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, … 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.
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The House at the End of the Moor, by Michelle Griep, is a captivating novel made utterly enthralling by its hearty blend of action, suspense, adventure, faith, and romance. From the first sentence to the very last word, this historical fiction story is truly compelling. With unexpected twists and stunning surprises, this book absolutely entertains with immersive settings, unforgettable characters, and authentic moments of hope and redemption.
In The House at the and of the Moor, Ms. Griep once again puts her extraordinary writing talent on full display as she thoughtfully places words upon the page while arranging a literary melody that inspires them to dance before the reader. Her singular style of storytelling never fails to reveal the unvarnished secrets of Regency England. Her writing is descriptively riveting, always surrounding the reader in rich historical and sensory details.
From dank jail cells, to moors shrouded in mist, to forgotten neighborhoods, to opulent homes, Ms. Griep leads the reader through settings that are raw and memorable. And within these integral settings, she places complex characters that are resilient, believable, and resourceful. Though they often make decisions fueled by the traumas of their past, they still manage to hold on to hope while pursuing justice, forgiveness, restoration, and love. Even while shouldering the weight of undeserved accusations, they persevere and act with courageous self-sacrifice enabling them to discover the true value of freedom and grace.
The House at the End of the Moor is a genuinely enticing tale, wholly unforgettable and inspiring. It is a remarkably worthy book that certainly deserves to be savored and then shared. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
I love Michelle Griep’s novels. They are filled with so much action and adventure that pages fly by. They always contain well-crafted and dynamic characters who are not only endearing but also relatable. And, Griep’s novels deal with important and timely themes that allow readers the ability to look within and perform a bit of soul searching. All of this is true for The House at the End of the Moor, Griep’s latest novel due to release on April 1, 2020. I found this book one adventurous ride that I simply could not put down. I highly recommend this novel to historical fiction aficionados everywhere.
We Christians love our causes, so much so we sometimes lose track of God’s Truth and His path for us. Our hearts may be well-meaning, but our focus becomes myopic and lost. Such is the case for not just the hero of The House at the End of the Moor, Oliver, but for his nemesis as well, Sebastian Barrow. What a truly fantastic dynamic — BOTH men wholeheartedly believe they are fighting for God, but BOTH men are off a bit in their fights. Because of this, BOTH the hero and the villain are guilty of no longer obeying God’s will. There is so much to love about The House at the End of the Moor, but this unique discussion — that the hero and the villain are both wrong in their causes — is my favorite. Griep beautifully and poignantly illustrates through her hero and villain that once we take ourselves off God’s path we are all capable of being the villains in our own stories. WHOA! What a powerful statement of truth — one I had to really think upon as I read this amazing story.
When we become so focused on what we think is right by God, when we forget to check in with Him and see if our actions match His will, we often run the chance of walking straight off His path and onto one of our own making. We must never forget God. Fighting causes in God’s name, whether it be helping the poor, the abused, the innocent, the widows, the orphans, etc., is a good thing as long as we remember to involve God. We need to make it a habit to regularly check in with God and make sure our actions are part of His will for us. Both Oliver and Constable Barrow, on the surface, fight noble causes. Oliver wants desperately to save the poor and downtrodden. He wants to give them a better life. Sebastian Barrow wants to put the guilty where they belong — in jail. But BOTH men lose sight of God’s Truth and His path, and in the end, have to learn this lesson the hard way. I, myself, greatly appreciate Griep’s lesson. It is a reminder I needed myself — to always check in with God BEFORE I do things to make sure I’m doing His will for me. As with Oliver and Sebastian, I certainly do not mean to ever be the villain in my own story.
There is so much more that can be said about The House at the End of the Moor. One review will never be enough to illustrate just how good and complex this story is. I implore you to purchase a copy today. You will not be disappointed that you did!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, Michelle Griep, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
A deftly drawn historical setting, witty characters to tickle your funny bone, action and suspense to keep the pages turning, a romance to make your heart flutter, and a fabulous end to pull it all together in deep-sigh satisfaction. What more can you want in a book? Accessible to teens, and great for anyone who wants a bit of action mix with historical romance or someone who wants a romantic suspense in a unique setting.
Michelle Griep is a masterful wordsmith to be sure, and I was quickly drawn in to this story by the isolated, old house on the moor and the heroine wistfully reading Jane Eyre. However, it seems not much time was spent in that house and the ensuing tale was disappointing. I found myself in a twixt ‘tween the two—being bored and wanting to skim—or my heart racing because of the quandary the main characters were in.
The romance fell flat as did my connection with the hero and heroine. I really wanted to love this story as Ms. Griep is one of my fave authors, but unlike many other readers, it just didn’t happen for me. The wonderful conclusion rather redeemed the novel, however, with a few twists and turns, and a spiritual thread of love, redemption, and forgiveness.
*I received a copy of this novel by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.*
The House at the End of the Moor is a delight. Michelle Griep’s thorough knowledge of the era and setting shows, drawing the reader in to follow her well-developed, deep characters as their lives intertwine. It’s the kind of book you can’t put down and are sad when their tale comes to an end. Well done, Michelle. Your book was such a pleasure to read.
I was so excited to win The House at the End of the Moor in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I was so excited I immediately started reading, and couldn’t put it down. This novel was a wonderfully wild ride! My imagination was enraptured the entire time I read, and I devoured this book.
The connection between Oliver and Maggie is charming, both of their characters winning over my heart. The “bad guys” had me flustered right along with Oliver and Maggie, and I couldn’t wait to see if justice would be served. I really loved the cat and mouse chase of the entire novel, especially the whole sequence in the opera house. I was on pins and needles the entire time and I loved every second, the level of mystery and suspense pure perfection.
The wonderfully eloquent writing of Michelle Griep is masterful, the authors talent radiating through her words. The imagery was breathtaking, my minds eye able to see every detail. Such a telling story that I was sad to see end, The House at the End of the Moor is hands down a must read!
1861, England. I was totally swept away by the vocabulary and true Jane Eyre-like backdrop. Even amidst the dark moors, prisons, and devilish plots, God has a plan for His followers. So far, I have loved all of Michelle Griep’s novels.
A good story set in 1860s England. It’s told from three points of view, the hero, the heroine, and a villain, which makes it different from most romance stories. The heroine is written in 1st person point of view, while the hero and villain are written in 3rd person point of view. Others may enjoy that flip-flopping of perspective, but I found it jarring.
I have been a long-time fanatical fan of Michelle Griep and couldn’t wait to read this book. However, when I got received it, I discovered she’d changed up her writing style, which for most people doesn’t matter, but for me made it impossible to fully enjoy. The heroine is written in first-person present. I struggle with first-person, and no matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t sink into the story.
If first-person present doesn’t bother you, this story will be another one of Michelle Griep’s great reads. Her depth of character, storyline, and spiritual aspect seemed spot on. I did skim through the story to get an idea of the story and understand all the praise that was being given for it. I will always recommend Michelle Griep’s books, and she will remain my favorite author as far as her previous books go.
A former opera singer living alone under an assumed name at the house at the end of the moor, except for her mute maid, elderly manservant, and dog. A man sentenced falsely to Dartmoor Prison, badly treated by the jailer, waiting for the chance to escape. When that chance comes, Oliver Ward makes it to Maggie Lee’s land, and is found bleeding and unconscious by Nora, the maid. Thus begins their adventure together. There are two of the most vile villains (though one thought he was doing the Lord’s work) tracking Oliver and Maggie. They made me cringe whenever they appeared. As Oliver and Maggie worked to right the wrongs, there were lessons to be learned about forgiveness and surrender to God. There was a twist near the end I wasn’t expecting but was glad the author included. This is an excellent book I really enjoyed.
Darkness is on their heels, can they find truth?
There are some historical romance authors whose books I will pick up without really reading the back cover blurb because I know I’ll enjoy the story no matter. Michelle Griep has become one of those authors. I will admit to being intrigued by the title, The House At The End Of The Moor, and the mysterious cover with the lady in the red dress which is quite startling against the misty background.
As I had picked the book up without any previous knowledge of the storyline I was a bit surprised when it started out in Dartmoor Prison. A dark dank place of which I had vaguely heard of somewhere in my vast reading history. Yep, our hero is in gaol, and that is spelled correctly, for a crime he didn’t commit. However, he escapes and lands on the doorstep of the one woman who can either land him back in prison or help him clear his name. But, in the meantime, they both have their secrets and they also have some unpleasant and dangerous men on their tail…
As with any of Michelle Griep’s historical romances there is a strong emotional element woven through the seemingly disparate threads of the story. Both Maggie and Oliver have had difficult relationships with their fathers, something that even people today can easily relate to. Both of them will need to lean on grace and learn forgiveness for the past.
With a title like The House At The End Of The Moor you know you really can’t go wrong in choosing to read it. It didn’t take me long to finish it and now I find myself in the position of waiting. Waiting for the author’s next release. Not very patiently waiting…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Author Michelle Griep takes us on a wild ride of mystery, intrigue, and danger. Throw in family issues and light romance and this has something for everyone.
Griep has done her research as to the settings and the language used; I appreciate that. It draws me into the timeframe of the book when the author is accurate with these things. This story was easy to get lost in and I was always wondering what would happen next. I seriously did not see the ending coming but loved how it was wrapped up.
Parts of this book get dark but in a way that fits the plot and Griep doesn’t linger there for long. The spiritual undertones are uplifting but not in your face. Many emotions will rise; anger being a chief one, for me. Very well written, if you enjoy historical romance you will love The House at the End of the Moor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep has Mrs. Margaret Dosett (aka Maggie Lee) finding escaped convict, Oliver Ward out on the moors near Morden Hall in March of 1861. When Oliver is hiding from the determined Constable Barrow in a small closet, he discovers the jewels that he was convicted of stealing. The pair come up with a plan to return the ruby necklace and get justice for them both. The House at the End of the Moor is a compelling historical novel that is well-written and moves along at a gentle pace. I enjoyed Michelle Griep’s detailed writing that captured the era. The author brought the moors alive with her vivid word imagery. I could just imagine Maggie out walking on the moors with her dog, Malcolm at her side. Maggie Lee and Oliver Ward are developed and realistic characters with a deep faith. I like how they work together to get justice and redemption. I thought it was unique that Michelle Griep made Maggie Lee an opera singer. I enjoyed the references to some beautiful operas. The treachery that had taken place was terrible and there were some truly evil individuals in this story. The violence did have me cringing, but it was realistic. Prisoners were treated terribly unless they had money to grease palms. Forgiveness, second chances and redemption were some of the Christian themes in the story. I enjoyed the Jayne Eyre references especially the one at the end. I was especially pleased with how one character made a complete life change. I like how The House at the End of the Moor combined mystery, intrigue, romance, suspense, history and faith into one fascinating novel. The House at the End of the Moor is an appealing novel that reminds you that no matter how dark the situation, He is always with you.
“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?”
Another home-run for Michelle Griep! Set in Victorian England of 1861, this story follows two unlikely pair – an opera singer hiding away and a runaway convict – in a tale of justice sought, forgiveness received, redemption embraced, and renewal begun. Wrapped in intense intrigue and mystery, the story combines the best of suspense and historical romance to bring a tantalizing read that you won’t be able to put down.
Maggie, the opera singer, has a present-tense first person voice in the story which pairs extremely well with past-tense third person voice of Oliver, the runaway convict. Their unique perspectives emphasize the shroud of intrigue as they join forces to bring to light the lies that wrongly put Oliver in jail and forced Maggie to flee into anonymity. The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what will happen next. Oliver is such a swoony hero – a champion of the poor and downtrodden, loyal, clever, and intelligent with a sense of humor. Maggie is sweet, gifted, and brave even when grief threatens to overwhelm her. Redemption and forgiveness that can be ours for the asking are portrayed clearly in the characters’ journey through the book.
If you are a fan of historical romance, you will love this book. It reminded me a little of Les Miserables, especially with a constable doggedly hunting Oliver down after his escape from prison. I received a copy of the book from Barbour Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Very Emotional story! 4 stars
This is the first time that I read a book from Michelle Griep. Thank you Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of novel ‘The House at the End of the Moor’. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, then you’ll love it! It’s well written and filled with emotions.
It tells the story of Maggie and Oliver, two complex characters who embarked on a journey of danger and many twists & turns. Maggie leaves her lifestyle as an Opera singer to escape and live in anonymity. Her life changes as she soon as she meets Oliver, a man on the run. Lots of ups and downs in their new relationship!
House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep is Christian Historical Suspense Fiction. Plenty of thrills are included in this new book. In Michelle Griep‘s usual style a very complicated mystery. This book will keep you awake reading and demanding you finish it. The characters are Christians who go through many hardships and don’t understand why they are suffering. How often have most of us asked why Lord until he shows us His Plan for us? Additionally the reader is treated to interesting historical notes about customs and culture of that place and time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
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.*
I loved it! I’m quite speechless in fact.
I enjoyed the way the story is told from the different viewpoints of the characters.
Maggie is a strong, brilliant woman with a kind heart. She says one of my favorite lines, “I’d say there is much hope for you both, for God yet softens the hardest of hearts.”
Oliver is quite a gentleman despite all he’s been through. He can find and return my forgotten gloves anytime.
I love how the author weaves Biblical truths and a theme of forgiveness throughout the book in a natural way.
My thanks to the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. A review was not required
Brava!
Every time I think Michele Griep’s writing is at its peak, she comes out with something even better than anything she’s written before. Everything about this book- the intrigue, the story premise, the historical content, and the crafting of her words- has been beefed up. I highly recommend!
This book was provided to me by the publisher, but as always, my opinions are my own.
Truly a wonderfully crafted story. Definitely keeps you turning pages. It has such a good mix of romance and suspense. The characters become so real and a wonderful mutt too. What a great read!