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.

Knight Fall
The Unforgiving Minutes
Ashes to Ashes
Original Sin
Show Stopper
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