Preacher, Prophet, Beast

Tyack & Frayne #7

by Harper Fox

This is the seventh book in the Tyack & Frayne Mystery series.

Lee would gladly trade all his psychic gifts for a chance at ordinary life with his husband and his little girl. Three years into their marriage, they’re settled in their new home – but the House of Joy can’t shield them from an oncoming threat with the power to uproot their whole world.

Lee can’t define it further, and even his beloved Gideon can’t unmask a monster with no face at all. Gideon is mired in problems and secrets of his own as he struggles to adjust to his new rank and the complexities of plainclothes police work with CID, and for once the devoted Tyack-Frayne partnership is failing to communicate.

Turbulent times in the world at large reach deep into the Bodmin heartland, and the village of Dark is without its guardian constable. More than Lee and Gideon can possibly know has been depending upon their rapport, and as the summer rises towards the longest day, a new and unfathomable kind of Beast is afoot on the moors...

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fantasy

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2017

About the author

Harper Fox is an M/M author with a mission. She’s produced six critically acclaimed novels in a year and is trying to dispel rumours that she has a clone/twin sister locked away in a study in her basement. In fact she simply continues working on what she loves best– creating worlds and stories for the huge cast of lovely gay men queuing up inside her head. She lives in rural Northumberland in northern England and does most of her writing at a pensioned-off kitchen table in her back garden, often with blanket and hot water bottle.

She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn't letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she's yet to discover them.

Reviews

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread November 2022

Oh how I love this series.

Reread April 2019

I'm glad I reread this one. It made much more sense the second time around. Love these two so much.

Originally read August 2018

Well shit...

This one was a mind fuck of epic proportions....seriously. Good, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.

Never fear..Gideon and Lee are still an amazing couple but boy was this one a test. I'm sure I'll be pondering it for some time.

On to the next..

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

It’s been a hot minute since I last read a Tyack and Frayne story, and boy did my reading experience suffer for that here.

It took me the entire first half of the book to re-immerse myself in this richly atmospheric Cornish setting, and even longer to get the previous happenings and the secondary characters (and their past presence) straight in my addled brain. This is on me, of course, but damn if I didn’t struggle here because of time and distance of my own making. I do not recommend going about it in this way. 😂

Now, if I was coming into this fresh off the first six instalments, I’d probably be all gushy over my continued love for psychic Lee Tyack and his hubby, loyal copper Gideon Frayne. These two still hold a special place in my heart and their relationship was still wonderful to see, especially now, so far into their time together, having built a family and home and having cemented such a heavy important presence in their small town of Dark.

The actual mysterious and mystical happenings in this instalment went well and truly over my head at times, but thankfully I was buddy reading with my best pal and we were able to combine our bad memories and confused minds to form one trusty brain-worth of solid interpretations and understandings of this complex and elusive plot. I’m honestly still not completely sure what transpired here, but I think I really enjoyed myself in the second half when things started to really kick into gear.

Lesson learned, though, and I will not be leaving it so long next time before reading on!!

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was super excited about this but it just didn't work for me the way the last few books have. I had a couple of issues.

A big part of the story had to do with a political rally and there were all kinds of comments about the world as a whole backsliding and in particular our messed up politics in the US. I'm not disagreeing with what the author was saying....all of it true....but I read books to get away from the nightmare that is the US political scene right now and I do not want to read about it in my books.

The paranormal part of it was a bit confusing for me. I realize that might just me, but I had to re-read scenes more than once in a few places and I had to read really slowly just to figure out what was going on.

I hated the development with Gideon. HATED IT!

Also, very little in the way of feelz and emotions between Lee and Gideon. At the end of the day I'm mostly there for the romance and the love. I missed it in this book.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I’m basically going to keep repeating myself when it comes to this series. Always, the current mystery du jour is not fully explained. My confusion is intermittently felt throughout and this latest installment was no different. I overall got the basics, but the fine details elude me.

However, what has never waned is the consistently front and center love between Lee and Gideon and how they navigate their complex lives, always putting the other before themselves. Of course, this is where this series shines the best which will keep me coming back for more!

Note to self - make a concerted effort to not wait so long to read the next book, lest my failing brain contribute more to the bewilderment.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good entry in a favorite series. Both Lee and Gideon are firmly on my favorite characters list, and here we see them taking on a more modern evil, in a paranormally flavored way. Familiar secondary characters, from Gideon's brother and mother to the guys' little uniquely-talented daughter, make an appearance.

This book includes one plot device I'm not fond of, because it feels emotionally manipulative. But there are wonderful scenes, and the love between these two comes through the pages beautifully. This is a favorite series, and I will preorder any sequel that happens to appear. I could imagine this as the last book - it has a settled feel to the ending - but hopefully there will be more to come.

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio surprisingly only 4 stars because at times (not often) the narrator wasn't consistent with Lee's voice, at times Lee sounded like Gideon.

Story shockingly only 3.5 stars the feels weren't as much and I'm missing the creepiness. This installment felt a bit sedate compared to the others.

At the end of the story, I'm left me scratching my head. I'm a little confused about what happened or didn't happen. I'm sure more will be revealed in the next books, but I need a break.

Thanks, Barbara! I know we didn't go into this buddy reading but you made this series more enjoyable!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more confusing than intriguing. I wasn’t quite getting it most of the time.

The first half was a bit boring and yet confusing and the second half was better, but I still couldn’t quite figure out what was what.

Gideon is now with the CID, but not that happy about it. He’s one of the people looking out for disturbances during the pride parade. But he can’t shake the feeling something awful will happen at the parade.

He’s also suddenly running a fever, and isn’t quite sure what is real and what not….

This was confusing. I got that Gideon wasn’t sure what was real and what not, but I wasn’t either anymore. I couldn’t quite follow along and that left me a but unsatisfied with the story.

Lot of unanswered questions in this one..
(Like what was with Tamsyn and the flowers??)

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Through the past six books, I fell in love with Lee and Gideon, their family, and the life they'd built. So I was expecting this latest addition to be an automatic 4 stars. Unfortunately, book #7 fell short.

There's not much to add to Gideon and Lee's relationship. They're a done deal at this point. The two have their daughter, Tamsie, and a beautiful home. They've got it all.

So I didn't mind that the relationship aspect of the book was low-key. I don't expect anything new at this point. I was just happy to see how the two held each other up, and how in-tune they are with one another.

If this was a cutesy short story giving readers an update on Lee and Gideon's life, I'd have given this book 3 stars. But most of this book revolves around a mystery plot.

Ordinarily, I'm a fan of Harper Fox's mysteries. But in this case, there was just too much happening. Too many angles, too many strings from previous books that were supposedly put to rest.

I couldn't help but feel more annoyed with each new turn in the story that brought back to life something from one of the previous books. The plot ended up coming across as stale, rather than creative.

It looks like there may be more of Gideon and Lee in the future. I'm hoping the author gets back to the imaginative plots and sweet romance that make this series so fun to read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable addition to the Tyack and Frayne series! 🥰 For having picked up the series without knowing much about it, I've been pleasantly surprised how much I've enjoyed it, especially in audio with a new to me narrator. Tim Gilbert certainly grew on me over the course of the series, so I'm sad to see that the remainder of the series isn't available in audio 🥲

Luckily, I feel like this book ended in a good place. After a run of seven books, I'm a bit burnt out and a swap to something else is much needed. Not having more audio available makes for a good stopping place, so I can't be too mad about that. I've enjoyed Gideon and Lee so very much until this point, and I hope when I come back to the series in the future, I'll love the rest just as much 💙

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent addition to the series. Very well written, as one would expect from Harper Fox. Gideon and Lee's stories, full of magic and mystery, are among my favourites. Lots of twists and turns in this one, making it difficult to predict the ending. I enjoy the supernatural element to the stories and the use of old Cornish myths to add to their haunting and ambiguous spirit. I get the feeling that this may be the end of the Tyack and Frayne series, I sincerely hope not, but, if it is, the ending's a satisfying one. I personally don't feel that this can be read as a standalone, there are often references to events in past books, which, if unaware of, would spoil the flow of the story.

[Annika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook review

2,5 stars

Hmm I don't know... This book was just too much but also not enough at the same time. And I kind of want to say: "What a bloody mess"

I love this series, and each and every book up to this one has been a great and wonderful read. So after finishing this one I'm a bit disappointed. I would say this was by far my least favourite instalment in this series to date. It felt lacking on so many levels. I missed the wonderful atmospheric feel that Fox created in her other books, and that creepy and haunted feeling to Dark and the people in the village was missing. It kind of felt like any old paranormal book, and that's not something we've come to expect from this series. It lacked the feelings that made it unique, and nothing can portray this more than the first line the first book and this;

Once Upon a Haunted Moor:

That sound – you feel it before you hear it, a kind of low vibration in your bones.

Preacher, Prophet, Beast:

My name is Lee Tyack-Frayne.

A bit of a difference, isn’t it?

I also felt like that wonderful connection between Lee and Gideon was missing. In this book they felt just like any old married couple with a toddler, no muss no fuss. We are not used to that. Ok, so Tamsyn does have some rather unusual powers and ones that come into play in this book, but still it's just not enough. Lee and Gideon have been this...force of nature almost, their connection as real and tangible as anything you can see and touch. Part of a whole. But this time around it was lacking everything that made them special. I do appreciate that they had a bit of ups and downs and not always lovey-dovey, but I still didn't feel them like I used to.

These books have also been very intimate of a sort. They take place in Dark and some of the surrounding small towns and villages. The rest of the world just didn't matter, it wasn't all that important to the people here. So for all intents and purposes the rest of the world didn’t exist. Yet suddenly Brexit and Trump and the instabilities in the world are being discussed more than once. And Ok, these things are important and the impact factors in the world are high. But nothing can touch Dark or Bodmin Moor, so this was just so unnecessary. It just doesn’t have a place in this series.

Let’s move on to the plot shall we. I have to admit I am so very confused about it. There was just soo much going on. Both new and old threats, ones we’ve long thought were done with, come out to play, threatening the lives of Dark and the people we’ve come to love. Add in ominous visions by Lee, and the mysteries surrounding Tamsyn, the village of Dark might never be the same again. The plot went in a million different directions and not many of them made much sense or were easy to follow. So much so that if you didn't pay 100% attention to the story for every second you'd be confused. And if you’d ask me I probably won't be able to tell you much more than maybe just the general idea of the book, no details and not on my life will I be able to re-tell how everything was connected and what really happened. And I literally finished listening to this book not 10 minutes ago.

So would I recommend this book?

I honestly don't know. In part I think that depends a bit on where the next book starts off, how much it will build on what happened in this one. And judging by the previous books, you are probably going to need to read it for reference if nothing else. But I would say, if you are like me and often have other things on the go while listening to audiobooks, you should read this book and not listen to it. Not that the audio is bad, Tim Gilbert is still a great narrator for this series. There's just so much going on that I think you'll benefit from reading instead of listening. Where you can just take a second and think about everything that happens, or go back to re-read a section before moving on. Hopefully you won't be as confused as I'm feeling right now – feeling like you need to go back to the beginning just to find out what was really going on.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The paranormal stuff that happened in this book was again very strange and vague and I didn't entirely understand it, but it made more sense than the previous two books. And there was more of the non-paranormal to ground it and give solidity to the plot. But the thing about many of these books is that some of the paranormal stuff is purposely written, I think, in a way that you're not supposed to be sure if it's actually paranormal, imagined, or has some other blander explanation.

The sudden addition of new POVs seven books in threw me off a bit though. I wasn't used to having to remind myself whose POV I was in. There are a few warnings I want to give for this book too (they're not all problematic, just things readers might want to know ahead of time): The words "loony bin" and "lunatic" were used in reference to a character with schizophrenia, there was a big focus on violence and hate toward the LGBT+ community (though not from the MCs, obviously), and this book also got a lot more political than previous ones.

On a brighter note though, I did once again love Gideon, Lee, and little Tamsyn (such an adorable, loving little family), and the whole rest of the family with whom their relations are imperfect but sweet. What this author really excels at though is creating tension and a feeling of wrongness and worry, but also portraying and evoking emotions of all kinds, from heartbreak to unequivocal love. And that's what keeps me coming back to these books---the wonderful characters and their wonderful relationships.

*I’ve read this book multiple times. This review was written after my 1st read.*

*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*

Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-6 in Harper Fox's Tyack & Frayne series. Anyone who likes loving and supportive m/m romance, clairvoyants, mysteries, and small English towns.

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great series ....thoroughly enjoyed this. The brilliant relationship between Gideon & Lee, the love of good friends and the deep spiritual side of old Cornwall. This was almost full circle for many of these characters... the impact of one soul onto another. I really enjoyed the historical side of this story - the old language and the Druid / Pagan beliefs, there's always more to this world than just the things we can see ❤️

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this an A for narration and a B for content at AudioGals

Note: There are spoilers for earlier books in the Tyack & Frayne series in this review.

Since reviewing Once Upon A Haunted Moor and Tinsel Fish, books one and two in Harper Fox’s series of romantic paranormal mysteries featuring Cornish bobby Gideon Frayne and TV psychic Lee Tyack, I’ve been gradually making my way through the rest of the series. Seven of the nine titles are available in audio (at time of writing), and having now reached book seven – Preacher, Prophet, Beast – I thought it was time to catch you all up on what’s been going on in that particularly mystical corner of Cornwall. Lee and Gideon have been together for three years, married for over two of them and are the parents of a little girl – Lee’s niece – whom they adopted more than a year earlier. They’ve continued to encounter threats both spiritual and mundane; it’s become clear that Lee’s gifts carry a heavy price and more recently, that the strong bond he and Gideon share, their psychic link, if you will, is not just one-sided. Gideon is sceptical, but it seems the Tyacks aren’t the only family to have been blessed with psychic abilities. And speaking of family, it’s been clear since her birth that little Tamsyn has inherited the Tyack family trait – although her gifts seem to be manifesting themselves in a different way.

You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals .

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure if John Tregear is more a ghost or a ghoul, but what a creepy character! Harper Fox's Tyack & Frayne mysteries continues with Preacher, Prophet, Beast.

Lots of chilling stuff in this one, and as everyone seems to mention, it's a complex story, but Tim Gilbert's nicely performed narration helped me follow along.

[Cæsar · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, very well written, I'm a big fan of the series, unfortunately this book didn't work for me.

I believe this series should have ended of book 5, just change a little bit to make everything tight and then it would be the perfect end! One of the reasons I love Harper's books is that it doesn't have to be a long book to be good, a short story can be just enough! Sometimes, extend too much can be damaging, and I believe that what's happening here.

The whole atmosphere disappeared, the plot had too many directions, I'm not thrilled with Gideon's development... all of it, especially at the final moments.

I got the connection (maybe), wolf, wolfsbane, house of wolves, the beast..

I think the story should maintain the original idea, it was perfect, happens with to manny writers, changing the course, and I noticed that Harper did that to a couple of her books. The centrepiece are Tyack & Frayne, but in this book, apparently, the importance went to other characters.
For example, now there's triple goddess, I didn't liked, mostly because one of them is not likeable at all.

I like the love making scenes.
I like the cover.

I had this book on Audible as well, Tim Gilbert gives a very good performance to the series, I do think though there was a little misses here, the narrator wasn't consistent with Lee's voice, at times Lee sounded like Gideon.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ 4.5 Stars ~

God, this series. I’m running out of words to express my love for these characters and my appreciation of author Harper Fox’s gift of them to her readers. Beginning with book one, she’s crafted a homey feeling of family, friends, and townspeople who have faults and strengths, as we all do—some are just downright awful, as some humans are—but then she’s created this gorgeous romance between Lee Tyack and Gideon Frayne amongst it all, and then imbued the scenery with Cornish folklore, druidic ritual and a touch of the supernatural. Preacher, Prophet, Beast reads like a fever dream at times, often making me question what was real and what wasn’t—maybe it was both, and that unknowing is the sum of its best parts. The winds of change have blown over the Cornwall landscape, and there is a bit of prophesying at play now. What it means remains to be seen.

There is a holiday novella, Third Solstice, that precedes this installment in the series, and while it’s not imperative, in the strictest sense of the word, to read it before digging into this full-length novel, it will prepare you for what Lee and Gideon’s baby girl, Tamsyn, is fated for. Granny Ragwen, the Dark witch, also plays a part in what’s evolving, and the story is fantastic, too, so there’s that. Read it if for nothing more than it’s more time spent with this fascinating cast of characters.

Lee and Gid went through hell and back in Guardians of the Haunted Moor over their daughter, whose mother happens to be Lee’s sister, Elowen, and while their relationship with her isn’t yet repaired, Elowen plays a small but significant part in the story, too, as does Gid’s preacher brother, Zeke, who is slowly but surely proving he’s human—in the person sense, not the paranormal—which is a welcome evolution. In my review of the second novella in the series, Tinsel Fish, I said that I had high hopes for Zeke, and those hopes have come to fruition. I love him and all his stilted love and conflicted acceptance of his family: Lee and Gid in particular. I think he’s finally learning the difference between religion and faith, and I couldn’t be happier for this growing, albeit grudging, awareness. There’s not a single character in this series, in fact, who reads as mere set decoration or as a clunky and convenient device to further the story. Everyone contributes, and that’s entirely owed to Fox’s ability to layer Lee and Gid’s story and then enfold these people into it and make them important.

Plotty romance is the hallmark of the Tyack & Frayne series. We talk a lot about the happily-ever-after when we speak of books in the genre, without much tangible evidence that the HEA is solid, only what we wish for. That’s not to say I’ve never been convinced of any other couples’ growing old together, loving each other for as long as they both shall live, but perhaps not in the same way I believe in Lee and Gid’s come hell or high water, forever brand of love. Theirs is easily one of the truest and purest love stories I’ve ever read, and despite external conflict causing some internal friction in the storyline, there was never a question they wouldn’t come out stronger on the other side.

One of the undercurrents that took shape in this story, and the author capitalized on to good effect, is the current socio-political climate that is the breeding ground of hatred and chaos in the story. The pervading sense of evil is steeped in legend and is also human-borne. There is a sense of monstrous people behaving monstrously, and the realism of it lent a sad sort of helplessness to the storyline which is then offset by the hopefulness that love will always overcome hate.

There’s no way to synopsize this book and not give up spoilers. Not to mention that, at this point, there are far too many threads finessed into the whole of what it is on its surface: a gorgeous romance. And Gideon’s becoming… There is a richness to the depth of development of this series, and while it may seem intimidating to think about starting a series that has to be read in order and is already this many books into it, I can’t recommend this one highly enough.

Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach

[Relly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

4.5 stars

I love this series, Gideon and Lee are one of my all time favourite couples, I like how strong their relationship is and how they work together. I really enjoyed the family aspect of this one, the family you are born into and also the family you make throughout your life, and how far you would go to protect them. Zeke is one of the best secondary characters. He could have been 2 dimensional but his character arc with his struggles over the 7 books has been fantastic and really fleshed out his character. I enjoy the banter between the brothers.
Looking forward to more
Highly recommended series

[Karen Wellsbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved everything to date in this series, the location, symbolism, the lovely relationship between Gideon and Lee. It's really highly emotional, and at times a little overblown but always very pure.
However this was a little less than for me, although I will still read book 9 !

[WMD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing visit with our Cornish duo: mystic powers and modern fears

This is another addition to the Tyack and Frayne mystery series. I highly recommend that you read them in order, starting with 'Once Upon a Haunted Moor.' Too many characters and history criss-crossing through them for you to read them out of order.

We have Gideon, newly promoted Detective Sergeant, and Lee stay-at-home dad with by appointment psychic hours. Each man is a force of good, and their bond is strong and sweet. This slice of Cornish village mystery is rife with mysticism, myths, and modern crimes of hate and destruction. A power is raised that knocks even Gideon and Lee off their foundation, and it takes the Lord of Misrule, the Crone, the Wife and the Maiden, the Prophet, the Guardian, and the Beast to rebuild.

This one (as with the last few volumes in the series) is more about the mythical piece than mystery, but several themes are moved along: how is Tamsyn's mother dealing with the adoption, how are Tamsyn's powers working out, how is Zeke's unwed fatherhood sitting with his congregation, how is Gideon feeling about his new work now that he is promoted, how is Gideon's mom's campaign for all things gay going, how is the village doing without Gideon?

Highly recommend, as a satisfying piece of the Tyack and Frayne menu. Well written, some slight mayhem in the plot with perhaps one too many bad guys. Smooth dialogue, sufficiently edited.

Things I rate mm books on
Sexy scale 1-5=3
Explicit mm scenes, indeed, always confirming the love. Some of my favorite minutes with these two are when they are just admiring each other, and counting on each other for care and support.
Angst scale 1-5=3
I was shocked that Lee's and Gideon's connection was so rocked...Both were in some emotional pain. See bottom of review for possible trigger/spoiler.
Humor scale 1-5=2
Less of the dog's goofiness in this one, the baby taking up some of the slack.
Likable MCs scale 1-5=3
These guys are really great together. But they start this one out of sync and it just gets worse for awhile... Harper had to pull some extreme Superman type action to get them back strong, but they got there.
Words he’d have written in gold on the salty air, if he’d had time, the time now miraculously granted. “It is not your job in any way to run around predicting disasters. You’re my husband, and you and Tamsyn are the loves of my whole life. You don’t have to say or do one damn thing more to be my whole life’s perfection to me. Do you understand?”
Lee nodded. The movement was tight and close against Gideon’s skull. Gideon felt his ribs jerk in a sob."

If you like psych in your mystery, I recommend
Psycop Series by Jordan Castillo Price and
Plumber's Mate Series by J.L. Merrow
A Reason to Believe by Diana Copland

Possible trigger/spoilers bombing of a Pride event

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preacher, Prophet, Beast
(Tyack and Frayne, Book 7)
Harper Fox
Foxtales Publications, 2017

It is hard for me to write an unbiased review of a Harper Fox novel. I suppose I might try by noting that each volume of the Tyack & Frayne series is inevitably “lesser” than Fox’s other books, if only because, as separate units of a larger whole, no one of the books can be as complete as a stand-alone work of art. Each book in the series necessarily depends on the others to make any sense at all.

Right?

But would that really be true? I suppose that if one were to read “Preacher, Prophet, Beast” entirely without foreknowledge of the rest of the series, it would leave the reader confused, having no context for any of the things that happen in the course of this seventh installment of the small-town saga of psychic Lee Tyack and his constable husband Gideon Frayne. There’s their adorable toddler, Tamsyn, with her whimsical Cornish name and startling supernatural powers. And of course there’s Elowen, Lee’s chimerical sister, who keeps appearing and has already tried once to take back the infant she turned over to her brother to raise. Then we have Rufus, Gideon’s erstwhile police partner, and his curious devotion to Lee, whom he insists on calling Locryn, his proper Cornish name that nobody else uses. How would one explain the idea of the Bodmin Beast, lurking nightmarishly in Gideon’s mind as something not real, and yet something not quite dismissable as mere fantasy? Or, indeed, the whole aura of vaguely Druidic Cornish magic that seems to haunt the moors around the town of Dark and everyone who is part of its history? How would an uninitiated reader assimilate all that back-story only through this latest (but seemingly not last) chapter in Lee and Gideon’s weirdly unremarkable life?

Fascinatingly, the entire essential backstory of the series is included, subtly and sometimes offhandedly, within the beautiful prose of this book. Surely the plot is puzzling, particularly at one key, vision-like moment that seems terribly surreal. But then again, I have read (and loved) all six of the previous books, and I was left confused and disoriented by “Preacher, Prophet, Beast.” I doubt a new reader would be much more thrown off by anything in this book than I was, even with my more complete familiarity with the whole story.

This is not to say that I’m recommending that one read these books out of order, or to jump in on chapter seven. I’m just saying that Fox’s writing is so good, the sense of place is so rich, and the characters are so compelling and varied and interesting, that “Preacher, Prophet, Beast” would be a good read even if one was totally ignorant of the context in which it was written. In a way, this entire book is an echo of all that went before, with a quietly bizarre finale that left me frankly slack-jawed with surprise.

I can’t say that this was my favorite book in the series; and yet I felt oddly bereft when it was done. It was as if some great secret had been revealed, but only just out of my sight.

The hard part will be waiting for episode 8.

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic is heavy in this one, as are the Cornish references. The former isn't as successful as the latter.

I think part of the reason the usually, well, magical magic isn't as successful here as in most of Fox's stories are the multiple references to very recent and ongoing international events. Do I understand why they're there? Sure thing. Will they possibly feel less jarring in the future (aka "too soon? ")? Most likely. Part of me pumped my fist because, yeah, so much bullshit going on right now, life and death bullshit. The other part of me wished these things would never touch Gideon and Lee and their extended Dark-Bodmin Moor-Cornwall family, as they are impacting so many in the real world.

Through and in the middle of it all are Gid and Lee, dealing with life's changes and challenges. They're also working hard to continue enjoying the passion, love, and chemistry they share. Course, the residents of Dark have their own priorities that often require the attention of our happily married couple, adding to the juggling of adjustments.

There are quite a few moving parts in this tale. Some are barely addressed while others receive plenty of attention. This could have been two books or, at least, a fuller length novel. All of the elements are worthy, but not all are given equal treatment.

Many of our fave supporting characters are here, playing their roles. It sometimes felt like that was all, though, "just" filling a role, instead of furthering character development and advancing plot. Ma Frayne, Zeke, Mrs Waite, Rufus (though his is a crucial role, if a little forced), Darren, and of course Isolde and Tamsyn, and many more make appearances but their contributions aren't always fleshed out.

Fox's ways with the words are top notch. Lawdy, I got lost in 'em while simultaneously able to picture everything in my imagination. And she gets me with the emotions, and heat, and the quips that Gid and Lee toss back and forth.

Some of the choices made and events that transpired made it challenging to load up the mystery GPS, but those same things do make for a promising future story. I saw a couple of the twists and resolutions coming.

Even with these hiccups, I enjoyed my time with Gideon and Lee and the gang. I don't see that changing any time soon, either. :)

If you haven't read the other books in this series, I recommend doing that before starting this'n.

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 2026: This hit a little bit differently as I reread it. I don’t think I’d give it 5 stars this time. There’s a lot of politics and political opinions that I remember in the upcoming books, but it starts here. The state of the world is so much worse today than in April 2023 when I first read it. I truly want to read to escape all that stuff, not have an author jam their opinions at me. There’s mention of Brexit and the evils of the US and other countries. Whether I agree with those opinions or not, I don’t want them in my books. I won’t change my original rating even though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I initially had.

April 2023: 5 stars I thought this book was excellent! There were twists in the story that I never saw coming. It starts out with Lee struggling with his visions. He can’t quite grasp what he’s seeing, but he knows that trouble is coming. It’s hard for him to not be able to warn Gideon.

This is the first book where Gideon and Lee had some problems and it was good to see them work stuff out. We find out that it’s been 3 years since they married and Tamsyn is now two years old. People are noticing her powers and Lee is worrying about how she’ll be treated once she starts going to school. But they figure it out as they go.

There’s an epilogue for the first time and I haven’t figured out if it was good or a vague foreshadowing of what might be to come. I’ll have to read on to see if I get more clarity.

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think someone's been at the Harry Potter Time Turner....and there should be no recriminations at the outcome either. This was a very complicated story, and at times it appeared that there were too many threads to bring everything to a satisfactory conclusion, but as long as everyone is OK at the House of the Wolves, all is right with the world in my opinion. Harper brings in Pride parades, far right homophobic and anti-immigrant cretins and we catch up with some old characters too. Happy at the epilogue, and that John Tregear meets a well-deserved gruesome end.

Is this the end? Who knows, but I'll keep hoping that the Tyack-Frayne household make further appearances in the future. 4 stars.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's approaching midsummer in Dark and Gideon Frayne and his husband Lee Tayack are brining up their now 2 year old gifted daughter Tamsyn surrounded by friends. But the beast is back and strange things are happening... including the uprising of a group calling for Cornish purity.

The author weaves a lot of pagan mysticism through the story, including references to the three witches, moon stones and the myths of the hare running Widdershins. Some of the story felt a little confused at times but overall very enjoyable.

I do wish they wouldn't call Tamsyn a 'witch' in a negative way though - but that's just a personal thing.

[Relly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

And this finishes my audio for this series as I await the release of the final books

This whole series is one I would highly recommend on audio as the narrator brings this to life. Each character has his or her own voice which makes the listening an absolute pleasure.

I love the relationship between Gideon and Lee. It has evolved over the course of the series to an unbreakable bond. There are no stupid miscommunications just steadfast belief in each other

[Pjm12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favourite, but only because I don't like it when the Tyacks and Fraynes are unhappy, unsettled or burdened in any way.

But of course, it's all resolved - thankfully, beautifully, happily.

Happy if there's more. Of course.

[Deeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might not fully understand the spooky aspect of these stories but I do bloody enjoy them.

When Tasmyn first started showing her gift and being so perfect I thought I'd feel annoyed, but instead I can fully believe in her. There's just something about these stories and characters that just work for me.

This one felt a little darker what with Gideon and the Beast connection. I loved seeing everyone else, and I admit I have a soft spot for Darren. I only wish there was a way for Dev to be absolved.

I did have one tiny niggle, right at the end it's said that Darren was in and out of care and foster homes, but I'm pretty sure no where in previous books was that ever mentioned. Nothing to spoil the story just something that had me stop reading to wonder at.

A great addition to the Gideon and Lee sagas

ETA Still the same thoughts

[Booker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Tyack & Frayne series on Audible. (They are included in the Audible Plus catalog which means they are free with an Audible membership.) Tim Gilbert does an excellent job of narrating all the Cornish accents in this and all the previous books. However, he makes the MCs (and Gideon, in particular) sound older than they are and Lee's voice is not consistent with the previous books. Lee starts sounding more and more like Gideon as the book progresses. Maybe that's intentional but I didn't care for it.

These are paranormal stories so there is some suspension of belief required but this one requires more than most!

This is probably my least favorite in the series so far. The plot was messy and I was a bit confused at times. The ending was... wut?? Maybe that was a setup for the next book but I think I'm done with this series - especially without Tim Gilbert narrating I'm not sure I want to continue.

3 stars

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a challenge and read it way out of order. It was evident to me that this shouldn't be read as a standalone, but rather read in order most likely. I almost gave it a 2 because I was confused at times, but I thought that was unfair considering that I hadn't read the first 6 books in this series. I'm pretty sure I'd have liked it more if I had. Although, the author did give some backdrop from previous books, it appeared.

I liked both of the MC's Lee and Gideon. They are a gay couple whose relationship is quite enjoyable to read about. Plus, they have a child and that always adds a little bit of likability for me. Lee stays home and takes care of their little one, Tamsyn, while Gideon works as a detective.

The characters were flawed, which always is a way to connect with them since we are all flawed. Zeke, for example, comes to the decision to tell his congregation something he feels he should.

I do like books that have twists and this one did. I still wish that I had read the other books first, but that's what happens when you let challenges rule your life! lol