To Disguise the Truth - (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency) by Jen Turano (Paperback)

Fearing her life was in danger, Eunice has worn a disguise and lived in self-imposed exile for many years. During that time, she began an agency run by women to help women--The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency--and has been very successful. After hiring other women to help her, Eunice slowly connected to them, and made her first friends. But the agency that she enjoys so much is also her undoing because it puts her together again with her nemesis, Arthur, who made her former life miserable. It also causes Eunice's identity to be revealed. Eunice realizes she must return to her hometown and face her past, even if it means putting her life in danger. She has a reunion with her family, and doesn't know who to trust. One family member has been killed, and Eunice is afraid she may be next. Eventually, Eunice discovers the killer's identity, learns some surprising things about Arthur, and comes face-to-face with the murderer. Witty dialogue and lots of action will keep you glued to every page. This tale is clean, and told from a Christian viewpoint. I recommend this five-star book to those who like mysteries and stories with some comic twists. Bethany House has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, To Disguise the Truth, for the purpose of review.

I’m a huge fan of Jen Turano’s books and To Disguise the Truth didn’t disappoint. Right from the fantastic opening line Turano drew me in and kept me turning the pages with the wit and charm of her very quirky but endearing characters. Her most recent heroine, Eunice Holbrooke, was no exception. Unwilling to shed the Widow’s Weeds she has been wearing throughout the series, Eunice finds herself confronted with a man from her past when her newest potential client wants to hire the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to find HER!! Although Arthur Livingston’s appearance may seem a bit brash at first, he does have a heart of gold and turns out to be a perfect match for Turano’s feisty heroine. Although you are sure to laugh out loud while reading this book, To Disguise the Truth, like all of Turano’s novels sheds light on some aspect of history that readers may not be well-acquainted with. In this novel, the author examines the conditions inside mental asylums and how horribly easy it was for a woman to be committed during the nineteenth century when Eunice goes undercover on a case at the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum. I loved that Turano incorporated all of the characters from the series, even if some had only a brief appearance on the page. What a fun way to wrap up the series. I listened to this book on Audible and would like to say that the narrator, Andrea Emmes, did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, especially Turano’s hilarious one-liners. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend this series! If you enjoy a light-hearted mystery filled with twists, turns, and plenty of witty banter, then you’re sure to be delighted with To Disguise the Truth.

This was an amazingly funny and hilarious end to the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Series! I have to say I am so sorry to see this series end and part from these wonderful, quirky, endearing and fiercely loyal characters! I love that the Agency is formed by female agents, each one totally genuine and unique in personality. The cast of characters has grown along the series with the men that help them out and fall in love with them and they have all stolen my heart in different ways. Eunice and Arthur, the most determined and stubborn of all are the perfect match even if they seem at odds great part of the time! Eunice Holbrooke is the head of the Agency, yet she’s a mystery even to her own female associate loyal friends. She claims to be a widow, still hiding her face after seven years under her mourning veils and wearing a black mourning attire. She loves to work through the Agency cases, that is, until Artur Livingston appears and stubbornly request the Agency’s help to find a disappeared heiress whose fortune is in peril of passing on to other family members when they proclaim her dead. That is how Eunice -or Eugenia-‘s past catches up with her. But it is so much more than her grandfather being murdered and her being the evasive target. In order to disappear from Arthur’s annoying determination and stubborn conviction of needing their help in the mystery case, she decides to take on a different case of an innocent and sound lady sent to an insane asylum. But, as she pretends to be a demented lady in order to be accepted in the mysterious asylum, she surprises herself discovering this is another adventure she was even less prepared for! I totally enjoyed this latest story Ms. Turano delivers. It made laugh out loud many times, smile, snicker and giggle. The quirky banter between Eunice and Arthur was delightful to say the least. And each character, even the new ones, made the story unputdownable, not only because it was entertaining, but of the mystery and the unexpected twists and turns in the plot that kept guessing who was the real villain behind her grandfather’s murder. The case of the asylum, although also had funny episodes, made me realize how mistreated these people were – and are- and my heart ached for them. The story had a faith inspired message that didn’t feel preachy at all but flowed naturally with the story. The romance was sweet and all the more captivating because of the “enemies to lovers” trope. They were both perfect for each other, but it took some convincing and perils for them to realize it. The adventure, mystery and danger also kept me at the edge of my seat at times. I didn’t expect how it would solve at the end! All in all, a wonderful Romantic Historical Comedy that I can’t recommend high enough! Even if it can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend to read it order so you can see the growth of the characters. I truly enjoyed seeing the couples of the previous books again and know how they were faring. A completely must read! It will light up your day! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I could not wait to read this book! Opening a book by Turano always makes me giddy, knowing what a treat I am in for. To Disguise the Truth is the third book in the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series, and I have immensely enjoyed each story. I first met Eunice in To Steal a Heart and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her story. She is one of the most unique characters I’ve had the chance to get to know. She always takes me by surprise, and I can’t help but love her. If you haven’t read the first two novels I suggest you do because they are amazing, but you won’t have to read them to enjoy this one. Eunice is one of the most private people, she has her reasons, and wants to keep it that way. When she opened up the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency she was forced to come a little more out of her shell. Wearing widows weeds most of the time keeps her beauty hidden, but when her past catches up, will it be enough? Arthur walking through their door was the last thing she expected, and I loved watching how they interacted. I enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book, and can’t wait to see what Turano does next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano is the third book in her Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. Eunice Holbrooke fled from the scene of her grandfather’s murder seven years ago. But the past has finally caught up with her. I think this was Ms. Turano’s best work yet! I loved this story. I was drawn in from the first page all the way to the end. I felt as though I was a part of the story. Eunice was such a unique character. I loved her personality and her ability to forgive. If I had been in her place, I’m not sure I would have been as forgiving. What a lesson! I received this book from the author for my honest review.

'How can you honestly think a woman who shot you is going to want to marry you?' When Jen Turano began The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series, I was so much looking forward to the mysterious Eunice's story. Eunice, who wears widow's weeds and several veils at a time. And Turano does not disappoint. It seems Eunice has some serious secrets in her past and in one evening, they have turned up to smack her right in the face and she is at a loss as to how to handle it. Eunice, who seems to have an answer for everything. Turano is the best with her dry wit, let me tell you. Her books never fail to bring me to absolute hilarity! She is completely perfect in her genre. Reading her books bring me such complete joy! Well done! My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The review here is my own opinion.

4.5 stars "Considering she'd once shot the man sitting across from her, Eunice Holbrooke was beginning to get the sneaking suspicion her past had finally caught up to her." Thank goodness, she was completely covered in layers and layers of black fabric, complete with triple weeping veils and a disguised voice. . . . Eunice could only hope and pray that Arthur Livingston wouldn't recognize her. Not now, not ever. The exasperating man wanted to hire the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency (her agency!) to locate a missing person, only Eunice could vouch for the fact (on a stack of Bibles, if asked) that the young woman in question wasn't missing at all, but rather hiding in plain sight. His plain sight. Dashing off to go undercover in an attempt to avoid Mr. Livingston, Eunice finds herself in an even deeper predicament, when what to her wondering eyes should appear in her moment of need (though she would refrain from admitting it) but Arthur Livingston. This story was absolutely delightful from beginning to end, for there is certainly no lack of entertaining conversations combining with a massive number of underlying conundrums that have more layers that Eunice's widow's weeds. Would anyone figure out anything? The crux of the matters have lain hidden under disguises for way too long; the question being, can the truth find a way to set them all free? And doggone it, Eunice and Arthur need to merge their "romantic sides" in more ways than one. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Light-hearted fun with a good mystery and a touch of romance, that is To Disguise the Truth in a nutshell. I love following up a serious or intense read with a Jen Turano novel. They are refreshing and uplifting, and To Disguise the Truth is no exception. While one would likely enjoy it as a stand alone read, it will be more thoroughly enjoyed by reading the previous two books in the series and familiarizing oneself with the quirky characters. Set in the Gilded Age of the late 1800s, it is unusual to find an inquiry (detective) agency owned and fully-staffed by women. These women take a unique approach to their cases, and this time maybe more so because the client is one of their own. Eunice Holbrook has hidden behind widow's weeds and veils for seven years, despite never having been widowed. Now it is time to emerge and discover the identity of her grandfather's murderer. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of To Disguise the Truth from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Jen's done it again! Her books never DISAPPOINT and this one is spectacular. Between the characters Jen creates, the mystery angle in each story and the superb humor contained in every book, her books are always at the top of my reads list. Eunice and Arthur are fun characters and extremely likeable and along with the cast of secondary characters make for quite a fun story. I also really enjoyed the secondary mystery and the elements that brings to the story. The way the puzzle pieces of the mystery come together is fantastic and the ending is lovely. If you like historical fiction, fantastic humor, and a fun mystery, don't miss a Jen Turano novel! I received a copy of this book from the publisher and purchased an Audible copy for my listening pleasure. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.