Recently I was given the chance to read and review First Past the Post by SJ Garland. This novel focuses on the thoroughbred breeding and racing world, set in the time of Queen Victoria. The protagonist, Eva McKenzie is a passionate horse woman, making her way in a man’s world. This is much to the disdain of her socialite father.
When Eva’s favoured stallion is stolen, the young woman finds herself suspicious of a British Duke who appeared at the Sheepshead Bay horse auction. He is very interested in her grey stallion and not too much time passes before a fire occurs and Eva’s stallion is stolen.
As Eva battles to unravel the mystery involving her stolen horse, she also battles a growing attraction to the British Duke who knows more than he’s letting on.
First Past the Post travels from New York to England as Eva and the Duke pursue her missing horse. Throughout this mystery, a romance grows and horses feature heavily. The story is very engaging and the dialogue between the male and female lead entertaining.
Eva has vowed never to marry. Her father’s treatment of her mother and his constant putting down of his daughter have guaranteed that. And yet, she can’t deny a growing attraction to the Duke. Francis was happy to escape the consistent planning of his mother, trying to marry him off to every available female. He didn’t anticipate coming across a tall, stubborn, well informed horse woman in the United States. And yet, he cannot deny his attraction to Eva.
First Past the Post beautifully explores the role of women in the Queen Victoria era, with a lovely focus on horses. The main characters are a delight to read about and the supporting roles build on the story. Highly recommended.
Author: SJ Garland
Fiction – historical
In My Library? As an eBook.
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