In the last season of his career Josh Swallow is stalking winning horses, so he can garner the title of champion jockey. At the same time, he himself is being stalked. Steve Hodson narrates this novel with such honed ferocity that listeners may feel they're experiencing the plot from a jockey's saddle during a thrust-to-the-line at Cheltenham. Just as easily, Hodson creates the plummy tones of an elderly woman. He is adept at drawing out soft vowel sounds to make them sound like nails on a blackboard. Bodies, secrets, and death threats abound until the final surprise on the penultimate jump. One terrific listen! K.A.T. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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Review
Horseracing is big business and horseracing fiction is a serious proposition. Francome, of course, is arguably the best there is in the genre, or passing the finishing line neck and neck with Dick Francis. Here one Josh Swallow, champion jockey, plans to slip into retirement at the top of his profession by ending the season as champion jockey, but newcomer Ben O'Brien also has his eye on the title. As for Leo Leovell, once Swallow's trainer, he has switched sides and joined the O'Brien camp. And what Swallow doesn't know about is his number one fan, his stalker. Intrigue in the horseracing fraternity. The author is also a regular fixture on TV coverage of the races and isn't shy about self-promotion.
