Customer Reviews

Close Call

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In the previous three novels in the series, John McEvoy demonstrated his uncanny ability to match the master, Dick Francis, in writing mysteries with a horseracing background. Now, he again has written a memorable tale using the same protagonist, Jack Doyle, and his "fairy godfather" and raconteur, the furrier-to-the-mob, Moe Kellman.

Just returned from New Zealand and at loose ends, Moe suggests that Jack become the publicity and advertising director of a rundown racing park south of Chicago, Monee Park. The track was owned and operated for many years by Moe's friend, Jim Joyce, who recently died, leaving 51 percent ownership to his niece, with the balance to his nephew who lives in Ireland. The racetrack is run down and hardly making any money. The niece, whose husband suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), intends to keep running the track in the memory of her uncle. The nephew would rather have it sold to developers and use the cash to expand his bookmaking business.

From this conflicting interest a whole series of events takes place, with Jack at the center. As in previous entries in the series, this book is tautly written and suspenseful, well-plotted and exciting right up to the conclusion. It is highly recommended.

Former boxer failed advertising account executive Jack Doyle is euphoric with his new position as the public relations director for Monee Park thoroughbred racetrack outside of Chicago. However, Jack also knows the job may prove fleeting as the track struggles financially with bankruptcy a very strong possibility. Besides liking the job, Jack is also attracted to his employer, Celia McCann, whose husband suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease.

Celia's hopes of saving the track that she and her cousin Niall Hanratty co-inherited from her Uncle Jim reside with the legislature that is considering allowing Monee Park to install video slot machines. However, Niall wants to sell the property to developers. He hires hooligans to disrupt and impair the track. Jack believes he must protect Celia anyway he can.

Jack Doyle remains an interesting lead character (see RIDERS DOWN and BLIND SWITCH) as he tries to keep his employer safe from her cousin, keep the race afloat, and keep his hands off the married dedicated woman he desires. The story line is action packed as thugs sabotage and threaten Celia. However, the milieu of a racetrack is underplayed as CLOSE CALL never digs deep into world of thoroughbred racing like its predecessors did. Still fans who enjoy a damsel in distress thriller will find John McEvoy's latest a winner.

Harriet Klausner

Riders Down won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Mystery/Suspense and I loved it, so I read Blind Switch and Close Call. Jack Doyle is the protagonist in both of the latter novels. I was happy to pick up with his adventures in Close Call. I knew he wouldn't stay in New Zealand or with his lover there, nor does he stay with the love interest in this book, but there is something irresistible about this guy: funny, a former fighter/handy to have around kind of guy if you find yourself constantly in trouble (as Celia Mann, owner of a suburban race track does). McEvoy covers a lot in this novel: racing, of course -- politics, Ireland, drugs, disease, loss and infidelity. McEvoy is old school - that's hard to find these days! You'll be glad you found Close Call.

John McEvoy's third novel, Close Call, is his best by many furlongs - Doyle continues to be in the right place at the right time,and his other characters are well defined and (mostly) likeable folks.

Another installment of what we hope will be a long shelf full of John McEvoy and Jack Doyle.