It has been many years since I last delved into a Dick Francis novel, and I must say that this particular one did not disappoint in the slightest.

To be fair, there are certain elements within the story that might seem a touch dated when compared to the contemporary literary landscape. However, this in no way detracts from the overall charm and appeal of the novel, which still manages to hold up remarkably well.

One can easily tell that the author, having been a jockey himself, possesses an intimate and insider's knowledge of the inner workings of racing yards and the entire horse racing industry. This authenticity shines through in every page.

The protagonist, Sid Halley,遭遇了一场惨痛的坠马事故 while racing, which unfortunately led to the loss of his left hand and consequently, the end of his riding career. But Sid is not one to give up easily. He now sports a prosthetic hand and has embarked on a new career as a private investigator, with many of his cases intricately intertwined with the racing world.

The writing style employed by Francis is quite succinct, yet it manages to pack an abundance of action and excitement into what is, relatively speaking, a short novel. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

This is one of those remarkable books that simply captivated me from start to finish.

I found myself completely engrossed and could not put it down until I had finished it. The story unfolds at a fast pace, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Moreover, it provides excellent information on the English race scene, offering valuable insights into this particular aspect of society.

What truly sets this book apart, however, is its exploration of the depth of human courage and self-examination. It delves into the inner workings of the characters' minds, revealing their fears, hopes, and the choices they make in the face of adversity.

Overall, this is a truly GOOD read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking book.

Rereading all of Dick Francis' novels in order has been a truly captivating experience.

The Sid Halley books stand out as among the very best of Francis' remarkable body of work.

It is no wonder that Sid Halley is the one character to have multiple appearances throughout the series.

This particular book holds a special place, as it features one of the most memorable endings among all of Francis' books.

The conclusion is so impactful that it leaves a lasting impression on the reader, long after the final page has been turned.

It ties together all the loose ends and provides a satisfying resolution to the story, while also leaving room for the imagination to wander.

Francis' ability to craft such a memorable ending is a testament to his skill as a writer and his understanding of what makes a great story.

Rereading this book has been a pleasure, and it has reminded me once again why Dick Francis is such a beloved author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The situations that Sid finds himself in are truly intense at times. It's like being on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions.

My Aidy Westlake books have often been compared to the Sid Halley ones, and because of that, I initially avoided reading them. I thought they might be too similar and I didn't want to have a redundant reading experience.

However, after finally picking up this particular book, I realized how wrong I was. It was simply too good to pass up. The story was engaging from start to finish, with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I will definitely not be avoiding the Sid Halley books anymore. I can't wait to explore more of this exciting world and see what other adventures Sid has in store.

This book has truly opened my eyes to the potential of the Sid Halley series and I'm looking forward to delving deeper into it.

Winning was everything. It was my sole purpose, what I existed for, what I desired with all my heart, and what I seemed to be born for.
In the dream, I triumphed in the race. The shouts transformed into cheers, and those cheers lifted me up as if on wings, like a powerful wave. But it was the winning itself that mattered; not the cheering. I awoke in the darkness, as I often did, at four in the morning.
There was silence. No cheering, just an eerie silence.
I could still vividly feel the way I moved in harmony with the horse, the ripple of muscles through both our striving bodies, united as one. I could still sense the irons around my feet, the calves of my legs gripping tightly, the balance, the nearness of the stretching brown neck to my head, the mane blowing into my mouth, and my hands firmly on the reins.
At that moment, the second awakening occurred. The real one. The moment when I first stirred and opened my eyes, and remembered that I would never ride in any more races, ever.

Sid Halley is the quintessential Francis hero. It's no wonder that in a long list of stand-alone novels, he is the only one to be given a second and third chance in the spotlight. He is probably the closest the author has come to talking about himself, about the former top steeplechase jockey whose entire life revolved around the racing track, who was forced to give up the love of his life and embark on a new career. And who brought to this new career all the determination to reach the top, all the dedication and professionalism that defined him on the back of a horse.

This particular novel holds an additional personal appeal for me, as it was the very first thriller by Dick Francis that I ever read, way back in the early 1990s. Twenty-five years later, I remain one of the faithful fans of the author.

Sid Halley was compelled to leave his chosen profession due to a horrific accident that maimed his 'whip hand'. In his first novel (Odds Against), he was attempting to cope with the trauma and find a new purpose in life by joining a private investigation agency focused on the racing world. At the beginning of this second novel, Sid is still investigating crooks and liars around the racetrack, is self-employed, and rather too highly regarded for his success. This fame and his rate of success lead to the bad guys trying to drive him out through threats and physical violence.

As you can see from my opening quote, the thriller is written in the first-person narrative, and a liking for the protagonist is crucial for enjoying the story. When I try to envision Sid in my mind, I think of one of those 'tall-in-the-saddle' cowboy heroes of the 50s, like Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, or Gregory Peck. The quiet types, unassuming, soft-spoken, and serious, but unyielding and relentless in the pursuit of justice. Sid may be seen as bad news by the rascals he chases, but in his own mind, he is daily contending with feelings of inadequacy, with loneliness and regrets over his broken marriage, with the empty spaces left in his life after he was exiled from the racetrack.

When you look at me, what do you see?
You know what I see.
Do you see a lot of fears and self-doubts, and feelings of shame and uselessness and inadequacy?
Of course not, you never show feelings like that.
No one does. Everyone has an outside and an inside, and the two can be quite different. [...] To myself, I'm a jumble of uncertainty and fear and stupidity.

I believe Sid is saved by this very insecurity, which pushes him to try harder and fight back. I also admire his stoicism, his sense of humor, and his curiosity about the world and the people he meets. In a cynical world that only eyes profit and where the end justifies the evil means used to achieve it, Sid is a breath of fresh air and hope for the underdog to bring down the fat cats of business.

I won't go into details about the plot. It is good and clever but not extraordinary. Three separate lines of investigation intertwine and come in and out of focus: the mysterious death of champion colts, an internal investigation of corruption at the top level of the Jockey Club, and a private request from Sid's former wife to unmask a confidence trickster. The obligatory scenes of brutality and physical injury are starting to irritate me a bit, after encountering them in every single novel by Francis that I've read, but they serve their purpose in the plot and in distinguishing the bad guys from the good guys.

In conclusion, my rating is a subjective (rabid fan) one, but I would highly recommend the first two Sid Halley novels as an excellent 'entry drug' for readers who are as yet unfamiliar with the books of Dick Francis.

I have absolutely no knowledge about horses, and to be honest, I detest the racing industry. It might seem a bit of a contradiction, but strangely enough, it makes perfect sense that I thoroughly enjoy the work of Dick Francis.

His books are always filled with the most creative scenarios that can truly capture the reader's imagination. The settings he creates are not only interesting but also add an extra layer of depth to the stories.

Francis is truly a great exponent of crime writing. His ability to craft engaging plots and develop complex characters is simply remarkable. With each turn of the page, you are drawn deeper into the world he has created, eager to find out what will happen next.

Even though I have no affinity for horses or the racing industry, his books have managed to captivate me and keep me coming back for more. It just goes to show that great writing can transcend personal preferences and interests.

Another highly entertaining thriller from Dick Francis!

This time, I was completely wrong about the culprit. I didn't even realize that this protagonist had been used before by the author. However, it's easy to see why he was chosen again. Despite having a prosthetic hand, his resolve makes him a sympathetic yet strong leading character.

Francis skillfully weaves three mysteries together into one engaging story. What I'll likely remember most from this novel is the exciting hot air balloon ride. It was not only cleverly incorporated but also great fun to read about.

Overall, when it comes to books by Dick Francis, you simply can't go wrong. His works are like a delicious dessert that leaves you satisfied and eager for more. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his writing, this novel is sure to provide an enjoyable and thrilling reading experience.

Well, hello.

I had always steered clear of Francis, firmly believing that his books would be far too "niche" for my taste.

After all, how could a mystery that was set at a racetrack possibly hold any real interest for me?

Oh, how incredibly wrong I was.

This book truly amazed me. The characters were great, each with their own unique personalities and quirks that made them come alive on the page.

The dialogue was sharp and engaging, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

And the sense of place was simply excellent. I could almost feel the excitement and energy of the racetrack as I read.

This book really worked on just about every level.

One good thing that came out of avoiding Francis for this long is that I now have many enjoyable hours of reading ahead of me.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other literary treasures he has in store.

Kind of an older writing style,

which made it rather tough to focus on. In fact, I almost scored it 2 stars for that reason.

This was an assigned reading for my English class in the 80s, but I didn't read it back then.

Now, I truly wish I had.

Apart from some odd spelling and grammar errors,

it was actually quite entertaining.

I think I might have enjoyed it even more if I had read the first Sid Halley novel,

where he lost his hand, before reading this one.

Perhaps that would have filled in some gaps

and made the first half of this book less dull.

It's interesting how our perspectives can change over time.

Maybe it's time for me to give this book another chance and see if I can appreciate it more fully now.

Who knows, it might turn out to be a hidden gem that I overlooked all those years ago.

An interesting look into the world of horse racing reveals a captivating mystery. The thundering hooves of the horses, the excitement in the air, and the anticipation of the outcome all combine to create a thrilling spectacle. As we delve deeper into this world, we discover the secrets and strategies that lie beneath the surface. The trainers, jockeys, and owners all play crucial roles in the success of a horse. The careful selection of breeding stock, the intense training regimens, and the split-second decisions made during a race all contribute to the mystery. Who will emerge victorious? Will it be the favorite or an underdog? The world of horse racing is full of surprises and keeps us on the edge of our seats, eager to uncover the mystery.

1985

13 June 1998

14 Dec 2000

Another reread. This particular work is not among my favorites. It was penned in '65 during a time when Dick was striving to be extremely hard-boiled. I do have an appreciation for the character of Sid and his father-in-law Charles. However, everything else about the story comes across as rather grim and not overly psychological. It can be passable for whiling away time, but it's not something one would pick up solely for a great read. I find it more difficult to relate to Sid compared to most of the later heroes. The manner in which he reacts to his disfigurement is rather odd, and the way he simply allows his marriage to disintegrate is also strange. He is too passive for my personal tastes and seems overly unhappy. There are aspects that could have been developed more deeply to make the story more engaging and relatable. Overall, it's an average read that has its moments but fails to truly capture and hold my interest.

This is the second book in the Sid Halley series and I found myself enjoying it even more than the first one.

Initially, I had some reservations about reading Dick Francis as I wasn't very familiar with horse racing. But as it turns out, that wasn't a problem at all when it came to his books. The plot was so engaging and the characters were so well-developed that they held my attention throughout.

What really stood out to me was his excellent portrayal of relationships and emotions. It added a depth to the story that made it truly captivating.

Interestingly, the next book in this series was written decades later. I'm really curious to see if it picks up in the same time period or if there are significant changes in the setting and the characters' lives.

Overall, I'm extremely glad that I finally decided to start reading this author. His writing style and storytelling abilities have truly impressed me.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and see where the next adventure takes me.