The year is 1862 and the place is Dartmoor Prison, Devon, England. A man wrongly imprisoned makes his escape in order to prove his innocence. His trek across the moor is a costly one and he would have died if not for a woman willing to bring a stranger into her home. The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep is a tale of justice, forgiveness, and mercy.
This is the first book I have read by Michelle Griep. I’ve heard good things about her writing, so I jumped at a chance to see for myself. They were all right! I loved this book and I especially loved the message. It’s a hard thing to show the challenges of true justice and The House at the End of the Moor takes a direct stab at it.
Oliver Ward wants justice. For himself, for his friend, for the impoverished living Corbin’s slums. Escape is the only way. Maggie Dosett is staying in a house at the end of the moor, hiding after an escape of her own. She cannot leave the half-dead Oliver on the moor to die, nor can she risk inviting the ill-tempered constable to search her house. Not only could he find the man she rescued, but he could discover the identity she has taken great pains to conceal.
As Oliver and Maggie begin to uncover the truth, they must decide how much trust to place in each other in order to accomplish their plans. Is the sacrifice worth it? Will it cost them everything? Or will the Law protect the truly guilty?
The uniqueness of Oliver and Maggie’s characters add much depth to this book. They were flawed, but in a way that made them heroes. Yet, the very thing that made them heroes may not have been the best perspective in the end. Such is the complexity of the theme. And what I loved about this book.
What I wasn’t so fond of, though I got used to it after awhile, was the change in point of view. While in Oliver’s point of view, the tense was third-person, past tense. While in Maggie’s point of view, the tense was first person, present tense. It made the voices distinct, but it was also jarring and, I thought, brought too much attention to the writing as opposed to the story.
Point of view aside, The House at the End of the Moor is an excellent book that I highly recommend reading. It would also make a good book club book because it spurs on the discussion of justice. Especially in today’s day and age of social justice and economic tension.
I hope you’ll pick up a copy of The House at the End of the Moor. It’s a fantastic read.
I received this book free from NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”