Cutter

Gail McCarthy Mystery #1

by Laura Crum

When veterinarian Gail McCarthy finds a horse trainer dead at the bottom of a gully, she finds no shortage of suspects among the hostile girlfriends, angry horse owners, and legendary rivals he left behind. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Animals, Westerns, Contemporary

196 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

About the author

Laura Crum has spent over twenty years training and showing western cowhorses, and her mystery series, featuring equine veterinarian Gail McCarthy, reflects her knowledge and love of horses. The twelve book series is available both in print and as ebooks. Laura still owns horses and rides regularly. She lives in the hills near California's Monterey Bay with her husband and son and a large menagerie of horses, dogs, cats and chickens. She be emailed and visited at lauracrum.com and blogs at equestrianink blogspot.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood]

DNF

I don't read the blurbs or short book descriptions since they usually give too much away. In this case, even if I did read the blurb, it still wouldn't have been enough of a warning.

I was hoping this would be a mystery about murdered people, not murdered horses. I quit after the second paragraph, where two horses had already died.

I'm too old for this shit. No stars.

[Ewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like it - horses, saving animals etc. However I was disgusted by things people use horses for (scarying cows etc.), horses die, I got lost in many details about 'cowboys', I didn't like characters. Not for me.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

My last two reads have been “Cozy Mysteries” - have just needed a break from all the disfunction and chaos in the world. There seems to be a CM series for whatever hobby you might have - learned a bit more about cutting horses from this one!

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written book dealing with the exploitation of horses in the cutting industry. I don't like when animals get hurt, real or imagined, so this was kind of a hard read for me. I'll probably continue the series.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much horse information for me and the crime and the solving of it were a bit unbelievable

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short, but amusing read. It's got horses in it so what's not to like!

[JoAnn Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend is found at the bottom of a ravine, but is it considered an accident? Gail finds the truth and her boyfriend saves her when she saves the day

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the grand tradition of horse racing murder mystery guru Dick Francis, Laura Crum's heroine Gail McCarthy, DVM, finds herself suddenly embroiled in unsavory goings-on in the world of big money horse enterprises. Though no expert in the cutting world the mystery surrounds, Gail puts her able, inquisitive mind to the unsettling mysteries cropping up, with a little help from a charming paramour and an endearing, trusty old dog. Laura Crum's first effort presents us with a fun read including accurate equine information and descriptions that horse lovers are sure to appreciate regardless of their chosen disciplines. Fans of women detective mysteries will also enjoy some of the sly dialogue and the flavor of a strong female lead.

[Amy R · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I read this on my Kindle, which there wasn't an option for selecting this format here on Goodreads for this particular story.

I loved the quick pace of this book. I also loved how Ms. Crum managed to make me yearn for a place I used to live (Southern California) and hated when I lived there. Great story, great writing. Can't wait to read her other books.

[Susan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gail McCarthy is an independent person that is a veterinarian in California. Her clients all seem to be people with expensive cutting horses. One of the trainers she is friends with ends up dead. Gail has her suspicions regarding the death and takes the investigation into her own hands.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of a wonderful series by Laura Crum. I thought, I had given a review in 1996 but I can't find it now. Gail is a female vet and you will love the mysteries she gets involved in. There 12 books in this series. I highly recommend them all.

[Meikoningin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is probably a better suited read for people who love horses.

[Alison (Lady Coffin) S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, liked the setting, but it was dated due to fashion being talked about in ways that are very 80's

[Pam]

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