What is there to say about Dick Francis? As I think about all of his books (yes, this review covers all of his books, and yes I've read them all) I think about a moral ethical hero, steeped in intelligence and goodness embroiled in evil machinations within British horse racing society - either directly or indirectly. The heroes aren't always horse jockies, they can be film producers, or involve heroes engaged in peripheral professions that somehow always touch the horse racing world.But more than that, Francis's heroes are rational human beings. The choices made are rational choices directed by a firm objective philosophy that belies all of Francis's novels. The dialogue is clear and touched with humor no matter the intensity of evil that the hero faces. The hero's thoughts reveal a vulnerability that is touching, while his actions are always based on doing the right thing to achieve justice. Causing the reader to deeply care about the characters in a novel is a difficult thing to do. No such worries in a Francis novel. The point of view is first person, you are the main character as you read the story (usually the character of Mr. Douglas). The hero is personable, like able, non-violent but delivering swift justice with his mind rather than through physical means. This is not to say that violence is a stranger to our hero. Some of it staggering and often delivered by what we would think of normal persons living in British society.You will come to love the world of Steeple Chase racing, you will grow a fondness for horses, stables, trainers and the people who live in that world. You will read the books, devouring one after the other and trust me Dick Francis has a lot of novels (over 40 by my last count).There are several series woven into the fabric of Francis's work: notably the Sid Halley and Kit Fielding series.Assessment: Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers. I read his books with a fierce hunger that remains insatiable and I mourn his death.
Timelessly well done story of brothers and much moreAlthough published in 1989, this book is a timeless story of brotherhood, love and good vs. bad. Francis' characters are always compelling--I want to have coffee with them. Derek Franklin is no exception. His perseverance through the loss of his much older brother, a riding accident that temporarily halts his jockey career and being launched into running his brother's business could be enough to devastate someone. But he soldiers on and takes responsibility for handling his brother's affairs.The mystery launches with a couple of break-ins and speeds along. Lots of potential bad guys with multiple reasons for their actions. I enjoyed the side characters. They are always fully developed. Brad, for instance, serving as temporary chauffeur, is as known to you as some of the main people.The story winds up too soon, but all was resolved in the most perfect way. I sure miss new Dick Francis books!
What do You think about Straight (2006)?
Derrick Franklin is a jump jockey. After a fall during a race, another horse lands on his left ankle, breaking the joint. Derrick refuses a cast as it would wither his muscles, and has his leg tightly wrapped in a bandage. Two days later he is summoned to hospital where his brother Greville is dying after a piece of scaffolding impaled him in the belly. Greville is twenty years Derrick senior, and they didn't know each other well. After Greville dies, Derrick learns Greville has willed him his house, his car and his business(the importation and sales of semi-precious gems). Derrick is leaving the hospital with his brother's few personal items when he's mugged and the bag of belongings is taken. He goes to London the next day to tell Greville's employees that their boss is dead, and ends up running the company. It's also in a state of confusion due to a break-in over the weekend. Derrick manages to get keys to Greville's house but it's been vandalized. Then he learns that the bank is expecting a large repayment of a loan of $1.5 million acquired to purchase diamonds - but where are the diamonds?This was a good audio book, but the narrator (Tony Britton) makes females sound like Mrs. Doubtfire.
—Lorraine
This book sucked me in immediately and moved along a good pace and was interesting. An injured jockey gets a call that his brother in the hospital--he's dead, his wallet is missing, he was killed in an accident and you know it wasn't an accident, even though it looks like one. And the plot thickens. The brother was secretly dealing with diamonds and having an affair with a Duchess. The brother owned two race horses and something fishy is going on with the horses. The jockey is no dummy and tracks down the problem with the horses, the missing the diamonds, and the perp.
—Mary Taitt
The story of Derek Franklin, a steeplechase Jockey in England, whose brother died in an unexpected accident, leaving him all he owned. As Derek tries to sort through his brother's afairs, he stumbles upon some mysteries with diamonds and with his brother's racehorses - all the while with someone out to get him.Although I really did like the main character in the book, and the story was interesting, it was so slow that I never felt hooked. It was only toward the end where I felt that I wanted to keep reading to find out more, but then it still was a little anticlimactic for me. I am not sure why that was, as the story itself should have been more exciting. Maybe it would make a better movie?
—Lisa
