Shattered

Potentially my favorite Dick Francis novel I've read thus far. Perhaps it's because I'm naturally enchanted with glassblowing, idk why- I just am- and I very much appreciate its pivotal role in the climax of this one. Additionally, I liked the leading man and the backdrop of the turn of the millennium. My only issue would be that the love story seemed forced, but alas what's a leading man without a leading lady?

I’ve always enjoyed Dick Francis murder mysteries. Yes, they routinely revolve around horse racing, in some fashion, but rarely in the same fashion. Part of the fun over so many books, has been the rather astonishing number of different angles he has found on the field. As you might expect, a number of protagonists are jockeys, at different stages in their careers. But there are also the wine merchant, a toy creator, a banker, a gems merchant, an artist or two, etc., and often their relatives. I think of the books by the profession or central interest of the main character and revel in the variety. We learn about the business of buying and selling horses, training and choosing/retaining a trainer, managing or choosing stables, transportation of horses to and from races and between stables (including the occasional switching of horses in the process). We observe rich owners and fledgling owners and the ways they treat their trainers/jockeys/staff. We see into some of the management of race tracks, of awards and prizes, and the courting and feting of the elite who dabble in horse racing. Of course, we also learn about the underbelly of the field including dishonest individuals at every level, drug dealers, medicating horses and the checks on that, betting and bookies, black market sales, frauds and cruelty; most of such malevolent individuals eventually meet their requisite fate.

So whatever other mysteries come and go on our shelves, a set of Dick Francis books is a constant, with a few more worn than others. You might then imagine my delight when I discovered one that I had not previously known about, one more treasure to enjoy long after Francis has died, and even better, the protagonist is a glass blower. (I love glass, have collected it since I was a tot, and have even tried my hand at some lamp work a few times.)

Shattered (easy title to remember and even easier to remember the principle topic) lives up to all my hopes and expectations. One of the constants in these novels is that the main character is a man of character, honest and true, although that is often intensely tested. He is not blind to the machinations of his colleagues or the world, but finds his way through with honor. Another unfortunate constant of Francis novels is that the protagonist willl be beaten up multiple times in the book, but rise above those physical injuries and the fears he learns from them, to triumph. Both such pattern held true in this book.

But the pleasure of the books is the richness of the setting, of the immersion in the world - in this case glass blowing and a shop with glass - in the passions and the interests of that character. Francis always paints such vivid pictures that despite the familiarity of the patterns, I find myself swept along in the tale, the struggle, the mysteries to be solved and the peace gained by the ending.

So although I don't think of these books, including Shattered, as deep works, they are enjoyable and solid, something comforting in a world that doesn't always resolve with honor or peace.

If you, like me, have not previously encountered Shattered (or Proof, Straight, In the Frame, High Stakes or To the Hilt.), treat yourself and meet Dick Francis, who dedicated this book Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, in celebration of her 100th birthday.. I’m sure she was pleased, as well.

Strangely for a Dick Francis book, this is only vaguely connected to horse racing, but even so it is brilliantly written, and one of those books that once you pick up is very hard to put down again.

This is another excellent mystery from Dick Francis. Our protagonist, Gerard Logan, is a glassblower and designer of glass ornaments. He is naturally shocked and saddened, when his friend Martin Stukely is killed in a racing accident. Little does Gerard know how much trouble awaits him when he innocently accepts a package from Martin's racecourse valet.

Gerard is steadfast, strong, and creative. As he is assaulted, literally and figuratively, in a strange sequence of events, he keeps trying to figure how who is behind the violence, and, perhaps more importantly, why. Francis puts together a fascinating array of characters for this book, innocents and villains, and Gerard finds unexpected allies, as well as enemies, in the course of his research.

Francis even includes a romantic sub-plot as Gerard gets to know Constable Catherine Dodd, both officially and personally. All this comes together in a horrifying climax in the glass blowing workshop, with white-hot glass flying about.

Enjoy!

I have never met a Dick Francis book I didn't like. When I was in my late teens I spent six weeks, which seemed like six years to an active young girl who had just bought her first horse and wanted to ride him, in a cast from toes to thigh. I was utterly miserable until my mom and dad brought over all their Dick Francis books. I read them one after another and have read every one since. I introduced my brother to them when he was struggling with reading in middle school and he credits them for making an avid reader of him. This one introduces a glass maker who is drawn into a deadly drama when his best friend, a jump jockey, is killed in a race. Although this was a repeat re-read for me, I still fell into the story and loved every minute of it. Would highly recommend.

An other solid effort by Dick he has the ability to create a real intriguing plot that takes a bit of deducting to guess the unknown villian. This story however is not entirely house racing it could have been set in any setting . It does however give you a insight into glass blowing and it's technicalities

I mystery surrounding a dead Jackie, a glass blower, and I missing VCR tape. Rather confusing and disjointed.

Having picked up this book at a charity sale in the hospital I work at for £1, my expectations weren't enormously high. I was still pleasantly surprised. I struggled with this book a bit, but I really don't know why, because I actually really enjoyed it.

I love the main character being a glass blower. Not really the kind of occupation you see very often for characters.

I can't say I felt the suspense as much anymore after finding out what's on the missing tape, but the suspenseful scenes near the end absolutely made up for it. I sat squirming and cringing at the edge of my seat and my eyes flew over each word, as if trying to get away from the molten glass myself. Great writing.