The Horseman's Tale

By: Tom Equels

Narrated by: Steve Bramham LLC

A hypnotic narrative that twists through both light and dark as
journaling therapy unlocks the troubled memories of a lonely veteran.

Haunted by the death of his son in
infancy and the love of his life many years later, Jake Montgomery grudgingly
agrees to a form of “journal therapy” that allows him to expose and confront
the sharp, insistent pain that he regularly buries with rage and scotch and
television. As he writes, secrets tightly bound within him gradually
unwind—first in racially segregated Ocala, Florida, in the 1950s, where his
best childhood friend was a Puerto Rican jockey, then in Ireland, when a summer
as a stable apprentice ushers in a new and all-consuming passion.

Jake relives his experiments with
free love in the 1960s, and is embroiled once more in choices of life and death
on the battlefields of Vietnam, and later, as undercover intelligence officer
in the countries of Eastern Europe. What begins as a journey chronicling
youthful discovery spirals swiftly into spaces where loss overwhelms and the
path chosen is one of ruthlessness and revenge. It is the birth, life, and
death of a special horse that gives Jake a sense of purpose in his desperate
search for a reason to carry on.

©2024 Tom Equels (P)2025 Tom Equels

An enthralling story

This book wasn’t what I originally expected, but having said that, I really enjoyed it. The story line was thought provoking, engaging, and pulled you in. I found myself looking forward to listening to more, wanting to find out what happens next, and how the story would end. There were parts that were scary, parts that make me laugh, and parts that made me cry. A very enthralling story, and the narrator was excellent in my opinion.

Epic novel, authentic performance

A sweeping novel that spans place and time, capturing life’s beauty and brutality with zero filter. The references to music and cars reminded me of a Murakami novel. The narrator sounds very authentic and sounds a bit like Hank Hill, which I love!