Master of the Moors

by Kealan Patrick Burke, Henrietta Meire (Narrator)

Sixteen-year-old Kate Mansfield and her blind brother Neil live in a manor on the edge of the Brent Prior moors. It is a dreary place populated by the dispirited and the disillusioned, where the young nurture desperate dreams of escape. And Kate is no different. But her plans to run away to the city are crushed one very ordinary morning when the quiet in Brent Prior is shattered by an inexplicable act of violence.

In the wake of the tragedy, Kate's beloved father is stricken by a strange illness, and she and her brother fall under the care of the manor's caretaker and maid.

Then, as if attuned to the melancholy that has stricken Mansfield House, a fog rolls in. Villagers begin to vanish. There are frightening accounts of monstrous things glimpsed stalking the night, and a disfigured man arrives in Brent Prior.

A man who has come back to settle an old score.

A man who calls himself the Master of the Moors.

Genres: Horror, Werewolves, Mystery, Gothic, Monsters

Audible Audio

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Hailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.

Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.

A five-time nominee, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award in 2005 for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.

As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.

More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for producer Joel B. Michaels.

He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.

His most recent release is Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin. The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland, is due for release in October as a signed limited edition from Earthling Publications.

Kealan is represented by Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.

He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.

Reviews

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going with 4 stars with this one!

I’ve been a big Kealan Patrick Burke fan for years. I’ve wanted to get to this one for some time now and I’m glad I did.

Master of the Moors is not one of his best books in my opinion. I've read better but it's still has all the atmosphere and amazing writing!

The book has a great gothic and old-timey folklore feel to it. The book is set during 1888 in Dartmoor, England and the Brent Prior moors was a fabulous place for a horror location. I loved everything about the location with the moors.

The fog, shadows and eerie feel for this place is so well done.
I could see the fog rolling in, the sun vanishing behind the clouds, and the shadows creeping up behind you!

Burke is a master for atmosphere and pulling the reader into the mystery of what’s going on in this quiet, sleeping village. Something lives in the moors and stalks the villagers when fog rolls in.

The beginning of this book was fantastic and just pulled me straight into the horror and mystery of the Brent Prior moors!

I think what was lacking for me in Master of the Moors was the characters and how the plot stalls in the middle.
The ending was okay, but I just wanted something “more” and I’m not sure what this is. The ending was a bit predictable even with one of the reveals. It didn’t catch me off guard but was still a fine ending.
I could see Burke writing a secondary tale to this one and turn it into a duology if he wanted too.

Definitely check this one out if you enjoy werewolf fiction or books with a gothic and creepy feel to them!

[Zain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho, hum!

I have never read a book by this author before, but I was really looking forward to it. I have to say that I am definitely disappointed with this book.

I have watched many werewolf movies that are based in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, so I thought that I would enjoy this book.

I don’t have any problems with this historical period, but this book is not a good book for me. It started very strong, but left me unfulfilled.

I have other books by this author and I hope that they are not going to be a big disappointment to me.

Two stars. 💫

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master Of The Moors is one of Kealan Patrick Burke’s longer tales. Right from the beginning, there are moments of terror as the Beast Of Brent Prior strikes.
I’m not usually a huge fan of werewolf stories, but it actually ended up feeling quite refreshing to read one for a change. Especially as this is well written.
As this is Burke trying his hand at a more gothic, folk horror type of tale than his usual offerings, the pacing did feel slower than usual. The more horror filled moments are built up with a lot of atmospheric tension.

The foggy village of Brent Prior, and the moors surrounding it, are the most perfect locations for this story. This setting feels as though it would be a place seeped in mystery and surrounded by secrets. And it most certainly is, some monstrous ones… 💀🐺

Despite all of the above, I did find this story to be somewhat lacking… Perhaps I was mentally comparing it to all the rest of Burke’s work that I have read.
There were some great parts however, such as the twist with the character of Neil. Most of the characters felt fully rounded too, I think to me the ending felt quite abrupt. Am still impressed by Burke’s writing style overall though.

This was a buddy read with the Horror Aficionados group!

3.5 Stars, rounded up to a 4.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old school, gothic type horror story, complete with terrified villagers running around with torches in the foggy, craggy terrain. It's fast paced, it's fun and the characters are believable. The enemy is hard to define and that's one of the best parts of the ride.
The ending snuck up on me; I wanted the story to continue and was a bit disappointed that it didn't.
All in all,though, it was a very good time.

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to disclose that I absolutely love werewolf film and fiction, I rarely get to read or watch it and I can count on my hand how many times it has met my demands but that doesn't mean that I will stop trying, here's another one, this time on a light side for the newbies but also something new for old fans, so happy Sunday night, my beloved Sunday night Game of Thrones annihilation isn't here so this will have to do ...

Imagine a village surrounded by tall firs enshrouded in murky fog, it happens a lot at the edge of the Brent Prior moors. I'm talking the complete envelopment of the primordial ways of fire and steel when something dark starts to threaten villagers from the murky woods. Pitchforks and torches come out when someone goes missing. Old folklore is on the lips of every whisper released, tales of an incident from the past have comeback to haunt the future. People missing, screams and sightings of a large, stealthy animal lurking around aren't helping either..

This was such a gorgeous tale with beautiful scenery including the eerie melancholy of the woods and the bone chilling fog mixed with well written silence of the moors that I relished in each chapter. Being lost in the woods never sounded this exciting and scary before. This is a fun little story that will take the reader back to old times, fans of movies such as The Company of Wolves and The Brotherhood of the Wolf should really enjoy this one. It’s subtle and visceral at the same time. This isn’t a poem as romantic as it sounds, there is loss and there are such things as monsters, the unknowns truly makes us scared as past comes knocking on the door, literally. I’d like to stay vague on the general theme here, I read this without knowing anything, so I will disclose that this is a story about two young adults, Kate and Neil who want nothing more than to see their sick, bed ridden father rise up, he doesn’t want to as he doesn’t feel it’s safe to be around them due to a past incident which involved the moors and some missing people, he knows something that he’s not supposed to. As they get older something is revealed to them, something that will shatter their world and its illusion forever and the path they will choose will be very interesting. This was such a ride, as a reader I felt shaken up but so were the characters, Kate, Neil, Grady none of them we ready for the visit their little village got, and not all of them would see it the same way ever again. Everyone along with the reader was on their toes, this make the old folklore of the story fresh and it took an old favorite to new heights, it’s not what you expect and it’s great.

- Kasia S.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old school, atmospheric tale of the Mansfield family living on the outskirts of the moors where beasties roam free out in the dense fog.

MotM is a little slow to get rolling…until the strigoi finally show up to liven things up a bit. “Liven” is perhaps not the best word choice, exactly.

Super Spoiler Warning I did not care for the character of Neil and was really hoping that he would die. At his sisters hand preferably. Since this was a bit of a cliffhanger, I guess it could still happen…someday. Hint, hint, Kealan.

Written and executed very well, as expected from KPB.

[Jon Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of the Moors is a chilling blend of old school with a contemporary edge. Burke brings the moors to life; you can literally feel the tendrils of fog envelop you in this authentically atmospheric werewolf tale.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, dark, gothic horror story with an old-school feel. It ended up being a fun summer read for me. The atmosphere of the moors is the perfect setting for a horror story, and added greatly to the vividness of the horror. The ending of the book seemed to not be a favorite amongst my buddy read group, but I was quite ok with it. It was part of what leant the old school feel to me. This is my third book by this author, and I felt the same about how well written this was as I did for the others. I'm going with a solid 4/5 stars.

[WendyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got off to a strong start with one of the creepiest scenes I've ever read.
Lost a little something about halfway through and the ending was just
a bit predictable.

[Missy (myweereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No matter what the costume, a man’s heart stays pure unless he lets it be tainted..”

Master Of The Moors by Kealan Patrick Burke is the story about sixteen year old Kate Mansfield and her blind brother Neil who live in a manor on the edge of Brent Prior Moors. This place is dark and dreary and one where an inexplainable dread begins to taunt the people that live there.

This book came as a refreshing reminder of what a classic horror story should be like. The setting made it very intense and haunting whilst reading and with the vivid imagery, it had me on edge from the beginning right to the end. The visualisation of the fog, moors and that feeling of the unknown terror that was creeping upon the people was described in a way that was chilling and incredibly unsettling.

The characters in this story made me feel emotional at so many moments. Kate and her relationship with her brother Neil was perfectly written reflecting on his struggles of being blind yet being strong so as not to ask for help as he’s capable regardless of his disability. Grady and Mrs Fletcher who are the caretaker and maid of the manor were depicted as a loving and protective pair who looked after the children. My favourite character would have to be Stephen. He holds a very mysterious and unsettling presence with whom ever he meets and his motives are unveiled as the story goes on.

The story itself included elements of horror I thoroughly enjoy reading about and haven’t done so in a long time. Without giving too much away there are several twists and turns which made me gasp and the ending of the story was simply genius.

I cant recommend this book enough to everyone looking for a classic chilling book with creepy surprises to read.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/4 Stars, first half was phenomenal, did lose steam late on but good ending, this is well worth a read if you like old school, gothic tales. Review to come.

[Levi Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you take the atmospheric delight of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles and mix it with a supernatural air of pure human terror such as in 30 Days of Night , then you will have a small idea of what you're getting yourself into with this gripping tale.

This mere 200 page novel takes off like a shot, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. My jaw was on the floor for damn near the first two chapters entirely. Burke's use of imagery is astounding at times. In some horror novels I have a hard time picturing things that should not exist, but not here. The scenes payed out like a movie in my head. Love, lust, loyalty, human frailty and betrayal, as well as redemption, are some of the underlying themes throughout. And just as with his descriptions, Burke handles these themes and characters adeptly. I was invested from the beginning and without saying too much, the ending left me astounded and only wanting more.

[Carm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a bit of a mixed history with gothic horror, but Kealan Patrick Burke consistently impresses me. There’s a palpable tension throughout and an equally evident sense of desperation. There’s a “Wuthering Heights” meets Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” vibe happening here. I enjoy an unorthodox evil in horror, and while you can argue that Strigoi are a Romanian ancestor to what we know as vampires, it’s not something you see that often. This was really an all around fun read.

[Austin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't fully love this one, this book solidifies Kealan Patrick Burke as one of my favorite contemporary horror authors.

What I really liked about Master of the Moors is the haunting, gothic atmosphere, the premise which features some violent creature feature action, and that intense opening. KPB's writing is strong as well, though maybe not quite as strong as his newer work.

While I tend to champion KPB's longer works and wished he wrote more novels, I do feel this one was a little overwritten, and I felt my interest in it wane a bit as the story progressed.
It also felt like something was missing with this... can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but I certainly didn't feel as invested in this as I have with some of the author's other stories.

One other negative I have is with the characters. His novels Guests and Kin, for example, have well-written and convincing characters you sympathize with. Master of the Moors seemed to be lacking in that department. I just felt like I never deeply cared about any of the characters in this story. Perhaps with this being one of his older books, his quality of writing (while still good) wasn't quite as refined yet. There was plenty of great description, just not enough work put into character development in my opinion.

Overall this was a positive reading experience but on the more modest end of that, and it's overshadowed by Guests and Kin, my two favorite works by the author. Still, I would recommend giving this one a read.

3.25⭐ rounded down.

[Roxie Voorhees · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pretty excited to get this book in the mail. I have been wanting to dive deep into the older works of Kealan Patrick Burke, eager to see if his style changes or I don't know, maybe could feel him Americanize through his work. Therefore, when I seen Master of the Moors was set in the UK, it became a must have.


This book feels different than the others. It feels somewhat more natural and comfortable. Although Kealan's vocabulary is always vast and often impressive, this one feels effortless, second nature if you will. I appreciate his turn of the 20th century setting, making the atmosphere very vintage, old worldly goth. I am loving everything about it. A vast open land, blinding fog, missing people...this is screaming CREATURE FEATURE at me.


So I sit with my book in the dark with only candles lit to give it a much more authentic feel to the reading experience. We start with some characters joining a search to find a missing woman on the moor. Great opening scene here. It sets the tone of what will happen later. No spoilers but the woman is found dead and insanity ensues.


Fifteen years in the future, a survivor of the search/hunt is super sick and his children are in danger. People begin to be violent, strange animals are seen in the dark, and a strange bandaged man arrives in town. Some say he is here to grant wishes, but soon fifteen year old Neil will find out.


OK so things I love: setting, atmosphere, language, the creatures
Things I loved less: Donald

[Steve Stred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve probably read 6 or 7 of KPB’s novellas and 2 or 3 of his short story collections, but previous to this, I’d only read his novel ‘Kin,’ which was a blast. Kealan (or KPB to me!) has become a master of writing short fiction and novella length releases, and for many fans that’s what he’s known for. Well that, and his cover design work. But KPB has a number of long reads out, and I’ve had ‘Master of the Moors’ sitting on my Kindle for far too long. I was very happy to see it arrive at the top of my TBR list last week and I dove in, excited to see what was in store.

Strangely, and enjoyably, I found this book to almost be a sibling to John F.D. Taff’s ‘The Bell Witch.’ A historical piece (although this isn’t based specifically on a real event) written with a very similar style of prose.

What I liked: The story opens up with a frantic search along a foggy moor, a local man’s wife having been reported missing. From there Patrick Burke gives us a moving, haunting piece of things not always what they seem.

At its core, the book really does a great job of making the reader uncomfortable, and while the story itself has some truly shocking and disturbing moments (that opening sequence alone would make for a stunning novella) it is the atmosphere that KPB creates throughout that really was the highlight for this reader.

The characters are flawed people, which I really enjoyed. A prime example of this was the local physician who pines for the widowed barmaid, only to be made a fool and find himself in the fog.

What I didn’t like: I did find a few spots lagged a bit. Mainly the family dinner-type scenes. While necessary and did add to the tension between some characters, I wanted to know more about the rest of the events whenever these scenes arrived.

Why you should buy this: If you’ve not read Patrick Burke, this would be a great starting spot. You get his ability to inject every sentence with atmosphere and emotion. If you’ve read him before, but not this one, you know what you’re in for and get on it.

I really enjoyed this one and there are a half dozen scenes that have already worked there way into my brain to take their place where they’ll live forever. Creepy, haunting and filled with atmospheric dread, KPB really delivers with this full length.

[Beverley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This is a wonderfully written gothic horror with atmosphere in spades. Set on the bleak landscape of the English moors, it ticked all of my setting boxes, delivering a tale rich with haunting imagery and tension.

The story starts with the hunt for a woman lost on the moors - the events of this hunt form the backbone of the story. We learn that the villagers of Brent Prior fear there is a beast running wild, (and there is a fabulous moment near the end where they descend on the misty midnight moor with torches blazing which gives such Hammer horror vibes).

I loved the characters of Grady and Mrs Fletcher. It's very refreshing to see older characters shine, and shine they did, over the two teenagers, around who the plot revolves.

I'll say no more about the antagonist in this as it's best left for you to discover yourself as you read. Safe to say if you love tales like The Hound of the Baskervilles, you will eat this up.

And I didn't guess the end twist either!

[Dan Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling villain? Check.
Badass monsters? Check.
Mounting sense of dread? Check.
Gothic setting? Check.
Long-buried secrets coming to light? Check.
Creepy atmosphere? Double check.

This book comes very close to a 5 star read for me, though ultimately ended up being a bit closer to a 4. There’s a lot to love here. The setting is excellent, the atmosphere is fantastic and highly effective, the characters are realistic and multi-layered. And most importantly, the monsters are super cool and rather terrifying.

That said, a few minor things prevented this from winning the coveted five star rating:

First off, I wanted more creatures! They were so menacing and scene-stealingly creepy, but just didn’t appear nearly as often as I wanted.

Secondly, there are a bit too many twists for my liking. Most of them worked, but some of them felt a bit forced if I’m being honest.

Most importantly, the pacing was rather inconsistent. The first and last 20 percent were much faster-paced than the middle 60 percent, which made for a slightly uneven reading experience at times.

But overall, this was a solid horror novel that I would eagerly recommend to anyone looking for a monster story with an old-school gothic vibe to it. Kealan Patrick Burke is quickly becoming one of my new favorites.

4.25/5 stars

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tend to be a completist by nature, if I like the author I'm interesting in reading his books. The other side of being a completist is finishing a book once started. And this is pretty much the only reason I finished this one. Burke is unquestionably a talented author, but this book just didn't work for me at all. Actually I should mention that I'm not a huge fan of classic horror, for the most part I find the writing to be torpid and soporific. This book is a pastiche to old school (way old, think end of 19th and start of 20th centuries) and as such has managed to inherit all those least favorable qualities. At just over 200 pages it dragged and dragged. Totally plodding, completely unengaging. It's really a shame because technically or on paper if you will, it checks all the boxes. It had an atmospheric setting (the moors, of course), it had a classic legend (strigoi). But the setting only went so far, the strigoi mythology was treated weirdly and the plot twists (especially main one at the end) came across as overly melodramatic. Left sequel ready, though I don't think one ever materialized. Quite a disappointment considering the author, but then again it seems to have done well with other readers, so it's probably just a personal dislike. Cover makes it cheesier than it was, sunnier too.

[Colin Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic horror is one of those genres that exposes most authors as pretenders rather than masters. It is a deceptively difficult genre because it requires not only a keen sense of atmosphere, but a thorough understanding of character psychology that will make every dark twist both surprise the reader and yet contribute to a sense of a horrible, inevitable fate -- as though there could have been no other possible outcome. I am pleased to say that Kealan Patrick Burke's Master of the Moors shows Burke himself to be a master of the genre on both counts. The atmosphere in this novel evokes the classic Hammer films with their swirling fog and fearful villagers, yet no character ever lapses into caricature: each individual has a dark secret or haunted past that makes them stand out and gives their motivations and decisions added force. Perhaps the most fascinating character arc is Neil Mansfield's: the juxtaposition of his own private ambitions with his loving yet fraught connection to his devoted sister contribute to a denouement that is both shocking yet, in the truest Gothic tradition, horrifically inevitable. If you are a lover of Gothic horror, I highly recommend this novel. You will not be disappointed.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a departure from other books that I have read by Burke, which are modern in style as well as theme. This is an homage to the great Hammer Horror films (or Universal Films if you see it that way) that I watched as a kid where werewolves prowl the moors. Atmospheric. Gothic. Violent. Visual. It is easy to see it playing as a film in your mind as you read. Well plotted, with great characters, I really enjoyed it.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a good Irish monster story to help get you through a cold, dark night. More please.

[Richard K. Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Kealan Patrick Burke's that I have read.....LOVED it!

Growing up in the 60's I used to LOVE being scared to death by watching the old Universal black and white Monster movies, and this took me right back to being that kid who would be scared to DEATH to go to bed.......I always had the worst nightmares! And now, when I watch them.....I still relish what Childhood and Horror was all about! This book is such a nod to those classic horrors that it could easily be considered one of the best of his career.

It took place in the turn of the century in and around the English Moors and during the time after Jack the Ripper......and right during All Hallows Eve! Katie and her brother Neil who is blind are two of the most interesting characters, and what they are about to experience was so good....almost perfect. Not too gory and overly graphic, but it was done SO creepily that you could actually 'smell the rotted bandages on that scary man!' Don't want to give to much away as it is quite a shorter novel.....and to think it was his first published novel.....and one of my best from him! Highly recommended......Loved this book.

4 Screams VERY Loudly

[Gavin Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is really nothing new about the idea behind this one, rumors of a beast on the moors, terrified villagers with torches, stories people will not mention in public etc. Very atmospheric, great characters, great old fashioned classic Hammer Horror style English gothica at it’s best and above all else easily the best new horror novel I have had the pleasure of reading in ages. The only complaint I have is that the ending is on you out of nowhere (which is in keeping with the style of story telling perfectly) when I still wanted to read a lot more of it. A perfect example of how it should be done.

[Suzy Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

16yr old Kate Mansfield and her blind brother Neil live in a manor on the edge of the Brent Prior moors. Kate's plan to runaway to the city is dashed when her father is stricken by a strange illness as a strange fog rolls into the village. People begin to vanish, shadows are glimpsed in the mist, and a disfigured man arrives in Brent Prior with a score to settle. A man who calls himself the Master of the Moors.
When it comes to Mr. Burkes work, I just buy it without reading the synopsis anymore. I'm pretty sure I'll like it. And I did. And I also had no idea what I was getting myself into!
This is a chilling blend of old school horror with a contemporary edge. Burke skillfully crafts an authentic atmosphere and brings the moors to life. The writing is subtle yet visceral at the same time, and Burkes writing is on point as usual. The unexplained happenings in the story make it that much more creepy- the fear of the unknown. What is taking the villagers? What is lurking in the mist in the woods? Who is lurking in the woods?
The characters are well developed and very human, making them relatable and sympathetic.
Kealan Patrick Burke creates a fresh take on old folklore, and plants it down in the middle of a dark, damp, cold atmosphere. I hope he is planning a sequel! The characters were as shocked by the ending as I was! I think we both want to see how this disturbing and curious ending plays out!

[The Lazy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
The best horror I read is always hopeless, and this one is more than most. If the thought of a creature with long, loping legs hunting you in the blind mists of the English moors wasn't chilling enough, this novella also features some truly deformed relationships. The climax provided no relief, and will continue to haunt me.

The immersion would have been easier, if only the historical characters didn't speak in contemporary slang(19th century people talking about "being mean" and "dealing with it"). The horror of women being reduced down to a performance of sexual perversion was something I did not like, but it did manage to unnerve me. Otherwise, the author runs a tight, horrifying ship. I admit to needing more breaks than I thought I would.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set on the foggy, windswept moors at the turn of the century, Master of the Moors recounts a tale of supernatural vengeance and family reunions in a small village on the edge of the moors. Burke is an Irish author of notable talent, and he uses his writing chops to evoke a wonderfully gloomy atmosphere. Many of the characters, however, I found to be a dreadful pastiche of stereotypes, and the only character that I felt had any real personality was Stephen Callow, particularly after the big twist reveal at the end. This was a great horror story; however, there were important elements that didn't tick all of the boxes for me.

[Samuel (Still Reading Sam) M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
Full review to come

[Ken B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

[myreadingescapism · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was rather slow in the beginning, eventually it picked up.