Santa Cruz horse veterinarian Gail McCarthy, seven months pregnant at the start of Crum's diverting ninth equestrian mystery (after 2004's Forged
), doesn't let imminent motherhood slow her down. When Gail's racehorse-trainer cousin, Jenny, calls for help after finding her dog, Boomer, dead from poison, Gail gets on the case. Jenny, who believes someone is stalking her, has ended her long affair with fellow trainer Don Chase, but Don's wife is angry and Jenny's ex-husband, Charley Parker, is also unhappy. Gail later picks up on clues that both men were involved in fixed thoroughbred races and had shady dealings with bookies. Indeed, the dog turns out to be only the first murder victim in this credible look at the high-stakes world of horse breeding and training. (Sept.)
