Spenser is back & embroiled in a deceptively dangerous & multi-layered case. Someone has been killing racehorses at stables across the south & the Boston P.I. travels to Georgia to protect the two-year-old horse destined to become the next Secretariat. When Spenser is approached by Walter Clive president of the Three Fillies Stables to find out who is threatening his horse Hugger Mugger he can hardly say no: hes been doing pro bono work for so long his cupboards are just about bare. Disregarding the resentment of the local Georgia law enforcement Spenser takes the case.