Customer Reviews

Riders Down

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In John McEvoy's second novel, also set in the idiosyncratic world of horse racing, you know whodunit and it's still a thriller. The villain, Claude Bledsoe, has to come up with a million dollars in order to inherit his grandmother's money. Since it's too hard to fix horse races the old fashioned way, using his superhuman strength and knowledge of nearly every skill acquirable through literally dozens of undergraduate and master's degree programs, the maniacal Bledsoe starts intimidating, blackmailing and murdering jockeys to throw races. McEvoy limns the life of jockeys and their families, whom he so clearly respects. The percipient protagonist Matt O'Connor (don't we all wish we had a boyfriend like that), a journalist following his hunches, finally catches up with Bledsoe - or the other way around. Think Grace Kelly in Rear Window. For fans of Chicago and Madison, these places are rendered lovingly. Fast paced and funny, Riders Down is satisfying in every way.

I have worked at race tracks and the writer makes this world within our world come alive--we learn stuff. The characters, from Glockner the bookmaker to Maggie the trainer, are strong. You're easily drawn into them and their lives. The plot is suspenseful and the ending delivers. If you love Chicago, the world of horseracing or just a strong mystery, you'll go for this book. Hope McEvoy's got another one up his sleave.

John McEvoy's Riders Down is like two books within a single cover---the first full of insights into the world of horse racing which then becomes the backdrop for the second, a fast paced detective drama. McEvoy tells a good story with style, drawing on a closet full of colorful characters reminiscent of a Damon Runyon novel. And by the time the last page is turned, the reader can not help but be infected not only by the author's passion for `the sport of kings' but by his abiding love for the racetrack community that brings it to life.

"The Professor" has a chalkboard full of ideas and it's time to turn the turf into his playground of riches...no matter what the odds.

Author John McEvoy delves into the real shadows of the Thoroughbred industry in this mystery novel of greed, intimidation and murder. And leading on the turn for home is Claude "The Professor" Bledsoe, who needs a cool $1 million real soon to score a family inheritance that will last a lifetime. He has a plan to fix races, but not through ample helpings of oats and water at the midnight hour or sponges jammed deep down noses.

Chicago-based racing scribe Matt O'Connor has logged enough time on the backside in the morning and inside the press box during the afternoon to know something just isn't right on the track and asks for some help in playing his hunches from Thoroughbred trainer - and girlfriend - Maggie Collins. But as this investigative exacta draws closer to the truth, they get pulled into a battle to the ultimate winner's circle, where those holding losing pari-mutuel tickets get fitted with a special style of cement shoes.

Though some of the action is as predictable as watching a 1-9 choice crush a mediocre field by 15 lengths, McEvoy provides enough insider's tidbits into the game that makes this trek around two turns worth the entry fee.

I sometimes anticipate what's going to happen next, i.e., who's going to get killed and how, but even when I'm fairly close, which is not very often, McEvoy goes way beyond my anticipation. As a bonus, there's a lot about horses, racing, and jockeys that I did not know, but found it was a pleasure to learn.

Here's a fast-paced look at the dark side of racing, written by someone who obviously knows the track inside and out. Peopled with unforgettable characters, the intricate plot moves smoothly towards a truly smashing finish. A wonderful read for mystery fans and/or racing enthusiasts.

I read McEvoy's excellent first novel Blind Switch last year. Riders Down captured my attention even more, and I was sorry that it had to end... let's have more!