Guardians Of The Haunted Moor: (A Tyack & Frayne Mystery) (The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries Book 5)
The wedding is just the beginning…
Gideon and Lee have spent a year in chaotic married bliss, with all the trimmings – a dog, tricky in-laws, and a baby girl they both adore. But even the best of lives can be fragile, and a shocking family loss hits their new world like a demolition ball.
Gideon has little energy left to investigate a murder that’s taken place in the fields outside Dark. He still has his duties to his community, though, and with Lee at his side, he begins to unfold the mysterious death of Farmer John Bowe. It’s harvest time, ancient West Country magic in the air, and rumours are flying through the village of an enemy Gideon thought he’d left behind long ago.
Can the beast of Bodmin possibly be real? Everything in Gideon’s stoical police-sergeant’s nature says no. But Lee has taught him to see the world differently, and now they must pool their resources to unmask a killer before more lives are lost – and somehow find a way to mend their shattered family, too.
Reviews (52)
A riveting thriller leavened with family betrayal - despite the dark themes, some beautiful writing
“You’re so bloody beautiful,” he whispered, undoing the last button, the one deliberately left fastened for him. “God give me strength to make the most of you.” While I enjoyed the last two books in this series, I found Guardians of the Haunted Moor much more riveting. It might be life’s current craziness distracting me, but, regardless, Book 5 broke through the static. Gideon and Lee now have a daughter, there’s a new sergeant about who seems a total prat, and an old farming family is mysteriously decimated by the Bodmin beast. Ma Frayne - who I adore - continues her LGBTQ crusade, to the consternation of Zeke, Gideon’s sweet but tied-too-tight brother (still, Zeke is probably one of the truest friends anyone could have despite his Methodist blinders). But a betrayal wracks the Tyack-Frayne family, a wound made deeper by coming from within the family. There are both touching and troubling scenes and some beautiful writing in this well-constructed mystery. Book 6, here I come.
A Lovely Close (?) to a Wonderful Series
4.5 stars Publisher's Story Blurb: The wedding is just the beginning… Gideon and Lee have spent a year in chaotic married bliss, with all the trimmings – a dog, tricky in-laws, and a baby girl they both adore. But even the best of lives can be fragile, and a shocking family loss hits their new world like a demolition ball. Gideon has little energy left to investigate a murder that’s taken place in the fields outside Dark. He still has his duties to his community, though, and with Lee at his side, he begins to unfold the mysterious death of Farmer John Bowe. It’s harvest time, ancient West Country magic in the air, and rumours are flying through the village of an enemy Gideon thought he’d left behind long ago. Can the beast of Bodmin possibly be real? Everything in Gideon’s stoical police-sergeant’s nature says no. But Lee has taught him to see the world differently, and now they must pool their resources to unmask a killer before more lives are lost – and somehow find a way to mend their shattered family, too. Disclosure: I purchased a copy in July 2015, but was generously given a copy by the author, although not with an expectation that I would write a review. My reflection: My experience reading Harper’s work is to fall completely in love with the main characters she creates as well as the beautiful landscapes of Cornwall in the south and Northumberland along with its Pennines in the north. Harper has an amazing gift of narrative and ability to convey her love of her native country and people. I find myself transported and wanting very much to see these places for myself. I have loved each installment in the Tyack & Frayne Mysteries and feel sad to see it come to an end. However, I respect and admire an author who knows when a story arc is complete and doesn’t continue trying to wring out a story well beyond its natural conclusion. In the first story of the series, “Once upon a Haunted Moor”, we meet the main characters Gideon Frayne and Lee Tyack who are the heroes on the journey to the series end “Guardians of the Haunted Moor.” Gideon is the local policeman in the village of Dark and is ruggedly handsome, but repressed and lonely. Lee Tyack, a psychic, is asked to come help locate a missing girl, is beautiful, lithe, freer in spirit although lonely too or perhaps isolated by his talent. Using contrasting, but complementary personalities is a special talent and gift of Harper Fox. The couples she invents leave a lasting impression on the reader’s heart and Gideon and Lee particularly so for me, although I’m not sure how to articulate the full why of it. Each of the subsequent novellas brings in additional backstory for each of the main characters to give the reader an understanding and appreciation of the characters along with a new mystery. The series installments build on the deepening and loving relationship between Gideon and Lee in addition to their relationship with their family. The overall result gives the reader sympathetic characters that I found endearing for all their vulnerabilities as well as fierce devotion. Another element that Harper deftly weaves into her stories is a touch of magic – there is a hint or sometimes a heaping dollop of the paranormal woven into the fabric of many of her stories. In this series, yes, there are quite a number of heaping dollops or bucketful, but it is done in such a way that leaves you thinking about the possibility rather than rolling your eyes with incredulity. It isn’t really surprising; after all, this is the country where magical stories seem to be part of the DNA if you recall reading “Peter Pan”, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “Alice in Wonderland”, and “The Canterville Ghost” as just a few examples off the top of my head. Each installment has a bit of the supernatural, a mystery to solve, and romance between two lovers who have found one another and quickly realized the gifts each offers to the other – acceptance, grounding, lightheartedness, tenderness, honesty, strength, physicality, spirituality, sensuality, freedom, companionship, commitment, release, humor, and joy. “Guardians of the Haunted Moor” has multiple layers of complexity within a few pages. There is the unexpected savage murder at the beginning of the harvest with Gideon investigating whether there is a murderer in his village or entertaining the improbable existence of the Beast of Bodmin Moor. The story also touches on the themes of loss and the struggle to overcome in the face of adversity while finding solace in the person who holds your heart, life, and future. Harper excels in the nuances of tenderness her characters convey to one another through a sweet endearment or steadfast support. How can you not love a stoic policeman who writes a tender note to slip under the bed covers before leaving for work? Harper Fox is a gifted author whose imagination and writing ability are demonstrated with each story published. I loved the series and will no doubt re-read it again and again.
What you do for love, because of love, in spite of love...
Life and death, happening simultaneously. That’s how the world works sometimes. Gideon and Lee are experiencing that right now. Amidst it all they have another mystery on their hands, murder and all. The paranormal aspect makes itself known through both the lands of Cornwall and its inhabitants. I love that it’s not just spinning heads or evil spirits but something that feels much older, as ancient as the ground beneath everyone’s feet. Gideon Frayne and Lee Tyack are two of my favorite characters with whom I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time. And together, as a couple? They are a force. For good. For heart. For fear and love and mystery. And humor. ~ * ~ “Sergeant Pendower,” Lee said fervently, as soon as the door was shut behind him, “is a pain in the ar*e.” “I couldn’t help noticing that myself. It’s a shame you don’t like him, though— he thinks the sun shines out of yours.” ~ * ~ Pendower, poor bloke, he obtains a nickname that made me snort every time Gideon or Lee uttered it under their breath. Familial relationships are as well depicted as ever: Gideon with his brother, Zeke; Gideon with their mother; Zeke with their mother; and this time around, some of those from Lee’s family. Opportunities for broken hearts and promises, biting humor, unwavering love, and lovely surprises are the payoffs. These two men love each other. They adore each other. They want to DO for each other. Their connection is something I think most of us dream about and hope to, not just find but, live our lives experiencing every day. Some elements felt rushed and densely packed in the word department. However, that’s overridden by the immense satisfaction and contentment I feel whenever I get to spend time with those same word type things as they’re manipulated by Ms Fox. I’ll say that I think you do need to read the other books in this series before enjoying this one. The characters’ personalities and histories are deeply ensconced and layered, their nuances dropping like literary bombs, sometimes breaking my heart. I ate it up like the best red velvet cake in town. This is also very British, maybe overtly so more than any other stories in the series. I loved it. From the UKIP to the oiks to the Cornish traditions and folklore, together they formed another complete character, intermingling with the human types. I found myself hesitant to finish this, seeing as it’s the final entrant to this series. However, my time with Gid and Lee isn’t over. All I need do is start reading from the beginning again, fall even more in love with Gideon and Lee, discover things I missed, and rediscover others. Yep, that’s what I’m going to do. Thank you, Harper Fox, for introducing us to and forever gifting us with Gideon Frayne and Lee Tyack.
The best one yet.
I really REALLY loved this one. This is a series you need to read in order, to catch all the evolving characters. It's particularly critical for this installment. Just wonderful. The fantastic elements, the town, its people, and the strife Gideon and Lee have to endure while trying to solve a murder may be the overt elements, but the underpinning of a place, a guardian, a psychic, a new element and a stolen child kept me riveted to this novel.
I love this series!
This one in the series kept me up until 6am in the morning, and I can tell I’m going to have a true book hangover when I finish. This story - oh my, so much going on. Ancient rituals, monsters human or otherwise, Frayne developing his own brand of second sight (or did he already have it?), Tyack at odds with his sister. There’s so much to it, including their baby, Frayne’s awesome mother, and his brother.
From Heartbreak to Horrifying--Will Happiness Every Come?
This one takes you on several roller coaster rides. Gideon the constable and Lee, his husband and clairvoyant (OK, psychic), bring us into their newly married world with joy and hope--which suddenly and abruptly turns into one of the most heartbreaking episodes you will encounter in a book that opens with such joy. (No Spoilers). But you will plow on through the rough fields of the West Country because Harper Fox forces you to do so by introducing a horrifying murder than cannot possibly have occurred without the help of the occult--or, could it? The fast-moving plot that wrenches Gideon and Lee from their crushing loss into a maelstrom of evil potential is superbly handled by Ms. Fox, and the ultimate resolution of the mystery is, if not a bit obvious, then spectacularly spot-on. The manner in which Gideon and Lee's personal journey plays out through this exciting book is almost predictable, but not in the way it actually goes down. If this is the end of the series, so be it, but it also is a book steadfastly constructed on pillars of love and hope, and that ain't bad at all.
Favourite Book of the series so far
4.5 stars I love this series. Lee and Gideon are one of my all time favourite couples. Gideon has always been good at believing in and protecting Lee from overdoing it with his gifts and Lee has tried to protect Gideon from outside forces, but in this one we really see them protecting each other's emotions when their world falls apart and they are both suffering immense pain their first thoughts are to ease the suffering of the other. Their relationship is so stable and they complement each other so well. The paranormal aspects and how they are woven into each storyline are well done making it another enjoyable read. Definitely recommend this whole series
Smiling Through the Tears
First, I agree with everything the first reviewer said. I love these characters and the atmosphere of these books; the growth of both the individual characters and the various relationships between the characters (both primary and secondary) is wonderful to watch. The emotional swings of this book from the depths of sorrow to the highs of tremendous, and, like real life, can change in a heartbeat. And, this book did something that has only happened a handful of times during all the years I have been reading...I actually cried at one point in the books...actually, two points in the book. Lest this discourage anyone from reading this wonderful book, I was smiling by the end of the story. Get this, read it, love it.
4.5 rounded down.
Another excellent book in this really great series. I thought the mystery was a little weaker and less compelling than the previous books, though that might be because the personal drama was so intense. I loved seeing Gideon and Lee stay strong together in the face of such turmoil, and it was nice to see Lee be a little more open and communicative. Great book, and a happy ending--yay! :D
Unputdownable
Ugh, for so much of the time while I was reading this book I was not okay. It was unputdownable. I had to take breaks and literally flail, because what else was there to do in the face of so much agh? Also, I really liked it. Even if Harper Fox is some brand of emotional tormentor, at least she keeps it brief and sets it right. Tl;dr: This had me in incoherent flailing fractions and I am off to buy the next one. Please don't disturb me until I've finished the series kthx.
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