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Jeri Howard Mystery #9
A Killing at the Track
Investigator Jeri Howard is fascinated by the beautiful horses and the zealous spectators at stylish Edgewater Downs. But behind the scenes, where the owners, trainers, jockeys, and grooms mingle, life is not so pretty.
Someone is terrorizing owner-trainer Molly Torrance with sinister phone threats. Who would be so malicious? Jeri's money is on ambitious jockey Benita Pascal, whom Molly recently fired. But what about great horses suddenly losing races? Or the blonde Jeri spies betting a bundle on the longest of long shots? And what about . . . cold-blooded murder? For when death's dark horse hugs the rail, Jeri gallops to find a ruthless killer.
Someone is terrorizing owner-trainer Molly Torrance with sinister phone threats. Who would be so malicious? Jeri's money is on ambitious jockey Benita Pascal, whom Molly recently fired. But what about great horses suddenly losing races? Or the blonde Jeri spies betting a bundle on the longest of long shots? And what about . . . cold-blooded murder? For when death's dark horse hugs the rail, Jeri gallops to find a ruthless killer.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 2, 2000
About the author
Janet Dawson
66 books75 followersJanet Dawson is the author of The Sacrificial Daughter, first in a new series featuring geriatric care manager. She has also written thirteen novels featuring Oakland private investigator Jeri Howard. Her first, Kindred Crimes, won the St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America contest for best first private eye novel. The most recent book in the series is The Devil Close Behind.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 20, 2021
This is another superlative entry into the Jeri Howard series, which I love. It’s time to saddle up for a look into the world of horse racing, which the author brings to life in vivid detail as she takes us behind the scenes. From the first few pages, you know someone’s going to be killed.
It’s not long before a jockey’s body is found and Jeri is on the case. Already investigating a series of threatening phone calls to one of the trainers, she now has a murder to investigate. The police are there, but she’s got a head start in a couple of areas and uses the knowledge and contacts she’s making at the track to ferret out the truth. A second death raises the stakes.
Like all of the books in the series, Jeri works hard to piece together the clues to uncover the secrets that provide the motives for the deaths. While there are no surprises, it’s all deftly handled as she puts together the pieces and builds the tension to an exciting climax.
If you’ve never tried this series, you’re missing out on a great private investigator and some fascinating backgrounds that make the stories that little bit different and more interesting as a result.
It’s not long before a jockey’s body is found and Jeri is on the case. Already investigating a series of threatening phone calls to one of the trainers, she now has a murder to investigate. The police are there, but she’s got a head start in a couple of areas and uses the knowledge and contacts she’s making at the track to ferret out the truth. A second death raises the stakes.
Like all of the books in the series, Jeri works hard to piece together the clues to uncover the secrets that provide the motives for the deaths. While there are no surprises, it’s all deftly handled as she puts together the pieces and builds the tension to an exciting climax.
If you’ve never tried this series, you’re missing out on a great private investigator and some fascinating backgrounds that make the stories that little bit different and more interesting as a result.
January 3, 2022
Murder on the racetrack
Again, exceptional writing by Janet Dawson. Jeri Howard is one of my favorite private eye characters. She's a tough PI and gets down to the bottom of the case quickly. Jeri describes in detail how she makes her conclusions and then carries us to the take-down. I , also, enjoy the descriptions of the area s she's in. I'm a California girl and know the state very well and enjoy reading about places I've been or live in. I highly recommend the Jeri Howard books.
Again, exceptional writing by Janet Dawson. Jeri Howard is one of my favorite private eye characters. She's a tough PI and gets down to the bottom of the case quickly. Jeri describes in detail how she makes her conclusions and then carries us to the take-down. I , also, enjoy the descriptions of the area s she's in. I'm a California girl and know the state very well and enjoy reading about places I've been or live in. I highly recommend the Jeri Howard books.
February 20, 2024
part of a series i like, got the boxed set 1-9
this book finds her at the racetrack. the man she met during her last book at the food co has a friend that has horses that race. her dad died 2 weeks previous. they were both getting disturbing threatening phone calls and her fence at her house was on fire. she doesnt know who is making the calls or why. she doesnt want to go to the police, she was in trouble before and doesnt want them involved.
jeri starts investigating to figure out who is doing this
she also found out the girls dad was murdered from poison in his coffee. there was race fixing and 2 murders, one a female jocky
this book finds her at the racetrack. the man she met during her last book at the food co has a friend that has horses that race. her dad died 2 weeks previous. they were both getting disturbing threatening phone calls and her fence at her house was on fire. she doesnt know who is making the calls or why. she doesnt want to go to the police, she was in trouble before and doesnt want them involved.
jeri starts investigating to figure out who is doing this
she also found out the girls dad was murdered from poison in his coffee. there was race fixing and 2 murders, one a female jocky
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2018
Love her books. Always a different twist that is revealed near the end.
Characters from other books appear in her books which I find refreshing.
It is a sequel of life, that I like. Her books always have a theme. This one was about plants and poisoning I enjoyed reading about horse racing..
Characters from other books appear in her books which I find refreshing.
It is a sequel of life, that I like. Her books always have a theme. This one was about plants and poisoning I enjoyed reading about horse racing..
August 9, 2021
Well I didn’t see that coming and I was really surprised at the end. The author is as meticulous as her sleuth and investigator Jeri Howard. Tearing the pieces of that onion apart until you get to the center and you know the whole truth!! I really love this series and I’ve enjoyed the journey of reading each book!!
February 13, 2022
As a former owner & trainer of Thoroughbreds on the West Coast I found this book for the most part s true depiction of life on the race track. Is a good mystery even if you are not a racing fan & a great one if you are. Enough twists & turns with characters to both like & dislike. This is my first novel to read of Ms. Dawson but it won’t be the last.
March 1, 2018
Jeri Howard strikes again
PI Jeri investigates a race track and the intrigue surrounding it. This story is similar to others with Jeri's great investigative skills and vivid, well researched background. Will miss Jeri until another book comes out.
PI Jeri investigates a race track and the intrigue surrounding it. This story is similar to others with Jeri's great investigative skills and vivid, well researched background. Will miss Jeri until another book comes out.
August 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, which was primarily set in Fremont, CA and the Niles Section of Fremont. Having grown up in
Fremont I am very familiar with Niles. Janet Dawson got it right. I loved the plot about Horse racing.
Fremont I am very familiar with Niles. Janet Dawson got it right. I loved the plot about Horse racing.
April 17, 2021
I enjoyed this behind-the-scenes view of racing, where death and race fixing meet. David Vanitzsky, from the previous novel makes a return appearance. A few clues were a little obvious, but still a solid mystery.
May 24, 2021
Horse Racing Mystery
Not my favorite takes place at a race track. There’s horse betting fixing races relationships and murder. Just the overall theme of horse racing did not thrill me.
Not my favorite takes place at a race track. There’s horse betting fixing races relationships and murder. Just the overall theme of horse racing did not thrill me.
June 9, 2021
Kinda like Dick Francis books
I have read all the Dick and Felix Francis books and this is very like them. Except this is a woman detective but it sill involves horse racing and those who like to cheat. I enjoyed the story and hope to read more of them.
I have read all the Dick and Felix Francis books and this is very like them. Except this is a woman detective but it sill involves horse racing and those who like to cheat. I enjoyed the story and hope to read more of them.
June 11, 2021
Fascinating
The author did her homework on this one. She made sense out of what I always thought of was a muddle at a race track. The plot moved along well. The characters are well described. Great read.
The author did her homework on this one. She made sense out of what I always thought of was a muddle at a race track. The plot moved along well. The characters are well described. Great read.
June 19, 2021
Excellent Book
This is a very good book. The plot flows right along, the characters are believable. Fans of Dick Francis will like this book. It has all his ingredients- horses and a mystery.
This is a very good book. The plot flows right along, the characters are believable. Fans of Dick Francis will like this book. It has all his ingredients- horses and a mystery.
June 19, 2021
Horses
This must be my summer for them. A friend owns a stable and offers possibilities for people with disabilities. Which led me to watch Heartland and now this series of books. Fun.
This must be my summer for them. A friend owns a stable and offers possibilities for people with disabilities. Which led me to watch Heartland and now this series of books. Fun.
June 23, 2021
NICE STORY
This book told a good story about thoroughbred horse racing and the characters that are found in that life. The storyline moved steadily to the end where the troublemakers are identified and arrested.
This book told a good story about thoroughbred horse racing and the characters that are found in that life. The storyline moved steadily to the end where the troublemakers are identified and arrested.
April 5, 2022
I hung in there over 1/3 of the way through the book, but just couldn’t get into it. The only excitement up to this point was a burned fence. Was it started by accident or intentionally. The only killing at this point is my interest in plodding on any further.
October 10, 2022
A Bunch of Killings
A Killing at the Track appealed to my like of mysteries and love of horses and racing! It is an easy read with a good investigating female character. When you're in the mood for a rainy day read, this is a good choice.
A Killing at the Track appealed to my like of mysteries and love of horses and racing! It is an easy read with a good investigating female character. When you're in the mood for a rainy day read, this is a good choice.
July 18, 2018
I need to go back. I think this series might be best red in order but this works as a standalone.
October 2, 2018
A Killing At The Track
Very entertaining storyline about a racetrack dealing with mystery. What begins as an investigation into threatening phone calls soon reveals deeper problems.
Very entertaining storyline about a racetrack dealing with mystery. What begins as an investigation into threatening phone calls soon reveals deeper problems.
December 13, 2018
One of the better episodes in the series.
March 30, 2019
Excellent writing. Reminds me of Dick Francis’ books which I adore.
July 5, 2020
It took me awhile to get into this book but I stuck with it and it turned out to be pretty good.
June 7, 2021
Can not wait to read the rest of the them
June 8, 2021
A good read
The story was good a bit slow and more detailed than I like with regards to horse racing. If you like the track and horses you’ll enjoy it!
The story was good a bit slow and more detailed than I like with regards to horse racing. If you like the track and horses you’ll enjoy it!
June 8, 2021
I found it interesting enough to read to the end but in some respects it was t real.
June 10, 2021
This was a very informative book as well as a page turning thriller. Full fleshed characters. Easy to read. I had to finish this book before I could do anything else.
June 11, 2021
This is the 1st book I read by Janet Dawson. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 3 because horse 🏇 racing doesn't interest me.
June 15, 2021
Very enjoyable
Here is a well-written, entertaining mystery....my first read by this author.... and I will certainly be looking for more of her books!
Here is a well-written, entertaining mystery....my first read by this author.... and I will certainly be looking for more of her books!
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June 16, 2021Read 6/21
June 19, 2021
A good mystery
It takes quite awhile to figure out who the crooks are in this one. An interesting read Eve if you are not into horse racing
It takes quite awhile to figure out who the crooks are in this one. An interesting read Eve if you are not into horse racing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews