When I was younger, like most girls, I loved horses. I grew up in Kentucky, smack in the middle of horse-country, but despite that I never owned a horse or even learned to ride. And that’s why I picked up Death by Dressage by Carolyn Banks. The adult me likes mysteries and the little girl inside just wanted to play with the horses.

Death by Dressage follows Robin Vaughan, the plucky, talkative heroine and amateur sleuth, as she investigates the death of one of the most hated women in Austin’s horse community: Veronika Ballinger. The rich and powerful Veronika loved to find what bothered someone the most and rub his or her nose in it, just for fun. That means that just about everyone who knows horses in Austin, and possibly beyond, had it out for her. Except for one little thing: the police believe that it was all an accident; that she was kicked by one of her horses. But if this were true, why did the police arrest Robin’s best friend Lola Albright?

Ms. Banks does a wonderful job of weaving Robin’s investigation with explanations of the sport of dressage and the obsessive life of “horse-people.” For someone with intimate knowledge of bridles, reigns and saddle pads, her constant explanations might be distracting, but for someone with little to no real horse knowledge, the explanations are detailed enough that you know what’s going on, but light enough that she doesn’t bog down the story.

The story is told in first person and Robin is an amusing narrator. Funny, self-effacing and sometimes a little wordy, she goes off on tangents that embellish her character. She usually gets back to the story at hand before I questioned where the detour was taking me.

A quick paced, easy read, Death by Dressage is a light mystery that balances suspense and humor. At an enthusiastic 7 quills, pick it up and go along for the ride.

Reviewed by Cam Robbins
© April 2008