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scarletine6's review against another edition
3.0
Personally, I found the storyline about the baby problematic. No matter whether Gideon and Lee were the best choice of parents for Tamzin, the way this was written made me feel uncomfortably like Lee's sister had been coerced into handing over her child. Her character was muddy to say the least- on one hand she was an archeologist, intelligent and career driven. While on the other she was described as being promiscuious, flighty and uncaring. I wasn't sure who she was and she seemed more like a handy shoe-in so that Gid and Lee could be parents.
Gideon and Lee are still a gorgeous couple and I do enjoy the mystery/history and Cornish storylines, but the unease the baby story arc made me feel was too prominent to allow me to enjoy this as much as I'd have liked.
Gideon and Lee are still a gorgeous couple and I do enjoy the mystery/history and Cornish storylines, but the unease the baby story arc made me feel was too prominent to allow me to enjoy this as much as I'd have liked.
jessslibrary's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leelah's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Just to be clear- I love Gid and Lee, one of my favorite couples in genre.
I couldn't really put my finger on what irked me about this installment, until I went through my thoughts on previous books of T&F series.
Ok, it's like this: Harper Fox and especially this series became my go-to rec when someone asks me what is good to read in genre: it's quality and it's (unfortunately) still obscure enough to be overlooked. But the main reason is, that there are pretty big chances it would appeal to majority of readers: there is that perfect balance of interesting mystery plot, a strong, beautifully developed romance and just a touch of supernatural. I really liked how this made me feel: I wanted to know 'who's done it', but at the same time I cared about MCs and what was going on between them.
Essentially, I felt like this installment detoured from this structure. Not just that focus was more on Lee's and Gideon's relationship, but I felt like mystery and Lee' clairvoyance was actually in service of developing romance even further. The biggest part of book is dedicated to baby plot(if you read Kitto- last line gives you pretty good hint what was going on). It's sweet and emotional, but totally predictable (which I even understand why- it's comfort thing).
I know this comes down to personal taste, but pouring everything into this for sake of establishing-not happy end- but even happier end for couple would not bother me if it's not on expanse of other parts of plot. I actually really liked the premise: reappearance of Bodmin Beast, superstition around town and especially Gideon's interaction with other people from Dark... The witch, Prowse and Gid's family were a picture of small town mentality and close-knit community. I wanted more of this and less baby stuff. :|
As for supernatural element, it's something I feared would happen after I finished book #3: making Gid "special"; giving him his own power, spiritual role. It wasn't really necessary, since it was more of a just another way for him to connect and understand Lee better. He was already perfect in that way.
And my biggest peeve is this:
This series has a theme: each installment revolves around holiday; festivities. This time it was Guldize, harvest festival typical for Cornwall area. In previous installments, the festivity theme was perfectly incorporated in story. It's actually a pretty big part of each book because it enhances the overall atmosphere: the appeal of Bodmin Beast in first book is due to fact it was happening during Halloween, for example. Here, the mark was missed and Guldize didn't play any role except to describe old pagan ceremony of Crying the Neck which was a nice bit of trivia, but just that.
All in all: another good installment, but not as strong as other in series.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
With each of the books of this series the lyrical, atmospheric writing get you more and more deeply into the story. The supernatural permeates everything, sometimes subtly, sometimes not so much, but always there.
Here we have Gideon and Lee, one year into their marriage, learning to be fathers aside from husbands, when something heart-breaking happens. From there the story flows, unravelling the mysteries, introducing new characters while the old ones keep growing and the Bodmin's Beast growls.
I don't want this series end. NEVER.
Here we have Gideon and Lee, one year into their marriage, learning to be fathers aside from husbands, when something heart-breaking happens. From there the story flows, unravelling the mysteries, introducing new characters while the old ones keep growing and the Bodmin's Beast growls.
I don't want this series end. NEVER.
suze_1624's review
5.0
It is Mr and Mr Tyack-Frayne, what more needs to be said!
I love how Lee and Gid are so much a unit, even before the mind meld stuff they are just a solid couple.
I do enjoy the weaving of folklore and tradions into the tale as well as the good dose of things that go bump - or howl - in the night.
And they get Tamsyn!
Whilst the stories could be read standalone I feel reading in order and living Lee and Gid's life with them gets the biggest reward from this series. Didn't want to put it down but I did have to sleep! More please Ms Fox!
I love how Lee and Gid are so much a unit, even before the mind meld stuff they are just a solid couple.
I do enjoy the weaving of folklore and tradions into the tale as well as the good dose of things that go bump - or howl - in the night.
And they get Tamsyn!
Whilst the stories could be read standalone I feel reading in order and living Lee and Gid's life with them gets the biggest reward from this series. Didn't want to put it down but I did have to sleep! More please Ms Fox!
libraryvee's review
3.0
Guardians of the Haunted Moor opens with Gid and Lee happily ensconced in family life with their new baby daughter Tamsyn, and their home in the village of Dark is as comfy and cozy as anyone could wish. This bliss doesn’t last long when disruption arrives in two terrifying and different ways.
Their new, beloved roles as fathers to Tamsyn are threatened, and a murder case that has eerie echoes of the Beast of the Moor takes up not only Gideon’s time, but Lee’s as well.
I had a hard time keeping my focus on this one, and it ended up being a mixed bag for me. After a rather grim beginning, the case itself feels surprisingly flat, and the urgency to solve it is lost among the never ending line of assorted villagers parading through the narrative. There were so many characters in this one: the Bow farmers along with their younger brother Clem, the elderly Granny Ragwen and her daughter, local troubled youth Das, a corporate lawyer and his assistant, Gideon’s superintendent Susan Lawrence, and new police team member Pendower. Not to mention Gideon and Lee’s rotating kitchen table of extended family members and friends. Was it to create a long list of red herring suspects? I do love the familiar faces, and after all, what’s an English Mystery without its Quirky Small Town Cast? It did get a bit comical, though: it almost felt as if every single character ever mentioned had to make an appearance.
Alongside the many faces were the many elements. We've got two main plot lines, the introduction of new characters, small town traditions and prejudices to keep track of, and even a political angle.
Through this meandering story are Gideon and Lee, whose relationship is as strong as ever, although there was a moment that they share in the first half that I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at. Usually Harper Fox manages to keep things just this side of believable, but this book had a few details that definitely stretched the limits of plausibility.
The resolution, when it comes, felt sudden and strangely incomplete. Not only was it missing details, but it was all mentioned as sort of a vague afterthought. I had quite a few remaining questions. Even the other issue that was introduced at the beginning is tied up a bit abruptly and neatly.
Fox’s writing still shines subtly, and I continue to admire the ease with which she uses metaphorical description. It’s lovely and effective and not overdone. The Cornish folklore and small town setting continue to enchant and educate me; it’s atmospheric and provides a unique aspect to this series that I look forward to. I still love Gideon and Lee, and their love for each other remains the heart of each story. I’ll follow them anywhere, through whatever happens next. Onto the next mystery that will shake the sleepy town of Dark!
Their new, beloved roles as fathers to Tamsyn are threatened, and a murder case that has eerie echoes of the Beast of the Moor takes up not only Gideon’s time, but Lee’s as well.
I had a hard time keeping my focus on this one, and it ended up being a mixed bag for me. After a rather grim beginning, the case itself feels surprisingly flat, and the urgency to solve it is lost among the never ending line of assorted villagers parading through the narrative. There were so many characters in this one: the Bow farmers along with their younger brother Clem, the elderly Granny Ragwen and her daughter, local troubled youth Das, a corporate lawyer and his assistant, Gideon’s superintendent Susan Lawrence, and new police team member Pendower. Not to mention Gideon and Lee’s rotating kitchen table of extended family members and friends. Was it to create a long list of red herring suspects? I do love the familiar faces, and after all, what’s an English Mystery without its Quirky Small Town Cast? It did get a bit comical, though: it almost felt as if every single character ever mentioned had to make an appearance.
Alongside the many faces were the many elements. We've got two main plot lines, the introduction of new characters, small town traditions and prejudices to keep track of, and even a political angle.
Through this meandering story are Gideon and Lee, whose relationship is as strong as ever, although there was a moment that they share in the first half that I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at. Usually Harper Fox manages to keep things just this side of believable, but this book had a few details that definitely stretched the limits of plausibility.
The resolution, when it comes, felt sudden and strangely incomplete. Not only was it missing details, but it was all mentioned as sort of a vague afterthought. I had quite a few remaining questions. Even the other issue that was introduced at the beginning is tied up a bit abruptly and neatly.
Fox’s writing still shines subtly, and I continue to admire the ease with which she uses metaphorical description. It’s lovely and effective and not overdone. The Cornish folklore and small town setting continue to enchant and educate me; it’s atmospheric and provides a unique aspect to this series that I look forward to. I still love Gideon and Lee, and their love for each other remains the heart of each story. I’ll follow them anywhere, through whatever happens next. Onto the next mystery that will shake the sleepy town of Dark!