Review of Photofinish
Posted: 24 Dec 2024, 14:40
[Following is a volunteer review of "Photofinish" by Cheryl Kerr.]
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.
******
Photofinish
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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.
******
Photofinish
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon