Perhaps it is just the books that I’m drawn to, but I’ve noticed an increasing number of horse related mysteries this past year.  For years, Dick Francis dominated the theme, but authors such as Kit Ehrman and Laura Crum have been growing in popularity.  Author Kathleen Delaney tackles this theme with her latest, GIVE FIRST PLACE TO MURDER.

 During what should be a wonderful celebration at a local horse show, Ellen McKenzie finds a pitchfork-skewered body.  Because her nineteen-year-old daughter works for the horse farm, Ellen doesn’t want to make a big fuss.  As she tries to keep people out of the feed room, she has her close friend call the chief of police.

There is another side to this murder.  All of the suspects are people with whom Ellen’s daughter spends her workday; Ellen trusts no one and cannot stand by while her daughter could be in danger.  When a second worker is murdered during another horse show, Ellen fears that time may be running out.  Can she keep her daughter safe and find a murderer?

The neat thing about Kathleen’s book is that there is a good mix of romance and mystery.  Ellen and the chief of police were childhood chums, but now as they have grown up, they find more than just friendship on their minds.  That mix helps round out the book, giving it a feel that romance readers will enjoy as well.  A strong leaning towards dialogue over narrative brings you into the story, as though the characters are actually in the room talking to you.

The only thing that I found disappointing was that I’d figured out the killer by the eighth chapter—there are 30 chapters in all.  For me, the killer’s attitude and composure gave him/her away.  Others may have a harder time solving the case, as I do read mysteries constantly, but for me it seemed far too easy to figure out.