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Bullet Work
"They lived for that one chance; the chance to get home first. They waited for that one second. For that moment when they broke into the clear down the home stretch, and no one was going to catch them. Behind the glamorous exterior of horse racing, lies the gritty reality of the backside. Within this fiercely competitive world of owners, trainers, vets, and jockeys something has gone terribly wrong. As opening day approaches, one racehorse is poisoned, another has her leg crushed by a lead pipe and a third mysteriously disappears. Shock and horror grip the racing community.Despite all security efforts, the brutal killings continue. For Dan Morgan it becomes personal when his precocious two-year-old filly is targeted. Dan befriends AJ Kaine, a lonely, horse whispering young man. AJ is a hotwalker, the lowest of jobs in the backside food chain. But AJ has a secret--perhaps a secret that can corner a killer. With AJ s help, Dan must crack the extortion scheme or risk becoming the next victim. "
349 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2011
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April 3, 2011
Article first published as Book Review: Bullet Work by Steve O'Brien on Blogcritics.
Somewhat in the tradition of Dick Francis, Steve O’Brien has put together a remarkable story set in the background of the horse racing community. When prime horses begin to die or disappear, one trainer goes the distance to find the culprits. The background information uncovers the reasoning behind the nefarious dealings; it is a swindle to milk the trainers or their owners of money. The money required is twenty dollars a head on the horses to keep them safe. While on the surface it does not seem enough to put the beautiful beasts at risk, it is nevertheless a clever ploy at protection.
Many trainers understand the problem is only the tip of the iceberg, and understand that to give in could only create further blackmail and further demands. Dan Morgan takes it personal when his horses and team become targeted. He begins his own investigation.
Watching the denizens of the racing world, those that remain in the background, he discovers a young man, a boy really, one that seems to stand out. While looking for information and background on the people from the track, he cannot help but notice that there is something different about this youngster. Constantly bullied he remains unhurried and calm that is until it comes to the horses. Terror and pain are common in the racing scene for the animals, but A.J. Kaine, appears to have the ability of “horse-whispering.” Yet it is more, from Dan’s perspective it appears that Kaine is able to siphon the stress and pain from the horse to himself. He is intrigued and makes every attempt to become A.J.’s friend. That is something A.J. is not comfortable with, but Dan perseveres, and is able to gain his trust.
The killings and the insertion of A.J. into the very darkness of the repugnant deeds put Dan in the middle of a roller coaster ride of emotions. As everything he owns and holds dear seem to attract the men holding the card in this dangerous game, he must look to himself and his reliance of A.J. to find the answers. Will he succeed? Can he make a difference? Time is running out, already trainers are pulling their horses ready to give up hope.
In Bullet Work, by Steve O’Brian, we see the back stages of the horse racing community. It is about the trainers and crews that work the horses, and do the work not seen by the people attending the events. It is a hard but rewarding life full of dangers. O’Brian’s descriptions put you in the paddocks and on the track, making you feel the heat and sweat. The depictions of the situations are brutal, with an eye at realism.
Through it, all you get to know the characters, they are hardworking and gregarious. The horses are their love and they take pride in their jobs. Where winning is everything, it is sometimes a thankless task. However, the work and pride goes on.
A.J. is an anomaly, a lonely young man, except for the horses. They mean everything to him. He has a form of Autism, and is incapable of socializing, so is often the butt of jokes and often abused.
This is a wonderful story, full of stories of the people behind the scenes. It is a mystery and suspense, with a bit of paranormal overtones. People are often interested in the “horse-whispering” phenomena and Steve O’Brien brings it to another level in Bullet Work.
I would recommend this book for reading groups and book clubs. It is interesting and fast paced with plenty of discussion fodder. I would consider it a must read for the Dick Francis fans, just another direction for the aficionados of the horse racing field with is mysteries and suspense, but it is also a wonderful addition to the paranormal scene. This book is a must have for any library.
This Book was recieved as a free copy from the Author through the Cadence Group. All Opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
Somewhat in the tradition of Dick Francis, Steve O’Brien has put together a remarkable story set in the background of the horse racing community. When prime horses begin to die or disappear, one trainer goes the distance to find the culprits. The background information uncovers the reasoning behind the nefarious dealings; it is a swindle to milk the trainers or their owners of money. The money required is twenty dollars a head on the horses to keep them safe. While on the surface it does not seem enough to put the beautiful beasts at risk, it is nevertheless a clever ploy at protection.
Many trainers understand the problem is only the tip of the iceberg, and understand that to give in could only create further blackmail and further demands. Dan Morgan takes it personal when his horses and team become targeted. He begins his own investigation.
Watching the denizens of the racing world, those that remain in the background, he discovers a young man, a boy really, one that seems to stand out. While looking for information and background on the people from the track, he cannot help but notice that there is something different about this youngster. Constantly bullied he remains unhurried and calm that is until it comes to the horses. Terror and pain are common in the racing scene for the animals, but A.J. Kaine, appears to have the ability of “horse-whispering.” Yet it is more, from Dan’s perspective it appears that Kaine is able to siphon the stress and pain from the horse to himself. He is intrigued and makes every attempt to become A.J.’s friend. That is something A.J. is not comfortable with, but Dan perseveres, and is able to gain his trust.
The killings and the insertion of A.J. into the very darkness of the repugnant deeds put Dan in the middle of a roller coaster ride of emotions. As everything he owns and holds dear seem to attract the men holding the card in this dangerous game, he must look to himself and his reliance of A.J. to find the answers. Will he succeed? Can he make a difference? Time is running out, already trainers are pulling their horses ready to give up hope.
In Bullet Work, by Steve O’Brian, we see the back stages of the horse racing community. It is about the trainers and crews that work the horses, and do the work not seen by the people attending the events. It is a hard but rewarding life full of dangers. O’Brian’s descriptions put you in the paddocks and on the track, making you feel the heat and sweat. The depictions of the situations are brutal, with an eye at realism.
Through it, all you get to know the characters, they are hardworking and gregarious. The horses are their love and they take pride in their jobs. Where winning is everything, it is sometimes a thankless task. However, the work and pride goes on.
A.J. is an anomaly, a lonely young man, except for the horses. They mean everything to him. He has a form of Autism, and is incapable of socializing, so is often the butt of jokes and often abused.
This is a wonderful story, full of stories of the people behind the scenes. It is a mystery and suspense, with a bit of paranormal overtones. People are often interested in the “horse-whispering” phenomena and Steve O’Brien brings it to another level in Bullet Work.
I would recommend this book for reading groups and book clubs. It is interesting and fast paced with plenty of discussion fodder. I would consider it a must read for the Dick Francis fans, just another direction for the aficionados of the horse racing field with is mysteries and suspense, but it is also a wonderful addition to the paranormal scene. This book is a must have for any library.
This Book was recieved as a free copy from the Author through the Cadence Group. All Opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
April 23, 2011
Bullet Work leads you into the world of the backside, where race horses are royalty, where last chances are played out, where hope of imminent victory keeps stable hands believing. No world is fair and the backside is wickedly cruel.
The story begins as opening day approaches at Fairfax Park. Stables wheel in their prized assets and the community makes its home in the shedrows that line the backside. Opening day approaches fueled by optimism and renewal. That is until someone starts killing racehorses. Two horses are killed in their stalls and a third is kidnapped. The backside is thrown into chaos. It isn't random though, it is a plan.
Dan Morgan is a recently divorced attorney who owns a small string of horses. Despite efforts by security, the brutal killings continue. For Dan it becomes personal when the killer targets his precocious two-year-old filly. Dan befriends a young stable hand, AJ Kaine. As a hotwalker, AJ holds the lowest of jobs on the backside. But AJ has a secret, perhaps a secret that can corner a killer. With AJ's help Dan must crack the case or risk becoming the killer's next victim.
O'Brien captures the optimism, fear and desperation of those on the backside. A bad streak will wipe out a business and scatter its employees, if they are lucky, to surviving stables. Everyone has a future yet to be played out, but it is a defense mechanism. They know they hold on precariously to the fate of their trainer.
The racing scenes put the reader right in the saddle. O'Brien puts you on the back of a thoroughbred--from the starting gate to the wire, from feeling the dirt spray flying off leaders heels to throwing a cross with the reins, pulling the whip and driving to the breathless finish. He captures the excitement of the competition, in a way that other fictional accounts don't attempt. These are some of the finest, most vivid accounts of thoroughbred racing action.
There are multiple subplots running through Bullet Work, but they all mesh beautifully into this dynamic story. Readers experience the pain and beauty of the backside and sadness and truth of its inhabitants. The characters are vivid and have complex and diverse backgrounds. To the uninitiated, the language of the racetrack can be as difficult to follow as a foreign language. O'Brien's writing allows the the language of the backside to pour forth, while providing enough background to help the story maintain pace, originality and integrity.
The story is suspenseful. Chapter ends compel the reader to not put it down.
The story begins as opening day approaches at Fairfax Park. Stables wheel in their prized assets and the community makes its home in the shedrows that line the backside. Opening day approaches fueled by optimism and renewal. That is until someone starts killing racehorses. Two horses are killed in their stalls and a third is kidnapped. The backside is thrown into chaos. It isn't random though, it is a plan.
Dan Morgan is a recently divorced attorney who owns a small string of horses. Despite efforts by security, the brutal killings continue. For Dan it becomes personal when the killer targets his precocious two-year-old filly. Dan befriends a young stable hand, AJ Kaine. As a hotwalker, AJ holds the lowest of jobs on the backside. But AJ has a secret, perhaps a secret that can corner a killer. With AJ's help Dan must crack the case or risk becoming the killer's next victim.
O'Brien captures the optimism, fear and desperation of those on the backside. A bad streak will wipe out a business and scatter its employees, if they are lucky, to surviving stables. Everyone has a future yet to be played out, but it is a defense mechanism. They know they hold on precariously to the fate of their trainer.
The racing scenes put the reader right in the saddle. O'Brien puts you on the back of a thoroughbred--from the starting gate to the wire, from feeling the dirt spray flying off leaders heels to throwing a cross with the reins, pulling the whip and driving to the breathless finish. He captures the excitement of the competition, in a way that other fictional accounts don't attempt. These are some of the finest, most vivid accounts of thoroughbred racing action.
There are multiple subplots running through Bullet Work, but they all mesh beautifully into this dynamic story. Readers experience the pain and beauty of the backside and sadness and truth of its inhabitants. The characters are vivid and have complex and diverse backgrounds. To the uninitiated, the language of the racetrack can be as difficult to follow as a foreign language. O'Brien's writing allows the the language of the backside to pour forth, while providing enough background to help the story maintain pace, originality and integrity.
The story is suspenseful. Chapter ends compel the reader to not put it down.
April 16, 2011
Steve O'Brien Continues to Climb
After reading ELIJAH'S COIN, the first book by this fine new author Steve O'Brien this reader couldn't help but reflect that one of the reasons that excellent novel was so powerful was the fact that much of the courtroom denouement of that story was made more visceral because the author is a practicing lawyer: his skills as a legal council were as evident as his new skills as a writer. Now, reading this terse, fascinating novel BULLET WORK a similarity exists: not only is O'Brien a lawyer, he is also a former thoroughbred owner, a fact that gives him much inside information when writing this engrossing story about the life of horse racing.
The story of BULLET WORK is well described by others reviewing this book: it is a tale of intrigue and crime that accompanies the field of raising, training, and racing horses - a tale well plotted to keep the suspense level high and the reader involved, making it one of those books that is comfortable (and compulsive) to read in an evening. What makes O'Brien's novel so engrossing is the manner in which he lays out his story - creating characters so three dimensional that that are wholly recognizable throughout the book and different enough in variation to make every actor in the drama important. Dan Morgan is the humanistic thoroughbred owner who recognizes in the quiet, limping AJ a teenage hotwalker capable of being a horse whisperer, Crok the feisty female café owner whose personality levels the playing field among the myriad men assigned to the various important jobs in the 'backside' (the stables and training aspects of horse racing), the 'bad guys' are double named Baseball Cap/Falcon and Cowboy Hat/Raven, etc. The manner in which O'Brien introduces each of these characters in brief focused chapters is a stroke of writing genius, a polished version of the manner in which some other novelists such as Cormac McCarthy have always used. But the story would not seem as involving were it not for the extraordinary veracity of O'Brien's description of the minute details of place and circumstance that set the scenes for the animal abuse and killings that drive this story. And as in his previous novel, there are ample amounts of life lessons to be learned form the interaction between Dan Morgan and the simple yet insightful AJ.
Steve O'Brien continues to impress with his skills as a writer and his underlying concern for humanity that is so lacking in the work of other writers of this genre. He only makes us eager for his next book!
Grady Harp
After reading ELIJAH'S COIN, the first book by this fine new author Steve O'Brien this reader couldn't help but reflect that one of the reasons that excellent novel was so powerful was the fact that much of the courtroom denouement of that story was made more visceral because the author is a practicing lawyer: his skills as a legal council were as evident as his new skills as a writer. Now, reading this terse, fascinating novel BULLET WORK a similarity exists: not only is O'Brien a lawyer, he is also a former thoroughbred owner, a fact that gives him much inside information when writing this engrossing story about the life of horse racing.
The story of BULLET WORK is well described by others reviewing this book: it is a tale of intrigue and crime that accompanies the field of raising, training, and racing horses - a tale well plotted to keep the suspense level high and the reader involved, making it one of those books that is comfortable (and compulsive) to read in an evening. What makes O'Brien's novel so engrossing is the manner in which he lays out his story - creating characters so three dimensional that that are wholly recognizable throughout the book and different enough in variation to make every actor in the drama important. Dan Morgan is the humanistic thoroughbred owner who recognizes in the quiet, limping AJ a teenage hotwalker capable of being a horse whisperer, Crok the feisty female café owner whose personality levels the playing field among the myriad men assigned to the various important jobs in the 'backside' (the stables and training aspects of horse racing), the 'bad guys' are double named Baseball Cap/Falcon and Cowboy Hat/Raven, etc. The manner in which O'Brien introduces each of these characters in brief focused chapters is a stroke of writing genius, a polished version of the manner in which some other novelists such as Cormac McCarthy have always used. But the story would not seem as involving were it not for the extraordinary veracity of O'Brien's description of the minute details of place and circumstance that set the scenes for the animal abuse and killings that drive this story. And as in his previous novel, there are ample amounts of life lessons to be learned form the interaction between Dan Morgan and the simple yet insightful AJ.
Steve O'Brien continues to impress with his skills as a writer and his underlying concern for humanity that is so lacking in the work of other writers of this genre. He only makes us eager for his next book!
Grady Harp
March 21, 2011
I know next to nothing about horses, only what I learned from an early addiction to Dick Francis mysteries, which I read for fun, not racing form. This week I read Bullet Work by Steve O’Brien. This novel tells quite a bit about how horses are bought, sold, trained, stabled and raced; I’ll probably not remember the details any better than I did before. But I will remember the young horse-whisperer AJ and his uncanny ability. It’s a skill that annoys those who see the limping boy as an invader on their turf, fear of the unknown perhaps inspiring their determination to make the unknown afraid. I’ll remember Aly Dancer too. And I’ll confess my heart did beat faster as I watched her race. They’re neither of them the protagonist in this tale, but they’re powerful characters leaving a lasting impression.
Author Steve O’Brien builds a very convincing racetrack in Bullet Work, and peoples it with plausible, sometimes wonderful, characters, both equine and human. There’s Dan, the lawyer who owns horses. There’s Jake who trains them and struggles to make ends meet. There’s Ginny the money-lender, AJ the crippled boy, young jockey Kyle waiting for his break, cops and race-track-owners and more, not to mention Aly Dancer and her friends. But someone, somewhere in this world of horse-lovers, is hurting the majestic beasts in the name of money.
The author fills in details of horse-racing and makes me care about them, at least for now, so I don’t skip paragraphs of explanation even though the temptation’s there. He tells a thrilling mystery too, with danger, tension, investigation, suspicion and very believable dialog. Is the story about horse-racing, about solving the mystery, or about relationships? Perhaps it’s all three. It works. It leaves the reader drawing a breath of joy tinged with sadness. And the final message, “We all have a gift,” is one we’d do well to remember—Steve O’Brien’s Bullet Work is definitely a good read and I enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Rebecca at Cadence marketing in exchange for an honest review.
Author Steve O’Brien builds a very convincing racetrack in Bullet Work, and peoples it with plausible, sometimes wonderful, characters, both equine and human. There’s Dan, the lawyer who owns horses. There’s Jake who trains them and struggles to make ends meet. There’s Ginny the money-lender, AJ the crippled boy, young jockey Kyle waiting for his break, cops and race-track-owners and more, not to mention Aly Dancer and her friends. But someone, somewhere in this world of horse-lovers, is hurting the majestic beasts in the name of money.
The author fills in details of horse-racing and makes me care about them, at least for now, so I don’t skip paragraphs of explanation even though the temptation’s there. He tells a thrilling mystery too, with danger, tension, investigation, suspicion and very believable dialog. Is the story about horse-racing, about solving the mystery, or about relationships? Perhaps it’s all three. It works. It leaves the reader drawing a breath of joy tinged with sadness. And the final message, “We all have a gift,” is one we’d do well to remember—Steve O’Brien’s Bullet Work is definitely a good read and I enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Rebecca at Cadence marketing in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2011
Reviewed by Mona at RexRobotReviews.com
Bullet Work by Steve O’Brien is out of the gate with a burst of speed! This highly suspenseful thriller will have you “chomping at the bit” as you unravel the mystery behind it all. O’Brien takes us into the world of Horse Racing and what it takes to have a winner.
With his “insider info” on what happens in the life of not only an Owner but of a Hotwalker, O’Brien will send you on a journey through the racetrack backside, a side many never see.
Through the euphoric feeling of winning to the despair and agony of loss on and off the track. Where the story of a gifted horse whisperer ends in tragedy. This story surges with excitement for beginning to end as the reader delves deeper and deeper into this dynamic story as they begin to unravel the plots within plots.
O’Brien captures the complexity of the characters as they bring to life the diversity involved in training and then racing a Thoroughbred to victory, and the courage it takes to make the right decisions.
Through danger and threats, to not only the horses but to the heart of the backside “Bullet Work” will pull at those heartstrings and captivate the reader. I recommend this Book to anyone looking for a fantastic read and especially to horse lovers everywhere!
Bullet Work by Steve O’Brien is out of the gate with a burst of speed! This highly suspenseful thriller will have you “chomping at the bit” as you unravel the mystery behind it all. O’Brien takes us into the world of Horse Racing and what it takes to have a winner.
With his “insider info” on what happens in the life of not only an Owner but of a Hotwalker, O’Brien will send you on a journey through the racetrack backside, a side many never see.
Through the euphoric feeling of winning to the despair and agony of loss on and off the track. Where the story of a gifted horse whisperer ends in tragedy. This story surges with excitement for beginning to end as the reader delves deeper and deeper into this dynamic story as they begin to unravel the plots within plots.
O’Brien captures the complexity of the characters as they bring to life the diversity involved in training and then racing a Thoroughbred to victory, and the courage it takes to make the right decisions.
Through danger and threats, to not only the horses but to the heart of the backside “Bullet Work” will pull at those heartstrings and captivate the reader. I recommend this Book to anyone looking for a fantastic read and especially to horse lovers everywhere!
March 26, 2011
While I was in college, I had the opportunity to work in OTB and I learned a little about horse racing. Mr O'Brien wrote a realistic novel with a mysterious twist. The character I liked the best was the hotwalker AJ. He had a way with horses and was able to feel their emotions. Throughout the story, AJ is harassed by grooms and other hotwalkers and he still kept on going. The author recently wrote a wonderful post about AJ on my blog and after reading the post, I had a better understanding of AJ. There was sadness, greed, murder, and revenge all wrapped up in a well written novel. The ending was unpredictable but very sad. I will never tell. If you are a fan of horses then this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Eileen (Melissa's Mom)
Reviewed by Eileen (Melissa's Mom)
May 8, 2011
Loved the drama and suspense created. Main character had great moral compass within.
April 29, 2011
There is a world of owners, trainers, hot-walkers, grooms, vets, stall muckers that all work behind the scenes of horse racing. These people work on the "backside" of this highly competitive world. It is here that this story takes place.
As Opening Day approaches to this Virginia racetrack, horses are dying. As the season progresses more horses are killed. All in a scam to extort money from the trainers by some unknown person or group who want to be paid to keep the horses safe.
This becomes personal for the lead character of this book, Dan Morgan as one of his prize horses is targeted. Dan with the help of a very special young man, who seems to have a gift with horses, begin a mission to try to find out who is behind these awful killings and shut down the extortion scam all while keeping themselves from becoming the next targets.
My knowledge of horse racing before reading this book was pretty minimal. I have watched races like the Kentucky Derby on television so I know horses run around a track and people bet on who will win, place or show. This book gave me quite an education in the art of horse racing, from the learning which horses can run in each race, to the life behind the scenes of the track.
The story was also very interesting as to the lengths some people will go to to pad their own pockets. O'brien writes a great story of mystery leaving us guessing until the last chapter as to the culprits responsible for the deaths of the horses, but he also lets us fall in love with the character of AJ and then breaks our hearts.
The book is fast paced and while the story revolves around the extortion mystery, I found it more of a story of loyalty, trust and friendship. A race horse costs a great deal of money depending on age and talent so the owner has to trust the people he puts in charge of their care. The employees of the owner must be loyal not only to the owner but each other and give the horse the best care possible. But beyond all that what resonated for me was the friendship that developed between the young, AJ and Dan Morgan. An owner and a man who did probably the lowest of jobs on the "backside". There was a connection from the moment they met, that at first was resisted by AJ, but as the story progressed so did that friendship. AJ was a special person with a special gift, Dan was the only one to truly recognize this.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read and will look forward to seeing more from this author. He does have another book out Elijah's Coin thats looks very good and highly acclaimed.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Cadence Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
As Opening Day approaches to this Virginia racetrack, horses are dying. As the season progresses more horses are killed. All in a scam to extort money from the trainers by some unknown person or group who want to be paid to keep the horses safe.
This becomes personal for the lead character of this book, Dan Morgan as one of his prize horses is targeted. Dan with the help of a very special young man, who seems to have a gift with horses, begin a mission to try to find out who is behind these awful killings and shut down the extortion scam all while keeping themselves from becoming the next targets.
My knowledge of horse racing before reading this book was pretty minimal. I have watched races like the Kentucky Derby on television so I know horses run around a track and people bet on who will win, place or show. This book gave me quite an education in the art of horse racing, from the learning which horses can run in each race, to the life behind the scenes of the track.
The story was also very interesting as to the lengths some people will go to to pad their own pockets. O'brien writes a great story of mystery leaving us guessing until the last chapter as to the culprits responsible for the deaths of the horses, but he also lets us fall in love with the character of AJ and then breaks our hearts.
The book is fast paced and while the story revolves around the extortion mystery, I found it more of a story of loyalty, trust and friendship. A race horse costs a great deal of money depending on age and talent so the owner has to trust the people he puts in charge of their care. The employees of the owner must be loyal not only to the owner but each other and give the horse the best care possible. But beyond all that what resonated for me was the friendship that developed between the young, AJ and Dan Morgan. An owner and a man who did probably the lowest of jobs on the "backside". There was a connection from the moment they met, that at first was resisted by AJ, but as the story progressed so did that friendship. AJ was a special person with a special gift, Dan was the only one to truly recognize this.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read and will look forward to seeing more from this author. He does have another book out Elijah's Coin thats looks very good and highly acclaimed.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Cadence Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
May 14, 2011
“Behind the glamorous exterior of horse racing lies the gritty reality of the backside”: a competitive world of owners, trainers, vets, jockeys, and other hangers-on. In this particular backside, someone is killing horses and demanding protection money.
That's the premise of Bullet Work, although the title des not refer to the method of killing but to some sort of exercise with the horses. Oddly enough, the author explains just about everything else involved in the backside, but passes by the one mention of bullet work in the story without explanation. “Exercise riders had been given instructions for each mount, whether that was a canter just to stretch the legs, a two-minute mile clip, or a bullet work.”
Nonetheless, I learned a great deal about racetracks and horse racing from Bullet Work. O’Brien manages to clarify most terms peculiar to that environment without being condescending to the reader.
If only that clarity had carried over to the plot. This book is not really a mystery because clues are not given to the reader; instead the story is just told. The climax occurs too early, and the follow-up death seemed gratuitous—at least not necessary to the advancement or completion of the plot.
In addition, the writing is choppy. It seems as if O’Brien had written each setting, action, or explanation in a number of different ways, and then simply strung them all together without integrating the thoughts. Moreover, the structure of most sentences is a basic subject-verb configuration that becomes overly repetitive and jerky. Although the writing is grammatically correct and mostly free of spelling & punctuation errors, it seems to suffer from a lack of good editing.
I thank Cadence Marketing Group for this copy of Bullet Work. Steve O’Brien is clearly familiar with the backside of horse racing. If that’s something you’d like to learn more about while being mildly entertained, pick up your own copy of Bullet Work.
That's the premise of Bullet Work, although the title des not refer to the method of killing but to some sort of exercise with the horses. Oddly enough, the author explains just about everything else involved in the backside, but passes by the one mention of bullet work in the story without explanation. “Exercise riders had been given instructions for each mount, whether that was a canter just to stretch the legs, a two-minute mile clip, or a bullet work.”
Nonetheless, I learned a great deal about racetracks and horse racing from Bullet Work. O’Brien manages to clarify most terms peculiar to that environment without being condescending to the reader.
If only that clarity had carried over to the plot. This book is not really a mystery because clues are not given to the reader; instead the story is just told. The climax occurs too early, and the follow-up death seemed gratuitous—at least not necessary to the advancement or completion of the plot.
In addition, the writing is choppy. It seems as if O’Brien had written each setting, action, or explanation in a number of different ways, and then simply strung them all together without integrating the thoughts. Moreover, the structure of most sentences is a basic subject-verb configuration that becomes overly repetitive and jerky. Although the writing is grammatically correct and mostly free of spelling & punctuation errors, it seems to suffer from a lack of good editing.
I thank Cadence Marketing Group for this copy of Bullet Work. Steve O’Brien is clearly familiar with the backside of horse racing. If that’s something you’d like to learn more about while being mildly entertained, pick up your own copy of Bullet Work.
April 14, 2011
‘One second changed everything.’
There are at least two sides to the world of horse-racing: the glamorous excitement of race days, and the tough reality of the backside of the track. Many of us, who know a little about the former, rarely know much about the latter. In this novel, the backside can be a very dangerous place: one horse is poisoned, another has a leg crushed and a third disappears. It soon becomes clear that extortion is involved: if the trainers agree to pay a ‘protection fee’, their horses will be safe. Security is stepped up, but the attacks continue. Does this mean that an insider is involved in these shocking attacks?
For owner Dan Morgan, the situation becomes more personal when his two year old filly, Aly Dancer, is targeted. Dan has befriended A J Kaine, a lonely withdrawn young man with a particular empathy with horses. AJ is a hotwalker (a person who walks a horse who is ‘hot’ until the horse is ‘cool’ enough to be stabled), and because he is different, is bullied by some of the other workers.
The frenetic reality of the world of racing comes to life in this novel, and even though the extortion mystery is revealed to the reader rather than solved by those investigating, the danger remains tangible. Dan and AJ are the most memorable characters, but there are others as well: the young jockeys competing for rides, as well as the trainers juggling multiple roles and demands.
It’s an interesting read, not so much for the mystery of who is behind the extortion but because it paints a very vivid picture of the work involved in the horse-racing industry behind the scenes.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
There are at least two sides to the world of horse-racing: the glamorous excitement of race days, and the tough reality of the backside of the track. Many of us, who know a little about the former, rarely know much about the latter. In this novel, the backside can be a very dangerous place: one horse is poisoned, another has a leg crushed and a third disappears. It soon becomes clear that extortion is involved: if the trainers agree to pay a ‘protection fee’, their horses will be safe. Security is stepped up, but the attacks continue. Does this mean that an insider is involved in these shocking attacks?
For owner Dan Morgan, the situation becomes more personal when his two year old filly, Aly Dancer, is targeted. Dan has befriended A J Kaine, a lonely withdrawn young man with a particular empathy with horses. AJ is a hotwalker (a person who walks a horse who is ‘hot’ until the horse is ‘cool’ enough to be stabled), and because he is different, is bullied by some of the other workers.
The frenetic reality of the world of racing comes to life in this novel, and even though the extortion mystery is revealed to the reader rather than solved by those investigating, the danger remains tangible. Dan and AJ are the most memorable characters, but there are others as well: the young jockeys competing for rides, as well as the trainers juggling multiple roles and demands.
It’s an interesting read, not so much for the mystery of who is behind the extortion but because it paints a very vivid picture of the work involved in the horse-racing industry behind the scenes.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 31, 2011
First of all, let me say that I know nothing of horse racing, or horses for that matter. I have never ridden a horse, or even touched a horse. That said, this book, set in the world of horse racing,grabbed me from the first page and I rode it all the way! Steve O'Brien explains the terminology in an easy going way, making it a breeze to read.
Someone is hurting, even killing racehorses. When letters are delivered to everyone on the backside of the track, demanding money in order to stop, some people pay immediately and some are outraged and refuse to be extorted. Poison, shooting, broken legs, on the beautiful animals, convince nearly everyone to pay. Security is tightened, but the chaos continues.
Dan Morgan is an attorney/owner who loves his horse. When he meets A.J. a strange young man, who is being bullied mercilessly by some of the other backside men, he discovers the boy has a secret. He can communicate with the horses. He is a whisperer. Together, they must find out who is extorting the horsemen, and put an end to the damage being done to the horses they love.
O'Brien brought to life the sounds, feelings, and beauty, as well as the ugly, dirty, gritty sides of horse racing. I found a great respect for the beautiful animals I have only seen on TV, whose love of running is a part of them.
I really, really liked this book! It brought to life something I have only imagined, in a thrilling and exciting way. Well done, Mr. O'Brien!
I received this book from The Cadence Group for review.
Someone is hurting, even killing racehorses. When letters are delivered to everyone on the backside of the track, demanding money in order to stop, some people pay immediately and some are outraged and refuse to be extorted. Poison, shooting, broken legs, on the beautiful animals, convince nearly everyone to pay. Security is tightened, but the chaos continues.
Dan Morgan is an attorney/owner who loves his horse. When he meets A.J. a strange young man, who is being bullied mercilessly by some of the other backside men, he discovers the boy has a secret. He can communicate with the horses. He is a whisperer. Together, they must find out who is extorting the horsemen, and put an end to the damage being done to the horses they love.
O'Brien brought to life the sounds, feelings, and beauty, as well as the ugly, dirty, gritty sides of horse racing. I found a great respect for the beautiful animals I have only seen on TV, whose love of running is a part of them.
I really, really liked this book! It brought to life something I have only imagined, in a thrilling and exciting way. Well done, Mr. O'Brien!
I received this book from The Cadence Group for review.
May 2, 2011
I'm not entirely sure how to classify 'Bullet Work'. I suppose it's a mystery novel, but the mystery, suspense and drama seem to take second place to the race track's backside. In the long and,often, irrelevant commentary about how horse racing, training, betting, and all else, the criminal element takes a backseat. The mystery that unravels as the story progresses, is good. It would make a fast paced and emotional read, if it weren't for the monotony of description. I just didn't care how or why a jockey needed to keep under a certain weight, or what a condition book is and how it's used - I wanted the mystery!!
When the story finally ramped up and the good guys were closing in ... you know, the point where the action should be causing the reader's heart to beat just a little faster ... it felt a little anti-climactic. I just didn't care enough about the characters. The one character that did resonate with me was AJ, the horse whisperer (for lack of a better term). He was the only character in the book that felt 'real'.
If Steve O'Brien had written a novel focused on the community of the backside, it would have been good. If he had written a mystery, it could have been good. Putting the two together just didn't work.
When the story finally ramped up and the good guys were closing in ... you know, the point where the action should be causing the reader's heart to beat just a little faster ... it felt a little anti-climactic. I just didn't care enough about the characters. The one character that did resonate with me was AJ, the horse whisperer (for lack of a better term). He was the only character in the book that felt 'real'.
If Steve O'Brien had written a novel focused on the community of the backside, it would have been good. If he had written a mystery, it could have been good. Putting the two together just didn't work.
April 18, 2011
I have to admit that when I saw the cover of Bullet Work by Steve O’Brien I really didn’t expect to like it. Yes, I read the bit about what it was about but I do love a mystery and I think that the author and I each have a job. His/her job is to help me enjoy the novel, entertain me and explain things well enough so that I understand but not be bored (in this case, the area of horse-racing). My job is to keep an open-mind, go into any book I review, no matter which genre, and review it from the eyes of someone who may enjoy the subject matter even if I do not. I’ve discovered many genres that I have found a love for that I didn’t think I would enjoy. Try it. I swear it is worth it.
Bullet Work is just this type of novel. Mr. O’Brien brilliantly describes the racing world while drawing you into a mystery that involves targeted horses ( if you are an animal lover as I am then you may have to remind yourself it’s just a book), greed and blackmail. The characters are richly written and you feel like you know them.
A great book, a lovely read!
Bullet Work is just this type of novel. Mr. O’Brien brilliantly describes the racing world while drawing you into a mystery that involves targeted horses ( if you are an animal lover as I am then you may have to remind yourself it’s just a book), greed and blackmail. The characters are richly written and you feel like you know them.
A great book, a lovely read!
June 1, 2011
Bullet Work, illustrates, sometimes with too much detail, the reality of the happenings on the backside of a fictional racetrack in Virginia. Within the plot of the extortionists blackmailing the trainers by harming their horses, we meet Dan Morgan a horse owner and A.J the young man who has the uncanny and wonderful gift of being able to communicate with the horses and maybe even feel what they're feeling.
It is an interesting book overall but I had a few issues with the storytelling. First, it took me some time to get into the book because the author goes in some detail when explaining the jargon and the roles of the different people who work on the racetrack. Second, we see very little of A.J., who is admittedly the most interesting character in the story I would have loved to read more about A.J.'s connection to horses.
In the end, it was an enjoyable read but I had to somewhat force myself to stick with the book.
It is an interesting book overall but I had a few issues with the storytelling. First, it took me some time to get into the book because the author goes in some detail when explaining the jargon and the roles of the different people who work on the racetrack. Second, we see very little of A.J., who is admittedly the most interesting character in the story I would have loved to read more about A.J.'s connection to horses.
In the end, it was an enjoyable read but I had to somewhat force myself to stick with the book.
April 5, 2011
Wire to Wire Winner
Bullet Work is a fast paced suspense story. Dan Morgan is a recently divorced attorney who owns a small band of racehorses. Protection money is being extorted from trainers and owners to avoid harm coming to their horses. It becomes personal for Dan when his prize filly is targeted by the extortionist. AJ Kaine is a memorable character who has the mysterious ability to communicate with horses. O’Brien captures the hope, fear and desperation of those on the backside.
The racing scenes are pure thrill rides. O'Brien puts you on the back of a thoroughbred--from the starting gate to the wire, from feeling the dirt spray flying off leaders’ heels, to throwing a cross with the reins, to pulling the whip and driving to the breathless finish. He captures the excitement of the competition missing in other racing novels. This is highly recommended for horse racing fans or those who enjoy high action mystery stories.
Bullet Work is a fast paced suspense story. Dan Morgan is a recently divorced attorney who owns a small band of racehorses. Protection money is being extorted from trainers and owners to avoid harm coming to their horses. It becomes personal for Dan when his prize filly is targeted by the extortionist. AJ Kaine is a memorable character who has the mysterious ability to communicate with horses. O’Brien captures the hope, fear and desperation of those on the backside.
The racing scenes are pure thrill rides. O'Brien puts you on the back of a thoroughbred--from the starting gate to the wire, from feeling the dirt spray flying off leaders’ heels, to throwing a cross with the reins, to pulling the whip and driving to the breathless finish. He captures the excitement of the competition missing in other racing novels. This is highly recommended for horse racing fans or those who enjoy high action mystery stories.
April 15, 2011
Bullet Work flies out of the starting gate and sprints to the finish line in a way that keeps you never knowing what is round the next bend. There are lots of twists and turns leading to an ending I never expected.
There is a huge part of me that loved this book. It was full of twists and turns and had an ending I never expected. Definitely a difficult book to put down with truly likable characters. At times it had me wincing but I believe only good books can do this.
I would give it 5 stars but I found the gift of one of the main characters a little far fetched, although the author does a good job in his summing up at the end of explaining it may not be as far fetched as it appears. This book is really worth at least 4 and a half stars despite making me tired from being late to bed because I just couldn't put it down!
There is a huge part of me that loved this book. It was full of twists and turns and had an ending I never expected. Definitely a difficult book to put down with truly likable characters. At times it had me wincing but I believe only good books can do this.
I would give it 5 stars but I found the gift of one of the main characters a little far fetched, although the author does a good job in his summing up at the end of explaining it may not be as far fetched as it appears. This book is really worth at least 4 and a half stars despite making me tired from being late to bed because I just couldn't put it down!
April 3, 2011
BULLET WORK by Steve O'Brien is a fiction with suspense,mytery set in the world of horse racing. The plot is interesting,compelling,easy to follow and will keep you on the edge of your seat.The characters are easy to believe.While this story has greed,extortion,competitiveness,secrets,the world of horse racing, it is also about the love of horses, and the young "horse-whispering".It also enlightens us on how horses are sold,trained,brought,stabled,raced,the competitive side of horse racing and the lengths some people would go to to win.This is a fast paced story for anyone who loves horses,suspense,mystery and a great read. This book was received for the purpose of review from The Cadence Group and the author and details can be found at A & N Publishing My Book Addiction and More
February 18, 2011
With Dick Francis at the twilight of his career- fans of Horse Racing thrillers have reason to rejoice! With the publication of Bullet Work, Steve O'Brien has cemented his title of heir apparent. The grab you by the seat plot, replete with expertly drawn characters and "inside" details about the business of horse breeding and racing, Bullet Work is one of those few thrillers that rise above its niche market- appealling to anyone who wants a great read, and a facinating inside look at what would appear a benign pastime...at least on the face of it!!
A JAMES MASON CUMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON CUMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
A JAMES MASON CUMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON CUMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
April 5, 2011
High Suspense Thrill Ride
No man ever died with a good two year old in his barn. Dan Morgan seems destined to test this premise to the extreme. Bullet Work is a thrill ride set on the racetrack backside. Dan is an attorney and small time thoroughbred owner. A deadly extortion scheme comes to the racetrack. Trainers and owners are forced to pay protection money to ensure the safety of their runners. With the help of AJ Kaine, a horse whispering, autistic young man, Dan must crack the case to save his prize two year old filly, Aly Dancer. The dialog is tight, the characters vivid, and the action highly paced. Highly recommended for mystery and thriller fans.
No man ever died with a good two year old in his barn. Dan Morgan seems destined to test this premise to the extreme. Bullet Work is a thrill ride set on the racetrack backside. Dan is an attorney and small time thoroughbred owner. A deadly extortion scheme comes to the racetrack. Trainers and owners are forced to pay protection money to ensure the safety of their runners. With the help of AJ Kaine, a horse whispering, autistic young man, Dan must crack the case to save his prize two year old filly, Aly Dancer. The dialog is tight, the characters vivid, and the action highly paced. Highly recommended for mystery and thriller fans.
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April 18, 2011I could not get into this book...
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