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Sasscer Hill
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The Sea Horse Trade: A Nikki Latrelle Horseracing Mystery, Book 3 (A Nikki Latrelle Mystery) Kindle Edition

by Sasscer Hill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings
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When Nikki works the January meet at Gulfstream Park near Miami, something about new racehorse owner, Currito Maldonista, worries her. Bad enough she’s expected to handle Maldonista’s evil-minded colt, Diablo, but Nikki begins to suspect Maldonista may be a Colombian drug lord. Worse yet, could he be abducting underage American girls and forcing them into the sex trade? Nikki’s world and Maldinista’s collide when Nikki’s oldest friend, Carla Ruben, comes to Florida to find Jade, the teenage daughter she gave up for adoption years ago. Jade’s adoptive parents are dead; and the exotically beautiful girl is missing. Could Maldonista be involved? Nikki and Carla put their lives on the line to find out!
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Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 5
    The Nikki Latrelle Horse Racing Mysteries
  2. Print length
    281 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    August 3, 2015
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. File size
    3002 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sasscer, the honor comes in your accomplishments and talent, and you should take great pride in such a magnificent trifecta. Congratulations!!! Well done. Dick Francis lives!"- Steve Haskin, Senior Correspondent, Blood-Horse. Former National Correspondent, Daily Racing Form, winner of eighteen awards for excellence in turf writing.

From the Author

The characteristics and personalities in horse racing are an endless source of inspiration-the risk, the beauty, the speed, the endless opportunities for skulduggery, and the extraordinary Upstairs Downstairs quality of the people who inhabit the life. Picture the winner's circle, a poverty-level groom holds a hundred-thousand-dollar horse for a trainer who may be living large, or only hand-to-mouth. With them stands the rich or possibly almost-broke-owner who may also be a white-collar criminal. Or he might enjoy a golden life of lofty social status. Think of the jockeys. Watch them make the sign of the cross before they risk their lives once again to mount thousand-pound animals who race in a mob at speeds up to 40 miles an hour. And the horse. He might be sore, or tired, but still, he digs deep into his soul to find the heart and courage to pull out a win. I've seen it all. I've never wanted to write the great American novel. I believe my job is to entertain with stories about chasing a dream, fighting the odds, and helping the helpless. I want to create a world that's a bit scary, sometimes funny, always informative, and a reliable destination for escape.  

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B013ESTJCO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wild Spirit Press (August 3, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 3, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3002 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

About the author

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Sasscer Hill

Sasscer Hill

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Sasscer Hill: Author, Amateur Jockey, Horse Breeder and Mystery Lover

Sasscer Hill, a former Maryland racehorse breeder, trainer, and rider, uses the sport of kings as a backdrop for her mysteries. Her “vivid descriptive” prose about greed, evil, heart, and courage propelled her “Nikki Latrelle” novels to multiple award nominations, including an Agatha, a Macavity, and the Dr. Tony Ryan Best in Racing Literature Award.

Her 2020 novel, TRAVELS OF QUINN, is “A heart-stopping thriller of a murder mystery”– Charles Todd, Anthony, Edgar, and Barry Award-winning author.

Born an Irish American gypsy Traveller, can Quinn escape

a dreaded marriage contract and the life of crime forced upon her?

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
158 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

deb worth
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth Reading!!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
I will preface this review by stating I am not a book reader, although I am a horse lover. Therefore I was initially skeptical when embarking on all 3 of the Nikki Latrelle mystery novels, as a self assigned project. All three novels are excellent, the "SeaHorse Trade" being the final book. The facts related to the Racing Industry are accurate, and informative. The research is concrete and believable. My 3 favorite aspects of the Nikki Latrelle Racing Mystery Novels are as follows: 1) They are credible, real to life on the backstretch and factual 2) The books are easy to read, not terribly involved, and having AADD, they are not a struggle to finish reading 3) There are hints of romance and flirtations in all 3 novels, but not any in-depth "love" stories (that's what romance novels are for!).

I would like, most importantly, to add, these mysteries would appeal to any reader. You do not have to be a "horse" person or racing fan to appreciate the context of these books. I have lent my books to family members who are not involved with horses, and they also enjoyed the books, and commented on how easy they were to read. enjoy, and finish!!

I will also add that the Author of these 3 novels is a very down to earth person. She writes from experience and from the heart. I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Hill on several occassions and she truly writes what she knows. Now we will all have to patiently wait as she works on her next novel. Evidently the next book will have different characters, but will have a "racetrack" related theme. I am sure it will be a pleasure to read.
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Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Nikki Latrelle is in Florida for a few weeks for racing in the warmer climate.
On her first day there she witnesses the murder of a very young girl who's tossed out of a pickup.
She also has a new owner that has some very impressive horses, and one of them that she's not sure anyone will be able to ride, much less if she can keep the horse from being ruled off.
Carla also contacts her to let her know that the daughter she gave up as an adoption, has been located by a private investigator in the area of Florida where Nikki is.
If this isn't enough? Klaire Voyante: a friend of Mello needs to talk to her as she has foreseen that Nikki is in danger.

Pro's:
This is a fun mystery that has developed characters, a good bit of intrigue, and a good plotline.

Con's:
Even though Nikki is constantly warned she is in danger, the person warning her does everything possible to make sure Nikki is in the right place to be in the most danger at any given time.

I was really sad to see one of the main secondary character's storyline come to an end.

I really hate when an MC pulls a "Too Stupid to Live" moment, and Nikki did so not just once, but twice.

I also missed not having an appearance by Hellish being made in the story.

This was an enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Although there are no graphic scenes, this story touches on human trafficking, and underage prostitution.
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Eecie
5.0 out of 5 stars Racing Fast
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
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The Sea Horse Trade is the latest in the Nikki Latrelle Racing Mystery series by Sasscer Hill. I love this series. I love Nikki Latrelle. She reminds me of my plucky, tenacious jockey who happens to also be a woman. This book is as fast-paced as a stakes race. People compare Sasscer Hill to Dick Francis, but to me, she's better. She gets the racing aspects perfectly. She knows racetracks well and is able to really give the reader the feel of a side of racing most people can't ever know. In my 40 years in racing, I've met many people like in her books, the good ones and the bad ones. Jim Ravinsky, the trainer Nikki works for, is like many trainers I've known (including my current one); hardworking, honest and devoted to the horses. The slave trade plot is intriguing and very important, especially right now with the three girls who were found being held prisoner. The book is excellent in and of itself, but for me, it's the racing and the backstretch part that leaves me panting for more and more Nikki Latrelle. If you don't love racing, it's a great read. If you love racing, it is satisfying in so many ways. Sasscer HIll really knows her stuff and knows how to write.
2 people found this helpful
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MJ Payne is pen name
5.0 out of 5 stars Take a Deep Breath and JUMP!
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
Take a deep breath and dive in. This fast-paced, well-crafted mystery by Sasscer Hill deals with some subject matter that will send chills up and down your spine. Will you ever feel safe again? It gave me goose bumps. The storyline winds around Nikki Latrelle, career jockey and stable assistant to Jim Ravinsky. Energetic Nikki witnesses a girl being thrown out of a van and shot. This leads to an ever escalating string of events regarding underage girls. A mysterious man with a ghastly scar, Currito Maldonista has his horses vanned in to Ravinsky’s barn at Gulfstream Park early. Among his horses is a barely controllable stallion, an ill-tempered son of Dynaformer. The resourceful Nikki is forced to manage and ride him after somebody dopes the monster with cocaine. Nikki scratches her head as to why somebody would dope the bombshell that way. As a result of cocaine being found in the horse Ravinsky takes the blame after Diablo runs and wins a scorching race and must leave the track with Nikki in charge of the horses and the often three-legged Diablo. This is obviously written by a professional horsewoman with in-depth knowledge of the thoroughbred racehorse world. The ambiance of the book evokes the smell, feel, and activity of life at a racetrack so the reader feels right there. I loved the solution to who ponied Diablo to the starting gate – a part draft horse gelding who was only too happy to bump Diablo to keep him in line when necessary. The book sports some very sexy scenes between Nikki and Will, her love interest. Nikki’s friend Carla has a problem that interacts with the plot sending it shooting along to a wild surprise ending. The gallery of sinister and strange characters will have you biting your nails and sail you into a satisfying ending.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Annieo
5.0 out of 5 stars A great horse-track mystery!
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
The Seahorse Trade, is a hard-to-put-down, mystery novel, with a good plot and very well written. Nikki has her hands full with an extremely difficult horse called Diablo, (who isn't so bad after all), horse owners, trainers and a friend who is searching for her daughter who is missing. There is an underlying hint of romance. The story has a variable range of dangerous situations, strange occurrences, along with happy and sad sections.

Sasser Hill has created a fast-paced story, with believable characters, and good descriptions of the protagonists, the race horses, and the race trace scene. Overall, a very good, enjoyable read.
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Stevie Jaye
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2014
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The Sea Horse Trade is the third book I have read by Sasscer Hill and after every book I think the next one can't get any better, but believe me, they do. The Sea Horse Trade has more twists and turns than a giant slalom and poor Nikki finds herself slap bang in the middle of trouble from the first page. I loved the new characters, Stella, Klare Voyant and especially Diablo - what a horse! . Sasscer Hill's books are so fast paced, you find yourself actually holding your breath as you are reading - the ending had me gobsmacked for days afterwards. I highly recommend the Sea Horse Trade and I defy anyone not to enjoy it once they start reading it.
One person found this helpful
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HoneyRose (London, England)
3.0 out of 5 stars Lively writing, good racing background let down by ramshackle plot
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2014
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This author has a vivid writing style and clearly a detailed knowledge of the US racing scene. Unfortunately what could be a really good book with some judicious editing is let down by a ramshackle plot both ultimately unbelievable and prone to sudden lurches in the narrative. We are expected to believe that the sassy heroine isn't suspicious when a Columbian gangster turns up with three horses to train at the struggling business she works for. When his horse is found to have ingested cocaine after winning a race, there is no mention of contacting him to discuss the impact, it is only mentioned in passing much later in the plot. These are just two examples of the disjointed plot. Shame because the writing is good and with a little more care it could have been a really good book.
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P. Lallier
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed this crime story set in a horse racing environment
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have read this author's previous books over the years and have enjoyed them all.
I know it's a cliche, but I started reading this book on Friday night and I couldn't put it down. I finished it late on Sunday. Hill tells a good tale and is very easy to read. The chapters are relatively short so you can always read one more (because you want to see what happens next, of course). It is a proper, full-size, novel as it finishes at location 4266 on my Kindle. I will also be getting a printed copy to share with my friends.
Next weekend, I will start re-reading Hill's previous books.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars excellant story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
I have always enjoyed horse racing fiction and this book is really very good. It is set in the USA which is a complete change for me, I had been an avid Dick Francis fan before but I will be reading more of this author's work and I look forward to more coming out.
One person found this helpful
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