Braking Points

February 4, 2013
Kaehler’s second Kate Reilly mystery (after 2011’s Dead Man’s Switch) races through a packed plot and skillful dialogue nearly as expertly as driver Kate threads her way through a racecourse. When Kate collides with Miles Hanson, a wildly popular NASCAR driver, on Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake track, she earns the enmity of his huge fan club. Coincidentally—or not—a blogger with the handle “Racing’s Ringer” begins relentlessly taking pot shots at “Calamity Kate.” Kate tries to remain focused on her work as the drivers and crew head to Petit Le Mans in Georgia, but she can’t help worrying about her safety, especially after she’s the near victim of a hit-and-run. She’s suspicious that the misogynistic pit reporter Felix Simon is the source of her misery, but after Felix is murdered, the campaign against her becomes even more bewildering and frightening. A few too many suspects—including crazed, potentially dangerous fans everywhere—don’t spoil the fast-paced fun.

March 1, 2013
American Le Mans driver Kate Reilly (Dead Man's Switch, 2011) unleashes a firestorm when she bumps a popular NASCAR driver at Road America. The road at Elkhart Lake is slick with rain. Still, Kate could pass Miles Hanson's blue Corvette easily if he'd only make way for her. He doesn't, and the ensuing crash sends Miles to the hospital. Even though the collision is ruled a "racing incident," equally the fault of both drivers, Hanson's fans go ballistic. Nash Rawlings, president of the Miles Hanson fan club, confronts her publicly. So does broadcaster Felix Simon, a popular figure on the ALMS circuit. Worst of all is Racing's Ringer, a blogger who dubs Reilly "Kate Violent." The Ringer cybertrashes Kate, sending unflattering pictures as well as stories of past misdeeds--mostly from her preteen racing years--to readers across the country. Even being named one of six female athletes to represent Beaute Cosmetics' new Glorieux line brings derision from the Ringer and others who continue to insist that girls can't drive. But when her good friend Ellie Prescott dies after downing Kate's orange juice, her boyfriend, Stuart Telarday, is convinced that the campaign of Kate-hate has gone too far. Even if Jack Sandham continues Kate's contract with Sandham Swift Racing, she may not live to drive another Petit Le Mans. Kate's second outing is just as fast-paced as her first, balancing mystery and racing adventure all the way to the checkered flag.

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March 1, 2013

An honest mistake on the track leaves popular driver Miles Hanson out of commission, and blame is unjustly heaped upon the other driver, Kate Reilly. Kate struggles (in her own hot-tempered way) with venomous media attacks and so much unwanted attention. Then an old friend of hers dies from a poisoned drink, and Kate and others wonder if Kate herself was the intended victim. More attacks follow--first in Wisconsin and then in Atlanta. Fortunately, when she's not amateur sleuthing, Kate focuses well on the track, providing a thrilling contrast to the creepy assaults on her person. When yet another victim turns up, however, Kate is totally flummoxed. VERDICT Kaehler ably steers her second series entry (after Dead Man's Switch) through the exciting world of auto racing. Action from page one ensures an engrossing read with abundant twists in the plot. This is certainly for Danica Patrick fans and pairs nicely with Simon Wood's racing series or Steve Ulfelder's Conway Sax series. [See Prepub Alert, 11/04/12.]

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