His best work is truly a masterpiece that is well worth a read.

It showcases his remarkable talent and creativity. The story is engaging from the very beginning, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

The characters are vividly portrayed, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The writing style is smooth and flowing, making it a pleasure to read. Overall, his best work is a must-read for anyone who enjoys good literature.

It was truly a delight to read a detective story after such a long time. This particular one had me completely engrossed from start to finish. The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly trying to solve the mystery along with the protagonist.

The author's writing style was engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the scenes and characters in my mind. I could easily imagine myself in the shoes of the detective, following the clues and piecing together the puzzle.

I would highly recommend this detective story to all thriller and detective genre lovers. It is a must-read for those who enjoy a good mystery and a thrilling adventure. So, grab a copy, sit back, relax, and get ready to be taken on a wild ride. Happy Reading!

Dick Francis is a renowned author who crafts exciting fiction that typically centers around the captivating world of horse racing.

In this particular story, the protagonist is Sid Halley, a former top jockey who has now transitioned into the role of a private investigator.

The cases that Sid is called upon to investigate are rife with intrigue, often involving complex betting scams and corrupt officials within the horse racing industry.

As Sid delves deeper into these mysteries, he must use his sharp intellect, along with his insider knowledge of the racing world, to untangle the web of deception and bring the truth to light.

The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Sid's thrilling adventures in the seedy underbelly of horse racing.

Francis's vivid descriptions and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for fans of mystery and horse racing alike.

I am truly enjoying this series. In the past, all of the Dick Francis books that I have read were stand-alone novels. However, this series has brought a new and exciting dimension.

Sid Halley is an outstanding character. He is a retired jockey with amazing skills in putting puzzles together. His character is complex and engaging, making it easy for the reader to become invested in his story.

The plot of this book is extremely interesting. It is full of action and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. I found it very difficult to put down.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has all the elements that make a great Dick Francis novel - a compelling character, an exciting plot, and plenty of action. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery and thriller novels.

Sid's ex-wife is in a real pickle. Her new boyfriend turns out to be a con artist, and her father, who is also Sid's best friend, begs him to help prove her innocence and get the scumbag ex-boyfriend arrested.

To make matters worse, the racetrack security asks Sid to quietly look into some suspicious activities. However, it turns out that he becomes complicit in the deception. A bookie, a mobster, and a security guy are working together to fix the races. They select a horse that is supposed to win, but then inject it with a special virus that makes it tired and lose. As a result, an unlikely horse wins, and the gamblers lose big time.

Interestingly, the virus has a long-term effect. It causes damage to the heart of the horses, and 4 or 5 horses die up to 1-1/2 years later when they exert themselves. Sid struggles with his pride and self-image, which is even worse than when he lost his hand. Halfway through the story, the mobster threatens to take away his other hand if he continues to investigate. Sid backs off for a week and goes to a different city as commanded. But when the expected horse loses, he knows he could have stopped it. He struggles to reconcile his fear with doing what is right.

In the end, Sid does the right thing. The story concludes with a confrontation between Sid and the mobster, who has been waiting for him for a few days. The mobster seems ready to kill Sid, but when Sid doesn't beg for his life and has resolved his self-image issues, the mobster frustratingly admits that killing him or shooting off his other hand isn't worth 10+ years in jail. So, he lets Sid walk away.

I firmly believe that this novel is either my absolute favorite or at least ranks among the top three in the extensive collection of novels by Dick Francis. It is one of the rare ones to have a repeat protagonist, namely Sid Halley. In fact, I consider it to be the best among the four novels in which he appears.

The first book in this series, Odds Against, serves more as a scene-setter. Here, Sid has to learn to overcome the loss of his career as a jockey due to a serious injury that rendered one of his hands unusable and embrace a new profession. By the time the second novel, this very one, commences, he has been working as a private investigator in the horse-racing world for some time. He has not only settled into the job but also into the mindset required to excel at it.

Even though this might potentially be one of Francis's shorter novels, he masterfully creates three distinct lines of investigation for Sid to follow. Firstly, there are the mysterious illnesses afflicting champion colts. Secondly, there is an internal investigation into corruption at the highest level of the Jockey Club. And thirdly, there is a private request from Sid's former father-in-law to expose a confidence trickster who duped and abandoned Sid's ex-wife, leaving her potentially facing prosecution for a scam.

Between these three investigations, Sid and his sidekick, Chico, are constantly on the move, quite literally. The book contains the typical racing background, the inevitable villains, and a casual love interest for Sid. However, despite the repetitive nature of some elements that are common in Francis's novels, it remains an extremely engaging story with intelligent and thought-provoking moments, plenty of action, and a satisfying resolution. I am truly glad that I decided to pick it up again.

I am being rather kind when I give this book 2 stars. Truth be told, I really wanted to like it. If you have a passion for horse racing, as I do, then it's not the absolute worst book you'll ever come across. However, if you have no interest in horse racing whatsoever, then I would highly recommend that you avoid it. It might not hold much appeal for those who don't have a particular affinity for the sport. But for those of us who love the excitement and drama of horse racing, there are some aspects of the book that can be quite engaging. It offers a glimpse into the world of horse racing, with its unique characters and storylines. But overall, it's not a book that I would rave about or recommend to just anyone.

The best of Dick Francis!

The series of Sid Halley books provided Francis with an opportunity to delve much deeper into his character's psyche. It unveiled Sid's human characteristics such as self-doubt, loathing, and fear. These were all deep-seated emotions that were hidden from most of the other characters in the book. However, they were revealed in their raw and emotional glory to the reader.

Moreover, there was an extremely good and complex web of human greed and corruption. This aspect alone makes any Francis book truly worth reading.

Note: For anyone who hasn't read this yet, I highly recommend reading the Sid books in order, starting with "Odds Against." I, myself, didn't realize that Francis had written a series with a recurring character and ended up reading them in about as out of order as possible. I happened to start with the last one.

This shows that even if read out of order, the books still have their charm and can engage the reader. But reading them in sequence would likely provide a more comprehensive and fulfilling experience, allowing the reader to better understand the development and evolution of Sid Halley's character.

Great read!

I have delved into numerous books written by Him. Each one has been a captivating experience that I can effortlessly recommend to anyone with a passion for reading. It's not just the Sid Haley stories that have the power to keep you wide awake at night, eagerly turning the pages to read "the next chapter." His works are filled with engaging plots, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions that draw you in from the very beginning and hold your interest firmly until the end. Whether it's a mystery, a thriller, or a work of fiction, you can be sure that His books will provide hours of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. So, if you're looking for a great read, don't hesitate to pick up one of His books and prepare to be swept away.

My first encounter with Dick Francis' work was truly remarkable!

I'm not overly fond of books set in foreign countries, but I wasn't aware of that when I started reading this one. However, I can state that the fact that it was set in England didn't bother or annoy me in the slightest. In fact, I gained a great deal of knowledge about England by reading this book.

The story was one-of-a-kind, and the writing was far, far above average. It was clear, concise, with no superfluous words. From what I've read, Dick Francis had no formal training in writing, but being a jockey, he knew his subject matter inside out. I look forward to reading Francis' works for many years to come and hope that the last book I read of his is at least half as good as this one was.

It was an excellent read that kept me on the edge of my seat, making so many twists and turns around the track. There were far more than you'd find at an actual racetrack, that's for sure.

It would be nice if we were related too, since Francis is a family name.

In this second installment of the Sid Halley series, Sid is now at the helm of his own private investigations firm, joined by Chico from "Odds Against". He has three complex investigations on his plate. Firstly, he aims to track down the man responsible for causing his ex-wife to use her name to defraud people through a bogus charity. Secondly, he endeavors to uncover the reason why outstanding young racehorses are underperforming in major races. And thirdly, he has been tasked with investigating the Security Section of the Jockey Club for any bad apples.

Throughout his investigations, Sid faces numerous challenges and threats. He is menaced with the loss of his right hand, which would无疑 have a significant impact on his life and work. He also experiences an exhilarating ride in a hot air balloon, adding a touch of adventure to the story. However, things take a violent turn when he is brutally beaten with a chain.

Amidst all the chaos, Sid meets a new girlfriend, Louise McInnes. As is the case in most Dick Francis books, our hero is展现出了 bravery and stoicism. He refuses to show fear, except for a brief moment when he fears the loss of his right hand. I found this book to be much more enjoyable this time around compared to the first in the series, and I am eager to continue reading and following Sid's adventures.

A Bloody Masterpiece

This was my very first encounter with a Sick Francis book, and let me tell you, it was an absolute revelation. From the moment I cracked open the cover, I was drawn into a world of mystery and intrigue. Sid Halley, the protagonist, is a character who immediately captured my attention. There is something about him that makes me desperate to know more. The author's descriptions are both compelling and crisp, painting a vivid picture in my mind with every turn of the page. The complex plotting is another aspect that truly sets this book apart. It keeps me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing and second-guessing what will happen next. I can't wait to pick up another Sick Francis book and continue my journey with Sid Halley. This is definitely a series that I will be following closely.