Great development of the novel's main character, in that the reader is pulled into rooting for him and his brood of five boys. The plot is a little fantastical given that he's blown up, beaten up, shot at, etc. but the mystery unraveling at the end was satisfying to me.

I don't recall having read this one before. Lee is sort of a different protagonist than Francis's usual, only because he's married and has many children. I'm knocking half a star off for him (unhappily) lusting after an eighteen year old. It was off-putting. Otherwise the story was good.

I think this is the best Dick Francis book I've read so far. The action all takes place over a few days in the London area in the context of a wealthy family who own a successful horse racing track that either needs some modernizing--or needs to be sold. Various family members have their reasons--and some hidden agendas--behind what they want to see done. The main character gets unwittingly dragged into the proceedings, due to his small inherited share of the racecourse.

3.5 stars.

Lee Morris, 35 year old architect/builder, holds 8 shares in Stratton Park racecourse. Unlike any of Dick Francis's protagonists 'til now, Lee is married and has 6 children, all sons.

Lord Stratton had owned 75 shares in the racecourse and had for years run the place as a benevolent despot. He recently died and his heirs were feuding over what to do with the property: keep running it as usual; refurbish the racecourse; or sell it and split the proceeds.

Lee's mother, Madeline,was briefly married to Keith, one of Lord Stratton's sons. Madeline divorced Keith, married a man named Morris, and had Lee. Lord Stratton had liked Madeline and gave her a financial settlement along with the racecourse shares upon her divorce from Keith. Madeline's shares went to Lee when she died.

Lee attends a shareholders meeting to determine the fate of the racecourse and becomes embroiled in the Stratton family's disfunctions. Lee muses several times - How do people make decisions? Instinct? Reason? Part of each? Free will? "...logic never interferes with instinct....half the world’s like that."

I like all of Dick Francis' books but this one was above average. In this we see racing from the perspective of a small track owner. Unfortunately it was less about all the activities to manage a track and more about the snobbish family who owns it. This family has so many horrible characters that it becomes more of a who-done-it. However I was drawn into the main character and who was smart, capable, noble and a great dad.

I loved the main character of this book. I always enjoy Dick Francis mysteries.

Not a typical Dick Francis story, even though it is based around a family owned racecourse. Lee Morris is a builder with six sons who has inherited a small share in the racecourse who gets embroiled in conspiracy and no little danger.

This is one of my favorite Dick Francis books. I love the hero and his sons-their characters are so clearly written.
I recently reread it and some things are very dated. I wish it could be rewritten to get rid of the hero lusting after an 18 year old. That is so very inappropriate by today's standards. Big ick factor for me!

I have read Dic Francis books in more than 20 years, but I saw this one and picked it up on a lark. It was as good as I remember. I love the characters and the story. I felt at one point I may have read it in the past, but then was sure I hadn't. I will be looking for more Dick Francis books in the future.

Very likable main character and enough intrigue to be a good page-turner. A little more detailed descriptiveness than necessary (do I really care what the wallpaper looked like?) and the level of drama in the privileged dynasty-like family was a bit over the top.

formulaic

Dick Francis writes another entertaining mystery story about the horse-racing industry in England. Lee Morris, an unusual architect who lives in a renovated barn with his wife and six boys, inherits 8 shares in a racetrack. The owner dies and the relatives are at odds on the settlement of the inheritance. Five of the six children are very intelligent and creative in helping to solve the mystery.