“Hits like a nailing hammer and won’t let go– Preston’s] horseshoeing sleuth, Rainy Dale, is a new and distinctive voice in crime fiction.” –Craig Johnson, New York Times-bestselling author Rainy Dale is the Clincher, a twenty-something high school-dropout turned farrier (horseshoer) who is haunted by a secret she carries. Estranged from her California D-list actress momma and her ranch hand … actress momma and her ranch hand Texas daddy, she tracks down her childhood horse in small-town Oregon–a land full of cowboys–then stays to build a life with her tools, steel, and forge. She’s sleeping in a garage and trying not to fall for her landlord, the hapless and hopeful chef, Guy, who is determined to create the perfect souffl while Rainy would prefer to just stuff her mouth with fuel for her physically demanding job.
As the new kid in town, Rainy has an uphill battle to prove herself, especially to her male clients, but when one of her customers turns up dead, Rainy is in over her head–as both a suspect and a seeker of the truth . . .
“Fast-paced, absorbing and fun to boot, The Clincher grabs your attention from the first paragraph and never loosens its grip. Rainy Dale–horseshoer with sass–is one of the freshest and most original sleuths to come along in mystery fiction. May she live on and on ” –Margaret Coel, New York Times-bestselling author
” An] exuberantly quirky series opener . . . The exciting, crowd-pleasing finale will leave readers breathless and eagerly awaiting Rainy’s next adventure.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“For those who enjoy both mysteries and horses, it’s a must.” —Library Journal
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I couldn’t decide for a while whether I liked the protagonist character in this book, because although she’s tough and a hard worker (admirable) in what has been a man’s field (horseshoeing), she’s so laconic and at times seems willfully obtuse. But I couldn’t put the book down, because the story and situation is original and the character is always interesting, and those are the hallmarks of a good story. I definitely want to read the other books in the series.
What a delight to discover Lisa Preston and The Clincher. Witty, original mystery with a tough, unique-voiced protagonist and fast-paced style. Wonderful love interest in the chef, too. I’ll be picking up the next installment in the Horseshoer Mysteries.
This is a good first novel. The author captures the way horse people think and talk. I also appreciate the story being set in eastern Oregon, an area sadly neglected in popular fiction.
Enjoyable to read.
Great book. It was somewhat different getting the pattern of thought down, but hurray for the good guys!! I loved this book. Characters were great, the plot was good.
It was ok.
Started too slowly for me…if I go back to it, I may revise my rating
GOOD STORY LOTS OF REAL ADVENTURES
Just plain old good reading! Will follow this author in the future.
Good story and easy to read.
It was very different. I enjoyed the mystery part of it and clearly thought the main character was very unusual and down to earth.
A light hearted and enjoyable contemporary coming of age novel. Not bogged down with the usual sentimentality but straight forward and engaging. An unforgettable main character who becomes a woman of note. A real contribution to the modern Western novel.
I enjoyed this book, a very different kind of story.
At first I was annoyed with the very talented shoer in how she treated her chef boyfriend with picking out everything she saw as incorrect wording in their conversations but as the story evolved, her troubled past made her cautious and bitter. Eventually the bits and pieces of that past surfaced when one of her clients was killed and she became the suspect. Her conversations with her boyfriend began to light up as he truly loved and wanted to protect her. When her own life was almost snuffed out by the true ruthless killer, her eyes opened to the reality of how she really saw herself, thankful for her boyfriends love and protection along with all the good work she did with her beloved horses. I’ll leave the last chapter for those who want to an action packed ending!
Excellent
Great modern-day cowgirl story. Great intrigue and wonderful story.
The characters, especially the main one, were confused and confusing. A young woman who can’t seem to understand the questions put to her, and then is too confused to even answer. It’s painfully obvious she is a “horse woman”, but she goes on and on and on about stuff horse people use. Who cares?
I think it was written for teen age girls. I couldn’t even finish it.
Highly unusual female lead character. She is a horse shoer. Makes for all interesting situations. Recommended. If the price drops on the next book, I will pick it up too.
The Clincher by Lisa Preston has everything I love In a book.
A very different and well written book from anything I have ever read!! She incorporates a female horseshoer (farrier) with the driest sense of humor. Her quick whit leaves me continuously laughing. If you love horses, were raised around horses, and all the lingo that true horse people use, this book is perfect.
Plus an added bonus: a great murder mystery weaved with any and everyone being suspect. Excellent plot enhanced with one of the greatest mysteries, I’ve ever read. Well done, well done!!!!