Packed with both mystery and romance, conspiracy and emotion, with story lines centered on the polar opposites of horses and the Mexican drug cartel, this award-winning romantic mystery novel is a thrill throughout to read.  Bev Pettersen’s Horses and Heroin, while based off the classic tale with the male detective lead and the romantic love interest, is filled with just enough  twists and turns to set it apart from others in the genre. 

Centered around a jockey school, with the background of a horse racing community, the setting is made very authentic by the author’s knowledge and research into the industry.  The book allows you to place yourself in the situation and see it from the eyes of the characters.  Of these characters, one central character, Megan, is there on a mission, one to solve her brother’s disappearance and prove his innocence, while the other central character, Scott, is trying to escape involvement of mysteries of any kind and find some much needed time for rest and peace.  Both find much more than what they are looking for when they have a chance encounter on the road outside of the school.  They both did not know this would change the course of the next few weeks, and their lives, forever. 

Trust is a central theme that is explored in this book.  Can Megan be sure her brother who has gone missing didn’t resort back to drugs?  Can she learn to love someone again and letting herself and her heart get hurt in a relationship?  Can Scott trust this girl that he finds to be irresistible?   Can he figure out what it is that is holding her back?  Can knowing someone for a long time mean that you can take them at their word? 

A great value to any mystery is not being able to figure it out at the beginning of the book; Horses and Heroin keeps you guessing until the very end.  The answer to the conspiracy is one that you can’t put your figure on until it works itself out.  There is great character development as you see how complex the actions of some of the characters are, showing that everyone can have both a good and a dark side. 

Not being much a romance novel reader, I enjoyed that the romance took time to develop, making the story and the connection more realistic.  There is a flow of words without being too complicated in a writing style that is simply beautiful.   While there is a true sexual draw between the characters, there is also an emotional connection in the relationship that cannot be denied.  The reader isn’t sure if these lovers will be able to be together in the end but finds herself hoping that they are.   Horses and Heroin has best seller written all over it - a great read all around!