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Cat Enright #1
The Opium Equation: A Cat Enright Equestrian Mystery
"Everyone hates Glenda. So when retired movie star Glenda Dupree was murdered at Fairbanks, her antebellum mansion near Nashville, Tennessee, there was much speculation, but no one missed her much. Prior to leaving life on earth, Glenda had managed to offend everyone in sight, including her neighbor, a (mostly) law-abiding horse trainer named Cat Enright. Cat finds Glenda s body and is implicated in the murder, and also in the disappearance of a ten-year-old neighbor, Bubba Henley. Cat thinks Bubba s disappearance ties into the murder and realizes her name will not be cleared until he is found. Although a Henley ancestor built Fairbanks, the current Henley clan lives next door in a scruffy trailer. Because the police treat the missing boy as a runaway Cat begins her quest to find Bubba, solve Glenda s murder, and clear her name. An unpopular sheriff and upcoming election mean the pressure to close the case is on. With the help of her riding students, a (possibly) psychic horse, a local cop, a kid named Frog, and an eccentric client of a certain age with electric blue hair, Cat takes time from her horse training business to try to solve the case and keep herself out of prison."
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
15 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wysocky
24 books41 followersLisa Wysocky authors the six-time award winning Cat Enright cozy equestrian mystery series (The Opium Equation, The Magnum Equation, and The Fame Equation). The series features an unlikely cast of characters including a (possibly) psychic horse, and has been optioned for film and television.
In addition, Lisa is the co-author, with Brad Cohen, of Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had. Front of the Class was seen on Oprah and Inside Edition and in People magazine, and aired as a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie. It also won several book awards and was nominated for a Faith & Freedom movie award.
Lisa has also co-authored Two Foot Fred with Fred Gill, and Walking on Eggshells, with Lyssa Chapman, a star of the reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter. Hidden Girl, the true story of a child slave here in America, was co-authored with Shyima Hall.
Lisa's book and DVD, My Horse, My Partner, help horse/human partners form amazing bonds; and Horse Country, a beautiful coffee table book, features many stars of country music and their horses.
Lisa is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International instructor and has been chosen as one of the country's Top 50 riding instructors by ARIA. She helps horses and humans connect in meaningful ways and splits her time between Tennessee and Minnesota. Find her at LisaWysocky.com, twitter.com/LisaWysocky, LisaWysocky.blogspot.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/powerofawhisper.
In addition, Lisa is the co-author, with Brad Cohen, of Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had. Front of the Class was seen on Oprah and Inside Edition and in People magazine, and aired as a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie. It also won several book awards and was nominated for a Faith & Freedom movie award.
Lisa has also co-authored Two Foot Fred with Fred Gill, and Walking on Eggshells, with Lyssa Chapman, a star of the reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter. Hidden Girl, the true story of a child slave here in America, was co-authored with Shyima Hall.
Lisa's book and DVD, My Horse, My Partner, help horse/human partners form amazing bonds; and Horse Country, a beautiful coffee table book, features many stars of country music and their horses.
Lisa is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International instructor and has been chosen as one of the country's Top 50 riding instructors by ARIA. She helps horses and humans connect in meaningful ways and splits her time between Tennessee and Minnesota. Find her at LisaWysocky.com, twitter.com/LisaWysocky, LisaWysocky.blogspot.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/powerofawhisper.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 17, 2012
As a lifetime horse person, any book with a plot framework set around horses and horse people has to be accurate or I will not continue, regardless of how good it is otherwise. This book makes no mistakes in the equine world, not even minor ones.
Overall, a very good first attempt at fiction/mystery and I think the series will get stronger. Having lived in KY for the last 12 years I am now much more familiar with the people and the region in which the book is set and find that much more interesting now than I would have as a MT native. A very good sense of the countryside and the people and attitudes. The plot revolves around actions within a family that go back to Civil War days and after living in this area, it is quite believable.
The characters were well developed, although I felt there were some inconsistencies with the main character. For a successful business woman, in the very tough business of professional training, she seemed more tentative than I would expect. I also felt she was too easily pulled away from her duties and work at the barn. With several of the scenarios she was away from the barn, leaving horses in training unridden, not too likely too happen in a successful show barn. This was the only caveat I had with the equine involvement of the book and pretty minor.
The storyline moved well, held together and only required a couple of my dreaded "Bluebeard syndrome" moments, the 'don't open that door whatever you do' scenes. Overall, I'm looking forward to the next of the series.
Overall, a very good first attempt at fiction/mystery and I think the series will get stronger. Having lived in KY for the last 12 years I am now much more familiar with the people and the region in which the book is set and find that much more interesting now than I would have as a MT native. A very good sense of the countryside and the people and attitudes. The plot revolves around actions within a family that go back to Civil War days and after living in this area, it is quite believable.
The characters were well developed, although I felt there were some inconsistencies with the main character. For a successful business woman, in the very tough business of professional training, she seemed more tentative than I would expect. I also felt she was too easily pulled away from her duties and work at the barn. With several of the scenarios she was away from the barn, leaving horses in training unridden, not too likely too happen in a successful show barn. This was the only caveat I had with the equine involvement of the book and pretty minor.
The storyline moved well, held together and only required a couple of my dreaded "Bluebeard syndrome" moments, the 'don't open that door whatever you do' scenes. Overall, I'm looking forward to the next of the series.
June 16, 2012
This is a fantastic book. I love murder mysteries and horses, so this book was perfect for me. There are a number of “Cat’s Horse Tips” that taught me a few things I didn’t know. I loved that the author added a “Cast Of Main Characters” section at the front of the book. Sometimes I get sidetracked and can’t remember exactly who someone is and this is very helpful. Also, there’s a “Map Of Cat’s Neighborhood”. It was a neat addition.
The book has an easy flow and the chapters are short enough that even at almost 300 pages, it seems like a really quick read. The book isn’t as harsh as most of the books I read and I found myself really enjoying this “toned down” murder mystery. I’m hoping this is the first in a Cat Enright series…I can’t wait to read more.
The book has an easy flow and the chapters are short enough that even at almost 300 pages, it seems like a really quick read. The book isn’t as harsh as most of the books I read and I found myself really enjoying this “toned down” murder mystery. I’m hoping this is the first in a Cat Enright series…I can’t wait to read more.
February 11, 2014
Liked the character of Cat. Surprising ending.
July 6, 2015
Loved it, an entertaining combination of horses, mystery and the Nashville landscape.
April 9, 2025
Randomly found this book browsing the thrift, & as a native Nashvillian, 29 year old barn manager/equestrian, & aspiring writer— I am SO happy I picked it up. I couldn’t help but see pieces of myself in the characters, as well as within the writing itself. I’m a firm believer that many books find us when we need them. I read this one so fast, could not put it down! Highly recommend to the horse girls that dig a great realistic mystery—thank you Lisa, for writing this book. I can’t wait to read the next! Ride/Write On!
July 22, 2018
Found another
horse fluff/mystery series with grown up characters. Nothing against kid characters, but adults (without an emphasis on "romance") is a nice change.
Interesting array of people. Love the tips - learned a few things.
On to book 2
horse fluff/mystery series with grown up characters. Nothing against kid characters, but adults (without an emphasis on "romance") is a nice change.
Interesting array of people. Love the tips - learned a few things.
On to book 2
January 10, 2023
Good read
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me wondering. I also liked the different characters and all of their personalities. It’s an easy read and very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me wondering. I also liked the different characters and all of their personalities. It’s an easy read and very enjoyable.
September 3, 2024
This is the second time I read this book. I love it.
March 1, 2025
Loved the characters in this first in the series. Could relate very well to the protagonist and several of the other characters.
June 12, 2022
Cat Enright, owner and trainer of the Cat Enright stables is busy preparing her clients and their horses for the Appaloosa horse show circuit. Her neighbor Glenda Dupree is trying to blacken Cat’s name in the horse training industry, and she goes next door to confront her. In Glenda’s front drive she finds the bloodied baseball cap of 10-year-old Bubba Henley and instead starts to search for him.
Next day Cat finds Glenda dead, beaten to death in her living room. Glenda had left behind her notebook at the Enright Stables in it is the following equation: L=opium + saffron + wine is this a clue to Glenda’s murder?
It is almost election time, and the Sheriff needs to look good to voters, so he is looking at her as the quick solution to murder. In order to protect herself Cat begins her own investigation into Glenda’s death and the missing Bubba.
An enjoyable story.
Next day Cat finds Glenda dead, beaten to death in her living room. Glenda had left behind her notebook at the Enright Stables in it is the following equation: L=opium + saffron + wine is this a clue to Glenda’s murder?
It is almost election time, and the Sheriff needs to look good to voters, so he is looking at her as the quick solution to murder. In order to protect herself Cat begins her own investigation into Glenda’s death and the missing Bubba.
An enjoyable story.
August 5, 2013
The Opium Equation reminded me of a Janet Evanovich novel, and as a huge Janet Evanovich fan, I loved this book. I liked the quirky characters, interesting plot, and humor all wrapped up in a good story. Lisa Wysocky interspersed serious situations with light moments, which made for an enjoyable read. I particularly liked her flawed characters and the voice of Cat Enright, from whose point of view the story is told.
The author included enough horse information to inform non-horse people without overwhelming them, and enough unique horse information to interest horse people as well.
I look forward to more books in the Cat Enright mystery series and hope to see many of the same characters again!
The author included enough horse information to inform non-horse people without overwhelming them, and enough unique horse information to interest horse people as well.
I look forward to more books in the Cat Enright mystery series and hope to see many of the same characters again!
May 16, 2016
I discovered Wysocky thanks to Eight Mystery Writers You Should be Reading Now. While mystery is not my primary go-to genre, I've always appreciated a well-plotted whodunit when I find one. With Cat Enright, Wysocky has obviously taken the advice "Write what you know" to heart, and has used her horse training background to build a very believable foundation for an engaging amateur sleuth. There's just the right amount of danger at the climax to build a satisfying level of tension, and the conclusion makes sense without relying on gimmicks, coincidence, or twists.
September 14, 2011
Lisa Wysocky is a fresh new voice in equine fiction. Her plucky sleuth, Cat Enright, has a heart of gold and an unlikely crew of helpers, including a psychic horse.
When Cat's neighbor is murdered, a young boy goes missing and the evidence points to Cat. She's determined to figure this out and clear her name but the stakes get higher with the turn of each page.
If you like the fun and connectivity of small Southern towns, you'll love this offering from talented horse trainer, Lisa Wysocky.The horse tips sprinkled throughout the book provide insight into horsey behavior. I've been around horses all my life, and I learned from them!
When Cat's neighbor is murdered, a young boy goes missing and the evidence points to Cat. She's determined to figure this out and clear her name but the stakes get higher with the turn of each page.
If you like the fun and connectivity of small Southern towns, you'll love this offering from talented horse trainer, Lisa Wysocky.The horse tips sprinkled throughout the book provide insight into horsey behavior. I've been around horses all my life, and I learned from them!
September 9, 2012
I am a big fan of Cat Enright, the heroine, of this story. Tough young horsewoman with a bit of recklessness in her way about living life. The "Cat's Horse Tip" at the end of some of the chapters are excellent and very much appreciated.
Bubba and Jon are likely to be two of my other favorite characters as this series continues in the future.
One of the things I wanted more in this book was how Cat's life around horses leads her to be so good at solving the mystery. More horses and stories around the barn is my wish and what would help me move this to a 5 star story.
I am certainly adding Lisa Wysocky to the list of authors I will follow and read in the future.
Bubba and Jon are likely to be two of my other favorite characters as this series continues in the future.
One of the things I wanted more in this book was how Cat's life around horses leads her to be so good at solving the mystery. More horses and stories around the barn is my wish and what would help me move this to a 5 star story.
I am certainly adding Lisa Wysocky to the list of authors I will follow and read in the future.
December 8, 2015
The characters are well developed and organic. I thought that I had the murderer figured out, and I was solid in my decision and then it turned out that I was very wrong. In addition the adventure wasn't over just because the mystery was solved, there was so much more going on.
June 21, 2016
You rarely read a book that combines history with a mystery. If that seems like faint praise, don't be fooled. It's a gift. Cat Enright's love of horses was a draw that didn't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews