Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-425-21223-8

The fact that I am partial to horse mysteries is a bit of a mystery to me – I don’t particularly like horses, you see. But this book by Claudia Bishop is the first in a new series from The Casebook of Dr, McKenzie, a rural vet, and includes other animals in addition to horses. And in case you were wondering about the unusual title, a roasted onion is involved in a traditional cure for colic in horses.

Prompted by a financial reversal, Dr. Austin McKenzie (with the help of his fiesty but fun wife Madeline) has set up a rural vetrinary practice after many years in academia. When he is offered a large amount of money to be the Vetrinarian Delegate at a multi-day horse show, he realizes he will need to hire an assistant to help with the practice during his absence, and two young vetrinary students enter the story.

But Dr. McKenzie has been asked to be a part the horse show because the previous invitee has been murdered. This death is quickly followed by several others and McKenzie must delve into the crimes to save his own skin.

I liked this book. The plot is good, the characters are interesting, and the world of horse events and a vetrinary practice absorb the reader. My two niggly criticisms of this book both involve diaglog. First, the annoying banter between the vetrinary students goes on too long and it is out of character for the McKenzies to tolerate this rudeness. Second, the conversations between the McKenzies are a little cloying. But these are minor issues and shouldn’t interfere with your enjoyment of this book.

Hard core cozy readers will probably find some of the content not to their liking and might want to avoid this one, but everyone else should be okay with it.

Favorite character? There are several good ones, but the escape artist Pony is my favorite. Did I guess it? Sort of. Will I read more? Yes.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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