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Bluegrass #1
Blood in the Bluegrass
Harper had put the past behind her. Or so she thought. Fleeing the flashy, high dollar world of Kentucky horse racing for NYC, she'd been content living the life of a successful painter. But escape isn't an option after the accidental death of her sister sends her back to the Bluegrass, a horse racing world filled with hope and heartbreak. As the body count rises as Eden Hill, Harper becomes convinced her sister's death was no accident. Probing more deeply, Harper realizes Paris' death is tied to a dark and deadly secret, one she discovers is why her racehorses are dying. Solving her sister's murder and saving her family's stud farm will take every ounce of Harper's wit and courage. When seven skeletons are discovered on the grounds, and the barn with her best Kentucky Derby prospects is set on fire, Harper bears down to find the killer. The problem is, the culprit could be anyone: Is it JD, her childhood sweetheart, Marshall, their long-time trainer, or is it their nasty neighbor Red Cole, in partnership with her family for generations?
Someone is on a killing spree, and though Harper doesn't know why, she is sure of one thing--the murderer is someone she's known and trusted her whole life.
Someone is on a killing spree, and though Harper doesn't know why, she is sure of one thing--the murderer is someone she's known and trusted her whole life.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2019
156 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Slachman
9 books10 followersVirginia Slachman spent many years as an award-winning poet and college professor before launching into a career as a novelist and writing coach. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she traveled to Los Angeles and then Aspen following college to discover life outside her staid Midwest roots. Poetry led to Ph.D. studies at the University of Cincinnati and a long, successful career in the college classroom teaching literature and writing.
Virginia worked for years with Thoroughbred racehorses just off the track. Her love of murder mysteries, research, and horses combine in her latest 5-star Amazon rated novel, Blood in the Bluegrass, first in her mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Harper Hill and JD Cole, her long-ago lover who is suddenly back on the scene. The novel weaves together a behind-the-scenes look at breeding and racing Thoroughbreds in Kentucky Bluegrass Country with a race against time, as Harper must discover the real reason behind her sister’s death, find out who’s been killing her racehorses, and save her family stud farm--all before the culprit comes for her, too. "Action packed from the get-go and filled with unique characters, the book is hard to put down as it races headlong at full speed to the finish line" says
Barry Irwin, Founder & CEO of the international racing syndicate, Team Valor International.
Virginia worked for years with Thoroughbred racehorses just off the track. Her love of murder mysteries, research, and horses combine in her latest 5-star Amazon rated novel, Blood in the Bluegrass, first in her mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Harper Hill and JD Cole, her long-ago lover who is suddenly back on the scene. The novel weaves together a behind-the-scenes look at breeding and racing Thoroughbreds in Kentucky Bluegrass Country with a race against time, as Harper must discover the real reason behind her sister’s death, find out who’s been killing her racehorses, and save her family stud farm--all before the culprit comes for her, too. "Action packed from the get-go and filled with unique characters, the book is hard to put down as it races headlong at full speed to the finish line" says
Barry Irwin, Founder & CEO of the international racing syndicate, Team Valor International.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 17, 2022
This might be a good Lifetime or Hallmark movie
I am drawn to books that take part in geographical areas I know. I was raised around Lexington KY so I thought I would give this book a try. The author did not capture the essence of KY people,culture,or geographical location. Instead her focus was on the minority elite that is the horse racing industry. It was as if the author looked at a map and dropped a few names. The author was unable to adequately seize the heart and glamour that is the Keenland race
season which should be paramount for this type of book.
Her plots,narratives and characters are corny and syrupy, and from the beginning populates each page with characters that is hard to remember and what role he or she plays I suspect she was trying to keep the reader in suspense about "who done it," but this fails to deliver a good book to read. I suppose that readers of romance novels might like this book,and it might have made a good short story. But for me it was non believable, unrelated to everyday life, and boring. I bought this book as a set with her second book but if it is anything like this one I will probably put it down.
I am drawn to books that take part in geographical areas I know. I was raised around Lexington KY so I thought I would give this book a try. The author did not capture the essence of KY people,culture,or geographical location. Instead her focus was on the minority elite that is the horse racing industry. It was as if the author looked at a map and dropped a few names. The author was unable to adequately seize the heart and glamour that is the Keenland race
season which should be paramount for this type of book.
Her plots,narratives and characters are corny and syrupy, and from the beginning populates each page with characters that is hard to remember and what role he or she plays I suspect she was trying to keep the reader in suspense about "who done it," but this fails to deliver a good book to read. I suppose that readers of romance novels might like this book,and it might have made a good short story. But for me it was non believable, unrelated to everyday life, and boring. I bought this book as a set with her second book but if it is anything like this one I will probably put it down.
March 26, 2021
Harper’s sister is dead and she’s got to come home and run the farm. Only the deaths don’t end with her sister. Not only are people dropping, but the horses aren’t even safe. There’s secrets at every turn and the deeper she digs she finds secrets that even her sister kept from her.
As a horseman who spent a couple years working in the racing industry in Kentucky, I really enjoyed this murder mystery set on an illustrious breeding farm. The horse stories sounded so accurate with their personalities and care. The interwoven story with the horse doping was eye opening as I’m sure that’s an issue but never something i dealt with.
There were a couple things I would change. First, Harper is alone in a big house and people are dropping like flies all around her, yet she doesn’t seem scared at all. Is that even possible? I think even the bravest person would be extremely alert at least. And there is a blissful tad of romance at the very end. It would have been great to have that romance arrive a little earlier. What can I say? I like a little romance string along in my books 🤷🏻♀️.
Also it wasn’t too difficult to see whodunnit from the beginning, although you don’t figure out the motives and most of the side players until the end.
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s not my typical genre and I’m glad I stepped away from my normal genre for a minute.
As a horseman who spent a couple years working in the racing industry in Kentucky, I really enjoyed this murder mystery set on an illustrious breeding farm. The horse stories sounded so accurate with their personalities and care. The interwoven story with the horse doping was eye opening as I’m sure that’s an issue but never something i dealt with.
There were a couple things I would change. First, Harper is alone in a big house and people are dropping like flies all around her, yet she doesn’t seem scared at all. Is that even possible? I think even the bravest person would be extremely alert at least. And there is a blissful tad of romance at the very end. It would have been great to have that romance arrive a little earlier. What can I say? I like a little romance string along in my books 🤷🏻♀️.
Also it wasn’t too difficult to see whodunnit from the beginning, although you don’t figure out the motives and most of the side players until the end.
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s not my typical genre and I’m glad I stepped away from my normal genre for a minute.
November 2, 2020
Harper Hill has returned from her city living, to the family stud farm. Her sister Piper is dead. Harper suspects foul play even though the death was ruled as an accident. The question is though: who? As Harper investigates possibilities, she finds a lot is happening under the surface of her family farm. How was she unaware of so many things when she was so close to her sister? They shared everything, didn’t they?
Read more at https://equus-blog.com/blood-in-the-b...
Read more at https://equus-blog.com/blood-in-the-b...
November 26, 2022
For me, really a 3, but if you're into horse farms for race horses, you should like the drive of this book. It has a lot to do with mostly running such a farm, finances, family, friends and some to do with the murders. The mysteries seemed second to horse racing stuff, low key. Being used to high energy books, I suppose this was a cozy detox? Decently written, something unusual too often these days, it had a nice flow.
November 22, 2023
As a fan of the Dick Francis/Felix Francis novels, I was immediately intrigued by the first novel in the Bluegrass series. I heard about it in an issue of St. Louis Magazine and learned the author was local - which helped me fill a prompt in the 2023 Pick Your Poison reading challenge.
It was a good read, but I think it would have been better if the point of view was consistently from the protagonist Harper.
I will plan to read the next two books in the series.
It was a good read, but I think it would have been better if the point of view was consistently from the protagonist Harper.
I will plan to read the next two books in the series.
December 9, 2022
Obviously written by a non horse person…
The ridiculous actions of horses, riders and bad folk around the horses were so annoying I could not even read this book.
The incorrect terminology combined with the horses’ behaviors was bizarrely irritating.
Please do not attempt any more books pertaining to horses and horse people.
The ridiculous actions of horses, riders and bad folk around the horses were so annoying I could not even read this book.
The incorrect terminology combined with the horses’ behaviors was bizarrely irritating.
Please do not attempt any more books pertaining to horses and horse people.
June 17, 2021
Pretty Good
Well constructed plot, knowledgable horse person who had the terminology correct. Just zero to 60 w/ no pause and a few side curve balls. did wrap up rather quickly for a unbreakable heroine.
Well constructed plot, knowledgable horse person who had the terminology correct. Just zero to 60 w/ no pause and a few side curve balls. did wrap up rather quickly for a unbreakable heroine.
August 3, 2021
A believable web of family, friends, deceit on deceit
Well written. Held my attention throughout. The story jumped around and wove an intricate maze if who was loyal and who was not. Looking forward to her next book.
Well written. Held my attention throughout. The story jumped around and wove an intricate maze if who was loyal and who was not. Looking forward to her next book.
December 15, 2021
Harper Hill is in the middle of murder and mystery upon her return to Eden Hill Stud. This is a mystery/thriller set in the Kentucky horse racing country. Fast paced and well-written. My only knock on it is I had a pretty good idea of how it would unwind at the end but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.
November 27, 2022
Page turner
I never intended to read it all when I started. But that's exact!y what I did. It's now into 'tomorrow' and I'm so sorry it ended. So very well written with everything so real. Just reach out and touch. It's all there.
I never intended to read it all when I started. But that's exact!y what I did. It's now into 'tomorrow' and I'm so sorry it ended. So very well written with everything so real. Just reach out and touch. It's all there.
January 31, 2022
Really engaging book. I couldn't put it down!
August 6, 2022
I have not posted on Goodreads for a while and I regret not posting my thoughts on this book earlier, it was a great read and I really enjoyed it. It kept my interest the throughout the whole book.
March 9, 2025
Predictable story, interesting at times, good writing. I'll finish the series to see how things pan out.
May 24, 2025
Holes
There were things in the story that, to me, indicated the author did not know much about police procedure or horse care. I also thought the main character acted stupidly.
There were things in the story that, to me, indicated the author did not know much about police procedure or horse care. I also thought the main character acted stupidly.
April 6, 2020
Harper Hill is a New York artist called back home to Kentucky after the death of her younger sister Paris. There’s nobody in her family left to run the stud farm Eden Hill, a task she willingly resumes. Once she does, however, it becomes clear that things are very wrong. Her general manager is murdered, the farm is in great debt, and the horses are suffering injuries consistent with the use of illegal drugs. Can Harper solve the mysteries and save her family’s legacy?
The story was intriguing, and I needed to know what happened. Unfortunately, it was a difficult journey with a lot of cliches. The book relied on a person’s foreknowledge or interest in horse breeding and racing terms. It seemed like the author heard advice to create a crisis whenever she got stuck - and a crisis follows every other chapter. The culprits turned out to be exactly the people you might expect, with the best means and motives. In the most troubling note, almost all of the Latino characters were either dead or implicated in the drug trade by the end of the book.
I did appreciate a perspective into a life about which I know nothing. On the whole, it was not meant for me.
The story was intriguing, and I needed to know what happened. Unfortunately, it was a difficult journey with a lot of cliches. The book relied on a person’s foreknowledge or interest in horse breeding and racing terms. It seemed like the author heard advice to create a crisis whenever she got stuck - and a crisis follows every other chapter. The culprits turned out to be exactly the people you might expect, with the best means and motives. In the most troubling note, almost all of the Latino characters were either dead or implicated in the drug trade by the end of the book.
I did appreciate a perspective into a life about which I know nothing. On the whole, it was not meant for me.
March 18, 2022
Excellent
This book is well written, interesting, and intense. It has all the markers for a cozy mystery. It is fairly long and has a lot of characters, but I give it a thumbs up!
This book is well written, interesting, and intense. It has all the markers for a cozy mystery. It is fairly long and has a lot of characters, but I give it a thumbs up!
October 4, 2024
well written, suspenseful
This book was very well written. It had a lot of knowledge about stud raising and alive for horses. The plot was suspenseful and built to a climax. I will definitely read more from this author.
This book was very well written. It had a lot of knowledge about stud raising and alive for horses. The plot was suspenseful and built to a climax. I will definitely read more from this author.
April 30, 2023
A Look at the Underbelly
Horse racing is a heart racing dangerous sport but the love of the magnificent horses overrides the sometimes dirt. Yet, in this book you can see the drama and successes and unfortunately greed. But all in all it is a great book with love in bloom and the good guys win.
Horse racing is a heart racing dangerous sport but the love of the magnificent horses overrides the sometimes dirt. Yet, in this book you can see the drama and successes and unfortunately greed. But all in all it is a great book with love in bloom and the good guys win.
May 9, 2023
Solid Plot, Endearing Characters
Blood in the Bluegrass by Virginia Slachman was a murder mystery with strong family relationships and a great love of horses. Written with a solid plot and endearing characters, the story of Harper and her sister Paris will stay with you long after you close the book.
Blood in the Bluegrass by Virginia Slachman was a murder mystery with strong family relationships and a great love of horses. Written with a solid plot and endearing characters, the story of Harper and her sister Paris will stay with you long after you close the book.
August 14, 2023
A good mystery with accurate depictions of the horse world
I really liked the accuracy of the settings in the horse world. I would have liked to have had more description. For example, we don't really see what Harper, Paris, or any other of the characters look like. I'd recommend it to any reader who likes a mystery with many twists and turns.
I really liked the accuracy of the settings in the horse world. I would have liked to have had more description. For example, we don't really see what Harper, Paris, or any other of the characters look like. I'd recommend it to any reader who likes a mystery with many twists and turns.
May 14, 2023
Great book
I highly recommend this book to everyone. The characters and plot were well developed. As a horse person I appreciated the daily farm and barn details. I look forward to continuing the series.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. The characters and plot were well developed. As a horse person I appreciated the daily farm and barn details. I look forward to continuing the series.
June 27, 2023
Excellent
Excellent facts and storyline. So much horse racing details as well as character development. i Loved all the horse details
Excellent facts and storyline. So much horse racing details as well as character development. i Loved all the horse details
August 8, 2023
Very nice story
I don't know much about horse racing, but this book gives just enough information to draw you into the story.
It is a great, fast read.
I don't know much about horse racing, but this book gives just enough information to draw you into the story.
It is a great, fast read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews