Catch Handle

By: Alison O'Mara

Narrated by: Stephanie Richardson

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2020 AudiobookReviewer Best Mystery Award and Finalist for the 2020 Indies Today Award, Catch Handle is an enticing cozy mystery.

Arabian horses are admired for their strength, grace, and athleticism. They are beautiful, intelligent, and remarkable animals. As a newly minted veterinarian, Vivian Anderson knows and loves horses better than most. With an important horse show on the line and the search for a full-time vet job fast approaching, Vivian is fully occupied at her aunt’s Arabian horse ranch and her equine medical externship.

Vivian’s world is abruptly shaken by a shocking murder that casts suspicion on the people she thought she knew best. Stolen medications, fatal “accidents”, unsavory horse handling, and a handsome newcomer have Vivian reeling. She cannot shake the feeling that the seemingly random events are all part of the same puzzle, but who can she trust?

Vivian is about to learn just how dangerous her world of horses can be.

©2020 Alison O'Mara (P)2020 Alison O'Mara

Critic reviews

"Cemented by strong characters, a sense of place and community, and a love of animals and mystery alike, Catch Handle is a cozy mystery highly recommended for readers who like their mysteries surprising, their protagonist all too human and vulnerable, and their stories multifaceted and engaging." (D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review)

"There is no doubt that Alison O’Mara is a rising star in the fiction world. Unexpectedly informative, unusually well-balanced, and entirely un-put-down-able, Catch Handle is the perfect light mystery for a cozy afternoon!" (Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today)

"I give this novel 5 stars! This cozy is excellently edited and checks off all my boxes for a good read.... I recommend this book especially to animal lovers and folks familiar in any way with the horse community." (The Cozy Devotee)

Murder mystery in the horse world

I chose this (audio)book because of the topic of a veterinarian working with horses, two special interests of mine lately. am not an expert on either topic, and that is why I wanted to read this. The story is full of authentic-sounding horse and veterinary details that make this come off as researched and knowledgable.

As for the story itself, I was a little disappointed in the pacing. In a lot of murder mysteries, the murder happens first and then we meet the characters through suspect interviews. This was a little different in that we meet the ensemble first, and it's so large that it takes a while to get to the murder. I was a little bored about that and wondered if the summary was misleading.

I promise you, reader, that a murder does happen. Two, in fact! Other reviewers mentioned how it was the last person you'd think to do the crime, and I don't know if I'd agree with that. But, like any good mystery, several people do look guilty, so there are some good red herrings in there.

As I write this review, it's been a few days since I finished the story, and the narrator's performance isn't that memorable. That's not the same as saying it was bad, because I don't think it was. I remember bad performances that annoy me. This performance did what it was supposed to do and served the story without drawing attention to itself.

So while not exactly the dark story I was expecting (this borders more on cozy territory), this works and has insight into a world that hasn't been overdone yet. A good solid read. Recommended.

Disclaimer: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The Veterinarian and the Horse!

Catch Handle by Alison O’Mara focuses on a young veterinarian student seeking more job experience and training. She joins her Aunt at her horse ranch hoping for the necessary skills to finish up. However, Vivian finds herself wrapped up in a mystery with murder, horses, and so much more!

The author, O’Mara has captured the essence of a veterinarian and the equine world. Carefully weaving the two with a mystery that has a shocking end was very engaging and suspenseful. O’Mara combined her passion for horses and mysteries into an intriguing book that has room to grow into a series. The dialog was well done, and it helped move the story forward.

O’Mara’s writing style pulls people into the story effortlessly. Her polished writing is complete with richly vivid imagery. Her knowledge of the horse world is clear.

The narrator, Stephanie Richardson, performed the audiobook perfectly. The words rolled off her tongue in a soothing manner. She injected the correct amount of emotion when needed. Her rhythm was smooth and refreshing.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this is an excellent one! I look forward to the next book by Alison O’Mara and the next performance by Stephanie Richardson.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

A Really Good Equine Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook! It will appeal to horse lovers. The plot revolves around the Arabian horse show world and show barns. The characters are horse owners, horse breeders, veterinarians, farriers, people who show, and various associates. The story clops along at a steady pace. I found myself waiting for something awful to happen to the main character, Vivian, as the tension builds in the plot. Vivian juggles a light romance with two different men during the story, as well as her veterinary career and showing horses. Dogs and a cat are included too.

Author Alison O'Mara has a nice writing style. Her characters have distinct personalities and seem like real people. Some are quite admirable. Others are likeable despite their flaws. A couple of the characters will remind the listener of someone whom they dislike. Narrator Stephanie Richardson gives a good performance and has a lovely voice.

Fun story with a compelling mystery

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The author really brought the world of horses to life, and made me care about the characters, both human and animal. The mystery was interesting and I had fun thinking about all the different characters and trying to guess who the culprit was. The narration was perfect and really brought me into the story.

loved it

great book. enjoyed the facts about horse breeding and raising. didn't see the end coming.

Horse lovers will relate

Horse lovers will relate to this mystery.

Stephanie Richardson did a good job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

An Arabian horse show murder mystery

Catch Handle is an interesting story about Arabian horses, a veterinarian, and murder. It is clear that the author knows her subject matter and for those interested in Arabian horses, this will be a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story also has some romance, including an interesting love triangle. However those looking to read a murder mystery may be disappointed as the murder happens well into the book. I myself loved the book, but found it a bit disjointed.

The narrator is well suited to the book and does an excellent job.

"This book was given to me for free at my request, and I provided this voluntary review."

Excellent

Great story about Arabian horses and mystery. The narrator was good and added to the story. Well done and enjoyed. Given audio for my voluntary review

World of horses

Alison O'Mara brought us a beautifully written love letter to horses and horse lovers everywhere with Catch Handle. Driven by characters that feel alive and filled with vivid descriptions of places, animals and events, Catch Handle is a great mystery novel. Voiceover artist and narrator Stephanie Richardson brings the story and its characters to life with a joyful, feel-good performance. It’s clear from her narration that she truly enjoyed this story and had a blast recording it.
So, if you are interested in the world of horses and are intrigued by a good murder mystery, Catch Handle might just be the book you’ve been waiting for.
If you like this review please consider giving it a Helpful Vote below. You can find more of them here and on theAudiobookBlog. I also post reviews at the author / narrator / publisher’s request. Get in touch with me for more details.

A great primer to understand the horse show culture.

Nice combination of horse culture intertwined with a mystery with unexpected twists and turns. I look forward to another book by this author.