Horse Lover's Mysteries Books

Equal parts amateur sleuth whodunit and understated contemporary romance, the first installment of Michele Scott's Horse Lover's Mystery saga is a fast-paced murder mystery that revolves around Michaela Bancroft, a 32-year-old horse trainer whose personal life is quickly coming apart at the seams. Struggling through an ugly divorce and in danger of losing her southern California ranch to creditors, Bancroft finds her already chaotic life turned upside down when her beloved uncle Lou is found murdered in a stable stall, impaled by a pitchfork. The distraught Bancroft vows to find the person or people behind the senseless homicide, but the deeper she digs into her uncle's secretive past (an ill-managed business venture involving an artificial insemination breeding program, rumors of infidelity, mysterious payoffs, etc.), the more potential suspects come to the forefront. Even Bancroft's closest friends --- trusted veterinarian Ethan Slater and her fun-loving roommate, Camden -- become prime suspects. Ignoring the advice of hunky detective Jude Davis, Bancroft continues snooping around and soon finds herself the killer's next target…. Scott's genre-blending Saddled with Trouble will appeal to mystery and romance fans alike. Her newest could easily be categorized as a romantic suspense à la Linda Howard or Nora Roberts.

Michaela Bancroft is headed out for a day at the Quarter Horse Races with her dear friend Audrey Pratt. However, a fun day under the southern California blue skies turns dark and gloomy rather fast, when Audrey reveals that her brother (racetrack veterinarian) Bob Pratt has been missing for a few days. Michaela suspects that Bob may be out on a binder and hopes that isn't so, as Audrey has recently put her brother through rehab. But when Audrey winds up murdered at the races, out on the back forty lot next to the parked horse trailers, Michaela suspects that Bob's disappearance and Audrey's murder are related. She is determined to find out who did this horrible thing to her friend and locate Audrey's missing brother.

A new tack shop and a gala polo match are reasons to celebrate for horse trainer Michaela Bancroft-until equestrian Sterling Tabor is found clubbed to death with a polo mallet. Worse yet, suspicion falls on Michaela... The weapon belongs to Michaela, her prints are all over it, and rumors of her alleged affair with the victim aren't helping. With her boyfriend Detective Jude Davis out of town, Michaela doesn't stand a chance of proving her innocence and clearing her name unless she delves into Tabor's mysterious life-and death-on her own. But in unearthing a real suspect and a motive, she discovers a deadly past. And Tabor's shady friends are more than willing to throw Michaela off the track-for good.