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.

Dick Francis penned 43 mysteries set in the world of horse racing and there isn’t a bad one in the bunch. Enquiry doesn’t break the string. It was a hard to put down book with a terrific story told in under 300 pages - something many current writers should try to emulate.

After the authorities suspend his racing license, jockey Kelly Hughes sets out to clear his and his employer’s names, sure they have both been framed.

As with every Francis novel, the main character faces danger and takes some serious lumps and gets caught up in a romance.

My ‘To Read’ list only has 5 more Dick Francis books on it and when they are gone, it will be a sad day.

Another audiobook done. A strongly recommended activity if you can’t sleep.

I’m not sure if this is even a 3.

I listened to the radio play produced by the BBC a few years ago and was intrigued and wanted to read this. The language is a touch old, however that does not detract from the good story within. I'm not into horses one bit, but this book is not about horses as such.

Decent book, a touch predictable but worth the time.

This book was written in 1969 and it holds up well 50 years later. Very typical of Dick Francis -- minimal description, consistent pacing, uncomplicated plot, and a likable hero that won't back down.

This book spends a bit too long at the beginning, which opens with an "enquiry " (a type of trial in British horse racing), without explaining to the reader exactly what's going on. After that, it turns into a fast-paced adventure which our hero Kelly navigates skillfully and with stoicism when there's trouble.

I might be getting too used to Dick Francis style...6th? book on my Francis spree.
Not as gripping as the ones I read before.

I have absolutely no interest in horse racing, but Francis makes the sport and the personalities involved in it clear and vivid. This book is about a gentleman jockey clearing his name and getting the girl. I could see Cary Grant in the role of Kelly Hughes and Grace Kelly as his employer's daughter, Roberta Cranfield.

3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️. Enjoyable listen.

One of the earlier Dick Francis novels about an unfair enquiry panel which jump jockey Kelly Hughes seeks to redress. Not the best Francis book, 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 as I read it one sitting - as usual his books are very well-paced

An enquiry into an enquiry by the jockey falsely accused of throwing a race and the trainer for betting on the winner of the race. While I wasn't convinced by the way it turned out, I was, as always, charmed by the ever-modest main character who nevertheless outsmarts them all and solves the puzzling reasons why anyone would go to such lengths to frame them. A fine book to re-read in time for the Kentucky Derby