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Natalie Gold #1
Horse of a Different Killer
"A SMART, WITTY MYSTERY. . . The suspense mounts, and the solution surprises.--The Cleveland Plain Dealer
When a quarter-million-dollar show horse and a top trainer are found brutally murdered side by side, Natalie Gold, a reporter for the Charlotte Commercial Appeal, seizes the chance to get off the fashion beat she so she knows the rich, competitive, and devious world of the show horse circuit. Teamed with handsome investigative reporter, Henry Goode, Nattie makes the rounds of the Carolina show horse circuit, pumping society matrons for scandals and tracking down trainers. But as she closes in on the truth, Nattie becomes the target for a series of increasingly savage death threats, not only to herself, but to her beloved horse, Brenda Starr. . . .
"DELIGHTFUL. . . . I hope Natalie Gold doesn't wait too long before jumping back into the suspense-story saddle again."
--Washington Post Book World
"YOU'LL WANT TO GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE IN HORSE OF A DIFFERENT KILLER.--The Virginia Pilot & Ledger
"SHADES OF ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S SILVER BLAZE! . . . Bright, lively, self-consciously a Philadelphia yenta, [Nattie is] a most appealing guide."
--Kirkus Reviews
When a quarter-million-dollar show horse and a top trainer are found brutally murdered side by side, Natalie Gold, a reporter for the Charlotte Commercial Appeal, seizes the chance to get off the fashion beat she so she knows the rich, competitive, and devious world of the show horse circuit. Teamed with handsome investigative reporter, Henry Goode, Nattie makes the rounds of the Carolina show horse circuit, pumping society matrons for scandals and tracking down trainers. But as she closes in on the truth, Nattie becomes the target for a series of increasingly savage death threats, not only to herself, but to her beloved horse, Brenda Starr. . . .
"DELIGHTFUL. . . . I hope Natalie Gold doesn't wait too long before jumping back into the suspense-story saddle again."
--Washington Post Book World
"YOU'LL WANT TO GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE IN HORSE OF A DIFFERENT KILLER.--The Virginia Pilot & Ledger
"SHADES OF ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S SILVER BLAZE! . . . Bright, lively, self-consciously a Philadelphia yenta, [Nattie is] a most appealing guide."
--Kirkus Reviews
278 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Jody Jaffe
11 books26 followersJody Jaffe's newest equine mystery, "Commander Speaks," celebrates the bond between horse and human and also shines a light on predatory behavior in equine sports and horse abuse. She is also the author of the Nattie Gold mystery series, featured in People Magazine. As a feature writer for The Charlotte Observer she was on a team that won the Gold Medal Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, John Muncie, and too many horses.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 4, 2018
I really enjoyed the story. I was afraid for awhile that the story line would be a standard cover up/switch-a-rue of the dead horse, Ruskie for Gail's horse Allie. This particular story line is believable to anyone that's NOT a horse person. Thankfully the story takes an entirely different angle. One that is even better.
I enjoyed getting to know Nattie, Henry, Gail, And Tony & even Rob. Each character was well thought out and had great details. I didn't read any gaping holes in the story where the story line should have fallen apart. Everything fit together quite nicely.
I will admit that I suspected the wrong person for quite a while in the story, which adds to the stories appeal. No one ever wants to be able to figure out who the bad guy is too easily. All of the equine pieces were well written. The story held my attention to the end. Enjoy a great read!
I enjoyed getting to know Nattie, Henry, Gail, And Tony & even Rob. Each character was well thought out and had great details. I didn't read any gaping holes in the story where the story line should have fallen apart. Everything fit together quite nicely.
I will admit that I suspected the wrong person for quite a while in the story, which adds to the stories appeal. No one ever wants to be able to figure out who the bad guy is too easily. All of the equine pieces were well written. The story held my attention to the end. Enjoy a great read!
November 14, 2018
Journalism and horses? Unless this book was a total disaster, it was a given that I'd like it. :D
Fortunately, it isn't a total disaster, but a perfectly fun and involving murder mystery ... involving journalists and horses. I liked it enough to chase down two more of her books, which seem to be out of print.
The story which starts with the brutal deaths of both a horse and a man ends up rolling through much of the horsey scene in the Carolinas and Virginia. It boasts loads of local color, and has the requisite two men for the main character to be interested in (but that's not a major part of the story). Sadly, the killing of high-price horses for the insurance money is not fiction. :(
Fortunately, it isn't a total disaster, but a perfectly fun and involving murder mystery ... involving journalists and horses. I liked it enough to chase down two more of her books, which seem to be out of print.
The story which starts with the brutal deaths of both a horse and a man ends up rolling through much of the horsey scene in the Carolinas and Virginia. It boasts loads of local color, and has the requisite two men for the main character to be interested in (but that's not a major part of the story). Sadly, the killing of high-price horses for the insurance money is not fiction. :(
December 21, 2021
Ordinarily, I would read a mystery about show horses only if it were the last book on the face of the earth. But... once, many moons ago, I knew Jody Jaffe so when I found out she had a new life as a mystery author, I had to check it out. She's done good! If you are a horse lover (which I'm still not) or have every lived in Charlotte, NC (which I definitely have), you'll enjoy this story. I don't remember ever reading a mystery set in Charlotte before and it's a great place to set a story, especially if you know it as well as Jody does - she's got the place and the people down cold. The story hangs together really well. She has another one out now with the same protagonist (newspaper reporter) and I'm going to have to go read that one now! (reviewed in 1996)
April 21, 2022
oh my god.
this book is kind of everything.
oozing with early 90's lingo. unironic use of the phrase "hold your horses." a love triangle that is so unjustified and makes absolutely no sense.
it's perfect.
and the epilogue?? it's giving every last scene in an late 90's/early 2000's rom com complete with "and me? i'm doing okay. we all got through the summer somehow." PERFECT.
horse people are endlessly weird. This exceeded my expectations and more for a horse related mystery novel set in my home city that i pulled off of my mom's bookshelf. Also, shoutout to Camden, SC, another important location in my horse-related childhood, for being a character in itself. brilliant.
this book is kind of everything.
oozing with early 90's lingo. unironic use of the phrase "hold your horses." a love triangle that is so unjustified and makes absolutely no sense.
it's perfect.
and the epilogue?? it's giving every last scene in an late 90's/early 2000's rom com complete with "and me? i'm doing okay. we all got through the summer somehow." PERFECT.
horse people are endlessly weird. This exceeded my expectations and more for a horse related mystery novel set in my home city that i pulled off of my mom's bookshelf. Also, shoutout to Camden, SC, another important location in my horse-related childhood, for being a character in itself. brilliant.
May 11, 2021
What a great book. Have to admit it's set in my world of horses and horse shows but I don't think it's a necessity to be a horse lover to enjoy this book. It's very well written and the characters are quite engaging. The story moves right along and has more substance than a lot of mysteries. It's nice to read a book set in a time before the internet and cell phones.
Just a wonderful read. Wish there were many more books in the series besides 4 existing ones.
Just a wonderful read. Wish there were many more books in the series besides 4 existing ones.
September 12, 2017
Lots of good horse and equestrian detail. I liked it!
July 31, 2020
As an English rider myself, I loved the horsey aspect of the book. Good mystery with an equine twist.
January 11, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed all the horse talk and the challenging mysteries!
January 23, 2022
Fun, engaging mystery set in the horse show world of Virginia and the Carolinas during the time when insurance fraud was big in the news. Delightful heroine and best insightful description of the horse show world, riding and training, and the horsey crowd I have ever read. Read it in one sitting - I was hooked.
August 7, 2012
#1 of the Nattie Gold series. Finalist for the 1995 Agatha and 1996 Macavity awards for Best First Novel. Introduction to a fashion writer who wants to be a feature writer for a Charlotte, NC newspaper. Nattie also rides and has a mare, Brenda Starr, who is a jumper on the show horse circuit. The interesting debut novel blends the two cultures and does it in an interesting manner.
Natalie Gold series - Nattie, a show rider whose horse is boarded where trainer Wally Hempstead was found beaten to death, has insider knowledge and contacts that make her invaluable to investigative reporter Henry Goode. Intuition tells her that trainer Rob Stone, who's been charged with murder, is innocent. Rob may be one of the few who didn't want to kill Wally. Wally beat horses viciously; over the last few years, some pricey animals under his care died suddenly, for no apparent reason. Gail, Nattie's best friend, says, ``he was scum'': words that haunt Nattie.
Natalie Gold series - Nattie, a show rider whose horse is boarded where trainer Wally Hempstead was found beaten to death, has insider knowledge and contacts that make her invaluable to investigative reporter Henry Goode. Intuition tells her that trainer Rob Stone, who's been charged with murder, is innocent. Rob may be one of the few who didn't want to kill Wally. Wally beat horses viciously; over the last few years, some pricey animals under his care died suddenly, for no apparent reason. Gail, Nattie's best friend, says, ``he was scum'': words that haunt Nattie.
September 26, 2008
HORSE OF A DIFFERENT KILLER - VG
Jaffe, Jody - 1st in Natalie gold series
When a quarter-million-dollar show horse and a top trainer are found brutally murdered side by side, Natalie Gold, a reporter for the Charlotte Commercial Appeal, seizes the chance to get off the fashion beat she so detests. Teamed with handsome investigative reporter Henry Goode, it is Nattie who knows the rich, competitive, and devious world of the show horse circuit. Together they make the rounds of the Carolina show horse circuit, pumping society matrons for scandals and tracking down trainers. But as they close in on the truth, Nattie becomes the target for a series of increasingly savage death threats, not only to herself, but to her beloved horse, Brenda Starr.
The only Dick Francis is Dick Francis but this was still very enjoyable and a good read.
Jaffe, Jody - 1st in Natalie gold series
When a quarter-million-dollar show horse and a top trainer are found brutally murdered side by side, Natalie Gold, a reporter for the Charlotte Commercial Appeal, seizes the chance to get off the fashion beat she so detests. Teamed with handsome investigative reporter Henry Goode, it is Nattie who knows the rich, competitive, and devious world of the show horse circuit. Together they make the rounds of the Carolina show horse circuit, pumping society matrons for scandals and tracking down trainers. But as they close in on the truth, Nattie becomes the target for a series of increasingly savage death threats, not only to herself, but to her beloved horse, Brenda Starr.
The only Dick Francis is Dick Francis but this was still very enjoyable and a good read.
August 16, 2016
I think I start looking for modern horse-related mysteries after I completed all the Dick Francis novels, and was pleasantly surprised in finding this story. Main character was likable, not too annoying and perfect, the riding and stable details were spot on- and I enjoyed a "new" horse scene of Charlotte, NC, instead of the typical Kentucky climate.
The first, and in my opinion the best of the three- I have always wanted more from the author.
The first, and in my opinion the best of the three- I have always wanted more from the author.
February 2, 2012
I enjoy reading about a topic that someone else knows and cares about - in this case, show riding. Good characters, Southern setting, tight plotting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews