Double Deal

Jan Hardy #2

by Jenny Pitman

Jan Hardy wants to train racehorses to win. And with her professional training license under her belt, she visits Ireland to buy horses at auction. But she finds out more than she bargains for in the shape of influential tycoon A. D. O'Hagan. As money worries pile up and family affairs run far from smoothly, Jan comes to depend on the friendship and support of Angie Sharp, herself no stranger to the racing business, who persuades her parents to appoint Jan as their new trainer. With the support of O'Hagan, Jan builds up a string of racehorses and her jockey starts to win races. While her reputation begins to soar, family troubles still demand her attention - as does the local GP, Doctor Tony Robinson, who wants to give her more than just his loyalty. Then as her jockey inexplicably loses his winning touch, life appears to spiral out of control. And a mysterious person from Jan's past is waiting in the wings ...

Genres: Fiction, Horses

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2002

Reviews

[Nielke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super easy read. I really liked the book up until the very end.

The main character was a real independent woman who didn't get kicked down, whatever life threw at her. For me this was one of the main reasons why the book was so addictive.

But right at the end the author had to make it a tacky romance which spoiled it a bit for me. This, to me, costed this book a star. It would have been four otherwise.

[Sheila Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very mild mannered novel about horse racing in which nothing very much happens. It’s like everyday life of horsey folk the way the Archers is everyday life of farming folk. Not really my cup of tea.

[Keith Barraclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read about a widow racehorse trainer. Nothing much happens just the interrelationships with her owners, friends & family.

[Jackie Quigley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read. I hadn’t read ‘On the Edge’ so took a while to get to know the characters. A few horse racing terms it would have been nice to have explained.

[Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a lot better than the first book of the series, although I’m not sure I can explain why. I think in part because there is a bit more of an actual mystery in Double Deal. Also a better pace and more familiarity with the characters was probably helpful. And maybe, just maybe, Jan Hardy was slightly less annoying than before. And in her case “slightly less” really makes a huge difference. Either way, while I still think it was a bit too bulky for an easy read, I liked it OK.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only problem with this random library pick was that I didn't realise it was a sequel to Pitman's first novel. Reading it, I enjoyed the characters and the setting. The main appeal when I looked at the book jacket was that the author came from the Leicestershire horsing community, and was writing what she knew. I felt this added to the descriptions and gave the story a sharper reality. The plot was a little wobbly, but that made a lot more sense when I discovered at the end that the characters and story had been developed in On the Edge, which I will probably look for along with any of Pitman's other books. Enjoyable and good horse racing.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jenny Pitman - her books are vastly entertaining and decently written. AND! She's horsewoman so gets the details right. This is her second novel, and there was a bit of a mystery in this one, which was fun, but overall we mainly just learned more about Jan's life, both in and out of the stable. Hopefully there are more in this series - I've become quite attached to the horse and human characters!

[Mary Monks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this story - it was easy to read for sure, but it lacked pizzazz. It took until around page 400 to have any real drama occur and even then it was somewhat short-lived. It was interesting to read about "behind-the-scenes" in horse racing and jumping and I became quite fond of the characters. If you are after some excitement in the books you read, then this is not for you. If, however, you just want an easy-going story to while away some hours, then this may interest you.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a book about a woman being in man's world of horses. It gives a reader insight into what a trainer and the horse world is like behind the scenes. Espically a woman trainer. Great for racing fans and people who have a love for horses.

[Lady Domino · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable