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Tink Elledge #1
Murder, She Rode
A sharply observed and engaging debut introducing Tink Elledge, a compelling new amateur sleuth who takes readers behind the scenes into the rituals and intrigue of a three-day equestrian competition
A former world-class rider and an adept horse trainer, Tink Elledge is a woman with a mission: to see her prized horse take home the victory at the prestigious Brandywine Three-Day Event. Tink is whip-smart, headstrong, and used to making her own way—so when an accident forces her onto the sidelines and causes her to forfeit the ride on what may be her last horse to a protégé, she struggles with the realization that her peak days as a horsewoman may be behind her. Then, before the event can begin, a truck accident kills a respected horseman and a talented colt. And when a young rider disappears, what began as a seemingly freak accident reveals sinister roots that lead directly to the tightly knit equestrian community and that Tink, in her newfound and uneasy role as a spectator, can’t help trying to uncover. During the three-day event, horses will perform with inspiring grace. Their riders will navigate treacherous obstacles. And Tink will unravel a plot that threatens the reputations—and lives—of the very men and women she hopes to defeat on the course.
Holly Menino has spent a lifetime living with and writing about horses. She is the acclaimed author of three nonfiction books who has been praised by The Washington Post for her "literate and lively style." But it is Murder, She Rode that showcases Holly’s immense talent as a storyteller and introduces an irresistible new voice in an engaging read.
A former world-class rider and an adept horse trainer, Tink Elledge is a woman with a mission: to see her prized horse take home the victory at the prestigious Brandywine Three-Day Event. Tink is whip-smart, headstrong, and used to making her own way—so when an accident forces her onto the sidelines and causes her to forfeit the ride on what may be her last horse to a protégé, she struggles with the realization that her peak days as a horsewoman may be behind her. Then, before the event can begin, a truck accident kills a respected horseman and a talented colt. And when a young rider disappears, what began as a seemingly freak accident reveals sinister roots that lead directly to the tightly knit equestrian community and that Tink, in her newfound and uneasy role as a spectator, can’t help trying to uncover. During the three-day event, horses will perform with inspiring grace. Their riders will navigate treacherous obstacles. And Tink will unravel a plot that threatens the reputations—and lives—of the very men and women she hopes to defeat on the course.
Holly Menino has spent a lifetime living with and writing about horses. She is the acclaimed author of three nonfiction books who has been praised by The Washington Post for her "literate and lively style." But it is Murder, She Rode that showcases Holly’s immense talent as a storyteller and introduces an irresistible new voice in an engaging read.
288 pages, ebook
First published August 13, 2013
About the author
Holly Menino
5 books7 followersHOLLY MENINO grew up in a small Ohio college town, where her passionate interest in animals showed itself by age three, about ten years before she heard the calling to become a writer. A graduate of Smith College, she has worked in both scholarly and popular publishing. She now lives on a farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York and publishes both fiction and nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2013
I really wanted to like this debut mystery by Holly Menino. The title is clever and unlike stories that add horses for color, this mystery has everything to do with the horses. Menino really knows her subject having been involved with horses all her life as well as having written three acclaimed nonfiction books on the topic according to the book jacket.
Right from the beginning I often found myself confused about details and characters having to re-read sections to be sure what was going on. It was hard for me to get in to the story although by the end I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
Tink Elledge is a horse trainer and former champion rider, who's current goal is for her horse "Exit Laughing" to win the prestigious Brandywine Three-Day Event. A tragic accident and suspicious events threaten to mar not only the event but Tink's relationships with friends and family.
It may be that "Murder She Rode" will be appreciated by a very specific audience. Those who love horses or own horses may find this quite a delightful read. I am going to check this premise by asking a friend who owns horses and reads extensively to add this to her stack of books. More later!
Right from the beginning I often found myself confused about details and characters having to re-read sections to be sure what was going on. It was hard for me to get in to the story although by the end I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
Tink Elledge is a horse trainer and former champion rider, who's current goal is for her horse "Exit Laughing" to win the prestigious Brandywine Three-Day Event. A tragic accident and suspicious events threaten to mar not only the event but Tink's relationships with friends and family.
It may be that "Murder She Rode" will be appreciated by a very specific audience. Those who love horses or own horses may find this quite a delightful read. I am going to check this premise by asking a friend who owns horses and reads extensively to add this to her stack of books. More later!
November 27, 2013
it started out good but the main character was nothing but a whiny character didn't like it at all
August 13, 2014
Holly Menino’s book Murder, She Rode, is one of those books where, when you get done you put it down and say Wow—what a ride! The author has created an exhilarating plot with a unique ending.
The book begins with horse owner, Tink Elledge, coming upon the wreck of a neighbor’s horse van, chillingly described. Soon afterwards, while preparing her horse and its rider for a big three-day event, Tink discovers that the opening scene wasn’t an accident but possibly murder. This gets her to start inquiring into what is really going on with her fellow competitors, eventually leading to an investigation into illicit drugs. But are the drugs for the horses or the people? We don’t know that answer until the ending with its surprising climax.
Menino’s book is great for people who are into horses and especially the three-day event scene. She is obviously extremely knowledgeable about horses and this type of horse racing. At the same time, you don’t need to know horses to enjoy this book as it has a plot that is crisp and vivid with realistic personalities, not the least of which is the curious and headstrong Tink. The action slows down a bit in the middle, with a bit too much back-story on some of the characters, but the ending scenes more than make up for it.
This is a well-crafted book with plenty of intrigue and endearing characters, especially Tink. A thread throughout the story is the fascinating and developing relationship between Tink and her husband, Charlie. I look forward to future stories about these two people.
The book begins with horse owner, Tink Elledge, coming upon the wreck of a neighbor’s horse van, chillingly described. Soon afterwards, while preparing her horse and its rider for a big three-day event, Tink discovers that the opening scene wasn’t an accident but possibly murder. This gets her to start inquiring into what is really going on with her fellow competitors, eventually leading to an investigation into illicit drugs. But are the drugs for the horses or the people? We don’t know that answer until the ending with its surprising climax.
Menino’s book is great for people who are into horses and especially the three-day event scene. She is obviously extremely knowledgeable about horses and this type of horse racing. At the same time, you don’t need to know horses to enjoy this book as it has a plot that is crisp and vivid with realistic personalities, not the least of which is the curious and headstrong Tink. The action slows down a bit in the middle, with a bit too much back-story on some of the characters, but the ending scenes more than make up for it.
This is a well-crafted book with plenty of intrigue and endearing characters, especially Tink. A thread throughout the story is the fascinating and developing relationship between Tink and her husband, Charlie. I look forward to future stories about these two people.
October 2, 2013
Former world-class rider and adept trainer Tink Elledge struggles with the reality that after an accident leaving her with neurological problems, she may not be able to ride competitively again. Since her talented young colt Exit Laughing is entered in the Brandywine Three-Day Event, she has to let another rider compete with him. It's hard enough getting used to being a spectator, but before the event even starts, an accident on the road kills a respected trainer and a talented colt and a young groom disappears. Tink finds that just watching the event leaves her with more excitement and danger than she ever anticipated.
I really liked this book. I liked the strong personalities and the characters involved. The descriptions of the three-day event certainly sounded accurate, even though that's a part of the horse world I know less about. I'm looking forward to Tink's next adventure.
I really liked this book. I liked the strong personalities and the characters involved. The descriptions of the three-day event certainly sounded accurate, even though that's a part of the horse world I know less about. I'm looking forward to Tink's next adventure.
December 12, 2013
All Tink Elledge cares about are her (third) husband Charlie, her stepson Stephen and her horses. An accident has forced her to give up event riding, temporarily at least, but Stephen's girlfriend will ride Tink's prize horse instead. Then the stable girl at the next farm disappears, right after she's involved in an accident that's fatal to the driver, and also the horse they were transporting. Tink can't ride, but she can snoop, leading to predictably dangerous consequences. If you like horses, you'll really love this.
October 1, 2015
My boyfriend's mother got this for me at the library sale because I love horses and because she's infected me with a taste for murder mysteries. It was very appreciated, especially as fun airplane reading and a nice escape from the mental exhaustion of lots of work + settling into a new city + trying to learn French.
Like I always do, I got caught up in wanting to know what happens. Finding out is fun, but ultimately, this was a little too half-baked and improbable, plot-wise. There was just something incredibly out of touch about it.
Like I always do, I got caught up in wanting to know what happens. Finding out is fun, but ultimately, this was a little too half-baked and improbable, plot-wise. There was just something incredibly out of touch about it.
February 8, 2014
Was low on books and brought this home from the library. It was an OK read. I think the author expected readers to know more about horse shows than the average reader would.
I think the plot was too far off from the story but maybe it was just me. Too many people were murdered in the book too. Just wiping out the whole community, really.
I think the plot was too far off from the story but maybe it was just me. Too many people were murdered in the book too. Just wiping out the whole community, really.
October 16, 2014
I want the hours of my life back spent in reading this book. It's tedious, gruesome and, despite the title and the reviews on the back cover, not funny AT ALL. Tink Elledge and her over-controlling husband are unsympathetic characters. The beginning scenes are a rip-off from "The Horse Whisperer." Too many details and too much to swallow for so short a mystery.
October 12, 2013
This mystery, which has at its center a three-day horse show event, introduces good characters, ones that readers will want to get to know better, participating in a rather lackluster investigation that takes its time getting started, though admittedly ends on an exciting note.
February 21, 2014
This is a bit on the lighter side of the murder mystery genre--good horse content, if you are feeling like there needs to be another Dick Francis out there then this would be a reasonable book to read. Tink is a likeable heroine, and the story was reasonably well constructed.
February 7, 2014
OK-easy read. I selected more for my interest in eventing than the fact it was a mystery.
December 2, 2015
just a fun, horsey ride.
February 26, 2015
I really enjoyed the descriptions of eventing and competition, and thought they were very accurate. Good mystery story that had me guessing up until the end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews