I can’t remember when I first got access to this series but as a young teen, I devoured any book I could get my hands on, impatiently reading copies in the school and local library when I didn’t have the funds to buy another in the series.

Book number 19 in the Thoroughbred series originally written and created by Joanna Campbell, this book is authored by Karen Bentley. Despite the change of writers, Cindy’s Heartbreak reads like those earlier in the series written by Joanna Campbell, not suffering a continuity issue.

A great series for pre-teens and teens alike, Cindy’s Heartbreak follows Cindy McLean’s love of a particular racehorse, Storm whom she has helped to train as a young racehorse.

Following the usual ups and downs in racing, Cindy works through the issues that arise in Storm’s racing career, convinced that the pair can work through anything and that Storm is the fastest sprinter that raced.

Tragedy strikes 100 miles from home when there is an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia and suddenly the horses at Whitebrook have to be tested when Storm appears sick.

Cindy’s Heartbreak enlightens readers to the disasters of infectious diseases and what an epidemic can do to the livelihood of a farm. It also brings into focus the importance of quarantine issues and protocols while around horses that may be contagious.

Although a book for the younger reader, it’s an informative read and does a great job of portraying the excitement of working with horses, and I’ve no doubt this series is the cause of many a young person wanting to pursue work with horses whether it be in racing or otherwise.

Author: Karen Bentley; created by Joanna Campbell.
http://www.joannsimon.com/joanna/books.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred_(series)
Fiction – 19th book in the Thoroughbred series.
In my library? Indeed. Sometimes a bit off the mark with regards to factual information regarding horses but a great read for the young horse enthusiast.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Tag: horse story, equine book review, joanna campbell, karen bentley, equine author, horse library, horse writing

While at the Premier Yearling Sales at Oaklands Junction in February of this year, I came across a heap of books for sale for $5 and managed to snap up one of the Dick Francis novels I didn’t yet own.

Reflex mixes two of my favourite things – horses and photography and because of the storyline, is so far my favourite of his mystery novels.

Reflex revolves around jumps jockey Philip Nore who is just drifting along in life, taking whatever is thrown his way without high expectations for life or high opinions of himself.

A talented photographer but not seeing himself as skilled, just one who enjoys his hobby, Nore finds himself with a collection of odds and ends from a recently deceased photographer who lived in the racing world, capturing people’s best – and often worst – moments on film.

Quietly relieved that the sadistic photographer has passed on, Nore is amazed to find out much more about this character after his untimely death.  Such information leads him to a number of different investigations with regards to people in the racing world; investigations that start to threaten his own livelihood.

Throw in the grandmother who hates him, questions of who his father is and an annoying solicitor and it seems Nore almost doesn’t have time for the horses he rides for a living.  Reflex again shows the brilliant mind of Dick Francis and is a most enjoyable read.

Author: Dick Francis
http://www.dickfrancis.com/
Fiction – Crime.
In My Library? Absolutely.  Interesting and detailed enough to cause you to learn along the way, Francis keeps you interested to the end.  A small amount of swearing but otherwise a clean read.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Check out other book reviews and what is currently in my equine library.

“Lessons from your horse: when you’re worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.”

tag: horse story, equine book review, dick francis, equine author, horse library, horse writing