Probable Caws: A Meg Langslow Mystery (Meg Langslow Mysteries #39), by Donna Andrews

 

Publication August , 2026

First, a brief digression. When I sat down, I realized I had three reviews to do and was reaching for one when I happened to notice that this would be my 1000th review for the NetGalley review program. I immediately began to debate which review to give that distinction (which no one but me cares about, most likely) to and ultimately opted for "Probably Caws" by Donna Andrews. Andrews was one of the cozy mystery authors who hooked me on the genre and, if push came to shove, would be one of the handful of names I'd give as all-time favorite authors. Not to digress any longer, this book was certainly no exception to my enjoyment of this series. Picking up a Meg Langslow mystery is sort of like spending time with now old friends and enjoying the quirky but "got your back" town of Caerphilly, VA. People there pull together when the going gets tough for one of them and, oh, by, the arrival of some 50 rescued horses in various conditions with multiple needs at Ragnar's Gothic themed estate, and it really is an estate, seems to pull in everyone from school kids and neighbors to the police. Well, as it happens, the police aren't there just to help. Seems Meg, while checking on the horses in the midst of a thunderous rainstorm, finds another body. Nope, not pleasant but not a new thing for Meg, either. And, the investigation is off, albeit Meg is more in the right place at the right time than actually doing any serious investigating. One of the things I've always admired about Meg is that while she all too frequently finds herself in danger, she doesn't tend to go out of her way to dash into such circumstances. 

I'm not going to go into plot details but will note that there are several new to me at least new characters this go-round, primarily those involved in the horse rescue operation. A nasty dispute between brothers Abel and George and potential danger to the horses should they not be moved, has lead to a mass exodus to Ragnar's. And, oh, I'd so love to see some visuals of the settings Andrews describes. While I'm not big on his color scheme and "artistic touches" that seem like they'd suite Dracula's Castle, he's a kind, welcoming and even gentle man contrary to his appearance and the setting. He's also an avid animal lover, hence no hesitation at opening his property to the initial chaos...and some nasty souls who'd like nothing better than to create trouble, the eventual victim one of them. Alibis and evidence kept back from even Meg add to the mystery. And, oh, what happened to that deadly looking knife?

No more plot hints, so on to the characters. As noted, I've come to fully enjoy this cast, even when Meg's grandfather goes into one of his spiels telling us more than we could ever want to know about, uh, animal body functions, for example. That isn't to say we don't learn quite a bit about animals in the process. Being a horse loving kid, I did know much of the info shared about horses but still found it interesting to learn about their potential senses of smell as well as that, hope I'm remembering this right, only 20% of yellow cats are female? We also get info on the idea that the zebra's stripes are biting insect repellents, so to speak, and watch a fun scene of Meg's sons being enlisted to.... well, I won't tell but it's a fun scene. Another absolutely vivid scene involves swans, swans that are not happy to have their turf being invaded by humans. Let's just say the rescue scene involves everything from brooms and rakes to a make-shift....oh, again, I should leave that one for you to discover and chuckle over yourself. There are always such humorous scenes involved in this series and that was one of the big hooks for me. 

Rose Noire gets the spotlight a few times, her soothing manner and knowledge being helpful in many ways. She even manages to make one of the older, once neglected horses far more comfortable by the end. Do be aware, some of the descriptions of the horses and their probably past lives are at the very least mildly disturbing for not just animal lovers but horse lovers. Seeing not just Meg but her family (Mother and Grandmother are away this trip but do check in regularly via the internet) grow to care about these animals is heartwarming and, not really a spoiler, you'll like the ending. Kevin the computer wiz pops in an out albeit largely only at the other end of Meg's phone. Let's just say, while Meg wasn't a real horse person, Kevin is even less so. Fortunately Meg's boys are into horses and already have some background via working with Ragnar's horses. Husband Michael is in and out as he has a day (and, I guess, occasionally night) job, as is the police chief and his extended family and police force. 

And....oh, enough rambling. I obviously thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes well rounded/fleshed out characters and more that a touch of humor and family. In the process, you'll learn quite a bit about various animals and a bit of science. Horse fans may know much of the info shared on horses and will probably nod their heads knowingly at Trouble's not-to-be-desired skill with his nimble lips. Yep, been there. Know that. My thanks to #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for feeding my Meg fix early periodically. I loved the intriguing ending and was delighted to see Tomas's unexpected new friend. Nope, not telling, readers. Read the book. Grin. 

Rosie's Ranch Rescue: Taking Care of Each Other (Audio Book), by Paige Murray, Narrated by Cassandra Morris

 

Audio Book   13m    Narrated by Cassandra Morris 

Written by Paige Murray, wife of nine-time World Champion Cowboy Ty Murray, this one is both informative and cute as can be. I had the audio version and suggest it would be a great listen for young fans, probably of horses and cowboys/girls. Narrator Cassandra Morris obviously had a lot of fun doing the various voices and sounds. I mean, I wonder how often a book narrator gets to vocalize a coyote? Grin.

While my eyes widened at the idea of our young heroine leaving the house alone at night with only her trusty horse, dog, and cat (yes, cat), it did show the depth of understanding the need to protect the animals at all costs. Rosie the horse gets star billing but Pete the dog and Thumbs (I didn't write it down but that was the name I was hearing) the not-so-brave cat get in on the action. I've been lucky enough to see baby calves, so even if you only get the audio version, trust me, they are just as adorable as Oakley thinks they are. How the trio manages to protect the nearly newborn calves against not just coyotes but a wild boar shows just one aspect of the danger of living on a farm where wild animals may dwell. I liked that the father figure made the point, however, that the wild critters were just following their natural instincts to take care of their needs and not threatening the calves simply to be mean.

Bottom line, a fun read /listen. As the title says, the focus is on how we should take care of each other, working together whenever possible. And, yes, Oakley gets mildly chastised for going out alone but her parents do recognize her intentions were good. Children will enjoy the story and come away with a better understanding, I believe, of not just life on a farm but the potential dangers that may lurk there. And, hey, the author even works in a quote from western star John Wayne about courage. I enjoyed this relatively brief listen and definitely liked narrator Morris' vocalization. 

Horse, by Alex Hall

 

This would have been a must have for me back in my horse crazy girl days. Heck, I enjoyed it today despite being, well, a bit past that stage. The information is short and sweet with great photos illustrating every page. I almost felt like I could reach out and stroke the nose of one of the horses stretching its head out toward the photographer in one shot. for instance. Lovely horses of different kinds and colors.. The info is solid and easy to understand, covering the horse from as the cover indicates, head to hoof. 

This would be the perfect gift for a young horse lover who wants to know everything there is to know about horse basics. Perfect for young readers who've gained a bit of confidence without overwhelming them with text. While those who've been reading everything and anything horse for years may not find much new, the illustrations alone would make this a lovely gift. It'd also be a great addition to a children's library shelves. Thanks #RosenPublishingGroup for gifting me this opportunity to slip back into my former "everything horse" stage.

World War II Close Up: They Saved the Stallions, by Deborah Hopkinson

 

Publication October 15, 2024

It's telling in a good way that I started this book that should have taken a day or two to read and review more than a week ago. I found myself getting so caught up in the story that I spent a great deal of time refreshing my brain about the story and searching out info on the Disney movie "Miracle of the White Stallions" that I was only reading in spurts. I am happy to tell you, however, that I not only enjoyed the book fully but found the movie streaming and flashed back to my childhood when I first saw it. Funny how memory is selective as about the only thing I recalled was how enchanted I was with the gorgeous horses and a scene on a train with bombs and mayhem. Equally funny that if memory serves, I was worried about the horses not the people involved. Ah, the innocence of youth.

In any case, I obviously recommend this book highly to both horse and history lovers. It definitely filled in the huge gaps in my knowledge of the real story and more. The photos of the horses and Spanish Riding School of the time were fascinating, as was learning more about the art of classical dressage. After opening with the tense status of the horses and school's sheer survival as the war neared, the author takes time to provide us with background on Alois Podhajsky and the long history of the Lipizzner stallions and breed. i should also note that even before this, as well as afterward, the author has provided readers with not just a list of the personalities, but their positions/status (I was surprised to discover how many were actually in the German military) as well as listing the individual  horses. There's also a glossary which includes terms used to describe the various airs above the ground the Lipizzners are so famous for. In other words, a great deal of thought has been put into organizing and assisting readers relatively new to the art. Of course, the Virtual Field trips links included is what kept sending me off to find out more and more. I honestly didn't try all the links, of course, but will note that the ones I checked were up and working. A great add to a reader's experience.

Bottom line, while I won't detail the text, it was a 5 star for me. Others, less familiar with the story, may find themselves less interested in the history lesson and just want to find out what happened but it's easy to skip ahead without taking in all the background information. I'd suggest you read it in its entirety, however, to fully grasp what an amazing feat this was, one that involved not only US General George Patton but a host of others, not all of them on the same side of the conflict. They were all on the side of the horses, though, and worried what might happen if the stud farm wasn't relocated out of Czechoslovakia before the advancing Russian army took control. And, for those familiar with "Miracle of the White Stallions", yes, a demonstration was put on for Patton. Seeing a photo of the real Podhajsky, I must also note that Disney did an excellent job of casting and the real Podhajsky even appears briefly in the movie. So, rather than ramble on, let me simply thank #Scholastic for allowing me an early look at this book, one that I will surely be adding to my own "horse crazy girl" shelf as soon as it goes on sale.

Lead Ropes Don't Lead Horses: And 49 Other Thoughts for Horse Lovers, by Lisa Wysocky , Cat Enright

 

I've got to admit, while this definitely spoke to the still horse crazy girl in me, I was also curious how one writes with their fictional character as co-author. Lisa Wysocky makes it not only work, however, but work well. Put this one on your must have list, horse lovers.

Not only does Wysocky and, okay, Enright use humor effectively, making you grin while absorbing the solid, usable information shared, but it's easily understandable, probably even to those who didn't grow up inhaling anything horse. For those who work on the theory that a picture is worth a thousand words, there are also photos of the horses you'll meet upfront to demonstrate. I definitely liked that the horses were introduced upfront, including personalities and quirks. That made their use as "examples" throughout all the more personal. As I noted to a friend earlier today, the sheer fact we were talking about. among others, Lex (the cover horse, btw) the worrier who likes to annoy his pasture-mates, or Quincy who is low man on the totem pole, makes the reading far more personal. I mean, wouldn't you rather talk about a horse by name than simply as "the horse" or "the brown horse"? In other words, I felt like I was talking to the author, not just reading words. And, to be honest, it didn't take me long to forget whether it was fictional Cat or real life author Lisa that I was "talking" to. It flowed nicely. 

Since I'm well past my horse crazy girl years, it's been ages since I've been astride a horse, but much of the information brought back fond memories. Oh, okay, some of it made me cringe as I remembered how I'd wronged or under/overestimated my horses. I hope they forgave me. I won't detail all the topics covered but found myself more intrigued with the sections dealing with understanding horse instincts and what I'll call our communication with the horse than on the actual riding section, go figure. Active riders/horse owners will benefit greatly from the total, surely learning something new. You'll also learn both the instinctual and possible physical or even mental reasons for various horse behaviors/patterns. That, to me, was what set this book apart from most others. A behavior wasn't just described, it explains probable causes, right down to discussing vision, for instance, usually utilizing the horses we met early on in the book as examples. More importantly for me, it was all handled with humor and love.

Bottom line, if you love horses, you need this book. If you know a horse lover, make sure they know about this book or, hint-hint, it'd make a lovely gift. Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #CoolTitles for letting me indulge my ol' horse crazy girl self a bit while learning new things. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved meeting the horses, not to mention the fictional characters (that I have to admit to having never read.... yet.

Posey's Problem A Pony Tale, by Kathy Simmers

 

Publication Dec. 5, 2023

Like any horse crazy kid who's ever been lucky enough to have a horse, this one felt personal. Aspirations or simple physical growth mean riders often outgrew a current mount, This one takes a look at the separation from the horse's point of view, however. As such, it's a reminder to those aspiring to horse ownership that change happens. The illustrations show riders using English saddles, for instance, but you may aspire to more into western style. Or you may simply physically outgrow your horse. Your dream horse of today may not be appropriate for future goals. Posey seems to have had the toughness, the resilience to adapt to the changes in her life, always doing her best for the next and, sigh, next riders. She was a champion and her humans surely became better for knowing and learning from Posey. 

The illustrations are lovely and capture reality well. I especially liked that while it had to be hard to tear themself from drawing the beautiful horses, the author and illustrator also showed some of the hard work involved that doesn't involve being astride. The barn scene immediately stuck with me. It was also great to see a happy ending for Posey, not only briefly reunited with her prior owners but in a forever home where she was as loved as she loved. The cover captures that bond well.

If you like horses, you will enjoy this one. It illustrates the bond between human and horse. It also shows the true loyalty of a good horse, one determined to do its best no matter what the situation. If you have a horse crazy kid, this would make a lovely gift. Thank you #NetGalley and #BoundToHappenPublishing - #IBPA for bringing a wistful smile to the place in my heart horses still hold.

Wild Horses: Running Free, by Linda L. Richards

 

Publication Oct. 17, 2023      Orca Wild, 11

As it turned out, I'd barely gotten into this book when a news article on efforts to remove the wild horses that run free in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park popped up on my computer screen. Much of what this book covers in the impact and conservation efforts surrounding the controversial program is echoed in the article, making this book all the more timely. I won't detail the article other than, for those interested in looking it up, to say it was out of Bismarck, N.D., by Jack Dura, of the Associated Press. One thing I did note, however, was something that I was curious about, the efforts to use sterilization as a means of control, which is also covered in the book. So, author Richards has done her homework, which is nicely reflected by the extensive index, glossary, and list of resources both on and offline, at the end. 

As for the book, while I've got to admit that sections demanded thought, it was actually a relatively quick, easy read. The photos are wonderful, food for this one-time horse-crazy girl's heart. In fact, the author's intro could have been written by me, including trying to adopt a stray horse, in both our cases a neighbor's wayward equine. The book is organized in five sections, with smaller sections within each. There's a wealth of info within, much of it maybe vaguely familiar to me now but nice to see made available in a shorter, more succinct manner than often rendered. The author's love of horses is obvious and she frequently gushes that everyone loves horses, which may be true in theory but, well, competing groups always prioritize and horses don't rank number one with everyone. As she says, however, it isn't that they don't like horses. They simply want to do different things with the land they now inhabit, whether grazing cattle herds, building homes, or drilling for oil, etc. It's obvious who's side she's on.

As a girl who read everything horse, while I might have struggled with some aspects of the info shared depending upon the age I encountered it, overall it was well laid-out and understandable. I particularly enjoyed the look at some lesser known types of horses. We're all surely familiar with the Chincoteague Pony (see, there I go assuming everyone reading this has read "Misty of Chincoteague") and perhaps the Brumby horses of Australia or Queen Elizabeth's favorite ponies in England, but some of the lesser known ones are fascinating.  Heck, you'll also discover how horses see and why (probably) zebras have stripes. So, part fun, part history, and part conservative, an interesting combination that resulted in an intriguing read...all richly illustrated with color photos, many taken by the author herself. Thanks #NetGalley and #OrcaBookPublishers for letting me dive back into my horse-crazy days. This one would be an excellent gift for any horse crazy kid or adult out there, even more so if they have a desire to help preserve the legacy of the wild horse.

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion, by Sanoma Blakeley

 

Publication July 25, 2023

Although I was a horse crazy girl, I never tried endurance riding. I just didn't have the discipline. A couple friends did, however, try a few far shorter races than the Tevis Cup and I utilized some of their memories in one of the first stories I ever sold. Therefore, you can probably understand why I actually spent some moments just looking at the cover and going, "Wow!" in my mind. I'm happy to say, the book itself was a "Wow!", too. 

I also spent some time chuckling as I read the history of the Tevis Cup. I live in Alaska where sled dogs and the Iditarod race are frequent topics and the background of the races have similarities. Both started to prove the toughness of the animals in comparison to those of the past. Both take place in isolated, difficult to transverse territory with few spectators. Frequent stops are required for vet checks where the animals can be pulled by the vet for any variety of issues. Of course, in the Tevis Cup, unlike the Iditarod with its teams of dogs, your horse being eliminated by the vet means you are done whereas in the Iditarod, assuming the rest of the team is healthy, mushers may continue with simply fewer dogs. The animals come first, however, whether horse or dog in these contests. "To Finish Is To Win" is a motto of both, I note.

Sanoma Blakeley was fifteen when she entered and won the Tevis Cup but had been riding and competing since, well, almost forever. Horses were her life. a passion she shared with her family. And, oh, btw, her father and mother met in Ketchikan, Alaska, another Alaska tie for me. More amazingly, Goober, the horse that would carry her to victory in the Tevis Cup was found on Craigslist for free. I won't detail the race, part of the fun is feeling like you're in the saddle with Sanoma as they transverse trails with 36,000' of elevation and so narrow your stirrup scraps the side of the hill with a thousand foot drop off on the other side. Take a look at the cover photo if you have any doubt of the physical and mental strain on both the horse and rider. 

Yet, it's the bond between Sanoma and Goober, in particular, that pulls you in. I was charmed by her early tales of life with Midnight, that first horse that teaches us how to live and love horses, but Goober was special. If you don't feel anxiety and come near tears at the end. you've simply never had that undying bond with an animal yet. 

Highly recommended to anyone who loves horses, any animal really, and a good, "can-do" story. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #SantaMonicaPress for giving me this sneak peak. I absolutely loved her love for family and deep love and respect for all the horses in her life, not just Goober. I haven't been on a horse in years but suddenly felt the urge to go at least share a carrot or two with one.

The First Kentucky Derby Thirteen Black Jockeys, One Shady Owner, and the Little Red Horse That Wasn't Supposed to Win, by Mark Shrager

 

Publication May 1, 2023

It's always a delight when a book turns out to be even better than expected. I was certainly expecting lots of information and pictures, which I got. What I wasn't really expecting was the delightful, sometimes outrageous history of the event and those connected. 1875 was definitely a world modern day Derby attendees wouldn't recognize. Not only was it peopled with black jockeys but the men behind the horses weren't always, how shall I put it, above-board honest? As the cover notes, Aristides apparently wasn't expected to win. There are reasons detailed and few have anything to do with Aristides. I won't ruin your journey to discovery by saying more but, wow, what a ride, pun intended, author Mark Shrager gives us as he shares his findings.

Besides the fun of being introduced to the frequently shady, over-the-top personalities of racing in the 1875 world, Shrager reminds us how untamed much of the nation was at that time. Jesse James and Billy the Kid were still alive and going about their business of, well, robbery. Wyatt Earp was still around, too, as was George Armstrong Custer. Tchaikovsky was creating new musical arrangements and Joe Borden pitched the first recorded no-hitter for the Philadelphia White Stockings. Basketball, as we know it, hadn't even been invented yet. In other words, an interesting combo of the wild-and-wooly days and the beginnings of more modern life was evolving.

As for the story of the race, it's a fascinating. Shrager had me with his introduction. His writing is both conversational and pulls you into the story. And, what a story it is. From the origins of the term "Derby" used to name the Kentucky Derby, not to mention it's British connections, to Aristides owner's reportedly interesting liking for burgoo (nope, not telling you what it is) to his fondness for betting on the horses, even against his own entries if it might mean a bigger payday, you definitely come away marveling at how far the rules and regulations of thoroughbred racing has come. 

I'd honestly given no thought to the absence of Afro-American jockeys in modern racing. In the early days, many were former slaves who had worked with their own owners' horses. Newly freed, their presence at the tracks and stables seems a natural. Yet, as of the publication date of this book, the last black jockey to win the Derby was Jimmy Winkfield, in both 1901 and 1902. Interestingly enough, he left the United States to work in Russia.  Despite their success in the saddle, alas, few made the transition to ownership or even training. Even those who did were largely overlooked in favor of the often colorful personalities of the horses' owners. You'll get to know them all a bit in this book. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #RowmanAndLittlefield - #GlobePequot - #EclipsePress for allowing me this sneak peak behind the scenes of a race that, alas, I've never attended. I'll never quite view it the same on television, however.

Horsewatching, by Desmond Morris

 

Available April 11, 2023

As a horse crazy girl who grew up reading anything and everything she could find on horses, not to mention contributed to horse focused magazines as an adult, I was psyched to get this book. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but, well, this wasn't it. It isn't that there isn't an abundance of information, but perhaps in the way that it's presented. Even the b/w drawings mentioned on the cover weren't quite what I was expecting.

Rather than cartoon or simple drawings, they are old engraving/drawings of horses at rest and moving.  This was my first hint that this book probably isn't intended for casual readers. Instead, while the topics, listed as questions as simple as how horses show expression and even the meanings of the horseshoe as a symbol, the answers frequently delved into history and background, making for tougher reading for those looking for quicker bites of info. That is in itself not a fault, but I wasn't expecting the depth it'd dive into. Some of it was fascinating. Other times I found my eyes glazing over. As I said, not  what I went into the book expecting, so it obviously influenced my reaction.

Despite my reaction, if you have an interest into delving more into detail about certain aspects of horse history and nature, you may find this book totally fascinating. Just beware, there's definitely negativity toward racing, albeit some interesting tidbits did grab my attention such as the why of the shape of the traditional jockey cap and, for that matter, the likely origin of the word jockey itself. Thus, the fault may be my own.

Bottom line, this book was a mixed bag for me, partly because of the info I came to the book with, partly because it seemed to zoom from horse behavior to racing without much transition. It also ends rather abruptly, too, no wrap-up, unless my review copy was lacking some pages. I do thank #NetGalley and #RowmanAndLittlefield for allowing me to spend some time revisiting my horse crazy girl days. I even learned a few things. 3.5rounded to 4 stars.

Horse Lovers First Book: Giddy Up Beginner Books, by Debbie Burgermeister

 

I immediately flashed back in time to the horse crazy girl I once was when I saw this cover. Quite frankly, based on the cover, I was expecting a cartoon type book. I was pleasantly surprised to find within a mix of adorable drawings and actual photos used to illustrate the points of the story. I will note, however, that the focus seemed to be on using English tack. Although I ultimately competed in English equestrian type events, I grew up either bareback or with Western gear. That said, the info within is basic and both explained and illustrated. While it wasn't quite what I'd expected, it does deliver the basics such as parts of a horse and tack, not to mention breeds, measurements and color, as well as answers questions about what horses eat, how to tell if your horse is happy, and such. Not quite sure what the target age is but will guess upper elementary since much of the information would require reading skills over a much younger child's ability. A good chance for a parent to be involved, of course, as they read and discuss the information.

I had to wonder, however, if the average horse-crazy kid had the access to trainers and instructors as the author seems to have grown up with and based much of the book on that assumption. That doesn't mean the book is wrong, that would be the ideal, but would have liked to have seen more for the average beginner, English or Western style. That said, thanks to #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for the fun time traveling back to my horse crazed youth. Fun.

Death in the Margins (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #7), by Victoria Gilbert

 

Publication Dec. 6, 2022

I adore this series. While I somehow seem to have missed the book covering the wedding between Amy and Richard, this one would work nicely as a stand-alone. The characters are introduced in an efficient manner and brought to life, including the resident cats Loie and Fosse. Richard and Amy are a great pairing. As Fosse's name might hint to you, Richard is a dancer and dance coach/trainer/mentor, and it's his dance production that serves as the center of "Death in the Margins". Librarian Amy doesn't exactly discover the body of Richard's former girlfriend Meredith but she arrives on the scene just in time to see Conner, one of the young dancers in the show, holding a bloody knife beside the body. Conner is arrested on the scene but Amy, Richard, and several others question the teenager's ability to have done it. Although friend and sheriff Brad isn't the lead investigator this go round, Amy quickly becomes invested in "researching" the case, putting herself in danger. Oh, and horses are involved. No, they don't dance. Laugh.

Who killed the arrogant, not-very-nice Meredith. Besides Conner, several other suspects emerge. Was it her ex-husband? He was spied in the parking lot. How about the mother of the autistic and easily overwhelmed child that Meredith degraded in public? Or any of the other dance parents? Meredith wasn't a nice person, to be honest, although nice-guy Richard was trying to help her out by giving her the dance job in "The Folklore Suite" production. Even his partner, Karla, is harshly belittled by Meredith? Heck, she isn't even very nice to Amy. And, what's the pianist's connection to her? And, back to the horses, what was Meredith's connection to an odd illness that took the lives of some valuable show horses some four years ago? Or, was there even one? Could Amy be chasing red herrings with that bit of information? Who is keeping secrets? Or, oh, never mind. Enough teasers. I loved this book/series and am betting cozy mystery lovers who like their mysteries with a bit of romance will too.

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrppledLaneBooks for inviting me to witness the birth of Richard's "Folklore Suite". Kudoes to Karla (and obviously author #VictoriaGilbert ) for emphasizing Richard and Karla's efforts to be inclusive and work with children.

Christmas at the Ranch, by Anita Hughes

 

Publication Sept. 27, 2022

I'm a sucker for Christmas, lovely snowy scenes, books, and horses. That's what lead me to "Christmas at the Ranch" although I wondered if reading it during a warm, Alaskan summer day would dim my Christmas spirit. Nope. In fact, I found it one of the better, uh,  Hallmark moments I've had with Christmas books. Although the dialogue tended to be a bit contrived at times, I like the setting, Samantha and Drew, and her mom through her virtual connections with her. And, oh, yeah, the horses, cared for by Bruno, who seems to be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades at Drew's family ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Samantha is a mess as the book opens. Although the successful author a book series featuring a feisty, danger loving heroine, Samantha is anything but brave. She's scared of, well, everything. Her imagination weaves even the most common happening, such an elevator or taxi ride or turbulence on a plane, into a probable disaster. The good thing about that particular fear is that it leads her to meeting and opening up to Drew. He keeps her secret, that she isn't some female dare-devil, from his father, who turns out to be her publisher, and the story begins.

I won't detail the plot as much of it depends on the surprise, such as the mystery of Drew's mother. But, because of not just the need to keep up the pretense of being brave but her attraction and trust in Drew, Samantha finds herself doing things way, way out of her comfort level, not to mention showing real bravery when needed. Of course, there are complications in the relationship, traditional Hallmark Christmas movie stuff, but despite her initial fears, she seems able to make friends easily and fit into the setting. Her love of horses was one of the big draws for me, being a horse crazed girl from way back. Toss in mentions of "Black Beauty" and "My Friend Flicka" and, well, it sent me back to memory lane. Both were used in constructive ways, btw, not just toss away mentions. 

Oh, and then there is the diary but, no, not telling. You need to read the book. I found it an easy, enjoyable read that moved right along. As Drew's father, Arthur, mentions at one point, life sometimes gets in the way and you lose touch with what you have, so here you have a delightful romance all tied up in Christmas ribbons with horses and books and  snowy vistas throughout. Enjoy!

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for inviting me to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to meet Samantha and Drew. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the chance to pet a few horses.

A Brush with Murder: A Watercolor Mystery. by Gail Langer Karwoski

 

I felt rather like I was losing my new best friends as the book ended. I wanted to get in the car and go home with Jane and her friends. I miss them already, even the rowdy, energetic mischief maker dog Tillie. In other words, author Karwoski was successful in world building with, oh, so likable, relatable characters we'd all like to know even if, as one observed, this vacation week was a bit like living in a crime novel. The setting, the Gardens and Horses Resort, sounded enchanting and even though it's been years since I picked up a paint brush, I found myself jotting down some of the watercolor hints shared within. 

Unfortunately, the friends' retreat begins with them stumbling cross a horse dead in a reflecting pool. To be honest, as a horse nut from way back, I almost passed up this book when this was mentioned in the blurb but am glad I didn't. Although saddening, with much more of the dark side of horse racing revealed as the book progressed, this scene was quickly lost in the rest of the action. A groom is found nearly drowned in a horse water trough, then one of the workshop attendees is found dead. Are the three scenes connected? Jane, who prides herself a bit on her orderliness, had already started a journal to help her sort out who was who among the workshop participants and slips into the mode of registering everything she observes or senses, too, sharing her notes with the police. I admired her ability to keep her head when the others were otherwise distracted, whether by flirtations or Donna's disturbing habit of fainting when stressed. There are multiple suspects, side stories, and red herrings, not to mention that the three events may or may not be related. In the process, however, the friends attend the painting sessions and it was fascinating to hear their virtual work being dissected with hints of how to create certain watercolor techniques or improve on others. They're being taught to see, really see, what is in front of them. If you're an artist, you'll find these sections fascinating, I'm sure. 

As the friends observe, however, it's much easier to solve a mystery in a book than it is in real life. All have input and helpful observations, observations Jane carefully records and shares. Jane's growing fascination with solving the mystery, even to the point where she jots down the ABC's of detectives, ie assume nothing, believe no one, and check everything, seems to grow. Her friendship with Officer Goode was interesting and although they live in different areas, I'm hoping he'll pop up again in future books. It's always nice to see the police and amateur sleuth acting with mutual respect rather than the more usual conflict that so often pops up in mysteries. 

Bottom line, if you haven't already guessed, I loved this book and was delighted to see a preview for the next in the series at the end. Phew, that relieves my fear this might be a one shot mystery from the author. I also appreciated the suggestions for Book Club discussions included. I think my favorite asked how their painting styles reflected personalities, which made me rethink the book a bit more. Lovely writing, lyrical at times, awash in painting references, and an intricate mystery all packaged with lovely watercolor paintings now awash in my mind's eye.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackRoseWriting for inviting me to attend this lovely workshop with Jane, Donna, Grace, Pam, and Tillie. I'm looking forward to the next adventure. This one is a winner.

Canter with a Killer, by Amber Camp

 

Publication Nov. 8, 2022

As a horse crazy gal from way back, I felt an immediate connection to Mallory Martin. Kudos to new author Amber Camp for having her associated with a horse rescue. Even though I wasn't comfortable with Mallory's tactics to find the real killer of cranky neighbor Albert Cunningham, not to mention that it was Mallory who created the conflict that made old friend Grady/the police the enemy, I rather imagine I wouldn't always be rational if I were the suspect in a murder, either. 

I found myself liking not just Mallory but friends like Lanie and Bill and workers at the rescue, Ashley and Tanner, as well as legal eagles Ethan and Andy It was interesting to watch the various relationships as they emerged and developed, even as hurtful small town gossip created additional problems. And, oh, the horses. I loved that the author described each horse, its history, and strengths and weaknesses, even explaining the names given them. That was a real plus for me as a former horse owner/lover. Her lovable dog, Bingo, who has never met a stranger, reminding me of one I once owned, and Biscuit, an absolutely adorable donkey with a personality that wouldn't allow him to be ignored, round out the rescue critters.

Mallory is shocked to discover Albert Cunningham has been killed. Even worse, she finds herself a suspect. Why? Wouldn't the girlfriend be a more likely suspect? Or, could the environmental activist have done it? What does a lost glove have to do with anything? Maybe the neighbor angry at Albert for blocking him off from his own property? Could the photos Mallory took early on reveal a clue? Why is everyone so convinced Mallory is guilty? Why is Andy's receptionist so cool toward Mallory? What will Mallory's father have to say about all this when he gets home from his cruise? For that matter, how will her daughter react about being kept in the dark about the situation? And, oh, so many questions but, nope, not telling you the answers. If you're a horse lover, you'll thoroughly enjoy this one. If your simply a mystery fan, you will, too. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me to Mallory's Hillspring Horse Rescue story. And, hey, give Biscuit a couple extra virtual treats!

Saddled Up 4 Murder, by J.C. Eaton

Fun. Good ol' fashioned fun. That's how I'd describe "Saddled Up 3 Murder" in short. Loved it and am still grinning as I remember some of the images the plot conjured up.

It's been a while since I last visited Phee and friends, not to mention her mother's tight circle of friends from the Sun City West retirement village. I immediately felt right at home but, no fear, new readers, as author Eaton does an excellent job showing us who each of these characters are as well as how the pieces all fit together. This is a fun read with lots of laughs, many even during some otherwise tense moments, go figure. I mean, even Phee's Roomba gets an action scene, so to speak, during the story. And what the heck, if anything, could the case of the stolen horses have to do with the murder?

I liked the characters, even the frequently over-the-top fretting ones of her mother's Booked 4 Murder book club. Or, are they over-reacting? I mean, one of them may have seen more than she realizes when a murder is committed. Could she be in genuine danger or have they all just watched to many murder mysteries. With boyfriend Marshall out of town on another case, Phee is on her own. She wants to help the ladies although, quite frankly, she admits that part of the reasoning is as much to keep her mother off her back as the desire for justice.

Phee and the ladies definitely need a hero to save the day and that hero comes from the most unexpected place. Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book to find out. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with more than a dash of humor, this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for letting me spend some time with Phee.

All the Horses of Iceland, by Sarah Tolmie

 I really expected and wanted to love this book. Yet, although the story itself is intriguing, it seemed to move at a snail's pace. That said, my rating is possibly more on me than the author or story itself. Myths, after all, do tend to move forward haphazardly and occasionally very, very slowly. Hence, if you're more attuned to that pace and perhaps have some background in Old Norse mythology, this fantasy may be right up your alley. As a forever horse lover, as noted, I found the story intriguing but slow. It took awhile for the unfamiliar names and terms to sort themselves out in my mind, too, so wished there had been a tad bit more explanation. That may have been by design, of course, to reflect main character Eyvind's same unfamiliarity with many of the different languages he encountered on her journey.

The story itself is simple. Eyvind leaves his home to journey to, well, he really isn't sure where he's going for sure. Along the way he encounters a diverse population, most suspicious and even unfriendly toward those unfamiliar to them. In the process, he discovered magic within himself and, yes, found the magical horse with no name. He soon acquires a small band of horses that seem strangely bound to him via the horse with no name's mysterious powers. I had to smile as on his journey homeward, he meets a follower of Mohamed who is riding a beautiful mare, one whose breed he discovers is so prized that they are kept in their owner's tents at night and largely pampered. Surely an Arabian. This is in contrast to the sturdy, tough soon to be Icelandic horses that Eyvind has acquired.

Although this book didn't quite live up to my expectations, the fantasy was interesting and I spent some time researching the breed. I was somewhat familiar with the breed as there are some of these horses scattered about Alaska in remote areas, so even knowing this was a fantasy story, I wanted to know more. In other words, the book had done perhaps what was intended, making me curious. These horses toughness and intelligence are well known. The Icelandic horse is noted for having five paces rather than the three more common horse gaits. The tolt was mentioned in the book but never fully described. According to my research, in this pace the horse keeps its back level, head up, neck arched, and lifts both feet high in a four beat, lateral motion. They can reach the speed of 20-35 mph at this gait. Amazing. I wish the book had been this amazing and given more detail but if you're into mythic lore and have some background knowledge, you may find the book fascinating.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Macmillan, #Tor/Forge, for the ARC. While it didn't quite live up to my expectations, it was still intriguing, and I learned a great deal about the mythology of the horse.

Batten Down the Belfry (House-Flipper Mystery #4), by Diane Kelly

Although the going seemed slow initially, by the end of the book I was thoroughly invested in trying to sort out who did it. This was a new series to me but "Batten Down the Belfry" worked quite well a a stand-alone, especially for someone like me who had no real interest or knowledge about fixing up and flipping houses. The fact the "house" in this instance isn't even a house but a run-down rural church only added to the interest. The main characters seemed likeable and left me rooting for them to make a success of this, I guess you'd call it, failed flip project.

Toss in a horse ranch next door with an antagonistic owner that claims he owns the property Whitney and her cousin Buck just purchased, wandering horses, the prospects of the property when refurbished becoming part of the Nashville entertainment scene, murderous money making schemes, and, yes, murder, and there is a lot to take in. Although I had an inkling about the identity of the killer of the antagonistic neighbor, like Whitney and Collin, her police boyfriend, I had no clue who killed the deliveryman in the belfry until the very end. Kudos to Diane Kelly for weaving together such an intricate plot so well. She even managed to give Sawdust, Whitney's cat, a role in the action.

Finally, while you go add this to your "to be read" list, I'm tempted to ponder what the Stained Glass Cookies in one of the recipes at the end might taste like. They sound beautiful, that's for sure.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC.
 

Deadly Thanksgiving, by Maureen Fisher

 I loved this book. Set in Canada, Maureen Fisher's "Deadly Thanksgiving" offers up both some serious moments and fast-paced action and humor. I mean, an attack cat named Snuggles? A rogue goat during a goat yoga class, goats that throw up, a guard llama, a drunken wannabe beau who shows up in only a robe one night, power outages, raucous guests, murderous guests, and, oh, yeah, one particularly hunky retired Mountie are just part of the fun. 

We learn more about Carla and her sisters, however, that isn't so much fun, including Carla's abusive father and physically abusive former husband. Kudos to Fisher for tackling such events in an otherwise relatively humorous book. Sisterly relationships and expectations are also tackled. As a result, we get to see Carla's growth and slow acceptance of ex-Mountie Hawk's efforts to break down the barriers she's erected for self-protection. He has his own ghosts, of course, that color his behavior.

Yet, it's the humor and fast paced action that dominate "Deadly Thanksgiving". Guest Roland's wannabe Lothario is an early example and things only pick up from there. Bottom line, if you love humor with a touch of seriousness, seriousness that doesn't disrupt the good feeling, give "Deadly Thanksgiving" a read. It put a smile on my face.