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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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.
In her newest release, The House at the End of the Moor, author Michelle Griep brings readers a multi-layered story of danger, mystery, and romance. As always, Griep’s writing features lyrical prose to paint a vivid setting before sweeping the reader into all the romance, drama, and mystery of the story. The novel held my attention from the start and the mystery of the stolen jewels elevated my interest. While certain characters give the novel a bit of a dark, creepy feel, it’s not a heavy book. I was pleased with the character development of Maggie and Oliver. The novel’s exploration of themes about justice, forgiveness, and mending relationships offers spiritual encouragement to the individual reader, but also provides plenty of discussion topics for book clubs.
The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep is a stand-alone novel and will likely appeal to fans of inspirational historical romance.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Merciful heavens, what a story!!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Ms. Griep tells a fanTAStic tale!” Her knowledge of the era and the setting is like she has a time machine and personally witnessed the atrocities and the social etiquette and formality.
Secrets will out. No matter the lengths we go to in order to hide them or run away from them. Maggie lee thought she was secure in the cocoon she created for herself.
Until a twist of fate and compassion turned all that inside out.
And placed her in grave danger.
Oliver Ward was the unexpected—and unwelcome—subject of that compassion.
As only fate (and a skilled author) can do, Maggie and Oliver suddenly find their lives intertwined. And as they learn to depend on each other to unravel the riddle, they discover so much more.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The House at the End of the Moor, Michelle Griep
Griep is one author I will always jump to read!
I was a little surprised by the fact this was a book about an opera singer. A different subject to be sure, yet it was done in a way that I was still gripped by the plotline.
I love the era of the setting, the descriptions were absorbing, and the characters … Ooh, the characters, there is such an array points of view. I like how Griep isn’t shy to show different characters from what some authors show in the Victorian setting.
Maggie Lee (A name that makes me think mob for some reason… *shrugs*), is not your usual heroine. Sure, she may have been in hiding much like some heroines but she is unique to the story, her story, and it is new to me. I’m not sure I’ve read a book featuring an opera star, I know very little of the art. Learning a bit about it was engrossing!
(*face desk* I had to look up character names. I read this book twenty books ago so that’s all right, right? I mean no offense to the author since this book is spell bounding!)
Oliver was a hero I wasn’t sure I would like, only from the blurb though. I mean once I started reading I couldn’t help with like him. He was quite the hero!
Another character who I shall not name was an unexpected character it was an eerie to have his point of view.
The plot thickened as I rounded the fiftieth percent of the book and I loved it! As it ended I was sad that this book was not a part of a series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This book is a gripping tale of intrigue, subterfuge, and the hunt for justice. Set in Victorian era England, Michelle Griep takes the reader on a winding path towards lasting romance and abiding peace and forgiveness that can only come from God.
Oliver Ward spends every waking moment focused only on justice and revenge against those who muddied his name and put him in chains. His anger burns deep and clouds every situation he faces. But in his attempted escape, the moors almost finish him off. Maggie wants nothing more than to disappear into the moors, needing only her books and trusty dog to fill her time. After the unwanted and forced attention from a dark man, she has closed her heart behind a wall of fear for protection. But her maid finds a man in the moors, and nothing will remain the same. What follows is a race to identify the culprits and end the injustice.
Michelle Griep creates a cast of characters that come alive with each new secret revealed. I found my heart pounding and racing with each near catch and escape, and the unknown good Samaritans willing to help. Each time the end seemed in sight, another twist would come up adding to the suspense. This is a heart pounding thriller that kept me glued to each page until the very end, with romance colouring each step of the journey and love blooming in the midst of strife. I can not wait for the next book by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Michelle Griep’s books keep getting better and better. Her latest, The House at the End of the Moor, is by far my favorite. This regency era novel features both a hero and heroine running from unsettled pasts, seeking to set right a crime that has wrongfully incriminated both. Here, we have intrigue, narrow escapes, heated tension, and a solution that continues to be just out of reach. But through it all is another layer of depth – that of true justice and forgiveness. For although the plot kept me completely entertained, what truly struck a chord was the personal fight to right wrongs and address our own broken relationships.
Griep did an outstanding job on this book. You will be swiftly caught up in a story that runs a gamut of emotions and holds your attention the entire way though.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Oliver Ward is in prison, unjustly. Maggie Lee lives alone, with a maid and manservant. This story takes a few chapters to set up our main characters, then takes off into a page turning story. The story starts off in Lydford and from there we travel to Bath. An officer by the name of Sebastian is after both of them as well as a few other interested parties, namely Groat and Mr. Corbin. There are a few other key players introduced throughout the book. As is typical of this author, we are led along with different aspects of the mystery brought to light at different times. Another great read!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Oliver Ward was convicted of jewel theft and sent to Dartmoor Prison. He has been there for nine months. He has been beaten and abused in just about every way possible. The bad thing is he claims to be innocent. In the next cell is his friend, that he met while here. Jarney is his name and he is very sick. Oliver knows the only way to save him is to escape. The constable that watches over them is a sadistic and cruel man. He beats them or hits them for any infraction, even talking. Oliver gets his chance to escape and runs but he gets shot but keeps running. They are in moor and it is very dangerous, one step the wrong way and you are engulfed and sink in and die. He gets to the far side of the moor but it takes him about a week. At the end, he slips and falls putting a large cut on his temple.and he is unconscious.
Lydford England, Margaret Daisy Dosett, is a famous opera singer. Her voice is renowned.for its clarity and pure sound. She ran away nine months ago because of an incident on her last night of the season. She ended up at Morden Hall at the end of the moor. She has hidden away for nine months. She loved her quiet life but missed her father.
The way she helps people that are below her. Her maid Nora is mute and the men and children tormented her. Maggie took her in and treated her with respect. When they found Oliver, she was frightened by all the blood and took both of them to drag him to the house, where they cared for him. It is well put together, moves smoothly and is so entertaining. It keeps your interest and makes it very difficult to put down. The characters are kind and try to help those they can. It was exciting, scary, and had feeling. I have to be fair and highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it’ Loved it.
Open Your Heart
This book was a great read. It caught my interest from the start and just got better the farther on I read. An Opera singer hiding in a house on the moors, an escaped convict, a missing ruby necklace, a corrupt politician, an unethical theater manager, a famous Lawyer and a constable with a mean streak all come together to make for an engaging tale in the English countryside and the city of Bath.
The author has done a great job with this book it is well written and engaging. Mr. Barrows the constable kind of reminded me of the Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoon. He would get so close to catching his prey than something would happen to him and the criminal would escape again. He was the character you loved to hate. Quite a frustrating man and a bit comical. I loved that he finally found that God was the answer.
I was so happy to see that Oliver finally reconciles with his father when Oliver stopped wrestling with his faith and let God take over. It was sad that Maggie lost her father but the romance between Oliver and Maggie was heartwarming.
The book is a gem to read, inspirational and engaging. I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks to MIchelle Griep, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book.
Maggie “Daisy” Lee lives in a house at the end of the Moor. She has a manservant and a maid that help her keep the household going. Every day she prays that the man who is looking for her will not look there. All is well until an injured man is discovered and Maggie makes the choice to help him. While recovering, Oliver sees a familiar dress and jewels. The exact jewels that he allegedly went to prison for stealing. Maggie states that they are fake but it is revealed that they are the real deal. They make a plot to find the men to who ruined their lives and to clear their names. What happens leads them to events that change their prospective and turn their lives more toward God. A great read that makes you realize who you can trust at the worst times and find your way home. Thank you to Ms. Griep, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this Christian/Historical romance.
Michelle Griep continues to raise the bar of excellence with The House at the End of the Moor. This might be my favorite of Ms. Griep’s books….and that is saying a lot, because they all have a spot of my keeper shelf.
Griep’s eloquent writing reflects the historical setting of 1860’s England. Her vivid descriptions of Bath society and the wild, remote beauty of the moors captivated me. Her writing is reminiscent of Dickens, addressing the social injustice between the wealthy and the poor of Victorian England.
The journey to seek vengeance is filled with danger and romance. Yet the faith thread turns a tale of vengeance into a compelling story of justice and forgiveness. I love how Griep allows the reader into her characters’ hearts and minds as they battle their personal demons and find peace in God’s mercy. I loved Maggie and Oliver’s story and look forward to reading many more stories by Ms. Griep.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Romantic and haunting! Michelle Griep is a master storyteller.
I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long to read a Michelle Griep book. Worst decision ever! She is a spectacular storyteller creating a rich depth to her characters, their emotional and spiritual journeys and, well, everything! There wasn’t a single thing I disliked about The House at the End of the Moor. I drank up every word starting on the very first page.
The House at the End of the Moor is a thrilling mystery. The pieces of the puzzle come together with such hair-raising satisfaction that once you get a taste of Maggie and Oliver’s secrets, you will hunger for the full truth.
It was effortless to grow close to Maggie. Her sweet and generous heart was a magnet. Despite all she had endured in her life, she was brave, faithful and optimistic–qualities that serve her well for her dangerous journey outside the moor. Oliver, at his core, is a perfect gentleman with a servant’s heart, although the injustices he has endured have hardened him to a degree. I think his story of justice and the true freedom found in forgiveness is one many readers can empathize with.
Maggie and Oliver make for a humorous team as they flee the moor and plot how to serve justice to those who have wronged them. I adored the witty banter between them and the gentle progression of their relationship. It is here Maggie’s honesty shines and softens the harder edges of Oliver’s pride. Sigh. They complement each other so well.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader of historical Christian fiction, especially if you like the Gothic-feel.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I am always on the lookout for a new book from Michelle Griep because while her books vary in setting and time, her writing is consistent and I’ve come to love how her stories flow. This story was interesting because the voice switches between first person (Maggie) to third (Oliver). Getting to know them both was a pleasure.
The story progresses steadily and definitely increases in tension and intensity as Maggie and Oliver begin to put together how their life stories intersect. I couldn’t help but feel for Oliver and his unfair plight. His determination had me rooting for him from the very beginning. Oliver just never gives up. I don’t know that I would be able to be as strong as him given the same circumstances. I guess that makes me Oliver’s admirer.
Maggie is also strong and courageous. Because we get a more intimate view of her thoughts from the first person point of view, she was easy to connect to emotionally. Her fears, her hopes and even her dreams were easy to see. Maggie is kind and gentle. I really loved that about her. I loved how naturally the relationship between Oliver and Maggie developed. It felt believable and fell comfortably around my heart. I loved the added intrigue and constant threat of danger. It added a much needed dimension to propel the story forward. It was so good! Oh, and I think the cover is just lovely.
Content: violence, peril, kissing, Christian elements
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I liked the story and thought it was interesting but sometimes it was hard for me to read. I’m not a fan of reading violence and the book has a lot of violence and cruelty. Very abusive, evil people. Definitely made me root for the main characters to win. And just as I’d think they had moved passed the worst of it, they would turn around and their tormentors were there again.
Maggie’s pov is written in first/present tense but when it changes to Oliver’s pov the writing also switches to third person. It kind of threw me off although it was easier to figure out whose pov I was in but since I’m not a fan of first person present tense it was jarring each time I switched back to Maggie. And then there was another pov besides those main characters. It might have been important to see the constable’s pov to understand how the ending could happen but I dreaded reading his sections. Personally, I’d rather have one person tell the whole story but I know lots of people do enjoy multiple pov.
The book has lots of dark angst and drama. Far more of that than the romance. And lots of violence from sick-minded people. If you are looking for a nice little sweet romance this isn’t the book. I’d call it more of a drama which includes a romance. It does have a happily ever after but lots of difficulty getting to it. There are multiple villains in the story and I like that they all get their ending but I am not sure I liked the way they ended. Each was very different from the other.
The Christian lit aspect was very strong. There was lots of it but it was written to be a normal part of the characters so it didn’t seem out of place. The big theme was redemption and quite a few characters are redeemed. Not just one of the main characters.
There are some surprises along the way in the plot so I could not see how things were going to resolve long before it did. All in all, it is a good story but on the darker side.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it
This book at all the qualities I love in a book. Interesting characters, danger, adventure, mystery, intrigue, and love. Oliver will always be a character I will remember for his growth and heart and perseverance. Maggie embodies beauty and strength, qualities that I strive for. This book is a wonderful page turner and a delight to read.
Walking into a Michelle Griep novel, I know three things to the depth of my core:
1. I’m going to love it.
2. My heart’s going to go through the wringer.
3. It’s going to be worth it because, well, refer to #1.
If you’re looking for a page-turner, filled with romance and adventure and imperfect-but-dear characters, you need this book. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to connect with Maggie (I know zilch about opera), but I loved her immediately. And though this book offers a sweet romance, it was the spiritual journeys and lessons of the characters that truly blew me away. I couldn’t put it down!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel via NetGalley and courtesy of the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.
I could not put this book down. Even when I dreaded what was coming up in the story, I had to keep reading. There were several hold-your-breath moments in the book. I loved the author’s descriptions. They made me feel like I was there. There were lots of twists and turns, and I loved what happened to one of the characters at the end of the book. I would recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
I really enjoyed this read, and it kept my attention right to the end, and hoping that those we come to care about will survive.
Loved how the author answered all of my question as they appeared while reading this book, and even though I wanted to continue being in their lives, we do have an idea how all is resolved.
What injustice, and a different kind of law enforcement, here a prison guard that went on his own to find an escapee would be considered rogue, but at this period of time, I guess it was acceptable, and all kinds of force could be used.
Through out the book, we see God’s hand on these characters, and there is a reason for all, even if we don’t always see it. Evil doesn’t always prevail, and we get to see how it is trying hard to win.
You don’t want to miss this one!
I received this book through the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
The House at the End of the Moor was good in the last half but the first part did not keep my attention. Convict Oliver Ward was a strong character but I felt Maggie Lee could have been better. If you love the Victorian era, you may like this book. It is hard to imagine the deplorable conditions of prisons in that time. I received The House at the End of the Moor from Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion