Eddie Malloy, former champion jockey and hero, after saving the lives of several people on an Everest expedition and losing an arm in the process, is employed by Keeler, the man who built up the powerful conglomerate Makalu. Keeler employs Eddie to front Makalu's takeover of several racecourses owned by the British Jockey Club. But the takeover is not welcomed by everyone and soon Eddie Malloy is receiving death threats.
Frankie Houlihan, employed as security adviser by the Jockey Club is seconded to protect Eddie Malloy. The two have much in common, Like Eddie, Frankie is trying to rebuild his life, he after the tragic death of his wife Cathy for whom he left the priesthood.
The death threats escalate and the police in the guise of DS Moran is assigned to the case. In the midst of this Frankie is contacted by his family from who he has been estranged since he left the priest hood. Feeling the loss of his family greatly Frankie is initially pleased at the contact, but why have they contacted him now and requested a meeting.
While Frankie tries to help Eddie Malloy he meets with someone who stirs in him something he never thought he would feel again and which he rejects as being disloyal to Cathy, his dead wife. He is further troubled by the demands of his family, which he realises he has greatly missed and with whom he desperately wants to remain on good terms, but the price maybe high.
This was one of the most gripping mysteries I have enjoyed this year, and I cannot recommend it too highly.
Initially the cdiscourse is between Eddie Malloy and Keeler and I wasn't too
sure about John Cormack as the reader, but when he was narrating Frankie Houlihan
he came into his own, and I settled to enjoy the wonderful Irish lilt. He is
also excellent portraying the elegant upper-crust tones of Bobbie Cranfield.
------
Lizzie Hayes