One of the predominant themes in Dick Francis’ novels is that of courage.

His heroes are frequently jockeys who face the daily peril of falling off their horses. They endure broken bones and other misfortunes, yet they persist in racing at breakneck speeds to earn a living.

“Whip Hand” also centers around courage, but Francis approaches it by highlighting the intense fear of his hero, Sid Halley.

Halley is a retired jockey, compelled to leave the racing industry after a fall in which his hand was trampled by another horse. His mangled limb had to be amputated, and now he makes his living as a private investigator, looking into issues around the racecourse.

The story begins with Halley being drawn into four separate investigations, two of which are clearly related, and one of which leads to his abduction and a threat to have his remaining hand blown off with a shotgun if he doesn't back away.

To his great humiliation, Halley succumbs—at least in the short term—but his sense of self won't let him abandon the matter. Despite a nearly paralyzing fear of being completely crippled by the villain, he finds himself resuming the investigation. Francis doesn't need to hammer this fear into the reader; it simply keeps resurfacing in Halley's thoughts, and yet, he perseveres with the investigation.

In addition to the investigative storyline, Francis presents a powerful subplot in which Halley is asked by his ex-father-in-law to look into some trouble his ex-wife has gotten into. The ex-wife divorced Halley because she couldn't handle the risks associated with his profession as a jockey and couldn't tolerate his decision to enter another dangerous field after losing his hand. Her anger often turns to hate, and her interactions with Halley—her intense resentment of him and her desire for him to fail—create a moving and disturbing subplot. She helps us clearly see the "defects" in Halley's character that have made him so successful as both a jockey and now an investigator.

This is one of Francis’ more memorable stories and characters. It's easy to understand why he chose to write multiple adventures about Sid Halley.

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One of the finest thrillers by Dick Francis, this novel presents a highly complex investigation that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

What makes it unusual within Francis' prolific body of work is the appearance of characters from other novels. Here, the former jockey detective Sid Halley is tasked with handling several enquiries, adding an extra layer of depth and familiarity for fans.

For those who crave action in their thrillers, this book does not disappoint. There is an abundance of exciting sequences that will satisfy even the most demanding readers.

However, the book does have a slight drawback. The various problems presented in the story somehow end up being related, which some readers may find implausible. This is why it is docked a star.

Nevertheless, despite this minor flaw, "Whip Hand" remains a captivating and engaging thriller that is well worth reading.

I really enjoyed this story up until the point where he gets kidnapped for the second time.

It was just so incredibly stupid and poorly executed. How on earth could he be that stupid? He was actually EXPECTING something like this to happen, and he even made a comment about the van next to his car. But he's such a dozy cunt that he still gets caught.

This really made the story unrelatable and annoying. I mean, it's fine if the character is supposed to be a bit of a dozy cunt, but he's also supposed to be clever. And he knew that something like this was going to happen at some point.

It was on a par with a horror film where the character hears loud, awful screaming and thinks, "Oh, I'll just go and investigate, totally alone and unarmed and unprepared for any consequences or being set upon by the maniac who I just told a story about supposedly being in the neighbourhood." It's just so frustrating and makes you wonder why the character would do something so incredibly stupid.

Overall, this really detracted from my enjoyment of the story and made me lose interest in what was going to happen next.

Balloon!

Balloon is a wonderful and fascinating object. It comes in various colors, shapes, and sizes.

We often see balloons at parties, festivals, or celebrations. They bring a sense of joy and excitement to the atmosphere.

When a balloon is filled with air or gas, it can float in the air, seemingly defying gravity.

Children especially love balloons. They like to play with them, chase them, and even blow them up themselves.

Balloons can also be used for decoration. They can be arranged in beautiful patterns or formations to create a visually appealing display.

In addition, balloons have some practical uses. For example, they can be used in scientific experiments or as a tool for advertising.

Overall, balloons are not just simple toys or decorations. They have a special charm and significance that can make our lives more colorful and enjoyable.

Sid Halley, once a renowned jockey, now finds himself in the role of a private investigator. He is summoned to look into a puzzling case where the horses of a specific trainer are not only failing to win but are also growing increasingly weak. Sid, who has a prosthetic hand as a result of a tragic racing accident, embarks on this investigation with determination.

As he delves deeper into the matter, he discovers that the world of racing syndicates and bookmakers is far from welcoming. They are extremely displeased with Sid's nosing around in affairs that they firmly believe have nothing to do with him. The more Sid uncovers, the more he realizes the complexity and potential corruption within this racing underworld.

Despite the resistance and hostility he faces, Sid refuses to back down. He is committed to getting to the bottom of the mystery and uncovering the truth behind the horses' decline. With his sharp intellect and unique perspective, he continues to pursue the case, unaware of the dangerous consequences that may lie ahead.

This is a rather tense situation, much more intense in terms of physical violence compared to most of my other experiences with Francis.

It's quite a departure from our usual outings. However, there is a silver lining. You actually get to witness Sid truly step up and come into his own as an investigator.

In his new identity, he manages to command respect, which is no small feat. It's interesting to see how he evolves and grows in this particular scenario.

Despite the violence and the challenges that come with it, Sid's transformation and ability to gain respect make this encounter with him and Francis a memorable one.

It shows that even in the most difficult of circumstances, a person can rise above and make a name for themselves.

Overall, while it may be a tense and violent situation, there are still aspects of it that are值得关注 and appreciate.

This is my favorite among the Francis novels I've read so far, and quite possibly the best mystery novel I've come across this year.

Sid Halley, who had to retire from racing after losing most of his left hand and then became an investigator, is an outstanding lead character. He possesses all the intellect and dry humor typical of a Francis hero, yet also has a great deal of pathos and insecurity. The supporting characters are equally wonderful creations. In particular, Chico, Halley's partner, and the Admiral, his friend and former father-in-law, add depth and color to the story.

This book has a brilliant setup. Several smaller mysteries gradually converge into one central plot and one more personal subplot. The writing is sharp and confident, with snappy dialogues and precise descriptions. The pace is brisk, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Although there isn't a great deal of action, there are moments of brutal violence that heighten the tension and raise the stakes without ever being excessive or gratuitous.

Altogether, this is a remarkable effort by one of my "new" favorite authors. Fortunately, I still have thirty or more of his books waiting for me to explore. Yay!

Having read the Sid Haley series,

I would say that this particular installment is the one I find the most challenging to maintain my full attention.

However, it is still a good read nonetheless.

It provides valuable details about Sid's history, which is crucial as we progress onto the newer books in the series.

The story delves deeper into Sid's past experiences, shedding light on events and circumstances that have shaped him.

Although it may not have the same level of immediate excitement as some of the other books, it serves an important purpose in building the overall narrative.

By filling in these details, it allows the reader to have a more comprehensive understanding of Sid's character and his journey.

Overall, while it may not be the most gripping book in the series, it is still an essential read for fans who want to fully appreciate the evolution of Sid Haley.

What is there to say about Dick Francis?

As I reflect on all of his books (yes, this review encompasses all of his works, and indeed I've perused each and every one), I envision a moral and ethical hero. This hero, deeply immersed in intelligence and goodness, becomes embroiled in the evil machinations within the British horse racing society, either directly or indirectly.

The heroes aren't always horse jockeys. They can be film producers or individuals engaged in peripheral professions that somehow always intersect with the horse racing world.

But more importantly, Francis's heroes are rational human beings. The choices they make are rational, guided by a firm objective philosophy that underlies all of Francis's novels. The dialogue is clear and infused with humor, regardless of the intensity of the evil that the hero confronts. The hero's thoughts betray a vulnerability that is touching, while his actions are always centered around doing the right thing to achieve justice.

Evoking in the reader a deep concern for the characters in a novel is a challenging feat. However, there are no such concerns in a Francis novel. The point of view is first person, and as you read the story, you become the main character (usually the character of Mr. Douglas). The hero is personable, likable, non-violent, yet capable of delivering swift justice with his mind rather than through physical means. This is not to suggest that violence is foreign to our hero. Some of it is staggering and often perpetrated by what we would consider normal individuals living in British society.

You will come to cherish the world of Steeple Chase racing. You will develop a fondness for horses, stables, trainers, and the people who inhabit that world. You will devour the books, one after another, and trust me, Dick Francis has a plethora of novels (over 40 by my last count).

There are several series interwoven 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 devour his books with an insatiable hunger, and I lament his passing.

This book earns a 3.5-star rating from me, and I mainly rounded it down due to the rather extreme and unceasing violence inflicted on the protagonist.

Listening to a series of Francis books in a row really made this aspect stand out. There are three interlocking plots, which means there is a lot happening throughout the story.

Despite the intense violence, the character of Sid is truly great. He adds a unique charm and depth to the narrative.

The complex web of plots keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. However, the continuous violence can be a bit overwhelming at times.

Overall, it's a book that has its strengths and weaknesses, but Sid's character and the intricate plotlines make it worth reading.

Again, I must have read this before, but it would be 35 years ago or something and I didn't remember any of it. This one's better than Trial Run I think, very tense and nicely written. The protagonist is one who appears in several novels, of which this is the second. I don't have a copy of the first. I expect I will read them all again, eventually.

Jesus, though, did people in 1979 really think women of 45 were menopausal nutcases? (I know the answer to this, of course.) It's quite astonishing to think about the different perspectives and stereotypes that existed back then. In today's society, we have a much better understanding and acceptance of the various stages of a woman's life. However, in 1979, it seems that there was a rather narrow-minded view of women in their 40s. This perception might have been influenced by a lack of knowledge and awareness about menopause and its effects. It makes me wonder how many women were unjustly labeled or treated differently because of this outdated belief.

It has been decades since I last delved into the works of Dick Francis.

During this long hiatus, I had completely forgotten just how masterful he truly is.

It is an extremely rare occurrence for me not to be able to anticipate the ending of a story.

Although this particular work wasn't exactly brimming with countless twists and turns, it still managed to provide that element of surprise that I so cherish.

Sid Halley, the protagonist, is an incredibly complex character.

Witnessing his internal struggle was truly a pleasure.

His turmoil and conflict added depth and authenticity to the narrative.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well-crafted stories with engaging characters.

It is a testament to Dick Francis's remarkable talent as a writer.

Whether you are a long-time fan or new to his work, this book is sure to captivate and entertain.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the brilliance of Dick Francis.