Hey there, my friend.
One of the things I promised myself when I started writing Christian historical mysteries was that I’d keep learning from the authors who came before me—and beside me. So every now and then, I pick up a book not just as a reader, but as a writer in training, asking, “How did she do that? What worked for me? What didn’t? What does this teach me about what I want my own stories to be?”
Recently I read “Michelle Griep’s Ladies of Intrigue”, a collection of three novellas that sits on the same bookstore shelf as my full-length novel “Sinful Oath”— a Christian historical mystery. I’m going to share a few of my thoughts as a reader and as a fellow Christian historical author. This isn’t a full‑length review so much as a “craft & faith” reflection: what I noticed, what I enjoyed, and what I learned.
What Michelle Griep Does Beautifully
The first thing that struck me was how “imaginative and textured the prose” is. Griep has a gift for description—she paints scenes in a way that feels vivid without being heavy, and the historical research shows through in small, telling details. As someone who cares a lot about “feeling the mud and the chill and the coal smoke,” I appreciated that.
The “romance” is also a clear strength. Each novella offers a distinct pair of leads with their own tensions, misunderstandings, and moments of connection. Even in short form, you can see the pattern of historical romance handled well: interesting heroines, honorable (if occasionally exasperating) heroes, and relationships that move toward emotional and spiritual resolution.
If you’re in the mood for “light, clean, faith‑forward romance”, this collection delivers exactly that.
I also appreciated that the “Christian aspect is unapologetically present”. God is not a vague backdrop; characters pray, seek signs, and interpret what’s happening in light of His guidance. For many readers, that is exactly what they’re looking for in “Christian fiction,” and Griep offers it with sincerity.
Where the “Dash of Mystery” Felt Light to Me
Because I write in the Christian historical mystery space, I came to “Ladies of Intrigue” with a particular curiosity about the “mystery” side. The editorial description promises a “page‑turner” and the blurb begins with the question: “Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?” That’s a strong hook.
As a reader who loves complex puzzles, I found that in practice, the “dash of mystery” feels more like a seasoning than the main dish. The suspense elements are there—secrets, smuggling, corruption—but they often function as adventure and complication rather than as deeply layered whodunits.
Another reviewer captured it well when she said the last story felt the most complete, while the others sometimes hinted at background and motives that didn’t have room to fully unfold in novella length. I felt something similar: the “romance arcs feel whole”, while the mystery arcs feel more like sketch and suggestion.
That doesn’t make the stories bad; it simply means that as a reader whose heart beats a little faster for twisty plots, I had to adjust my expectations. These are “historical romances with mystery notes”, not fully mystery‑driven tales.
Hard to Do All Three in Short Form
Reading “Ladies of Intrigue” reminded me how difficult it is to fit “Christian + historical + mystery” into a short form and do all three equally well.
– The “history” here is solid and well‑evoked.
– The “romance” is clear, satisfying, and often charming.
– The “Christian element” is strong: God is active, sought, and spoken of openly.
When you layer in mystery, especially in a novella, something has to give a little. In this collection, the “mystery gives way to romance”, and as long as I read the stories as “faith‑filled historical romance with a touch of intrigue”, they work.
That’s a good lesson for me as a writer: be honest with myself—and my readers—about which elements are in the foreground, and which are in the background. If I promise “historical mystery,” I need to make sure readers who love the puzzle feel that part is fully fed.
Christian vs. Faith‑Filled: What’s the Difference?
One of the questions I keep turning over in my own work is: “What’s the difference between “Christian fiction” and “faith‑filled” fiction?”
This collection leans into what I would call “Christian fiction” in the classic sense:
– God is named often.
– Characters pray and ask for signs.
– There’s a clear assumption that He is directing events, even when they don’t understand how.
For some readers, that is exactly right and deeply comforting. For others, “faith‑filled” might mean something a bit quieter:
– Faith present in the bones of the story rather than on every page.
– Characters who are wrestling and uncertain as often as they are confident.
– Spiritual themes that unfold more through choices and consequences than explicit statements.
In my own writing, including “Black Fog” and “Sinful Oath”, I lean into “Christian Fiction:”
– I want God to be real and active, but not treated as a device to tidy the plot.
– I want the justice element to be clear, but the path to that justice to be costly, complicated, and sometimes murky.
– I want to show a woman whose “craft and courage” grows alongside her understanding of what faith actually asks of her.
Reading Michelle Griep’s work helped sharpen that awareness. Her approach is wholehearted, and it made me ask, “How overt do I want to be? How quiet? Where on that spectrum do my own stories live?”
My Takeaways as a Writer (and Reader)
Here’s what I’m carrying forward from “Ladies of Intrigue” into my own work:
– “Short form forces choices.” In novellas, you can’t give equal depth to romance, history, and mystery. Decide which two are primary and which is truly a “dash,” and be honest about that in how you frame the novella.
– “Readers notice what’s promised.” When a title or description leans heavily on “mystery,” readers like me come in looking for a strong puzzle to solve. If what they get is mostly romance and atmosphere with light intrigue, some will still be delighted; others will feel something is missing.
– “Faith can be shown in different registers.” Griep’s work is clearly Christian; mine sits where the questions sometimes sit longer than the answers. That’s not better or worse—it’s simply a different place on the same spectrum, and it’s helpful to name it.
– “Prose and research matter.” Her imaginative language and sense of time and place reminded me that readers notice when care has been taken with the world itself, not just the plot.
Where This Leaves Me
I’m grateful for writers like Michelle Griep who are crafting stories in the same broad, welcoming neighborhood I write in. Reading “Ladies of Intrigue” as both reader and writer helped me see more clearly:
– What kind of balance I enjoy as a reader (a bit more mystery weight).
– What kind of balance I’m aiming for as a writer (Christian fiction, historical crime where justice and mercy share center stage).
– And how important it is to treat my own readers’ intelligence and expectations with respect.
If you’re looking for “light, clean Christian historical romance with a touch of … mystery”, I think “Ladies of Intrigue” will hit a sweet spot. And if you’re curious about how different authors handle the mix of faith, history, and suspense, it’s a good collection to have on your shelf as you explore.
All the very best for the week ahead,
Katy