Book Review: Give First Place to Murder

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Give First Place to Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Kathleen Delaney
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Horses   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ellen "Ellie" McKenzie
Publish America, Paperback, 2004, 207 pages

First, let me say that I am not a horse enthusiast. That said, I don’t think you have to be to read this book.

Ellen McKenzie’s daughter, Susannah, works on a local horse farm. Ellen discovers a dead man in a barn with a pitch form buried into his chest at a horse show. Her boyfriend, Chief of Police Dan Denton, investigates. It is discovered that the victim was a new employee at the local horse farm and was a meth addict. Dan feels there is a connection between drugs and the horse shows.

Ellie sells real estate in town and is asked to price selling the horse farm. Due to the murder, Ellie feels that even though she’s unsure of how to price it, she needs to stay close to Susannah and the farm. So she goes to meet with the owner.

Dan continually asks Susannah to quit her job and Ellie to stay out of things. But Ellie and Susannah are in the middle of it all and quickly decide that they need to figure out who the killer is before they find themselves in danger. Unfortunately they don’t stay totally out of danger before the end of the book.

I really liked Ellen. Her relationship with Dan was well written and enjoyable. It’s a great romantic mystery.

With plenty of twists and excitement, this book will keep your interest. I recommend it.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com