The Ostrich Race

by Simon Birks

Gordon Paige, retired author, now lives alone, seven years after the death of his beloved wife, Brenda. She was his life, and now all he has to fill the long days are the trials of his children and ‘The Ostrich Race’, a competition that’s been running in Brenda’s family for well over a hundred years.

But this year the Race is going to be different in more ways than one. This year, along with the regular players, there’s another, anonymous participant, who seems to know an awful lot about the workings of the Race.

Intrigued by this new entrant, Gordon sets out to track down their identity. Little does he realise, however, that during the next twelve months, his life is going to be turned upside down, as he uncovers secret after secret about the past, and the family, he thought he knew so well…

The Ostrich Race is a story about love and family; about the things that break us apart, and the things that bring us back together.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Family

274 pages, ebook

First published July 9, 2012

Reviews

[Kris Loveid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled families, secrets, and missed opportunities. I wish there had been details about the race but I suppose it's not important. Great characters. Nice story.

[Gary A. Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best novel I've read in ages

I bought this book on a bargain book website. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the characters. My heart feels full of love, sadness, regret, and adoration the characters had. You won't be sorry for reading this wonderful book.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is seriously a very mysterious read. It takes you through so many life events of ups and downs and shows you how family grows and heals. It was an interesting read. Read during the Corona Virus Pandemic of 2020.

[Barbara J Wicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a family and friends

A really different tale. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, but you really get to know them well.

[Anna Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quiet book about friends, families and relationships. Although the ostrich race is the binding force for the book, I was 50 pages or more into the book before I found out what the ostrich race was about. Nothing much seems to be happening but you learn how these people are connected and what moves them. The mystery concerns an unknown person who joins the race and a missing envelop that may be held by this unknown person. The whole thing is told with caring and charm.

[Kathy Anderson-robitaille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this story, I found it difficult to remember the numerous characters attached to the story. I still do not think that I know how a few are related in regards to the main character Gordon.
Also, at two points in the book, I was left scratching my head.
The first one is in Chapter 9, when Gordon goes to Pamela's house. It describes that her daughter Denise is sitting at the top of the stairs. Gordon goes and tries to talk to her, but she does not respond. Pamela then tells Gordon to ask her to see her "Wendy house" Gordon them climbs the stairs and sits a couple stairs below and asks "Anything that I can help you with"?
It then says that Trudie shook her head no. Who was sitting on the top of the stairs? Denise or Trudie?
Then in Chapter 30, the day of Louise and Chris' wedding Maggie left Gordon's house to go and help Louise. Chris was suppose to go to Gordon's house at 10:15 a.m.. At that exact time the doorbell rang and Gordon thought it was Chris, being right on time. When he opened the door, Maggie was there, telling Gordon that Louise went into labor. Why was Maggie ringing the doorbell when she lived with Gordon? Or am I mistaken?

[Kay Mcaloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this good. Lots of interesting characters and lots of things happening until the very end. Would highly recommend this book.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. The annual Ostrich Race is a family game, in which members hunt for clues and solve puzzles. The game takes a year to play. Gordon has run the race for many years, but this year is his last. A story about families, the usual ups and downs of life and new beginnings.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the story is unveiled, the pace, and how relatable are the characters. Simple, but sometimes as hard as life can be, and on the whole, filled with love.
At some points I was confused with all the names, which made some chapters hard to follow as I had to remember the story of the character, but other than that, it´s a very enjoyable story.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is some spelling/grammatical errors I found especially in the second half of the book.

[Stephanie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had my doubts...

The start of this book is slow going and I almost quit reading it! I'm glad I didn't! It's a well-crafted story with many twists and turns and great characters. You will enjoy it!!!

[Jo Notary]

he learns shocking truths about her family, an anonymous entry, runs ostrich race for over 100 yrs in deceased wif, a widower with children

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon Order Details Order #D01-9127224-0448226
Placed on Friday, April 6, 2018