Death by Bridle

Josiah Reynolds Mysteries #3

by Abigail Keam

Josiah is back on the trail of a murderer when she is begged by Shaneika Mary Todd to help protect her son who witnessed a murdered.

Arthur Aaron Greene III is one of Kentucky's most prominent horse men but he is found hanging from the rafters in a horse barn with stones in his pockets and a bucket of water under his feet. The only witness is a nine year old boy who can't remember.

Relentless in her pursuit of the killer, Josiah stumbles across years of lies and deceptions that include her dear friend, Lady Elsmere. Josiah discovers that she must go back to 1962 if she is to find out the truth at all, while making the rounds of quirky characters that can only be found in the lush Bluegrass horse country.

Fighting an unknown enemy in the glamorous world of Thoroughbreds, oak-cured bourbon and antebellum mansions. Josiah struggles to uncover the truth in a land that keeps its secrets well.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary

248 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2012

About the author

Hello Gentle Reader,

I am Abigail Keam, the award-winning author of the Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series and the 1930s Mona Moon Mystery Series.

I am a professional beekeeper and have won 16 awards for my honey. I live in a metal house overlooking the Kentucky River. I have the great fortune to live near some of the most beautiful horse farms in the Bluegrass.

In addition to the Josiah Reynolds Mysteries, I also write the Princess Maura Tales (Epic Fantasy) and the Last Chance Motel Series (Sweet Romance).

I love animals, Kentucky bourbon, and chocolate. Now if they could combine bourbon and chocolate together, I would be in heaven.

I come from a family of storytellers, so it was only natural I would put my stories to paper. I do so hope my tales give you some pleasure and enjoyment. I would certainly love to hear from you. Signing off now to get back to writing. Yours truly,
Miss Abigail

AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine

2020 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery

2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking

2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A Full Moon

2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A New Moon

2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery

Reviews

[Bobbi Rightmyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Keam has once again given us a clever mystery for feisty, middle-aged character Josiah Reynolds. This quick read, although presenting a new mystery, also picks up on the storylines from her previous two novels, Death by a Honeybee and Death by Drowning.

I love Josiah because she is a real woman and reminds me of myself, with all her faults, aches and pains. She is a great role model for the “imperfect” women who love to read. The supporting cast of characters is well developed, each rich with his or her own eccentricities, from the flamboyant Franklin to the handsome Matt to the cranky Lady Elsmere.

Kentucky Author Abigail Keam is also an excellent beekeeper from the Bluegrass Region, having won sixteen honey awards at the Kentucky State Fair. In her spare time, she started writing books and is quickly becoming well-known outside of Kentucky.

Mrs. Keam has written a fun, exciting and humorous book. She throws in locally known areas like the Lexington Farmers’ Market and Al’s Bar. Ms. Keam writing is more like lyrical prose, leaving the readers wanting to know more of Josiah's life and clamoring for the next book.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another entertaining installment in the series, but it was not without its issues for me. And, most of them have to do with the main character, Josiah Reynolds.

Now, I like strong, feisty heroines, and it’s refreshing in a way to have one who is not young and beautiful and prone to having gorgeous men falling instantly in love with her. Josiah is middle-aged, flawed, nosy, funny, and fiercely determined to solve the mysteries that come her way. And, for the most part, I like that about her. But, there were times in this book, and in the first two, when I really lost some respect and admiration for her, and I’m not sure I like the cougar aspect of her relationships with younger men. Her one-night stand with Matt in particular was totally uncalled-for and icky. And, it seemed like she didn’t really feel much guilt or remorse for the incident until Franklin confronted her with it. Matt also fell a little in my esteem because he gave in to her instead of turning her gently but firmly down. Her relationship with Jake was also a little disturbing to me.

Although I enjoyed learning more about Kentucky and the horse racing industry, there were times when I found the info dumps a little too extensive.

Of course, I loved Baby and his adorable habit of shoving his massive head into Josiah’s crotch whenever he wanted attention! :) The kittens were cute, too.

I shuddered when O’nan slithered his slimy way back into the picture. What a total creep! It seems poor Josiah is in for more grief and hardship from that jerk.

The ending was a little abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered, but I will be reading the next book in the series, so I hope some of them will be resolved.

This is not the best cozy mystery series I have read, but, for the most part, it is fun and entertaining.

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprises from the past and in the present brought from the past!!!!!

I give this a lot more than 5 stars.
Boy, I thought Josiah Reynolds was going through stuff, now Shaneika and her son Lincoln are mixed up in some huge secret from the past history of a football team with paid women, gambling, high rollers preying on young football players for money. Then there is murder at a horse stable at a well known stable where Shaneika stores her thoroughbred horse.
Then Josiah's bodyguard/health-care Jake has been reassigned and then bad news Fred O'nan is back in the picture blackmailing someone on the police force to stay out of prison. And an ex FBI agent mixed up in a past murder Josiah was framed for.
Man you gotta check out this book.
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!
There is so much that

[Cissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series! The individual books are pretty short, so it's easy to progress to the next, as I have been doing.

In this one, the murder was almost incidental; while it was solved, most of the book focused on character and event development in the book's context.

The books almost feel like episodes in a weekly TV show, which have both an immediate resolution of the current plot, AND add to the context for the more overall plot arcs.

Recommended if you are reading the series; this is not one to jump into.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gee whiz, another book that just abruptly ends! As with previous books, I like Josiah and her motley crew and their adventures. I do however wish that our heroine could catch a break once in a while, every time she turns around some more doom and gloom descends on her. She solves the crime and is rewarded with another kick in the teeth. Of course I am already on my book site looking for the next book in the series. A good read.

[Barbara Hornak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked

This series is sooo good if you want a quick read with enough mystery to keep you entertained. Josiah seems to always be asked to help solve a crime. This time it involves a big time horse breeder and a long ago college scandal. And she looses her close friend along the way! Enjoy!

[Mary Schildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

Third book continues to keep me intrigued. slots of info about Kentucky and social circles and horses. The mystery was simply a bonus plus the fear angle of the former cop. I'll keep reading this series.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a great series. Quick fun reads. the main character is fun. She is like someone you want to be friends with. I want to live in her house. The Butterfly. Well written. But you really need to start with the first one, Death by Bumble bee. read in order

[Jill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteries within a mystery

Really liking this series. The mysteries just keep popping up. I like the minor ones that link to the main one. And just because it's solved, don't get too settled in...its back with another twist.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t not put down this series

Wow just wow talk about twisted plots and back stabbing ‘friends’ I’m quite exhausted and can’t believe what’s happening corruption is alive and kicking in the south. So on to next fascinating instalment

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the series & another knockout! What a fun read these books are. I am looking forward to #4!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read, I like how the main story is in continued in each book and linked with the book's title story. Looking forward to reading book 4!

[Rebecca Boehringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I really like this series of books. The main character, Josiah Reynolds is an interesting salty snoop who just can't help herself but put her nose in where it shouldn't be. I like that.

[Laura Broome · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Josiah Reynolds books are so entertaining. They have a great cast of characters and are full of mystery.

[Betty Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another step

The next edition in a series of great books. I feel like I have become old friends with the main character in this series of stories. Can't wait to start the next one

[Martha Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!!

I enjoy the characters and their interaction. I can see them in the pool or eating a meal together. I can't wait to see what happens in her next book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly have enjoyed this series. I love Josiah and her eccentrics!

[Cynthia Rielley · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun series. rich characters great stories

[Jane Rayburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as much as the first two.

[Donna Ann Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful mystery solved by our bumbling slueth. I love reading these books. It makes you want to visit there and hang out at the butterfly. Love the characters and the history. Great stuff.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga continues! Love this series! A must read!

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a cliffhanger of an ending.

I learned so much about my home state that I didn’t know. I even took a KY studies class in school and didn’t learn this much. The most interesting to me: “The Keeneland Race Course, a non-profit racetrack, has given millions to local charities and is remembered for paying to have at-risk children inoculated with the Salk vaccine, helping to wipe out polio in the fifties.”

Poor Josiah, if she didn’t have bad luck she wouldn’t have any luck at all.

I do enjoy that each book I’ve read has a particular mystery pertaining to that book but there is another mystery that runs through all the books.

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, Josiah is pretty much recovered. She is back home in Kentucky enjoying the beauty of the makeover on The Butterfly and the surrounding land. The horse stable is full of paying customers and Matt has worked out a path of sustainability for The Butterfly. All is well until a horrible death occurs in the stables and a small boy is the witness.

There is more nervous energy and fear in this book than the first two but it is still a comfortable read with familiar good characters. A great weekend beach read!

[Karen Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written cozy mystery with believable characters that add to the tale. The setting is Kentucky and the ending invites the reader to look for more stories by this author. copy right 2012

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine is at it again! This time its a very young boy! Children should never be hurt by anyone! The young boy lands in the hospital where he is being treated! The boy is later released but our heroine is furious! This is a great example of great writing! Can't wait to get book 4!

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun one. I've actually finished the whole series and while some are better than others, these are just a lot if fun.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cumulative melodrama is beginning to wear, but I’m still interested (mostly in Asa).

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Kara Prem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Josiah was extra nasty in the begining of this book, and the other characters weren't all that great, so I couldn't get into it. I'll try again later, but I'm just not in the mood.

[CatJuggler · Rating 3 out of 5]

👍