Fancy Gap

by C. David Gelly

For travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap, the fog often hangs like an azure dreamscape over the rolling green hills. But when a madman abducts two children and disappears into the wisps with the young brother and sister, the landscape becomes a nightmare for the children’s parents and local residents. The county sheriff remains under intense pressure to track down the predator, yet all leads come up cold and the officers are sickened when a horrific act at the Devil’s Den challenges them all to act quickly. To solve the crime before the Labor Day Flea Market and Gun Show, sleuths Quinn McSpain and Louisa Hawke are drawn into the mystery and head into the hills and hollows of the southwestern Virginia mountains. Quinn is an ex-corporate security operative, and until recently, Louisa headed the FBI criminal division. The athletic, hard-bodied sexagenarian twosome has been experiencing a blossoming romance on kayaking trips and mountain climbing excursions as well as hard mountain bike rides. Now their sleuthing skills and physical prowess will be put to the test as they must capture the killer before the unthinkable takes place. . An adrenaline-producing adventure to capture a demented killer through the Blue Ridge Mountains, C. David Gelly’s mystery thriller is steeped in the lore and legends of Virginia’s upland country. It is the first in a series of five “Gap” novels that will take the reader through the vistas and hairpin turns of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway and mountains.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Contemporary Romance

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2012

About the author

C. David Gelly, has authored numerous essays and short stories on global travel, athletic accomplishments and life experiences. A raconteur and xenophile of note, he is an avid marathoner and cyclist who explores unusual places in his travels on domestic as well as international assignments. He has plied his trade in government agencies as well as in the corporate ranks of many significant entities taking him through the streets and alleys of concrete canyons as well as the twists and turns of the Silk Road to the wheat fields of America’s heartland. He is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston and currently resides in North Carolina as well as the mountains of southwest Virginia.

Reviews

[Christine Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hoot! It is tons of fun, in addition to being a sometimes-gritty and gruesome crime/mystery novel. It is set in the tiny mountain community of Fancy Gap, Virginia, where (full disclosure) this reviewer has spent quite a bit of time in a cabin over the past 10 years. It was a real treat to read this book while spending a few days there. Some southwestern Virginians had a few bones to pick with that, but I found it an intriguing setting.

Horny sixty-something, athletic, hot, career-driven retired investigators (she=FBI, he=corporate crime)are convinced to come out of their idyllic, workout-intensive, wine-appreciating retirement to take on the perpetrator of a heinous child abduction. Although I figured out the perp immediately (Gelly needs to work on his obfuscation a bit), that did not spoil my fun while I followed the hot-but-aging investigators from gymnastic sex in the garden to ferreting out clues in the hills.

Despite some of the comments here, I found the novel quite accurate about the landscape and characters of Fancy Gap. One reviewer mentioned Confederate flag as "stereotyping," but, you do see them in the area. Gelly seems to know every curve of the Blue Ridge Parkway and nook and cranny of the wooded areas of Fancy Gap. He is especially familiar with the local vineyards. He drops product placement names throughout the pages, including local wineries and even specific wines (e.g. Chateau Morrisette's very nice unoaked Angel Chardonnay, which I sampled just this last weekend).

It was refreshing for this baby boomer to read a book in with two characters enjoying retirement (and other activities) as much as these two. Their athleticism and toned bodies are a real motivation for the rest of us to hit the bike or the road. I wish I had the money to acquire the film rights--I would cast Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt as the well-preserved Nick and Nora and have as much fun with the movie as Mr. Gelly obviously had with the book.

I certainly hope that Mr. Gelly proceeds with his plan to write more novels in this series.

[Sharon Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad mystery/thriller/police procedural but a number of things that kept surfacing as I read that were mildly annoying. The basic plot worked fairly well for me, though predictable. The two main reasons I picked this book, location and older main characters, weren't as strong as I'd hoped, unfortunately.

I've lived in the general region for a number of years now plus I generally like the shift to older main characters. However, in this case, I was a bit disappointed by both. I just didn't feel a good connection to the location or the local people, just didn't come through as vividly as I'd hoped.

The older main characters were also not realistic for me. Both were retired from law enforcement/security careers and supposedly 60-something but engaged in a very intense/heated romantic relationship along with competitive running/kayaking/biking activities. As someone well into the senior citizen's age group, and someone who has maintained a high level of physical ability msyelf, I can only conclude that the author is considerably younger and does not have 'advisers' in this age group.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having grown up in the area, and having been caught in the fog of Fancy Gap Mt, the book intrigued me. I figured out the culprit fairly early but that didn't bother me too much. What did bother me was that so many law enforcement officers were depicted as hay seeds-not every one in the area speaks with an "aw shucks" accent. I really didn't need the sexcapades to enhance the story and I didn't need to read about the abductor stroking himself to know his inner secrets. Otherwise it was nice to read about places I know are real, familiar streets and local attractions-and yes, the flea market is a big deal.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real page turning adventure! The characters and situations are descriptive and well thought out by this terrific author. Experience Fancy Gap, VA in this fictional murder mystery through the captivating words of C. David Gelly!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, hated putting it down!! You can't always trust those who you should be able to.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part Thriller, Part Romance, July 9, 2013
By Nancy Silk, Author (Northern Utah) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Fancy Gap (Kindle Edition)
Starting this first novel by Author C. David Gelly, I was excited for the ghosty way it begins: a dense, creepy fog, a terrible pile-up on the highway, and an old motel that will remind you of the Bates' Motel. I believed I was going to enjoy a real thriller with a psycho pediphile reaching through the fog and kidnapping two young children. But halfway through this novel, the theme changes to romance between a 60-year old, retired FBI division chief, Louisa, and 62-year old Quinn, a high profile security consultant for big business, also retired who lives high in the scenic Smoky Mountains. The two not only enjoy constant unrestrained sex, but they are highly competitive in hiking, biking, and cliff climbing. It seems the romance portion keeps repeating the same scenarios which take up about two-thirds of the story. Really? With two missing children? The boy killed and suspended on a gate in a macabre manner? Overall, the writing is really good, but lacked better editing and punctuation. Too often a character's dialog continues into numerous paragraphs without the quotation mark at the beginning. This can throw the reader off thinking it has gone back to a narration. I had my suspicions as to who the villain is, and read to the end doggedly to assure I was correct. I will be optimistic that these errors, and the plot development will be better in subsequent novels.

[Rodney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I am familiar with the Fancy Gap, Hillsville area as I've visited the gun show and flea market many times and it is a beautiful area. However this book has almost nothing to do with southern Virginia. The setting is completely unrelated to the story and this trashy attempt at a mystery novel could have been set anywhere. There are many stories that could have been written about Fancy Gap and Hillsville incorporating the local legends and characters that would make for an interesting mystery novel. This is what I was looking for. It is a shame that this beautiful area has to be associated with this story.

This just wasn't what I expected at all and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Frank Tatum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do more research before you publish

I chose to read this book because I grew up in Fancy Gap. Yes, the Fog is so bad that people who live there all their lives get lost going home. If you decide to visit the area after reading this book, get a map and plan your trip with a good GPS. Driving state 29 through NC from the D.C. area is 9 hours or more, from Detroit to FL, one should only be on 81 maybe 10 miles or so. The people who live there are very racist and the KKK is headquartered in Can a. Most residents cannot afford the winery or the wines. This is the Bible Belt. Watch your back if not white and Baptist.

[Ann Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had great hopes that this book would be an exciting thriller. Being familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway and Fancy Gap, the title of the book alone was enough to pull me in. The first chapter was pretty good, but once Quinn and Louisa were established as main characters, I struggled to get to the end. At times, I thought about not even finishing this book, but I kept reading in hopes that it would get better. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I expected an fast-paced thriller. Instead I got 2 annoying main characters and their HUGE egos.

[Christine Bradbery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in reading Fancy Gap, as I was drawn to the setting of this area of Virginia. However, a lot of the book read more like a romance novel than a mystery thriller. It was also a bit disconcerting to go from one "romance" chapter right into a horrific child murder in the next, and back to romance. The book was written well, and good character development, but I pretty much guessed who the bad guy was.

[Gloria Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but was annoyed by the author's habit of beginning way too may quotes with the person's name who is being spoken to. It is not the way people talk and detracts from the fluidity and realism of the dialog. I hope the author improves this in future books, as I would like to read more by Gelly. The story was good, even though it was obvious early on who the bad guy was.

[Megan Sinagoga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the fence about the number of stars to give .... The two lead characters were annoying to me as a couple, and too much was written about every little thing they did/felt. I also knew who the villain was almost a third into the story, so I wish it wasn't so obvious. However, the plot was good and the other characters (police, parents, etc) were well written.

[J LeAnn Shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.David Gelly knows how to weave a tale that is spellbinding and keeps you turning the page. "Fancy Gap" does not disappoint those who love a great mystery. I enjoyed reading a work of fiction about an area I drive through each year for vacation. Beautiful area and Gelly does the scenery justice as he paints a picture with his words. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Z Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many months ago, but still think about it from time to time, and how my old friend made good on his quest to write an excellent "whodunnit". I loved the plot line and the characters, and some of the real life people woven into the book.

Looking forward to reading your next one, Bubba.

[Newbee (JoAnn) Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book looking forward to the others in the series! This was a cross between a romance and a demented child snatcher... With a lot if humor and entertaining spots.

Very well and tastefully written... I thoughly enjoyed the book!

[Natalia · Rating 1 out of 5]

With all my respect to the author and the exciting beginning I was disappointed that it was clear too early (less than a third of the book) who the killer was. Nevertheless I read it till the end expecting a fascinating dénouement, but unfortunately It was a little blurred.

[Diane Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling in love, abduction, murder, what else do you want! I found this book entertaining. It kept me engaged and was easy to read. Note: it is certainly an adult read. The main characters are mature - Quinn and Louisa often brought a smile to my face. I definitely think it is worth a read.

[Donna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Don't Miss Reading This Book

This is one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. It is so well written, once you start you'll want to finish the book in a couple of readings.

[Huluriasquias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great fun to read if a little formulaic. Great characters and I'm waiting for the next one in the series.

[Helen Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm ambivalent about this book. I figured out the mystery almost immediately, and was disappointed in the ending, but the idea was good, and the story kept me reading till the end.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. The story has merit and it has its moments. But too much of the book is awkwardly written and a lot of the dialog does not sound or feel like what real people would say.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Local to me, so pretty good. Dragged in places. Wrecks on I-77 so true!

[Alison]

kindle mystery