Sally Wright is the author of six Ben Reese mysteries: Publish And Perish, Pride And Predator, Pursuit And Persuasion ( a Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist in 2001), Out of the Ruins, Watches Of The Night and Code of Silence. While gathering material for “Watches” in Lexington Kentucky, Sally learned about life on horse farms from grooms to estate owners and was inspired to write her newest book “Breeding Ground”. The book takes place in the 1960’s post the Second World War where its lead character, Jo Grant, is taking care of an injured relative and caring for the family’s broodmare business. Breeding Ground’s page turning mystery involves Jo trying to stop the killer of a friend.
You are an accomplished writer and an Edgar Allen Poe finalist – quite an honor!
Yes – I learned about my nomination from our local librarian who called to congratulate me. It was a surprise! When I heard about it, I just came from the barn and was dirty, sweaty and full of horse hair!
Breeding Ground grows out of the conflicts in three Lexington families, all involved in high stakes horse busineeses. What intrigued you to write the book?
My Father & Mother worked together in a scientific business, because of this, I know firsthand the dynamics of working in a family business. Besides the Thoroughbred breeding farm business in the book, the other businesses are a small equine pharmacy and a horse van manufacturer. I had a great time writing about horses – and the strain of family interactions in business really hadn’t been written about before.
Is research a big part of all your books?
I love history! The back story comes out of history and these events impact my characters years later. I want my books to be accurate too. For example, it was important for me to know what drugs and treatments would have been developed in 1962 for the equine pharmacy I write about in the book.
Did being a “horse person” help you write the book?
I had no idea how much I’d enjoyed being in Lexington. I had a horse, which probably played a part, but I certainly got more and more interested in life on the horse farms in Woodford County, largely because of the people I met. I had a chance to meet Secretariat – which is a great memory for me. He was such a character! He had no doubt he was the most astonishing horse that ever lived.
One of the underlying themes in Breeding Ground is how people deal with adversity. Horses accept that things can move you forward or hold you back. Horses can be good examples for us.
For more information about Sally Wright or Breeding Ground www.sallywright.net
