“Murder on the Moor” by Julianna Deering is a novel about friendship, clandestine activities, village eccentrics, and murder. The dialogue reeks of Britain. I found this very enjoyable. This novel takes place in the Yorkshire moors in the village of Bunting’s Nest. Drew and Madeline Fathering have earned a reputation for sleuthing and solving mysteries. When Drew’s old college classmate Beaky’s calls Drew for help, he and Madeline can hardly refuse. Beaky’s Bloodworth Park Lodge has become the scene of small crimes and unexplained worrisome incidents that are scaring the life out of his wife. After the murder of the old vicar of the church someone needs to investigate. Beaky welcomes Drew and Madeline to his home, not so much Beaky’s wife, Sabrina. After the murder of an elderly woman follows on the heels of the vicar’s demise, everyone is suspect. As the comment goes…the plot thickens. I did not have an inkling of the ending. It was a complete surprise and worth every word read to get there. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and anything British.

I received a complimentary print copy from NightOwlReviews.com for reading and review. You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-sv. Check out other book reviews at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com. I have also placed a review of this book on https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2148524158, on NetGalley.com, and on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/review/RJY1STF8FP5EO. ( )

Five books into the Drew Farthering mystery series, and I am still wowed! Drew and Madeline are back in Murder on The Moor, a book with a definite Gothic-vibe that will keep you guessing right up to the end. For fans of cozy, classic, or historical mysteries, this one is a must-read!

It’s a dark and stormy night when Drew and Madeline have a visitor who whisks them away to the moors of Yorkshire in search of a murderer. There are mysterious goings-on at the Lodge that Drew feels cannot be attributed to supernatural hounds and gypsies. Plus the bodies are piling up! Can Drew solve the case before more innocents are murdered?

Drew Farthering is such a fun character. A true gentleman, his interests in murder mysteries translate to real cases. This amateur is assisted by wife Madeline and friend and employee Nick. Nick especially has a fun role in this book. Supporting characters are well-drawn and illicit a good deal of suspicion. The moors are a great backdrop for the mystery adding an extra level of intrigue. Drew is persistent in his presumptions in this case and seeks to mold the clues to his theories — something he knows is bad sleuthing. But he just can’t seem to help himself. I actually liked that about Drew — he (and the reader) learn that assumptions are often due to past experiences and prejudices and can be vastly unfair. Drew relies heavily on his faith, and it (and the counsel of Madeline) serves him well in setting his path straight again. The villain is at last exposed, and you won’t see it coming!

I finished Murder on The Moor just in time for the release of the sixth adventure featuring Drew, Death at Thorburn Hall. Although a well-established series, each book including Murder on The Moor, can be read as a standalone. But I would suggest digging into all the Drew Farthering mysteries — there’s great fun in these great books!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

I enjoy nothing more than a good clean mystery. Ms. Deering certainly delivered! I can’t wait to read more of her books this was my first! The married amateur detective duo of Drew and Madeline brought to mind the old classic movies of Nick and Nora, whose films were made in the 1930’s, the same era as the book’s setting.
The couple is called to an old school chums estate in the English Moors to help him solve 2 murders that there could possibly be no motive; the vicar and a poor elderly woman. Also because his bride of less than a year has been hearing things and feels she is being followed
His friend Beaky Bloodworth would be what you would call a geek or a nerd during their school days, the victim of constant bullying. Not only has Beaky done quite well for himself but is married to an absolutely beautiful woman, so much so her reasons for marrying look suspicious. Not to mention her attitude toward her husband, Definitely not that of a gushing newlywed.
The author’s descriptiveness of the characters, their personality and physical characteristics were so fantastic, I felt I had a snap shot of them in hand. Beaky’s name gave me a chuckle as it fit his thin, hawkish appearance. She beautifully captured the interactions between the individuals on all levels. I loved Drew and Madeline’s sweet and loving relationship. Not gushy but as a good, caring marriage would be. It didn’t stop there she painted a word picture of the homes, stores, pub, and especially the moors. I found the latter quite depressing, and gloomy. A perfect location for solving a crime!
The book kept me on edge. Lots of surprises. Every time I thought I had the murderer cornered in my mind another person would appear equally as guilty! It wasn’t until the very end the criminal is revealed and I wasn’t right on any counts! What a surprise! Just the way I like a whodunit! A book you will want to read!
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I state are my own. ( )

Review This was fantastic as always. I love Drew and Madeline. I wish Nick might have been in a little more but at least he was in a little. I loved the other character of Beaky who hires Drew. He was fun. I hope there will be many more to this series. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit and the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering is fifth in her Drew Farthering mystery series. No disappointment in this book...there is definitely mystery and murders to solve. First the postman and then the elderly former nanny. Will there be others? The police at Buntings Nest were a little out of their league and welcomed Drew and Madeline Farthering's help. "We don't have this sort of thing happen much." The locals like to say the mystery has to do with pagan high places and hauntings but the Farthering's friends know better, or do they? Walking on the moor can be dangerous to your health and Sabrina loves to walk the dog. Are they safe? Is someone following them? The author keeps the pages turning as she adds twists and turns to the plot. Fires, murders, huge pawprints that no known animal could make, sounds from the closed up wing of the house and lovers' trysts...what can it all mean? As in her previous book Dressed for Death, Deering does a marvelous job of keeping the culprit a surprise right up to the end. Drew himself is stumped for quite a while but with the help of his lovely wife, the mystery does get solved. If you love a mystery set in the 1930s Merry Olde England this is one classic murder mystery you won't want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour. ( )