Murder at the Kentucky Derby

Charles Parmer (1893-1958) knew all the major tracks in the country and his story of horse racing in America, For Gold and Glory, established him as an authority on the subject. In Murder at the Kentucky Derby (1942) he introduced Major Roderick Austen, investigator for the State Racing Commission.

Major Austen's job on the eve of Derby Day was to arbitrate the question of ownership of the favorite starter in the great race, Red Moon. Contenders for the horse were a gentleman sportsman whose private life was less illustrious than his public life, a representative of an out-of-town gambling ring whose interests would be served by having the horse lose the race, and a slimy little trainer who had a way with horses but none with honesty.

Austen made his decision honestly and justly, but was not successful in preventing a prophesied murder, which, because it involved many people connected with racing, came under his immediate jurisdiction. Austen was so busy that he had no chance to see the Derby run, but he was clever enough to use the radio broadcast of the race to break down the most important witness and obtain information which led to the solution of the murder.

"Any racing fan who has witnessed the running of the Kentucky Derby will appreciate immediately on starting this story just how well the author has captured the atmosphere of the Louisville classic. The story opens a few hours before the big race, against a background of hot-dog stands, touts and thousands of milling people tense with the excitement common Derby eve. The entire novel covers a period of only several hours, yet Charles Parmer has crammed into the brief period a murder-mystery rated with the best. There is not a dull moment in Murder at the Kentucky Derby." (1942 review)