My thoughts: I am enjoying the writings of Michelle Griep in recent months and look forward to each new release. The House at the End of the Moor was an interesting read allowing the reader to peek into the historical period and glimpse the class struggles, cruelty, inhumanity, raw/rank prisions, and sheer devious contriving of man.
The dwelling about which the title comes is a secluded older home where a "widow" resides with her housekeeper and manservant. 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.
The story behind her self-imposed seclusion stems from her past as a famous opera star who suddenly disappeared. She isn't truly a widow but uses the presumption as a means of disguise.
Then her life is disrupted when a nearly dead and desperate young man is found by her housekeeper. He is brought into "the house at the end of the Moor" so they can nurse his injuries.
Then the world encroaches upon her isolation and danger lurks everywhere.
This was an interesting, though not a challenging read. I enjoyed the glimpse into the ways and social mores of the times. The characters were interesting. I found myself being surprised a few times with their relationships and resolution of their differences.
The story has a happy ending, which is something I find enjoyable. Cliff hangers are fine, but I do like to have a conclusion; and when it is happy it makes for a nice "warm fuzzy" feeling.
I recommend the book for its being a good, clean, Christian historical fiction read.
About the 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.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
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