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.

This is a classic Dick Francis novel that incorporates horse-racing into a broader story, in this case about gemstone sales. There is a likeable and successful main character, Derek Franklin, who has to use his natural intellect in order to figure out who is trying to kill him. The story moves along a fast clip and keeps the reader interested throughout. There is suspense that keeps you guessing about what is actually going on under the surface.

Horses, gemstones, thieves, murderers and more

I've never read a bad Dick Francis novel. Of course some are better than others and this is one of the better ones. Or perhaps it is just very much to my taste as I too love gemstones and have been a sort of a jeweler. Francis has a knack for writing sympathetic characters but occasionally presents a protagonist who does a fair amount of bumbling around. In this novel, I found the 'out of his element jockey' most competent and appealing. Not competent enough to strain credulity but a good quick study. I think any Dick Francis fan would like this one.

Apt title

Straightforward mystery, easy to follow with interesting foray into the gem world. The opposing horse trainer character wasn't fully developed until the very end but that was part of the mystery. Since the actual villain had no character it was good to give him orange hair in order to keep track of him.

I’ve seen the Dick Francis books around for years, but have always avoided them… I’m not sure why. I finally read one --- and now I'm looking for others. Yes, the plot revolves around horse racing, but even if you are not interested in the sport (I’m not) the story was much more than racing and horses. Derek Franklin, a winning steeplechase jockey who is temporarily sidelined because of a crushed ankle, is surprised to be named the heir to his older brother’s estate – including his business of selling semiprecious gemstones. Derek has to do quickly get up to speed with the business – plus his brothers home was ransacked –several times, the business was threatened… What was going on?? – Of course there is a sub story about horses, but it takes second place to the main plot. … a GOOD mystery.

Champion steeplechase jockey Derek Franklin is recovering from a broken ankle when his older brother, Greville Franklin, is killed in a freak scaffolding accident. Derek, as Greville's executor, finds himself trying to run his brother's gemstone business, but there are $1.5 million in diamonds unaccounted for. And who keeps trying to kill Derek?

Another satisfying read from Britain's #1 race course murder mystery writer.

I loved the entire story line even with one eye rolling moment. Still definitely a 5 star book!

I was pleasantly surprised at the quick read, the complex characters, and the intrigue of the subject matter. How appropriate that finish this book on a day when the Kentucky derby is amassed in scandal. I didn't like how the main female character could just trade her lovers as one brother was equal to another. I had to laugh at the advanced technology in the book that now seems archaic.

This book had a slow beginning, but the story was interesting and kept me reading. I really enjoyed seeing the MC put all the pieces together. I also felt his sorrow over losing his brother and his disappointment that he hadn't known him better. Overall, a very good mystery.

I used to read quite a bit of Dick Francis and knew I had read this one, but couldn't remember the details. I did remember some things as they happened in the book, but was still surprised by the ending.

Dick Francis never fails to provide thrillers that grip you till the very end. Set in the glamourous world of racing, members’ club lunches, thoroughbreds, and training yards, the author also manages to reveal the shady underbelly of race rigging, violence and drugs. As is usual with Francis, the protagonist combines a superhuman resistance to broken bones and violence of all kinds, with a super level of intelligence, which enables him to unravel a series of puzzles, and eventually solve the whole conundrum, and not before the very last page. Saddened by the sudden death of an older brother, convalescent champion jockey Derrick inherits his brother’s business in gemstones, a townhouse, and three racehorses and with it the burden of disappearing diamonds, a tottering firm, numerous break ins, threatening trainers, gunshots and violence. An exciting read. The only negative for me was the excessive violence, which is, however, a trademark of Francis.

The standard mix of high class writing from this prolific author - the story lines vary in believability but it hardly matters as his adroit mix of insight into human foibles and nature, compassion, research and dry wit is a delightful escape as usual. Injured jockey Derrick Franklin inherits his much older brothers gem business in unusual circumstances. The international gem trade gets more time in this novel than racing but it makes for an interesting read as always.

Whenever I can't decide what book to read next I turn to Dick Francis for an enjoyable, reliable story which doesn't require backstory or reading previous novels. "Straight" combines the world of steeplechase with that of gemology when jockey Derek Franklin inherits his older brothers gem brokerage business due to a tragic accident. I am reasonably knowledgeable about semi precious and opaque gemstones so I found the story very interesting. Throw in missing uncut diamonds, unscrupulous horse trainers and a clandestine affair and the story moved along. The only false note I found in the book was Derek's superhuman powers to withstand pain. His ankle was broken at least three times and yet he wrapped it in an ace bandage and went on his way. Bones do not heal as quickly this story would have us believe.