This is my favorite among the Dick Francis novels.

I fell in love with Lee Norris. He is someone I would really like to know in real life.

The story is both intense and low key simultaneously. When the protagonist in a Dick Francis novel gets hurt (and they usually do), they endure the pain and keep moving forward.

Part of the appeal of his novels lies in this approach to life.

Even though Dick Francis initially started writing about jockeys, he later went on to explore so many other fields. For example, in this one, Lee Morris is an architect who inherits some shares in a privately owned racetrack.

The dissension among the family/owners places Lee right in the middle of the situation.

With elements like sabotage, bombs, and guns, there are several truly memorable scenes that make this novel a captivating read.

It keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what will happen next to Lee and how he will manage to overcome all the challenges and difficulties that come his way.

The combination of an interesting protagonist, a thrilling plot, and the unique writing style of Dick Francis makes this novel a must-read for any fan of mystery and adventure.

I have a profound love for Dick Francis novels. They are masterpieces of literature, beautifully written with captivating storylines that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The heroes in his novels are often complex yet moral individuals, and "Decider" is no exception.

It features Lee Morris, an architect and builder who has six young sons and a somewhat distant wife. Lee's mother had a brief marriage to Keith Stratton, a member of the extremely wealthy Stratton family. Over the years, this family has hidden a plethora of heinous crimes, including arson, assault, addiction, larceny, bribery, and even incest. Fortunately, Lee's mother managed to escape and marry a kind man. However, Colonel Stratton gave her 8 shares in the racecourse, perhaps realizing the misery his son had caused in her life.

When the Colonel passes away, the family descends into bickering. Lee, being a curious person, attends the shareholders meeting, where he is met with a mix of curiosity and hatred. Some family members wish to sell the land and make a fortune, while others want to preserve the racecourse, either by renovating it or leaving it as it has always been. As Lee delves deeper into the various crimes committed and covered up by the family, he endures beatings, kicks, and yelling. Nevertheless, he earns the respect of the racecourse manager and the Colonel's sister, Marjorie, who can maintain some order within the family with the knowledge he has gained.

When Lee takes five of his sons to visit the course, he and one of his sons are caught in an explosion that destroys the stands. Later, his sons are terrorized by Keith, who sets fire to the tents and ultimately meets his own demise. Despite all the chaos and danger, Lee, with his level-headedness, is invited to join the board of directors. At least some of the family recognizes what a valuable asset he would be to this quarrelsome family.

Overall, "Decider" is a thrilling and engaging novel that showcases Dick Francis's talent for creating complex characters and intricate plots. It is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense.

Lee Morris, a father of six sons, finds himself in a complex situation. Despite still living together, he is estranged from his wife. He is the owner of several stocks in a racecourse.

Finally, he attends a meeting and gets to meet the Stratton family in person. His mother had been married to one of the Strattons, but that man was not Lee's father. Her second husband was.

Lee decides to take his sons on an outing to the racecourse in their "bus". They initially have a great time. However, their day takes a turn for the worse when they run into Keith, the worst of the Strattons and his mother's first husband. Trouble quickly follows, and the situation deteriorates rapidly.

Lee's relationship with his sons is truly admirable and makes one respect him. The story, although a little drawn out, ends rather predictably. Nevertheless, Dick Francis books are always a pleasure to read.

A re-read from the eighties, but this time in hardback!

It offers a very traditional narrative in the sense that a distant relative is thrust into the viper's nest of a warring upper class family. The contrast between the architectural slant and the actual accounts of racing is strikingly clear. Francis has undoubtedly conducted thorough research, yet it did give the impression of being a little bit forced or stuck on.

Perhaps this is a minor drawback in an otherwise engaging story. The detailed descriptions of the architecture add a layer of authenticity and richness to the setting, while the racing scenes provide excitement and drama.

Overall, it is a worthwhile read that takes the reader back to a different era and offers a unique perspective on the lives and struggles of the characters.

Dick Francis has written an unusual book this time.

The hero in this story has children and is trapped in an unhappy marriage.

Just like most of Francis' books, the story unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping the reader engaged.

It's not overly complicated, which makes it an easy read.

I had a soft spot for both the children and the hero.

Moreover, most of the supporting characters seemed believable, adding to the authenticity of the story.

However, I have to admit that I was not satisfied with the ending.

It felt contrived and forced, as if it was just tacked on to wrap up the story.

This was a real shame, as the rest of the book had been quite enjoyable.

Despite the disappointing ending, I still think this book is worth a read for fans of Dick Francis and those who enjoy a fast-paced mystery.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

My fourth DF book has truly captured my heart and stands as by far my favorite among them all.

The story within its pages has taken me on an unforgettable journey, filled with excitement, mystery, and engaging characters.

However, I must admit that there is one aspect that slightly dampened my overall experience.

That is the final page resolution. While I understand the author's intention, there were certain elements of it that I did not quite like.

Perhaps it felt a bit rushed or didn't tie up all the loose ends in a way that fully satisfied me.

Nonetheless, this minor flaw does not overshadow the many wonderful qualities of the book.

I still highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read and is looking for an adventure that will keep them on the edge of their seat.

Overall, my fourth DF book is a remarkable achievement, and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for us next.

Lee Morris is not only an architect but also a hands-on builder.

At the age of nineteen, he married his wife Amanda, and they are still relatively young. Now, they are the parents of six boys.

Lee's mother was once married to Keith Stratton, one of the sons of Lord Stratton, who owned Stratton Park racecourse. However, it was an abusive marriage. When Lee's mother left, abandoning her daughter Hannah, her father-in-law gave her eight shares in the racecourse, which Lee inherited upon his mother's death.

Lee has no blood relationship with the Strattons and has never had any dealings with them. But upon Lord Stratton's death, a meeting of shareholders is called, and he decides to attend.

The family resents and even hates him. They are a quarrelsome and blackmailing group among themselves, all having different intentions regarding the future of the racecourse.

Lee gets involved and takes his five older boys to the races. The plot involves a tragic accident, an explosion, fires, and attempted shootings, typical of Dick Francis's action.

I truly enjoyed the antics of the young boys. Their energy and mischief added an extra layer of charm to the story.

The complex relationships and the various events that unfold make this a captivating read.

I can't wait to see what happens next in Lee's life and how he will deal with the challenges and opportunities that come his way.

A Rollercoaster!

A rollercoaster is an exciting and thrilling amusement park ride. It consists of a series of high-speed tracks with sharp turns, steep drops, and loops. Riders are seated in cars that are attached to the tracks and are propelled along the ride by a combination of gravity and mechanical force.

The experience of riding a rollercoaster can be both terrifying and exhilarating. As the coaster climbs to the top of a hill, riders feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. Then, as the coaster hurtles down the hill at breakneck speed, riders experience a rush of adrenaline and a feeling of weightlessness.

Rollercoasters come in all shapes and sizes, from small kiddie coasters to massive, multi-looping behemoths. Some coasters are designed to be smooth and gentle, while others are intentionally rough and jerky to add to the excitement.

Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that rollercoasters are one of the most popular attractions at amusement parks around the world. So, if you're feeling brave, why not take a ride on a rollercoaster and experience the thrill for yourself?

From its familiarity, I guess this is a third read.

It comprehensively proves that unless you read more than two back to back, the formula stands firm as a provider of thoroughly satisfying reading enjoyment.

This, based on characters more than horses, where good behavior versus bad is a very good example.

And what must therefore be a fourth read nevertheless delivers as solid an entertainment as could be wished for.

The story seems to have a charm that keeps drawing me back. Each time I read it, I discover new details and nuances in the characters and their interactions.

The contrast between good and bad behavior adds depth and drama to the plot, making it all the more engaging.

I can't wait to see what new insights and pleasures the fourth read will bring.

It's like visiting an old friend and always finding something new and interesting to talk about.

Overall, this book is a true gem that continues to delight with each reading.

This is one of my favorite Dick Francis novels.

Although horse racing holds significance in this story, the main character is only tangentially associated with the racing industry. He has, by chance, inherited eight out of 100 shares in a deteriorating racecourse. This inheritance brings him into contact with the upper-class family to which his mother once belonged.

Family lies at the heart of this tale. Our protagonist, Lee Morris, is in a tumultuous marriage and is deeply concerned about how a separation will impact his six sons. He takes the five eldest with him on his journey to the Stratton racecourse. The divisions within his estranged family are shockingly malicious and violent. Lee becomes embroiled in attempting to resolve the issues within the Stratton family regarding the future of the racecourse, where his training as an architect proves relevant. However, these issues put Lee and his sons in genuine peril. Will he have to step back from the family dispute to safeguard his sons' lives?

This is a novel where the hero's personal and family life, as well as his emotional life, take center stage. The horses are relegated to the distant background. Francis' remarkable ability to make each of his numerous characters distinct and palpable is truly outstanding.

This novel surpasses the typical entertainment that Dick Francis offers. It is an excellent book!

Lee Morris, an architect, holds a small share in a race course.

The major shareholders are from the Stratton family, and they are in a state of disagreement regarding the future plans for the race course.

Should it be sold or restored? This uncertainty looms large.

What makes this Francis book unusual is the presence of plenty of children, specifically the kids of Lee Morris.

As he gets deeply involved in a dangerous situation, his kids also find themselves in harm's way, intensifying his concerns.

The question of who is trying to kill Morris remains a mystery. There are multiple suspects, similar to the situation in Hot Money.

It is a classic whodunit, and it is extremely challenging to guess the culprit until the very end.

Decider is a first-class Francis thriller that entertained me thoroughly from start to finish.

Undoubtedly, this is among his finest works.