Mystery Awaits on the Mysterious Yorkshire Moors
At the urgent request of an old school friend, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a Brontë hero. There have been several worrisome incidents out on the moor–property destroyed, fires started, sheep and cattle scattered–and worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church.
Drew’s friend is obviously smitten with his bride of eight months, though it’s hard to imagine what she sees in the awkward man. Drew can’t help wondering if her affections lie more with the man’s money and estate, while her romantic interests focus on their fiery Welsh gamekeeper. As the danger grows ever closer, it’s up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what is really going on, and find the killer before it’s too late.
SERIES: Drew Farthering #5
GENRE: Historical Cozy Mystery, Inspirational
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2017
PAGES: 336
Other Books In This Series
“The moor stretched out in all directions…”
I have finally met Drew Farthering, and the pleasure is all mine. Suave but not arrogant. Handsome and besotted with his wife, Madeline. Kindhearted. Strong but not so much that he doesn’t realize he needs God. A book lover (be still my heart) and an amateur sleuth. Yep. Drew, my friend, I apologize for not making your acquaintance much sooner.
In this installment of his eponymous series, Drew and Madeline head off to the moors to help out a friend of Drew’s. The moors are everything you’d except them to be. Foggy, mysterious, full of characters you aren’t quite sure about. Now that I’m catching up on the series (I’m backreading too) I’m delighted with the way the author ties each book in with a classic novel. From Rules of Murder which took all of Knox’s ten commandments of mysteries and set them on their ear to a Bronte-sisters mood in Murder on the Moor, literary references abound in this series!
The murder mystery, like the moor, is full of characters I couldn’t quite trust. Even up to the last few pages, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop on a couple of folks. This heightens the delicious moorish tension to the book as well as giving layers to the mystery – all of which makes it a perfect reading choice for Agatha Christie fans as well as Bronte aficionados. Excellently plotted and ideally paced.
I went back and read Rules of Murder before I read this one, simply because I own it already and wanted to give myself the backstory in advance in case I needed it. But Murder on the Moor also does nicely as a standalone. There’s enough background that you’re aware of who the main characters are and their history with each other, even if you aren’t able to readily access a copy of the previous books in the series. I would highly suggest reading them all though – they’re wonderfully cozy and British and witty and romantic (without being too sappy).
Bottom Line: If you haven’t yet met Drew Farthering, you really must. In Murder on the Moor, he and Madeline and Nick (all faves of mine) continue to act as a seamless amateur sleuthing team – and a trio of the dearest friends. They’ll feel like dear friends to you, too, before you’re very far into the book. A well-crafted mystery, a British moor, literary references, a dry sense of humor, a handsome hero, and a witty heroine … what “moor” (ahem) could you ask for?
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 5 stars / Excellent!
Julianna Deering is the creator of the acclaimed Drew Farthering Mystery series. She has always loved British history and is a particular fan of the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in business administration and spent several years as a Certified Public Accountant. She lives outside Dallas, Texas. For more information visit www.juliannadeering.com.
To celebrate her tour, Julianna is giving away a set of the A Drew Farthering Mystery (5 Book Series)!! Click below to enter. (This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit Blog Tours, not Reading Is My SuperPower)
Follow along with the Celebrate Lit Tour for a complete list of blog stops!
What about you? Are you more of a Jane Austen or Jane Eyre fan? Or both?
I like both! Love Julianna Deering novels —all of them!
aren’t they great??
Thank you, Paula. I’m so glad to hear that. I’m just finishing up edits on Book Six, Death at Thorburn Hall. It was due yesterday, but I thought of something (I hope!) brilliant to add, so I’m a little behind. Uh oh! 😉
Oh, thank you, Meez Carrie, for the wonderful review. I was SO afraid you wouldn’t like Drew and then we’d be too embarrassed to visit your delightful blog as often as we do.
Though Drew seems to have a bit of a swagger this morning after reading your thoughts. I’m sure Madeline will take him down a peg or two before long.
😉
haha!! I’m sure she will 😉 I rather enjoyed meeting her too. We’d be great friends. Except for the fact that Drew’s swagger has me giggling like a schoolgirl!
Don’t say anything to Madeline, but Drew told me in strictest confidence that he finds the giggling quite charming.
heeheehee
I’m reading this one too, Carrie, and kicking myself for not having discovered this series before now since I’m such a huge fan of British mysteries. I haven’t seen anything like this in Christian fiction, so I’m absolutely delighted. I may not make the review deadline due to sickness in my family that requires all my attention at the moment, but this is all you said and more.
I’m so sorry about your family illness, Carole. I will be praying, my friend.
But yes – I wholeheartedly agree with you! It’s so unique for Christian fiction and delightfully so.
I’m so sorry to hear about the illness in your family. Praying for all of you!
Thank you for reading. The books can be read in any order as the mystery in each book is complete. Just be aware that Drew and Madeline’s relationship grows from when they first meet in Rules of Murder. And, stupidly, there is a spoiler for Book One in Book Two, but as long as you read One before Two, you’re good. 😀
I have the first one in audiobook as well, so I’ve ‘read’ it a number of times.
Julianna has some medieval romance in her backlist. She does both genres so well!
(Look for DeAnna Julie Dodson!)
Awww, thanks Deb. As always, you’re a sweetheart!
And thanks for mentioning my medieval books. They’re very different from my Drew books, but I hope people will love Philip, Rosalynde and Tom all the same. 😀
😀
Okay. One of these needs to be my next book!!
I, too, have Rules of Murder, but haven’t read it.
I hope you enjoy it, Melissa! 😀
reeeeead iiiiiiit! 😉
I love both Jane Austen and Jane Eyre. This is a new series to me, would love to read. Books sound like great reads.
I hope you’ll give them a try, Dianne. 🙂
I like both Jane Austin and Jane Eyre.
I too own the first book in this series and have not yet read it, I need to just do it. Forget everything else and just read (I wish). Soon, Drew, I will meet you very soon.
wouldn’t that be lovely?? If you figure out a way to do that, let me know 😉
Oh, man, that would be SO nice. I could probably do nothing but read for the next 20 years and still not catch up. But it would be nice to try. 😉
Drew is looking forward to meeting you, too!
These books sound positively delightful, therefore I simply must add them to by gigantic TBR pile. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you, Carrie!
Julianna/DeAnna (whichever you are today), I’ve heard so many great things about your books. I really need to get to them soon! I must meed this Drew that I keep hearing about!
*meet* not meed LOL
I know Drew would be charmed to meet you, Winnie. 😀
Yay! I’m so glad you finally met Drew! And great review, too. Of course I’ll take either Jane Austen or Jane Eyre. Have read both more than once ?
thanks 😀
I enjoy both, too, Katie! 😀
Definitely Jane Austin. I’ve got Julianna,s first book on order. Can’t wait to read it.
yay!!
I hope you enjoy it, Jocelyn. 😀
I am more of a Jane Eyre.
Marilyn
Such a good story. 🙂
Carrie, here you go again making me want to add to my TBR!! Since you agreed to be my personal book recommender 😉 I will leave it to you, should I add these books to my TBR or not?
Will I be excluded from posting if I say I have never read either?!
I hope you give Drew a try, Kim. 🙂
YES Kim, you MUST add these books to your TBR. And no, you won’t be kicked out for not having read Jane Austen or Jane Eyre lol
I like both (though Jane Eyre is the only Bronte book I’ve read and actually enjoyed, so I suppose that swings it in Jane Austen’s favor). I’ve yet to red any of this series, but I plan to – those covers have had me curious for a while now!
If you like historical cozies, you might have a lot of fun with Drew. 😀
So I love Jane Austen!!! I tried to get through Jane Eyre but I just couldn’t & I couldn’t even make it through the movie of Wuthering Heights…so I guess that doesn’t mean I’m a Jane Eyre fan ?
However I ADORE Agatha Christie. Hercule Pierrot one of my favorites! This series sounds amazing. I need more books (I also need my husband to fix my iPad too so I can get them ?).
I love Poirot, and so do Drew and Madeline. 😀
I love this series and have read them all, looking forward to this latest one.
Thanks, Michelle! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series. 🙂
Welcome to the #WeHeartDrew fan club, Carrie. I’m SO glad you finally met him. He’s someone I always look forward to hanging out with. 🙂 Look forward to reading this novel soon-ish. 😉
Rissi!!
Thanks for popping by! I hope you get to read soon. I can’t wait to hear what you think of Drew’s new adventure. 😀
Ooooo I love the hashtag. I’m going to start using it forthwith! #WeHeartDrew
You go, girl! 😀