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Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery
When a fire at Liberty Racetrack kills twenty-eight horses, insurance investigator Callie Oaks goes undercover as exercise driver "Haylie Norr" to find the arsonist. Working alongside champion horses and their owners, she uncovers a web of gambling debts, blackmail, and desperate schemes. But when someone discovers her true identity and sabotages her sulky during a race, Callie realizes the killer will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. Racing against time while bonding with a traumatized filly named Sunny and falling for reporter Paul Coffman, Callie must expose the truth before she becomes the next victim.
- GenresRomance
285 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
M.J. Evans
26 books158 followersI am a graduate of Oregon State University. Upon graduation, I spent five years teaching at the middle school and high school levels. My writing, at that time, was limited to curriculum. That was not fun.
While raising my children, I coached their Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams for seventeen years. I helped them write their own stories for the competitions. During this time, I also wrote two parent handbooks for the Salem, Oregon School district on sex education.
Over twenty years ago, I was able to combine my passion for horses with my love of writing. I researched and wrote two equestrian trail guide books for the Denver area. By “research” I mean that I spent every Friday riding my horse on a new trail, be it on the plains or in the mountains. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! The result of that work was the publication of Riding Colorado-Day Trips from Denver with Your Horse, and Riding Colorado II. Both books continue to sell very well in the Denver to Colorado Springs area and have made my horse famous.
I was able to combine my love of horses with my love of fantasy in my first Trilogy. The Mist Trilogy, comprised of Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and the Rising Mist received a gold medal from the Mom's Choice Awards. My next fantasy, an allegory of the Revolutionary War, but with Trolls and Leprechauns, won first place in the Purple Dragonfly Awards for fantasy. I took a brief (2 year) break from writing fantasy to complete a contemporary, coming of age novel titled "In the Heart of a Mustang." This YA novel won first place in the Literary Classics Awards for Young Adult fiction and second place in the Nautilus Awards and the Reader's Favorite awards in the same category.
On October 1, 2016, I released the first book of my new fantasy series "The Stone of Mercy: Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles."
I have now expanded my writing interests to include Historical Fiction: "PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History," and "The Sand Pounder - Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII."
I have also had fun working with illustrators on five picture books: "PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run," and "The Skullington Family Series."
I describe myself as a “Mozart” type of writer as opposed to a “Beethoven” writer. When I sit down to write, the words just flow and I don’t have to go back and do a lot of revisions until the first draft (the foundation) is done. Then I can go back and correct and embellish all I want.
My newest venture (2026) is an Adult Mystery series set in the world of Harness racing! It's fun to try new things.
While raising my children, I coached their Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams for seventeen years. I helped them write their own stories for the competitions. During this time, I also wrote two parent handbooks for the Salem, Oregon School district on sex education.
Over twenty years ago, I was able to combine my passion for horses with my love of writing. I researched and wrote two equestrian trail guide books for the Denver area. By “research” I mean that I spent every Friday riding my horse on a new trail, be it on the plains or in the mountains. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! The result of that work was the publication of Riding Colorado-Day Trips from Denver with Your Horse, and Riding Colorado II. Both books continue to sell very well in the Denver to Colorado Springs area and have made my horse famous.
I was able to combine my love of horses with my love of fantasy in my first Trilogy. The Mist Trilogy, comprised of Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and the Rising Mist received a gold medal from the Mom's Choice Awards. My next fantasy, an allegory of the Revolutionary War, but with Trolls and Leprechauns, won first place in the Purple Dragonfly Awards for fantasy. I took a brief (2 year) break from writing fantasy to complete a contemporary, coming of age novel titled "In the Heart of a Mustang." This YA novel won first place in the Literary Classics Awards for Young Adult fiction and second place in the Nautilus Awards and the Reader's Favorite awards in the same category.
On October 1, 2016, I released the first book of my new fantasy series "The Stone of Mercy: Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles."
I have now expanded my writing interests to include Historical Fiction: "PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History," and "The Sand Pounder - Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII."
I have also had fun working with illustrators on five picture books: "PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run," and "The Skullington Family Series."
I describe myself as a “Mozart” type of writer as opposed to a “Beethoven” writer. When I sit down to write, the words just flow and I don’t have to go back and do a lot of revisions until the first draft (the foundation) is done. Then I can go back and correct and embellish all I want.
My newest venture (2026) is an Adult Mystery series set in the world of Harness racing! It's fun to try new things.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 14, 2026
This is my second book by M.J Evan’s and she has yet to miss! “Fire at the Track- A Harness Racing Mystery” is an exciting, keep you on your toes type mystery with raw emotions and a satisfying ending. Very well written and the investigation plot is carefully crafted. There’s a few sensitive heart moments so be ready with your tissues
April 21, 2026
Great Read
I loved the book! It was entertaining and informative. I don't know much about harness racing and it was fun to see the workings of it up close. The story was exciting and I read it in one day I was enjoying it so much!
I loved the book! It was entertaining and informative. I don't know much about harness racing and it was fun to see the workings of it up close. The story was exciting and I read it in one day I was enjoying it so much!
April 21, 2026
Fire at the Track is the kind of mystery that grabs you by the heart before you even realize it’s happening. The barn fire scene is written with such clarity and emotion that I felt myself right there in the smoke and chaos, grieving the loss and desperate for answers.
The dialogue feels natural, the pacing is tight, and the scenes are so vividly drawn that I could picture them just by closing my eyes. I found myself racing through chapters, constantly guessing who might be responsible and second‑guessing every theory I came up with.
As someone who grew up around horses, this book hit a special place for me. It’s a beautiful tribute to the world of harness racing - the grit, the heart, the community. It’s a story full of tension, authenticity, and heart, and I absolutely loved it.
The dialogue feels natural, the pacing is tight, and the scenes are so vividly drawn that I could picture them just by closing my eyes. I found myself racing through chapters, constantly guessing who might be responsible and second‑guessing every theory I came up with.
As someone who grew up around horses, this book hit a special place for me. It’s a beautiful tribute to the world of harness racing - the grit, the heart, the community. It’s a story full of tension, authenticity, and heart, and I absolutely loved it.
April 21, 2026
Couldn't put it down!
This was an absolutely fantastic book! I couldn't put it down! Mystery, suspense, and great characters. I highly recommend it.
This was an absolutely fantastic book! I couldn't put it down! Mystery, suspense, and great characters. I highly recommend it.
May 2, 2026
A book well worth reading.
I loved the way this book kept you wanting to read more. The short chapters keep me from putting the book down. The murder mystery was riveting, the characters were easy to get to know. I recommend this book to all who enjoy a myo
I loved the way this book kept you wanting to read more. The short chapters keep me from putting the book down. The murder mystery was riveting, the characters were easy to get to know. I recommend this book to all who enjoy a myo
May 1, 2026
Fire at the Track by M.J. Evans is a harness racing mystery built around a barn fire that kills twenty-eight horses and shakes the Liberty Racetrack community to its core. The book opens with the thrill of the sport, especially the rise of Eat My Dust, then quickly turns that excitement into grief, suspicion, and an insurance investigation. At its center is Callie Oaks, an investigator with real horse-world experience, who goes undercover at the track to find out whether the fire was an accident, negligence, or something far more deliberate.
What makes the book work best is how strongly it understands the emotional world of horse people. The horses aren’t background decoration. They’re the reason everyone is there, and the reason the crime feels personal. The line “They were like family” captures the heart of the story in a simple way, because the loss in Barn 7 isn’t treated as just property damage. It’s a wound shared by owners, trainers, grooms, drivers, and even the night watchman who can’t forgive himself for saving only one horse.
Callie is an appealing lead because she’s capable without feeling slick or distant. Her undercover identity, Haylie Norr, gives the story a nice layer of tension, especially as she gets pulled back into the rhythm of barn life and into training the filly Sunny. The mystery moves through insurance fraud, gambling debts, grief, jealousy, and cover-ups, but it stays grounded in everyday racetrack details: feedings, stall assignments, vet records, training routines, and the politics of a tight community where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
The book also has a warm secondary thread in Callie’s connection with reporter Paul Coffman. Their relationship doesn’t take over the mystery, but it gives the story a softer place to land after some heavy material. By the end, when the investigation has exposed Tommy Valdez and Frank Morrison, and the track begins repairing both its safety systems and its sense of trust, the final stretch with Callie, Sunny, and Paul feels earned. The closing idea that survivors “get back in the sulky, gather the lines, and race toward whatever finish line waited ahead” fits the book’s steady, hopeful view of recovery.
Fire at the Track is a sincere, horse-centered mystery with a strong sense of place and a lot of affection for the harness racing world. It’s part crime story, part community drama, and part comeback story. The best parts are the ones where the book lets readers feel the barn, the track, the grief, and the bond between people and horses. It’s a conversational, accessible read for mystery fans, especially readers who like animals, racetrack settings, and stories where justice matters because the victims mattered.
What makes the book work best is how strongly it understands the emotional world of horse people. The horses aren’t background decoration. They’re the reason everyone is there, and the reason the crime feels personal. The line “They were like family” captures the heart of the story in a simple way, because the loss in Barn 7 isn’t treated as just property damage. It’s a wound shared by owners, trainers, grooms, drivers, and even the night watchman who can’t forgive himself for saving only one horse.
Callie is an appealing lead because she’s capable without feeling slick or distant. Her undercover identity, Haylie Norr, gives the story a nice layer of tension, especially as she gets pulled back into the rhythm of barn life and into training the filly Sunny. The mystery moves through insurance fraud, gambling debts, grief, jealousy, and cover-ups, but it stays grounded in everyday racetrack details: feedings, stall assignments, vet records, training routines, and the politics of a tight community where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
The book also has a warm secondary thread in Callie’s connection with reporter Paul Coffman. Their relationship doesn’t take over the mystery, but it gives the story a softer place to land after some heavy material. By the end, when the investigation has exposed Tommy Valdez and Frank Morrison, and the track begins repairing both its safety systems and its sense of trust, the final stretch with Callie, Sunny, and Paul feels earned. The closing idea that survivors “get back in the sulky, gather the lines, and race toward whatever finish line waited ahead” fits the book’s steady, hopeful view of recovery.
Fire at the Track is a sincere, horse-centered mystery with a strong sense of place and a lot of affection for the harness racing world. It’s part crime story, part community drama, and part comeback story. The best parts are the ones where the book lets readers feel the barn, the track, the grief, and the bond between people and horses. It’s a conversational, accessible read for mystery fans, especially readers who like animals, racetrack settings, and stories where justice matters because the victims mattered.
May 28, 2026
M J Evans has written a good mystery in Fire At The Tracks, and it held my attention throughout.
It is a whodunit with a few suspects, and the author keeps the reader guessing about the murderer. Everyone has a motive, with suspicious activity attached to them, during the barn fire.
The author combines the details of the horses and the racing well in the story. In fact, the main character finally leaves her original profession and becomes a horse lover in the end, which is quite interesting.
The main character, Callie, does her job well in investigating who is behind the act of setting the barn on fire. She takes the help of the other characters to ultimately achieve her objectives.
The characters in the story are well developed and are three-dimensional. The readers can connect with them and feel emotional about them in the story.
The plot moves at a steady pace without any boring events in it, and the writing style is lucid and professional. The author has inflicted the emotions through a proper combination of dialogues, characters' actions, and subtext associated with it well.
I recommend this story to all the mystery whodunit lovers who like to enjoy a weekend read over a couple of cups of coffee.
It is a whodunit with a few suspects, and the author keeps the reader guessing about the murderer. Everyone has a motive, with suspicious activity attached to them, during the barn fire.
The author combines the details of the horses and the racing well in the story. In fact, the main character finally leaves her original profession and becomes a horse lover in the end, which is quite interesting.
The main character, Callie, does her job well in investigating who is behind the act of setting the barn on fire. She takes the help of the other characters to ultimately achieve her objectives.
The characters in the story are well developed and are three-dimensional. The readers can connect with them and feel emotional about them in the story.
The plot moves at a steady pace without any boring events in it, and the writing style is lucid and professional. The author has inflicted the emotions through a proper combination of dialogues, characters' actions, and subtext associated with it well.
I recommend this story to all the mystery whodunit lovers who like to enjoy a weekend read over a couple of cups of coffee.
June 29, 2026
Fire at the Track is the first book I've read by M.J.Evans and I hope to read more of her works. This was a really slick polished mystery that I recommend for anyone, especially horse lovers. It was very clear that many of the characters, including the FMC, really loved horses. And everything horse related was so well written and detailed so that even those unfamiliar with sulky racing could understand. Unfortunately that's pretty much all I felt I 'knew' about the FMC - her love of horses. Other than that she felt a bit 2D - I didn't know much about her quirks or flaws and I think that would have helped me get to know her better so I cared more for her. But she was obviously a nice character and I loved the pacing and the plot and the bitesized chapters. Whizzed through this one. (P.S. I was endlessly confused about whether Sarah Ferguson was the same as the ex member of the British royal family? It felt odd for her to crop up but her name was always used with both names which had me thinking it must be her...was a bit confused about that but it didn't distract from the gripping story)
July 17, 2026
Fire at the Track begins with a genuinely upsetting crime, but M.J. Evans handles the tragedy with restraint and quickly turns the story toward the investigation. Callie is a capable, believable lead, and her background in harness racing gives her a natural reason to move through the track community without feeling like an outsider dropped into the plot. I knew very little about Standardbred racing before reading this, so I especially enjoyed the details about training, driving, and daily life behind the scenes. The information is worked into the story smoothly and rarely feels like a lesson.
The mystery gives Callie several plausible suspects, along with enough financial and personal motives to keep the investigation interesting. I did have an early suspicion about where the story might be going, but there were still enough complications and smaller revelations to hold my attention. Overall, this is an engaging mystery with a distinctive setting, a sympathetic protagonist, and enough equestrian detail to appeal to horse enthusiasts without excluding readers who are completely new to the sport.
The mystery gives Callie several plausible suspects, along with enough financial and personal motives to keep the investigation interesting. I did have an early suspicion about where the story might be going, but there were still enough complications and smaller revelations to hold my attention. Overall, this is an engaging mystery with a distinctive setting, a sympathetic protagonist, and enough equestrian detail to appeal to horse enthusiasts without excluding readers who are completely new to the sport.
May 12, 2026
I wasn't sure a mystery about harness racing would pull me in, but the opening with twenty-eight horses dying in that fire just hit me right in the chest. And the author didn't let up Eat My Dust's rise, then the sudden grief of the whole barn, it all felt so raw and real. What I loved most was how authentic the horse world felt; it's clearly written by someone who knows that track life inside out, from the feed schedules to that poor night watchman who carries the guilt of saving just one horse. The scene where Callie goes undercover as "Haylie Norr" and starts training the filly Sunny while secretly digging into insurance fraud and gambling debts had me completely locked in. It's not a high-speed thriller, but a slow, emotional burn that made me care about every single character, human and horse alike. Honestly, a really satisfying read.
June 1, 2026
“Fire at the Track: A Harness Racing Mystery” by M.J. Evans follows the investigation of a harrowing case of arson in which a stable of 28 standardbred racing pacers are killed in a fire set in the middle of the night. The cover depicts a woman and horse in silhouette next to the burnt remnants of a structure with a barn in the background. The story is aCallie works for the insurance company whose policies cover the prized horses. Because of Callie’s past experience as a horsewoman who raced pacers, her boss chooses her to go undercover at the track to determine who could have committed this dastardly crime. Callie develops several possible suspects and works with a local newspaper reporter, who is covering the story. This is a taut and well-researched story with an engaging plot that combines a mystery with a bit of sweet romance. I enjoyed the book very much.
June 23, 2026
The mystery of the arson pulled me in with such force I was compelled to discover the secrets this book holds. The event which is the catalyst for this book was written with such power and force I found it difficult to stomach and yet impossible to stop reading. The fallout, as you can imagine, is riddled with doubt and suspicion from many parties and I enjoyed how Callie came to unpick the mystery and follow the trail. The horses and the racing culture does not stray far from the authors thoughts and I found myself learning more about horse care and harness racing than I have before. The story gets heavy and dark in its subject matter and I found Callie’s connection to Sunny a welcome break on occasion.
June 21, 2026
Fire at the Track features an exciting style, with natural dialogue and a fast pace.
It contains a pedagogical message that extols resilience and strength in dealing with grief. This emerges from the final metaphor of "getting back on the sulky and taking the reins"; its function is to symbolize the courage to move forward after a tragedy. Another key figure of speech is the simile "They were like a family": it serves to humanize horses, elevating them from mere property to true affections to amplify the sense of loss.
I would recommend this read to mystery fans, animal lovers and anyone who appreciates stories of strong solidarity and community rebirth.
It contains a pedagogical message that extols resilience and strength in dealing with grief. This emerges from the final metaphor of "getting back on the sulky and taking the reins"; its function is to symbolize the courage to move forward after a tragedy. Another key figure of speech is the simile "They were like a family": it serves to humanize horses, elevating them from mere property to true affections to amplify the sense of loss.
I would recommend this read to mystery fans, animal lovers and anyone who appreciates stories of strong solidarity and community rebirth.
April 22, 2026
HORSES AND MYSTERY
M.J. Evans has done it again! If you love horses AND a good mystery, then I highly recommend FIRE AT THE TRACK! I’ve been reading and watching mysteries for decades and it has been easy for me to quickly guess “who dunnit.” But not with this captivating story! I had a very difficult time putting this book down. I look forward to reading ALL of this author’s books.
M.J. Evans has done it again! If you love horses AND a good mystery, then I highly recommend FIRE AT THE TRACK! I’ve been reading and watching mysteries for decades and it has been easy for me to quickly guess “who dunnit.” But not with this captivating story! I had a very difficult time putting this book down. I look forward to reading ALL of this author’s books.
July 12, 2026
Nice little book. Gave a lot of information on harness racing and the people who work and train horses. The story surrounding the fire and subsequent cover-up attempt added to the mystery. The romance between the investigator and the reporter was minimised so it didn't bog down the narrative. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2026
What a suspenseful and interesting story!! I grew up reading horse racing mysteries like all the Dick Frances novels and this one fit right into that genre. I loved that it was set in a Standardbred stables and so much was focused on the horses. I'll admit the beginning was hard to read when it came to the fire but it was tastefully done and showed respect to the horses.
I loved getting to know Sunny and follow along with her early training. It was neat to get such a clear look at life on the backside of the track and all the care the horses needed. It was written in such a way that an experienced horse person can enjoy it while a non-horse person can also enjoy the story without getting overwhelmed by horse facts.
I enjoyed the light romance that was mixed it. It allowed the book to not get to heavy from the main suspense and mystery plot. Callie was a great character and I really liked her connection with the horses.
This was an engaging and thrilling story! I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. The writing was descriptive and did a beautiful job of bringing the story to life. I would definitely recommend it!!
I loved getting to know Sunny and follow along with her early training. It was neat to get such a clear look at life on the backside of the track and all the care the horses needed. It was written in such a way that an experienced horse person can enjoy it while a non-horse person can also enjoy the story without getting overwhelmed by horse facts.
I enjoyed the light romance that was mixed it. It allowed the book to not get to heavy from the main suspense and mystery plot. Callie was a great character and I really liked her connection with the horses.
This was an engaging and thrilling story! I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. The writing was descriptive and did a beautiful job of bringing the story to life. I would definitely recommend it!!
June 21, 2026
Good Mystery
A really fun horse mystery. I loved all the details about harness racing that made it feel like I was not only following a bunch of clues, but also learning about the sport.
A really fun horse mystery. I loved all the details about harness racing that made it feel like I was not only following a bunch of clues, but also learning about the sport.
July 12, 2026
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about harness racing, and came out the other side genuinely wanting to go see a race in person. MJ Evans does a wonderful job weaving the world of standardbred racing pacers into a taut, well-crafted mystery that educates as much as it entertains. The scenes are descriptive and vividly brought to life, and the writing itself is polished and professional throughout.
The story follows Callie, an insurance investigator with a horsewoman's past, who goes undercover to find out who set a stable fire that killed 28 prized horses. The plot moves at a steady pace, the suspects are well developed, and everyone has a motive that keeps you guessing. The characters feel three-dimensional and emotionally engaging, and there is even a thread of sweet romance woven in to balance the tension.
A small note: some of the dialogue felt slightly stilted in places, but it never detracted from the overall experience. And while I did piece together the mystery before the final reveal, that is more a testament to my years of watching Castle than any weakness in the storytelling.
If you love horses, mysteries, or simply great regional storytelling, this one is absolutely worth your time.
The story follows Callie, an insurance investigator with a horsewoman's past, who goes undercover to find out who set a stable fire that killed 28 prized horses. The plot moves at a steady pace, the suspects are well developed, and everyone has a motive that keeps you guessing. The characters feel three-dimensional and emotionally engaging, and there is even a thread of sweet romance woven in to balance the tension.
A small note: some of the dialogue felt slightly stilted in places, but it never detracted from the overall experience. And while I did piece together the mystery before the final reveal, that is more a testament to my years of watching Castle than any weakness in the storytelling.
If you love horses, mysteries, or simply great regional storytelling, this one is absolutely worth your time.
July 7, 2026
That turned out to be such a more complex mystery than I was anticipating! I enjoyed all the twists and turns. I just wished the chapters weren't so short; the new chapters every several pages made it hard to get sucked in at times.
Won in a Goodreads giveaway.
Won in a Goodreads giveaway.
August 14, 2026
A gripping harness racing mystery! When arson kills 28 Standardbreds at Liberty Racetrack, insurance investigator Callie Oaks goes undercover as an exercise driver. Authentic equestrian detail, tight suspense, and a page-turning plot make this a must-read. Highly recommended!
May 17, 2026
Good story
I could not but this book down. Suspense and mystery that grabs you from the start. I will have to look for other books by this author.
I could not but this book down. Suspense and mystery that grabs you from the start. I will have to look for other books by this author.
August 2, 2026
loved it
August 5, 2026
This is a nice little mystery with a good plot, well written characters and some interesting harness racing information. A good summer's read.
August 12, 2026
Riveting! I didn't want to put it down, and can't wait for Book 2!
April 30, 2026
I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THE INTRIGUING STORY OF TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH IN THE WORLD OF HARNESS RACING! THE AUTHOR MADE YOU FEEL YOU WERE AT THE STABLE AND AT THE TRACK WHERE ALL THE EXCITEMENT WAS HAPPENING. FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE HARNESS RACING WORLD, AUTHOR INTRODUCES THE READER TO THE INTRICACIES OF WHAT IT TAKES TO TRAIN A HORSE TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH PULLING A TWO-WHEELED SULKY IN A VERY DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT. THE PLOT GETS EVEN MORE INVOLVED WHEN A FIRE MYSTERIOUSLY OCCURS IN THE STABLE AND THE PROTAGONIST IS SENT IN AS AN ASSISTANT TRAINER/ UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATOR TO GATHER INFORMATION. THE READER GETS ENGAGED TRYING TO SOLVE CASE ALONG WITH THE INVESTIGATOR, WHICH MAKES READING THE BOOK SO MUCH FUN!
April 21, 2026
M.J. Evans’ “Fire at the Track” starts with the energy of a horse race and never lets up the heat. Based on a true story of a tragic fire killing 28 horses in the harness racing business, this mystery leaves the reader guessing throughout. A plucky protagonist and her new local journalist partner put their wits together to figure out which of the cast of villians is the guilty party, or even if several were working together. The reader also learns details of harness racing while moving through this fast-paced story. Highly recommended for both mystery readers and horse lovers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews