This book, or more correctly, this author, Dick Francis, has been on my list a while. He was a jockey (horse racer) in his younger years, and later became a renowned crime writer who often used horses as background and props for his mysteries. The stories are all from an English perspective. He's from Wales.
In this story, a man's family has made their fortune running a large brewery. The head financial officer electronically transfers most of the brewery's funds overseas in an attempt to make off the fortune, but the financial officer is murdered and only he knew how to find the funds. A step-son of the brewery owner, who is a reclusive painter steps in to help his ailing step-father while fighting off a jealous relative who thinks he's there to steal her inheritance. It all sorts out in an enjoyable tale.

Years ago I'd read several books by Dick Francis. They were fun but slight. This book written in 1995 was a surprise--quite substantial with interesting themes. Since I'm going to Scotland next month, I also enjoyed the bits of Scottish history thrown in.

Solid 3.
This book was published when I was only 3 years old so to relate back to this time period is hard but then to European culture is even harder so that puts me at a disadvantage. However I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It touches on many genres and topics and had great imagery. You get a bit of everything in this story: culture, family, stoicism, art, horse racing, business, death, murder, marriage, pride, hero, humour, and the list goes on. A really easy read that feels like a classic feel good fun story(even though it is kinda a dark topic). I just was not wowed and certainly not surprised by the mystery. There was nothing horrible about this book but also nothing special. I know Dick Francis is very beloved in the mystery space so I’m glad to have read this book, I’m just not sure it passed the test of time.


Overall Rating 3

Story Telling - 5
Characters - 4t
Writing - 4
Intrigue - 2
Plott- 3
World Building - 4
Enjoyment - 3
Overall Average - 3.57

I likely bought this in 1997, read it once and then not gain until because I have no recollection whatsoever of the story. And yes, we have the 'usual' hero gets beaten up, works to nab the baddies and wins in the end, but also we have another thoroughly absorbing and entertaining story. I learn a bit about stuff I didn't know, recall a time when red telephone boxes appeared on the streets in rows and sigh wit pleasure at the end.