If you want to get a look at a different side of Regency life, then Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners trilogy will do just that. Samuel Thatcher is a captain in the Bow Street Horse Patrol, a force created in order to protect travellers from the threat of highwaymen. Abigail Gilbert, the daughter of a wealthy but untitled gentleman, is one such traveller, making her way north to marry Sir Jonathan Aberley. 

In terms of its premise and the writing—with a few minor exceptions—this was exactly the kind of story I expected from Ms. Griep. The journey provided adventure and a number of obstacles for Samuel and Abigail to overcome beyond the threatened highwaymen, and I enjoyed the author’s way with words. Where I disappointed by this novel was with Samuel and Abigail themselves. 

To begin with, the Abigail we’re introduced to in the first chapter didn’t feel consistent with the Abigail who travelled to Penrith. The Abigail in chapter one was unsure of herself: “Twenty years of doubting herself was a hard habit to break.” She was abused by her stepmother (slapped across the face for contradicting her) and not even farewelled by the rest of her family, her father included. “A loving family was nothing more than a concept, an idea—one she’d have to learn, for she had no experience of it.”

The Abigail who travelled to Penrith was confident, capable (even with the care of a one-year-old thrust suddenly upon her), virtually unrufflable, and in absolutely no doubt that her upcoming marriage was due to Sir Jonathan having fallen in love with her despite only having met her once—a rather idealistic belief for someone who has had no experience of a loving family. Perhaps if these qualities (with the exception of the last, which just seemed unnecessary) had blossomed during the course of the story, I could have believed it, but for Abby to present this way for the entire journey not only contradicted her backstory but also removed the possibility for what could have been a much more satisfying character arc.

Samuel Thatcher was a more believable character, but here, too, I felt there was a lack of growth for his character. In fact, I think it would have helped HIS character development to have seen Abigail’s potential and encouraged her to realise it over the course of the journey. As it was, I felt there was little more than him being impressed by the way Abigail handled herself, and Abigail appreciating his protection. Thankfully, it didn’t fall into the trap of being overly clichéd in this regard, but I still felt it missed so much opportunity, most of all in the way Samuel’s last self-imposed objection to offering for Abigail was overcome. It didn’t force him to grow, merely handed him a convenient solution on a platter.

Despite being a little disappointed with these characters, this was an enjoyable read, particularly if you’re looking for some adventure with your next Regency read.