"To Steal a Heart" by Jen Turano - Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, book 1

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend—until he abandoned her. After being taken under the wing of a professor, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever. As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.

As with every novel by Jen Turano, this one was a delight, full of quirky characters, crazy circumstances, and--what has become something of a standard--comical critters.

I vastly enjoyed the ladies of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency (particularly since the agency was formed in the midst of the case, and lets just say not all the ladies were proficient in their chosen roles, i.e. the getaway driver). It's fun that these ladies were not remotely professionals to start with, yet they get to learn a lot as the story progresses--some even begin to shine in their new profession (though others are still working on it). I'm looking forward to Daphne's story next (and then, dare I hope, Eunice's?).

It's funny how the story tied into the bible study theme we've been studying: how life's interruptions (when things take a different turn than planned) can be God's interventions--such as how Gabriella was arrested as child and placed in a respectable orphanage that kept her fed and safe; it wasn't what she wanted at the time, yet it was the best thing that could happen to the young girl. Funny how things line up that way!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency
1. To Steal a Heart
2. To Write a Wrong
3. To Disguise the Truth