Blind Switch: A Jack Doyle Mystery

I love books that deal with horses. I especially look forward to those which deal with horse racing. Add to that setting a hero with some serious defects in his character, an interesting scenario which puts him on the side of the angels, several villians whom you will love to hate, some people you will genuinely care about and a generous sprinkling of serious nut cases and you have a very readable, thoroughly enjoyable first novel by John McEvoy. I have read most of the writings of the late, great Dick Francis and in my judgment, references to his writings in comparison to this story is comparing apples to oranges. Both authors have an interesting way of telling their story, but there is little comparison to how they go about it. This is a story that will hold your interest, tickle your funny bone and satisfy your sense of justice. That's a trifecta worth betting on!!

Blind Switch is worth the read! A lively book with full blown interesting, and some despicable characters, this book kept me going. McEvoy makes the world of horse breeding and racing a seductive one and one I would like to visit again. He blends the good guys with the bad guys as the story weaves from Chicago to Kentucky and en route we watch the main character grow and ultimately flourish. A fast and refreshing story!

When Jack Doyle is downsized from his corporate Chicago job, a friend tells him he can make an easy $25,000 on a horse race. He accepts the job and the fix is totally successful but the FBI has an idea what he did even though they have no evidence to convict. The agents "convince" him to gather evidence that rich and powerful Harvey Rexroth is having his horses killed for the insurance money. One of Rexroth's employees, manager Aldous Bolger reports his suspicions to the FBI Bolger agrees to help Jack get hired by Rexroth and Doyle but finds he likes and respects the man who loves the horses as if they were his own. The FBI believes the leader of the horse killing ring is former jockey Ronald Montvedt, a stone cold killer who will do anything for money. When Bolger catches him trying to kill a stallion, the ex-jockey maims Bolger. Doyle is now determined to take Montvedt and Rexroth down, no matter what methods he has to use. Fans of books of the late Dick Francis will thoroughly enjoy BLIND SWITCH, a novel about horses and people who care for them. The protagonist undergoes a metamorphosis as he stays in contact with the beautiful animals and goes from being a shady character to a person who wants to see justice done. John McEvoy has a unique voice that will win him a place with many fans and BLIND SWITCH deserves to win an award for best new talent. Harriet Klausner

Blind Switch is a great ride - lots of unusual and goofy characters - some are people you'd like to know, including Jack Doyle, the main character. He starts out in a "blind switch", essentially boxed in by life, though in part by his own doing. He evolves and revolves through the world of thoroughbred horse racing. You will too. Great suspense, life lessons, and peripheral romance. You'll hate the bad guys and enjoy the good guys, with lots of laughs. The Chicago references are fun for us Chicagoans. Ever wonder why horse racing is actually a clean sport? Because the FBI, the mob, and the industry itself need and want it to be. It's a great read! I didn't want it to end. I'm waiting for McEvoy's next move.