From the Bookshelf of The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club…

Spiral of Hooves

Roland Clarke

Start date: March 1, 2023

Finish date: April 30, 2023

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Apr 01, 2023 Toi Thomas rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, rated, general-fiction, mystery, action-adventure, thriller, adult, diverse-characters, suspense, horse-crazy-23

Actual rating 3.75.

This was a new reading experience for me- reading a genre I don't read a lot and reading about a subject I know very little. I would consider this a contemporary suspense mystery. It just didn't feel dark enough (until the end) to be a thriller although it starts with a death and others die along the way. The horse racing world is the setting of this story, and beyond watching the Kentucky Derby each year, I knew absolutely nothing about this culture.

Why I didn't give this a Actual rating 3.75.

This was a new reading experience for me- reading a genre I don't read a lot and reading about a subject I know very little. I would consider this a contemporary suspense mystery. It just didn't feel dark enough (until the end) to be a thriller although it starts with a death and others die along the way. The horse racing world is the setting of this story, and beyond watching the Kentucky Derby each year, I knew absolutely nothing about this culture.

Why I didn't give this a higher rating has a lot to do with the genre and subject. For anyone who reads a lot of contemporary mysteries that aren't "cozy" this is probably right up their alley. Also, for anyone who isn't trying to understand the terminology and culture of the horse racing world while also following the character's arcs and mystery, this should be a much smoother read.

Overall, though, this is a good story- a solid suspense mystery.

While I like the character of Armand, one of the main male characters, I never was too fond of the main female character. There wasn't anything particular that I didn't like about her, I just never felt drawn to her. I like that she represented what many would consider a person with a disability. She has diabetes and I love the way the author used her to explain what managing that condition is like for someone who can't relate to it. I also never understood the appeal of the other main male character (no spoilers here).

I felt like the author did a great job of explaining a lot of things. I think, for me, it's just hard to read something for pleasure while you are also learning the basics of a culture and or industry while trying to solve a mystery. I will say that once I stopped trying so hard to understand everything, I begin to enjoy the story much more. By the end, most of it all made sense.

There were some scenes and or conversations that I felt were too long. I think this book could have been shorter. I actually think releasing it as a novella series would have been great for me. The three acts of this story could easily be standalone parts in a series. After the second act, I thought the book was over but it kept going, which seemed to drag for me, but I'm glad I stuck through to the end to see how it all played out.

Recommended to equestrian enthusiasts and fans of mystery thrillers. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 27, 2017 Roland Clarke rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

As the author, this is not really a review but my thoughts on the novel for guidance.

Although the first edition of “Spiral of Hooves” took me thirteen years to complete, I was able to use my experience as an equestrian journalist to develop and refine the novel. The Second edition – the Writer’s Cut – allowed me to address some of the questions raised by reviewers of the first release and correct some typos, I hope. Writing this book had inspired me to create new stories, although the time invol ...more

Like · see review

Apr 28, 2023 Ronel Janse van Vuuren rated it did not like it

Shelves: did-not-finish, disappointing-read, thriller, iwsg-member-book, book-club, horses, tbr-2023-challenge, a-z-s

I like the premise and the cover. I even enjoyed the horses (wanted more!). But the pace, internal monologue and a bit more telling than showing in Carly’s POV distracted from the thriller aspect. I like fast-paced thrillers, so this didn’t work for me, but it might be exactly someone else’s cup of tea. The writing is evocative and one feels as if you’re there with the horses and Armand.
DNF 11%

Like · see review

Apr 15, 2014 Roland Clarke added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Feb 05, 2017 Raimey Gallant marked it as to-read · review of another edition

1 like · Like

Aug 08, 2017 Cynthia marked it as to-read

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls