I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman arrives at the mansion of a billionaire in Kentucky to feature her horses in the upcoming Spring Meet, only to become engrossed in a mystery that forces her to escape a nefarious killer in author Sasscer Hill’s “Murder in the Bluegrass”, the latest entry in the Janet Simpson Cozy Mystery Novella series.
The Synopsis
Janet is invited to stay with the billionaire O’Sullivan family in Lexington, KY, for Keeneland’s spring racing meet. Shipping her horses to the track, she arrives at the O’Sullivan estate only to discover it resembles a castle in a horror movie, complete with a dark and eerie tower.
Jealousy, rage, and sadness reside in this mansion. Sudden death and unraveling secrets leave Janet fearing for her life. Can she save herself or will a killer destroy her?
Sasscer Hill’s horse racing mysteries and thrillers have won multiple awards, including the $10,00 Ryan Award for Best Book in Horseracing Literature.
The Review
This was an engaging and fast-paced mystery. The tension that builds within this family unit that the protagonist comes across is felt early on, and the atmosphere the author builds made the story feel like a classic whodunnit, much in the style of recent films like Knives Out. The suspense the narrative builds as the mystery is unraveled layer by layer really keeps the reader engaged.
Yet it was the rich character development and the honest and thoughtful inclusion of the racehorse lifestyle that made this feel like such an authentic and gripping mystery read. The author’s ability to develop these characters and the long history many of them shared together in such a short amount of time was amazing, and the inclusion of the author’s personal experience with horses and the life of a racehorse breeder and trainer made the protagonist feel more alive on the page.
The Verdict
Mesmerizing, heartfelt, and chilling, author Sasscer Hill’s Murder in the Bluegrass” is a must-read mystery novel that you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, including a surprise character arc and the reveal of the killer, will have readers eager for the next entry into this engaging series. If you haven’t’ yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Sasscer Hill: Author, Amateur Jockey, Horse Breeder and Mystery Lover
Sasscer Hill, a former Maryland racehorse breeder, trainer, and rider, uses the sport of kings as a backdrop for her mysteries. Her “vivid descriptive” prose about greed, evil, heart, and courage propelled her “Nikki Latrelle” novels to multiple award nominations, including an Agatha, a Macavity, and the Dr. Tony Ryan Best in Racing Literature Award.
Her 2020 novel, TRAVELS OF QUINN, is “A heart-stopping thriller of a murder mystery”– Charles Todd, Anthony, Edgar, and Barry Award-winning author.
Born an Irish American gypsy Traveller, can Quinn escape a dreaded marriage contract and the life of crime forced upon her?
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