Reviews – Bullet Work

 

 

FOREWORD MAGAZINE

ForeWord Review

Poetic ruminations about randomness punctuate the action in this mystery set on the “backside” of Fairfax Park’s racetrack: “Who would be wealthy, who would be poor? Who would have fame, who obscurity?…Into each life the second would come, without warning, without hint…Life became the response to the second.” These philosophical, foreboding passages transcend the novel’s specificity—its insular, transient community of racetrack devotees who endure long hours and low pay to be near the creatures they adore—to become an insightful analysis of character and motivation.

The track in season provides an irresistible draw for Dan, a divorced attorney who owns Aly Dancer, a filly who shows real potential. Unlike his betting companions, Magic Milt, who squanders his income at the track, and Lennie, a brilliant mathematician who supports himself on racetrack winnings, Dan relishes life on the backside. He is fascinated by the activity behind the track as well as by the personalities who populate it.

When an extortionist requires a “safety fee,” and murders two horses to make his point, Dan delays payment, opting instead for a round-the-clock human presence near Aly Dancer’s stall. In the meantime, he takes AJ, a young, taciturn hot walker with an uncanny ability to communicate with horses, under his wing after witnessing how the boy is bullied by other walkers and trainers. Dan faults himself for not intervening when three toughs harass the boy in a restaurant and vows to become as the boy’s protector. However, he underestimates the rancor that AJ’s talent inspires: “People attacked what they feared…The possibility that an event was beyond the realm of the cogent or the logical was not to be tolerated….That’s why gifts from the obscure were callously rejected and distrusted.”

Dan is at home when AJ is assaulted and “tied to a post with a blanket over his head” on top of a large pile of horse manure. When Dan finds him, he is half-dead, and the reader intuits that AJ may be too innocent and unique to function in the rough-and-tumble of the backside.

The novel’s conclusion takes Dan into danger in a deserted spot, and even though it ties up loose ends, O’Brien refuses readers the pat, satisfying wrap-up mystery readers may anticipate. Instead, as mourners come together for a funeral that leaves too many questions unanswered, readers are left to wonder about those who seek haven in the pockets and corners of a society that lacks both interest and empathy. Steve O’Brien’s first novel, Elijah’s Coin, won multiple awards in both young adult and men’s fiction.

Elizabeth Breau

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SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER

Somewhat in the tradition of Dick Francis, Steve O’Brien has put together a remarkable story set in the background of the horse racing community. When prime horses begin to die or disappear, one trainer goes the distance to find the culprits. The background information uncovers the reasoning behind the nefarious dealings; it is a swindle to milk the trainers or their owners of money. The money required is twenty dollars a head on the horses to keep them safe. While on the surface it does not seem enough to put the beautiful beasts at risk, it is nevertheless a clever ploy at protection.

Many trainers understand the problem is only the tip of the iceberg, and that to give in could only create further blackmail and demands. Dan Morgan takes it personal when his horses and team become targeted. He begins his own investigation.

Watching the denizens of the racing world, those that remain in the background, he discovers a young man, a boy really, one that seems to stand out. While looking for information and background on the people from the track, he cannot help but notice that there is something different about this youngster. Constantly bullied he remains unhurried and calm that is until it comes to the horses. Terror and pain are common in the racing scene for the animals, but A.J. Kaine appears to have the ability of “horse-whispering.” Yet it is more, from Dan’s perspective it appears that Kaine is able to siphon the stress and pain from the horse to himself. He is intrigued and makes every attempt to become A.J.’s friend. That is something A.J. is not comfortable with, but Dan perseveres, and is able to gain his trust.

The killings and the insertion of A.J. into the very darkness of the repugnant deeds put Dan in the middle of a roller coaster ride of emotions. As everything he owns and holds dear seem to attract the men holding the cards in this dangerous game, he must look to himself and his reliance on A.J. to find the answers. Will he succeed? Can he make a difference? Time is running out, already trainers are pulling their horses ready to give up hope.

In Bullet Work, by Steve O’Brien, we see the back stages of the horse racing community. It is about the trainers and crews that work the horses, and do the work not seen by the people attending the events. It is a hard but rewarding life full of dangers. O’Brien’s descriptions put you in the paddocks and on the track, making you feel the heat and sweat. The depictions of the situations are brutal, with an eye at realism.

Through it, all you get to know the characters, they are hardworking and gregarious. The horses are their love and they take pride in their jobs. Where winning is everything, it is sometimes a thankless task. However, the work and pride goes on.

A.J. is an anomaly, a lonely young man, except for the horses. They mean everything to him. He has a form of autism, and is incapable of socializing, so is often the butt of jokes and often abused.

This is a wonderful tale, full of stories of the people behind the scenes. It is a mystery and suspense, with a bit of paranormal overtones. People are often interested in the “horse-whispering” phenomena and Steve O’Brien brings it to another level in Bullet Work.

I would recommend this book for reading groups and book clubs. It is interesting and fast paced with plenty of discussion fodder. I would consider it a must read for the Dick Francis fans, just another direction for the aficionados of the horse racing field with is mysteries and suspense, but it is also a wonderful addition to the paranormal scene. This book is a must have for any library.

 

 

U.S. REVIEW OF BOOKS

“One second altered fate for a lifetime. The winner zigged; the loser zagged. A series of seconds made a lifetime, two billion or more. Five maybe six of those seconds altered one’s life forever. Would they come in the beginning or at the end?”

Dan Morgan loved the game. Loved watching horses, especially his race horses, run with the wind. He grew up learning the horse racing game from his Uncle Van, when he was barely 7 years old. Living near D.C., going to the Breeders’ Cup, the Travers’, taught him how to prepare a horse for racing, money management, and handicapping. The horse loving people in his life (Jake Gilmore his trainer, AJ the hot walker, and Beth De Carlo a groom), added love and excitement to his already intense life.

Horse racing so engulfed Dan, that nothing outside the track held much interest to him. When the fatal accidents started happening to the horses, no one was prepared for the horror that followed. How could anyone creep into a horses’ stall and inject poison in its neck? Going for a horses’ cannon bone was more revolting, causing piercing agony that didn’t stop till a caring soul put and end to the horses’ pain.

Mr. O’Brien weaves this tale of exciting characters, breath-taking horse racing action, right into our lives. His knowledge of horse racing, betting and the care and training involved in the sport, is truly inspiring. He opens up the equine world to his readers, with the grace of an artist sweeping his brush across a canvas. O’Brien can inform you about racing, because he once owned Thoroughbreds. His way around the literary world, gives us hope of more work to come. By the end of this exciting story, you’ll have had a “bullet work”—that’s horse business talk for a very fast-paced workout.

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With Dick Francis at the twilight of his career- fans of Horse Racing thrillers have reason to rejoice! With the publication of Bullet Work, Steve O’Brien has cemented his title of heir apparent. The grab you by the seat plot, replete with expertly drawn characters and “inside” details about the business of horse breeding and racing, Bullet Work is one of those few thrillers that rise above its niche market- appealing to anyone who wants a great read, and a fascinating inside look at what would appear a benign pastime…at least on the face of it!!

A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

by FIRST LOOK REVIEWS

Bullet Work pulls readers into the competitive, unforgiving world of the racetrack backside, where race horses are royalty, where last chances are played out, and where hopes of imminent victory keep stable hands believing. No world is fair, but the racetrack backside is wickedly cruel. Money drives the machine. When the money runs dry, for lack of wins or cashed bets, the amusement ride stops and victims are cast off.

As Fairfax Park prepares for its annual meet, stable hands wheel in their prized assets and the community makes its temporary home in the shedrows that line the backside. In this world each stable is a separate business and they prepare for battle mere feet from their competitors.

Opening day approaches fueled by optimism and renewal.

That is, until someone starts killing racehorses.

Two horses are murdered in their stalls and a third is kidnapped. The backside is thrown into chaos. It isn’t random though. It is a plan.

Dan Morgan is a recently divorced attorney who owns a small string of horses. Despite efforts by stable hands and track security, the brutal killings continue. For Dan it becomes personal when the killer targets his precocious two-year-old filly. Dan befriends a young stable hand, AJ Kaine. As a hotwalker, AJ holds the lowest of jobs on the backside. But AJ has a secret, perhaps a secret that can corner a killer. With AJ’s help Dan must uncover the deadly scheme or risk becoming the killer’s next victim.

O’Brien captures the hope, fear and desperation of those on the backside. His racing scenes are pure thrill rides. O’Brien puts you on the back of a thoroughbred–from the starting gate to the wire, from feeling the dirt spray flying off leaders’ heels, to throwing a cross with the reins, to pulling the whip and driving to the breathless finish. He captures the excitement of the competition missing in other racing novels. These are some of the finest, most vivid scenes of thoroughbreds in action.

Multiple subplots run through Bullet Work, but they all mesh beautifully into this dynamic story. Readers experience the pain and beauty of the backside and sadness and truth of its inhabitants. The characters are compelling and have complex and diverse backgrounds.

To the uninitiated, the language of the racetrack can be like deciphering a foreign language. O’Brien’s writing allows the natural dialect and diction to pour forth, while providing enough background to help the story maintain pace, originality and integrity.

This is highly recommended for horse racing enthusiasts, mystery/thriller fans and anyone who loves a highly paced, suspenseful story.

Steve O’Brien is an attorney, fiction writer, and former thoroughbred owner. He draws upon his legal background and knowledge of the racetrack to create a gripping and engaging novel filled with greed, excitement, anticipation, and compassion.

Bullet Work is a wire to wire winner. Readers will cheer, laugh, think, and some may even shed a tear. Few novels are able to weave together the wide range of emotions that are evoked by this story. They are the emotions of the backside. They are the emotions of life. And this book nails it.

Bullet Work breaks on top from the starting gate and never looks back. It is one wild ride.