I have just finished Moon Rising, an excellent, gripping tale by Ann Victoria Roberts, the author of Louisa Elliott, Liam’s Story and A Masters’ Tale. Through the eyes of Damaris Stearne, a daughter of sea-faring folk, we meet Bram Stoker, a harried, stressed and exhausted fugitive from London theatre circles, they engage in a passionate love affair which is flavoured by tales of ghosts and unnatural events. As their affair progresses, we see in Stoker’s obsession with such stories, the genesis of Dracula, his most famous novel. The author is clearly knowledgeable in matters maritime, and familiar with Whitby, its connections and trade. Moon Rising is both an unsettling narrative and a touching love story, a page turner that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. An excellent read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.