Close Call

John McEvoy
Poisoned Pen Press (2008)
ISBN 9781590584965
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (2/08)


“Close Call” centers around Jack Doyle, a man with a shady past who still has strong connections with many powerful people.  One such connection sets him up with a job as a publicist for Monee Park, a Chicago racetrack that is failing financially.  The track’s owner has just passed away and left the majority of the ownership to his niece Celia who he raised since she was a child.   The rest of the ownership is left to Niall Hanratty, a nephew who resides in Ireland.  Celia is counting on the passage of a bill to allow video slot machines at racetracks (in order to compete with nearby casinos) to save Monee Park from bankruptcy.  However, Niall is receiving information that it would be in his best interest to sell the land because the bill is unlikely to pass.  As Celia and Niall dispute whose position would be best for everyone, a successful horse brings welcome attention to the track, thus increasing the stakes for both sides.

This book will appeal to readers of both sexes.  Males will enjoy the horseracing and gambling elements.  Women will appreciate the strong female heroine who is determined to achieve success.  The author does a nice job of describing the surroundings and the action.  The reader will feel as if he or she is attending an actual horserace.

The relationships between the major characters were touching.  The loyalty and trust they exhibited and the sacrifices they made for their love of the sport were truly inspirational.  However, some of the characters could have been developed more fully.  I would have liked to have learned a little more about Jack’s history.  Including more details could have lent another interesting element to the story, as well as provided an explanation for his demeanor.  Niall’s character was also a bit underdeveloped.  I had a hard time deciding if he was a villain or just a businessman looking out for his own interests.

“Close Call” contains subject matter that will appeal to many readers--including sports, politics, and sabotage.  It will entertain as well as inform the reader.  The unexpected events at the end provided a fitting conclusion to the story.

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