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Breakaway: A Gail McCarthy Mystery [Hardcover]

Laura Crum (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)


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Book Description

July 11, 2001
Veterinarian Gail McCarthy has been working with horses for years and will in fact take over the practice when her boss retires. She has seen many different problems, but nothing could have prepared her for her newest call.

Early on a Saturday morning, Gail receives a disturbing phone call from a local woman. The woman, Nicole believes that her mare has been sexually violated during the night and wants Gail to come take a look. Gail confirms Nicole's suspicions and urges her to call the police. Whoever would do this to a horse is clearly a dangerous person and shouldn't be at large, but Nicole refuses to take any action.

However, the situation turns more dangerous. One night when Gail and her best friend Kris return from dinner, Kris finds her 15 year-old daughter knocked unconscious and their horse violated. Gail is determined to find answers before more lives are put at risk. It takes some ingenuity and the help of a friend on the police force to uncover the perpetrator, who may also be wanted for murder.

In this sixth addition to the series, Veterinarian Gail McCarthy manages to solve the puzzle while battling personal problems and even learns more about herself in the process.

Laura Crum, a horse lover and trainer for over twenty years, uses her knowledge of horses and her fine writing skills to create another memorable entry in this charming series set in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevadas.


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura Crum, pictured on her horse Gunner, lives in Aptos, California with her husband, Andy, and son, Zak. She currently cares for right horses, two dogs, four cats, twelve chickens, and a large garden. Breakaway is her sixth book.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (July 11, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312271816
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312271817
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,608,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, June 19, 2001
This review is from: Breakaway: A Gail McCarthy Mystery (Hardcover)
In Santa Cruz County, California, Veterinarian Dr. Gail McCarthy feels depressed about her personal life since her boyfriend Lonnie Peterson left town. Her work has not helped her mood and dating Clay Bishop fails to pick her out of her gloom. She does make a new friend, artist Nicole Deveraux, but the circumstances under which they first met are nasty. Someone tied up Nico's docile mare and apparently "raped" the horse, leaving behind a substance that looks like semen. Because the European Nico is an illegal alien, she rejects calling the police.

Gail's friend Kris Griffith becomes the owner of the second horse victim as her mare is sexually abused and her daughter knocked out. This time the police are called and verify the fluid left behind is semen. Apparently, the culprit is becoming more compulsive and the question is whether women will be next and if yes will he kill to remain hidden?

BREAKAWAY spends most of the plot following Gail as she battles with depression. The who-done-it does not form until two-thirds of the tale is finished. Thus, Laura Crum's novel is more of a character study with even the mystery tying back to Gailí's present psychological woes. If you prefer an Affirmed - Alyder horse race, this is not your Triple Crown winner. However, fans that enjoy a leisurely paced horse ride will want to read BREAKAWAY.

Harriet Klausner

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Another fine read..., July 29, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Breakaway: A Gail McCarthy Mystery (Hardcover)
While I found the basic premise of the book a little hard to believe (or maybe I just didn't WANT to believe it - to give the author credit, she says that it is loosely based on an incident that actually occurred at a barn where she boarded her horses), it offers Crum's usual mix of suspense, veterinary information and background in the world of horse people, along with a surprise culprit. I didn't figure this one out midway through the book.

Crum's books offer my favorite combination - horses and mystery. My only complaints are that her books are too short and there is too much time between releases!

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3.0 out of 5 stars Not so thrilled, October 3, 2009
By 
J. Johnson "Lotsabooks" (Palmdale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Breakaway: A Gail McCarthy Mystery (Hardcover)
This is the second book I've read by Laura Crum, after Chasing Cans, and my primary impression is that her protagonist sure whines a lot. I am attracted to the "horsey" subject and the veterinary profession but I can't say I've been thrilled by either of the books I've read. In Chasing Cans she whines because she can't be a stay-at-home mommy and a full time vet, and in this one she whines about being depressed.
So - in Breakaway, vet Gail McCarthy is battling depression apparently triggered by breaking up with a long-time boyfriend. We get pages of her fighting to get up and get going. She gets badmouthed by a client after a vet call, but we don't get much about horses she cures. No doubt the author meant this to show how depression can slant things, but as a new reader I'm not really sure if she's meant to be competent or not.
The mystery is interesting (although creepy), and sadly you know it could happen. The book is a nice fast read. I liked the mystery, the descriptions of her house and her friend's paintings, the rides she takes - but ultimately I'd rather read about characters that have more self-confidence and fewer problems.
I'll give her one more try, maybe I can find one of the earlier books.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Dr. McCarthy, I would like you to come check my horse." Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
barn aisle, boarding stable, stock trailer, alfalfa hay
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jeri Ward, Bishop Ranch, Harkins Valley, Nicole Devereaux, Blue Winter, Santa Cruz, Clay Bishop, Alan Todd, Mike O'Hara, Warren White, George Corfios, Linda Howard, Kris Griffith, John Jay, Quarter Horse, Marianne Moore, Matt Johnson, Sauvignon Blanc
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