This novel by Hazel Holt is set in the town of Taviscombe, England. Sheila Malory is the main character, an elderly grandmother who is friends with Charlie and Josephine Hamilton who run the local riding school her young grand daughter attends.

Sheila finds herself spending a lot of time at the stables as she takes her grand daughter for lessons and sometimes the grand daughter of her close friend Rosemary. The riding school environment is one of enjoyment, where young girls learn to ride by teachers who adore their horses and the hard working life of owning a horse business.

This easy going atmosphere is shattered when the much loved owner Charlie is found dead one morning by an employee. The wound on his head leaves questions of foul play. Following his death are others that although can be explained, leave Sheila feeling that they are not simply accidents or health related.

A Time to Die follows the life of Sheila Malory as she tries to juggle aging, demanding pets, family time and local commitments. A murder mystery is something she doesn’t appear to have time for, and yet Sheila’s connections and chance discussions with old time friends leave her questioning if that is exactly what she has on her hands – an unexplained murder.  The book is a light, enjoyable read though the story seems to take it’s time to unfold.

Author – Hazel Holt
http://hazelholt.coffeetownpress.com/
Fiction – murder mystery
In my library? – Indeed!  Worth keeping in the collection.
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“I don’t care who tells me to, I’m not going to die until someone proves to me that there are horses in Heaven.” – Author unknown

Set in the 1900s in Queensland, Australia, Cattleman follows the life of Ben McReady, a determined cattleman and horse rider. At a young age Ben leaves home and finds himself taken on by an older man Dan. Dan teaches Ben a lot about cattle work, in particular how to steal them from others’ properties.

As Ben learns to do this successfully and builds a large herd with Dan, he dreams of settling down and establishing his own herd, rather than his current nomadic existence of running from the law and selling stock as quickly as it is acquired.

Cattleman jumps between an older, gruff Ben reflecting on his life and how two world wars, a wife, children, money and the law have influenced his choices and the younger version who dreams of making it big from scratch, with the one animal he knows inside and out.

Although often on the wrong side of the law, argumentative and hard headed Ben McReady is a likeable character and his choices in life although incorrect at times, are explained well throughout the novel. In Cattleman, R.S. Porteous has written a highly believable story about a young man starting from scratch and making something of himself in the midst of war and the Great Depression. An entertaining and worthwhile read.

Author – R.S. Porteous
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2036697.R_S_Porteous
Fiction
In my library? – that it is; a cheap find in an op shop!
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“On horseback you could ride through the cattle and they would pay no attention. But the minute you dismount, you become a threat.” – David J Myers

I’d only vaguely heard of this race, and so was curious to read how Marguerite Henry portrayed it in this novel. A nice surprise was that it was so factually based on one Georgio Terni and his desire to race in the renowned battle of ten horses and riders.

Georgio grows up in a poor family in the Maremma, an area that is recognised as harsh. It is also recognised that animals brought up in this tough area possess that same quality. Although times are tough for the Terni family, Georgio grows up in an environment of love and encouragement.

A visit by the adored Umbrella Man affords Georgio the chance to ask the vast traveller about the Palio in Siena. This short conversation implants in Georgio the desire to be the best horse rider the world has seen; to be asked by a Contrada to ride as their Fantino in the best race the world has seen.

In Palio, Henry provides an incredible account of a young boy with a dream that cannot be achieved without determination, hard work and a belief in one’s ability. This novel provides a gripping story of one boy’s journey to see his dream come true.

The race is well described and events leading up to it as well as afterward. The soul of the Sienese and their pride in the Palio is tangible as you read and learn of this unique part of the Italian culture. Palio is an informative, incredible read well worth anyone’s time. Highly recommended!

Author – Marguerite Henry
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10652.Marguerite_Henry
Fiction
In my library? – It definitely is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“The love of horses is like a disease! It can go into remission but you can never get rid of the obsession!” – Paraphrase of Tommy Smith