Canter With A Killer
Horse Rescue Mystery, Book #1
Amber Camp
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Mollie Cox Bryan, Amber Camp’s debut novel will have you galloping through the pages, as a horse rescue owner races to find a killer and clear her name.

Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue. It’s everything she’s been missing, with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes suspect number one. Since Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. Sparks fly, and soon she’s got a new boyfriend. But there’s a case to be solved, and she redoubles her efforts to learn the truth.

The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm. None of the evidence is holding up though, and Mallory learns that she'll need to take the reins on this investigation if she's going to clear her own name. (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Mallory Martin owns a horse rescue and along with her employees the rescue is doing very well. The biggest problem she has is her neighbor, Albert Cunningham. He is making problems for her whenever he can. When he is found murdered her problems get bigger. She becomes the number one suspect and she knows she is going to find the real killer. With the help of her friends and volunteers that is exactly what she plans to do.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and it brought me into the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed reading about the horses and what is involved in horse rescue. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there are enough clues to sift and suspects to consider. I was very surprised when I found out who the killer really was.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I love a good cozy mystery, and if animals play a large role in the book, then so much the better. I was further drawn to this book by the fact that it takes place my home state of Arkansas, which isn’t featured in fiction very often. What I found was fun, fast paced cozy mystery.

Mallory is an intrepid heroine who will charm readers. She’s a strong and capable woman with a big and caring heart, for people and four-legged friends alike. When she’s accused of murder, her inquisitive nature kicks into high gear. Her pursual of clues that she hopes will lead to answers are entertaining, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

Fans of cozy mysteries will not only love Canter with a Killer, but will be hoping for many more adventures with Mallory.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A great read! Mallory is feisty and intelligent. All of the supporting characters are believable and relatable. The mystery itself is well plotted and entertaining. It's a great start to what I hope will be a long series. And I want a guard donkey.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am posting this review voluntarily.

A solid start to a new cozy series. I really liked the horse theme of this series and Mallory is a fun character. I also liked the Arkansas Ozarks setting as I live not far from that area in the Missouri Ozarks. The mystery is good although the fact that Mallory was basically the only suspect from the standpoint of the police for pretty much the entire book was a little much for me. I look forward to book 2.

Horse rescue, dogs and a quirky donkey - sure got my attention. Mallory Martin is a refreshing main character, a woman who walks away from a failing marriage and her job to chase her dream of setting up a farm as a haven for rescued horses. The fly in the ointment is her cranky next-door neighbor, a man who has a posh stable and nothing good to say about her rescue work. Yes, he's a major pain but that's not a motive for murder. When he's found dead in the stable the police chief focuses on Mallory to the exclusion of others who had more solid motives. With her future on the line she is aided in her search for the killer by her best friend, Lanie and Lanie's husband, Bill. They make a nice sleuthing team. We also get to know the two young volunteers how help keep things running. Together they support Mallory at the time she most needs it.
There are people who had serious motives to kill him, way beyond Mallory and the threats to have the rescue farm shut down. Land use, relationships and pollution from his run-off affecting a neighbors crops,,,it's a list well worth examining. Put it all together and this is a very good debut mystery. I will be sure to pick up a copy of the next book in the series as soon as it's available.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

Book one in a new series.

As a life-long Horse Girl, I saw this book on NetGalley and immediately requested it.

Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my hopes for the series. The idea behind it, of giving up your grind of a job and bad marriage to start an animal rescue, is a good one, but Mallory kind of annoyed me. She came off as naive and way too trusting of a handsome face. First rule of any murder mystery should be don't trust anyone, followed by don't immediately start dating a family member of the victim, duh.

I'm willing to give book two a try, but it's definitely on my library list and not on my "purchase" list.

Mallory Martin moves back to her hometown and starts a horse rescue. But soon she’ll found herself in trouble after his neighbor is found dead in his barn. Now she’s looking for the real killer but the evidence against her is growing.

An interesting cozy mystery. It helps to like horses, dogs, and especially a donkey. They add much to the story. Nice to read about a divorced couple that still care about each other and are respectful. Happy to see that is the first of a new series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

4.5★s

Mallory Martin felt a sense of peace at her horse rescue property, in Hillspring, Arkansas. She'd left her husband and job in the city after realising they'd grown apart and they liked different things. Her property and the horses, along with her best friend Janie, kept her sane. But when her next door neighbour, cranky, critical and general pain, Albert Cunningham, was murdered in his barn, her long time friend, police chief Grady, had Mallory in his sights. Mallory's shock turned to anger and she was determined to discover Albert's killer herself, before she ended up in jail for something she didn't do.

Along with the local attorney Andy, and Lanie, Mallory began her investigation. She had a couple of suspects but their alibis checked out. Then she discovered another local who'd had arguments with Albert - could it have been him? Desperate to clear her name, she put herself in more dangerous situations than was sensible. Would she discover who the killer was before she was arrested - or worse?

Canter with a Killer is the debut novel and 1st in A Horse Rescue Mystery series by Amber Camp and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, lots of horse love, and an adorable donkey called Biscuit, plus two helpful young volunteers at the rescue, Tanner and Ashley, all contributed to making Canter with a Killer an excellent debut and I'm looking forward to the next in the series! I picked the perpetrator early in the proceedings, but it didn't stop me enjoying the story from start to finish! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A cute murder mystery novel. Love the cover.

I loved the story, the animals, and the supporting characters. What I didn't like was the main character. I hope she gets herself together in the next book.

Amber Camp has found a clever main character for this cozy mystery in a 40’s gal, Mallory, who is beginning a new life as a rescue horse owner. It’s such a refreshing look at a competent character who will need to use her previous skill of her past career as legal nurse consultant. While struggling to keep her rescue business, she is trying to also a side business as a riding school. Her closest neighbor has a plush horse farm and objects to Mallory’s new venture and her horse farm in general. However, when he is found dead in one of his barns, Mallory is targeted as a prime suspect in his death. Several other persons in the area could be counted as suspects and Mallory realizes she must put her sleuthing skills to save herself. The persons in Mallory’s life were indicative of the true nature of Mallory: good friends who come to her aid including an anonymous donor to keep her business afloat and add to its features. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book; this is my honest review

A good start for a new cozy series. I liked the unusual setting (horse rescue) and the characters. The solid mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I loved this so much! It's set in Arkansas, and it doesn't play into the stereotypes of Arkansans. The protagonist was very endearing, and I loved the horse rescue theme! I cannot wait for book 2!

Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp introduces Mallory Martin who owns a fledgling horse rescue in Arkansas. Her neighbor, Albert, is not happy about Mallory’s rescue saying that it devalues his property. So when Albert is murdered Mallory is the prime suspect.

I love the setting, the rescued horses and especially that oh so quirky donkey, who quickly became one of my favorite characters. Suspects abound and will keep the reader on their toes guessing who done it until the final pages. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.). This was a very enjoyable read.

I enjoyed both the story and the mystery. I found the characters interesting and I could understand the MC frustration in being a suspect and her behavior.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well laid out mystery and with good pacing. The setting is interesting and I liked the characters. My issue was that it just kind of moved on. There was no real action or drama. I didn’t connect with the main character or anyone else in the story. I never got really involved with the story. I may read the next one in the series as there wasn’t anything wrong but it wasn’t very exciting.

This was such a fun start for a new series by a new cozy author! I loved the idea of a horse farm and rescue. I've never actually been around horses but I sure like them a lot (especially my niece's awesome horse,) so to me, it's a unique job for a main character for a little change-up. Mal was a good main character and seems to have come a long way since her divorce. I was proud of how she didn't take any lip from one of the business owners who'd been said to be spreading rumors that she was who killed her grouchy neighbor.

I really liked Mallory's bestie Lanie a lot, what a hoot! She and hubby Bill were two of the nicest people, and anyone would be proud to call those two friends! Bill was such a big ole teddy bear and so sweet to back Mal in her quest for doing business with someone who didn't think she was a killer. Mal's two college-age volunteers were just the best in what they did. I can totally see how Ashley and Tanner filled the void in Mal's life that her daughter occupied when she was home. It'll be interesting to see Mal and Ginny work together when Ginny completes her vet degree.

I hadn't honestly suspected whodunit but it was a different twist for sure. What a great showdown, go Biscuit, you cute li'l bodyguard donkey! I loved the very ending and now I'm eager for more in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This one was an okay read for me. I grew up with horses and loved the animal scenes and descriptions. However the main character was obnoxious and I just couldn't really get past that to enjoy the story. The mystery was okay but I was never really into the book. This one just didn't work for me.

Canter With A Killer is the first book in the A Horse Rescue Mystery series by Amber Camp.

Mallory’s father has signed the family farm over, and being divorced, she decides to leave her job as a legal nurse consultant and move back to the family home in Hillspring, Arkansas. Mallory has opened a horse rescue on the farm and has two volunteers, Ashley and Tanner, helping her to care for rescue horses. One day, her neighbor Albert Cunningham calls and tells her she needs to shut down her rescue as it is lowering the property value of his champion horse farm, where he breeds champion horses. As Mallory starts her day the next morning, she peers out the window and sees police cars gathered at Cunningham’s barn. She heads over to Cunningham’s farm to learn the problem and soon knows that Cunningham is dead. A few hours later, the police are at her door to question her. After her ex-husband is slow in advising her of a suitable lawyer, she engages a local lawyer, Andy Hannigan as her lawyer. Hoping not to have to use him, she will begin her own investigation.

Mallory will find several possible suspects that she will need to learn more about where they were at the time of Cunningham’s. They include Cunningham’s lady friend, a neighboring organic farmer who claims that run-off from his farm is causing problems for her farm, and another neighbor who claims that some of his fences prohibit him from accessing his land.

The book is well-written and plotted and reads at a steady pace. The characters were well-developed and interesting. I did have problems with Mallory. She was very offended that the police wanted to search her home, but she didn’t have any trouble searching through the house of one of her suspects.