BOLTED: A Manege For Murder And Love

by Bridget Beresford

Maddy Richards, a young widow, has turned her small farm into livery stables in order to cope with her bereavement. Whilst losing herself through hard and absorbing work with horses she comes to terms with her grief. However, her life is thrown into chaos when her friend Tamsin is killed in a freak riding accident. Maddy, without thinking of the danger, vows to get to the bottom of her friend’s death. In spite of the subsequent turmoil and threats to her own life, she unexpectedly falls in love. The reader is led through the many twists and turns until the cuprit is eventually caught.The author Bridget Beresford had an idyllic childhood growing up in her grandfather’s home, Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, East Sussex. However as she grew up life wasn't always a piece of cake. She spent several years married to a Frenchman where she exercised and schooled horses in the great forests of Northern France. On returning to England, Bridget earned her living breaking-in horses, eventing and riding and training point-to pointers. When diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis she eventually had to give up riding. She says, “I couldn’t afford to fall off, it caused too many problems”. She is now a dressage judge, a successful psychometrist for humans and equines, and an Equine Iridologist. Bridget Beresford has also written KNIGHTS WITHOUT ARMOUR, the re-titled edition of Home By Christmas. This compelling adventure story, set in World War I, takes the reader through the traumas and adventures of Andrew Harrington-West, a Captain in the King's Own Cavalry. For this book Bridget joined forces with Major Richard Waygood MBE. He enlisted in the Household Cavalry as a Trooper when he was 16 and left as a Major 30 years later. His wealth of cavalry knowledge and passion for the cavalry throughout the ages adds colour and authenticity to this deep and enthralling novel. thoroughly enjoyed this book it was well written and had a twist at the end that I wasn’t expecting. I look forward to reading her next novel – L.S.I read this book on holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a Dressage rider myself I almost thought I recognised some of the characters featured in the novel and loved the twist at the end. For me the ending definitely left a feeling that there is room for a sequel. So if you like an easy read from an author who clearly knows her subject matter then I would highly recommend it. - J.L.

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2012

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy's best friend Tamsin has been killed in a riding accident, but was it really an accident? Tamsin was a top class rider out hacking on a reliable horse, so how did she end up being bolted down a road?
Complicating matters is Tamsin's husband, who Maddy used to be in love with.
The story carried me along, a bit predictable in the romance aspect, and pretty far fetched in the sleuthing side of things, but if you're willing to suspend disbelief for a bunch of characters who are only a little exaggerated from their real life models, its a fair romp.
If you're looking for literature, this isn't it. The writing is fairly basic, but doesn't get in the way of the story. If you're just after an easy read with horses at the heart of it, plus a bit of romance and murder on the side, then this could be for you.

[Pam Wakelam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always looking out for decent adult horse fiction, so end up reading my way through a lot of stuff that misses the mark. This is sadly not the best fiction you'll ever read. The writing is very basic, there is no tension or page-turning drama and there are no surprises. I appreciated that the writer understands horses - which is a must for me, there's nothing worse than equestrian fiction written by a muggle - so the horse-based bits were faultless. Unfortunately, the plot and characters were mainly unbelievable. A shame as it could have been much better devised.

[Sally Eliabeth Glossop · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read, twists and turns and horses my true heaven can’t wait to read the next one

[Tiferet9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Pure escapism!!! Yes, the storry might be a bit outlandish at times, but if you are after a great light horsey holiday read this book is perfect!!!