Bloodline. By Felix Francis (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I would give this book three and a half stars if that was an option. "Bloodline" is a solid mystery with a variety of interesting characters. Felix Francis does a good job describing the details in the professional life of Mark Shillingford, a horse racing commentator, who is the protagonist. Mark's personal life takes a beating, in part because of the death of his twin sister Clare. Mark's dysfunctional family is somewhat reminiscent of the family in "Hot Money", one of my favorite books by Dick Francis, the late father of Felix. Alas, "Bloodline" didn't quite meet the standard of a Dick Francis novel. Some of the plot developments, like when Mark meets a friend of another sister at a family party who makes no secret of her interest in him, seemed rushed. It's almost as if Felix Francis was following an outline that required certain situations being present in a plot, and felt he had to get all of them in somehow. I didn't get the same emotional connection with the characters in "Bloodline" compared to those in many Dick Francis books. Still an enjoyable read. I'm interested in horse racing, and the books of both Francis men have provided a closer look from the point of view of a jockey, trainer, or in this case, racing commentator. Will continue to read Felix's efforts. BLOODLINE was another engaging mystery by Felix Francis who is continuing his father's legacy for heart-pounding mysteries. Mark Shillingford is a race caller and television presenter. His twin sister is a champion flat racing jockey. When she, seemingly, commits suicide, Mark needs to know why. Investigating will lead him into danger and bring out strengths he didn't know he had.Mark and Clare are the youngest of their family and have a contentious relationship with their father. Neither of them chose to follow his path to university and a city career. Both wanted to be jockeys but Mark grew to be too big and too heavy. He drifted into race calling and television reporting and has been a great success. He is not an argumentative person and is rather indecisive. He presents the picture of being very laid back. He drifted into a relationship with a married woman and, although he is 31, he still lives in the apartment he and Clare moved to when they left home at seventeen.His sister's death galvanized him and his investigation leads to discoveries of race fixing, blackmail and murder. Along the way his is strangled near to death and the near victim of a hit-and-run but neither cause him to back off in his investigation.I really like Mark as a main character. His determination to find out what really happened to his sister Clare changes him and his family. I liked his dogged persistence as he unraveled the mysteries surrounding his sister. I also really like that all of these mysteries shed light on some field of endeavor. It was interesting to find out all about the ins and outs of doing live television coverage of horse racing. Fans of mysteries can't do wrong with Dick or Felix Francis.
What do You think about Bloodline. By Felix Francis (2012)?
Horses- yes. Mystery -yes. Dick Francis - no, not really.
—Zari
Like Dick Francis is still alive and writing!
—rufus
