The Recommended Reading Order for the Horseshoer Mystery Series
The Horseshoer Mystery series, penned by author and animal-care expert Lisa Preston, follows the life, trade, and investigations of Rainy Dale. Because the series features a continuous narrative arc tracking Rainy’s personal growth, relationships, and professional journey, the recommended reading path is to read the books in their publication order. Reading them in sequence ensures you experience the progression of Rainy's relationship with her chef boyfriend, Guy, and her gradual transition from a guarded drifter to a key member of the local community.
1. The Clincher (2018)
The series opens with The Clincher, introducing readers to Rainy Dale. Rainy is a high-school dropout with a complicated past, estranged from her D-list actress mother and ranch-hand father. Determined to make it on her own in a male-dominated trade, she moves to the small, tight-knit town of Cowdry, Oregon, to work as a farrier (a horseshoer). Rainy is also searching for her beloved childhood horse, Red. Her new life is quickly disrupted when one of her clients, Patsy-Lynn Harper, is murdered shortly after Rainy shoes her prize stud. As a newcomer with secrets, Rainy becomes the primary suspect. To clear her name and secure her future in the town, she must use her unique tracking skills and equine knowledge to catch the real killer.
2. Dead Blow (2019)
In the second installment, Dead Blow, Rainy is settled into Cowdry but finds herself drawn into a cold case. A new client’s husband died a year prior in an incident involving a dangerous bull, which was officially ruled an accident. However, the rancher's widow believes there was foul play. As Rainy works on the ranch, she begins investigating the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Simultaneously, she must navigate her personal life as her relationship with her landlord-turned-boyfriend, Guy, grows more serious, and they prepare for their upcoming marriage. The setting shifts deeper into the Oregon backcountry, emphasizing the isolation and hidden dangers of rural ranching life.
3. Forging Fire (2020)
The third book, Forging Fire, takes place just days before Rainy and Guy's wedding. Hoping to sneak in one last horse-centric trip before the ceremony, Rainy travels to the prestigious Black Bluff bull sale in California. However, the excursion turns dangerous when she is assaulted, and her truck and horse trailer are stolen. Rainy plunges into a complex web of agricultural theft, hidden bodies, and local grudges. Facing danger far from her home turf, she must rely on her sharp wits, her loyal dog Charley, and her farrier skills to survive and make it back to Oregon in time for her wedding.
The Core Elements of the Series
What sets the Horseshoer Mystery series apart is its dedication to authenticity and its unconventional protagonist. Before diving in, here is what you need to know about the series’ signature elements:
- The Farrier Craft: Author Lisa Preston is a former police officer and paramedic who has spent years riding backcountry trails and writing guides on equine health. She brings this technical expertise to the page, immersing readers in the physical reality of forging steel, driving nails, and checking hoof health. Rainy uses these specialized skills to track suspects and analyze crime scenes.
- Rainy’s Companions: Rainy is rarely alone. Her primary sidekick is Charley, her loyal dog who accompanies her to shoeing jobs and crime scenes. Her boyfriend and eventual fiancé, Guy, provides a gentle contrast to Rainy's rugged exterior—he is a gourmet chef frequently preoccupied with perfecting his soufflés and supporting Rainy's independent lifestyle.
- Oregon Setting: The landscape of Central Oregon acts as its own character. The series contrasts the beauty of the backcountry with the harsh, isolated realities of rural ranches, bull sales, and wilderness trails.
Other Books by Lisa Preston
If you finish the Horseshoer Mystery trilogy and want to read more of Preston’s work, she has written several standalone novels and highly regarded nonfiction books about animal care:
- Orchids and Stone (2016): A psychological thriller focusing on a woman who finds a young girl kept in a hidden basement room, setting off a dark and suspenseful investigation.
- The Measure of the Moon (2017): A gripping mystery about a family dealing with the aftermath of an accusation against their son in a rural community.
- Equine & Canine Nonfiction: Preston has also written reference books, including Natural Healing for Cats, Dogs, Horses, and Other Animals (2020) and The Ultimate Guide to Horse Feed, Supplements, and Nutrition (2016), reflecting the deep animal-care knowledge that grounds her novels.