BRAKING POINTS

American Le Mans driver Kate Reilly (Dead Man’s Switch, 2011) unleashes a firestorm when she bumps a popular NASCAR driver at Road America.

The road at Elkhart Lake is slick with rain. Still, Kate could pass Miles Hanson’s blue Corvette easily if he’d only make way for her. He doesn’t, and the ensuing crash sends Miles to the hospital. Even though the collision is ruled a “racing incident,” equally the fault of both drivers, Hanson’s fans go ballistic. Nash Rawlings, president of the Miles Hanson fan club, confronts her publicly. So does broadcaster Felix Simon, a popular figure on the ALMS circuit. Worst of all is Racing’s Ringer, a blogger who dubs Reilly “Kate Violent.” The Ringer cybertrashes Kate, sending unflattering pictures as well as stories of past misdeeds—mostly from her preteen racing years—to readers across the country. Even being named one of six female athletes to represent Beauté Cosmetics’ new Glorieux line brings derision from the Ringer and others who continue to insist that girls can’t drive. But when her good friend Ellie Prescott dies after downing Kate’s orange juice, her boyfriend, Stuart Telarday, is convinced that the campaign of Kate-hate has gone too far. Even if Jack Sandham continues Kate’s contract with Sandham Swift Racing, she may not live to drive another Petit Le Mans.

Kate’s second outing is just as fast-paced as her first, balancing mystery and racing adventure all the way to the checkered flag.