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Colleen McCabe #1
Foal Play
WINNER OF THE MALICE DOMESTIC COMPETITION FOR BEST FIRST TRADITIONAL MYSTERY NOVEL
Colleen McCabe is enjoying an uneventful summer in North Carolina's Outer Banks supervising her firefighters, making rounds with her Border collie, Sparky, and keeping an eye on the wild horses escaped from the local sanctuary. But when a dead body washes up on shore, she knows trouble has arrived in Corolla.
Colleen is ready to start work on the investigation, but much to her irritation, her best friend, Sheriff Bill Dorman, makes it clear he doesn’t want her butting her nose in or poking around. The stubborn Colleen, however, is not so easily deterred. When a man with a gun is spotted lurking around the lighthouse and her former school teacher’s house explodes, she adds arson and a second suspicious death to her informal investigation. Colleen soon finds herself juggling her job, amorous advances from the town’s developer, and intrusions from the local press, all while keeping information from Bill. Her secret sleuthing quickly comes to an end, however, when a bigger threat enters the picture.
With a gutsy heroine, a lovable dog sidekick, quirky characters, and a charming locale, Kathryn O'Sullivan's Foal Play is a zany, fun-filled ride sure to please mystery readers.
Colleen McCabe is enjoying an uneventful summer in North Carolina's Outer Banks supervising her firefighters, making rounds with her Border collie, Sparky, and keeping an eye on the wild horses escaped from the local sanctuary. But when a dead body washes up on shore, she knows trouble has arrived in Corolla.
Colleen is ready to start work on the investigation, but much to her irritation, her best friend, Sheriff Bill Dorman, makes it clear he doesn’t want her butting her nose in or poking around. The stubborn Colleen, however, is not so easily deterred. When a man with a gun is spotted lurking around the lighthouse and her former school teacher’s house explodes, she adds arson and a second suspicious death to her informal investigation. Colleen soon finds herself juggling her job, amorous advances from the town’s developer, and intrusions from the local press, all while keeping information from Bill. Her secret sleuthing quickly comes to an end, however, when a bigger threat enters the picture.
With a gutsy heroine, a lovable dog sidekick, quirky characters, and a charming locale, Kathryn O'Sullivan's Foal Play is a zany, fun-filled ride sure to please mystery readers.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2013
8 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn O'Sullivan
11 books139 followersKathryn is a writer and professor emerita. Her latest novel, WHEN EARTH SHALL BE NO MORE, is the first in a science fiction thriller trilogy co-written with Paul Awad. The book won the 2023 IPPY Award (Bronze) for Science Fiction. Her latest films are the documentary BICENTENNIAL BONSAI: EMISSARIES OF PEACE and the crime drama A SAVAGE NATURE (Gravitas Ventures). She is winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Award and author of the Colleen McCabe series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 27, 2015
I just finished Foal Play: A Mystery by Kathryn O’Sullivan. It is an entertaining cozy mystery and it is the first book in the Colleen McCabe series.
Colleen McCabe is the Fire Chief in Corolla, North Carolina. Colleen has a dog named Sparky and a Siamese cat called Smokey. An important part of the Corolla are the rare Spanish mustangs. They are normally kept safe inside the sanctuary, but due to storm damage they are wandering around the island. The Lighthouse Wild Horse Preservation Society, headed by Myrtle Mae Crepe, helps keep them safe.
Myrtle Mae Crepe is a feisty sixty-five year old. She is very opinionated, likes to have her own way, and has the subtlety of a fog horn! Myrtle used to teach third graders (Colleen was one of her students). Myrtle has a son, Bobby. Bobby is forty years old and still lives at home. Bobby is also a member of the Preservation Society.
It is the Fourth of July and Colleen is supervising the fireworks. When a fire breaks out at the Crepe home, Colleen rushes to the house, but she is too late. They find a dead female body in the house. Bill Dorman, county sheriff and friend of Colleen’s, is the investigating officer. Colleen has a habit of sticking her nose into investigations and this time Bill asks her to keep her nose to herself!
Who would want to kill Myrtle Mae Crepe? Corolla seems to be experiencing a crime wave because another dead body turns up on the beach. No one seems to know the victim. Then a little girl and Sparky find drugs hidden on the beach. In addition Colleen is having to deal with Antonio “Pinky” Salvatore. Pinky is a real estate developer who seems determined to burn the refuse from the construction site. Burning is not allowed and Colleen keeps having to issue citations.
Foal Play is a cute and charming cozy mystery. The characters are quirky and entertaining. I give Foal Play 4.5 out of 5. The mystery, though, was a wee bit easy to solve. I look forward to reading the next book in the Colleen McCabe series.
Colleen McCabe is the Fire Chief in Corolla, North Carolina. Colleen has a dog named Sparky and a Siamese cat called Smokey. An important part of the Corolla are the rare Spanish mustangs. They are normally kept safe inside the sanctuary, but due to storm damage they are wandering around the island. The Lighthouse Wild Horse Preservation Society, headed by Myrtle Mae Crepe, helps keep them safe.
Myrtle Mae Crepe is a feisty sixty-five year old. She is very opinionated, likes to have her own way, and has the subtlety of a fog horn! Myrtle used to teach third graders (Colleen was one of her students). Myrtle has a son, Bobby. Bobby is forty years old and still lives at home. Bobby is also a member of the Preservation Society.
It is the Fourth of July and Colleen is supervising the fireworks. When a fire breaks out at the Crepe home, Colleen rushes to the house, but she is too late. They find a dead female body in the house. Bill Dorman, county sheriff and friend of Colleen’s, is the investigating officer. Colleen has a habit of sticking her nose into investigations and this time Bill asks her to keep her nose to herself!
Who would want to kill Myrtle Mae Crepe? Corolla seems to be experiencing a crime wave because another dead body turns up on the beach. No one seems to know the victim. Then a little girl and Sparky find drugs hidden on the beach. In addition Colleen is having to deal with Antonio “Pinky” Salvatore. Pinky is a real estate developer who seems determined to burn the refuse from the construction site. Burning is not allowed and Colleen keeps having to issue citations.
Foal Play is a cute and charming cozy mystery. The characters are quirky and entertaining. I give Foal Play 4.5 out of 5. The mystery, though, was a wee bit easy to solve. I look forward to reading the next book in the Colleen McCabe series.
May 22, 2014
This book caught my attention because it was set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and mentioned the Whalehead Club which I had seen a picture of and heard some of the background earlier. So, I decided to read it. It was quite a fun read.
There is a body found in a tide pool on the beach and it has been burned so is not recognizable. The fence around the Spanish Mustang Sanctuary has come down and the horses are roaming up and down the island until the fencing is repaired. The Sanctuary officials are constantly roaming around and trying to keep the houses rounded up and out of the way of tourists so they don't get struck by cars or injure any tourists.
Then the head of the Sanctuary's house burns up. Fire Chief Colleen McCabe is upset when her firemen find a body in the house that they believe is Myrtle Crepe's. Her best friend the sheriff is none too pleased about her efforts to find out what happened. But Myrtle had complained to Colleen just a few hours before that she had seen some men with guns and the Whalehead Club and that they had seen her, too. Myrtle was afraid they would kill her since she had seen them. Later, her house is discovered on fire and a burned body is discovered in the kitchen. Everyone assumes that the body is Myrtle - it is her size and her house, after all.
So, imagine Colleen's surprise when Myrtle beats on her door late that night. Who is the body? and what was going on? Was someone really trying to kill Myrtle? Other strange things begin to happen in the town...and makes Colleen really suspicious and gets her in trouble with her friend, the sheriff.
There is a body found in a tide pool on the beach and it has been burned so is not recognizable. The fence around the Spanish Mustang Sanctuary has come down and the horses are roaming up and down the island until the fencing is repaired. The Sanctuary officials are constantly roaming around and trying to keep the houses rounded up and out of the way of tourists so they don't get struck by cars or injure any tourists.
Then the head of the Sanctuary's house burns up. Fire Chief Colleen McCabe is upset when her firemen find a body in the house that they believe is Myrtle Crepe's. Her best friend the sheriff is none too pleased about her efforts to find out what happened. But Myrtle had complained to Colleen just a few hours before that she had seen some men with guns and the Whalehead Club and that they had seen her, too. Myrtle was afraid they would kill her since she had seen them. Later, her house is discovered on fire and a burned body is discovered in the kitchen. Everyone assumes that the body is Myrtle - it is her size and her house, after all.
So, imagine Colleen's surprise when Myrtle beats on her door late that night. Who is the body? and what was going on? Was someone really trying to kill Myrtle? Other strange things begin to happen in the town...and makes Colleen really suspicious and gets her in trouble with her friend, the sheriff.
February 24, 2015
I gave this a shot because I'm from the area it takes place in, but the setting details were lifeless and disappointing.
The characterization fell flat, the heroine was forgettable, and the zany twist made me assume that every single person in the community was unobservant and easily fooled.
The prose was simplistic and choppy, with character names stuffed in thickly enough that I wonder if someone worried we might forget them.
The characterization fell flat, the heroine was forgettable, and the zany twist made me assume that every single person in the community was unobservant and easily fooled.
The prose was simplistic and choppy, with character names stuffed in thickly enough that I wonder if someone worried we might forget them.
May 24, 2013
Award winning, first in a new series and horses. I thought this book would be a great read. I was terribly disappointed. The story was mediocre at best filled with cartoon characters and names. Little Bobbie, Sweet Boy, Crazy Charlie etc. Also I do not enjoy when names are constantly repeated just for filler. In one paragraph alone Colleen was mentioned 5 times. Every page was filled with - Colleen talked, Colleen walked, Colleen wrote, Colleen called, Colleen said to Myrtle, Myrtle said to Colleen. This really adds nothing to the story and slows it down. The ending and murderer were pulled right out of a hat. Will not be continuing with this series.
June 8, 2015
Wow, I loved this book. It is great to see a female lead character that is also a Fire Chief. This book had me from the first chapter. Can't say enough about the characters and how they suck you into their lives. I am excited to read the next book in the series to find out what is next for Colleen:)
February 5, 2014
Great cozy mystery! Promises to be a good series.
August 26, 2018
Could not finish this. Flat characters, a little too cliche with the zany personalities. No thanks.
November 4, 2013
Kathryn Sullivan won an award for traditional mysteries with this book, and I can see why; it's a dead body mystery in a small coastal town, that slowly ups the intensity as it moves along. The lead character is Colleen McCabe, the local fire chief. She has an interest in Bill Dorman, the sheriff, but they are just friends, at least during this novel. The island they live on, off the North Carolina coast, is slowly being taken over by tourists and newcomers who want mansions on the dunes. There are some complications with this, specifically, the wild horse population, a fluctuating herd of mustangs. When a body, burned beyond recognition, is found in a tide pool on the beach, Colleen becomes interested, but really starts taking notice when the head of the island mustang conservation group, Myrtle, sees a man with a gun prowling around during the Independence Day celebration. When Myrtle is presumed dead because of a house fire and a body found within, her son, her best friend, and the man who's trying to build up the island become suspects. But when Colleen and her 'uncle', Mitch, find a lot of buried drugs in the dunes, and a teacher trying to help them turns up murdered, they know something really terrible is happening.
While formulaic, this is a very good first effort. The author doesn't let any of the characters get bigger than the story itself. Actually, I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and would appreciate if the author goes a bit more in depth for them. The scenery is well-written. I'd probably recommend it as a quick read for any of my friends who are interested in mysteries.
While formulaic, this is a very good first effort. The author doesn't let any of the characters get bigger than the story itself. Actually, I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and would appreciate if the author goes a bit more in depth for them. The scenery is well-written. I'd probably recommend it as a quick read for any of my friends who are interested in mysteries.
June 9, 2013
Read the full review on my blog, Chick Lit Cafe! http://loonachicklit.wordpress.com/20...
Colleen embodies everything I love in a female protagonist. She’s fearless, strong-willed, witty – and an animal lover to boot. Plus she’s a firehouse chief, which is quite impressive all in itself! Her colorful sidekicks were all very amusing, especially the flirtatious real estate developer, Pinky Salvatore, who habitually summoned her to his bachelor pad with smoke signals. But most of all – I enjoyed Colleen’s horse-herding border collie, Sparky.
If you love animals, charming small-town settings and entertaining characters, this book’s for you. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, and even the most seasoned mystery buffs are likely to be surprised by the ending. All in all, this is one heck of a debut, and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.
January 1, 2017
Review: Colleen is a fire chief on the island of Corolla. A man is found on the beach and her friend Bill the police chief warns Colleen to stay out of the investigation. Colleen's third grade teacher is found dead in a fire she responds too and Colleen is pulled into the investigation.
I really love the setting in this book. However, I struggle to give this a proper rating. I liked the characters and some were very comical and well developed but I thought the involvement in the investigation could have been done in a more reasonable manner.
I think the series shows potential but I kept thinking that she should have made other choices. Some just didn't make a lot of sense.
I have to give this a lower rating because of this. I would say between 3 and 3.5 but probably closer to 3. But again really good promise..
I really love the setting in this book. However, I struggle to give this a proper rating. I liked the characters and some were very comical and well developed but I thought the involvement in the investigation could have been done in a more reasonable manner.
I think the series shows potential but I kept thinking that she should have made other choices. Some just didn't make a lot of sense.
I have to give this a lower rating because of this. I would say between 3 and 3.5 but probably closer to 3. But again really good promise..
May 20, 2013
Colleen McCabe likes her life as fire chief of her Outer Banks community, although she wishes that sheriff Bill Dorman would get over "just being friends" and get around to asking her for a date. But everything changes when the house of an elderly teacher explodes, and a body is found in the ruins. The local developer, rumored to be involved in the Mafia, has just sponsored a fireworks performance--did the off-island pyrotechnicians set the blaze? A strange visitor inspires--or forces--Colleen to help investigate the crime, even though her activities endanger her friendship with Bill.
June 2, 2013
This is O'Sullivan's first novel and the work is done very well. I enjoy the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Spanish mustangs, and the discussions of firefighting. The prime character in this new series is Colleen McCabe, a fire chief in a small Outer Banks community in North Carolina. I love the quirky characters, especially Myrtle Crepe and her son. The story has a little romance, but no graphic sex or violence. Of course, this story contains many memorable four legged friends such as Smokey and Sparky. The story is well written with break taking scenery and hilarious character.
December 16, 2013
Although I was put off by the somewhat silly title, I decided to try this first in a series of NC mysteries set in Corolla. I was pleasantly surprised that, despite the title, the story turned out to be well-written and fast-paced. Anyone who's read Philip Craig's Vineyard series will be able to identify with this one: life in a small town, conflicts between tourists and natives, and a murder or two to solve. And I was also reminded of Margaret Maron's NC mysteries when I read this one. So maybe the next title won't be so silly, or maybe I'll just ignore the title and read it anyway!
February 5, 2014
This was a competent first mystery, and the venue reminded me of Chincoteague, one of my favorite places in the world (spent my honeymoon there.) Loved Myrtle and Bobby and hope they show up again...esp. Myrtle as Mitch.
The one false note was Bill and Colleen allowing the art teacher to wander off and get herself murdered. Felt it was gratuitous and a simple threat or thwarted attempt could have sufficed. Plus, there aren't enough good teachers in the world...and what about the kid who was so attached to her?
The one false note was Bill and Colleen allowing the art teacher to wander off and get herself murdered. Felt it was gratuitous and a simple threat or thwarted attempt could have sufficed. Plus, there aren't enough good teachers in the world...and what about the kid who was so attached to her?
June 19, 2016
Many of the authors you meet at Malice Domestic have gimmicks in their series: knitting, quilts, ghosts, tea, recipes, etc. O'Sullivan's North Carolina has wild horses, but unlike Rita Mae Brown, they don't talk to each other and don't try to solve the mystery, no gimmicks.
Our heroine, Colleen, faces the challenge of doing a "man's" job as a woman, and this is one of the things that make the book interesting. I wonder that nobody figured out Mrs. Crepe's disguise, but will let that pass. Pleased to have another author on my list.
Our heroine, Colleen, faces the challenge of doing a "man's" job as a woman, and this is one of the things that make the book interesting. I wonder that nobody figured out Mrs. Crepe's disguise, but will let that pass. Pleased to have another author on my list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2016
I have been to this area so when I met Kathryn O'Sullivan at Ladies' Night at Turn Of The Page Bookstore it excited me that she had books portrayed there. My youngest sister even got married in the church where the funeral takes place. She described the church perfectly and several other attractions there. The character of Colleen is fantastic. She liked to get involved in areas that she would be safer if she just stayed out of it and minded her own business. Her feisty spirit prevents this and takes the reader right into the story.
August 27, 2013
This is a mystery set in the North Carolina Outer Banks. The main character is Colleen McCabe who is the fire chief in Corolla. She likes to solve things so gets herself involved in the investigation of a body found on the beach and the house fire which turns to murder when a body is discovered. Sheriff Bill Dorman is a by the book cop who doesn't like colleen being involved. The horses of the title are the wild Spanish mustangs found on the Outer Banks.
March 8, 2014
It wasn't a bad story...the horses had a VERY small part in the plot...but still, I'd read another by this author. The characters were funny, the plot was not sizzling and riveting, but enjoyable. Yes, there was a murder but it wasn't all gory blood and guts. I think once the author develops a style her books will be great. She's sort of waffling between a few genres at the moment, but still, I enjoyed the book.
May 14, 2016
I just got back from a trip to the Outer Banks when I picked up this book. I was immediately back on the beach with this story. I love the descriptions of the area and the wild horses as well as the strong female protagonist. The main character, Colleen, the fire chief, and her trusty dog Sparky keep the story moving and make you want to keep reading to see what will happen next. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 9, 2013
There really is a threatened herd of Spanish mustangs on the coast of North Carolina. There really is a Corolla, North Carolina. The Whalehead Club exists as well as Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Road trip, anyone?
Visit my blog for a more complete review Book Keeping.
Visit my blog for a more complete review Book Keeping.
June 25, 2013
I feel like I didn't give this book the attention it deserved--I think I read it too fast. I like the characters, though I felt like Colleen's schedule as the fire chief was a little loose; she seemed to have a lot of time for sleuthing.
All in all, I enjoyed it, and look forward to the next one.
All in all, I enjoyed it, and look forward to the next one.
July 6, 2015
Enjoyed this author's first mystery, particularly since I have vacationed in the Corolla area/Outer Banks for many years and my spouse is a firefighter. I've been reading a lot of intense, sometimes very dark, mysteries (S.J. Bolton, Barry Maitland, Deborah Crombie, etc.), so this was a departure - a quick cozy read.
January 24, 2015
The situation/story line was a little ridiculous and the killer was not difficult to figure out but the writing was easy to read and fast paced. I vacation in Corolla every year and I really enjoyed all the references to real locations and businesses making this a fun read for me. It held my interest enough to read the next book in the series.
August 9, 2013
Some of the situations are highly unlikely, and the writing suffers from "tell not show", but this was not bad for a first novel. I have vacationed on the Outer Banks, so I enjoyed the local color and the presence of the wild horses.
August 13, 2013
This is a debut and probably the first in a new series. I like the Outer Banks location and the addition of the wild horses is a definite plus. The story was good but not great. Characters were a bit stereotypical, in my view. However, I will probably read the next book in the series.
June 13, 2014
the fire inspector gets involved with solving a murder mystery when a dead man is found on the beach and a woman is found inside a burned building. With the help of the police inspector she is able to do this. The setting is the North banks of the Eastern coast.
October 19, 2014
Another mystery for Outer Banks lovers. The descriptions of Corolla and the wild mustangs is excellent. The mysteries are fun, too. This one was the first in the series. I've read number two and went back to find this one.
August 30, 2021
This was a good read because i have vacationed in Corolla before and having an author write about places you have been is awesome. You are able to picture the scene so clearly. The mystery kept me guessing and with all the subjects you never knew who it was going to be.
June 3, 2013
A light summery beach read. It read more like a comedy. It would be hysterical to watch as a movie or sitcom.
June 6, 2013
I liked this book. The characters were quite well developed and the plot was interesting. The woman in disguise was a bit far fetched though, however, it did not spoil the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews