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Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Perseverance Press (2010), Paperback, 192 pages
Description
Horse vet Gail McCarthy's life turns stranger than fiction when her old boyfriend, Lonny Peterson, is arrested for murder -- by none other than Gail's childhood friend, Bret Boncantini, now a sheriff's deputy in a Sierra foothills town. Lonny is accused of the murder of two local livestock auctioneers, one his girlfriend and the other her brother. Both Gail and Bret are sure of Lonny's innocence, and decide to investigate. As they begin to turn up evidence and two more murders occur, the trail leads to Gail's home on the Central California coast. And as Gail closes in on the answer, the ruthless murderer may decide she needs to be eliminated, too.
User reviews
LibraryThing member SunnySD
In a nutshell, Gail's family horse-camping trip runs headlong into a murder investigation. Her ex-boyfriend Lonny Peterson is the prime suspect in the death of his new girlfriend. Gail's childhood friend Bret Boncantini, now a local deputy, provides some helpful, hands-off, police advice, but fears
I was really looking forward to reading the latest in Gail McCarthy's continuing adventures. Previous books have provided informative, suspenseful, and entertaining peeks into the horse industry through the eyes of an equine practitioner.
Everyone's entitled to an off book occasionally, and unfortunately, this one limps rather heavily when it comes to carrying through on the blurb's promised excitement. Going, Gone just doesn't stack up to the preceding volumes.
Maudlin, introspective, and jerky by turns, it trails from a stilted beginning through to an abrupt ending that reads a bit like a replay from an earlier book. This installment lacks the realistic grounding in medicine, animals and characters that I've come to expect. Or perhaps it has too much grounding in reality? There are gaps. Characters just aren't fully fleshed out, and too many of them aren't likable. Too many suspects, and the ending is jarringly abrupt. A bit more in the way of story would have gone a long way toward filling in some of what's lacking.
Positives? The critters, as always, are genuine, lovingly portrayed and presented. The riding vignettes, likewise. Gail's relationship with Blue and her son's reaction to all the death are realistic and convincing. Really, as a series of reminiscences, I'd have liked it better. Stringing a murder in there... not so much. Definitely NOT the place to start reading this series.
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for his job if he provides any overt assistance. If Gail doesn't help, Lonny may just find himself on the wrong side of a set of bars for a very long time.I was really looking forward to reading the latest in Gail McCarthy's continuing adventures. Previous books have provided informative, suspenseful, and entertaining peeks into the horse industry through the eyes of an equine practitioner.
Everyone's entitled to an off book occasionally, and unfortunately, this one limps rather heavily when it comes to carrying through on the blurb's promised excitement. Going, Gone just doesn't stack up to the preceding volumes.
Maudlin, introspective, and jerky by turns, it trails from a stilted beginning through to an abrupt ending that reads a bit like a replay from an earlier book. This installment lacks the realistic grounding in medicine, animals and characters that I've come to expect. Or perhaps it has too much grounding in reality? There are gaps. Characters just aren't fully fleshed out, and too many of them aren't likable. Too many suspects, and the ending is jarringly abrupt. A bit more in the way of story would have gone a long way toward filling in some of what's lacking.
Positives? The critters, as always, are genuine, lovingly portrayed and presented. The riding vignettes, likewise. Gail's relationship with Blue and her son's reaction to all the death are realistic and convincing. Really, as a series of reminiscences, I'd have liked it better. Stringing a murder in there... not so much. Definitely NOT the place to start reading this series.
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LibraryThing member libri_amor
Gail McCarthy story lovers will have a good read with this episode. Strikes me as a perfect series to turn into a broadcast series. Concise, but detailed plot, well constructed characters present a lovely story of the perils of ranching and conservation. Recommended reading for horse lovers and
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cozy mystery readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member cameling
Gail and her family decide to go on a camping vacation and visit an old friend of Gail's. They're also going to visit 2 horses that they've turned out at her friend, Lonny's ranch. What a shock it is for them to get there and before they're fully settled in, discover that Lonny is being arrested
Gail, in the process of riding a new horse, does a little investigating on her own and with the deputy sheriff, who's an old friend from school. They uncover a cattle rustling operation, and a number of people in town who could have motives of their own to kill the brother & sister. But will they find the truth before someone else gets hurt? And will they be able to save Lonny?
A well-paced murder mystery aided by some wonderful horses.
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for the murder of 2 people.Gail, in the process of riding a new horse, does a little investigating on her own and with the deputy sheriff, who's an old friend from school. They uncover a cattle rustling operation, and a number of people in town who could have motives of their own to kill the brother & sister. But will they find the truth before someone else gets hurt? And will they be able to save Lonny?
A well-paced murder mystery aided by some wonderful horses.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program, and the algorithm undoubtedly chose me because I read many books that take place in my home region of Central California.
Gail McCarthy thinks she's going on a relaxing vacation with her husband and son. Leaving their home near
Overall, I enjoyed this cozy horse mystery. It's obvious that the author knows horses and deeply loves the areas she writes about--which delights me since so few people write about the central part of the state. However, it's not a perfect book. It opens with a dream sequence that has little bearing on the story, and for some reason chapter 17 was in present tense when all the rest is in past. Those are the sort of niggling details a writer notices, especially after critiquing and editing much of the day. But you know what? Those are nitpicks. This was a fun book. It's under 200 pages and there's nothing deep about the mystery. You know the bad guy will get caught and Lonny will be freed, but it's an enjoyable ride up to that conclusion. Sometimes that's the sort of book you need to finish out the day.
Gail McCarthy thinks she's going on a relaxing vacation with her husband and son. Leaving their home near
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Monterey, they drive across the San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra foothills to the ranch of her old friend and former boyfriend, Lonny. Upon arrival, things take a more sordid turn: Lonny is being arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and her brother. Instead of camping and swimming with her family, Gail sets out on an investigation to find out who really murdered the sales yard siblings, and she needs to move fast because the death toll is mounting.Overall, I enjoyed this cozy horse mystery. It's obvious that the author knows horses and deeply loves the areas she writes about--which delights me since so few people write about the central part of the state. However, it's not a perfect book. It opens with a dream sequence that has little bearing on the story, and for some reason chapter 17 was in present tense when all the rest is in past. Those are the sort of niggling details a writer notices, especially after critiquing and editing much of the day. But you know what? Those are nitpicks. This was a fun book. It's under 200 pages and there's nothing deep about the mystery. You know the bad guy will get caught and Lonny will be freed, but it's an enjoyable ride up to that conclusion. Sometimes that's the sort of book you need to finish out the day.
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LibraryThing member NellieMc
This was the first time I've read one of her books, so I did need to be introduced to her characters. She is a very good wordsmith but, unfortunately, not as good a story teller. This is a relatively short book, 187 small paperback pages, and a great deal of it is devoted to landscape descriptions.
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The second largest portion is devoted to the metaphysical -- dealing with life and death, family. The plot and mystery are somewhat of an after thought and under-developed. I liked the characters, but I was originally captured by the idea of a woman horse vet, which sounded very intriguing and unique. Unfortunately, in this book, the heroine is a stay at home Mom, with a lot of horses, and frankly didn't seem very interesting. I do know the Monterey Peninsula, where half the book takes place, well and she does echo my love for it, so I gave her an extra half star for that. But I would have liked a lot more action and intrigue and less description of flowers, hills, etc. Show Less
LibraryThing member dulcibelle
This is the latest entry in the Gail McCarthy mystery series. I was afraid that I might be lost starting at the end of the series, but I had no trouble. The author gives just enough backstory to get new readers oriented without including enough to bore long-time readers. I love the setting and love
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the characters. The mystery was almost secondary to the character study, but that's what makes it such an engaging cozy. I'll be looking for the earlier entries in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Helcura
The greatest strength of this book is its descriptions of the beauties of rural California, and its meditations on the impact we feel when animals we love die. Although billed as a mystery, the puzzle is simple and not very interesting. It's not a book for readers who primarily like mysteries for
Those who have followed the series will enjoy this book as the next installment in Gail's life and appreciate the realistic changes Gail has made as she's aged, married, and become a mother.
Overall, it's worth reading if you follow the series. If not, start the series with Cutter and work your way up to this one.
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their intellectual challenge.Those who have followed the series will enjoy this book as the next installment in Gail's life and appreciate the realistic changes Gail has made as she's aged, married, and become a mother.
Overall, it's worth reading if you follow the series. If not, start the series with Cutter and work your way up to this one.
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LibraryThing member doggonelaura
Going, Gone is a lovely book. I haven’t read the other books in the Gail McCarthy mystery series, but enjoyed this book. Gail’s thoughtful reflections on her son, husband, friendships, and on the nature of death make this not a CSI puzzle type book, but a journey to clear a friend of murder. I
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plan on going back to read the other Laura Crum books to get to know Gail McCarthy better. Show Less
LibraryThing member bgknighton
An enjoyable but very light-weight offering in this series. I have missed several books and thought to get back in the series with this one. It is nice that she has a family now but -- Her husband is nice to the point of being bland and her son is never bad-tempered. She never seems to have a point
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to her days. Maybe I missed something in the last books, but there seems to be something missing in this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member MmeRose
Laura Crum's horse lovers mystery was a new experience for me. The words that came to mind as I read were introspective, peaceful and caring. The mystery itself was secondary.
Gail McCarthy loves her family, animals and the countryside. This love come through the narrative without being mawkish or
I enjoyed this novel.
Gail McCarthy loves her family, animals and the countryside. This love come through the narrative without being mawkish or
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overly sentimental. She becomes involved in a murder investigation in order to clear a dear friend from false accusations.I enjoyed this novel.
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LibraryThing member eawsmom
This was my first exposure to Gail McCarthy; I will probably look for the other books in the series because I am curious about her life before this entry.
Overall, the book was fairly well written and enjoyable. I even learned something--there are eucalyptus trees in California! I had thought they
I found the detection portion of the book a bit thin; mostly it was Gail riding around with a deputy sheriff while questioned the suspects. There also seemed to be a heavy reliance on coincidence; Gail goes to visit a former boyfriend who just happens to be arrested for murder as they arrive at his farm, and the arresting officer just happens to be someone Gail had known in her childhood so he's willing to talk to her about the case and take her around as he talks to other potential suspects.
I found it hard to keep track of who all the characters were; they seemed to come and go awfully quickly and other than Gail, her family, and the deputy, nobody really stuck around until the final chapters when the villain stepped into the forefront.
Although I learned that eucalyptus trees grow in California, the descriptions of the scenery while trail riding were a bit tedious; I was severely tempted to skim through those parts looking for something that would move the story along. I'm as big a fan of lyrical description of trees, views, etc., as the next reader, but not when it bogs down the plot.
I'll be looking for other books in the series to see how the character grows. However, I disagree with the one review which is quoted as saying the author is taking over the reins from Dick Francis (or words to that effect) because she's writing about horses--this book was adequate, but didn't begin to compare to even the least of Francis's offerings. There wasn't nearly enough suspense, action, or even plot to justify that review.
Overall, the book was fairly well written and enjoyable. I even learned something--there are eucalyptus trees in California! I had thought they
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were only in Australia. I found the detection portion of the book a bit thin; mostly it was Gail riding around with a deputy sheriff while questioned the suspects. There also seemed to be a heavy reliance on coincidence; Gail goes to visit a former boyfriend who just happens to be arrested for murder as they arrive at his farm, and the arresting officer just happens to be someone Gail had known in her childhood so he's willing to talk to her about the case and take her around as he talks to other potential suspects.
I found it hard to keep track of who all the characters were; they seemed to come and go awfully quickly and other than Gail, her family, and the deputy, nobody really stuck around until the final chapters when the villain stepped into the forefront.
Although I learned that eucalyptus trees grow in California, the descriptions of the scenery while trail riding were a bit tedious; I was severely tempted to skim through those parts looking for something that would move the story along. I'm as big a fan of lyrical description of trees, views, etc., as the next reader, but not when it bogs down the plot.
I'll be looking for other books in the series to see how the character grows. However, I disagree with the one review which is quoted as saying the author is taking over the reins from Dick Francis (or words to that effect) because she's writing about horses--this book was adequate, but didn't begin to compare to even the least of Francis's offerings. There wasn't nearly enough suspense, action, or even plot to justify that review.
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LibraryThing member cee2
Gail McCarthy is a veterinarian, who along with her husband and young son, takes a camping and riding vacation on the property of one of her old friends. Soon after their arrival at the campsite, her friend is arrested for murder by another old friend who is now in law enforcement. Even as Gail
I liked how Laura Crum described the countryside, the meadows and forest, and Gail's relationship with her horses. Even someone like me, who knows little about horses and riding, could understand the connection and the joy Gail experienced when she rode.
I also liked how she portrayed the reconnection among old friends. For readers of previous books in the series, this was also a reconnection with old friends. For me as a first time reader, I want to get to know the stories of what happened to them before this story.
I liked this book, but oddly, it was more for the characters, than for the mystery. I'll likely read others in this series.
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tries to maintain the vacation, she is drawn into trying to help her friends. Eventually, her efforts take her back home where she continues her efforts to help clear her friend.I liked how Laura Crum described the countryside, the meadows and forest, and Gail's relationship with her horses. Even someone like me, who knows little about horses and riding, could understand the connection and the joy Gail experienced when she rode.
I also liked how she portrayed the reconnection among old friends. For readers of previous books in the series, this was also a reconnection with old friends. For me as a first time reader, I want to get to know the stories of what happened to them before this story.
I liked this book, but oddly, it was more for the characters, than for the mystery. I'll likely read others in this series.
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LibraryThing member LA12Hernandez
This is my first Laura Crum book and I really enjoyed Gail McCarthy. I liked the fact that Gail is a professional, well educated and a happily married mom. When the family heads to Nevada for a vacation she spends it trying to prove her old boyfriend Lonny was innocent of the murders he's been
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charged with. It was a good book and I definitely plan on going back an catching up on the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Marlyn
This book won't actually be released until April 10. A huge thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for the ARC of the 11th in the Gail McCarthy mystery series. I must confess two things here:
1- I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series, and 2- I haven't been a devotee of horse
The story begins with retired veterinarian Gail McCarty going on a camping vacation with her husband, Blue and her son, Mac. They are planning to park their camper-truck on Gail's friend Lonny Peterson's property. When they finally get there, Lonny is nowhere to be seen until another of Gail's friends, Bret Boncatini, now a sheriff's deputy, swings by on the way to take Lonny to jail.
Lonny has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend and her brother. The evidence is purely circumstantial, though, and Lonny's friends are certain he's innocent. Gail, who knows him very, very well, sets out to prove his innocence.
Even to someone that knows nothing about the subjects, it's obvious that Crum has a vast knowledge and love of horses. The mystery in this book seems secondary to the horse story, and it made me a little nostalgic for The Black Stallion.
1- I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series, and 2- I haven't been a devotee of horse
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mysteries since I was a pre-teen.The story begins with retired veterinarian Gail McCarty going on a camping vacation with her husband, Blue and her son, Mac. They are planning to park their camper-truck on Gail's friend Lonny Peterson's property. When they finally get there, Lonny is nowhere to be seen until another of Gail's friends, Bret Boncatini, now a sheriff's deputy, swings by on the way to take Lonny to jail.
Lonny has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend and her brother. The evidence is purely circumstantial, though, and Lonny's friends are certain he's innocent. Gail, who knows him very, very well, sets out to prove his innocence.
Even to someone that knows nothing about the subjects, it's obvious that Crum has a vast knowledge and love of horses. The mystery in this book seems secondary to the horse story, and it made me a little nostalgic for The Black Stallion.
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LibraryThing member mldg
Book 11 of the Gail McCarthy Mysteries. This is the first book of the series that I've read. The book focuses more on Gail's relationships than it does on the mystery. The book is filled with beautifully written descriptions of the California countryside. The author has brought back some characters
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from her earlier books. I'm intrigued enough to go back and read them just to get more of the grasp of the characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member donna47
I liked this book alot. Laura Crum writes mysteries of a world that she is very familiar with. The world of horses and ranching and wide open spaces that fit in the small holes left by our more computerized world.Like some cozy mysteries, the mystery was only part of the theme as of course horses
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and the ranch communities were another part. The main character, a veternarian who is currently a stay at home mother must solve the murder of two cattle auction folks because the police believe that her friend was involved. The mystery was well thought out and the ending is well thought out. The author was also ruminating some on death and on more than just the world she lives in which makes it somewhat unlike alot of cozies. The read is quick and I enjoyed the book except some of the ruminations dragged the pace a bit. I would still read the book though just to see another cozy genre. I read Susan Wittig Albert, Alice Kimberly, Madelyn Alt and J. F. Engelert and Laura Crum's books will be another type of cozy that I will try to find in my local Barnes & Noble. Show Less
LibraryThing member FMRox
Gail McCarthy, retired horse vet goes on vacation with her son, husband, dog and horses to visit her old boyfriend in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Unfortunately, when she arrives, an old friend who happens to be sheriff department shows up with ex to tell her he's been arrested on suspicion of
This is quite a short novel, under 200 pages which is refreshing to get back to. The plot is not complex so it can be read in a short day or evening. At first I thought it would be a cozy novel especially with all the animal references, but it gets a little dark especially towards the end. Unfortunately, it gets repetitive at times when the main character describes scenery, obsesses about her son or her lost animals which gets tedious. There is so slight cross-over into "what is this life all about" phase instead of just pure mystery. Except for a few explicatives and a gruesome death scene at the climax this is definitely a good read for teens, young adults.
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murder. Gail then spends the rest of her vacation with the her friend in the sheriff department looking into the murder investigation.This is quite a short novel, under 200 pages which is refreshing to get back to. The plot is not complex so it can be read in a short day or evening. At first I thought it would be a cozy novel especially with all the animal references, but it gets a little dark especially towards the end. Unfortunately, it gets repetitive at times when the main character describes scenery, obsesses about her son or her lost animals which gets tedious. There is so slight cross-over into "what is this life all about" phase instead of just pure mystery. Except for a few explicatives and a gruesome death scene at the climax this is definitely a good read for teens, young adults.
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LibraryThing member Yllom
This is the 11th book in the Gail McCarthy series, but the first I've read. I was surprised that I hadn't heard about this series already. I'm sure that there was a lot of backstory that I was missing, but didn't feel disjointed reading this book out of order. Gail is a homeschooling mom, who used
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to be a large animal vet. She goes to visit a friend, who is arrested for murdering his girlfriend. Gail is convinced of his innocence, and investigates quietly. Although the vignettes on homeschooling and the mother/child relationship sometimes seemed to be overly sentimental, I enjoyed this book and will look for others in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member nabhill
In Going, Gone, Gail McCarthy, her husband, son and horses take a camping vacation on old friend Lonny Peterson’s property. Lonny has been accused of murder and Gail believing him innocent accompanies the deputy sheriff, another old friend to discover the real killer. The plot however was
Overall, I found the plot thin, the mystery unsatisfactory, the characters flat and one dimensional, and the writing simplistic. Though a minor complaint, the use of present tense in the middle of the book was particularly grating.
This one is not a keeper for me.
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secondary to the overlong descriptions of “beautiful landscapes” and “authentic horse lore” which while possibly interesting to some, did little to advance this unexciting mystery. Overall, I found the plot thin, the mystery unsatisfactory, the characters flat and one dimensional, and the writing simplistic. Though a minor complaint, the use of present tense in the middle of the book was particularly grating.
This one is not a keeper for me.
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LibraryThing member SandyLee
Gail McCarthy is a former veterinarian who lives on a ranch in California. When she, her husband Blue and son Mac set off to visit a former boyfriend of hers who is boarding some of her horses, they discover that he has just been arrested for the murder of his fiancée and her brother. Gail can’t
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help but get involved, especially after another senseless murder takes place. The story has a wealth of information on the California scenery and horse history. There is some unknown back story to her husband who had spent several years in Australia. Gail doesn’t appear to know his entire background but since this is the first in this series I have read, perhaps the reader is given a hint in previous books. It’s a quick read at 186 pages and, like most cozies, is more character driven. Show Less
LibraryThing member TracyK1
Going, Gone: A Gail McCarthy Mystery. I am a new comer to the series. I started with this book. I don't know what her other books are like in the series, but for someone who hasn't been following her other books, there wasn't any introduction to the characters. I guess you were already expected to
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know them. I found this book to be not a very satisfying mystery. There weren't any clues really, the solution was just kind of thrown on you. It was a quick read, and some of the scenery was nicely described, but overall not my favorite mystery. Reading about the horses was fun and it does get exciting towards the end of the book. Show Less
Language
Physical description
192 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
1880284987 / 9781880284988
Local notes
Gail McCarthy, 11
DDC/MDS
| Fic Mystery Crum |