Book Title: Finding Fionn – A Mystery Inspired by the Kidnapping of the Irish Racehorse Shergar by M. J. Evans
Category: Young Adult Fiction (Ages 13-17)
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Publisher: Dancing Horse Press, 310 pages
Release date: October 17 2023
Content Rating: Rated G – Completely clean
MY REVIEW
I love books based on true events and animals, so when I got a chance to get my hands on Finding Fionn by M J Evans, I had to have it. Finding Fionn is a mystery based on the kidnapping of Shergar, an Irish thoroughbred who had an amazing winning record.
Before I even cracked open the book, I was surfing for information on Shergar, the horse the book was based on. My biggest takeaway was how thought provoking the story was. Could there be some truth to the fiction?
M J Evans explains the IRA position in a simple to understand manner for such a complex situation. I have read other books where the IRA made an appearance and it was always hard for me to understand…why the conflict? Also, once their first kidnapping, to finance their war, was successful, why would they quit there? But a horse?
Fionn MacCool was a very successful racer and quickly put to stud. Patrick McCallin was the lucky, young jockey who got him there. It had been Patrick’s dream to be a jockey and when Fionn was taken, he was not going to stand by and watch as they closed the case.
It’s fun when a group of young people come together to solve a mystery. We have danger, betrayal and greed…the things people will do for money, never satisfied with what they have.
Finding Fionn is a wonderful story of a boy’s love for horses and his desire to be a jockey. I love the thought provoking conclusion and I think I will make my own conjecture on what really happened to the horse, Shergar, that the story was based on. I love that we have a happy ever after for Fionn MacCool, not so for Shergar.
The excitement felt in the Winner’s Circle vanishes when the jockey’s beloved horse disappears from his stall in the dark of night. Patrick McCallin is a young Irish lad growing up in the 1980’s when all of Ireland is groaning under the weight of The Troubles. Born to ride, he pays little mind to the political unrest going on around him. He dreams only of becoming a jockey. Patrick’s dream comes true when he is selected to ride an up-and-coming Thoroughbred, named Fionn MacCool, in the biggest races in England and Ireland. Race after race ends with Fionn and Patrick in the Winner’s Circle. The pair captures the heart of all Ireland. But the dream becomes a nightmare when Patrick’s beloved horse is kidnapped and held for ransom. When the horse’s owner refuses to pay and the Irish Garda closes the case, Patrick and his best friends, Ronan and Maddie, have no choice but to find Fionn themselves.
M.J. Evans is the author of more than twenty award-winning books for middle-graders, young adults, adults, and even a few picture books. Most of her titles are about horses or horse fantasy creatures. Ms. Evans is a graduate of Oregon State University and a former teacher of middle school and high school students. She is the mother of five and the grandmother of twelve. She and her husband live in Colorado.
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Thank you for reading and reviewing “Finding Fionn.” I’m excited that you loved it.
It’s was my pleasre MJ.
I’ve never ridden a horse or been around then but I find them beautiful.
I have ridden them many times, but I was never proficient. I was more a walk don’t run kinda rider. My sister loved them and was much better at riding than I was.