Sable Jones returns for another case in the equestrian world. She brings her pupils to Willowdale Gymkhana with their ponies, all keen to compete. The Silver Run riding stable is having a pretty good day, and nobody could foresee a tragedy. WICKED WIRES AT WILLOWDALE cause a death. The fun has to stop.

While talking to her friends, Sable notices some anomalies that make her suspicious. Could Eleanor Bannister, a show judge known for being strict but fair, have collapsed at the prize-giving because her microphone was deliberately sabotaged? The electrical fitter is adamant that he set everything up correctly – the previous day. Someone could have done some tampering. The police investigate, but initially treat it as an accident.

Continuity is supplied for followers of the series by Sable’s horse Blaze and her dog Max. Blaze is a tall dark chestnut Thoroughbred, and Max is a Labrador. Sable is divorced, and these are the current men in her life, though she does get along well with a certain police officer. Last time, Sable investigated a death at a stud farm, accompanied by Blaze and Max. The intrepid trio is back at Silver Run, where several friends, such as Ruth Ann and Miss Daisy, are ready to help take notes, investigate individual backgrounds, and come up with conjectures.

This is a short novel, so I can’t say much more, except that the concerns discussed are mostly for grown readers and I would class this series as intended for adults. Young adults can certainly read the stories too, but aside from learning some important life lessons, they may not find Sable’s adventures a great fit.

Ellis Thorne has provided another involved read in WICKED WIRES AT WILLOWDALE, and she delves into some social concerns. I think it’s great that horse stories don’t stop being interesting and relevant when you’re an adult. This one has a lot more characters due to the large attendance at the horse show.