A review by theavidreaderandbibliophile
Canter With a Killer by Amber Camp

3.0

Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp is the first A Horse Rescue Mystery. Mallory Martin owns a horse rescue in Hillspring, Arkansas. Her cantankerous neighbor, Albert Cunningham is murdered. The victim had called Mallory the day before and they had a heated conversation. Unfortunately, someone overheard the phone call and spilled the beans to the police. Mallory is not about to let herself stay at the top of the sheriff’s suspect list. She quickly begins asking questions and taking notes. The situation is not looking good for Mallory as the evidence mounts. She will need to narrow in on the guilty party or Mallory will soon need a change of address form. Mallory Martin is a difficult character to like. She is in her 40s and has started a horse rescue. She has a donkey who loves attention as well as a playful dog. Mallory is her own worst enemy. All her actions just made her look guilty. Mallory finds ways to justify her bad behavior and questionable actions. She also has a quickfire temper and takes out her frustrations on people who are trying to help her. The mystery was straightforward. It was obvious who would die and who would take the blame. Mallory has her suspects list which focuses on people she does not like. Mallory is the type of person who leaps before she thinks. She jumps to incorrect conclusions and, of course, acts on them. Mallory treated several kind people terribly. She even blocks someone on her phone because they did not get back to her quick enough. Mallory is her own worst enemy. The mystery can be solved early in the book. One detail is all it takes to solve the crime. I wish the author had portrayed Hillspring in a better light. The townspeople come across as unwelcoming and mean. The story does contain mild foul language. I loved Mallory’s donkey, Biscuit and her dog, Banjo. There is a love interest for Mallory, but I am shocked the man wants to be with her after the way she treated him. The pacing could have used improvement. I believe part of it is due to the author’s detailed descriptions, especially on what people are wearing and the day-to-day details of what it takes to run a horse rescue. I did not enjoy my first visit to Hillspring, and I am not planning to return. Canter with a Killer is country cozy with a braying Biscuit, a murdered grumbler, a handsome hunk, police problems, a barking Banjo, helping horses, and a scrutinizing amateur sleuth.