What do you think?
Rate this book
FALSE START
Some lies are worth millions. Some truths are worth murder.
When Nikki Drake and her K9 Gunner are hired to protect a rebellious racehorse, she expects routine surveillance and security work. Instead, she discovers a Derby contender whose biggest threat isn't his temperament but the powerful people determined to stop him from racing—by any means necessary.
As threats escalate from intimidation to sabotage, Nikki uncovers a tangled web of secrets that extends far beyond stable politics. When a murder at the training center shatters any illusion of safety, she and Gunner find themselves racing a killer through treacherous mountain trails.
Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nikki relies on Gunner's unwavering loyalty as she faces a predator who hides behind respectability. With the Santa Anita Derby fast approaching and lives at stake, she must expose the monster hiding in plain sight—before he silences everyone who knows too much.
When Nikki Drake and her K9 Gunner are hired to protect a rebellious racehorse, she expects routine surveillance and security work. Instead, she discovers a Derby contender whose biggest threat isn't his temperament but the powerful people determined to stop him from racing—by any means necessary.
As threats escalate from intimidation to sabotage, Nikki uncovers a tangled web of secrets that extends far beyond stable politics. When a murder at the training center shatters any illusion of safety, she and Gunner find themselves racing a killer through treacherous mountain trails.
Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nikki relies on Gunner's unwavering loyalty as she faces a predator who hides behind respectability. With the Santa Anita Derby fast approaching and lives at stake, she must expose the monster hiding in plain sight—before he silences everyone who knows too much.
- GenresMystery
226 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2025
About the author
Bev Pettersen
37 books253 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author Bev Pettersen writes K9 mystery thrillers and romantic suspense that blend pulse-pounding action with unforgettable animal characters. Her Nikki Drake K9 Mystery Series features a private investigator, her loyal German Shepherd partner, and cases that test the bonds between humans and their dogs.
After establishing herself as an award-winning romantic suspense author, Bev has found her true passion in mystery thriller writing—stories where dogs are heroes, danger is real, and justice always has teeth.
A three-time National Readers Choice Award nominee, she's won numerous honors including a Kirkus Recommended Read, HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Award.
Bev competed on the Alberta Thoroughbred race circuit and is an Equine Canada certified coach, expertise she weaves into her animal-centered thrillers. She lives in Nova Scotia with her family and their four-legged companions.
Want to know more about her next K9 mystery or receive special offers? Visit https://www.BevPettersen.com and sign up for her newsletter.
After establishing herself as an award-winning romantic suspense author, Bev has found her true passion in mystery thriller writing—stories where dogs are heroes, danger is real, and justice always has teeth.
A three-time National Readers Choice Award nominee, she's won numerous honors including a Kirkus Recommended Read, HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Award.
Bev competed on the Alberta Thoroughbred race circuit and is an Equine Canada certified coach, expertise she weaves into her animal-centered thrillers. She lives in Nova Scotia with her family and their four-legged companions.
Want to know more about her next K9 mystery or receive special offers? Visit https://www.BevPettersen.com and sign up for her newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 1, 2025
False Start,
the fifth book in the K-9 mystery series by Bev Pettersen, features private investigator Nikki Drake and her German Shepherd. They’re hired to protect a racehorse and expect routine surveillance and security work. Instead, she finds a Derby contender with threats by powerful people to keep him from racing. The threats escalate from intimidation to sabotage to murder. Can Nikki and Gunner find those responsible before more deaths occur?
Horse stable politics, lies, secrets, threats, and a temperamental horse are only a few of the threads woven throughout this story. The pacing is fast, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is great. The plot is suspenseful, but a little predictable.
Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable book. I had no trouble reading this as a standalone novel. Those who enjoy quick reads with dogs, horses, and a mystery will likely enjoy this book.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was April 24, 2025.
-------------------------------------
My 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Horse stable politics, lies, secrets, threats, and a temperamental horse are only a few of the threads woven throughout this story. The pacing is fast, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is great. The plot is suspenseful, but a little predictable.
Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable book. I had no trouble reading this as a standalone novel. Those who enjoy quick reads with dogs, horses, and a mystery will likely enjoy this book.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was April 24, 2025.
-------------------------------------
My 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
January 22, 2026
Two-haiku review:
Horse rumored as wild
But trainer settled him down
Is he in danger?
Enjoyable book
The lengths people will go to
I figured out end
Horse rumored as wild
But trainer settled him down
Is he in danger?
Enjoyable book
The lengths people will go to
I figured out end
September 9, 2025
False Start by Bev Petersen was a wild ride. I aint gonna lie. I thought it was just gonna be about a horse running around and a gal walking her dog. But turns out it was about way more trouble than that.
Nikki Drake done got herself wrapped up in some mess with a big fancy racehorse that folks didnt want winning cause it would mess up their big money deals. I aint never seen so many lies stacked on top of each other. Then here come a murder and a whole lot of folks acting like they clean when they dirty as can be.
Now Nikki aint no pushover. She got grit and guts. She goes from guarding the horse to running through mountains trying not to get herself killed. The whole time I was like she better watch her back cause these people dont play fair. One second she is keeping watch and the next she is knee deep in sabotage and secrets and danger thicker than a Louisiana summer.
The book kept me turning pages cause I had to see if she was gonna figure it all out before the Derby hit and somebody else ended up in the ground. It was tense. It was messy. It even had me laughing a couple times just at how crazy folks get when money is on the line.
I will say it drug in a spot or two and I had to shake myself awake. But once it picked back up it was a sprint to the end just like that race they all sweating over.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
Nikki Drake done got herself wrapped up in some mess with a big fancy racehorse that folks didnt want winning cause it would mess up their big money deals. I aint never seen so many lies stacked on top of each other. Then here come a murder and a whole lot of folks acting like they clean when they dirty as can be.
Now Nikki aint no pushover. She got grit and guts. She goes from guarding the horse to running through mountains trying not to get herself killed. The whole time I was like she better watch her back cause these people dont play fair. One second she is keeping watch and the next she is knee deep in sabotage and secrets and danger thicker than a Louisiana summer.
The book kept me turning pages cause I had to see if she was gonna figure it all out before the Derby hit and somebody else ended up in the ground. It was tense. It was messy. It even had me laughing a couple times just at how crazy folks get when money is on the line.
I will say it drug in a spot or two and I had to shake myself awake. But once it picked back up it was a sprint to the end just like that race they all sweating over.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
May 1, 2026
Couldn't put it down.
I started reading this book this morning and instead of doing the things I should have done, I gave myself a vacation day and just sat in my recliner and kept reading. I didn't expect that I would like this book as much as I did. With the focus on horse training and preparing for a major race, I expected to be skipping around a lot. I didn't end up doing that. Nikki is helping to keep Conan, a race horse, safe until the big race, while someone else is trying to sabotage Conan's chances. If you like horses, you'll love Conan. He was sold cheaply by a big-name trainer because he said the horse was untrainable and would end up hurting someone; he'd supposedly already crippled a man. Turns out Conan was acting up because he was feeling underappreciated and just needed the attention he felt he deserved, that his new owner/trainer and her daughter were willing to give him. And Gunner is his usual awesome self. Having a great horse and an amazing dog make for an exciting story. I already have the next book, so I'll just continue on.
I started reading this book this morning and instead of doing the things I should have done, I gave myself a vacation day and just sat in my recliner and kept reading. I didn't expect that I would like this book as much as I did. With the focus on horse training and preparing for a major race, I expected to be skipping around a lot. I didn't end up doing that. Nikki is helping to keep Conan, a race horse, safe until the big race, while someone else is trying to sabotage Conan's chances. If you like horses, you'll love Conan. He was sold cheaply by a big-name trainer because he said the horse was untrainable and would end up hurting someone; he'd supposedly already crippled a man. Turns out Conan was acting up because he was feeling underappreciated and just needed the attention he felt he deserved, that his new owner/trainer and her daughter were willing to give him. And Gunner is his usual awesome self. Having a great horse and an amazing dog make for an exciting story. I already have the next book, so I'll just continue on.
July 15, 2025
I enjoy these books because I love animals, dogs and horses and they are not really difficult books to read. I also like the fact that it’s not full of guts and Gore, and crime and language and ongoing sex scenes that drive me nuts. all of that is good But I keep thinking that Justin is being taken advantage of because he just is the person who provides her with the important information she needs. There’s no ongoing deep love affair between them. in fact, no words of love at all. so that kind of that kind of turns me off, especially for people who are supposed to be in a relationship. but all in all it’s a good book
May 4, 2025
It’s been awhile since I’ve read Bev Pettersen but I throughly enjoyed reading her again. I love a good mystery and this one was really good. I love Nikki, a strong heroine who gets the job done with her loyal K9 dog, Gunner. I loved the detail of the horse racing of thoroughbreds that is well written by Bev Pettersen. She brought me into that world so well. This was so worth the read since it was the 2025 Kentucky Derby that I watched and appreciated the work of the trainers. Looking forward to Bev’s next book.
August 28, 2025
I LOVE every one of the books in this series!! Mystery, Suspense, a bit of Romance, K9 and race horses!! Mystery two favorite animals, horses and dogs, and some of my favorite genres!!
This whole series has been really well written, great characters, fast paced and addictive!! I can’t wait for the release of the next book!!
This whole series has been really well written, great characters, fast paced and addictive!! I can’t wait for the release of the next book!!
October 11, 2025
starts out sluggish but ends great
Had my doubts going in. This book seemed stiff and elementary for the first few chapters. Used acronyms unfamiliar to me w/o explanation. Then it seemed the author found footing and wrote pretty well. I enjoyed the characters and story. Look forward to a sequel.
Had my doubts going in. This book seemed stiff and elementary for the first few chapters. Used acronyms unfamiliar to me w/o explanation. Then it seemed the author found footing and wrote pretty well. I enjoyed the characters and story. Look forward to a sequel.
May 20, 2025
Great mystery centered around racing circuit. If you haven't read this series yet, my question is, why are you waiting? This latest book is awesome. Bev Pettersen's story telling skills keep getting better with each story.
May 21, 2025
Great Read.
Kept me guessing and reading into the night. The characters were great and believable. Appreciated insight into pedophilia and warning signs from victims. Book must have taken a great deal of research to get all the characters ( including the 4 legged ones,spot on).
Kept me guessing and reading into the night. The characters were great and believable. Appreciated insight into pedophilia and warning signs from victims. Book must have taken a great deal of research to get all the characters ( including the 4 legged ones,spot on).
January 11, 2026
Horse and Dog with Amazing Minds!
This is very good writing, mysteries, animals that use their instincts to do what is right. Yes, I believe in animals. Difficult to put down when reading. Enjoy everyone!
This is very good writing, mysteries, animals that use their instincts to do what is right. Yes, I believe in animals. Difficult to put down when reading. Enjoy everyone!
July 27, 2026
Lower end of 3 stars. Ashley's last name kept changing, and Nikki was either Nic or Nik. Of course, it wasn't hard to work out what was going on. Nikki's denseness regarding Jim and the assault on Ashley, especially in light of everything she 'learned' from her sister, did my head in.
April 24, 2025
Great book
Wow this book was amazing to read and made me feel like a lot of people were watching when the horses were racing
Wow this book was amazing to read and made me feel like a lot of people were watching when the horses were racing
May 29, 2025
False start
Enjoyed the book for a quick read. Fairly predictable but still pleasant. Loved that both horses and German Shepherds were involved.
Enjoyed the book for a quick read. Fairly predictable but still pleasant. Loved that both horses and German Shepherds were involved.
September 8, 2025
Very Good
This book grabbed me from page one. I loved the drama and excitement. A book with a K-9 is always going to be a good book.
This book grabbed me from page one. I loved the drama and excitement. A book with a K-9 is always going to be a good book.
March 19, 2026
great story
Lots of excitement and mystery, a loyal dog, smart horses and the people who love and respect them: a fun read
Lots of excitement and mystery, a loyal dog, smart horses and the people who love and respect them: a fun read
April 23, 2026
Another awesome book in this series! I highly recommend this series for animal people and mystery people, this book has wonderful content.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews