ジンジャー・ノースの影

by John Dunning

At a California racetrack, an ex-cop investigates the mystery of his mother's suicide in this haunting novel from the two-time Edgar nominee. The old wooden tower looms over the racetrack, an eyesore that is too famous to tear down. To Wes Harrison, it is more than an architectural curiosity; it is a bitter reminder of Ginger North, the track employee who, three decades earlier, leapt from the tower to her death. Around the track, she is a legend, something to reminisce about in between races, but to Harrison, Ginger North is much she was his mother. A troubled ex-cop, Harrison drifts into the world of the racetrack as a way of connecting with his mother's spirit. Armed with a few old case files, he takes a job on the grounds, seeking answers about Ginger's death. Standing in his way are certain people--jockeys, trainers, grooms, and owners--who do not want the truth to come out. Conflict is natural among those who work with horses, but at this track, the competition could be deadly.

Paperback Bunko

First published February 12, 1980

About the author

John Dunning was an American writer of non-fiction and detective fiction. He was known for his reference books on old-time radio and his series of mysteries featuring Denver bookseller and ex-policeman Cliff Janeway.

Reviews

[Erlinda Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early John Dunning brings racetracking lives into play

The news man and the book man come later. In this early work, a young man has become a race tracker so that he can get a job at the racetrack where his mother died. She was declared a suicide, but Wes Harrison has questions about that. And his biggest question of all is who is his father?

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated, but the story still holds up.

[M. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, including all the 'insider information' on the horseracing industry. The characters are interesting and the complex plot kept me guessing. Written in 1980, it is very dated but for me that was part of the appeal.