The Treasure Of Purgatory Crater

by Thomas P. Hopp

DEATHS AT A LUNAR ICE MINE—ACCIDENT? OR MURDER?On the moon, oxygen is the most precious commodity. Without it, death comes quickly. But there are other things of value in the vastness of Luna, and other reasons to die.Something tragic has happened at Purgatory Crater on the far side of the moon. Three astronauts are dead and a fourth is trapped inside Purgatory Moon Base. Commander David Holtz, leader of the rescue and recovery mission, expects to confront the horrors of asphyxiation in the vacuum of space. But what he and his team find is worse than they could have imagined. As they piece together the chaotic puzzle, it becomes clear the survivor, George Dobson, has gone mad in his months of solo confinement. But is he really crazy? Or is he hiding a deeper, darker secret?

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

Author of the Northwest Tales series of natural disaster thrillers, the Peyton McKean mystery series and Dinosaur Wars science fiction stories.

Reviews

[Rebecca L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet!

I really enjoyed this story. There was nothing too scary or r-rated. The story was engaging and I cared about the characters. I very much liked the suspense and the ending. Great moon mystery!

[Good Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes you to the moon, but will it bring you back alive? I kept wondering how the crew could ever escape the fate that seemed to be lurking around every corner in the isolated moon base. Because it is set in a claustrophobic base on the far side of the moon, you really get a sense of impending doom as the crew, who came to investigate a mysterious death, find out that they may be next. The crazy character, Dobbs, is reminiscent of the madman Dobbs in the Treasure of the Sierra Madre. I wonder if there is any connection? If so, bravo! This is very well written. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. I'd like to see this one made into a movie someday.