Claire Birch
The Galloping Detective series by Claire Birch is now out of print, despite it being a good series. Lucy Hill is a girl who wants to make horses her life’s work, hopefully as a professional rider, starting with working towards the Maclay medal. She doesn’t have a horse of her own, so has to do this through last minute rides at shows. On the way, she solves several mysteries. The series changes location and stables after the first book, when Linda’s parents divorce and she and her mother move.
Susan Bourgeau said: “The clash between the very good, solid stories, and characters and the rotten cover art might have doomed them... people attracted by the cover wouldn't care for the story, and the very people who would love the story would be put off by the cover art.”
The first books in the series were printed initially by Laurel Leaf. I haven’t been able to find any evidence of the first book, Triple Threat, appearing as a Laurel Leaf edition, but it does seem very unlikely that it didn’t. The last two titles I do not think were printed by Laurel Leaf. The only uniform edition is the one illustrated, printed by Dell. All the books are listed with the copyright belonging to Claire Merrill, so Claire Birch was presumably a pseudonym.
Finding the books: None of the books are now in print, but all are very easy (at the time of writing) to find in the US: very much less so in the UK.
Very many thanks to Susan Bourgeau, who provided all the information and pictures for this section.
Triple Threat
Dell, New York, 1991
“Lucy Hill loves riding, horse shows, and helping out in a tack shop with her best
friend Jenny. One day she spots
a suspicious-
could the mysterious stranger
be looking for? Lucy has to unravel this mystery fast, before something terrible
happens to Jenny's family. Dangerous people are watching the shop, just waiting...
“
Tight Spot
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
“Lucy Hill learned to ride at Up and Down Farm, and the stable has always been the
most important place in her life.
She's determined to become a championship rider,
but when a series of rumors, strange coincidences, and
accidents threaten the stable,
Lucy faces a more immediate challenge: She must save Up and Down Farm! “
Collision Course
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
“Lucy"s parents are separated, and she has to move to New York City, and a whole
new life. But she still has her
goal of becoming a champion rider. Then strange and
frightening incidents start occurring; could Lucy be a target?”
Near Miss
Dell, New York, 1992
“Lucy's landed her dream summer job teaching riding to the Mosedale children on their
family's beautiful estate on
Shelby Island. She likes the kids, and she's intrigued
by their handsome cousin Brett. There's only one problem:
someone's trying to kill
one of the Mosedale's. Could the rumours of a treasure hidden in the house be true?”
High Stakes
Dell, New York, 1992
Are the Maclay Finals ahead, as Lucy’s always dreamed?
False Lead
Laurel Leaf, 1986
Dell, New York, 1991
“Riding outside New York City at Oak Ridge with a top-
Manhattan, homework, and life at the stable -
of one of her students. No
matter how busy she is, Lucy can't resist following up every lead to solve a series
of
robberies centering on the stable. Soon she suspects that there's more than one
mystery to solve at Oak Ridge -
but the thieves have set up some ominous "warnings"
to frighten Lucy off their trail!”
Double Danger
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
“On vacation in Beverly Hills to visit her TV-
Malibu. She'll double for twenty-
Meanwhile, someone's pulling some dangerous stunts on the Malibu set -
double, Lucy could be the next victim. Lucy decides
to find the culprit and prove herself as a rider, an actress, and
a detective! “
Bibliography
The Galloping Detective Series
Triple Threat
Tight Spot
Collision Course
Double Danger
False Lead
Near Miss
High Stakes