Review of Photofinish

[Elizabeth-Tush4Christ]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Photofinish" by Cheryl Kerr.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Photofinish by Cheryl Kerr.

If you like horses and stables set in a time when people were building ranches, you will find this book interesting, and some parts will resonate deeply with you.
The author takes us into the life of Rory Kind, a pleasant elderly man who owns and runs his own stable. He has a granddaughter named after him. Mr. Kind built his business from scratch, developing resilience and lasting discipline, qualities essential in his line of work. Over the years, he has built a solid reputation, which is why someone is now interested in buying his business-turned-legacy.
Mr. Kind organizes a horse race where people place bets and enjoy the thrill of watching the racetrack. The adrenaline rush and meticulous preparations make the event even more exciting for spectators and bettors alike. However, Mr. Kind himself organizes an event where the unexpected occurs—someone sets their sights on the day's proceeds.

Lucien, a man with an ulterior motive and troubled thoughts, attends the event. Though he has never been involved in a murder, he finds himself entangled in a situation that begins as a petty theft or robbery but escalates into a murder. This incident becomes the climax of the book. The author skillfully peels back layers of secrets in the lives of the characters connected to Mr. Kind, all in a bid to unravel the murder mystery. Detective Morgan, or Bailey as she prefers to be called, is assigned to the case. She is an officer who strictly follows the rules. Will her by-the-book approach solve the case, or will another injustice get lost in the bottleneck of bureaucracy? Well, let’s hope the law works and the system isn’t as broken as Rory Kind Jr. observes. Rory Jr. is another interesting character who plays a pivotal role in solving the murder case.
The story has a delightful pace, and the ending is satisfying. The characters are well-connected, and each has a distinct role that they execute perfectly. The author did an excellent job of linking events and arranging them in a way that flows seamlessly.

However, I noticed the book isn’t suspenseful at the start. Although it begins with the tension of a murder, I felt the opening scene could have been better developed to hook readers immediately. The book felt slow at times, which slightly diminished my enjoyment. This is the only aspect I would change, as the storyline is otherwise excellent.
For this reason, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. It is well-edited, and I noticed no errors. There are a few instances where the author’s choice of words felt redundant, but given the historical setting, they were appropriately used.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves an enjoyable read. It’s a book that grows on you as you delve deeper into it.
 

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Photofinish
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[Lene Lena]

It sounds like a captivating story that intertwines the life of Rory Kind with unexpected twists. The murder mystery unfolds through Detective Morgan's investigation, revealing deep secrets among the characters. The author seems to effectively build tension and intrigue, making it a compelling read. I will look out for this one. Thanks for this amazing review.

[Amy Luman]

It must have been difficult for Rory to see the racetrack that he built become the scene of a murder. I’m glad that you didn’t find any errors in the book and were happy despite the slowness of some of the book. Thanks!

[Gerry Steen]

I have always enjoyed watching horse races on television and I can get lost in a good murder mystery story. Your review has piqued my interest in this book. I am adding it to my bookshelves. Thank you.

[Diane C Johnson]

Very nice review of "Photofinish" by Cheryl Kerr. It appears to contain a cast of well-developed and interesting characters. The setting sounds appealing. It seems like the author could have done a better job of building suspense around the robbery and murder in the story but all in all it sounds like an intriguing mystery.

[Priya Murugesan]

Despite the slow pace, I would love to read this book as it good plot and well-written characters. I also love the satisfying ending. Thanks for providing such a wonderful review!