The annual steeplechase races at Montpelier are the high point in the social calendar of the horse-mad Virginians of cozy Crozet. The race meet offers a cracking good time with old friends and a chance to get even - on the racecourse - with old enemies. There is sure to be some emotional fireworks at Monpelier. Still, no one expects the day to end in tragedy.
Found dead in the main barn is one of the day's riders, a knife plunged through the jockey's heart. The only clue is a playing card, the Queen of Clubs, impaled over the fatal wound. Within the wealthy, tight-knit world of horse owners, trainers, and jockeys, the victim had both admirers and enemies. Was the murderer's motive greed, drugs - a pervasive evil in the race world - or sexual rivalry? Luckily for Crozet's humans, the tiger cat Mrs. Murphy is right at home in the stable yard ... and on the trail of the shocking truth. But will Harry catch on in time to stop a killer grown bloodthirsty with success?
Found dead in the main barn is one of the day's riders, a knife plunged through the jockey's heart. The only clue is a playing card, the Queen of Clubs, impaled over the fatal wound. Within the wealthy, tight-knit world of horse owners, trainers, and jockeys, the victim had both admirers and enemies. Was the murderer's motive greed, drugs - a pervasive evil in the race world - or sexual rivalry? Luckily for Crozet's humans, the tiger cat Mrs. Murphy is right at home in the stable yard ... and on the trail of the shocking truth. But will Harry catch on in time to stop a killer grown bloodthirsty with success?