The Standing Stone on the Moor
Author: Allie Cresswell
Published: 17th June 2025 by Allie Cresswell Limited
Category: Historical, Literary, Fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beth Harlish and her brother, Frank were stewards for the grand Tall Chimneys estate, sited near the small village of Moorside which was situated on the outer edge of the moor. The siblings lived in the gatehouse, Frank maintaining the grounds and Beth the house. Beth loved Tall Chimneys. It’s all she’d ever known, having grown up there as her parents had been the previous caretakers, but even so she sometimes felt as though there should perhaps be more to life.
Life had gone on this way for some time and probably would have carried on indefinitely if not for the arrival of a group of Irish refugees, their leader Ruairi having made the decision to flee Ireland and the potato famine. They had set up their camp near to the standing stone on the moor. The move was the only option other than starvation in Ireland. Kind hearted Beth couldn’t bear to see the group struggle and helped out as much as she could. However, local opinion was divided, some tolerating the travellers, others hostile.
The moor was vast and largely impassible—an expanse of black bogs, impenetrable undergrowth and dense woody swathes of small tufted shrubs. Here and there were smooth green deceptive clearings but these were sucking swamps where the unwary sank up to their necks in stinking water. Trees were few and far between, very stunted, and the whole moor—though beautiful in its wildness—was also exposed and bleak. The wind was constant, either benign—just riffling the heathers—or malevolent, a howling tearing violent thing that made men mad who were exposed to it for too long.
There’s a large cast of believable characters, with a comprehensive list at the beginning and are a mixture of likeable and a few who are not so likeable. Non are superfluous and are easy to keep track of. Historical details and descriptions of every day life are brought vividly to life, whether it’s the more affluent, the newly wealthy who sometimes care little for their workers or those who scrape a living in the toughest of conditions. Also the changing seasons, the harshness of winter on the moor and how it brings suffering.
The arrival of the Irish contingent disrupted Beth’s and Frank’s up until then orderly lives in unprecedented ways, leading to some unwise choices and decisions made, resulting in complications, set backs and a sad outcome. It also shows not enough has changed with regard to prejudices including racism, but also male chauvinism and pretentiousness.
Set in the mid 1800s, The Standing Stone on the Moor is an evocative, atmospheric and well written story with memorable, fully formed characters. There are romantic elements but they don’t overwhelm the story, even though one ends in tragedy. I had no idea initially that this was part of a saga (although I should have having posted an extract from one of the previous books!) but this can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Yorkshire, 1845.
Folklore whispers that they used to burn witches at the standing stone on the moor. When the wind is easterly, it wails a strange lament. History declares it was placed as a marker, visible for miles—a signpost for the lost, directing them towards home.
Forced from their homeland by the potato famine, a group of itinerant Irish refugees sets up camp by the stone. They are met with suspicion by the locals, branded as ‘thieves and ne’er-do-wells.’ Only Beth Harlish takes pity on them, and finds herself instantly attracted to Ruairi, their charismatic leader.
Beth is the steward of nearby manor Tall Chimneys—a thankless task as the owners never visit. An educated young woman, Beth feels restless, like she doesn’t belong. But somehow ‘home’—the old house, the moor and the standing stone—exerts an uncanny magnetism. Thus Ruairi’s great sacrifice—deserting his beloved Irish homestead to save his family—resonates strongly with her.
Could she leave her home to be with him? Will he even ask her to?
As she struggles with her feelings, things take a sinister turn. The peaceable village is threatened by shrouded men crossing the moor at night, smuggling contraband from the coast. Worse, the exotic dancing of a sultry-eyed Irishwoman has local men in a feverish grip. Their womenfolk begin to mutter about spells and witchcraft. And burning.
The Irish refugees must move on, and quickly. Will Beth choose an itinerant life with Ruairi? Or will the power of ‘home’ be too strong?
My thanks to Allie Cresswell for a digital ARC.
Purchase links to the book on Amazon.US: Amazon UK:
On Books.by: Or to buy direct as an eBook from Allie:
Allie Cresswell was born in Stockport, UK and began writing fiction as soon as she could hold a pencil. She gained a BA in English Literature at Birmingham University and an MA at Queen Mary College, London. She has been a print-buyer, a pub landlady, a book-keeper, run a B & B and a group of boutique holiday cottages. Nowadays Allie writes full time having retired from teaching literature to lifelong learners. She has two grown-up children, one granddaughter and two grandsons, is married to Tim and lives in Cumbria.
Author links ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Threads
