My least favourite Dick Francis book so far.

I'd give this a 3.5 if I could award half stars. Francis's books are always a good read, and in this the protagonist is a glassblower, so there are interesting facts about that artistry. The plot gets a tad convoluted, but still it's an enjoyable read overall.

it keeps you guessing until the very end..

I found the plot of this one a bit tangled but I enjoyed all the stuff about the hero's work/art as a glassblower (that superhot furnace like Chekhov's gun, bound to be a threat eventually) and his romance with a police officer.

I started reading Dick Francis when I was 14 years old and looking for a mystery in the library. The cover of the first one I read looked intriguing, the title, Nerve seemed interesting, and the synopsis about a jockey who has lost his nerve made me add it to my pile of books. After that I was hooked, reading his novels until I caught up on his entire back-list and then had to wait a year for the new one. I traveled to see him and his lovely wife every year to get books signed and, as he aged, I started stockpiling his books. I didn't want to read them until I had a few saved up. I had three left when he passed away :( (not including the ones co-written with his son, Felix - I tried to read that one...).

Last week I decide to treat myself to one of the three I've saved. Well, I'm older and have written a few cough...fourteen....cough novels and teach writing at an MFA program cough...Seton Hill University...cough. The story and characters were great it's just the magic...well, it's gone for me. And I don't know if it's because his later books were written without his lovely wife helping (although the research about glassblowing was spot on) or because he was in his 80s or if it's because I'm older and more experienced. I recently listened to Odds Against and loved it so I guess I need to re-read one of this older titles and see - although I'm kinda reluctant to mess with my memories.

This has turned into a rather long-winded review! As for the story - it's a bit dated mystery with a number of parties searching for a VHS tape - there needs to be more emotions and the ending was rushed. I guessed a number of things, but it's hard to surprise me. It's a quick read and overall enjoyable.

Teaches a lot about glass blowing and how to hide a video tape.

I really enjoyed this book. Having read lots of Dick Francis' books I was expecting another book just loaded with horse(steeplechase) but this was a surprise. Very little to do with horses, just enough to make the story interesting. The story was also more involved than previous ones from Dick. Perhaps he could sense my getting a little tired of the same theme and threw this one in to wake me up. It worked! Now I can go back and read more of his books, I think I have 7 left to read. Better start writing faster Dick I'm catching up.

What I like about reading novels...good novels...is learning from all the research the writer has done. Starting out with horse-racing in England as Dick Francis usually does, this story is about a glass blower who creates art and souvenir items in England. He owns the glass shop he inherited from his uncle and he has become friends with one of the top jockeys. Unfortunately there is trouble brewing....; our hero Gerard Logan is suddenly in danger. Dick Francis leads us on a complicated trail to solve the mystery and along the way, we learn a lot about the art of glass blowing.
A great story.

A glassblower and a jockey have an unlikely friendship. The jockey takes an unfortunate fall and passes away, and his valet delivers a VHS tape to the glassblower. As they ring in the new year the glassblower is robbed, including the VHS tape. And the trouble is just beginning.

I have loved Dick Francis books for decades and this is no exception. The characters pop, the plot is fast paced, the romance is present without being overpowering. This was my first time reading this one but I imagine I'd read it again and enjoy it.

This is another wonderful addition to the Dick Francis library.

Listened using Chirpbooks.com, and adored the narrator's voice.

I always enjoy Francis' mysteries and he always manages to surprise me a bit. This did not disappoint.

Good. The glass blowing aspect was interesting. Always good to have different storylines for these type of books. Would recommend.