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If You Hear Hoofbeats
Dr. Josie Harjo is used to cutting up dead bodies.
As a veterinary pathologist at a state diagnostic lab, it’s her job to figure out the cause of death in a never-ending parade of various non-human species. Most cases are cut-and-dried, and rarely will a carcass roll in that gets her racking her brain.
When a rancher shows up with a dead horse, Josie thinks it’s going to be a typical day at the office. She quickly learns that this is the third suspicious death in as many days, and the clock is ticking to figure out what’s going on before any more lives are lost.
The necropsy is frustratingly unremarkable, and Josie is forced to follow all leads no matter how implausible. Tensions rise as the rancher starts pointing a finger at a disgruntled employee and an assault charge forces the cops to start asking questions. With a hefty insurance payout on the table, Josie realizes that she can’t ignore the possibility that the rancher might be involved. As the pathologist leading the case, Josie has to wonder, is it just coincidence or is there something more nefarious killing horses at JW Ranch?
As a veterinary pathologist at a state diagnostic lab, it’s her job to figure out the cause of death in a never-ending parade of various non-human species. Most cases are cut-and-dried, and rarely will a carcass roll in that gets her racking her brain.
When a rancher shows up with a dead horse, Josie thinks it’s going to be a typical day at the office. She quickly learns that this is the third suspicious death in as many days, and the clock is ticking to figure out what’s going on before any more lives are lost.
The necropsy is frustratingly unremarkable, and Josie is forced to follow all leads no matter how implausible. Tensions rise as the rancher starts pointing a finger at a disgruntled employee and an assault charge forces the cops to start asking questions. With a hefty insurance payout on the table, Josie realizes that she can’t ignore the possibility that the rancher might be involved. As the pathologist leading the case, Josie has to wonder, is it just coincidence or is there something more nefarious killing horses at JW Ranch?
- GenresMystery
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2024
9 people are currently reading
2378 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Sequeira
6 books39 followersCatherine Sequeira is a veterinarian, author, and teacher. Originally from California, she has lived in Switzerland, New York, Oklahoma, and Scotland. She is an avid tabletop gamer and was all verklempt the first time her older son beat her at Lords of Waterdeep. She would live in the garden if she could, pretending to be Snow White or channeling her inner Poison Ivy. When the weather chases her inside, you can find her reading sci-fi and fantasy or binging horror shows. She lives in Northern California with her partner, younger son, cat, and rescue dragon (the bearded kind, that is).
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 25, 2024
I loved this book! As an autopsy assistant I found the necropsy part accurate and authentic. I use the same terminology "loppers" and I could picture the scene perfectly. It was a page turner for me and had I not had my own medical emergency I am sure I would have finished this book in a day or two. It contained all my favorite things; music during the exam, getting it all over you, including the smell, fixing brains in formalin, histo stains, and diff-quik slides.
The characters were interesting, and I appreciated the struggle of dealing with boorish men in the workplace. Unfortunately, this is all too common. The love interest in Armand made up for it and spiced up the story.
The only things that threw me off were the part where the police called and told Dr. Harjo to be careful because the ranch hand had made threats about her. I expected that to turn into something. I think because of that it made the ending a little lack luster for me.
Overall, I can't wait to read more from this author. I hope she writes lots more!
Thank you for considering me for this book in the giveaway!!
The characters were interesting, and I appreciated the struggle of dealing with boorish men in the workplace. Unfortunately, this is all too common. The love interest in Armand made up for it and spiced up the story.
The only things that threw me off were the part where the police called and told Dr. Harjo to be careful because the ranch hand had made threats about her. I expected that to turn into something. I think because of that it made the ending a little lack luster for me.
Overall, I can't wait to read more from this author. I hope she writes lots more!
Thank you for considering me for this book in the giveaway!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
How many horses...
Dr. Josie Harjo worked in a lab that searched the cause of death for many different animals. Most of her cases were cut and ɗry, but when a valuable horse was brought in, her investigative skills were challenged. This horse was the 3rd death on that farm in a very short time. The 1st 2 dead horses weren't brought into the lab, but the farm's veterinarian insisted the 3rd death be necropsied. The owner's reluctance raised suspicions. The owner and his wife insisted that a recently fired farm hand was poisoning the horses. As each diagnostic test failed to show cause of death, Josie's frustration grew, as did the frustration the others who were involved in the case. Adding to her frustration was Gerald, a tenured, misogynistic staff member who constantly belittled the female staff.
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaway and Catherine (author) and I want to thank them for this intriguing story.
Dr. Josie Harjo worked in a lab that searched the cause of death for many different animals. Most of her cases were cut and ɗry, but when a valuable horse was brought in, her investigative skills were challenged. This horse was the 3rd death on that farm in a very short time. The 1st 2 dead horses weren't brought into the lab, but the farm's veterinarian insisted the 3rd death be necropsied. The owner's reluctance raised suspicions. The owner and his wife insisted that a recently fired farm hand was poisoning the horses. As each diagnostic test failed to show cause of death, Josie's frustration grew, as did the frustration the others who were involved in the case. Adding to her frustration was Gerald, a tenured, misogynistic staff member who constantly belittled the female staff.
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaway and Catherine (author) and I want to thank them for this intriguing story.
March 28, 2024
Great Veterinarian Mystery
Thoroughly enjoyed this forensic mystery determining why the horse died. There was a lot of medical information, which was way over my head of course, and would fascinate readers with that background.
While reading the book, I had the impression that a lot of the work place sexual harassment scenes might be personal. It was sad and disturbing to read the information at the end corroborating that fact. But also gratifying to have that particular mystery solved. I like knowing what’s fact and what’s fiction in a book.
I also liked the addition of personal relationships among the staff and the addition of a fine love interest. These sparked a desire to have a sequel. What else is happening to these people. Does Gerald ever get fired, despite having tenure. I hate unfinished stories! Arghhh
Thoroughly enjoyed this forensic mystery determining why the horse died. There was a lot of medical information, which was way over my head of course, and would fascinate readers with that background.
While reading the book, I had the impression that a lot of the work place sexual harassment scenes might be personal. It was sad and disturbing to read the information at the end corroborating that fact. But also gratifying to have that particular mystery solved. I like knowing what’s fact and what’s fiction in a book.
I also liked the addition of personal relationships among the staff and the addition of a fine love interest. These sparked a desire to have a sequel. What else is happening to these people. Does Gerald ever get fired, despite having tenure. I hate unfinished stories! Arghhh
January 21, 2025
Veterinary Mystery
Extremely detailed and fascinating mystery! Josie is a veterinarian pathologist who work for the Oklahoma Department that does the necropsies for animals brought in due to deaths under suspicious or unusual circumstances. The main plot revolves around the death of a horse used for barrel racing; while this was the first horse brought in for necropsy, another horse had died at the ranch a few days earlier. The necropsy did not reveal a cause of death and the owners are difficult to interact with. The mystery deepens when more of their horses die. I enjoyed the meticulous way the author laid out each step of the process; there were enough red herrings that the solution wasn’t immediately obvious.
Extremely detailed and fascinating mystery! Josie is a veterinarian pathologist who work for the Oklahoma Department that does the necropsies for animals brought in due to deaths under suspicious or unusual circumstances. The main plot revolves around the death of a horse used for barrel racing; while this was the first horse brought in for necropsy, another horse had died at the ranch a few days earlier. The necropsy did not reveal a cause of death and the owners are difficult to interact with. The mystery deepens when more of their horses die. I enjoyed the meticulous way the author laid out each step of the process; there were enough red herrings that the solution wasn’t immediately obvious.
February 9, 2024
It had a really strong start, very descriptive and almost a feel like there was going to be a supernatural vibe. There was great build up and suspense but the ending and conclusion of the main mystery seemed rushed and sort of anti climactic with many of the minor storylines not really receiving much closure. I’m curious if there’ll be a follow up which would definitely be interesting to read and would make the quick ending of this make more sense. She is a great writer and once I started I couldn’t stop reading it! I would for sure check out any additions to this series!
December 30, 2024
First, I'd like to thank goodreads for the opportunity to receive this book. It started off quite well, and I was enjoying the characters and the story. However, it's mostly just banter. Stories of her day to day life with the mystery in the background. I enjoy medical mysteries and jargon, but this one was A LOT. I grew bored quickly. I loved Josies character and personality, but it just lacked. The ending was also just kind of a dud for me. Unless the next story is a more interesting "mystery," I'm gonna sit it out.
February 20, 2025
For me I quite enjoyed the banter in this book but unfortunately do think that was really the only thing I enjoyed. I love mysteries and this one seemed to be mystery but in the sense it was in the background, was a good quick read but all in I didn’t feel immersed in the plot or characters, and when the ending came it fell a little dull for me, I did finish it and I did enjoy it but recommendation wise I would recommend on a person to person basis.
February 11, 2024
Great Veterinary Pathology Mystery
I really enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. It brought back fond memories of my pathology rotation in veterinary school. Along with the mystery of a tough case, Sequeira also did a great job of character development and touched nicely on the necessary changes to traditional workplace culture. Thanks for a great read!
I really enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. It brought back fond memories of my pathology rotation in veterinary school. Along with the mystery of a tough case, Sequeira also did a great job of character development and touched nicely on the necessary changes to traditional workplace culture. Thanks for a great read!
January 5, 2025
I was waiting for Gerald to get punched in the face! Omg! I couldn't stand him!
The story is well written, but it did drag a bit longer than it should have. It particularly grabbed my interest more so during the second half. The story is about a mystery surrounding the death of a few horses on a farm. There are a few loose ends after reading the book, but all in all, it's a good story.
The story is well written, but it did drag a bit longer than it should have. It particularly grabbed my interest more so during the second half. The story is about a mystery surrounding the death of a few horses on a farm. There are a few loose ends after reading the book, but all in all, it's a good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
This was a great read that clearly defined the boundaries of a professional role without the main charater branching out into other lanes. The ending wrapped up quickly, but I would read more of the Josie Harjo books! I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this one from the Goodreads Giveaway!
February 14, 2025
A good veterinary mystery with just enough romance thrown in. I listened to the audio book version and found myself wishing my ride to work was longer so I could keep enjoying it! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
August 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this book.
From the first few pages I was sucked in to Dr. Harjo’s world. The author fleshed out the characters well; you liked some and you hated others. I’m definitely going to find other books in the series and enjoy getting to know more about the characters.
From the first few pages I was sucked in to Dr. Harjo’s world. The author fleshed out the characters well; you liked some and you hated others. I’m definitely going to find other books in the series and enjoy getting to know more about the characters.
January 2, 2026
Obviously liked all the vet pathology and totally related to all that. I felt it was a bit more drawn out than necessary and the ending was a little anticlimactic, but overall it was pretty good.
3/5⭐️
*listened to audiobook*
3/5⭐️
*listened to audiobook*
February 15, 2024
Entertaining storyline in this mystery
Read
March 27, 2024Medical mystery with a vet twist
October 29, 2024
Very good read. Recommend
January 29, 2025
This book was amazing.
February 18, 2025
Am excellent forensic mystery, with a bit too much detail about necropsy other scientific processes for the average person to enjoy.
August 23, 2025
I loved this forensic mystery from a veterinarian’s perspective! Great read. I was rooting for Dr. Harjo, such a likeable character. I look forward to reading Sequeira's other books.
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews