British showjumping has a dark side.

Theodora Thistleton was not at all popular. Wealthy and embittered, she bullied stable hands, riders and secretaries, as well as family members. Passionately addicted to showjumping, and equally passionately determined to win, she made enemies all around her.

‘I’m sure there are dozens of people queuing up to murder her,’ said one of her riders. And someone did, in spectacular fashion, at a local jump.

It's another case for the straight-talking D.C.I. Flecker of Scotland Yard in Josephine Pullein-Thompson's intriguing equine murder mystery.