The Horse Thief

by Tea Cooper

Two people, one dream…with the past riding hard on their heels...
Can she save her family’s horse stud and reputation?

When India Kilhampton is caught up in the heart-stopping excitement of the first Melbourne Cup her mind is made up. She will breed a horse to win the coveted trophy and reunite her fractured family. Determined to make her dream a reality she advertises for a horse breeder.

Jim Mawgan arrives at Helligen Stud in the Hunter Valley to take up the position. Jim however, has a mission: he must fulfil his father’s dying wish to right past wrongs and prove his ownership of the prized stallion Jefferson.

Jim and India discover they share a common goal but as the secrets of the past unravel old enmities surface. Although betrayed, will India save Jim before he is branded a horse thief and sentenced to death?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Australia, Historical Romance

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 31, 2015

About the author

Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

India Kilhampton has always dreamed of breeding a Melbourne Cup winner. To achieve this she needs a stud master so she advertises for one. Jim Mawgan answers the ad and it seems Jim is exactly who India needs.

Once Jim arrives at Helligen Stud in the Hunter Valley he seems to settle into his task rather quickly, but unbeknownst to India he has his own secret that he intends to keep to himself. Wanting to accomplish his father's dying wish may come at a cost and could it destroy India's lifelong dream?

The Horse Thief is a remarkable story which I found really hard to put down. The descriptions throughout this story are amazing. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then make sure you read this book. I absolutely LOVED this book and I have no hesitation in recommending it HIGHLY.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable Aussie rural romance. Set in the 1860s, the story revolves around a horse stud, the fictional Helligen in the Hunter Valley. Once flourishing and prosperous, the stud is run down due to a series of tragedies. Owned by Alexander Killhampton, successful importer and exporter, it was once his pride and joy but after his wife Laila fell from her horse and became an invalid and their baby son died he sent his daughters off to school and buried himself in his business,often spending weeks away at sea. Now his eldest daughter, India is determined to rebuild the stud and has hired a studmaster, Jim Mawgan. What she doesn't know is that Jim and his family have connections with the stud and he has come back for hidden reasons.

Tea Cooper tells an interesting story and has a wonderful sense of time and place. This is not just a romance but a family saga centred around horse breeding and the early days of the Melbourne Cup when it was every breeder's aim to show they bred the best horses by winning the cup. She has also drawn some great characters. India Killhampton is in many ways a very modern woman, feisty and smart, dressing in gaucho pants and refusing to ride side saddle or marry the wealthy older man selected for her. Her younger sister Violet is almost her opposite, flirty and spoilt, she is useless around the stud and wants nothing more than to be back in Sydney going to balls and parties. And Jim, a typical horseman, who is loyal and fearless, despite his secret reasons for coming to Helligan.
Recommended for those who enjoy a well written historical romance with a good mystery to be solved.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left by her father at Helligen Stud in the Hunter Valley with her invalid mother and sister Violet, along with the servants, India Kilhampton was determined to use the twelve months her father had granted her to make a difference to the fortunes of her home. The sadness and tragedy of the past would be to some degree made better if she could breed a champion stallion which would win the Melbourne Cup.

When she advertised in the local Maitland Mercury for a Stud Master, using her father’s name but without his knowledge, she was excited to receive a response almost immediately. And when Jim Mawgan arrived regarding the position, she knew his knowledge of horses and what the job entailed made him the perfect candidate. Was it possible she could actually do what she had set out to achieve? Her excitement and passion was intense…

But Jim had an ulterior motive; one that he had no intention of telling India or any of the Kilhampton family...

As India and Jim worked out a plan to breed from the mares that remained on Helligen Stud, India felt sure that Jim had the same goal she did. Jim’s stallion Jefferson was a beautiful horse; his pride in him was obvious, the love of his horse outstanding. But gradually the secrets of a long ago past rose up, threatening to engulf them all. What had India done when she brought Jim into their lives? Was she destined to fail her family once again?

The Horse Thief by Aussie author Tea Cooper is an exquisitely written historical fiction novel which is set in the beautiful countryside of the Hunter Valley in NSW. Wonderfully descriptive, the landscape was brought to life for me – Morpeth, the steamer to Sydney via Newcastle – all familiar. Mystery, intrigue and tangled emotions mix with determination and loyalty; India was a naïve young woman who was trying to make her way in a man’s world. Her strength and desire to succeed made her a character to love. I thoroughly enjoyed The Horse Thief and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy to read and review.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful romantic yarn. Centered on the beginnings of the Melbourne Cup. Where the ability to prove, with papers, the lineage of the horse. Tea Cooper writes enjoyable yarn where the story proceeds at a cantering pace.

[Talking Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing read that had a hornets nest of activity between the Kilhampton/Cobb families set on the Helligen farm. India and Jim carried the story well and the many secondary cast of characters add their dimension to what shaped up to be an enjoyable read, with the evident attraction between India and Jim and the tale surrounding both families. The descriptives of Jefferson were awesome and his part in the story was a highlight :) Jim and India's boundless attraction was oftentimes sweet and portrayed well and formed a perfect picture for this reader. Lots of emotional elements throughout the read that this reader relished. Author Téa Cooper writes such stunning characters in many of her novels and The Horse Thief held its own for a potent read. Strong characters, a stunning backdrop and fabulous story combined for a great read.
Review copy received from the Publisher.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous read by Tea Cooper. Set in the 1860's India is full of dreams of making a go of the family horse stud and breeding a horse to run in the Melbourne Cup, not the normal occupation of a woman back then. Along comes Jim and she thinks she's found someone to help her make her dreams come true, but Jim has secrets. This book had plenty of secrets revolving around the family, in particular India's mother. Will the secrets of the past stop India achieving her dream, India will fight for her dream and for truth and love.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

India wants to bring her family's country home back to its former glory. Helligen Stud used to be so active and vibrant and India misses those days. To make her wish come true she has to show her father she's capable of running the estate and he's given her a deadline. She wants their horses to matter again and to achieve that she plans to win the Melbourne Cup. To be able to do that she needs a capable stable master. When Jim applies for the job it's like a dream come true, India's wishes might be fulfilled. Only Jim is carrying a secret, one that has everything to do with the troubled past of both of their families. When things go horribly wrong will they be able to save the situation and each other?

The Horse Thief is an amazing book about a beautiful home that has a sad history. Even though Jim and India don't know exactly what happened in the past they have to deal with the consequences of the problems between their parents. I loved the theme and the way Tea Cooper handles the secret, giving up a little bit every time. I also really liked the setting, which is amazing. I'm a big fan of books about animals and The Horse Thief doesn't disappoint in that area. The descriptions of the horses are fantastic and I enjoyed reading about their characters.

The romantic part of the story is very good. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to India. Her sister is a spoiled brat and she tries to make India marry an older man in the city so she can have her lifestyle and status back. This leads to a lot of friction, which I found really interesting. The cover of The Horse Thief is as beautiful as the story. I liked it a lot. It was fun to read about the past, to discover how people used to live back then. The connection between India and Jim is great. There are a lot of spectacular moments and I loved the ending. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

[Ann Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love nothing more than getting my teeth into a historical written by someone who takes the time to research and get it right.
Tea Cooper nailed it with the characters and the era, well done!
I've always been a fan of a strong woman and India Kilhampton doesn't disappoint in any way. It also helps that I live in the area Ms Cooper has written about and can envisage it in my mind.
Common goals, old secrets and a reputation at stake, can India save her family's livelihood and reputation with the help of the one person who could end it all?

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I won this book from an Australian Rural Romance competition which was also signed by Tea Cooper. I enjoyed reading it immensely. A story about how past events no matter how much they were covered up and misunderstood can be resolved, worked out and forgiven to make a future that was meant to be. Jim and India had a passion that brought them together no matter what happened in the past. Thanks Tea Cooper for such a great story. I look forward to more.

[Liv Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful setting. Charming leads. Was interesting to learn more about the history in the 1800s with horses and women in that era.
I enjoyed it!

[Hannah Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been sitting on my shelf for years, a romance with a strong focus on horses? Of course I bought it!

It was fun, and dramatic - but I won’t be keeping it.

[Joanna Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I opened this book and from the first page was transported to the New South Wales Hunter Valley in the mid nineteenth century. If you are a lover of horses and have experienced the magic of the Melbourne Cup, this is a world you’ll want to be lost in. This is the story of India Kilhampton - a strong, independent woman who has been given one year to turn the failing family property into a thriving horse stud. Her dream is to breed a Melbourne Cup winner. When she advertises for a horse breeder, and Jim Mawgan presents himself for work, she is faced with the answer to all her dreams and the destruction of everything she knows. The tangled web of intrigue that Mawgan begins to unravel with his presence turns India’s world upside down and sends her heart spinning out of control.

I love that this author’s historical stories are all set in and around where she lives. It brings the books to life. Tea Cooper’s descriptions of the area are so vivid, I find I am no longer a reader holding a book, but I’m walking the property, Helligen, with her, picturing the buildings, smelling the leather and seeing the glossy coats of the horses. Her visceral description of the magnificent thoroughbred, Jefferson, made him linger in my mind long after I closed the book. The author’s secondary characters were powerful and complex, adding humour, mystery and authenticity to the story and balance to the protagonists. And Jim Mawgan was the consummate hero – strong, defiant, loyal but also flawed enough to be believable and, of course, extremely desirable. Loved this book!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was 'just a romance' story - no, it was more than that. Exciting, interesting and enjoyable.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book - as with all of Tea Cooper's books the female lead is strong, independant and rallies against the confines of how women 'should' behave in society. Add in horses and evocative descriptions of the Australian landscape and it's a sure winner! Highly recommend, along with any other books by the author. Loved it!

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, whilst it was slow to start and did not develop as I expected, I did enjoy it.

[Lindsay N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Australiana tale. An easy read with good content.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilt and Misconceptions were the two reasons that moved this story... plus there was also Kilhampton's unacknowledged and deeply abiding Jealousy of Thomas Cobb that brought to the fore his base origins. BUT aside from those, there were also the realizable dreams that move India and James in their own Present akin to those that deeply motivated their parents in the Past. The equally human emotions of courage in adversity despite the odds... endurance and understanding as well as mercy for flaws in others and in themselves were all plausibly crafted in such a seamless way That was how I came to know and love this author's style.

On the other hand, I did not like the Irritating late 1960's to 1970's sitcom~like misunderstandings and reactions exhibited by India regarding James' deception... though understandable, because it involved her ego and her heart and those were pretty much unpredictable and unstoppable... so, maybe. Plus in the Epilogue there was the penultimate Annoying American Contemporary idiom "from here on in" that warped the Timeline (1865~1866). Good thing it was near the end.

p.s. ~ If 'from here on in' was en vogue then in Australia in 1866 then I apologize. Even the Annoying American word "okay" (1840) was, for me, too alien and contemporary~ish in this Timeline given the setting and despite the existence of the telegraph (1843) and faster travel and thus movement of people... it just did not feel right. Maybe after WWI, though after WWII would be very plausible, when the Johnny come lately friendly Yanks (perceived as Liberators and the embodiment of the glamour of Hollywood) dispensed their cigarettes, chocolates, and their language to war victims and dog tired allied nations' representatives including Australia who fought in Europe, Asia and Everywhere else... but that's just me.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid researcher of colonial Australian history, and writer of non-fiction family histories, I found this well-written story appealing, engaging and believable in its time and place setting and characterisation. It has inspired me to try something similar with my own writing. Thank you, Tea, for unlocking the hidden door in my current brick wall and showing me the way out. I'm now looking forward to reading your book about the cedar cutter, as my forebear Charles Homer Martin was a timber cutter in the lower Blue Mountains for several decades from the mid 1820s.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love horses and brilliant Australian historical settings, you love this. The romance was nice - although there was too much miscommunication for my personal taste. 'Can you two just talk to each other about this?' There was enough other conflicts that the miscommunication didn't need to be dragged out for so long.

However, that's a minor issue in a really lovely book. Very enjoyable historical read.

[Carolyn HOLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Tea Cooper. A son is given a task by his father when he dies. So Jim Mawgan (cobb) is hired to be a Stud Master on a farm with which he is familiar. He lies to find out information and he is found out in a very sad and tense way. Family has been compromised and betrayed, members have fractured parts of the story and it all pulls together in Tea's best style. Very enjoyable *****

[Leeanne McHarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit underwhelmed by this book. India was a very wishy washy heroine. Her family were very frustrating.

Jim actually had nothing but trouble once he was involved with them. The ending was a big let down. It jumped forward and there was no explanation of how it all happened in between.

Still an enjoyable mystery woven through the story. I just did not like the characters themselves.

Thankfully all of Tea Coopers other books are fabulous.

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

This was beautifully written and beautifully Australian. The characters had charm, the plot was well-thought out to encompass a now Australian tradition in the Melbourne Cup, and there was an ease of reading that was delightful. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Valerie Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit far fetched. I cannot imagine life in Australia, so early in its beginning, as being so sophisticated as early Sydney is depicted and so easy to get around

The countryside was described ig good detail and I found that very satisfying and I imagine very true to the period

[Penny O'shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a pretty good read but was spoilt for me by one ridiculous aspect of the plot line that was so implausible that, even though I know it’s fiction, I could not get past. Everything else was stock standard historical romance and quite enjoyable.

[Frances Dall'Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tea Cooper rarely disappoints. I picked up this book on my first visit to The Hunter Valley, NSW Australia recently, not knowing it was set in this region. What an absolute treat. It was easy to read, had me in tears in some parts and ended beautifully.

[Charlotte Howcroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I personally love historical fiction and horses, so it was not hard to love this book. The ending made me smile so much. I love the way Tea Cooper writes so I will be picking up more of her books in the future

[Rosemarye Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and hard to put down. I could smell the bush and feel all the atmosphere of the setting.
Tea Cooper has a lovely natural style of writing that really appeals. Loved the subjects and storyline and sad it came to an end.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this so it's a 3.5 star. It all resolved a bit quickly but overall a good story set in a rural Australian setting.

[Denise MF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
The family story, a strong female character, the family mystery solved in the end & wonderful landscape descriptions.
Tea Cooper write wonderful australian stories

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this one. Lovely setting and the healing power of an animal. Beautiful!!