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The House at the End of the Moor
What Can a London Opera Star and an Escaped Dartmoor Prisoner Have in Common?
Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.
Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2020
208 people are currently reading
5223 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Griep
42 books2,601 followersI hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
January 16, 2020
I may sound presumptuous in saying this, but this might just be my favourite book of 2020. Yes, this is only my second book of the year so far. But it is that good. Mystery, intrigue, suspense, romance, faith, history. This book has it all. From the very first chapter, I didn’t want to put this book down. The characters are so well thought out. The plot maintains your interest throughout, and comes to a satisfying ending. I can’t recommend this book enough. Will be reading more from Michelle Griep.
January 26, 2020
Think Jane Eyre with a reverse jewel heist thrown into the mix. And of course I gave it 5 stars, because who doesn't love a wink and a nod to the great Charlotte Bronte?!
September 16, 2021
{"The 4-star-book-that-could-have-been-a-five-star-book" -Lindsey fromBFCG}
About this book:
“What Can a London Opera Star and an Escaped Dartmoor Prisoner Have in Common?
Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Many Prayers & thanking God; Talks about God, faiths, forgiveness, & justice; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & praising God; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of churches & preachers/vicars; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of sins & sinners; A few mentions of Heaven & eternity; A few mentions of miracles; A few mentions of Godspeed; A couple mentions of a sainted glass of the Good Shepherd at a church; A couple mentions of saints; A mention of someone being a miracle worker; A mention of a rider of the apocalypse; A mention of a threat of sending someone to their Maker;
*Note: An Officer (Sebastian) at a prison spouting Scripture incorrectly (missing a word or adding a phrase, we see this a handful of times (Maggie corrects him on one he said to her)) and he also tries to “help” children get on the “right path” via “God’s grace and [Sebastian’s] hand”, more about that in the Negative Content section; He thinks he is trying to atone for his sins ; Phrases are said (“by all that was holy” and “this godforsaken planet” (the latter said by Sebastian) up to twice each); A man calls Maggie a she-devil; Mentions of calling men devils and demons & their appearances devilish; Mentions of a hellhole, calling a prison cell hell, a pit of hell, and a life and other things hellish; Mention of superstitions, ghosts, & pixies around a moor; A few mentions of hell, the lake of fire, & burning; A few mentions of hellhounds; A couple mentions of a someone’s soul being possessed by a demon; A mention of a man being the spawn of Satan; A mention of a man working for the devil; A mention that assumptions are the devil’s handiwork; A mention of a man having the heart of a demon; A mention of a man’s eyes that are almost demonic; A mention of someone riding hell-bent after another; A mention of bring justice to the world is a calling and a curse; A mention of a man looking down on people like a god; A couple mentions of a man looking like Adonis and a Greek god.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: (if you’re not familiar with any of these, they are used as an exclamation or when frustrated) an ‘idiot’, a ‘not caring a fig’, a ‘pish’, a ‘what the skip-nippity’, a ‘whoever the blazes’, two ‘caw’s, two ‘for the love of God and country!’s, two forms of ‘hang it’, two ‘la!’s, two forms of ‘shut up’, three ‘Egads/Gads’, four forms of ‘drat’, four ‘thunderation!’s, six ‘stupid’x, six forms of ‘what the devil’, eight forms of ‘who/what the deuce’, ten ‘bah/pah’, eleven forms of ‘sweet blessed heavens!/sweet mercy’, and twenty-five forms of ‘blast’; Many mention of curses (said, not written, one called a “belch of damnation”); Sebastian curses (not written) and smokes; Almost drowning in a swamp (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Being shot, Being hit/slapped/hurt, Blood/Bleeding, & Passing out (semi-detailed); Being in a prison & punishments (semi-detailed); Sebastian is a bully and harms children under the pretense of “showing them the right way to live” (this includes knocking a boy’s food over that he was trying to sell, seriously hurting a teen boy’s wrist, and almost burning a boy’s cheek with a cigarillo); Sebastian also aims a gun at a guard dog; Many mentions of pain, injuries, being slapped/hit, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of thieves/criminals, stealing, & stolen items; Many mentions of prisons/jail, prisoners, punishments/torture, & arrests; Mentions of having to identify a body & death (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a man enjoying harming others to do what he wants (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a man and boys bullying and physically harming a girl who is mute (also a mention that “not many women of means would look so kindly on a defective maid” from Oliver, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of knives, guns, gunshots, & being shot at; Mentions of threats; Mentions of gambling & debts; Mentions of pubs, alcohol, drinking, & drunkards; Mentions of smoking, pipes/cigars/cigarillo, & tobacco; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, guilt, & deceit; Mentions of manure; A few mentions of killing a man & the blood (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of violence; A few mentions of an injured dog that was beaten by its prior master; A few mentions of hatred; A couple mentions of murder; A couple mentions of rumors; A mention of starting a war; A mention of slitting someone’s throat; A mention of embezzlement; A mention of eavesdropping;
*Note: Mentions of classic books & their characters.
Sexual Content- A fingers-to-lip touch (barely-above-not-detailed), a fingers kiss, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, an almost semi-detailed kiss, four semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Wondering about kissing someone (barely-above-not-detailed); Hand Holding, Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Winks & Blushes; Nearness, Noticing, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); *Minor Spoiler* ; A comment about worshiping a spouse with your body at a wedding, making a woman yours in every way, & the desire in a man’s gaze (all with a married couple); Maggie watches Oliver shaving and thinks about how intimate this scene is and that she as an unmarried woman, should not be watching (but is unable to pull herself away from the scene); A man closes close to smell Maggie’s hair, but she says her virtue is not in danger with him (it’s more of a threat, then sexually motivated); Mentions of affairs & a wife aware of her husband seeking affections from other women (including a mention of his infidelity not only being physical pleasures); Mentions of Maggie dodging pinches, stolen kisses, and other untoward advances from men and their wicked intents; Mentions of winks & blushes; A few mentions of a man’s sister being sullied by a man & killing the man; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of wanting to be one with another (with the intent of marriage); A couple mentions of women of ill repute/fallen women; A couple mentions of innuendos/assumptions about someone; A couple mentions of reputations/virtue; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of Oliver saying he admits to a keen study of the fairer sex; A mention of men calling Maggie’s character in question because of her profession; A mention of guilty men being notorious for their wiles; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Oliver notices Maggie’s curves (“though curved in all the right places, she was a slender woman”); Sebastian comments on different women’s appearances in a negative and judging way (also comments on women’s subordination to men); A mention of a knee to the groin stopping a man from bad intentions; A mention of a scandalously low-cut gown; A mention of a mother and child dying in childbirth; A mention of breastfeeding.
-Margaret “Maggie” Lee, age 25
-Oliver Ward, age 30
P.O.V. switches between them & Sebastian (Maggie in 1st, Oliver and Sebastian in 3rd)
Set in 1861 (Final chapter set in 1862)
320 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Well, well, well. While I was hoping to enjoy it, I ended up enjoying this book much more than expected.
I have read “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” by Michelle Griep and I liked that one, but I would totally believe that this book and that one were not written by the same author. I mean no ill-intent when I say this, it just that “The House at the End of the Moor” had so much more depth and emotion in it. Not that the 2021 book didn’t, this (2020 published) novel, however, had it on an entirely different level.
The poetic style of writing—especially in Maggie’s point of view parts—pulled me in instantly to the story. It was beautifully written and in a style I absolutely adored. Maggie was brilliant and how the author wrote her lines *all the heart eyes*. The pacing of the sentences when something is revealed (big to small, someone’s appeared, somethings happened, etc.) was phenomenal. Not even just the reveals, but also the conversations about God and how they were worded and discussed. It’s like the author knew how to make the sentences to hit the reader with the most impact and it worked flawlessly. Mic drop moments, if you will, again and again.
Both Maggie and Oliver were great. I loved her parts the most, but oh boy, he was a charmer. But in the best way, he had so many moments that I went, “He’s just a nice guy.” “He’s a good guy.” Because of little things he would do. (Also, please do not get me started on the “Who hurt you? I’ll kill him.” trope (not exactly in this book, but very close) because I will become a blushing mess, be forewarned.) They had their little moment of instant attraction, but they both pushed those thoughts to the back burner for the time being because of the important things at stake. (Thank you! Finally a couple in a “romance book” that’s on the run/in a dangerous situation and not looking at each other’s lips at the worst moments! They pushed (most of) their feelings to the side and I appreciated that so much.)
Now, to go into what I wasn’t a fan of: At first, I was incredibly disappointed to see a villain’s (who was twisting Scriptures) point of view. I could easily do without that. However, the ending. Okay, I really didn’t like him. At all. Not even in his last P.O.V. chapter. (To be as safe as possible from spoilers, I’ll be vague: There was hints of it happening, but it felt a little off to me until the very final chapter. And then there was another mic drop moment and I was in stunned silence, once again. So all that means, is that while seeing his P.O.V. bothered me a lot at the beginning and I was ready to strangle him, it bothered me less because the ending and very final chapter.)
I’m putting this book at four stars for my personal rating, though, I think I could have easily given it a five star had a few suggestions not been included. I think those said suggestions may go over younger readers’ heads, but I would still say this book is better for Older High School aged girls and over because of such content. Nothing felt over the top or utterly scandalous, but still, there was mentions of girls/women being ruined by men, affairs, some of the I’m-in-love emotions (which albeit those parts being a little *more* than I would have liked, there wasn’t many in total at all), punishments/being attacked, and the villains (one more evil and one more blinded by his thoughts of atoning for his sins).
So, overall? I’m buying a copy of this book for myself and adding about ten quotes I loved to my Goodreads. I’m eagerly awaiting her next book (to be released on the first on November) and will be checking out the author’s other books in the meantime. Because of some content/comments, I can’t recommend it for younger readers, but, personally, I will be marking it as one of my favorites books from this year.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
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January 3, 2020I couldn’t put this novel down. It has everything I want: a richly detailed and atmospheric historic setting, robust characters who grow from one chapter to the next, and timeless truths convincingly and naturally portrayed. Not only does The House at the End of the Moor sparkle with wit and wisdom, but the spiritual insight is seamlessly and powerfully delivered. Another impressive offering from Michelle Griep. I can’t wait for her next!
June 25, 2022
3.5 stars
The House at the End of the Moor was my first book by Michelle Griep and I enjoyed it. This was a bit more of mystery/action and less romance which wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but it kept my attention and I was engaged throughout it. I’ll definitely check out more by this author, I just wish the romance was a bit stronger.
The House at the End of the Moor was my first book by Michelle Griep and I enjoyed it. This was a bit more of mystery/action and less romance which wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but it kept my attention and I was engaged throughout it. I’ll definitely check out more by this author, I just wish the romance was a bit stronger.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Pearl Hewitt
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 11h 22m
June 17, 2020
There is an elegance about this book and it was very hard to put down.
I love detail in historical novels I read and this had it to the fullest. Atmospheric, I felt as though I was there experiencing it. The character development was a natural progression that I loved following.
The author has a natural understanding of the era she writes about in her books and masters it quite will with authenticity.
Action,mystery,romance and oh yes, lets not forget about villains are to be found in this book and enjoyed.
I've loved every book I've read by this author and eagerly look forward to reading what she puts out next as it's guaranteed to be a sure winner.
Published April 1st 2020 by Shiloh Run Press
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I love detail in historical novels I read and this had it to the fullest. Atmospheric, I felt as though I was there experiencing it. The character development was a natural progression that I loved following.
The author has a natural understanding of the era she writes about in her books and masters it quite will with authenticity.
Action,mystery,romance and oh yes, lets not forget about villains are to be found in this book and enjoyed.
I've loved every book I've read by this author and eagerly look forward to reading what she puts out next as it's guaranteed to be a sure winner.
Published April 1st 2020 by Shiloh Run Press
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
March 2, 2020
4.5 stars
I was expecting a Victorian drama, but I wasn’t expecting the level of misty Gothic-inspired suspense I found. There was so much atmosphere in this novel that it was addictive and the book was almost impossible to put down. To be honest, I stayed up until 2 am to finish it!
Pretty quickly we discover that the hero has been wrongfully imprisoned, but the heroine may be a criminal too, we discover...what a mess. I found it a bit unlikely that the two would end up in the same spot when he escapes, but of course that’s necessary for the plot. Other than that I found the story entertaining and interesting.
There’s a bit of violence, plus one character that’s super warped, so it may not be for everyone if you don’t like extra creepy villains.
Favorite moments: When Oliver’s father shows up near the end and what all that entails. And the epilogue...
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
I was expecting a Victorian drama, but I wasn’t expecting the level of misty Gothic-inspired suspense I found. There was so much atmosphere in this novel that it was addictive and the book was almost impossible to put down. To be honest, I stayed up until 2 am to finish it!
Pretty quickly we discover that the hero has been wrongfully imprisoned, but the heroine may be a criminal too, we discover...what a mess. I found it a bit unlikely that the two would end up in the same spot when he escapes, but of course that’s necessary for the plot. Other than that I found the story entertaining and interesting.
There’s a bit of violence, plus one character that’s super warped, so it may not be for everyone if you don’t like extra creepy villains.
Favorite moments: When Oliver’s father shows up near the end and what all that entails. And the epilogue...
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
January 28, 2020
A thrilling Victorian era adventure across the moors of England! A Good Samaritan act puts a young woman in peril, binding the two main characters in a plan to bring justice down on those who have wronged them.
This well written tale has it all--action, treachery, inspiration, and romance--with colorful characters worthy of a Dickens novel. It felt like reading a fast paced classic, reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo or Les Miserables, but with a unique plot of its own. The theme of justice is at the center of the story, both on a personal level and in society. Both main characters have reasons to be angry at the injustice done to them, setting up a perfect scenario to seek revenge or choose forgiveness.
"...righteousness belongs to God alone. It will not be found at the hand of man."
There are some powerful moments of surrender, redemption and reconciliation. It was quite moving at times. It reminded me of Psalm 73 where the writer despairs until he realizes that God has not abandoned him and that He will bring justice in the end. Hope for failed relationships and trusting God to help in times of need also added inspiration to the story. The ending included a perfect wrap up and left me in a bit of a book hangover--the sign of a great story.
Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction with action, adventure, inspiration and a bit of romance. (A warning for tender readers--there is some violence, associated mainly with the prison and a ruthless guard--but not overly detailed.)
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
This well written tale has it all--action, treachery, inspiration, and romance--with colorful characters worthy of a Dickens novel. It felt like reading a fast paced classic, reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo or Les Miserables, but with a unique plot of its own. The theme of justice is at the center of the story, both on a personal level and in society. Both main characters have reasons to be angry at the injustice done to them, setting up a perfect scenario to seek revenge or choose forgiveness.
"...righteousness belongs to God alone. It will not be found at the hand of man."
There are some powerful moments of surrender, redemption and reconciliation. It was quite moving at times. It reminded me of Psalm 73 where the writer despairs until he realizes that God has not abandoned him and that He will bring justice in the end. Hope for failed relationships and trusting God to help in times of need also added inspiration to the story. The ending included a perfect wrap up and left me in a bit of a book hangover--the sign of a great story.
Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction with action, adventure, inspiration and a bit of romance. (A warning for tender readers--there is some violence, associated mainly with the prison and a ruthless guard--but not overly detailed.)
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
January 31, 2020
Famed opera singer Margaret Lee is hiding out at Morden Hall at the end of Dartmoor, when she finds escapee prisoner Oliver Ward lifeless at the side of the road. The plot centers around a jewel theft they both are connected to. On an intense and dangerous mission to bring down the real jewel thief they have to deal with people as dangerous as they are powerful.
Having fled from her contract obligations to sing in Bath, famed opera singer Margaret Lee is in hiding at the end of Dartmoor. She feels she has to escape to protect herself and her father from threats and violence. After 9 months at the end of the moor she is still scared her manager, Mr. Grout, will find her.
Oliver was wrongly convicted for theft of a jewelry necklace and has fought to stay alive in Dartmoor prison. He makes a narrow escape with dangerous and violent Prison Warden, Mr. Barrow, on his tale. This is why he ends up near Margaret’s house, wounded and unconscious. When he gets better, he recognizes Margaret as the one who wore the necklace just before it was stolen. He suspects her to be the thief. She thinks she is in possession of a theatre prop, and is shocked to find out it is real.
Margaret and Oliver realize they have to work together, so they decide to set out on a journey to Bath to solve the jewel mystery as well as trying to stay safe from Mr. Barrow and Mr. Gout who are chasing them. Throughout this ordeal, they get to see each other bring out their best under pressure.
I really liked the character of Margaret as she tries to fend for herself in a world of powerful men. I found her reactions believable for a woman of that time lacking the security of family or powerful connections to shield her. All her life she has been told what’s acceptable and what’s not by men, but now she is done with it. She has a good heart taking mute girl Nora into her employ, when she is harassed in the local community.
Oliver seems a real charmer with the ladies, and well connected among various groups of potential voters come election day to parliament. He uses his silver-tongued skills for all they are worth to get out of sticky situations. His work in favor of the less fortunate has led to powerful people wanting to get rid of him, hence the wrongful conviction. His political views seem something like Ross Poldark’s, as he fights for the poor and against people whose goal in life is lining their own pockets whatever it takes.
This story contains some seriously unsavory characters. Well done! Prison Warden and law enforcement officer Sebastian Barrow in particular, who has his very own interpretation of what trust in God entails. I find him to be a violent, dangerous and appalling man. When dealing with prisoners, knocking them senseless seems to be his go-to approach. Whether they survive or not doesn’t seem to concern him. He is an excellently crafted villain character with a questionable stability of mental health. He really pushes my buttons. I am pleased to see there is a bit of a positive development towards the end of the story, so stay tuned.
The story is told from Oliver’s and Margaret’s points of view as well as Mr. Barrow’s, who keeps hunting them down to achieve his version of justice and God’s will. The plot contains some intense and dramatic parts, mixed with calm in which the relationship between Margaret and Oliver gets room to develop and, I’m pleased to say, my shoulders get to relax a bit. I really enjoyed the funny streaks mixed into this story, which lightens the mood in spite of the sometimes intense drama.
As the danger temporarily subsides Margaret gets conscious of some of Oliver’s positive traits. There are contrasts in this plot which I love. We move from sequences of Dickensian proportions to opulence in homes of the super rich in Bath. There is a clear element of faith running through the plot which I also truly appreciate.
Fans of Michelle Gripe will enjoy The House at The end of The Moor. It is recommended for readers of historical fiction too.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC in return for my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating: 5 stars / 5
Having fled from her contract obligations to sing in Bath, famed opera singer Margaret Lee is in hiding at the end of Dartmoor. She feels she has to escape to protect herself and her father from threats and violence. After 9 months at the end of the moor she is still scared her manager, Mr. Grout, will find her.
Oliver was wrongly convicted for theft of a jewelry necklace and has fought to stay alive in Dartmoor prison. He makes a narrow escape with dangerous and violent Prison Warden, Mr. Barrow, on his tale. This is why he ends up near Margaret’s house, wounded and unconscious. When he gets better, he recognizes Margaret as the one who wore the necklace just before it was stolen. He suspects her to be the thief. She thinks she is in possession of a theatre prop, and is shocked to find out it is real.
Margaret and Oliver realize they have to work together, so they decide to set out on a journey to Bath to solve the jewel mystery as well as trying to stay safe from Mr. Barrow and Mr. Gout who are chasing them. Throughout this ordeal, they get to see each other bring out their best under pressure.
I really liked the character of Margaret as she tries to fend for herself in a world of powerful men. I found her reactions believable for a woman of that time lacking the security of family or powerful connections to shield her. All her life she has been told what’s acceptable and what’s not by men, but now she is done with it. She has a good heart taking mute girl Nora into her employ, when she is harassed in the local community.
Oliver seems a real charmer with the ladies, and well connected among various groups of potential voters come election day to parliament. He uses his silver-tongued skills for all they are worth to get out of sticky situations. His work in favor of the less fortunate has led to powerful people wanting to get rid of him, hence the wrongful conviction. His political views seem something like Ross Poldark’s, as he fights for the poor and against people whose goal in life is lining their own pockets whatever it takes.
This story contains some seriously unsavory characters. Well done! Prison Warden and law enforcement officer Sebastian Barrow in particular, who has his very own interpretation of what trust in God entails. I find him to be a violent, dangerous and appalling man. When dealing with prisoners, knocking them senseless seems to be his go-to approach. Whether they survive or not doesn’t seem to concern him. He is an excellently crafted villain character with a questionable stability of mental health. He really pushes my buttons. I am pleased to see there is a bit of a positive development towards the end of the story, so stay tuned.
The story is told from Oliver’s and Margaret’s points of view as well as Mr. Barrow’s, who keeps hunting them down to achieve his version of justice and God’s will. The plot contains some intense and dramatic parts, mixed with calm in which the relationship between Margaret and Oliver gets room to develop and, I’m pleased to say, my shoulders get to relax a bit. I really enjoyed the funny streaks mixed into this story, which lightens the mood in spite of the sometimes intense drama.
As the danger temporarily subsides Margaret gets conscious of some of Oliver’s positive traits. There are contrasts in this plot which I love. We move from sequences of Dickensian proportions to opulence in homes of the super rich in Bath. There is a clear element of faith running through the plot which I also truly appreciate.
Fans of Michelle Gripe will enjoy The House at The end of The Moor. It is recommended for readers of historical fiction too.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC in return for my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating: 5 stars / 5
March 31, 2020
I've finish it and it was wonderful. The Story of Maggie and Oliver and their adventure of a stolen necklace. The necklace kept Oliver in prison, and kept Maggie in her own prison. When both understood who was behind their prisons they team together to clear Oliver name and give Maggie once again freedom. The story was so well written and the characters also. Right away you get drawn into them and care what will happen to them. I am so glad I had a chance to review the novel and look forward to be able to audiobook the novel. I highly recommend it!!
April 8, 2020
This story opens at Dartmoor Prison in Devon, England (1861) where our main male character has been for 9 months. His name is Oliver Ward and claims innocence, but we don't what he was found guilty of to be put in this awful place. We see that he's compassionate as he takes physical punishment for standing up for a fellow inmate who's in poor health. Due to unforeseen, but divine, circumstances Oliver is able to escape while the prisoners are working.
In the house at the end of the moor lives a widow, Mrs. Dosett, who has a loyal dog Malcolm, a maid that never speaks (Nora) and a manservant (Dobbs). Mrs. Dosett has lived in the cottage for 9 months, and never goes into town (Dartmoor) but sends the manservant for everything they may need. She's in hiding but we don't know from whom or why.
I love mysteries and although this isn't classified as a mystery it felt like one to me with the first few chapters not giving us very much information about the main characters before throwing them together. Once together they discover the night he was taken by the police was the same night she fled and went into hiding. They decide to work together to prove who the guilty party is.
I didn't want to put this book down. I HAD to know who was behind everything, if the scripture-quoting, sadistic Prison Warden, Mr. Barrow would catch up to Oliver, and if Maggie's (Mrs. Dosett) heinous manager, Mr. Groat, would find her. I liked that we got Maggie's, Oliver's, and Mr. Barrow's points of view in the story.
I liked Maggie. She was strong and capable, and she'd had enough of being told what she could and couldn't do. She wasn't going to let Oliver track down the guilty party(ies) on his own. She was kind and took Nora in as her maid to protect her from others.
How could I not love Oliver? He wanted to help all the less fortunate by changing the laws that favored the rich and priviledged. He was a man of honor who kept his promises, such as when he promised his prisonmate Jarney he would help him get out of the prison.
I felt so many emotions while reading this book, horror at how the prisoners were treated, frustration at Oliver over his father, fear for Maggie when Mr. Groat had her, surprise at some of the events that happened, happiness, relief, etc. I loved some of the unexpected things that happened in the story. I'm happy to have discovered Michelle Griep's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions I've expressed are my own.
In the house at the end of the moor lives a widow, Mrs. Dosett, who has a loyal dog Malcolm, a maid that never speaks (Nora) and a manservant (Dobbs). Mrs. Dosett has lived in the cottage for 9 months, and never goes into town (Dartmoor) but sends the manservant for everything they may need. She's in hiding but we don't know from whom or why.
I love mysteries and although this isn't classified as a mystery it felt like one to me with the first few chapters not giving us very much information about the main characters before throwing them together. Once together they discover the night he was taken by the police was the same night she fled and went into hiding. They decide to work together to prove who the guilty party is.
I didn't want to put this book down. I HAD to know who was behind everything, if the scripture-quoting, sadistic Prison Warden, Mr. Barrow would catch up to Oliver, and if Maggie's (Mrs. Dosett) heinous manager, Mr. Groat, would find her. I liked that we got Maggie's, Oliver's, and Mr. Barrow's points of view in the story.
I liked Maggie. She was strong and capable, and she'd had enough of being told what she could and couldn't do. She wasn't going to let Oliver track down the guilty party(ies) on his own. She was kind and took Nora in as her maid to protect her from others.
How could I not love Oliver? He wanted to help all the less fortunate by changing the laws that favored the rich and priviledged. He was a man of honor who kept his promises, such as when he promised his prisonmate Jarney he would help him get out of the prison.
I felt so many emotions while reading this book, horror at how the prisoners were treated, frustration at Oliver over his father, fear for Maggie when Mr. Groat had her, surprise at some of the events that happened, happiness, relief, etc. I loved some of the unexpected things that happened in the story. I'm happy to have discovered Michelle Griep's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions I've expressed are my own.
March 4, 2020
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
The romance and mystery in this story were what really made it sing. Opera stars are not often featured in Christian fiction, which is a shame, as opera is a fascinating style of voice work. Mrs. Griep’s book perfectly displayed a distraught opera singer in hiding, and I especially enjoyed the moments when Margaret’s voice was put to great use within the story’s plot. Those beautiful moments came at just the right time and were used very well to shove the story forward in exquisite fashion. The mystery surrounding a set of jewels kept my attention throughout, and I was intrigued to learn more about where they came from and how they would be used in the story and to discover who all the various players were. The mystery was played out well and with enough twists to keep me guessing throughout. I applaud the author for perfectly developing this aspect of the story.
A couple of lines tipped into dangerous territory for me. “… As if I am her salvation” and “… he studied his redeemer—for his redeemer she was, in more ways than she could possibly know” lofted humans into the place of the true Redeemer, Jesus Christ. These thoughts of two different characters were never refuted or cleared up with biblical truth, so the reader is left confused by these comments as to where true redemption and salvation come from. Yet, there were other moments when biblical truth (on other themes) was displayed brilliantly, pointing readers to the only Savior who took our place upon the cross a couple thousand years ago. So there were pros and cons to the spiritual aspect of this story, and those lines I mentioned did weigh into my rating of three stars.
What further dragged the rating down was the plethora of expletives, profane phrases, and replacement expletives and expletive phrases. It felt as if I should stuff cotton in my ears to get away from the assault upon my mind, only the words were going in through my eyes instead. The amount of bad language was shocking in a Christian fiction book, and it saddens me to see the genre falling from its previously higher standards. While I realize not all readers will be offended at such use of the English language, personally I found it off-putting, unnecessary, and very distracting from the story.
There was one random moment of breastfeeding by a character who seemed inserted solely for the shock factor, as she left about five seconds after we “see” her with a kid suckling her breast. She never returned nor was mentioned again after that brief cameo, which left me wondering what the point was of inserting her in the first place.
The antagonist was overly creepy and obviously evil. His finale didn’t make sense to me, but that could have been because it seemed too rushed. I would have rather seen him make such a choice about two thirds into the story so there was more time for further development after the decision was made. I appreciate the personal theme for this character, but the way he kept claiming he was working “for God” while completely acting barbarically toward his fellow human beings left me with an awful aftertaste in my mouth and negative chills skittering through me. Honestly, his point-of-view scenes were excruciating to read as he seemed completely psychotic and utterly evil. I’m so glad I wasn’t the writer behind the pen on this character, because I wouldn’t want to spend that much time inside Sebastian Barrows’ evil-minded head. I must say, though, that Mrs. Griep definitely nailed the personality of a psycho with this one. Perhaps my dislike of Mr. Barrows is proof that she’s a master craftswoman when it comes to characterization.
Content: bad language of varying degrees (including profane phrases), alcohol, tobacco, one casual mention of betting
The romance and mystery in this story were what really made it sing. Opera stars are not often featured in Christian fiction, which is a shame, as opera is a fascinating style of voice work. Mrs. Griep’s book perfectly displayed a distraught opera singer in hiding, and I especially enjoyed the moments when Margaret’s voice was put to great use within the story’s plot. Those beautiful moments came at just the right time and were used very well to shove the story forward in exquisite fashion. The mystery surrounding a set of jewels kept my attention throughout, and I was intrigued to learn more about where they came from and how they would be used in the story and to discover who all the various players were. The mystery was played out well and with enough twists to keep me guessing throughout. I applaud the author for perfectly developing this aspect of the story.
A couple of lines tipped into dangerous territory for me. “… As if I am her salvation” and “… he studied his redeemer—for his redeemer she was, in more ways than she could possibly know” lofted humans into the place of the true Redeemer, Jesus Christ. These thoughts of two different characters were never refuted or cleared up with biblical truth, so the reader is left confused by these comments as to where true redemption and salvation come from. Yet, there were other moments when biblical truth (on other themes) was displayed brilliantly, pointing readers to the only Savior who took our place upon the cross a couple thousand years ago. So there were pros and cons to the spiritual aspect of this story, and those lines I mentioned did weigh into my rating of three stars.
What further dragged the rating down was the plethora of expletives, profane phrases, and replacement expletives and expletive phrases. It felt as if I should stuff cotton in my ears to get away from the assault upon my mind, only the words were going in through my eyes instead. The amount of bad language was shocking in a Christian fiction book, and it saddens me to see the genre falling from its previously higher standards. While I realize not all readers will be offended at such use of the English language, personally I found it off-putting, unnecessary, and very distracting from the story.
There was one random moment of breastfeeding by a character who seemed inserted solely for the shock factor, as she left about five seconds after we “see” her with a kid suckling her breast. She never returned nor was mentioned again after that brief cameo, which left me wondering what the point was of inserting her in the first place.
The antagonist was overly creepy and obviously evil. His finale didn’t make sense to me, but that could have been because it seemed too rushed. I would have rather seen him make such a choice about two thirds into the story so there was more time for further development after the decision was made. I appreciate the personal theme for this character, but the way he kept claiming he was working “for God” while completely acting barbarically toward his fellow human beings left me with an awful aftertaste in my mouth and negative chills skittering through me. Honestly, his point-of-view scenes were excruciating to read as he seemed completely psychotic and utterly evil. I’m so glad I wasn’t the writer behind the pen on this character, because I wouldn’t want to spend that much time inside Sebastian Barrows’ evil-minded head. I must say, though, that Mrs. Griep definitely nailed the personality of a psycho with this one. Perhaps my dislike of Mr. Barrows is proof that she’s a master craftswoman when it comes to characterization.
Content: bad language of varying degrees (including profane phrases), alcohol, tobacco, one casual mention of betting
January 9, 2022
Another great one by Michelle Griep. The characters were interesting, some of them very Dickensian, and the plot kept me reading. I really enjoyed her fresh take on the theme of justice and the comparison of how all the different primary characters viewed justice and what is required for true justice. Not many authors tackle that issue as a theme, and that made it all the more interesting for me, personally.
April 5, 2020
Oliver Ward, a reprentative in the House of Commons, is innocent, but he has been imprisoned out on the moors of Dartmoore. Maggie Dosset, an opera singer, is hiding away at the end of the moor attempting to escape her brutish agent and a wealthy Londoner who is after her affections. When their paths cross as Ward escapes the inhumane prison where he is held, they form an alliance to solve the problems both of them face.
Filled with the life and times of the English Victorian era, Griep brings a tale to life reminiscent of many other famous Victorian era authors. With fog on the moors, wealthy main characters who have been caught up in calamitous situations, and evil pursuers who will stop at nothing to gain what they want, this book was filled with intrigue and danger. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Maggie and Oliver, the reconnection between Oliver and his father, and especially the transformation of Warden Barrow as he realizes his stance on God was completely backwards.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Filled with the life and times of the English Victorian era, Griep brings a tale to life reminiscent of many other famous Victorian era authors. With fog on the moors, wealthy main characters who have been caught up in calamitous situations, and evil pursuers who will stop at nothing to gain what they want, this book was filled with intrigue and danger. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Maggie and Oliver, the reconnection between Oliver and his father, and especially the transformation of Warden Barrow as he realizes his stance on God was completely backwards.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
March 28, 2020
Intrigue and justice are at the center of this tale. Former theater performer Daisy Lee has hidden herself away on the Moor. By chance, she crosses paths with escaped convict Oliver that has been falsely accused. Together they return to Bath to right wrongs.
While this novel didn't capture me as thoroughly as A Noble Guardian, it was enjoyable. I loved that both main characters had such huge hearts for the downtrodden and neither was afraid to take risks to do what was right.
Resolution for one of the secondary characters, a prison guard, was a nice addition.
My gratitude to publisher Barbour for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
While this novel didn't capture me as thoroughly as A Noble Guardian, it was enjoyable. I loved that both main characters had such huge hearts for the downtrodden and neither was afraid to take risks to do what was right.
Resolution for one of the secondary characters, a prison guard, was a nice addition.
My gratitude to publisher Barbour for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
April 25, 2020
Ms. Griep had me at the word “moor.” I knew I would love this book because of the setting and the author. I was not disappointed!
“The House at the End of the Moor” by Michelle Griep is a historical novel with a Gothic feel. There is also an exciting storyline involving escaped convicts, mysterious pasts and a reverse jewel heist. Will justice prevail?
From the riveting opening line, Ms. Griep draws the reader into her atmospheric story. Her writing style and the storyline reminds me of a combination of Dickens and “Jane Eyre.” Ms. Griep paints vivid images with her words. The way she writes her characters, even the side characters, is so memorable and very much like Dickens does with his characters. I especially enjoyed her side character, Barrow, who is as obsessed with finding our hero, Oliver Ward (and bringing him to justice) as Captain Ahab was with finding Moby Dick. Of course, it would not be a Griep novel without some lessons learned. The characters learn about justice, seizing the present moment and restoring relationships. Another wonderful read!
Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: people curse, but the words are not written; the words “hell” and “demon” are used; a man smokes; mentions that a man wants a woman to warm his bed; there is reference to a girl being raped in the past; a woman remembers past physical abuse.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars.
I want to thank Michelle Griep, Barbour Publishing and Celebrate Lit Tours for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
“The House at the End of the Moor” by Michelle Griep is a historical novel with a Gothic feel. There is also an exciting storyline involving escaped convicts, mysterious pasts and a reverse jewel heist. Will justice prevail?
From the riveting opening line, Ms. Griep draws the reader into her atmospheric story. Her writing style and the storyline reminds me of a combination of Dickens and “Jane Eyre.” Ms. Griep paints vivid images with her words. The way she writes her characters, even the side characters, is so memorable and very much like Dickens does with his characters. I especially enjoyed her side character, Barrow, who is as obsessed with finding our hero, Oliver Ward (and bringing him to justice) as Captain Ahab was with finding Moby Dick. Of course, it would not be a Griep novel without some lessons learned. The characters learn about justice, seizing the present moment and restoring relationships. Another wonderful read!
Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: people curse, but the words are not written; the words “hell” and “demon” are used; a man smokes; mentions that a man wants a woman to warm his bed; there is reference to a girl being raped in the past; a woman remembers past physical abuse.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars.
I want to thank Michelle Griep, Barbour Publishing and Celebrate Lit Tours for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
August 15, 2021
4.5 stars
"Isolation. Anonymity. A life no man can alter. That is all I seek."
The house at the end of the moor is the perfect place for Maggie Lee to live out her life in isolation, posing as a reclusive widow, and seeking no attention from the any of the local townspeople. It's just too dangerous to exist any other way. Her world shifts when a nearly dead man is discovered on the edge of the river; badly injured, and barely breathing. Seeking courage that she did not realize she still possessed, Maggie takes a chance, only to realize that she has brought terrible trouble to her door for the both of them.
"Is this the beginning of the end for me"?
It might not be the end for his beautiful rescuer, but it certainly might be the end of Oliver Ward if the bloodhound of Dartmoor prison finds him. The man is relentless and Oliver is innocent. . . . but he must find a way to prove it. His first goal is to get back on his feet, but when a closet hideaway in Morden Hall reveals an enigmatic clue to Oliver's pursuit of justice, everything changes.
Written with confidence and depth of character, "The End of the Moor" is everything that Michelle Griep's readers have come to expect; swirling mystery in and around heroes and heroines that take ones breath away. And of course, statements like this, "True justice starts with repentance. How can we ask God to show justice to the world while willfully nursing our own prejudices, selfishness, lusts, greed . . . . our own broken relationships"?
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"Isolation. Anonymity. A life no man can alter. That is all I seek."
The house at the end of the moor is the perfect place for Maggie Lee to live out her life in isolation, posing as a reclusive widow, and seeking no attention from the any of the local townspeople. It's just too dangerous to exist any other way. Her world shifts when a nearly dead man is discovered on the edge of the river; badly injured, and barely breathing. Seeking courage that she did not realize she still possessed, Maggie takes a chance, only to realize that she has brought terrible trouble to her door for the both of them.
"Is this the beginning of the end for me"?
It might not be the end for his beautiful rescuer, but it certainly might be the end of Oliver Ward if the bloodhound of Dartmoor prison finds him. The man is relentless and Oliver is innocent. . . . but he must find a way to prove it. His first goal is to get back on his feet, but when a closet hideaway in Morden Hall reveals an enigmatic clue to Oliver's pursuit of justice, everything changes.
Written with confidence and depth of character, "The End of the Moor" is everything that Michelle Griep's readers have come to expect; swirling mystery in and around heroes and heroines that take ones breath away. And of course, statements like this, "True justice starts with repentance. How can we ask God to show justice to the world while willfully nursing our own prejudices, selfishness, lusts, greed . . . . our own broken relationships"?
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
March 18, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down! I read the whole thing in one day, it was that good! Michelle Griep does such an excellent job creating these characters that are so full of life. She also creates the best villains for her books. I was so into this story that I didn’t want it to end! This book is definitely one of my favorites for the year so far!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
November 17, 2021
"What am I to do? I cannot take a strange man into my home, even if Dobbs were present. Too risky. Too dangerous in too many ways. I've worked overly hard to protect my anonymity. I cannot lose it now."
The House at the End of the Moor (2020, Shiloh Run Press) by Michelle Griep, is a standalone Christian historical romance with a touch of suspense, set in 1861 in Dartmoor in Devon, England.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Is it clean/chaste? Yes, but there's a creepy villain with impure motives
The hero: The story opens with the "unrightly accused" Oliver Ward in Dartmoor Prison, with an uber-strict, abusive prison warden. "Speaking when not spoken to by an officer was asking for a lashing, and half the time Barrow didn't even need a reason to strike." Oliver escapes prison - not a spoiler - with the help of a friend, who elicits a promise: "Promise me you will run. Fast and far. Clear your name, then come back for me."
The heroine: Maggie Lee, formerly a popular opera singer, lives in isolation at the edge of Dartmoor. She tells herself, "Jane had her Mr. Rochester to love. I have no one. And never will." Living with her are two servants and an abandoned dog that she nursed back to health. Speaking to the dog, she ruminates, "I fancy we are a lot alike. Wounded but not overcome. Braver than anything life throws at us. But that's a lie."
What I liked:
*The successful first-person writing from the heroine's head. Well done!
*The setting. Over the years, I've read The Secret Garden, Jane Eyre, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, all set in moorlands. I may have romanticized the moors in my mind a bit because they're connected to a few mysterious classics that I've enjoyed.
What I didn’t like: the substitute swears - see the "Potential content issues" section
Christian elements:
*God's name is used appropriately and respectfully, except by the villain.
>"God, have mercy. God, have mercy!"
>"God Himself declared it is not good for man to be alone. I don't think it is for a woman, either."
*The prison warden (the villain) has a warped idea of God's character. "Officer Barrow fancied himself as the vicar of Dartmoor Prison, spouting Scripture with as much gusto as a stiff eastern wind. He never got it quite right, though. A missing word. An added phrase. His own doctrines colouring God's precepts to a cadaverous shade." Barrow twists Scripture to justify violence.
Potential content issues:
*Some violence, but nothing that is over the top, in my opinion.
*Examples of lines I would rather not see in Christian fiction:
>". . . since he'd arrived in this hellhole"
>"Blast!"
>"What the deuce was a woman like that doing out here in the wilds?"
Why don't I think substitute swears (or phrases in a similar vein) belong in the Christian fiction market? A Just Disciple blog expresses the reason behind my thinking very well.
"While the Bible does not lay out a list of explicit words to steer clear from, it [the Bible] is clear that Christians are to stay away from “filthy language,” “unwholesome talk,” and “crude joking.” . . . Christians should not cuss. . . Cussing is defined as vulgar, sexually inappropriate, or harsh, and if you google it, you will find that it is described as an expression of anger. . . [Cuss] words and their meanings. . . are generally degrading, harsh, and used to insult in many circumstances. In short, they are in no way uplifting. . . [The] words themselves are not deemed ungodly in the Bible, but the intent, heart, and cultural understanding behind them."
I believe that Griep's inclusion of such phrases is not ideal, considering that her books are Christian fiction. However, I still love her books.
The bottom line: The House at the End of the Moor was a lovely romantic mystery. I recommend it to fans of historicals, romances, mysteries, or Christian fiction. Very soon, I'll be reading Griep's latest, Lost in Darkness!
Another Recommendation: Another standalone book that I really liked by Ms. Griep is The Captive Heart , which is loosely a Beauty and the Beast story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book.
The House at the End of the Moor (2020, Shiloh Run Press) by Michelle Griep, is a standalone Christian historical romance with a touch of suspense, set in 1861 in Dartmoor in Devon, England.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Is it clean/chaste? Yes, but there's a creepy villain with impure motives
The hero: The story opens with the "unrightly accused" Oliver Ward in Dartmoor Prison, with an uber-strict, abusive prison warden. "Speaking when not spoken to by an officer was asking for a lashing, and half the time Barrow didn't even need a reason to strike." Oliver escapes prison - not a spoiler - with the help of a friend, who elicits a promise: "Promise me you will run. Fast and far. Clear your name, then come back for me."
The heroine: Maggie Lee, formerly a popular opera singer, lives in isolation at the edge of Dartmoor. She tells herself, "Jane had her Mr. Rochester to love. I have no one. And never will." Living with her are two servants and an abandoned dog that she nursed back to health. Speaking to the dog, she ruminates, "I fancy we are a lot alike. Wounded but not overcome. Braver than anything life throws at us. But that's a lie."
What I liked:
*The successful first-person writing from the heroine's head. Well done!
*The setting. Over the years, I've read The Secret Garden, Jane Eyre, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, all set in moorlands. I may have romanticized the moors in my mind a bit because they're connected to a few mysterious classics that I've enjoyed.
What I didn’t like: the substitute swears - see the "Potential content issues" section
Christian elements:
*God's name is used appropriately and respectfully, except by the villain.
>"God, have mercy. God, have mercy!"
>"God Himself declared it is not good for man to be alone. I don't think it is for a woman, either."
*The prison warden (the villain) has a warped idea of God's character. "Officer Barrow fancied himself as the vicar of Dartmoor Prison, spouting Scripture with as much gusto as a stiff eastern wind. He never got it quite right, though. A missing word. An added phrase. His own doctrines colouring God's precepts to a cadaverous shade." Barrow twists Scripture to justify violence.
Potential content issues:
*Some violence, but nothing that is over the top, in my opinion.
*Examples of lines I would rather not see in Christian fiction:
>". . . since he'd arrived in this hellhole"
>"Blast!"
>"What the deuce was a woman like that doing out here in the wilds?"
Why don't I think substitute swears (or phrases in a similar vein) belong in the Christian fiction market? A Just Disciple blog expresses the reason behind my thinking very well.
"While the Bible does not lay out a list of explicit words to steer clear from, it [the Bible] is clear that Christians are to stay away from “filthy language,” “unwholesome talk,” and “crude joking.” . . . Christians should not cuss. . . Cussing is defined as vulgar, sexually inappropriate, or harsh, and if you google it, you will find that it is described as an expression of anger. . . [Cuss] words and their meanings. . . are generally degrading, harsh, and used to insult in many circumstances. In short, they are in no way uplifting. . . [The] words themselves are not deemed ungodly in the Bible, but the intent, heart, and cultural understanding behind them."
I believe that Griep's inclusion of such phrases is not ideal, considering that her books are Christian fiction. However, I still love her books.
The bottom line: The House at the End of the Moor was a lovely romantic mystery. I recommend it to fans of historicals, romances, mysteries, or Christian fiction. Very soon, I'll be reading Griep's latest, Lost in Darkness!
Another Recommendation: Another standalone book that I really liked by Ms. Griep is The Captive Heart , which is loosely a Beauty and the Beast story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book.
January 17, 2023
4 stars ✨
“True justice starts with repentance. How can we ask God to show justice in the world while willfully nursing our own hidden prejudices, selfishness, lusts, greed… our own broken relationships?”
Maggie leaves her life at the Opera, to live a life of seclusion when she is threatened by a politician who seeks to ruin her reputation. She finds solace in the wilds of the moors until one day she finds an injured man with no identification near her home. Oliver is an escaped convict on the run to clear his name when he’s injured and found by a beautiful woman he knows looks familiar but can not recall from where- until he finds something among her possessions that throws his world upside down. Together they must figure out a way to clear his name before he is caught and thrown back into prison.
The House at The End of the Moor was a fantastic story. Main characters Maggie and Oliver were likable people both struggling with inner turmoil and wrongs to make right. There were lots of quotes in this book that were refreshing and compelling. They really hit home with me and I love when books get my wheels turning- I also enjoyed the ending when a certain unlikable character turns a new leaf and finds grace, forgiveness and redemption.
“True justice starts with repentance. How can we ask God to show justice in the world while willfully nursing our own hidden prejudices, selfishness, lusts, greed… our own broken relationships?”
Maggie leaves her life at the Opera, to live a life of seclusion when she is threatened by a politician who seeks to ruin her reputation. She finds solace in the wilds of the moors until one day she finds an injured man with no identification near her home. Oliver is an escaped convict on the run to clear his name when he’s injured and found by a beautiful woman he knows looks familiar but can not recall from where- until he finds something among her possessions that throws his world upside down. Together they must figure out a way to clear his name before he is caught and thrown back into prison.
The House at The End of the Moor was a fantastic story. Main characters Maggie and Oliver were likable people both struggling with inner turmoil and wrongs to make right. There were lots of quotes in this book that were refreshing and compelling. They really hit home with me and I love when books get my wheels turning- I also enjoyed the ending when a certain unlikable character turns a new leaf and finds grace, forgiveness and redemption.
October 9, 2023
I wasn't sure what this book would be...Romance? Mystery? Suspense? Family issues? Escape?
Well, it was all of these things and more. I have always enjoyed Michelle Griep's books and this was very good.
Our two main characters (Maggie and Oliver) were wonderful, as was her butler and maid. Also, great characters that added light to any scene were Filcher and Badger, and much later Oliver's father. The reader will detest Windell Groat, Sebastian Barrow and Mr. Corbin who were either evil or deluded, but added complexities and depth to the storylines.
Worth the read and I’m glad I bought it. Thinking of picking up the audio as well for my travels.
Well, it was all of these things and more. I have always enjoyed Michelle Griep's books and this was very good.
Our two main characters (Maggie and Oliver) were wonderful, as was her butler and maid. Also, great characters that added light to any scene were Filcher and Badger, and much later Oliver's father. The reader will detest Windell Groat, Sebastian Barrow and Mr. Corbin who were either evil or deluded, but added complexities and depth to the storylines.
Worth the read and I’m glad I bought it. Thinking of picking up the audio as well for my travels.
March 28, 2020
The House at the End of the Moore is another enjoyable read by Griep. She is a talented author who masters the era with historic detail. The story had action, mystery and romance with characters you love. And some not as much. I enjoyed the story and as always will be looking forward to the author's next novel.
May 9, 2022
Michelle writes with all five senses through her words. This story kept me engaged, guessing, and wanting more.
March 14, 2020
If I could give this book more stars, I would!
A thoroughly delicious Gothic, Victorian tale that evokes the atmosphere of some of my favorite classics. It is written in the style of great books such as The Count of Monte Cristo, A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlett Pimpernel.
Ms Griep used an unusual occupation for her main female character. Maggie Lee is an opera singer but with a crystal reputation. The hero, Oliver Ward, is an honorable, prominent man in the House of Commons. He ends up in Dartmoor Prison, wrongly accused. He escapes and he and Maggie strive to prove his innocence. The journey is fraught with danger, mystery and some surprises.
The author populates her story with interesting and sometimes despicable characters. But throughout, Maggie and Oliver seek God’s will. Even when all seems bleak, they never falter in their faith. Redemption and forgiveness are able themes as well. Ms. Griep does an outstanding job of putting the reader in the story and penning a polished historical tale. This is going on my keeper shelf.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
A thoroughly delicious Gothic, Victorian tale that evokes the atmosphere of some of my favorite classics. It is written in the style of great books such as The Count of Monte Cristo, A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlett Pimpernel.
Ms Griep used an unusual occupation for her main female character. Maggie Lee is an opera singer but with a crystal reputation. The hero, Oliver Ward, is an honorable, prominent man in the House of Commons. He ends up in Dartmoor Prison, wrongly accused. He escapes and he and Maggie strive to prove his innocence. The journey is fraught with danger, mystery and some surprises.
The author populates her story with interesting and sometimes despicable characters. But throughout, Maggie and Oliver seek God’s will. Even when all seems bleak, they never falter in their faith. Redemption and forgiveness are able themes as well. Ms. Griep does an outstanding job of putting the reader in the story and penning a polished historical tale. This is going on my keeper shelf.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
May 15, 2020
The imagery of this book was incredible. Another book from this author that I couldn't put down. From the opening scenes to the end of the book, I felt as if I was there with these characters experiencing their fear and sorrow and heartaches and hope. I felt as I was racing across the moors with Oliver, or enjoying a leisurely stroll along them with Maggie.
There were several moments in this book that I felt the intensity pulsing with my heartbeat and I was almost holding my breath in anticipation of what was to come. Or what the outcome of a particular scene would be. The mystery and unfolding of the story and history of these two characters was well paced. I couldn't pull my attention away from the story.
I thought for sure that there were several moments when Oliver or Maggie, or both would be captured and all hope would be lost. Of course there were some moments of capture and escape as they played a very intricate and dangerous game of cat and mouse. Just be warned that when you think you have it figured out, it will change. A new surprise will have you wondering what is to come and how you could have thought freedom was in sight.
Amid the mystery and suspense, the love story was very captivating as well. I couldn't help but cheer *inside my head of course* for Maggie and Oliver. These two characters were very adept at moving among the different social settings and creating friendships easily. Several of the secondary characters were fun and just as many were ones I was rooting to get their comeuppance. I felt like this was a good mix of a Charles Dickens and Bronte sisters' novels. Some Jane Eyre and some Great Expectations feel. I loved it!
The ending (ok not the very end but close to it) I was somewhat expecting but then I found myself yelling, "No!!!!" So maybe I didn't expect it as much as I thought. There are plenty of moments that I felt like yelling that as well but I didn't. I just kept reading and continued to fall in love with this story and characters. One of my favorites by this author. If you're a fan of Michelle Griep you're in for a treat. If you haven't read anything by her yet, I highly recommend you take the chance!
Content: Clean. This is a book with suspense and contains scenes with characters who attack other characters but does not do so graphically. It is also a Christian fiction novel so there are moments when the characters think of God and pray to him. I felt like it was very appropriate for the time period and how these characters would have been and that it didn't distract from the story but enhanced it.
I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
There were several moments in this book that I felt the intensity pulsing with my heartbeat and I was almost holding my breath in anticipation of what was to come. Or what the outcome of a particular scene would be. The mystery and unfolding of the story and history of these two characters was well paced. I couldn't pull my attention away from the story.
I thought for sure that there were several moments when Oliver or Maggie, or both would be captured and all hope would be lost. Of course there were some moments of capture and escape as they played a very intricate and dangerous game of cat and mouse. Just be warned that when you think you have it figured out, it will change. A new surprise will have you wondering what is to come and how you could have thought freedom was in sight.
Amid the mystery and suspense, the love story was very captivating as well. I couldn't help but cheer *inside my head of course* for Maggie and Oliver. These two characters were very adept at moving among the different social settings and creating friendships easily. Several of the secondary characters were fun and just as many were ones I was rooting to get their comeuppance. I felt like this was a good mix of a Charles Dickens and Bronte sisters' novels. Some Jane Eyre and some Great Expectations feel. I loved it!
The ending (ok not the very end but close to it) I was somewhat expecting but then I found myself yelling, "No!!!!" So maybe I didn't expect it as much as I thought. There are plenty of moments that I felt like yelling that as well but I didn't. I just kept reading and continued to fall in love with this story and characters. One of my favorites by this author. If you're a fan of Michelle Griep you're in for a treat. If you haven't read anything by her yet, I highly recommend you take the chance!
Content: Clean. This is a book with suspense and contains scenes with characters who attack other characters but does not do so graphically. It is also a Christian fiction novel so there are moments when the characters think of God and pray to him. I felt like it was very appropriate for the time period and how these characters would have been and that it didn't distract from the story but enhanced it.
I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 6, 2022
Sometimes when you start reading a book, you think you know what you're getting. That's the way I was with this one - and my assumptions were a bit blown out of the water! Instead of a normal historical romance, Michelle Griep has written a Gothic romance novel that's Christian fiction. Needless to say, this was quite intriguing.
Characters: Maggie had to be my favorite character of the two MCs. As an opera singer, she definitely piqued my interest, because yay for musicians in books! She ended up not talking much about opera and or/singing, but the few times it came up, there were some really lovely thoughts and sentiments connected to the wonders of music. Definitely appreciated, because music is one of God's great gifts! Beyond her musical talent, Maggie had a lot of pluck, and I appreciated that about her. However, she did have her weaknesses, and she wasn't too intent on being "strong" to the point of refusing help. She definitely had a nice balance in her character, and I loved that! Oliver was interesting. It took me a bit to figure out what he was like, and by the middle of the book, I think I gained a good grasp on his character. He wasn't really outstanding, but he was a solid character with some flaws - and he had a nice arc by the end! I would've liked to see his anger problems be resolved a little bit more, but I could tell he was heading in the right direction. As for the side characters ... I loved Oliver's father! I won't give any spoilers, but I really enjoyed how everything ended between Oliver and his dad. As for the villains, though. Yikes. They were a tad creepy for me. I know this is all Gothic and everything, but that beetle dude (I'm being serious here; he was always described as a beetle) was downright creepy. Ugh. As for Barrow, I had a lot of sympathy for him, and his grouchiness was kind of humorous. His arc by the end of the story was much-needed!
Settings/Plot/Writing Style: Michelle Griep has the whole cloudy, dark, Gothic style down perfectly. Whether Maggie and Oliver were in a lonely house on the moor, in Dartmoor Prison, or in a townhouse, the settings were realistic and so fitting. The plot was a little bit confusing for me (probably because I was tired when I read part of this!), but the intrigue and adventures provided plenty of action and suspense. And of course, the writing was very well-done. Griep's use of descriptive verbs was really nice, but it wasn't overdone, and her writing flowed easily.
Moral/Theme: This was nicely done. I really enjoyed Oliver and Maggie's conversations about justice and having a balance view of it. It was lovely to see Maggie tell Oliver how God was just and compassionate through Christ - such an important truth to hold before our eyes! The other side of the story that focused on forgiveness was also very touching, and such a wonderful reminder of the love of our Heavenly Father.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those of you who like historical fiction. Yeah, it's a little different than most historical fiction - and watch out, those villains are creepy - but this book was a nice change from average historical fiction. I'll be checking out more of Michelle Griep's books in the future!
Characters: Maggie had to be my favorite character of the two MCs. As an opera singer, she definitely piqued my interest, because yay for musicians in books! She ended up not talking much about opera and or/singing, but the few times it came up, there were some really lovely thoughts and sentiments connected to the wonders of music. Definitely appreciated, because music is one of God's great gifts! Beyond her musical talent, Maggie had a lot of pluck, and I appreciated that about her. However, she did have her weaknesses, and she wasn't too intent on being "strong" to the point of refusing help. She definitely had a nice balance in her character, and I loved that! Oliver was interesting. It took me a bit to figure out what he was like, and by the middle of the book, I think I gained a good grasp on his character. He wasn't really outstanding, but he was a solid character with some flaws - and he had a nice arc by the end! I would've liked to see his anger problems be resolved a little bit more, but I could tell he was heading in the right direction. As for the side characters ... I loved Oliver's father! I won't give any spoilers, but I really enjoyed how everything ended between Oliver and his dad. As for the villains, though. Yikes. They were a tad creepy for me. I know this is all Gothic and everything, but that beetle dude (I'm being serious here; he was always described as a beetle) was downright creepy. Ugh. As for Barrow, I had a lot of sympathy for him, and his grouchiness was kind of humorous. His arc by the end of the story was much-needed!
Settings/Plot/Writing Style: Michelle Griep has the whole cloudy, dark, Gothic style down perfectly. Whether Maggie and Oliver were in a lonely house on the moor, in Dartmoor Prison, or in a townhouse, the settings were realistic and so fitting. The plot was a little bit confusing for me (probably because I was tired when I read part of this!), but the intrigue and adventures provided plenty of action and suspense. And of course, the writing was very well-done. Griep's use of descriptive verbs was really nice, but it wasn't overdone, and her writing flowed easily.
Moral/Theme: This was nicely done. I really enjoyed Oliver and Maggie's conversations about justice and having a balance view of it. It was lovely to see Maggie tell Oliver how God was just and compassionate through Christ - such an important truth to hold before our eyes! The other side of the story that focused on forgiveness was also very touching, and such a wonderful reminder of the love of our Heavenly Father.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those of you who like historical fiction. Yeah, it's a little different than most historical fiction - and watch out, those villains are creepy - but this book was a nice change from average historical fiction. I'll be checking out more of Michelle Griep's books in the future!
January 2, 2022
Imprisoned over a jewel he didn't steal, when the hero escapes, wounded and with a constable at his heels, a woman in hiding takes him in and cares for him despite the risk. The trouble is, the woman is the opera singer directly connected to the jewel and villain who framed him for a thief.
Not only was this Christian Historical Romance wonderfully entertaining, gothic-themed, and full of adventure, what I really enjoyed about this novel was the artful writing and deep POV. The author never fails to immerse me into the story world. The Victorian setting felt new, and I wish there had been more Victorian specific details, but the novel was every bit as enjoyable as Griep's others. I absolutely love how the author writes villains. Her unique and three-dimensional bad guys keep me coming back for more, and the constable Barrow was a great POV.
Not only was this Christian Historical Romance wonderfully entertaining, gothic-themed, and full of adventure, what I really enjoyed about this novel was the artful writing and deep POV. The author never fails to immerse me into the story world. The Victorian setting felt new, and I wish there had been more Victorian specific details, but the novel was every bit as enjoyable as Griep's others. I absolutely love how the author writes villains. Her unique and three-dimensional bad guys keep me coming back for more, and the constable Barrow was a great POV.
April 22, 2020
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sorry.....I came late to the party and I do apologize. I’ve read so many great books over the last 5 weeks and I keep getting more and more! This is like my 5th book, maybe 4th? By Michelle Griep.
The story was fluid, real and richly detailed. I thought the main characters were very likable and the both had a strong faith in God. There was adventure, romance and a HEA that always makes me happy.
Some parts dragged for me but overall I thought it good for “Christian fiction” and would recommend it to my friends.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own. Thanks for reading my honest review.
Sorry.....I came late to the party and I do apologize. I’ve read so many great books over the last 5 weeks and I keep getting more and more! This is like my 5th book, maybe 4th? By Michelle Griep.
The story was fluid, real and richly detailed. I thought the main characters were very likable and the both had a strong faith in God. There was adventure, romance and a HEA that always makes me happy.
Some parts dragged for me but overall I thought it good for “Christian fiction” and would recommend it to my friends.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own. Thanks for reading my honest review.
April 17, 2020
This book started out great and ended great with a lot of greatness throughout the story. I enjoyed Oliver and Maggie’s adventure and their joint effort of setting things right when they realized Maggie had the necklace. This book really does have adventures to galore and had me flipping the pages pretty quick.The spiritual thread running through out the book shows forgiveness and how to treat your fellow man. I loved that Oliver was kind to a little boy and Maggie wanted Oliver to forgive his Dad. This is a book you don’t want to miss. I recommend this one to my friends and family.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
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