When an old friend, Charlie Vann, asks for Clegg's help, however, the ex-rider doesn't think twice. Octogenarian Grove isn't your typical mystery writer, but he's among the most honored Western writers in America today. A Distance of Ground is Grove's 24th novel in a career that spans more than 40 years. Part contemporary western and part mystery, the novel showcases Grove's knowledge of the modern horse-racing scene as Clegg travels from the Oklahoma City area to Ruidoso, New Mexico, trying to nab Jim Ned from the kidnappers. Fans of quarter-horse racing will find the novel especially enjoyable.
Grove is equally adept at painting scenes of Oklahoma and New Mexico horse country.
They drive Cadillacs, Lincolns, customized vans, motorhomes, and fast pickups. The horsemen wear big hats and big buckles over big paunches, and the women still go for turquoise jewelry. All come to watch and bet the world's fastest quarter horses run for the world's biggest purses. Anyone ever stuck on Sudderth during the summer can attest to that paragraph's veracity. Although working with the authorities, Clegg and Vann try, at first, to cooperate with the kidnappers.