The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell

June 19, 2025

The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell

Happy publishing day to my friend, Allie Cresswell and her latest book, The Standing Stone on the Moor! I love all her books and this one was no different. See below for my review!

The blurb:

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?

About Allie:

Allie Cresswell was born in Stockport, UK and began writing fiction as soon as she could hold a pencil. She did 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 bookkeeper, run a B & B and a group of boutique holiday cottages. She taught literature to lifelong learners but nowadays she writes full time.

She has two grown-up children, three granddaughters, two grandsons and two cockapoos—but just one husband—Tim. They live in Cumbria, NW England.

The Standing Stone on the Moor is her sixteenth novel.

The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell

It’s 1845 and the industrial revolution is in full swing but in remote Moorside in Yorkshire, time moves at a slower pace. Beth Harlish lives with her brother Frank in the gatehouse of a grand home, Tall Chimneys. They work as caretakers of the estate, which no one visits. Moorside is a small but tightknit but socially stratified community. The upper crust is sometimes forced to socialize with their lesser or have no one to talk to or about.

The potato famine in Ireland has displaced millions of people and some have landed in Ruth’s neighborhood. A ragtag group led by the handsome and charismatic Irishman, Ruairi. Beth is attracted to him, but another man has his eye on her offering her a safe but less interesting life.

The coming of the Irish cause problems for Beth and her brother, testing their love and loyalty to each other. What life will Beth choose?

This is the fourth book I’ve read by author Allie Cresswell, and I’ve enjoyed them all. She has a knack for building complex characters and intricate relationships with lots of drama and plots that resonate within their historical timeline.

The Standing Stone on the Moor is a wonderful tale, rich with characters, that pulls you into life on the moors. You can almost picture the heathered hillsides and feel the wind tug your hair. I enjoyed the description of the coal mining operation and the dangers posed by such work. She did such a great job of bring the 19^th century to life.

Although this book is part of a larger series, which I have not read, yet, I had no trouble diving into this one. It certainly an be read as a stand alone.

I rate this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

Be sure to check out all of Allie's Books!