Murder in Blackfriars

Below Stairs Mystery #9

by Jennifer Ashley

In Victorian London, valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must help the man she loves solve the murder that will finally uncover his mysterious past, from the New York Times bestselling author of A Silence in Belgrave Square.

Kat Holloway’s beau, Daniel McAdam, has always had a past shrouded in mystery. He knows nothing about his origins, only that a kind man rescued him from the streets all those years ago. So when a man claiming he knows where Daniel comes from turns up dead moments before meeting with them, Daniel goes on the hunt for the killer. It soon becomes clear that to see justice served, Daniel will have to figure out who he truly is and where he came from. When Daniel asks Kat for her assistance, she readily complies, knowing she’ll do whatever it takes to protect the man she’s come to love.

The quest takes Kat and Daniel deep into the East End, where they face dangerous foes from Daniel’s rugged past, many of whom aren’t happy that Daniel now works with the police and will stop at nothing to keep Kat and Daniel from uncovering their secrets. As Kat begins to learn things about Daniel’s history she’s not certain she wants to know, she fears that the darkest secret—his true name and lineage—will tear apart the tender bonds they’ve begun to form.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 11, 2026

About the author

NY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.

Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.

Reviews

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Below Stairs series for which Jennifer Ashley is contracted through Berkley. Just like when I started reading book 5, also the end of a contract, I went in thinking that this would be a story that quietly wrapped up the series. While the series-long mystery of who Daniel McAdam is was solved, this book was not a quiet conclusion, but rather a fantastic start to another phase in the story.

We have Jennifer Ashley‘s typical wit, charm and humor in this story. We have delightful scenes with beloved secondary characters. We have the ongoing tension that Kat has been navigating with her job. We have sweet and heartbreaking scenes with her daughter, who is now a young teenager. And of course, the beautiful romance between Kat and Daniel continues. All of this on top of a clever mystery. What a fabulous story!

I shed tears over the ending. While the murder was solved and Daniel has closure, this is not happily ever after for Kat. Berkley better give Jennifer Ashley a big, fat contract to keep this going…unless she wants to go fully indie. I’ll pay for the next book regardless!!!

[SarahO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following this series since 2020 and every new book that comes out is like being hugged by an old friend. I absolutely LOVE these characters and their relationships. Every time one pops onto the page for their first appearance I can't help but smile.
Getting more Daniel and Kat is always a treat (especially since the last book) but I'm also loving that Kat now has her own network of people/informants to turn to: an old friend in the market and a new friend in a bookshop. She's come a long way since using Daniel and James as her only source for information.
Alongside Kat getting some heartbreaking news, someone comes forward with some possible information about Daniels shadowed past. This book had me smiling, crying, talking back to the characters, and I finished it in one sitting! (Okay, maybe a couple but all in one day!)

[Christina O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder in Blackfriars" is such a satisfying continuation of the Kat Holloway mysteries. There are some life changes for Kat in this book that push the overall story in some interesting ways, and we finally get some answers about Daniel's background. I love all of the side characters and the descriptions of Victorian London. This is definitely one of my favorite books in the series. I can't wait to see what comes next!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the long awaited tale of Daniel McAdam’s backstory! I had not expected it to leave me teary-eyed, but alas, it did. Another wonderful installment, and now I really can’t wait for more! Thanks to Berkley for the arc.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer)]

While each of the books in the Below the Stairs Mysteries contains a mystery for Kat Holloway, our Victorian London cook & amateur sleuth to solve with the help of her beau and friends you’ll want to read them in the order of their release. The characters and their storylines, including a slow-burning romance will pull you in as much as the mysteries.

An attempt to learn more about Daniel’s past puts them in the path of a murder and a dangerous faction of the city. While Daniel looks to solve the murder, Kat enlists the help of her friends, and a man of the cloth to uncover the secrets of Daniel’s past.

In the meantime, big changes are happening. Kat learns news that upsets her even as she takes steps to secure a better future for herself and her daughter. I loved all the threads and the unwavering love we see between Kat and Daniel. The story had some suspenseful moments and I found myself in awe of Kat’s fearlessness.

While this was supposed to be the last book, their story is far from over and whether Ashley continues the story through a traditional publisher or on her own, I will be there to gobble them up.

If you love historical mysteries, happens below the stairs, foodie books, and richly developed characters you will want to devour Murder in Blackfriars and the entire serie

This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in Blackfriars is the 9th book in Jennifer Ashley's popular Victorian mystery series Below Stairs Mysteries. I actually started this series with books 0.5 and 1. How about that?! Yet, unfortunately, this is the next one that I read. I have all the others, but sometimes time, and books, pass me by. I remembered I loved both of those, so I was eager to jump back in the world of Kat Holloway. And I was so glad I did! This story stands alone, but there's so much I missed between books that I am quite eager to find out what I missed!

Kat Holloway’s beau, Daniel McAdam, has always had a past shrouded in mystery. He knows nothing about his origins, only that he was rescued from the streets many years ago. So when someone claiming to know where Daniel came from turns up dead moments before meeting with him, Daniel goes on the hunt for the killer. It soon becomes clear that to see justice served, Daniel will have to figure out who he truly is. When he asks Kat for her assistance, she readily complies, knowing she’ll do whatever she must to protect the man she’s come to love. The quest takes Kat and Daniel deep into the East End, where they face dangerous foes from Daniel’s rugged past who will stop at nothing to keep Kat and Daniel from uncovering their secrets. As Kat begins to learn things about Daniel’s history, she fears that the darkest secret—his true name and lineage—will tear apart the tender bonds they’ve begun to form.

So many historical mysteries and romances involve at least one character who is a peer, if not both. What I loved about this one is that neither of the leads comes from a title. Kat is a cook for a well-to-do family, and Daniel doesn't even know who his family is, plus he is a deliveryman who's also worked for Scotland Yard. It's definitely a nice change of pace. Apparently much has happened between books 1 and 9. Kat and Daniel are now betrothed. Kat's daughter Grace lives with her friends Joanna and Sam Millburn, and Kat is having trouble dealing with the fact that the Millburns and their family - including Grace - are going to be moving out of London to a town hours away because Sam got a promotion. Kat is also dealing with setting up a stall in a market area selling her wares on her time off, hoping perhaps she can have her own business. Meanwhile, Daniel is no longer working for Scotland Yard and is back to his delivery business with his son James, though he's available if Scotland Yard should need him. So there's a lot going on for both of them when someone contacts Daniel, claiming to have knowledge of his past. When Daniel and Kat go to look for the man who didn't show up for their meeting, they do find him. Dead. So now not only are they trying to figure out what Daniel's past is, but also looking for a murderer. Assisting them is Zachariah Grimes, a man with a criminal history who is their friend and has saved them in the past. Also joining the hunt is Mr. Errol Fielding, a vicar in the East End who happens to have shared a foster parent with Daniel. Let's say he is not a particularly Godly vicar! Another character I simply adored was a woman Kat met who was. a bookseller; Kat was trying to track down the connection between a book about the seaside and Daniel's past, and the woman goes well beyond what Kat expected. And then there's Hannah, a woman at the market who is friends with Kat and Grace. I love the characters in this book, particularly Kat and Daniel, of course. Kat is tough, having had to work for others and keeping the secret of her daughter from her employers. Daniel is a strong character as well, having grown up on the streets, running a delivery service and having a 19-year-old-son, James. The mystery herein was a great one, with plenty of red herrings to keep one guessing. My favorite part, of course, deals with Daniel discovering who he actually is and who his family was. I hope this series continues to go on for a good long while. And I also hope I find time to read all that I missed!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Susie (DFWSusie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary |
Kat Holloway’s life irrevocably changed five years ago when Daniel McAdam dropped by her kitchen and the bodies started dropping around them. In Victorian London, life is not easy for anyone in the working class – least of all two people with secrets and pasts which put them in danger. Kat and Daniel have reached an agreement to wed, but one thing which has always stood in Daniel’s path is not knowing his own origins. So when a mysterious stranger reaches out with what may be the key to Daniel’s past, Kat, Daniel and their friends jump at the change to find answers.

Unfortunately, the man turns up dead and the incident springs the couple into danger and intrigue yet again. At the same time, Kat must confront the realities of life with a daughter who cannot live with her due to the constraints of society and the very looming possibility that everything is about to change.

Personal Thoughts |
Murder in Blackfriars is another excellent installment in the Below Stairs series and a perfect encapsulation of what I love about these characters.

Though the focus is on solving mysteries, Ashley hits all the emotional beats and the payoff Romance genre readers look for. From the first book, Kat and Daniel are the perfect people for each other, in a very imperfect world. They have been through trials that would have split a weaker bond and come out on the other side.

In the last book, promises were made to marry, and here we see that there isn’t going to be any more stepping backward. They may not be officially married yet, but there’s no question they are life partners. In the past, Daniel is the one to swoop in and save the day, thanks to his role with Scotland Yard. But in Murder in Blackfriars it’s Kat, and her ever pragmatic and whip smart ways that saves Daniel.

She has given him an emotional home along with friends and a found family, but she also has the backbone and grit to stand up to the most dangerous people in the city to protect her man. Daniel, on the other hand, has grown to love not just Kat but her daughter too, and he shows that in the way he’s making plans not based on what’s best for him, but best for all of them.

The mystery here is deeply linked to these characters and their relationships in a way not seen as much before, and it’s a really lovely addition to the overall series. There’s the villains we’ve come to expect, and a few we don’t see as they have faded to the background for a bit. All the secondary characters play important parts and we get to see how they react to the changes around them as well.

This is a great read I’d easily recommend to anyone who enjoys the previous adventures of Kat, Daniel, and the crew. I’d also recommend testing this series out if you enjoy Historical Mystery with a big helping of Romance between working class main characters.

———
Berkley Publishing (August 11, 2026)
Genre/Subgenre: historical fiction, historical mystery, romantic mystery

Standalone/Series: #9 in the Below Stairs Mysteries, could be read as a standalone, but this one is particularly suited to reading in order

Steam/Spice Level: no spicy/intimate scenes, just kissing, but for reasons which fit the plot, characters, and world

Setting: Victorian era London

POV: first person, present tense, single POV
_________
Review based on an Advanced Reader Copy provided by Berkley Publishing

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series for two reasons: one, it’s set in Victorian London, a fairly commonly used setting in historical mysteries, but the main character, Kat Holloway, is not of the nobility or connected to nobility or the impoverished nobility or even aspiring to the nobility – she’s a cook. The books frankly deal with the working-class side of Victorian London. For a mystery reader, encountering this facet of London makes the series more relatable and somehow makes the stakes the characters are dealing with have a bit more resonance. The other reason is simply that Jennifer Ashley, with over 60 novels to her credit, is a truly polished storyteller who seems to have an unerring instinct for what makes a narrative move as well as connect with the reader.

The details of the way Kat runs her kitchen, while secondary to the plots, are pretty interesting and propel parts of the action. In this ninth outing, Kat is engaged to Daniel, her longtime beau, and hoping when she marries to at last share a household with her daughter, Grace, who lives with a friend. Kat’s employer isn’t even aware she has a child, and in truth, Victorian employers expected their servants to have very little personal life. On Kat’s days out she is, however, able to spend time with Grace.

Her beau, Daniel, grew up on the streets and knows nothing about his past, so when someone shows up claiming to know something about his background, Daniel and Kat go to the meet the man, who turns up dead shortly after they meet. While the book is a hunt for the man’s killer, it also involves fraud and gang activity, the fraud and London gang connections and rivalries fleshing out the plot.

On Kat’s mind is the idea of taking up a stall in the market selling her pies and tarts on her days off, and the imminent departure of Grace for the countryside with her friend’s family. Neither Kat nor Grace is happy about it but Kat is eminently practical and a rapprochement with Grace is attained.
Meanwhile the hunt for Daniel’s past involves combing through both parish records and public records, drawing in Daniel’s vicar brother and a friend of theirs who is sweet on the daughter of the house where Kat works. Ashley keeps her recurring characters alive and active, but the vicar is the real standout in this book. What a delicious character.

The whole time Kat is mindful of, and working at, her actual job, with the expectations of a cook in a well off household. Her boss is a bit prim and a bit nosy but mostly Kat is able to run her kitchen and her sleuthing activities, as well as keeping track of her daughter. The end of the book, for me at least, had a real emotional heft and a satisfying conclusion. Ashley is enough of a pro to leave a hanging thread and make the reader eager for the next book. This is series fiction at its best.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Below Stairs Mystery #9
Publication Date: 08/11/26
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 320

I started reading this book thinking it was the last book in the series and was very disappointed because it didn’t wrap up a lot of things. Yes, we finally learned Daniel’s origins, but nothing else was resolved. Then, to my great delight, I learned that while this is the last book in the series from this publisher, the author will continue the series by self-publishing. GREAT NEWS! All of the changes we see in this book – and those things that were left unfinished – will make for wonderful new stories in the future.

The story opens with a murder that quickly draws us into the dark and fascinating world of Blackfriars. What initially appears to be a straightforward murder investigation becomes much more complicated as secrets begin to surface and the investigation takes our characters into the lives, relationships, and hidden motives of those around them. Jennifer Ashley does an excellent job of giving us a mystery that keeps unfolding while also allowing us to become invested in the people trying to solve it.

I really enjoyed the historical setting in this one. Ashley creates such a vivid sense of time and place, and the atmosphere adds so much to the story. Blackfriars becomes almost a character itself—dark, crowded, mysterious, and full of possibilities for both secrets and danger. I could easily picture the streets and buildings and felt completely drawn into the world she created.

But, as usual, it was the characters who really made the book for me. I particularly enjoyed watching the relationships develop throughout the story. We aren't simply given characters who are there to solve a murder; we get to see their personalities, their strengths and weaknesses, and the ways their experiences affect how they deal with one another.

And the mystery kept me guessing. There are plenty of clues, red herrings, twists, and revelations, and Ashley does a wonderful job of keeping the answers just out of reach. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another piece of the puzzle appeared and made me reconsider what I thought I knew. The pacing worked particularly well for me because the story never seemed to drag, but it also gave enough time for the characters and relationships to develop.

This is exactly the kind of historical mystery I enjoy—a compelling murder investigation, a fascinating historical setting, characters I become invested in, and enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages.

Jennifer Ashley has given me another book that was difficult to put down, and Murder in Blackfriars is definitely a 5-star read for me!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashley is another in her Kate Holloway series also featuring Daniel McAdam who has a murky past although he is a good man. Their current plants are to marry the following summer as they both save money. Daniel has a nineteen-year-old son named James, and of course, Kat has her daughter, Grace, who currently lives with her friend Joanna. Daniel thinks he has a lead on his origins but then man turns up dead and Daniel is accused of the crime. It doesn’t take too long for the police to clear him: they know him, he used to be one of them. But, it does set off a search by both of them, calling in all their resources. Kat and Hannah are able to convince the man’s landlady to let them search his room, but that yields nothing, although they met a man who claimed to be a friend. But, they still have resources. A leader of a group of criminals on the East End named Naismith appears to be a likely suspect, no matter how much he claims to be innocent. Another search Kate is working on is the hunt for Daniel’s family. But, since he had been on his own since about the age of three and had very few memories, that is proving to be difficult.

Kat Holloway is a cook in a fine household and she is one of the best. Her friend, Hannah, has convinced her to rent a market stall and sell baked goods a couple of days a week and despite her fears, that seems to be working out. The worst news is that Joanna and Sam are moving to Basingstoke and at this point Kat has no choice but to let Grace go with them. It all gets very complicated. Kat is fearless. She will go anywhere and ask questions of any one. This makes everyone worry, but it appears to have paid off this time. Terrific characters that have grown in the time I’ve been reading this series. An excellent plot, of course complicated by the times. Easy to follow. Ashely is masterful with her words. It is an excellent read.

The reader is Kymberley Cochrane who started off with a very heavy accent, but it became easier as the book wore on. First time I’ve listened instead of read and I enjoyed it. Kate came alive.

I was invited to listen to Murder in Blackfriars by Dreamscape Media. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #DreamscapeMedia # KymberleyCochrane #JenniferAshley #MurderInBlackfriars

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love immersive Victorian mysteries where the food is as rich as the secrets, this series still has it.

📚 Murder in Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Below Stairs Mystery book nine
Genre: Historical mystery with romantic threads
Vibes: Victorian London, hidden past, East End danger, domestic detail, slow burn devotion

Kat Holloway is back, ladle in one hand and justice in the other.

This time the mystery is painfully personal. A man claiming to know Daniel McAdam’s true origins appears… and is murdered before he can speak. What follows is a dangerous dive into Daniel’s shadowed past and the East End world he left behind.

What makes this installment shine:

🕯️ Lush historical detail that feels immersive, not heavy
🍞 Mouthwatering baking and kitchen scenes woven naturally into the plot
🔍 A deeply personal mystery tied to identity and lineage
💔 Emotional revelations that test Kat and Daniel’s bond
👥 A growing ensemble cast that still feels organic and alive

One of my favorite things about this series is how much I would read it even without a murder. The social dynamics, the domestic scenes, the everyday rhythms of Victorian life are just that compelling. Ashley’s detail never feels like filler. It feels like stepping into the streets, kitchens, and drawing rooms of the time.

Daniel’s origins finally coming to light is a major turning point. I may have expected something slightly different, and the method of discovery felt a bit convenient at first, but as the pieces were cross referenced, it settled into something believable and emotionally satisfying.

Kat’s stall thriving felt like a well deserved victory. The developments with Grace absolutely broke my heart. And I am convinced we have not seen the last of certain lingering threats.

Big shifts are happening in this world, and yet the heart of it remains the same. Loyalty. Partnership. Quiet courage.

If you love historical mysteries where romance and character development matter just as much as solving the crime, this series continues to deliver.

💬 Do you read historical mysteries more for the sleuthing or for the everyday life immersion?

#JenniferAshley #MurderInBlackfriars #BerkleyPublishing #HistoricalMystery #BelowStairsMystery

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Full disclosure (and this was definitely on me), this was the first of this series that I've read...and there are 8 previous books. I did not do my due diligence here and did not realize how far into the series this book dropped and did not have the time to quickly read its predecessors at this time. I honestly try not to join an established series without going back for its backstories. However, that being said, I honestly did not have much difficulty following the story, characters, history, etc.

Even while not having their full bios, I enjoyed meeting the regular cast members of this book, especially Kat, the intelligent, headstrong heroine cook/entrepreneur. I did not get the full vision of Daniel that I would have liked but feel like I would have connected more with him if I had had the full knowledge of the previous books.

This seemed a bit of a bittersweet installment for both Kat and Daniel personally. While Kat had a heart wrenching event to get through, Daniel had a very personal identity question to solve. Some of Daniel's family disclosures seemed a bit too easy/convenient, but I was glad that he was able to put some things from his past to rest.

My issue (and this was probably just me) was that the writing felt a bit too simplistic/basic to me. There were times when it felt a bit stilted and did not grab me or flow as easily as I felt it should. I found myself at times not especially eager to pick back up where I had left off in the story as the writing itself did not pull me in enough to be anxious to get back to it. But again, if I had had more of a history with the series I might have felt differently or at least comfortably familiar with the style.

All in all, considering my lack of experience with the series, it was a good book. A decent read but not one that was especially great for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group / Berkley for the free early arc of Murder in Blackfriars for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This is Ashley's ninth entry in the Below Stairs Mystery series which is a Historical Mystery set in England, 1884. Featuring a wealthy family's cook, who has a young daughter who lives with a friend and her family, as she finds herself turning sleuth to assist her fiance with his investigation into a man's murder, who was killed before he could reveal information about his unknown origins. The quest takes the two deep into the East End, where they face dangerous foes from his rugged past, many of whom aren’t happy that he now works with the police and will stop at nothing to keep them from uncovering their secrets. As she begins to learn things about her beau's history she’s not certain she wants to know, she fears that the darkest secret – his true name and lineage – will tear apart the tender bonds they’ve begun to form.

With plenty of twists and turns, Ashley has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Ashley's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. Ashley's historical research's evident and well done without overshadowing the overall mystery plot and provides a great sense of time and place.

Ashley touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death Below Stairs. This is a favorite series; highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Murder in Blackfriars" is a mystery set in 1884 in London, England. This is the 9th book in the series. Street-raised, clever Daniel became incompetent in this book. A man offered to tell him information about his past. Daniel paid him but basically said, 'I need my girlfriend to tell me if you're telling the truth or not, so don't tell me anything until we can meet with her.' There was no reason why he couldn't have heard the information right then. Of course, the fellow was killed before telling the information.

Kate never met him but assumed he was a kind, well-meaning fellow and they should solve his murder. Even though the fellow said that it was seeing Daniel's teenaged son that brought the connection to mind, Kate assumed his information must be about when Daniel was a toddler. She also treated Daniel like a child, forbidding him from doing anything dangerous, though it was fine for her to do the same dangerous activity.

Kate was just so arrogant. She kept thinking about how she ought to tell various cooks how to make their food better. Though there was no reason for her to be involved and her presence could be used against Daniel, she insisted on confronting a criminal overload in his own home and not only insulted him but told him what he ought to do. Um, are you insane? How did that make anything better?

Most of the story was about Kate getting her food stand going and dealing with her daughter moving away for a while. Much of the investigation was handled by others while Kate suggested things to look into. It didn't feel much like a mystery but rather a historical fiction following the lives of all the characters from previous books.

Historical details were woven into the story. There was no sex. There was occasional use of of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this historical to fans of the series as we finally do learn the mystery of Daniel's past.

I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Victorian London, and Kat Holloway is struggling to navigate an uncertain future. She is increasingly worried about the fact that the family raising her daughter, Grace, will be moving away from the city. At the same time, Kat’s fiancé, Daniel McAdam, has been arrested for murder. Kat immediately sets out to clear his name.

Daniel has been looking for answers about his past for years. That opportunity is lost when the man that might have had information is the man that Daniel is accused of murdering. That murder leaves more questions than answers. Both Kat and Daniel are surprised that the murder may be connected to Daniel’s mysterious past. Although he is released from custody fairly quickly, Kat is determined to solve the murder - not only to clear Daniel’s name, but also to finally uncover the truth about his past and why he knows so little about his own origins.

Kat and Daniel are both resolute when it comes to finding answers, but Kat has other things weighing on her mind. As an accomplished cook in a busy household, she dreams of using her exceptional baking skills to work for herself. If she can make that dream a reality, she may finally have a way to bring Grace back into her life on a permanent basis.

Throughout the story, there is also an underlying fear surrounding what might happen if Daniel discovers the truth about his early beginnings. As Kat searches for answers, she must contend with the possibility that some secrets are better left buried.

I enjoyed the combination of mystery, family, and personal revelations in this latest installment featuring Kat Holloway. The Victorian London setting adds another layer to the story, and I especially enjoyed seeing Kat continue to work toward a better future for her and Grace.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.

[No Apology Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Jennifer Ashley, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series so much. I love the rich detail Ashley includes without getting too dry---historical, geographical, cultural, and baking-wise. I can't verify any of its accuracy, but Ashley's writing feels so intelligent that I have little doubt. I could see some readers saying they don't need detail on the level of turn-by-turn navigation and cooking class (things I've even said before about other books), but for some reason I enjoy it in Ashley's writing. It feels immersive, not like she's avoiding character development or fluffing word count.

I love the characters too. Honestly I don't need a murder in the plot, the social drama would be enough. I'd read these characters just to see them go about their lives. The cast having expanded, we can't spend as much time with everyone as I'd like, yet Ashley manages to give everyone organic cameos and touch base on their goings-on.

Big things happening in this one. I'll try to discuss without spoilers. I admit I'm a little disappointed Daniel's origins weren't...different, but I understand why Ashley went this route. The method of discovery seemed rather far-fetched, but when they started cross-referencing it became more believable.

I was happy to see Kat's stall was a success (did we doubt it?), and was baffled but pleasantly surprised by the interaction between Hannah and Errol. The Grace development broke my heart, and I predict a reckoning with Mrs. Bywater one day. We also haven't seen the last of Mr. Naismith, I'm sure.

I can't wait for the next book!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the ninth book in the Kat Holloway “Below the Stairs” Victorian mystery series and my first read in it. I think I might have enjoyed the book better had I read some of the others, as this book is a kind of backstory to Daniel McAdams’s history and identity. Mc McAdams is Kat’s beau, who has appeared through out the series.

Kat is the cook in a Mayfair mansion belonging to the eccentric Lord Rankin. Her love interest and fellow amateur sleuth, Daniel McAdams is also a “below the stairs” character but has had a mysterious past. In this book the two are out to solve a mysterious murder that could reveal Daniel’s true parentage.

When a man who was supposed to meet Daniel to give him information about his past turns up dead, Daniel vies to find the killer. He knows very little about his past except that he was rescued from the streets years ago. As Kat and Daniel search it becomes clear that there are people on the East End who are working hard to prevent Kat and Daniel learning their secrets.

The solving of Daniel’s background was a good. As in the tale of Oliver Twist (there are elements of that story here), Daniel was spirited away from his family for protection but got lost in a shuffle of moving him. I enjoyed the denouncement for finding of Daniel’s family but not so much for the discovery of the murderer.

This is definitely a book for lovers of The Below the Stairs mystery series. For those like me who hadn’t read any other book in the series, start with Death Below the Stairs (1st in series) or A Soupçon of Poison, a prequel novella.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This episode of the Below Stairs mysteries is filled with changes for the main characters and two different mysteries to solve.

Kat Holloway's fiancé Daniel McAdam has received a message from a man who might be able to shed some light on Daniel's past. However, the man is murdered while on his way to a meeting with Daniel and Kat. It is not at all clear if he was killed because of the information he had for Daniel or for some other reason.

As Kat investigates the man's lodgings, she meets a friend who tells her that the murdered man had a lead to a house that took in abandoned children but was dissolved when the woman who ran it died with the children sent to a workhouse.

Kat calls on her friends and resources to investigate further while Daniel is concentrating his investigation on finding the man's killer. He is reluctant to hope that the mystery of his past can have a solution.

Kat also receives a blow when she learns that the family that has been caring for her daughter since she was born will be moving away for a job opportunity. Her twice weekly visits with her daughter won't be possible because of the distance to the family's new home. She and Daniel need to save up funds before they can marry and provide a home for her daughter.

Kat has also begun a new business selling baked goods at a local market as a first step in starting her own business when she marries.

A lot of things happen in this episode. It is certainly one of changes for both Kat and Daniel. I enjoyed the mysteries. I love the Victorian detail that permeates the story.

[Myrrowyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was the problem this time.

I didn’t realize this was the 9th entry in a series, 15 if you count novellas. I should have dug into this deeper before requesting. There was a lot of dynamic between people that was lost on me. I felt in the dark.

I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone sometimes and this sounded interesting. Unfortunately I think I have discovered historical fiction might not be for me…

Daniel works is a Scotland Yard detective and grew up on the streets taking care of himself which to me means he should be somewhat clever and intelligent yet he wouldn’t meet for the information without Kat there to determine if the guy was telling the truth. What??? Even Kat, who is a cook, at one point calls him obtuse and SHE is connecting dots. Not to mention he takes her to confront a suspected murderer…

For those reasons (not Daniel cause he’s legit baffling) it feels unfair of me to rate it what I personally feel. Subjectively, the book at its core isn’t bad. It’s well written, the pacing is good, the mystery plot was sort of interesting

I can see why this could appeal to others. So in the interesting of being fair and owning my fault in this debacle, I’m gonna boost my one star to three stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all opinions are my own. I'm a huge fan of this series and was excited to see this book addressed Daniel's background. This book had a lot of developments that will move the series in a new direction. First, Kat is shocked to find out that her friend Joanna is moving out of London and that means Kat's daughter Grace, who Joanna has been fostering as Kat can't have her daughter live with her at the house where she works as the cook will be moving further away. Daniel asks Kat to meet with a man who claims to have recognized Daniel from when he was a child and have information on his family. Unfortunately, the man turns up dead and Daniel is found standing over his body when Kat and Daniel stumble upon him.

The mystery is well done and comes to a satisfactory end. Along the way, Kat and Daniel's relationship continues to grow and Kat finally seems to be ready to make plans for their future as well as taking baby steps into her life post cook by opening a stall selling her cooking. She is more successful than she expected and will likely have to make a decision soon on if she'll continue as a cook or leave the life she's built to strike out independently. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here and what the next stage in Kat and Daniel's relationship holds.

[coffeebooktress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Holloway is caught up in another murder mystery as she sets out to help the man she loves, Daniel McAdams. Daniel is still trying to understand his past, so when a man says he has information that could help him learn more about his family, he sets up a meeting. Kat and Daniel find the man murdered before they can get information. Kat and Daniel will once again find themselves in danger as they investigate.

I have read every book in this series, and I love it. This is as close as I get to historical fiction. I love the books because I not only catch up with Kat and Daniel but also with all their friends, who are a group of odd misfits. I love them all! The best part about this book and all the others in the series is that you can solve the mystery along with Kat and Daniel. In this story, Kat and Daniel have already declared their love, so their bond is strengthened and tested. You will learn more about Daniel’s past and you may shed a tear. If you have not started this series, please do. You will find each book to be the perfect mystery!

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Below Stairs Mystery series by Jennifer Ashley. Set in Victorian London, the series features intrepid cook Kat Holloway, who is also an amateur sleuth. Throughout the series you come to view Kat as an old friend, with her no-nonsense ways, and quick mind. Murder in Blackfriars is the 9th book in the series and probably my favorite. This installment features Kat and her beau, Daniel McAdam, searching for his origin story. Daniel grew up in the streets as an orphan and he never knew who his parents were. When a man who claims he knows where Daniel comes from turns up dead moments before meeting with them, Daniel goes on the hunt for the killer. Meanwhile, Kat elicits the help of her friends who search decades old records to find answers of Daniel’s parentage. The ending provides those answers and hints of more stories in the future. I listened to the audiobook of this novel narrated by Kymberley Cochrane who did an admirable job. I look forward to the next adventure that Kat and Daniel experience!

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I credit this excellent series with rekindling a love of mysteries that had gone dormant while my kids were younger and there just never seemed to be enough time or energy to read. The characters, writing style, and plots had me hooked from the short story that serves as the prequel to the entire series, and so I am always excited to see a release date for another book. This latest one didn’t disappoint and shows the same knack for moving the lives of the main characters along as their relationships grow and develop while always introducing a new, well- plotted mystery. Kat and Daniel this time are investigating Daniel’s own mysterious past, and a related murder soon draws in old friends and foes alike. Thoroughly enjoyable. The ending of this one is a little less neat, but it seems very deliberate to set up the next installment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Laurie K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Holloway has settled happily into her engagement to Daniel McAdam. And when Daniel asks Kat’s assistance with looking into the mystery of his past, she readily accepts. Little did they know that delving into that past would result in murder.

I count this series as one of my favorites in the historical mystery genre. And this new installment definitely does not disappoint. Cleverly written, three well plotted mysteries, a strong ensemble of recurring (and appealing) characters, a touch of humor and Ashley’s well drawn details of Victorian society make for an intriguing read.

If I have one complaint, it’s that because of one particular storyline, the author wrote herself into an inevitability anti climactic ending. But, as this is an ongoing series, we can’t always have things tied up with a bow.

So, with Murder in Blackfriars, Jennifer Ashley has produced another charming and entertaining chapter to her Below Stairs mystery series.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat Holloway’s beau, Daniel McAdam, has always had a past shrouded in mystery. He knows nothing about his origins, only that a kind man rescued him from the streets all those years ago. So when a man claiming he knows where Daniel comes from turns up dead moments before meeting with them, Daniel goes on the hunt for the killer. It soon becomes clear that to see justice served, Daniel will have to figure out who he truly is and where he came from.
The ninth book in the series & I loved how the narrator brough it to life, there’s mystery as well as some romance. I love both Kat & Daniel & loved how this time it’s Kat to the rescue. I found it to be emotional & must admit listened to it when I should have being doing other things
I voluntarily listened and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gorgeous cover of Jennifer Ashley's Murder in Blackfriars grabbed my attention right away. Beautiful, right? I didn't realize till I was about halfway through that this was part of a series lol, but I had no trouble following the storyline. Ashley is such a clever writer that the characters and their relationships just flow into the mystery.

I really enjoy the descriptions of Victorian London, as well as the baking and cooking that Kat creates. The mystery is clever and it just makes me want to go back and start the series from the first book.

The audio version of Murder in Blackfriars is nicely performed by Kymberley Cochrane.

an audiobook copy of Murder in Blackfriars was provided by Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Jennifer Ashley does a good job moving the characters' long-running storylines (Kat's relationship with her daughter, Daniel's search for his family). She is also masterful in describing the details of life in Victorian England, including class relationships, roles for women, police and the judicial system, and social morals and manners. The intersecting mysteries are interesting, and as the bodies pile up, Kat and Daniel call on friends to help them vet the suspects. For a servant, Kat does seem to have a suspiciously large amount of freedom and free time to pursue her investigations and side interests. Another good installment in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Berkley for the eARC.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is consistently strong, keeping me interested in the characters and storyline 9 books in. I couldn't wait to find out more about Daniel's past as he, Kat and their friends piece each tiny detail together to follow the trail of people's memories. This was a book that truly had every person who cares about Daniel and Kat coming to pitch in to help and I always enjoy seeing those relationships. I even got a little misty-eyed a couple of times. This book was really about family. The family you are related to and the family you create. I love every step in the journey, which will hopefully bring Kat, Daniel, James and Grace together in the family they dream of.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

[Michelle Griep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder. A long lost family. And--most importantly--scones! Plenty of scones...so many I think I gained ten pounds just reading this story. Probably my fault, though, as I continued baking them throughout my reading just to sit down with this delightful book with a steaming cup of English Breakfast and a Lemon Blueberry pastry.

But I digress.

Murder in Blackfriars is a twisty-turny mystery set in merry olde England. I love Mrs. Holloway and Daniel. They are perfect for one another. I won't give away the ending, but well . . . never mind. There are plenty of dastardly villains you'll love to hate and side characters galore to entertain. Really well done. Highly recommend.

[Marylovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Blackfriars
by Jennifer Ashley
with Kymberley Cochrane (Narrator)
4⭐️

I hadn’t read the previous books in the series but quickly caught up with the characters and storyline. Kat Holloway, a cook, and Daniel McAdam of Scotland Yard work together to solve mysteries.

Kat is bright, sweet, and strong, and I especially loved her relationship with her daughter, Jane. The mystery kept me interested, and the ending leaves plenty of room for the series to continue. I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Kymberley Cochrane did a great job with the narration.

Thanks to Dreamscape and NetGalley for the ALC.