What do You think about High Stakes (2006)?
This is another Francis book with a somewhat atypical Francis hero. This one, Steven Scott, is successful and mostly happy with no previous tragedies to cloud his life. He does, however, lead a mostly solitary life -- and, at the beginning of the book, his trainer's dishonesty deals a serious blow to Steven's trust in his fellow man. This book follows Steven as he makes sure that the bad guys get what's coming to them, but also shows him developing his own circle of friends and coming out of his isolation. The schemes in this one -- both the plotting of the bad guys and the retribution of the good guys -- are complicated and fun. I wish there had been a second Steven Scott book, because I'd like to know what he and his buddies got up to next!
—Contrarius
Oh Dick Francis, how I miss you. I'm sure I must have read this book eons ago, but I read and re read Dick Francis books with relish. One of my favourite authors.Story. Steven Scott is a brilliant toy inventor, however, not so brilliant when it comes to horse racing. He has placed his horses with a very dishonest trainer, who has taken him for quite a few bob, an enormous amount, actually. When Scott tumbles his game, he pulls his horses out, only to be ostracized by the racing community, who sides with the evil trainer. However, Scott is not as dumb as they all think he is, with a little help from his friends he is able to turn the tables on the crooks. Though it takes a lot of money, and he finds a little romance on the way. Lovely.
—Jan
My library system recently purchased the audio version of High Stakes by Dick Francis and my ears and I went on a voyage down memory lane as it were. This book was originally published in 1974 but it is still an enjoyable read but you have to turn off your 21st century mindset or you’ll drive yourself crazy. If Mr. Francis or his son were to write the book today, it would be a very different book but High Stakes and its characters are still likeable forty years later. Hero/inventor Steven Scott has purchased some race horses and had greatly enjoyed watching them run. Unfortunately he discovers that his choice of trainers was not the best possible. He changes trainers and discovers that there’s more to his former trainer’s tricks than first appeared. Through twists and turns the horses and people are juggle in a manner that still enthralls even if you know the end result.
—Jackie
