“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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Loved the lead lady – plumb country and tough in a practical way..
Neat story
While this is not the kind of book I usually read, I fell in love with the characters. I still don’t have any real idea about shoeing horses but enjoyed it anyway. Will look forward to more.
Great plot. Funny, yet very serious. A real page-turner. The main character is on a par with Harry Bosch for humorously solving a crime. Disappointed no other books by this author are available on nook.
Good insight to the world of the Ferrier.
I just wasn’t able to get into this book.
Enjoyed this first in the series. Main character is very good and developed as the book went on. Will read the others in the series.
Great, interesting concept. Learned more about horses and shoeing than I ever knew. Good story, would like to read more with Rainy.
Twisted plot, lots of suspense, interesting characters, things about horses and their people new to me and most readers I suspect
I found the horse shoeing pretty interesting.
not a horse person but still enjoyed book.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. The concept of a woman farrier appeals to me. She deals with things, for the most part, as best she could. Some of what she gets into is not that easily understood, and that detracts from the story. Again, however, I do like the story. Try it for yourself.
Unusual. Not many books with a “shoer” as the main character. A little too much material that was used as a page filler. Probably won’t read any more of her books unless I am left bookless.
I enjoyed this book. It was refreshing having a non typical heroine.
A little slow
too much info about names of horses and names of tools and names of work being done on horses hoofs and etc..the main character in the story was dumbed down to where she sounded as if she wasn’t smart enough to learn how to walk much less be a farrier. I like to read fiction for entertainment, not to learn how to shoe horses and all the info in the book was very off putting. I am sorry but altho I read to the end in hopes it would improve, it didn’t. Very disappointed
I am enjoying this book very much.
It isn’t action-packed, but it has enough action to it to keep it interesting. Witty throughout.
I really loved this book about Rainy Dale, who shoes horses in rural Oregon. A quirky, distinct voice. I look forward to more books in this series.
The Clincher by Lisa Preston
A Horseshoer Mystery #1
Rainy Dale is a delightful new character that I enjoyed getting to know. She is in the business of shoeing horses and highly competent in the profession though only having been on the job for a relatively short time. As I read I learned a great deal about horses and hooves as Rainy and Guy, her boyfriend, figured out who killed Mrs. Harper. The scene was set in such a way that I felt I was there. Knowing exactly what Rainy was thinking at all times made this read even more fun. I am eager to read more about Rainy, Guy and the others that no doubt will show up in future books of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Modern Western Cozy Mystery
I loved this cozy mystery. Our heroine is a bit rough around the edges, which makes her all the more realistic! The plot is great with many things going on at once. All of the characters are so real they could be people that I have known. The animals are also very realistic – no Wonder Horses here! Now I want to read the whole series! I received this book for free and this is my honest review.