“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
more
This is the best western I’ve dad on a long time. I loved that the main character was a strong woman but not without flaws. I can’t wait to read the next book.
A different kind of character. I like her alot
Entertaining….romance with a good whodoneit. I look forward to the next book in this series
Easy read. Informational about horseshoeing and the business while the main character is looking into a murder.
I started it but quit reading when it became X rated.
I loved this book
I couldn’t read past the first 2 chapters. The dialogue like the central character was poorly educated and the story line was poorly constructed
I hadn’t released it was going to be about a same sex couple
This book was hard to read. Jumped all over the place. Speech was hard to understand. Didn’t read past first chapter.
Great read
I was so disgusted with the author’s portrayal of Texans, strong women and constant, never ending derogatory male bashing I initially stopped reading on page 42. I’m a Texan, strong woman and I have never heard such ignorant speech patterns. It is best left with the Beverly Hillbillies TV program! Cute “wisdom” sayings, yes. Ignorance, no.
I’m glad I decided to complete the book as it turned out to be quite good with some surprises along the way.
If you can get past the Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn speech patterns of a supposed modern day, educated woman who was born in a wealthy family; this book is for you. I certainly will not search for another by this author if this is an example of future characters.
Cudos to the editor who tried to correct this error.
This writer has the ability to spin a great yarn and I loved her subject. However, I found myself struggling with the her intended meaning. I read many sentences several times trying to understand the heroine’s thoughts without success. She Describes a girl tough enough to shoe horses, but did not clearly present her thoughts, in my opinion
A well written book; I’m looking forward to the second book y this Author!
Good info on horses. Somewhat clunky on characterization. The plot is okay.
I lacked any identification with the main character. Forced myself to read up to page 84 and then gave up.
Not my kind of book. I need something more challenging
The development of the main characters is add to the plot
slow reading; however, if you are into horse shoeing you might enjoy it more.
Great female lead in a mostly male-profession: farrier. Strong, independent, very appealing character.
Unusual setting but well done.