Show Stopper was the result of attending lots of Arabian horse shows to learn more about the breed. When I started plotting it, I asked everyone, "If someone were to be murdered at a horse show, who would he or she be?" Without hesitation, and in complete unanimity, the answer was, "A trainer." I got a lot off my chest about horse shows with this book, which is why, I suppose, it didn't go over big with the horse show set.

Each of my Peter Brichter novels has a Rudyard Kipling quote in the front. When Show Stopper was published, the quote had vanished. So here it is, just to make the set complete:

With your mane unhogged and flowing,
And your curious way of going,
And that businesslike black crimping of your tail,
E'en with Beauty on your back, sir,
Pacing like a lady's hack, sir,
Any wonder when I see you I turn pale?

- "The Undertaker's Horse," by Rudyard Kipling

I'm not sure what the horse on this cover is, but he sure isn't an Arab.