I received this book for free through the goodreads first reads program. ( )

This was a new to me author and narrator and only picked it up because it is nominated for an Audie award in the mystery category.

When the book started I thought ok it’s a legal thriller, then we have a death of a horse and all that goes along with the hoity toity horse crowd, then we have a murder and some medical mystery so this is hard to categorize. I enjoyed the main character lawyer Jack MacTaggert he was somewhat cynical, and has a dry sense of humor. I see there is a second book coming out and I will be picking it up because I did enjoy this character.

You don’t have to be a horse person to enjoy this book but if you enjoy Dick Francis give this one a try. I am curious where Jack will end up going from here because the events at the end of this book left a few questions hanging out there.

Dan Butler’s narration was good but I’m honestly not sure if it was award worthy. He had a few different characterizations but they weren’t always consistent, but his narration of the main character was well done and I felt he captured Jack’s snarky humor very well. I would listen to other narrations by Dan Butler.

Not sure what else to add… this was a solid mystery and a good start to a new series that I will probably continue to read.

3 ½ Stars ( )

A champion show-jumping horse is found dead, and smart-mouthed attorney Jack McTaggart is called in to deal with the insurance claim. Events quickly mushroom.

Not the Dick Francis successor that the publisher wants it to be, but not bad. ( )