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 an absolutely marvellous Christian historical adventure that I just could not put down. It was a thrilling read.
The novel is set on Dartmoor, in Lydford and Bath. I revelled in these locations as I know them all. Dartmoor prison is a foreboding place, rising up out of the moor – my Dad drove us past it when we stayed in Lydford Gorge in autumn 1980. I have visited Bath on many occasions over the years. My familiarity with the landscape helped to bring the novel alive.
There are the main themes of restoration and the presence of God. “I’d never have survived … without God.” Sometimes life is very bleak indeed but without God, it is even worse. When we know God, we can have a hope for the future.
Restoring the years the locusts have taken links with the theme of prodigals returning. Like the prodigal son, we may fear our welcome but there is much rejoicing.
It is never wise to believe we know what others are thinking or know why they act in a certain manner. The novel shows that actions and motivations of others may be misinterpreted.
We cannot earn God’s grace. It is a gift freely given. There is a character who is trying to earn their way to heaven, to atone for past actions. No one can ever work their way to heaven. We would never be ‘good enough’, instead we must accept the free gift of grace.
Treasures of this world shackle us. “Locked in the chains of status and wealth.” The love of money is the root of all evil. Money does not have to be a prison if we use it wisely and remember we are God’s stewards of our money. This figurative prison of our own making mirrors the actual Dartmoor prison.
Michelle Griep has created a marvellous set of characters that elicited various emotional responses from me. I loved the leading characters and ‘lived’ the novel through their eyes.
Michelle Griep is a new author to me but I shall certainly be seeking out more of her books.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Opera, convicts, prison, stolen jewels? When an opera star and a convict are thrown together and each have their own secrets.. the story certainly gets interesting. Loved how the suspense kept building until the wonderful surprises at the end! I was gifted a copy,no review was required. My review is voluntary.
The synopsis hints at a little bit of mystery for Michelle Griep’s latest novel, The House at the End of the Moor. It does have a mystery. I enjoy the writing. Griep is wonderful at using her descriptions and crafting unique characters that carry readers through the story. The plot was a little different from any previous Regency novels. I enjoyed that idea. The romance wasn’t really a leadng factor in the story. In fact, not that important that when they married at the end of the novel, I felt cheatened. The hero and heroine really didn’t have feelings for each other throughout the whole novel. They may have said something about each other toward the end, but the majority of the story, they were most focused on returning to a normal life without having to look over their backs for someone to bring them harm. Overall, The House at the End of the Moor is a mystery wrapped in a Regency novel. While the plot was fine and held my attention, the romance was unbelievable. If readers enjoy Griep’s other stories, Julie Klassen, or Sarah E. Ladd, then this might be a novel right up their alley.
I received a complimentary copy of The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, through Celebrate Lit tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.
A wonderful story
My rating is 4.5 stars
Moors are mysterious and dangerous and, apparently, the perfect place for a prison.
Maggie had let the house at the end of the moor so she could hide from society and the unwelcome attentions of the “gentlemen” who assumed that her profession as an opera singer was an indication her morals were loose. Desiring nothing more than being able to keep to herself, she lived her days in quiet and solitude.
Until.
Oliver was determined to escape from the hellhole known as Dartmoor Prison so he could prove his innocence and that of the man in the cell next to him. When he showed up, more dead than alive, Maggie couldn’t help but attempt to rescue him.
The House at the End of the Moor is a delightful story, filled with twists and turns and pursuit and intrigue. And filled with Michelle Griep’s wonderful caricatures that make her stories so rich and unique.
Oliver struggled with his need to seek justice for the poor and downtrodden and his relationship with his estranged father. Sebastian struggled with a need for penance, which he may just have attempted to get in completely the wrong way – assuming we need to find atonement on our own – which of course we don’t.
I loved the spiritual lessons learned throughout, woven into its very fabric instead of being forced into it.
One thing that bothered me was the way Maggie’s portion of the story was told in first person present tense while Oliver’s and Sebastian’s were told in third person past tense. The switching between present and past tense was distracting and felt wrong.
If you enjoy historical stories with the right balance of suspense and romance, you won’t want to miss The House at the End of the Moor.
Read my review of The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Another great story by a favorite author. I was hooked from the beginning and read the entire book in one sitting. (Ok, I was up until 3am reading!) The characters are realistic, flawed, yet wonderfully relatable and endearing especially as their past struggles are revealed. The past does not always stay the past and watching Oliver and Maggie deal with it is highly entertaining. With great, well-developed characters, a story line that is action-packed, strong spiritual truths, a lot of suspense and twists to the plot, romance and, voilá, The House at the End of the Moor is a book that lovers of historical fiction will not want to miss. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
Can I just say right from the start that you won’t want to put it down. Mix the intrigue in with the romance and faith while trying to hide from a ruthless man that does harm in the name of redeeming himself and you have a winner. This is a book that will have you engrossed with all the twists and turns that connect into a wonderful ride on a curvy country road. Ms. Griep weaves a wonderful story with skill and finesse. It shows hope in the darkest days, forgiveness, and that redemption is possible for everyone. I’ll wrap this up by saying I simply loved it.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
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.
4.5 Stars
Don’t let the quiet title fool you. While The House at the End of Moor begins and ends on the Moors of England (and gives readers a feel for the danger surrounding Maggie’s home), there’s also a sense of danger and adventure as Maggie and Oliver head to bath to seek out the truth.
Michelle Griep’s writing shines in this Victorian era story filled with wrongful accusations, a hunt for an escaped prisoner, a constable out to serve justice, and greed. I enjoyed how Maggie and Oliver’s relationship grew from wariness of each other to trust, from strangers to friendship to more.
The jewels play a huge part as a plot device that keeps the story moving at a fast pace and even the secondary character elicit strong reactions. Yet beneath all of that is the theme of forgiveness, leaving justice in God’s hand, and family.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Missing jewels, an escaped convict, and an opera singer in hiding. Who wouldn’t want to read that?
This played so much like a movie in my head though the vivid imagery and great story telling. I’ve never read a book with first person and third person POV’s. I quite like it to my surprise.
Maggie and Oliver’s stories collide and their individual character growth is perfectly written. There’s a definite nod to the Gothic style of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre that I very much enjoyed.
My Thoughts on House at the End of the Moor:
The setting is wonderful and one of many places I dream of someday visiting. England is a wonderful place full of history for me and my family roots. I’d love to visit and this makes me want to go even more.
Add to that a set of wonderfully developed characters who make you think they’re sitting in the room with you and you’ve got an excellent book. Plus, now you’ve got mystery and suspense as well!
Wonderful book! I loved the time period and the Victorian era vibe that came with this book. The setting is amazing. Characters are awesome. And now I don’t want to leave them so I think we might need another book or two.
Highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed or feel let down after reading this book. Riveting is the word of the book for me. I could not put the book down and had to know what would happen next. You’re going to want to read this one. And make sure you have time set aside for reading so you’re not called away before you’re done.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This has been a lovely story that takes readers back to England in 1861. I loved how the author describes the time period which make it easy to visualize . Maggie is a recluse in her home and people know little about her. She is weary of everyone and has a trust issue. She has a secret that could destroy her if it gets out. I thought how sad it was for her to be in the home lonely and fearful. I don’t think I could sleep a wink in a place that was dreary and secluded. I found it very intriguing that she once was a very well know opera star. What made her run away from everything? Who is searching for her and what will happen if she is caught?
Oliver was easy to like because he is determined to prove his innocence in a crime that could put him in prison for a very long time. I liked his attitude of seeking the truth and never giving up. I won’t go into details of how Maggie and Oliver meet but I believe they have been brought together for a reason. Oliver does take a shining to Maggie but their relationship is slow to develop. I like that the author doesn’t throw them together with an immediate we are together forever type of story. It’s nice to see two characters slowly begin to open up and find someone they can relate to.
The story is filled with adventure as both characters have a mission to prove themselves innocent of their crime which brings surprises along the way. I loved the faith element in the book which gave it a feeling of hope. You will find forgiveness, redemption, trust and hope as the author whisks us away to a time where poverty was rampant and thieves abounded. I loved the ending and can’t wait to read another book from this very talented author.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
England 1861
Oliver was wrongly imprisoned, with a vicious guard. Badly beaten, he managed to escape and was found by a house at the end of the Moor by Maggie’s maid. Thus starts an interwoven tale of wrongfulness, healing and forgiveness. Plus a love story and Christian lessons. Keeps you holding your breath to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#NetGalley #TheHouseAtTheEndOfTheMoor
Michelle Griep is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she brings her characters to life. This book is so interesting and did not disappoint in any way. A secluded woman walking on the moor {actually she is hiding from those who wish her harm} stumbles upon a wounded man and takes him in and treats his wounds, not knowing he has escaped from Dartmoor prison. As she is posing as a widow, residing with her housekeeper and manservant, she is unsure that this was a wise decision. But what else could she do, she could not leave him to die of his wounds. She has no visitors nor desires any. She doesn’t go into the village to shop or visit, that is left to her servants so that she can remain a recluse. So she feels he will be safe until he is strong enough to leave and none will be wiser. As the story unfolds they find that their lives entwined and there is much danger for both of them. How everything comes together amid much danger and suspense makes for a most interesting book. Also there is romance in the midst of the turmoil and has a surprising ending. I loved and recommend this book, and can’t wait to read more of Michelle Griep’s wonderful, outstanding work!………..I want to thank Barbour Publishing, Inc and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Michelle Griep’s, The House at the End of the Moor. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As a longtime fan of Michelle Griep, I do not say this lightly, but this is my favorite book she has written so far. Michelle truly demonstrates her masterful ability to craft a story that is both evocative and enthralling. Maggie Lee and Oliver are both hiding from something and end up on the same path, intricately linked far more than they could have imagined. I enjoyed the supporting characters as well. Sebastian truly gives insight into how Scripture can be twisted to justify evil behaviors and has a gripping story arc all his own. I loved the description of Victorian England from the hauntingly beautiful moors, dark and dank Dartmoor Prison, and Bath (from the dual perspective of wealth and poverty). All told, a beautiful tale of standing up for justice, redemption, forgiveness that fans of historical fiction will not want to miss. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are solely my own.
It is always hard for me to imagine how bad prisons were in the 1800’s and how bad they still can be today. I loved the characters in the story. I was a little surprised at how helpful Maggie was in the beginning when she found Oliver injured. I loved how this story proved that Oliver was innocent of the reason he was put in jail. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
There is interest as soon as I started reading. An escaped prisoner, a woman mysteriously living only with two servants. This was a terrific story. Filled with so much! Mystery, adventure, action, redemption, forgiveness, realization. Another great read from the author! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own!
Absolutely fantastic! I loved this story from beginning to end. It boasts engaging characters that grow and will have you rooting for them, a setting that fills your mind with picture, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. On top of all that, there is a wonderful romance that’s brewing and as both the hero and heroine work through their own struggles they begin to work together, finding friendship and maybe, just maybe, love. I appreciate Michelle Griep’s writing style and her way of weaving a spiritual thread seamlessly and what seems as effortlessly. It’s very well done!
I received a complementary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I can always count on a grand adventure when I pick up a book by Michelle Griep and The House at the End of the Moor was no exception. With a rich historical setting and multi-layered, colorful characters, this book drew me in and kept me captivated to the last page. I was cheering for some of the characters and booing at some, but they were all masterfully created. Griep’s careful research shines through and adds authenticity and interest to the story. Maggie and Oliver are both likeable and engaging, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and develop as they got to know each other.
This book has a little bit of everything—action, suspense, danger, intrigue, and villainy, with some romance and inspiration thrown in for good measure. I recommend this book to those who enjoy well-written historical fiction. 4.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
Michelle Griep’s “The House At The End Of The Moor” is an Engrossing, Inspirational, Edge-of-Your-Seat, Action/Adventure, Victorian, Romantic Suspense, Masterpiece, You Need to Read!! It’s like a cross between “Pilgrim’s Progress”, and “Benhur”.
This Story is about helping the Downtrodden, Disabled, Old, and Poor; and not turning away from them. It’s about Oliver clearing his name, from a false charge, through God’s help. It’s about Oliver fighting for his life, and health. It’s about “true” Justice, not revenge. It’s about Oliver surrendering his anger/rage to God. It’s about reconciliation, & forgiveness. It’s about the of power the wealthy weald over the poor; and how it can be twisted. It’s about a man coming to see, that he’s not called to “beat” others into God’s kingdom, to earn his own salvation! It’s about living the Christian life, through God’s gifts of Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercy! Ultimately, this story is about the Romance between Maggie and Oliver, that ends in their Forever !
I Highly Recommend You Read this Stupendous, Entertaining, and Compelling, Christian Novel! You Won’t Be Disappointed!
The House at the End of the Moor is a fabulous read. It is by far my favorite I have read by Michelle Griep to date. What I thought to be reading a chapter or two just before bed, turned into staying up half the night until I was finished. It was that good. It includes a lot that I love in a book: intrigue, faith, great characters, wonderful setting, history, mystery, suspense, action and romance. I just adored Maggie Lee right from the start and felt a connection to her.
I am giving The House at the End of the Moor a very well deserved five plus stars. I would have given it one hundred stars if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean and inspirational historical fiction, with the lessons of hope and forgiveness. It is most definitely not one to be missed. I loved it!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.