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A review by libraryvee
Guardians of the Haunted Moor by Harper Fox
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!