This is one of the absolute best of Dick Francis's books. Kit Fielding is a great hero. Definitely the guy you want in your corner. The pacing is excellent, and character development is one of Dick Francis's strength. I particularly enjoy Francis's spare style. He doesn't include a lot of description, and the story moves along through dialogue.
I have read this book many times more than twice and will continue to have it be my go-to book when I'm looking for a great, comforting read starring a near-perfect hero.

This is the first of the Kit Fielding novels. I really enjoyed it, especially the characters, both Kit and his sister Holly with their ESP and the Princess. Still doing Audible, but hope to switch to reading soon!

There is nothing like a Dick Francis book! I've never read a bad one. He always makes me both care about and admire his characters. His plots are well developed, engaging, and fast paced. Even when I think I know where it's going based on the clues he's left I still don't want to put the book down. He's been responsible for many a " just one more chapter" late night. This was my third or fourth read, and every bit as enjoyable as the first.

Another winner by Dick Francis. He never lets me down.

This one introduces us to Kit Fielding, champion steeplechase jockey. He's a fantastic everyman, like Francis writes so well. A good man who loves horses, justice, and his friends and family. He's brave (not to a fault like my boy Sid Halley, but still brave) and doesn't hesitate to do what needs to be done for his sister. While I am a bit lukewarm on Danielle, I love the Princess and understand why Kit is so taken with her. She's fantastic.

Read this one before you read book 2, naturally, or you won't care as much about what is happening in Kit's life. I wish Francis had written more about Kit, but sadly we only get 2 books. A good mystery and good racing. 3.5 stars.

I really liked this book but I think I would have liked it even more if I read this book first. I have read 26 of the books by Dick Francis and have enjoyed them all. Next on my list is come to grief and expect to love this one also.

I've been meaning to try a Dick Francis novel for years. After a few false starts, I finished this on vacation as part of a summer reading challenge. Francis is a competent writer and this was a competent book. I know little and care less about English horse racing so that affected my feelings towards the book, as did the mediocre characterization. The mystery was somewhat interesting but I was ready to be done long before the resolution Glad I tried a Francis novel, don't need to do it again.

This is one of Dick Francis' best. Kit Fielding is a great character, a steeplechase jockey (where the horses jump rather than run on a flat course) who has a strong will and a touch of telepathy. The plot has something new and interesting on every page, from a romance to falls to near murder experiences to a long run blood feud (most certainly not in that order).

This being popcorn, you shouldn't expect a Great Work of Fiction. However, it is a great read. Easy on the eyes (the edition I have has nice spacing which makes the reading go faster) and mostly easy on the brain. Francis does have a slight problem with keeping some of his characters in character, but he does it to move the plot along rather than showing what I think the character would have done. Also, the bad guys are bad but the good guys aren't always good (but you always like them). Francis also uses the technique of having the main character find a big piece of the puzzle but the only telling you the character's reaction rather than exactly what they found. Of course the information is revealed later, when it is more dramatic, but that can get a bit irritating.

There are a lot of plot points that are touched on so it feels as if the main character is well rounded even though everything is touched on lightly (making it a easy, quick read and therefore popcorn). But I always enjoy Francis' writing and I intend to read more of his stuff. Francis' books may all be popcorn and always involve horse racing, but the stories are all different and enjoyable.

Simon Prebble in the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel.

#1 in the Kit Fielding series. In over 40 suspense thrillers, Kit Fielding is only the second character (with Sid Halley) to make a repeat appearance.

Kit Fielding series - Popular steeplechase jockey Christmas ``Kit`` Fielding is shown a Fleet Street gossip column that claims his twin sister, Holly, and her racing trainer/husband, Bobby Allardeck, are unable to pay their bills. The newspaper report is not half so distressing as its effect on suppliers and horse owners. They all have begun demanding immediate payment or threatening to take their horses elsewhere. Living on credit, as many businesses do, the Allardecks are about to become a self-fulfilled prophecy. Add to this the fact that the tradesmen and owners received copies of that particular newspaper open to that particular page with the item circled in red, and Kit suspects a smear campaign. When a second item appears, Kit begins to suspect that Bobby is merely victim of the fallout from a campaign against Bobby's father Maynard, who is interested in a knighthood. There is also a hint that the newspaper has been privy to conversations inside Bobby and Holly`s household, raising suspicions of wiretapping. Kit steps in to help, both with cash and with suggestions for showing that the business is not in any sort of financial difficulties.

Dick Francis is always a great go to author when you want a solid no nonsense hero to resolve a mystery with both dashing and good manners. This is the first in the Kit fielding two part series and it is just a totally entertaining read. I am no horse racing fan, but I loved the descriptions of his races. Apologies to GR friends who have been singing his praises. I have been slow to get around to him, but I am on board now.

"they glanced at each other, searching each other's reactions, and in their private language apparently decided not to turn down the offer"

I love that line because it reminds me so much of my husband and me. People laugh when we "talk" without talking in front of them.

This excellent mystery is tied not only into the world of racing, but the world of mass media. It includes the only character to be the lead in two of Francis's mysteries.

In this book, I watched as the problem kept escalating and then as the clues to the solution kept being discovered. It was truly a nasty bit of work; I'm glad it got solved.

This book is highly recommended for mystery fans.