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Death by Equine
Misplaced trust. Veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at Riverview Racetrack so he can take a long-overdue vacation. When he's tragically killed by one of his equine patients the night before he's supposed to leave, Jessie quickly suspects the death is anything but accidental. Her search for the truth is thwarted by everyone from well-meaning friends to the police, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Undaunted, she discovers layers of illegal activities and deceit being perpetrated by the man she thought of as a father figure, creating a growing list of suspects with reason to want Doc dead. Too late, she realizes that her dogged quest for the truth has put her in the crosshairs of a devious killer desperate to silence her. Permanently.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2021
About the author
Annette Dashofy
24 books505 followersAnnette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of 18 mystery/thriller novels. She won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award and has multiple Agatha Award nominations. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather’s dairy farm in southwestern Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 16, 2021
A great start!
A great start to a new series. This one is as good as the Zoe Chambers series and it has raw horses, too!
A great start to a new series. This one is as good as the Zoe Chambers series and it has raw horses, too!
May 12, 2021
Veterinarian Jessie Cameron has agreed to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at Riverview Racetrack so Doc can take a much-deserved two-week vacation. However, the night before Doc is supposed to leave, he is killed by one of the horses at the track. Jessie’s work at the track makes her begin to question the supposed accident that killed Doc. Could there be more to it than the police are seeing? The more Jessie investigates, the more she begins to see her mentor in a different light. Did she really know the man? What secret she is uncovering led to his death?
I always love it when an author manages to come up with an unusual murder weapon, and that’s exactly what author Annette Dashofy has done for this stand alone. I may have been impatient, but I felt the book was a bit slow at the beginning, but it wasn’t long before I was caught up in the story and all Jessie was learning. The climax was wonderfully suspenseful. I did struggle with how little the police believed Jessie, which is funny since it is part of so many other books I read. The characters are wonderful. They are fully realized and help draw us into the story, confusing us on what exactly is going on until Jessie figures it out. Like Annette Dashofy’s other books, this one has a smattering of foul language and a tad more violence than in the cozies I normally read. These are cozy adjacent or traditional, and I’m sure if you enjoy cozies you’ll enjoy these, too. If you’ve wanted to try Annette’s books, this is a great place to jump in. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this one as well.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I always love it when an author manages to come up with an unusual murder weapon, and that’s exactly what author Annette Dashofy has done for this stand alone. I may have been impatient, but I felt the book was a bit slow at the beginning, but it wasn’t long before I was caught up in the story and all Jessie was learning. The climax was wonderfully suspenseful. I did struggle with how little the police believed Jessie, which is funny since it is part of so many other books I read. The characters are wonderful. They are fully realized and help draw us into the story, confusing us on what exactly is going on until Jessie figures it out. Like Annette Dashofy’s other books, this one has a smattering of foul language and a tad more violence than in the cozies I normally read. These are cozy adjacent or traditional, and I’m sure if you enjoy cozies you’ll enjoy these, too. If you’ve wanted to try Annette’s books, this is a great place to jump in. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this one as well.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 8, 2021
Having a stand-alone novel written by the author of one of my favorite series (which also makes her one of my favorite authors) is a reading bonus I’m delighted to welcome. Annette Dashofy’s Death by Equine takes readers into the world of horses and horse racing, and having grown up in and lived all my life in the state of Kentucky, that’s a world surrounding me. My drive home from college in Lexington, Kentucky took me past horse farm after horse farm, a beautiful sight. Although I live in the state that claims perhaps the most famous horse race of them all, The Kentucky Derby, I have to admit I was rather ignorant of all the daily care that goes into assuring the health of these amazing animals. From reading Death by Equine, I soon learned why a veterinarian at a racetrack is a full-time position. Being a vet to these large, powerful, and often temperamental animals can be a dangerous job, and readers will quickly grasp that fact in the opening pages of this book. Annette Dashofy takes us right smack to the backside of the track, where the business of keeping expensive horses ready to run truly does take a village.
Pennsylvania veterinarian Jessie Cameron has signed on to take over the duties of her mentor and father figure Doc Lewis at the local racetrack for two weeks. Jessie has her own veterinary practice she shares with a friend, but she is happy to fill in for Doc, who is taking his wife on a long over-due vacation. However, just hours before Doc can leave town he is trampled and killed by a horse at the track while attending to the horse in its stall. The death is ruled an accident, but Jessie doesn’t feel comfortable with that call.
Toxicology reports show a tranquilizing substance in the horse’s blood test, and Jessie knows that Doc was aware not to give it to the horse due to the horse’s violent, aggressive reaction to it. Jessie’s soon-to-be ex-husband and state trooper Greg tells her she needs to let it go and accept the coroner’s ruling. But, Jessie feels too strongly that her long-time friend Doc was set up to die on a bogus emergency call for the horse. She feels a debt to the person who gave her so much and was responsible for her becoming a vet herself.
With the police clearly not interested in investigating a death ruled as accidental, Jessie forges ahead on her own. She wants to find out if anyone deliberately placed Doc in harm’s way, but the layers are deep and dark, and Jessie will uncover more than she bargains for. She isn’t sure who she can trust as she struggles with disturbing revelations about Doc and the Riverview Track backside community. The secrets people protect are motive for deceit and even murder. Jessie’s inquiries and research of Doc’s records put her on a collision course with a killer. The reader feels her frustration and finally her terror. The twists and red herrings keep Jessie and the reader suspecting first one person at Riverview Track and then another.
Annette Dashofy creates unforgettable characters. Having fallen in love with Zoe Chambers and Pete from the Zoe series, I know just how hard I can fall for them. She’s captured my heart again with Jessie and her supporting cast. As well as the characters the reader roots for, there are those characters that the author is so good at making you dislike, too. Annette Dashofy knows how to evoke emotional responses to characters and their actions, be it someone rescuing a sweet kitten or someone deliberately dosing a horse to kill.
Readers are once again fortunate to be in the bucolic beauty of the Pennsylvania countryside in Death by Equine. There’s something special about horse country, no matter which state it’s in, but Annette Dashofy is especially adept at bringing out the unique charm of the land she and her family have lived on for generations. Her descriptions of the track, too, both backside and racetrack bring it all alive in a vivid sensory experience.
There’s much to love about Annette Dashofy’s first stand-alone book. Readers will enjoy a thrilling story where horses and people coexist in a carefully balanced ecosystem, until someone willfully and destructively interferes. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Death by Equine, and my review reflects my honest appraisal of it.
Pennsylvania veterinarian Jessie Cameron has signed on to take over the duties of her mentor and father figure Doc Lewis at the local racetrack for two weeks. Jessie has her own veterinary practice she shares with a friend, but she is happy to fill in for Doc, who is taking his wife on a long over-due vacation. However, just hours before Doc can leave town he is trampled and killed by a horse at the track while attending to the horse in its stall. The death is ruled an accident, but Jessie doesn’t feel comfortable with that call.
Toxicology reports show a tranquilizing substance in the horse’s blood test, and Jessie knows that Doc was aware not to give it to the horse due to the horse’s violent, aggressive reaction to it. Jessie’s soon-to-be ex-husband and state trooper Greg tells her she needs to let it go and accept the coroner’s ruling. But, Jessie feels too strongly that her long-time friend Doc was set up to die on a bogus emergency call for the horse. She feels a debt to the person who gave her so much and was responsible for her becoming a vet herself.
With the police clearly not interested in investigating a death ruled as accidental, Jessie forges ahead on her own. She wants to find out if anyone deliberately placed Doc in harm’s way, but the layers are deep and dark, and Jessie will uncover more than she bargains for. She isn’t sure who she can trust as she struggles with disturbing revelations about Doc and the Riverview Track backside community. The secrets people protect are motive for deceit and even murder. Jessie’s inquiries and research of Doc’s records put her on a collision course with a killer. The reader feels her frustration and finally her terror. The twists and red herrings keep Jessie and the reader suspecting first one person at Riverview Track and then another.
Annette Dashofy creates unforgettable characters. Having fallen in love with Zoe Chambers and Pete from the Zoe series, I know just how hard I can fall for them. She’s captured my heart again with Jessie and her supporting cast. As well as the characters the reader roots for, there are those characters that the author is so good at making you dislike, too. Annette Dashofy knows how to evoke emotional responses to characters and their actions, be it someone rescuing a sweet kitten or someone deliberately dosing a horse to kill.
Readers are once again fortunate to be in the bucolic beauty of the Pennsylvania countryside in Death by Equine. There’s something special about horse country, no matter which state it’s in, but Annette Dashofy is especially adept at bringing out the unique charm of the land she and her family have lived on for generations. Her descriptions of the track, too, both backside and racetrack bring it all alive in a vivid sensory experience.
There’s much to love about Annette Dashofy’s first stand-alone book. Readers will enjoy a thrilling story where horses and people coexist in a carefully balanced ecosystem, until someone willfully and destructively interferes. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Death by Equine, and my review reflects my honest appraisal of it.
September 30, 2023
My hopes are high that book by Annette Dashofy is the first in a series as I have already become invested in these characters. Jessie Cameron, a veterinarian, has promised to fill in for her father figure and mentor at a race track in Western Pennsylvania, only to discover on a last emergency call before leaving for vacation he is killed by a horse. Quickly becoming suspicious of his death, she finds more shady dealings at the racetrack and her mentor may have been involved. And investigating it may be dangerous. Read this in one sitting and couldn't put it down.
June 15, 2021
Dashofy takes us around the oval and then some with this suspenseful tale of life - and death - on the back side of a race track. Veterinarian Jessie Cameron finds herself searching out a murderer as well as a horse abuser after her vet-mentor is killed. Jessie also faces questions about her own future. I loved details about the big animals, about vegetarian Jessie scrambling to find food on the run, and about her relationships.
I couldn't put this book down, and you won't be able to, either. Highly recommend.
I couldn't put this book down, and you won't be able to, either. Highly recommend.
May 12, 2021
Death By Equine
Annette Dashofy
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Misplaced trust
Veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at Riverview Racetrack so he can take a long-overdue vacation. When he’s tragically killed by one of his equine patients the night before he’s supposed to leave, Jessie quickly suspects the death is anything but accidental. Her search for the truth is thwarted by everyone from well-meaning friends to the police, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Undaunted, she discovers layers of illegal activities and deceit being perpetrated by the man she thought of as a father figure, creating a growing list of suspects with reason to want Doc dead. Too late, she realizes that her dogged quest for the truth has put her in the crosshairs of a devious killer desperate to silence her. Permanently. (Goodreads)
Review:
Jessie is a veterinarian who has her own practice but has agreed to help out at Riverview Racetrack while her mentor takes a vacation with his wife. But before he can get away, he gets a call from the racetrack to see one of his patients. Unfortunately, he is trampled to death by the horse. The authorities believe it was a tragic accident, but Jessie does not believe that. She sets out to prove that there was actually a murder and to prove who did the deed.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Jessie is a strong character and she is very smart. She thought she knew Doc, the vet that was trampled, but the more she learns, the more she realizes that she did not. She will have to put her disappointment aside and work at solving the mystery.
The writing style flowed smoothly and it defined the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the first page. The mystery was well plotted and had numerous twists and turns that kept me engaged until the very end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted mystery. I hope that this book is the beginning of the series instead of a stand-alone book. But either way, it was a very well written mystery and I greatly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
Annette Dashofy
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Misplaced trust
Veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at Riverview Racetrack so he can take a long-overdue vacation. When he’s tragically killed by one of his equine patients the night before he’s supposed to leave, Jessie quickly suspects the death is anything but accidental. Her search for the truth is thwarted by everyone from well-meaning friends to the police, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Undaunted, she discovers layers of illegal activities and deceit being perpetrated by the man she thought of as a father figure, creating a growing list of suspects with reason to want Doc dead. Too late, she realizes that her dogged quest for the truth has put her in the crosshairs of a devious killer desperate to silence her. Permanently. (Goodreads)
Review:
Jessie is a veterinarian who has her own practice but has agreed to help out at Riverview Racetrack while her mentor takes a vacation with his wife. But before he can get away, he gets a call from the racetrack to see one of his patients. Unfortunately, he is trampled to death by the horse. The authorities believe it was a tragic accident, but Jessie does not believe that. She sets out to prove that there was actually a murder and to prove who did the deed.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Jessie is a strong character and she is very smart. She thought she knew Doc, the vet that was trampled, but the more she learns, the more she realizes that she did not. She will have to put her disappointment aside and work at solving the mystery.
The writing style flowed smoothly and it defined the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the first page. The mystery was well plotted and had numerous twists and turns that kept me engaged until the very end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted mystery. I hope that this book is the beginning of the series instead of a stand-alone book. But either way, it was a very well written mystery and I greatly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
May 11, 2021
Explosive! Compelling! Outstanding!!
Death by Equine is a typical excellent Annette Dashofy novel; I was grabbed by the first sentence and immediately pulled into the world of racing. I hope Death by Equine is the first book in a new series but whether it is or not, I am glad that I got to spend time with veterinarian Jessie Cameron and the other wonderful and realistic characters. Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Jessie is expecting to spend two week in the stables of the local racetrack covering for her mentor, Doc Lewis, moving for a short time back into a world where she spent much of her young life. Doc is taking his bride of many years on her dream trip to Hawaii. That dream dies under the hooves of a horse just hours before their scheduled departure. In spite of admonitions to leave the investigation in the hands of the law, Jessie feels compelled to try to discover what happened that terrible night. Although hit is ruled an accident, too many things don't fit. Her search for the person responsible for the death of the man who treated her like a daughter reveals truths that are difficult for her to accept but she must face them to figure out who set Doc up to die.
I was delighted to receive the ARC of Death by Equine I requested. I LOVE Annette Dashofy's writing but I would have gone for this book even if I didn't already follow the author!!! I can't wait to share my love for Death by Equine with friends.
Death by Equine is a typical excellent Annette Dashofy novel; I was grabbed by the first sentence and immediately pulled into the world of racing. I hope Death by Equine is the first book in a new series but whether it is or not, I am glad that I got to spend time with veterinarian Jessie Cameron and the other wonderful and realistic characters. Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Jessie is expecting to spend two week in the stables of the local racetrack covering for her mentor, Doc Lewis, moving for a short time back into a world where she spent much of her young life. Doc is taking his bride of many years on her dream trip to Hawaii. That dream dies under the hooves of a horse just hours before their scheduled departure. In spite of admonitions to leave the investigation in the hands of the law, Jessie feels compelled to try to discover what happened that terrible night. Although hit is ruled an accident, too many things don't fit. Her search for the person responsible for the death of the man who treated her like a daughter reveals truths that are difficult for her to accept but she must face them to figure out who set Doc up to die.
I was delighted to receive the ARC of Death by Equine I requested. I LOVE Annette Dashofy's writing but I would have gone for this book even if I didn't already follow the author!!! I can't wait to share my love for Death by Equine with friends.
Read
October 29, 2021I had so much fun doing the research for this book. A friend who was a trainer got me a groom's license. I spent years going to the racetrack on Saturdays to work (play) with the horses, talk with the other trainers, observe and question the veterinarians, and generally pick the brains of anyone willing to put up with me.
The first incarnation of Death By Equine was written in 2005. It took many years and rewrites to bring it to this point. I hope my readers enjoy it!
The first incarnation of Death By Equine was written in 2005. It took many years and rewrites to bring it to this point. I hope my readers enjoy it!
August 21, 2022
Death by Equine is the latest offering by Annette Dashofy, author of the Zoe Chambers Mysteries. While it is a standalone, with its intricate plotting and engaging characters, do I dare hope this will be a series?
When veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at the local racetrack, she has no idea what she is getting into. Before she can even start her assignment, Doc is found dead, obviously trampled by one of the horses boarding at the racetrack. Although the death is ruled accidental, Jessie has her doubts. Doc was an experienced veterinarian and would not have put himself in that kind of danger. Her suspicions are further aroused when toxicology reveals that the horse was given a tranquilizer that Doc would know would have the opposite effect and make the horse more aggressive. When Jessie relates her doubts to the police, she is given pushback by both her soon-to-be ex-husband, Greg, and the trooper in charge of the investigation. Not one to let sleeping dogs lie, Jessie begins her own investigation where she uncovers truths about her mentor, the racetrack owner, and trainers that challenge her pristine impressions of them. All that sleuthing puts her in the crosshairs of a killer and leaves her in ever ascending danger.
The mystery here is complex. Not only does Jessie need to find out who killed Doc, but why. The various suspects all have secrets of their own, and unraveling them may be the key to solving the crime. While I guessed the perpetrator early on, this in no way detracted from the story. Not only did the plot have several intriguing twists and turns, but the racetrack setting offered a unique glimpse into a world many people don’t know much about. Having been introduced to the racetrack at an early age, I was delighted to see the setting explored in depth.
The characters also were multifaceted. Jessie is smart, dedicated, loyal, and vulnerable. Her faltering relationship with Greg has real depth, while her potential interest in Daniel brings a spark of hope. Even the characters that you start out hating have their moments. Sherry, in particular, and to some extent Vanessa, ultimately prove their worth. And Jessie’s care for her elderly cat, Molly, and her newly rescued kitten, show her compassionate side to full effect.
Death by Equine garners 4.5 stars from me. As I mentioned above, as far as I know, Ms. Dashofy has no plans to make this a series. That is a shame. A series with a world-wise racetrack veterinarian/sleuth would be unique and interesting. I certainly hope she will consider extending Jessie’s story.
When veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to fill in for her mentor, Doc Lewis, at the local racetrack, she has no idea what she is getting into. Before she can even start her assignment, Doc is found dead, obviously trampled by one of the horses boarding at the racetrack. Although the death is ruled accidental, Jessie has her doubts. Doc was an experienced veterinarian and would not have put himself in that kind of danger. Her suspicions are further aroused when toxicology reveals that the horse was given a tranquilizer that Doc would know would have the opposite effect and make the horse more aggressive. When Jessie relates her doubts to the police, she is given pushback by both her soon-to-be ex-husband, Greg, and the trooper in charge of the investigation. Not one to let sleeping dogs lie, Jessie begins her own investigation where she uncovers truths about her mentor, the racetrack owner, and trainers that challenge her pristine impressions of them. All that sleuthing puts her in the crosshairs of a killer and leaves her in ever ascending danger.
The mystery here is complex. Not only does Jessie need to find out who killed Doc, but why. The various suspects all have secrets of their own, and unraveling them may be the key to solving the crime. While I guessed the perpetrator early on, this in no way detracted from the story. Not only did the plot have several intriguing twists and turns, but the racetrack setting offered a unique glimpse into a world many people don’t know much about. Having been introduced to the racetrack at an early age, I was delighted to see the setting explored in depth.
The characters also were multifaceted. Jessie is smart, dedicated, loyal, and vulnerable. Her faltering relationship with Greg has real depth, while her potential interest in Daniel brings a spark of hope. Even the characters that you start out hating have their moments. Sherry, in particular, and to some extent Vanessa, ultimately prove their worth. And Jessie’s care for her elderly cat, Molly, and her newly rescued kitten, show her compassionate side to full effect.
Death by Equine garners 4.5 stars from me. As I mentioned above, as far as I know, Ms. Dashofy has no plans to make this a series. That is a shame. A series with a world-wise racetrack veterinarian/sleuth would be unique and interesting. I certainly hope she will consider extending Jessie’s story.
June 14, 2021
Annette Dashofy has given us another 'horse story' that could easily be the start of a new series!
Riverview Park Racetrack is the scene of the crime, or make that crimes. Veterinarian Doc Lewis takes one last call-out before going on vacation when his temporary replacement, Dr. Jessica Cameron is tied up on another call elsewhere. All is not as it seems at the track and the deeper Jessica gets into looking into Doc Lewis' accident, the more her business partner Dr. Meryl Davidson wants Jessica to come back to their Cameron Vet Hospital. The strain of working with State Trooper Greg Cameron while in the final days of their divorce adds an element of stress for Jessica.
The characters are well defined and distinctive so easy to keep track of as the horse racing business unfolds details that make this a lesson in the backside of this industry.
I highly recommend Death By Equine.
Riverview Park Racetrack is the scene of the crime, or make that crimes. Veterinarian Doc Lewis takes one last call-out before going on vacation when his temporary replacement, Dr. Jessica Cameron is tied up on another call elsewhere. All is not as it seems at the track and the deeper Jessica gets into looking into Doc Lewis' accident, the more her business partner Dr. Meryl Davidson wants Jessica to come back to their Cameron Vet Hospital. The strain of working with State Trooper Greg Cameron while in the final days of their divorce adds an element of stress for Jessica.
The characters are well defined and distinctive so easy to keep track of as the horse racing business unfolds details that make this a lesson in the backside of this industry.
I highly recommend Death By Equine.
February 20, 2023
I really liked this book. For the most part the story held my interest and kept me guessing about the killer. I also really enjoyed the premise of the book: someone drugs a horse with something the animal is hyper sensitive to, turning the horse into a murder weapon. Also, it was clear how much research went into this book, bringing the horses, the track, the equine vet practice to life and the author did a fantastic job of weaving in the research, which is an art in and of itself. I also liked that the victim wasn't who we thought he was (my first red flag popped in the first sentence of the book).
However, there are a couple of cons: I didn't find the love interest very believable. They go on one date and suddenly she's in love? Further, there's something about the love interest that would be an absolute deal-breaker for most women, I think--unless he explained what happened immediately. But he didn't explain himself until much later. So, she's thinking all these horrible things about him, yet falling in love? Meh. Nope. The other con: I felt the story went on a little long. By page 190 or so, I was thinking, "Can we please resolve this mystery?!" But I still had almost 110 pages left to go! So, admittedly, and I'm sorry, I began skimming the story at that point. Yes, the writing was great, but I was losing my patience.
So these two things knocked the rating down to a 4-star. But none of this was enough to make me quit the book or give fewer stars.
The best part was that I was kept guessing until the end about who the killer was. For some reason I was fixated on the notion that the killer actually wanted Jess dead, not Doc. If I had let go of that perspective and focused more on Doc, then I might've guessed the killer earlier.
At any rate, I highly recommend this book. It is a traditional mystery, not a cozy. So it does have some blood and gore, some light foul language, and a small horse euthanization scene, but it's not focused on with detail and is handled rather gently. However, it's the life of an equine vet, so it's not unexpected to have such a detail.
However, there are a couple of cons: I didn't find the love interest very believable. They go on one date and suddenly she's in love? Further, there's something about the love interest that would be an absolute deal-breaker for most women, I think--unless he explained what happened immediately. But he didn't explain himself until much later. So, she's thinking all these horrible things about him, yet falling in love? Meh. Nope. The other con: I felt the story went on a little long. By page 190 or so, I was thinking, "Can we please resolve this mystery?!" But I still had almost 110 pages left to go! So, admittedly, and I'm sorry, I began skimming the story at that point. Yes, the writing was great, but I was losing my patience.
So these two things knocked the rating down to a 4-star. But none of this was enough to make me quit the book or give fewer stars.
The best part was that I was kept guessing until the end about who the killer was. For some reason I was fixated on the notion that the killer actually wanted Jess dead, not Doc. If I had let go of that perspective and focused more on Doc, then I might've guessed the killer earlier.
At any rate, I highly recommend this book. It is a traditional mystery, not a cozy. So it does have some blood and gore, some light foul language, and a small horse euthanization scene, but it's not focused on with detail and is handled rather gently. However, it's the life of an equine vet, so it's not unexpected to have such a detail.
September 18, 2021
I have the pleasure of meeting Annette online. Accordingly I was aware of the long gestation period for Death by Equine. I am so pleased that Annette found a new publisher. This book is a welcome entry into a new series.
The lead sleuth is Dr. Jessie Cameron, a large animal veterinarian who specializes in race track animals. Taking what she thought would be two weeks away from her successful practice, Jessie finds herself immersed in the death of her mentor. He was found trampled to death on the eve of his long delayed vacation to Hawaii. The Pennsylvania State Police are quick to label his death as accidental, but Jessie suspects they are rushing to judgment. The police include her soon to be ex-husband, who stands against Jessie. Dr. Cameron is smart, persistent and well trained. She is, however also self conscious with class status. Her relationship with the Track owner shows promise for further development.
Other than watching the Triple Crown, I know not a thing about horse racing, or equine diseases.
The painful scene where Dr. Cameron is faced with quarantines along with euthanizing a sick horse was both cathartic --I believe strongly in euthanasia -- and heart breaking. Readers who have to make this painful decision will certainly benefit from reading this passage.
The perpetrator was not easily discovered. Just when I thought I had it, Annette produced another likely candidate. The twists and turns in Death by Equine prove that the series will be well received.
A good choice for book clubs and also for young adult readers.
Very highly recommended.
The lead sleuth is Dr. Jessie Cameron, a large animal veterinarian who specializes in race track animals. Taking what she thought would be two weeks away from her successful practice, Jessie finds herself immersed in the death of her mentor. He was found trampled to death on the eve of his long delayed vacation to Hawaii. The Pennsylvania State Police are quick to label his death as accidental, but Jessie suspects they are rushing to judgment. The police include her soon to be ex-husband, who stands against Jessie. Dr. Cameron is smart, persistent and well trained. She is, however also self conscious with class status. Her relationship with the Track owner shows promise for further development.
Other than watching the Triple Crown, I know not a thing about horse racing, or equine diseases.
The painful scene where Dr. Cameron is faced with quarantines along with euthanizing a sick horse was both cathartic --I believe strongly in euthanasia -- and heart breaking. Readers who have to make this painful decision will certainly benefit from reading this passage.
The perpetrator was not easily discovered. Just when I thought I had it, Annette produced another likely candidate. The twists and turns in Death by Equine prove that the series will be well received.
A good choice for book clubs and also for young adult readers.
Very highly recommended.
March 21, 2021
Death by Equine by Annette Dashofy was a moving experience. Few authors have the ability to paint the settings and multi-dimensional characters with such vivid clarity of words that you are instantly transported into the work. Such is the case with this newest endeavor by Ms. Dashofy. From the first scene one is instantly transported to Riverview Park in the dead of night and into Barn E with Doc. It is as though you are actually seeing the action through the characters eyes. Truthfully, there were times where it took a few minutes to rouse myself from the world created in this work and get back to reality.
The characters were all vividly portrayed as multi-dimensional with their good points and flaws adding to the richness of the mystery. It comes as a shock to Jessie when she finds that the Doc Lewis she thought she knew never really existed except in her mind or as he related to her. Daniel tells her “Sometimes love clouds our judgment, and we only see the parts of a person we want to see. …Does that make you wrong? ...I don’t think so.”
There were enough clues and red herrings scattered throughout that it was not evident who the real villain was until they were finally identified by Jesse in a dramatic scene that almost ended her life. From the first paragraph through the last this is one mystery that will hold you in its clutches every step of the way. We can only hope that it is not a one off because I personally want to share more mysteries with Jessie and Merle.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were all vividly portrayed as multi-dimensional with their good points and flaws adding to the richness of the mystery. It comes as a shock to Jessie when she finds that the Doc Lewis she thought she knew never really existed except in her mind or as he related to her. Daniel tells her “Sometimes love clouds our judgment, and we only see the parts of a person we want to see. …Does that make you wrong? ...I don’t think so.”
There were enough clues and red herrings scattered throughout that it was not evident who the real villain was until they were finally identified by Jesse in a dramatic scene that almost ended her life. From the first paragraph through the last this is one mystery that will hold you in its clutches every step of the way. We can only hope that it is not a one off because I personally want to share more mysteries with Jessie and Merle.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2021
Over the course of ten books, readers of Annette Dashofy’s Zoe Chambers mysteries, grew to feel that Zoe had become a good friend, someone whose company they enjoyed. Just because we cherish old friends, however, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make new friends. We may have found one in Jessie Cameron, the heroine of Annette’s Dashofy latest novel, Death by Equine.
Jessie is very much like Zoe: smart, headstrong often to the point of foolhardiness, and a lover of animals, especially horses. Jessie and Zoe both had difficult childhoods that led to strained relationships with family, romantic relationships that ended badly, and both suffered the loss of a mentor, Zoe was an EMT while Jessie is a veterinarian.
In Death by Equine, the central mystery is whether the death of Jessie’s mentor by a racehorse was an accident, as the authorities decided, or was it something more, as Jessie suspects. When Jessie temporarily takes over the position of vet at the racetrack, she decides she must investigate since the authorities, including her ex-husband, will not. During the course of the novel, we get to know Jessie and meet the people in her life, learning more about her past. Since it is a mystery, there are many secrets to be revealed before the climactic ending.
Jessie’s life is changed by the events in the novel with many threads that could be developed in additional novels. I certainly hope this is the start of a new series.
Jessie is very much like Zoe: smart, headstrong often to the point of foolhardiness, and a lover of animals, especially horses. Jessie and Zoe both had difficult childhoods that led to strained relationships with family, romantic relationships that ended badly, and both suffered the loss of a mentor, Zoe was an EMT while Jessie is a veterinarian.
In Death by Equine, the central mystery is whether the death of Jessie’s mentor by a racehorse was an accident, as the authorities decided, or was it something more, as Jessie suspects. When Jessie temporarily takes over the position of vet at the racetrack, she decides she must investigate since the authorities, including her ex-husband, will not. During the course of the novel, we get to know Jessie and meet the people in her life, learning more about her past. Since it is a mystery, there are many secrets to be revealed before the climactic ending.
Jessie’s life is changed by the events in the novel with many threads that could be developed in additional novels. I certainly hope this is the start of a new series.
June 25, 2022
Up front, I will say Annette Dashofy is a long-time friend.
I don’t get the fascination many people have with horse racing. My idea of racing involves 900 horsepower, 4 wheels, 40 cars, and 500 miles. So as a result, only 1 writer who set his mysteries in the horse racing world ever caught and held my interest – Dick Francis. With Annette Dashofy, I now have two.
After the death of her mentor, Doc Lewis, is written of as an accident, veterinarian Jessie Cameron can’t help but digging deeper to find the truth. It puts her in confrontations with a short-tempered trainer, an all-too-attractive race track owner, her soon to be ex-husband’s new flame, and a woman sure she’s taking over Doc’s practice.
One of my prime criteria for liking a book is caring about the characters. I cared about Jessie, wanted to see her succeed, wanted her to discover what really happened to Doc. I also wanted her to sort out her love life – her lingering feelings for her husband and her attraction to the race track owner. Sadly, that didn’t sort out the way I’d hoped.
Annette kept me guessing throughout the book, as I picked one then the other of Jessie’s foes as the guilty party. And when she ‘spilled the beans.’ I said, “Of course!”
Great job, Annette.
I hope she brings Jessie and the rest back for more adventures. I’ll read them in a heartbeat.
I don’t get the fascination many people have with horse racing. My idea of racing involves 900 horsepower, 4 wheels, 40 cars, and 500 miles. So as a result, only 1 writer who set his mysteries in the horse racing world ever caught and held my interest – Dick Francis. With Annette Dashofy, I now have two.
After the death of her mentor, Doc Lewis, is written of as an accident, veterinarian Jessie Cameron can’t help but digging deeper to find the truth. It puts her in confrontations with a short-tempered trainer, an all-too-attractive race track owner, her soon to be ex-husband’s new flame, and a woman sure she’s taking over Doc’s practice.
One of my prime criteria for liking a book is caring about the characters. I cared about Jessie, wanted to see her succeed, wanted her to discover what really happened to Doc. I also wanted her to sort out her love life – her lingering feelings for her husband and her attraction to the race track owner. Sadly, that didn’t sort out the way I’d hoped.
Annette kept me guessing throughout the book, as I picked one then the other of Jessie’s foes as the guilty party. And when she ‘spilled the beans.’ I said, “Of course!”
Great job, Annette.
I hope she brings Jessie and the rest back for more adventures. I’ll read them in a heartbeat.
March 15, 2021
DEATH BY EQUINE by Annette Dashofy
Dangers at a racetrack abound, way beyond those one would expect, and courage means facing one’s fears to help even those one may not like much. This twisty tale features a
line-up of plausible suspects worthy of Agatha Christie, with so many red herrings that it was a perfect Lenten read. I did not figure out the culprit until just before the reveal, just as I like it. It’s a wild ride indeed, and a lovely virtual vacation to Pennsylvania and the Monongahela River, but be careful.
This is a stand-alone book, but I loved the main characters, (four-legged and two-) surrounding capable and caring veterinarian Jessie Cameron so much that "I can't begin to imagine the headaches two of you will give me" made me wish for another book. I can only begin to imagine the interesting mayhem. (Meanwhile, her Zoe Chambers series will keep me company . . . )
Lessons: I love learning new things in books, even if scary ones. EIA, equine infectious anemia virus, is 100% fatal to horses and spread by mosquitos. Horse therapy pools are slimy and slippery. Back up the backups of important data. Bad guys say they have “no choice” when they’ve actually made bad choices and want others to pay the price.
Dangers at a racetrack abound, way beyond those one would expect, and courage means facing one’s fears to help even those one may not like much. This twisty tale features a
line-up of plausible suspects worthy of Agatha Christie, with so many red herrings that it was a perfect Lenten read. I did not figure out the culprit until just before the reveal, just as I like it. It’s a wild ride indeed, and a lovely virtual vacation to Pennsylvania and the Monongahela River, but be careful.
This is a stand-alone book, but I loved the main characters, (four-legged and two-) surrounding capable and caring veterinarian Jessie Cameron so much that "I can't begin to imagine the headaches two of you will give me" made me wish for another book. I can only begin to imagine the interesting mayhem. (Meanwhile, her Zoe Chambers series will keep me company . . . )
Lessons: I love learning new things in books, even if scary ones. EIA, equine infectious anemia virus, is 100% fatal to horses and spread by mosquitos. Horse therapy pools are slimy and slippery. Back up the backups of important data. Bad guys say they have “no choice” when they’ve actually made bad choices and want others to pay the price.
March 21, 2021
I just finished reading this first standalone novel from Annette Dashofy and have to say it was as exciting as her other ten books which are in the Zoe Chambers mystery series. All of her books are difficult to put down for such mundane reasons as a night’s sleep or a much needed meal, but this reader forced herself, mainly because I didn’t want it to end, knowing there would be a wait until another book of hers is out.
In Death by Equine, which is available for preorder now and will be released on May 11, 2021, is about Jessie Cameron, a veterinarian who has agreed to fill in for her mentor Doc Lewis, so he can take a much needed vacation. Before he is able to leave, however, tragically he is killed by one of his equine patients and Jessie is convinced it isn’t an accident. Unfortunately, no-one else agrees. Her search for the truth is complicated by one problem after another and she faces disillusionment, disappointment and desperation before everything is revealed. Will she, herself, survive this quest? I guarantee, you’ll be on the edge of your seat finding out!
Death by Equine
In Death by Equine, which is available for preorder now and will be released on May 11, 2021, is about Jessie Cameron, a veterinarian who has agreed to fill in for her mentor Doc Lewis, so he can take a much needed vacation. Before he is able to leave, however, tragically he is killed by one of his equine patients and Jessie is convinced it isn’t an accident. Unfortunately, no-one else agrees. Her search for the truth is complicated by one problem after another and she faces disillusionment, disappointment and desperation before everything is revealed. Will she, herself, survive this quest? I guarantee, you’ll be on the edge of your seat finding out!
Death by Equine
May 26, 2021
I suspect this is the first book in a new series by the author of 10 Zoe Chambers mysteries. Doc Lewis has been not only a mentor, but a father figure, to young veterinarian Jessie Cameron. So when the seasoned racetrack vet is trampled to death by one of his horse patients, Jessie knows it can't be an accident.
And there are so many people who may have wanted Doc to disappear--his ambitious assistant who would like to take over his practice (and who has a hidden relationship with him), racetrack personnel with side hustles that could get them in trouble, racehorse owners with something to prove, and more.
At the same time, Jessie is dealing with a divorce from her ex (a detective, of course), the decision as to whether she would like to take over Doc's practice herself and disappoint the co-owner of her own practice, the romantic attentions of a handsome racetrack owner with secrets of his own, and trying to stay out of trouble as she does a bit of investigating on her own.
This is a fast-moving mystery with a delightful protagonist to root for. I will definitely look for the next in the series (hopefully)!
And there are so many people who may have wanted Doc to disappear--his ambitious assistant who would like to take over his practice (and who has a hidden relationship with him), racetrack personnel with side hustles that could get them in trouble, racehorse owners with something to prove, and more.
At the same time, Jessie is dealing with a divorce from her ex (a detective, of course), the decision as to whether she would like to take over Doc's practice herself and disappoint the co-owner of her own practice, the romantic attentions of a handsome racetrack owner with secrets of his own, and trying to stay out of trouble as she does a bit of investigating on her own.
This is a fast-moving mystery with a delightful protagonist to root for. I will definitely look for the next in the series (hopefully)!
May 14, 2021
SUSPENSE FROM START TO FINISH!
Annette Dashofy has departed from her usual series writing and has penned an edgier, stand alone that is full of suspense from start to finish! In DEATH BY EQUINE, Dashofy has used her considerable talents to create a cast of interesting, unique and quirky characters that are tailor made for this story. She has has chosen the setting to be the Riverview Racetrack in Pennsylvania. Her plot grabs your attention quickly and keeps you engaged to the last word. The mystery is not easily solved as Dashofy does a masterful job of casting suspicion on many different characters. This is an interesting read as it reminds readers to slow down and notice the small things about the important people in your life. If not, you may miss some major character flaws that can cause devastating consequences just as those illustrated in this book by Dashofy.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author/publisher. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Annette Dashofy has departed from her usual series writing and has penned an edgier, stand alone that is full of suspense from start to finish! In DEATH BY EQUINE, Dashofy has used her considerable talents to create a cast of interesting, unique and quirky characters that are tailor made for this story. She has has chosen the setting to be the Riverview Racetrack in Pennsylvania. Her plot grabs your attention quickly and keeps you engaged to the last word. The mystery is not easily solved as Dashofy does a masterful job of casting suspicion on many different characters. This is an interesting read as it reminds readers to slow down and notice the small things about the important people in your life. If not, you may miss some major character flaws that can cause devastating consequences just as those illustrated in this book by Dashofy.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author/publisher. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
March 18, 2021
Veterinarian Jessie Cameron agrees to cover her mentor, Doc Lewis’ practice at a PA racetrack for two weeks. His last night on duty Doc is killed by a horse he’s called to treat. The police rule the death accidental but Jessie isn’t so sure.
I like that most of the action takes place at the racetrack and enjoyed the glimpse of what takes place behind the scenes there. The characters were well developed and felt realistic, although I felt that Jessie needed a better sense of self preservation. Female characters in mysteries who don’t have enough sense to stay out of dangerous situations is a pet peeve of mine.
This is supposed to be a stand alone book I wouldn’t mind seeing more stories featuring Jessie in the future.
I like that most of the action takes place at the racetrack and enjoyed the glimpse of what takes place behind the scenes there. The characters were well developed and felt realistic, although I felt that Jessie needed a better sense of self preservation. Female characters in mysteries who don’t have enough sense to stay out of dangerous situations is a pet peeve of mine.
This is supposed to be a stand alone book I wouldn’t mind seeing more stories featuring Jessie in the future.
March 20, 2021
Wow! Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down. Glad I allowed myself a reading day.
Annette's books generally have strong dialog & plot development. I've enjoyed her Zoe Chambers books & learned through them what a master she is of plot development. "Death by Equine" is a stand-alone book (though selfishly, I hope that it is going to be a first book in a new series).
I always learn something from Annette's books. I learned a whole lot about the horse world and what a veterinarian's day is like from this book. Of course I like to be entertained when I read, but boy I sure like to learn about a world I don't already know a lot about.
I read this through a pre-publication site. I will be buying a copy when it is published to add to my Annette Dashofy shelf.
Annette's books generally have strong dialog & plot development. I've enjoyed her Zoe Chambers books & learned through them what a master she is of plot development. "Death by Equine" is a stand-alone book (though selfishly, I hope that it is going to be a first book in a new series).
I always learn something from Annette's books. I learned a whole lot about the horse world and what a veterinarian's day is like from this book. Of course I like to be entertained when I read, but boy I sure like to learn about a world I don't already know a lot about.
I read this through a pre-publication site. I will be buying a copy when it is published to add to my Annette Dashofy shelf.
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April 16, 2022If you love mysteries with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat ...
If you love horses ...
If you were a fan of Dick Francis's stories ...
If any of the above is true, this book is for you. Annette Dashofy, author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series, has crafted this delicious one-off about a female veterinarian who takes on the job of her mentor, a track veterinarian, when he is killed in what appears to be an accident. She decides the man's death is murder, but no one believes her--particularly not her estranged husband, a cop.
As the story unfolds, there are suspects aplenty, all with good reason to kill the old man. And as she digs deeper, she realizes she is digging her own grave.
A first-class mystery-thriller that will keep you guessing up to the last moment.
If you love horses ...
If you were a fan of Dick Francis's stories ...
If any of the above is true, this book is for you. Annette Dashofy, author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series, has crafted this delicious one-off about a female veterinarian who takes on the job of her mentor, a track veterinarian, when he is killed in what appears to be an accident. She decides the man's death is murder, but no one believes her--particularly not her estranged husband, a cop.
As the story unfolds, there are suspects aplenty, all with good reason to kill the old man. And as she digs deeper, she realizes she is digging her own grave.
A first-class mystery-thriller that will keep you guessing up to the last moment.
March 21, 2021
Annette Dashofy’s latest book, “Death by Equine,” immerses you in the world of horse racing through a racetrack and its vet. She has created a protagonist in Dr. Jessie Cameron that jumps off the page and straight into your heart. As with her other books, her characters are well-developed, her story suspenseful, and you gain knowledge (in this case knowledge of horses, horseracing, and racetracks). Filled with a vivid cast of characters and in Dashofy’s style, with so many great plot twists, I did not see the ending coming. This book is a stand-alone, but I am hoping to read more stories with Dr. Cameron. An engaging mystery and a real page-turner.
December 13, 2022
This is one of the books where you miss the characters once you've finished it. The author's knowledge of the racehorse business is amazing. Her characters are so real, even the horses. Knowledge of veterinary medicine is also amazing. No one can accuse the author of having a sagging middle. She seriously layered on the troubles in the middle, and the end was satisfying. The writing is well balanced between dialogue and description. The plot moves swiftly along until the big finish. This one is a winner!
September 9, 2021
This mystery is a fascinating look at behind the scenes at the racetrack. Lots of suspects and motives for murder are revealed. Jessie is a very engaging heroine still trying to get balance in her life after her husband asks for a divorce. She takes on a temporary gig as the track vet when her mentor plans to go on a vacation. Only he never makes it out of the barn. This novel is a stand alone. I wish it could be the first in a new series. I'd love to read more!
June 23, 2022
A gruesome murder leads race course veterinarian Jessie Cameron down a twisted course of lies, fraud, and hatred. Annette Dashofy's Death by Equine is a fast track to a thrilling finish line. Hope there's a second on its way! Death by Equine
October 6, 2024
Great standalone mystery! I did guess who the murderer was pretty much immediately, but only because I tried to predict it through the mind of a writer. I don’t think it was super obvious if you weren’t purposely trying to figure it out. I liked the different dynamics between all the different characters and would enjoy seeing this turned into a series, although I think this is just a standalone.
March 18, 2021
Death by Equine is an interesting and suspenseful mystery. I really enjoyed this book. The book is well written and detailed. I like the characters and enjoyed the race track setting. I found it interesting. This book captured my attention right from the beginning. The mystery has so many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. It is exciting and engaging. I highly recommend this book!
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May 21, 2021I loved this book. It's one of the best I've read this year.
Annette Dashofy just keeps getting better and better. If you loved Zoe Chambers series, you will like this book.
Suspense, mystery, romance....horses...romance, mystery--well, you get it. I honestly did not figure out the killer until the reveal. And I was really sad about it.
This is well worth a read.
Annette Dashofy just keeps getting better and better. If you loved Zoe Chambers series, you will like this book.
Suspense, mystery, romance....horses...romance, mystery--well, you get it. I honestly did not figure out the killer until the reveal. And I was really sad about it.
This is well worth a read.
July 9, 2023
There is a reason that this book was self published by the author for I can understand why no publisher would want to print it. I am not a horse expert but this book begins with an improbable method of a murder and continues with seemingly amateurish writing of character development and plot. It took me over a week to read this book as it was easy to set it down.
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