"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.

Our heroine is a woman of 25 years, who lives upon the treacherous and lonely moor, with her wonderful and scruffy dog Malcolm as a faithful companion. ( "I am Malcolm's sheep -- the only one he herds and cossets.... He would not let a sheep go under, and I am the only sheep he has." ) Her prim, tidy, and mute maidservant Nora tends to things about the house; her manservant Dobbs handles the more rugged duties of living out on the moor. She works hard to protect anonymity and reclusive life, for she is a woman of secrets unfolding. And then one day an escaped convict falls on the doorstep of her humble Morden Hall. Oh, the intrigue!

The writing is impeccable with a refreshing variety of word choices to be found in the author's vocabulary. The effect is so complete that I am positively transported to the craggy moor landscape or to the city streets of Bath each time I open the book. Such a captivating plot! I loved every single moment in this book. SO GOOD!

One of my favorite themes from this story is that imperfect people can still be good people. It doesn't matter what's in your past or your present, or what sort of lifestyle you have -- you can always choose goodness and kindness. This includes bringing God's grace into rocky relationships that need restoration. Even the villains in life can seek redemption.

For fans of historical fiction and classic literature like Jane Eyre.

Recommended for: Adults
Suitable for: Ages 13 & up
(Contains allusions to adult themes.)

Excellent read! The twists and turns in the plot keep you engaged and the writing is excellent. The Christian values in the book were a nice change of pace.

I was not able to get interested in this book and I did not finish it. The characters and the plot were not able to catch or keep my attention.

I have had a good run of reading some truly excellent books lately. This is another title that languished on my NetGalley shelf for FAR too long. If I'd had an more of an inkling at the greatness of of this book, I'd have read it MUCH sooner. As it is, I am sorry it took me so long to read it. This book has it all, a regency timeline(which is a favorite of mine!), great characters, a couple of truly evil villain's that need stopped, a couple of wonderful surprises at the end and romance that is completely swoonworthy. Basically I can sum up this review by saying I adored this book!!!

I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I love Michelle Griep's style of writing and found this book to be totally engaging and impossible to put down! This is one of very few stories that has literally taken my breath away with a scene of startling and undeserved forgiveness, and in that way, though it's a very different story, this book reminded me of another of my very favorite books, Roseanna White's Number of Love. I highly recommend this book with no reservations. It is time well spent!

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

I thought that this story was a fascinating glimpse into history, with the combination of characters and the backgrounds that they come from. Well researched and interesting till the last page!

As I was reading the second chapter of Michelle Griep's The House at the End of the Moor I made note that it was a study in creating atmosphere. It also demonstrates the power of changing the narrative point of view, taking the reader from witnessing the escape of convict Oliver Ward to being invited in by Maggie's first person narration of her walk through the moors, her home in Morden Hall, and following her maid to discover Oliver barely alive on the moors.

As Maggie and Oliver soon discover that they were both present on the fateful night of the social event that led to her flight from Bath and his incarceration for stealing the necklace of a political enemy's wife, they are quickly on the run and plunged into a shared pursuit of justice.

This is a Victorian romance full of adventure that mixes a feeling of refinement with the brutality of their pursuers and contrasts Maggie's pure faith with the perverted faith of the brutal prison constable. I always enjoy Michelle Griep's writing, and there is much to appreciate in this stand-alone novel with a heroine who loves Jane Eyre, a storyline with elements reminiscent of the Count of Monte Cristo, and a plot device that brought to mind - in a surprisingly positive way - a story that has haunted me since Junior High English class, The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant.

If you enjoy Historical Romance set in Victorian England with a strong faith element and an abundance of peril and suspense, The House at the End of the Moor is sure to sweep you away. Highly recommended.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

Michelle Griep has easily become one of my favourite authors! There is romance, mystery, adventure, and an endearing cast of characters who you can't help but cheer for!

Do you ever start a book and know immediately this one is going to be stellar? That’s this one. I usually fly through books but I knew from the beginning that I really wanted to take my time with this one. Michelle Griep has wonderfully descriptive writing and I didn’t want to miss a thing. The way she brings the setting and character qualities to life in this book was a thing of beauty.

I felt that the tone of this book is different from her others. A little darker, a little more serious, and also more true to real life. Bad things happen to good people sometimes but how does our faith sustain us through those times? This seemed to be a central theme in the book along with who is ultimately responsible for justice and mercy. It was a really well done look at the ways our answers to those questions can take us down various paths in life.

I would absolutely recommend this book to my friends. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end with some surprising twists along the way. And I don’t feel as though I get surprised easily.

This was an engrossing read. There was intrigue, excitement, and bits that reminded me of Les Mis (Barrow--shudder). I really liked Maggie and her determination to be independent. I liked Oliver and his struggle with his father. Both are devout Christians, but both have room for growth.
Sebastian Barrow is a terrifying antagonist who justifies abuse as God's work.
I had to read through this book as quickly as I could so that I could reach the satisfying conclusion.

Amazing, page-turner, captivating!!! This book was so wonderful!!!! I loved it! It was so heart pumping at times! I could feel my adrenaline going during times of this book!
I loved Maggie, she is someone who is so kind and has been hardened in places by the world. But somehow keeps a soft heart!
Oliver is understandably bitter and angry! But I love how he grows so much in this book!
I honestly never wanted it to end!
Michelle Griep can you write them a sequel???
I am so glad I read this book!

Be prepared for all the feels!! This story invokes emotions from outrage to tenderness and does so beautifully. The characters are so well developed that they begin to feel like people you actually know...and can never forget.

4.5 Stars!

I really enjoyed this book!

Michelle has such a fabulous writing style, always enchanting me and reminding me of classical authors. A pure pleasure to read.

The House at the End of the Moor was the perfect historical escape and was fantastically intriguing with marvelous story-telling and fascinating themes.

This book showed that words have power. That speaking out with Courage, Light, and Truth can change everything. The characters are faced with terrible injustices and broken pasts, but they must learn to trust God and one another with their uncertainty and pain and hope for a bright future while fighting for justice and freedom.

Some other strong themes throughout the story were the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. That repentance is possible even with the most wicked of pasts.

I thought the romance was also extremely well done. There was quite a bit of chemistry, but it wasn’t super insta-love, which was honestly hugely refreshing.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the intriguing historical elements. For instance, a career as a female opera singer in the Victorian period. And the horrors of Dartmoor Prison (which is actually still in operation to this day).

This was a fabulous read, and I highly recommend it!

Note: I received a copy of this book for Free, and a positive review was not required.

All Maggie Lee wants out of life now is to be left alone. On the Moors, tucked away at the very of the end of the lane she lives only with a housekeeper and a handyman. Until one day when a man is found on the bank of a river, wounded and barely breathing.
Ward Oliver has recently escaped for a prison work detail to prove his innocence. Knowing that he must keep moving for the guard that is chasing him, then he discovers that Maggie is tied in with what the crime he was convicted of, he confronts her only to have her plead her innocence. How much can he believe her? Can he trust her to help him find the truth?
I do have to point out that, that although this author is one that I really enjoy, her writing style my not be for everyone. When the narrative of the story is told by Maggie it is in the first person style, however when told by Ward, it is in the third style person. Going back and forth can interrupt the flow of the story for some people.
I enjoyed this book and I think that anyone who likes historical fiction.

Knocking on deaths door becomes a tool for restoration.

Isn’t it funny how God can use the most devastating circumstances to bring restoration, healing, or maybe even love? We say, “It’s impossible,” but God says, “Watch me.” The House at the End of the Moor has proved to be a great example of that kind of thing.

Oliver and Maggie’s lives had been entwined in several different ways, but the thread that ties them together is the hurt that others have inflicted on them. The pair work hard to solve the mystery as to why they are the targets of such a horrific plan, while having to learn to rely on others to get them through the case. Along the way, they are faced with hurts from their pasts and must decide whether to accept the forgiveness offered.

The House at the End of the Moor is wonderfully crafted in a way that Michelle Griep has mastered. This story has hints of some of my favorite gothic novels with out getting too dark. It is riddled with hope and adventure and all the sweetest moments one can expect from this talented author.

**I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A review is not required but freely given.

Michelle is one of my favorite writers with her sense of humor and great romances. The mystery element is just icing!

This standalone read from Michelle Griep combines some elements from her previous novels into an enjoyable and engaging Victorian novel. There's a few elements of a Gothic mystery, with a woman living nearly alone in a House near the moors in Devon who finds a mysterious man injured one morning.

There's a dark and menacing lawman, so intent on punishing criminals that he's prepared to resort to the criminal himself, disguise and intrigue galore.

It goes from being Gothic to more of a traditional romance halfway through, but not without some hilarious antics (the hero dressing as a woman) and danger.

There were a few of the inevitable Americanisms, but overall I liked this. I felt there was a good sense of place in the scenes set in Devon especially. The bleakness of the landscape, beautiful but disguising deadly bogs and marshes lends itself well to the creative.

Thanks to Barbour for a PDF from Netgalley, I was not required to write a positive review, and bought the Ebook myself on sale. All opinions expressed are my own

I loved Griep's The Noble Guardian; indeed, named it one of my favourite books of the year. In this case, however, with House At the End of the Moor, the narrative couldn't sustain my interest. Firstly, I found the alternating first and third person awkward. Secondly, I didn't find Oliver and Margaret consistent in characterization. And Barrow was caricaturishly villainous.

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.

~While I was given a free copy, I wasn't under any obligation to provide a favorable review. The pleasure is mine. (2020)