Sergeant Cluff #01 - Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm

British author Geoffrey Horne (1916-1988) used the pseudonym Gil North to author an 11-book series of crime-fiction novels starring Sergeant Caleb Cluff, a detective working in the Yorkshire Dales for the Criminal Investigation Department. The books were published between 1960 through 1972 and spawned a BBC TV show that ran two series between 1964-1965 starring Leslie Sands in the titular role. Lately, I've been sipping tea a lot and reading British novels, so I acquired the series debut, Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm. 

Although no age is provided, I gained the impression that Cluff is in his late 50s or early 60s. He is single, walks with a cane, and has both a cat and a dog. Each morning a woman comes to his small cottage to bring him breakfast and to attend to small chores, although I'm tempted to believe she comes there just to be sure he is still alive. He's a recluse. He does have a brother who took over the family farm after the death of their mother. The brother, John, has a wife and a daughter. 

The novel begins with Cluff being summoned to a house in the village. It is there that neighbors have reported that a 20ish woman hasn't been seen outside of her home in a few days. With Inspector Mole, the two break into the house and find the woman has committed suicide by turning on the gas stove and taking a nap. However, her husband – a much older man – has seemingly disappeared.

Cluff begins the hunt for the woman's husband, a man named Wright. He checks the man's employer as well as two other women that Wright has been laying with. Despite the possibility of a criminal charge, the coroner finds no signs of foul play. Yet Cluff, a seasoned veteran, feels it in his bones that Wright just isn't right. There's a catch here somewhere. After his superiors squawk over his never-tiring approach, Cluff calls in a leave of absence to go on holiday. He spends his time watching Wright like a hawk until the case breaks.

I really enjoyed the Cluff character. He doesn't say much. His dog Clive is nearly in every scene with him, a type of Lassie sidekick that comes into save the day at one point. Clive's demeanor is rather cold and could be perceived as off-putting. When it comes to the suspects and criminals Cluff is notorious, summoning Mike Hammer's internal fortitude to scare and intimidate before getting physical. Also, I liked the book's location which apparently is a mainstay through the series. Cluff was born and raised in the fictional village of Gunnershaw and he serves that region's law-enforcement. Gunnershaw is a densely wooded area with rural farms and a small-town demeanor. There is also a humorous interaction between Cluff's colleagues – the aforementioned Inspector Mole and a bungling Constable Barker, both of which feel that Cluff is a neanderthal worthy of prowling the forest with his dog. Alas, that's the appeal of the character and story. 

If you enjoy the British sleuths and gumshoes then this book and series should entertain you. It does have a uniqueness about it that drifts from the quilted comfy zone of the dry British whodunit. Give it a try. Buy the books HERE.