disguise to his childhood hometown. Duty demands that he keep his true identity and mission a secret, but when circumstances turn, whom can he trust? And will his orders require more of him than he can surrender?
The opening of the novel read more like a novella - condensing a great deal of character development and relational growth into too few pages. Part of that may be related to the fact that this is the second book in a series, and I have not read the first. Alex's role as an "officer" was rather obscure until I read the afterword and looked up a term in the title of the series - "Bow Street Runner." (Basically, these little known historic officers of the law in England were predecessors to the modern day police force.) Eventually, the bumpy beginning evened out into a smoother ride, the abrupt angst and "Sturm Und Drang" became a bit more bearable, and the characters became more likable. While some of my preferred authors' works often have echoes of Austen, Michelle Griep pens echoes of Dickens. Her villains, secondary characters, and plot line brought to mind scenes from Great Expectations, Bleak House, and Little Dorrit. (Full disclosure: I've read Great Expectations, but my exposure to Bleak House and Little Dorrit are thanks to the PBS television drama versions.)
While I enjoyed the book, it probably won't make the "must re-read" cut. I may pick up the first book in the series or read subsequent books, but they won't be at the top of my library list. It's a moderately enjoyable read, though, and the e-book is currently free on Kindle. If you're looking for clean historical fiction with a bit of Napoleonic intrigue and a touch of Gothic flair, this may be a good summer read for you.