Canter with a Killer

Mallory gave up everything she had to make a big change in her life by opening a horse rescue. Though not everyone is supportive of her endeavors, such as her neighbor, who has loudly made his displeasure known. When that same neighbor is found dead, all the evidence seems to point to Mallory. With the cops focusing on her, Mallory comes to the unfortunate conclusion that she’ll have to be the one to find the real killer and clear her name.

The mystery focuses on Mallory in the middle of a murder investigation, having to prove her own innocence, which creates a layer of suspense. Mallory is paired with a great assortment of characters that pairs well with her lighthearted yet strong-willed personality. At the heart of the mystery is a lovely commentary on horse rescuing and the need for rescues which is established through the inclusion of horse characters. The horses have backgrounds and personalities that allow you to get to know them, such as Biscuit, from an abusive rodeo situation, Tunie, who is wary and standoffish, and Zeus, who is becoming very docile. Canter with a Killer is a clever and humorous mystery that delivers a must-read debut with a lot of personality.