‘Moorland Blue’ by Charlie Gibb

Published by The Book Guild,
28 February 2019.
ISBN: 978-1-257585-5

In London property developers Paul and Solley hear of a large remote property for sale in Yorkshire. A supposedly reliable associate of theirs informs them that the HS2 railway is to pass close by. As no one else seems to have this information, the property, an old TB sanatorium, are going really cheap. The pair see an ideal opportunity to make a fortune. They intend turning the building into apartments and building houses on the large estate. However, unbeknown to them the property has a dark past in many ways. One is a connection with the Nazis after the war. They travel up to Yorkshire to inspect their proposed development.

Meanwhile other characters are also interested in the property for different reasons. A Councillor, Roberts, Head of Planning has reason to keep the history of the place quiet, so when certain files go missing concerning the sanatorium he panics, and heads roll.

At the same time a particularly vicious gang boss also needs to keep its history a secret, and so begins a frantic search for the missing file, all completely unknown to Paul and Solley.

It's not long before they realise that all is not as it should be, especially when they visit the creepy sanatorium which has been empty for years and find recent footprints. When Paul then is sure he sees a face at an upper window, they are determined to find out what is going on and wonder what they have got themselves involved in. They have no idea what a great surprise awaits them when they start to explore the basements, and an even bigger one awaits the gang leader and his henchmen.

This is almost a black comedy as the main characters blunder from one crisis to another. Especially as Paul and Solley have no idea who they are really dealing with and are not used to coming up against a vicious gang leader and a thoroughly corrupt Councillor, both bent on getting their own way.

I feel this would make a good film entitled “Carry on Crime”! Recommended.

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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Charlie Gibb was raised and educated in North London. He later moved to Carrbridge, a small village in the Highlands of Scotland with his family, where he set up his own business. Charlie first created short stories for his children and since becoming semi-retired, he has had the time to concentrate on his writing.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.