The start of this story is downcast, with Emily bumping her car into a solid pole and hating to ask her sister on the phone for money as she's been trying so hard to make it in acting. A couple of commercials aren't impressive. Then we take a bus ride to background on a film set, in historic Kentucky racing country, and both Emily and the story perk up rapidly.

STUDS AND STILETTOS abound in a true-life film about a famous racehorse, his girl groom who disappeared and his Lothario owner. Emily has an agent who just tells her how to spend money on her career, so it's good for her to follow a more experienced extra, Judith, and pick up information. Like, don't take photos of the actors, and keep your face out of camera on one set so you can be in a different crowd scene later. The horses intrigue the girl as she is sure her skill set would be useful there, and better paid too. Maybe trailer park West Virginia kids didn't have Thoroughbreds, but she loves horses.

Standing around for hours watching, with sudden action shots is great fun for Emily, and when she bumps into Dan Barrett, movie horse trainer, matters definitely look up for her. The Humane Association has strict rules but nobody cares what long hours the people work. Dan likes Emily's horse wrangling skills and she's on to handle a rearing racehorse. Maybe that's not all Dan likes. An assistant to Dan gets jealous and makes trouble. What happened to the original groom though? She vanished and never reappeared, twenty years ago.

I found Bev Pettersen's book to be a great fun read, with the new person on set showing us all the behind the scenes action and asking all the questions we'd love to ask. The varied characters speed the story along and the hard, physical work of caring for horses is well portrayed. Emily - we have to admire her gutsy efforts and stamina, as well as her genuine concern for the horses. Where money's concerned she's not the smartest however, blowing her first pay. Where men are concerned - well let's say she could learn a hard lesson. The background mystery adds tension with at least three murder suspects walking around the set, but no proof. The adult relationship adds spice. This horsey girl loved STUDS AND STILETTOS from starting gate to finishing post.