This thrilling tale, embedded in the rich legacy of thoroughbred racing and its surrounding ecosystem, delivers vivid descriptions of the sport and the betting that goes along with it—all capably drawn from Bahna’s two-decades-long experience in breeding and retiring racehorses. Characters are cinematic in their delivery, particularly Bahna’s gangster, Tony Kaufman, and his band of ne’er do wells—who luxuriate in Hennessy XO and Verdi’s Il Trovatore while commanding lackeys to follow orders… or else. Bahna skillfully manages a sense of perpetual immediacy, with danger lurking just around the corner, keeping readers on their toes with brutal fights, double-crossing, and high-octane chases.
Matt’s criminal past eventually returns with a vengeance, threatening not just him but Kristine as well, as the pair is forced to grasp at every straw in order to stay a step ahead of the dangers chasing them. But beyond the white-knuckle action, Bahna adds a humanistic perspective about the horses themselves, highlighting the exploitative practices and animal cruelty that can pursue the industry, all without sermonizing, instead transforming this story into an intense crime thriller that will resonate with those who favor chilling page-turners.
Takeaway: Chilling story of illegal horse race betting, with incredibly high stakes.
Comparable Titles: Dick Francis’s Dead Cert, Jason Beem’s Southbound.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: NA
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-