One of my goals for this year is to get to the books I’ve had for some time.
Today I’m sharing a book I won in a giveaway that is long overdue for a review. Enjoy!
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Spiral Of Hooves
by Roland Clarke
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
My Review
I love horses. Always have. I was one of those typical young girls who hounded their parents for a horse. As a teen I was lucky to be able to train and show Morgan horses with a friend. It was highly competitive and a lot of hard work, and we worked mostly with foals and yearlings. I think this may be why I enjoyed this book despite some things that didn’t quite work for me.
Something that gave me pause was the characters. There were a lot of them, they hopped around from relationship to relationship and I didn’t really warm up to them. That was okay though. The author definitely knows his stuff. Scenes from the horse shows were exhilarating and put me right there in the arena. And I was fascinated to learn about the behind the scenes operation of equestrian competitions. I had no idea about the breeding procedures, the training practices of riders and horses, and the amount of money that was involved. I always wondered how this sport could actually be profitable for the owners and riders. Sponsors and technological innovations are a big part of it. This did sort of make my experience while reading Spiral Of Hooves more of a learning one than a solving a crime one. But, the mystery was pretty good. Not easily solved. And there were plenty of thrills.
I do feel I would only recommend this book if you have a passion for horses. It is the main focus of the story and one I did enjoy.
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Synopsis
In Canada, researcher Armand Sabatier witnesses what could be the murder of groom Odette Fedon, but traumatic images from his past smother his memory, and a snowstorm buries the evidence. Harassed by nightmares but fighting through them, Armand remembers the crime a few months later. By then he is in England, where he is dragged into a plot involving international sport horse breeding.
Suspecting everyone around him, Armand is forced to brave the past that he has kept buried. But what made Armand leave France? Where did he learn to survive and fight for justice? Why is the English rider Carly Tanner treading the same path as the first victim, Odette?
Can he save Carly before he has more blood on his hands?
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The above cover is for the paperback copy I own.
This is an alternative cover.
Which do you like more?
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I was horse mad as a kid and took riding lessons for two years though I was pretty useless! I read tons of kids books about horses! Jackie, Phantom Horse, Queen Rider, Pony Club, Linda Craig, Silver Brumby, Black Stallion…I loved them!
I used to spend every moment I had to spare on a horse. And I read all the same books. I still have my Black Stallion books, and Little Black, A Pony books. And The Misty Of Chincoteague ones too.
I don’t know much about horses except they’re pretty. The neighbors have some. I like to stop on my walks and lean over the fence and just watch them peacefully grazing away and swishing their tails. I wouldn’t mind reading a horse book just to get to know horses better.
Oh, I forgot. I wanted to add that I LOVE the second cover with the horse prints in the sand.
I could spend hours just watching horses. They have such spirit. I remember the first I was riding a horse and it broke into a full gallop. I felt like I could take off and fly at any moment! That’s how some of the jump scenes felt in this book too.
I like them both. Curious about which one fits the story best, because I do like those footprints in the snow, sand, whatever it is. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental
I like both of them too. I think the first cover fits the story best.
As the author, I prefer the second – LOL – but I can see why it might fit the story better. My original idea was bloody hoofprints in the snow. Thanks for the review, I hope that the protagonists improve in the sequel – if I ever get to it…as I’m working on a different mystery.
Both covers are stunning, Roland. I don’t always have to connect with characters to enjoy a story and I’d love to read your other books too!
I better get another one finalised soon then – thanks again for the review. Three stars helps.
I look forward to reading what you finish next.
I know someone who is a reader and passionate about horses, I will share this with her.
I hope she enjoys it. If you like the inside scoop on competing, it is a fascinating read. I learned some things I never knew:)
I was a horse-mad teen too and was so lucky my Mum let me go to riding lessons each week. I remember learning about Morgan horses from one of my pony encyclopedia books. They’re beautifully elegant 🙂
I worked with foals and yearlings for the most part. I did learn some jumping but never competed. Too expensive. I still dream about it though:)
I love horses too. I started riding really young, riding my cousin’s show horses. When I was in middle school, I started taking lessons and riding horses that didn’t do everything exactly as asked. I got my first horse when I was 15 (I chose the horse over a car and had to work off the board bill). I had her for 22 years until she died at 32 years old a few years ago. I’ve had a hard time reading books about horses, because I might have seen a different side of the industry. Yes, there is a lot of money in it. I have a friend who’s a trainer and sells horses for over six figures sometimes. I’m baffled. I’ve never spend more than $3000 for a horse.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I bought my first horse at 17. I worked of his boarding costs by taking people out on trail rides. He lived to 26 years old. Never owned one after that. There’s a lot more to horse competition than the glamour, that’s for sure:)
Sounds like a unique mystery. I have no idea what goes on behind some of the horse shows at all so that would all be new to me. Great review and I have add this to my list. My daughter LOVES horses – she might like this one too.
Mary
You could tell the author knew his stuff about this subject:)
That’s a nice compliment, although I discovered how much I still needed to learn.