Horse thieves, murder, illness and stardom all in one mystery novel that is hard to put down.

"Orphan" was written by former Norman High School band director Harry H. Haines. Haines will return to Norman Friday to speak and to sign copies of his book, which has won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction.

Easy to read, "Orphan" begins on a lonely stretch of Interstate 40 west of Amarillo, Texas, where a nasty traffic accident seriously injured one driver and claimed the life of the other driver who was pulling a horse trailer. The mare in the trailer also died leaving a 2-week-old foal. Dr. Jim Bob Masterson, a veterinarian who just happened on the scene, became temporary owner of the foal, Orphan.

Masterson's daughter's New York Metropolitan Opera debut in "Madame Butterfly" is cut short as she learns she has leukemia.

The book follows her battle with cancer, and Orphan's court battles to permanent ownership, murder and horse racing. The reader "will also see the seamier side of horse racing driven by greed," promises the book jacket.

"Orphan" is a heartwarming book that won't be easy to put down. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at Haines' book signing 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster Ave.

Haines also is a trombone player and received his Ph.D in music at the University of Oklahoma. He has authored or co-authored 15 non-fiction books, mostly related to music, and has written four novels. The music details of "Orphan" came from three degrees in music and more than 40 years of teaching music.

The New York Times writes, "Harry Haines writes heartwarming suspense in the polished voice of a pro who has mastered his craft -- an award winning novelist at his best."

For more information on the book signing, call the library at 701-2600.