'Till The Cows Come Home'
by Judy Clemens
Published by the Poisoned Pen Press. ISBN1-59058-082-6

This is a novel about a farming community featuring Stella Crown, a dairy farmer who is also a Harley Davidson enthusiast. Stella Crown finds herself in the middle of a crisis when a series of mysterious disasters begin to take place on her farm putting not only herself but also those who work for her in jeopardy. Someone is determined to see the farm fail.

I have to admit that I had to persevere with this book. I found it a difficult book to read, not because it was too graphic, but because it just didn’t hold my attention. I did have some sympathy for the main character and what was happening to her because I could visualise all the hard work she had put into running the farm. Having see the devastating effect of the foot and mouth disease and conglomerates wanting to buy up every bit of green space to build houses then I am sure that I would also fight tooth and nail to keep my farm running (if I had one). Stella Crown comes across as a sharp-tongued and somewhat vulnerable person whom ‘despite the air of sympathy that she evokes’ did not really engage me. I did however like the fact that she was a Harley Davidson enthusiast. A very good angle. If this is to become a series then I hope that her character is made a lot more likeable. Not really a book I would normally read. If you are keen on farms and animals then give it a try.
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Ayo Onatade