Book Summary –
Mount! (2016), the 10th installment in Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, returns to the world of high-stakes flat racing centered around the iconic and audacious Rupert Campbell‑Black. Obsessed with seeing his stallion Love Rat crowned leading sire, Rupert jets between Dubai, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and other racing capitals—leaving behind his racing empire at Penscombe and his devoted wife Taggie, whose patience is stretched to breaking point.
At home, the estate is held together by his assistant Gav, a brilliant but troubled trainer, until the arrival of Gala, a captivating Zimbabwean widow turned carer. Rupert finds himself dangerously tempted once he returns, while Taggie becomes emotionally entangled with a charming new caregiver. Sabotage, jealousy, and whispered secrets plague Penscombe as relationships unravel and alliances shift. The result is a cocktail of glamorous racing drama, fragile marriages, horse showdowns, and enough social chaos to fill several novels.
Mount! is less about intricate plotting and more about delivering "daft, silly, boozy joy"—featuring glamour, wit, tangled affairs, luxurious parties, and a cavalcade of unforgettable characters. Cooper fans relish its mix of humor, scandal, and unabashed hedonism—even if critics point out its tendency toward indulgence and dated cultural attitudes.
About the Author –
Dame Jilly Cooper (born February 21 1937) is a celebrated English novelist, journalist, and cultural icon—best known for launching the bonkbuster genre with her series, The Rutshire Chronicles. Since her debut Riders (1985), she’s produced over 40 romance and fiction titles, selling millions worldwide and earning a loyal fan base drawn to her witty explorations of sex, class, horses, and friendship.
Deeply influenced by her love of animals and country life, many of her novels feature horses, dogs, and scenes set in lush rural landscapes—often inspired by her home in Gloucestershire. In recognition of her impact on literature and her charitable work, she received an OBE in 2004 and a DBE in 2024, plus honorary doctorates from multiple universities and a lifetime achievement award in comedy literature in 2019
Cooper’s signature style offers maximal flamboyance, innuendo-laced social commentary, and unapologetic celebration of pleasure—and Mount! perfectly encapsulates her enduring appeal: escapist, racy, and utterly entertaining.
