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The Silver Falcon
A widow attempts to fulfill her dead husband’s last request—to enter his prize horse in the Derby—and plunges into a deadly world of blackmail, revenge, and murder
Less than a year after arriving at his sprawling ancestral estate as his secretary, Isabel Cunningham marries the much-older Charles Schriber. But now Charles is gravely ill, and before he dies, he asks one last thing of his wife.
Determined to honor her husband’s deathbed wish, Isabel makes preparations to train the magnificent Silver Falcon to win the Epsom Derby. But someone doesn’t want Isabel to succeed. When she almost drowns in an accident, suspicion immediately falls on Richard Schriber, Isabel’s handsome, troubled stepson, who was estranged from his father for a decade and blames him for his mother’s tragic suicide.
As the Derby approaches and the violence escalates—a vicious attack on a stable boy is followed by two brutal murders—Isabel must confront a shattering truth about her deceased husband and the man who now ignites a dangerous desire in her. Is Richard the lover she can trust with her life? Or a homicidal maniac just waiting for the right moment to strike?
Less than a year after arriving at his sprawling ancestral estate as his secretary, Isabel Cunningham marries the much-older Charles Schriber. But now Charles is gravely ill, and before he dies, he asks one last thing of his wife.
Determined to honor her husband’s deathbed wish, Isabel makes preparations to train the magnificent Silver Falcon to win the Epsom Derby. But someone doesn’t want Isabel to succeed. When she almost drowns in an accident, suspicion immediately falls on Richard Schriber, Isabel’s handsome, troubled stepson, who was estranged from his father for a decade and blames him for his mother’s tragic suicide.
As the Derby approaches and the violence escalates—a vicious attack on a stable boy is followed by two brutal murders—Isabel must confront a shattering truth about her deceased husband and the man who now ignites a dangerous desire in her. Is Richard the lover she can trust with her life? Or a homicidal maniac just waiting for the right moment to strike?
349 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
118 books96 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 1, 2023
Enjoyable romantic suspense.
March 22, 2021
I just love how Ms Anthony writes! Each time I open one of her books I get so immersed in the plot and the characters.
The Silver Falcon was no exception. Be is espionage or the world of horse racing, she knows what she is writing about.
Her novels are timeless - even without cell phones... !!
I can’t wait for the next book to start ...
The Silver Falcon was no exception. Be is espionage or the world of horse racing, she knows what she is writing about.
Her novels are timeless - even without cell phones... !!
I can’t wait for the next book to start ...
September 25, 2018
Well, this is one of those is my husband's son really the evil man that everyone says he is stories.
The problem is that the heroine is such a stupid twit, it is impossible to discover why three men love her. The hero is a jackass who according to the book is at the very least endangers the heroine by pulling her under water.
There is some interesting things about horse racing, but the Epsom? Not the Kentucky? For a horse breeder born and bred in Kentucky? Maybe, but wouldn't he call it the Epsom as opposed to the Derby?
The problem is that the heroine is such a stupid twit, it is impossible to discover why three men love her. The hero is a jackass who according to the book is at the very least endangers the heroine by pulling her under water.
There is some interesting things about horse racing, but the Epsom? Not the Kentucky? For a horse breeder born and bred in Kentucky? Maybe, but wouldn't he call it the Epsom as opposed to the Derby?
August 19, 2007
I found it hard to like any of the book's characters.
The female lead is extremely naive and stupid, the male protagonist is a shifty character with hidden psychological disorders, and an alcoholic to boot.
Everyone smokes like chimneys. I don't know, the villain and the horse were the only genuine characters.
A very flat book indeed, some information value about horse-racing.
I have the massmarket paperback version.
The female lead is extremely naive and stupid, the male protagonist is a shifty character with hidden psychological disorders, and an alcoholic to boot.
Everyone smokes like chimneys. I don't know, the villain and the horse were the only genuine characters.
A very flat book indeed, some information value about horse-racing.
I have the massmarket paperback version.
January 26, 2021
A compelling story, even though not classy literature. Well drafted plot which keeps one in suspense. Most of the characters from Charles Schriber, his first wife's bastard son Richard, horse owner Roy Farrant and bimbo wife Patsy were credible and well portrayed. Isabel's background was a bit out of sync with her character, as with the actions of bad guy Dr. Andrew Graham. It was also a bit of a stretch to accept Isabel's nonchalant attitude towards the recurring accidents and deaths around her. Nevertheless the story kept me riveted throughout.
May 4, 2026
A suspenseful novel set in the world of horse racing, from the Kentucky to the London Derby. It was really well written and the comeuppance to the villain really really fitting. I won’t give away any spoilers, it would be a shame to ruin what the author slowly and skillfully built up. Four stars!
June 13, 2020
One of my favourite books.
April 15, 2024
A bit too over-the-top. Too many villains spoil the story.
October 26, 2024
A good read.
May 31, 2010
Beautiful story line filled with the heartland of Horse Racing. A Nurse is taking care of a elderly man who asks his nurse why she studies the handicap paper. She studies the form and bloodlines wanting a dream.
Her patient dies and leaves her money to go after her dream. This novel gets better & better..A horse lovers dream of a novel.
Everyone tells her she can't compete with the big boys but she has her own stallion to breed to.
Her farm manger screws her in oh so many ways and tries to take her dream away. She befriends an orphanage and soon has willing workers to love and care for her animals. Outlaw Farm is born.
IGNORE THIS REVIEW!!! This is not the book. I borrowed the book this review is about and cannot find it again. If anyone knows the correct title please email me immediately.
Her patient dies and leaves her money to go after her dream. This novel gets better & better..A horse lovers dream of a novel.
Everyone tells her she can't compete with the big boys but she has her own stallion to breed to.
Her farm manger screws her in oh so many ways and tries to take her dream away. She befriends an orphanage and soon has willing workers to love and care for her animals. Outlaw Farm is born.
IGNORE THIS REVIEW!!! This is not the book. I borrowed the book this review is about and cannot find it again. If anyone knows the correct title please email me immediately.
October 16, 2018
A romantic suspense novel set in the horse racing world. From Kentucky to the Derby in England, romance, murder, intrigue and, of course, horses. It starts with the dying Charles Schriber of Beaumont dying of cancer with his second wife of three years, Isabelle, at his side. He longs to live through June to see his horse, Silver Falcon, run in the Derby at Epsom Downs. He makes Isabelle promise that she’ll see the horse run. Then sends for his estranged son, Richard, to give them a chance at reconciliation, but he arrives too late. Dr. Andrew Graham, Charles’ oldest friend, tries to forbid Richard the house, but Isabelle throws the doctor out. Why the estrangement? Why does the doctor hate Richard?
April 11, 2012
I first read this book when I was eight years old (it was the first adult book I ever read), and I adored it. I've since read it numerous times and have never become bored with it. Murder, intrigue and romance all jostle for space in the exciting world of horse racing. Sure it's probably dated a bit now, but it's still a great read.
August 29, 2024
Read back in the day…..
April 28, 2017
I liked the book a lot. It is a love story, a mystery and a novel about race horses. The book starts in Kentucky, crosses to England, Ireland ,France and the rest of Europe. The book did not end as I expected or the way I would have ended it. Good reading!
March 4, 2018
this book is awesome
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews