Into the Fire

The Mischief Thief is Johnnie Alexander's latest release (May 2020). 

Okay, honestly, I have to preface this with having spent 30+ years in horse racing at various racetracks in Washington state and California (granted: I've never been to a Florida racetrack where this story takes place), I'm always leery of reading stories that center on the sport and its tracks. People (writers/authors) can tour racetracks and speak to different people who work there from horsemen and women to track maintenance, horse-shoers, kitchen operators, jockeys, jock's room personnel, entries/race office staff, commission office employees, veterinarians, guards, the gamut of all the diverse people who make up and participate in the sport directly or indirectly, etc., but it's difficult to portray it as it really is without having some real experience there. So I'm usually insulted by the, dare I say, ignorance of the depictions of people, places, and things concerning racetracks and of the people who work there. However, having said all that – and admittedly it was lengthy because operating and working at a racetrack is no small deal – most people have no idea about any of those important occupations and things I just listed so they're able to read a story that includes horse racing and its general entities without knowing (or caring) about the errors, assumptions, and/or the sometimes absurdities and clichés those produce in the story. 

I seriously debated whether or not to read this novel precisely because of the factor(s) listed above. Having written a comprehensive look at horse racing in my first novel, a ridiculously long saga Hope of Glory, and a mystery with the locale focused on a murder at the track in Race, I believe it's okay for me to say I know what I'm talking about concerning horse racing and racetracks. 

So, again having said all that, this story isn't really about rescuing the racehorse "Mischief" from his gangster owner, it's about rescuing the grifter – but good-hearted down deep – Chaney Rose and the inescapably good man, the newly fired pastor and jilted fiancé Adam. Adam's widowed dad (Tucker), DVM (veterinarian), disappears simultaneously with the gangster's young wife and the racehorse Mischief. 

Chaney Rose and her cousin (and only family) Marshall run cons on people to survive and make a living, but their last job went awry and it was somehow Chaney's fault or at least she thinks it was and Marshall took the fall for her, landing himself in jail. Chaney would do just about anything to get her cousin out of jail, and what she chooses to do introduces her – and not in a good way – to Adam by way of the bulldog detective who wants her to join her cousin in jail. However, her intentions fail in a big way so she enlists the help of another con (Calvin) to help re-steal Mischief (because he's supposed to race and isn't sound enough to survive without further injury). It's elaborate and depends heavily on Calvin which Chaney knows is a risk in itself. 

The best part of the story is the development of the character Chaney and the heart of the man Adam. Tucker is a courageous, ornery guy who is actually fun to watch as he deals with both Chaney and Adam. The connection between Tucker and another veterinarian Melody is a good one. There are places where the dialogue/subsequent inner dialogue and action give the reader laugh out loud moments that are fun and clever.

The Mischief Thief is a well-written story that presents meaningful characters who struggle to make right decisions in the midst of awful wrongs. 

(I won't hold my racing bias toward inaccuracies and racetrack clichés against the story.)

Father, please continue to provide the stories you have just for Johnnie to tell and please provide all that she needs to further those stories. Bless and protect her in the Name of Jesus, Amen.