The Key to the Quarter Pole
Louisa Ferncliff is a fixer. She fixes horses with scrambled eggs for brains and counsels the lost little people on the backstretch of the racetrack. But her own life is a mess of impulsive decisions. Now, as she limps towards retirement with a quirky horse and an unethical protégé, she gets a surprising second chance at happiness.
Named “Best Unpublished Novel”
by Richmond Magazine
and James River Writers
​
Available from:
Praise for The Key to the Quarter Pole
“Prepare yourself to be swept into the colorful tapestry of life on the backstretch.”
– Polly Bance, joint-MFH, Deep Run Hunt Club
“…authentic…Williams allows her readers to become racetrack insiders, giving them a
fascinating tour deep into the workings of the Sport of Kings.”
– D. G. Van Clief, former chairman, the Virginia Racing Commission
“A galloping good read! Fast horses and fascinating characters.”
– Leeanne Ladin, author of Secretariat’s Meadow
“…Louisa Ferncliff…leaps off the page and follows you around when you try to put the book
down, which is impossible…”
– Patrick Smithwick, author of Racing My Father
“Better than a day at the races…I fell in love with Louisa Ferncliff!”
– Mary Kay Zuravleff, author of Man Alive!
“The language is gorgeous…Louisa Ferncliff is an original.”
– Bret Anthony Johnston, author of Remember Me Like This
“[Williams] has a very Anne Tyler way with characters.”
– Tracy Dunham, author of Murder on the Mattaponi
“All the color and the character of racing leaps off each page.”
– Sean Clancy, Eclipse Award Winner
“Always a winner! Come along for the ride!”
– Rita Mae Brown, mystery writer and author of the Sister Jane foxhunting series
​
