The Inheritance, Jenny Pitman, (Pan Macmillan, £16.99)

Eat your heart out, Dick Francis. But not quite, for although Jenny Pitman writes about horses, and there's always a mystery in there somewhere, there's more of the psychology behind those who love horses, and less of the murder. Her latest novel inherits these characteristics, and combines detective work into both an equine puzzle and a personal mystery.

Racehorse trainer Jan Hardy (who survived nasty experiences in Pitman's previous book The Vendetta) has both sorts of mystery to clear up. The owner of some of her horses, a Cherokee Indian, turns up unexpectedly; there's a new Irish manager at the stables; strange illness among the horses, and a sudden death among the human population hence the inheritance. It is the inheritance that throws Jan's life into disarray, never mind the undercurrents of strange horse behaviour. Jan's father had something to hide, and he is still hiding it. There follows a tracery of lies and half-lies; Jan's personal life is torn apart, and her professional life seems to be going the same way. It is her greatest challenge yet, and the story makes for an exciting read especially for the horse-lover.

No wonder Pitman can write a good horsey novel. She has been around horses all her life and when she lived near Wantage was the first woman to train a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and had several Grand National winners. She has also trained winners of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals and in 1998 was awarded the OBE for services to horseracing. Horseracing is in her blood and informatively and entertainingly in her novels as well.