The development of the novel's main character is truly remarkable.

He manages to draw the reader in, making them wholeheartedly root for him and his five sons.

The plot, although a bit fantastical with elements like him being blown up, beaten up, and shot at, still holds great appeal.

It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

And when the mystery finally unravels at the end, it provides a sense of satisfaction.

The author has done a great job of creating a captivating story with a well-developed main character and an engaging plot.

It's a novel that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

Another great story by DF.

DF has once again crafted a captivating tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that draw you in from the very beginning.

The plot unfolds in a seamless manner, with twists and turns that you never see coming. DF's writing style is both elegant and accessible, making it easy for readers of all ages to enjoy.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, adventure, or romance, this story has something for everyone. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a great story that will leave them thinking long after they've turned the last page.

Overall, DF has once again proven themselves to be a master storyteller, and this latest offering is sure to be a hit with readers everywhere.

Goodness! It's a little disturbing, yet the formula still holds true. The behavior and perhaps the thinking of Lee Morris were quite unsettling for me. Lee is in a loveless marriage with Amanda, and this builder-architect lives for his six boys. Yes, six boys! Although religion is not mentioned even once, I suspect that he or his wife might have been Catholic.

The book is immensely readable, and the leading man is immensely likable. It was my first encounter with Dick France's work, but it will most definitely not be my last.

From the very beginning, the story had me hooked. The writing style is engaging and flows smoothly, making it a pleasure to turn the pages.

The character of the leading man is well-developed and charming. His actions and decisions are relatable, and I found myself rooting for him throughout the entire book.

I can't wait to explore more of Dick France's books and see what other精彩的 stories he has to offer. If this book is any indication, I'm in for a treat.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and entertaining read. It's a must-read for fans of the genre.

A Quirky Architect's Risky Endeavor for Family

While my all-time favorite Dick Francis book remains To the Hilt, this particular one holds a very close second place in my heart. The main character of this story is truly a remarkable individual. He is independent, with a unique and idiosyncratic personality that sets him apart from the crowd. In his chosen field, he is a genius, possessing an extraordinary talent and an innovative approach. However, what truly makes him stand out is his deep and unwavering devotion to his group of boys. He is willing to risk everything he has, including his career and personal safety, to ensure the well-being and happiness of his family. His love for them is the driving force behind all his actions, and it is this aspect of his character that makes him so endearing and relatable. As the story unfolds, we witness his journey filled with challenges, sacrifices, and ultimately, redemption. It is a tale that will touch your heart and leave you with a profound sense of admiration for this quirky architect and his unwavering commitment to family.

Architect Lee Morris has a profound penchant for reviving old buildings, accompanied by a strong sense of duty.

Trailing five of his six sons, Lee embarks on his journey to Stratton Racecourse. He is set to attend a shareholder meeting that will ultimately determine the fate of the old racecourse.

However, the Stratton family presents a significant obstacle. Their web of lies, coercion, and blackmail has created a situation where they seem unable to move forward or go back.

But Lee is not one to back down easily. With his determination and skills, he manages to neutralize the most dangerous elements within the Stratton family.

As the story unfolds, we can only wonder what the future holds for the old racecourse and for Lee and his sons. Will they be able to save the racecourse and bring it back to its former glory? Or will the forces of evil prevail?

Only time will tell.

This is my favorite Dick Francis book.

I have read all of his works, but this particular one I have read three times.

The story is incredibly rich in characters. Each character is so vividly drawn that I feel as if I want to visit them all again and again.

I truly hope that Felix Francis will pen another book featuring Lee Morris, the Stattons, the boys, along with the elements of construction and horse racing.

These characters and themes have captured my imagination and left me longing for more.

The combination of the exciting world of horse racing and the complex relationships between the characters makes for a truly engaging read.

I can't wait to see what Felix Francis has in store for us in the future.

Perhaps he will take us on another thrilling adventure with these beloved characters.

One can only hope.

Lee is an architect who leads a rather complicated life. He has six boys to take care of, and his marriage is cooling down rapidly.

When Lord Stratton passes away, Lee finds himself getting involved in the drama of his mother's ex-in-laws. The reason is that he owns shares in the racecourse that the family owns.

The problem is that this family is extremely wealthy but morally bankrupt. Now, Lee, a nice guy traveling with his five oldest boys, faces a big challenge. Can he help save the racecourse from the sabotage within the family?

It won't be an easy task. Lee has to deal with the complex family dynamics and the malicious actions of those who want to undermine the racecourse. But with his determination and the love for his boys, he is ready to take on this challenge and fight for what is right.

Will he succeed in saving the racecourse and restoring some moral values within the family? Only time will tell.

Property developer Lee Morris is in a rather difficult situation. His marriage is on the verge of failure, and he is left with six little boys to take care of. Additionally, he has a small number of shares in a racecourse that was bequeathed to him by his mother.

When he is convinced to go to a shareholders' meeting, he soon realizes that he has walked into a hornet's nest. A bitter family quarrel among the other shareholders erupts, and Lee finds himself right in the middle of it. What's worse, this quarrel not only puts his own life in jeopardy but also that of his children.

I have to say that as a mystery, this story is just average. Some of the events seem a bit too far-fetched, even for this genre. And to be honest, Lee Morris as a character didn't really appeal to me. However, the saving grace of this story is the kids. Each of them has their own unique personality, and it is their presence that makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Despite its flaws, there is something about this story that keeps you engaged and interested. Maybe it's the mystery itself, or maybe it's the hope that things will work out for Lee and his family in the end. Whatever it is, it's enough to make you want to keep reading.

Lee Morris and his five grown sons squeeze into their converted bus for an Easter holiday road trip.

Lee has a special talent for locating historic old ruins and transforming them into modern, contemporary living spaces. He and his family are setting off in search of ruins for their next project, while also promising the boys some entertainment along the way.

During the journey, Lee decides to attend a shareholders’ meeting for a race track. His mother had received a few shares after divorcing her abusive husband.

What Lee discovers is a deeply divided family. The shareholders are split on whether to continue operating the track or sell it to a developer. The majority of the shareholders are from his mother’s ex-husband’s family. This family not only has a history of abuse but also harbors true sociopaths. Explosions, beatings, and even attempted murder are part of their手段 to achieve their desired outcomes.

Lee and his boys find themselves right in the middle of this chaos and, of course, are in great danger.

This is another page-turning story by a master storyteller. The protagonists are always the good guys, and the family dynamics are often distorted from normal realities. I think I’ve read at least one other story where the future of a racetrack is at stake. So while the story is original, several of the plot elements – such as the race track’s困境 and the twisted families – are starting to feel familiar.

It’s a good, solid 3.7-star read.

More of a family drama than his previous books, the story unfolds with Lee Morris. He owns shares in the Stratton Race Course, which he inherited from his mother. She had been married to Keith Stratton but divorced him after he beat and raped her. Lord Stratton, Keith's father, gave the race course shares to her as part of the divorce settlement. Recently, upon his death, he divided his remaining shares among his children, Conrad, Keith and Ivan, and his grandchildren, Dart, Rebecca, Hannah and Forsythe. The remaining shares are held by Lord Stratton's sister, Marjorie.

The current race course manager, Roger, asks Lee to attend the next shareholder meeting as the family is in a fierce dispute over whether to keep the course as is, renovate or sell. At the meeting, Lee is not welcomed by the family but he stays and witnesses the intense infighting. Keith demands a sale, Conrad wants a renovation and Marjorie manipulates them all into doing nothing for now. Meanwhile, she asks Lee to find out why Keith needs the money from the sale so badly and why Conrad is being bullied to rebuild the grandstand by an architect, Wilson Yarrow. Lee, who is also an architect, asks to see the drawings and decides to ask his friends about them and their fellow classmate, Yarrow.

Since it is the Easter holiday, Lee brings his 5 eldest boys to the track to watch the racing. While Lee is attending a meeting at an otherwise deserted course on Good Friday, someone sets off explosives to blow up the grandstand, injuring Lee and scaring the boys who were playing nearby. Could this be the work of the animal rights protestors hounding the track attendees? Lee sets out to find out but not before Keith and his daughter, Hannah, beat him and tell him to leave and not to try to blackmail or sue the family for his injuries. Rebecca, Conrad's daughter, also has a violent temper and takes it out on everyone at the track on race days where she is a steeplechase jockey. She agrees with her father that the stands need to be renovated and pushes for that now after the explosion. Keith is pushing harder to sell before the track is worthless.

A temporary tent is set up so that racing can continue during the holiday week and allowing time for a decision on a permanent solution. Eventually, Lee figures out that Yarrow, who was accused of cheating during school, is blackmailing Conrad to give him the contract for the renovation or else he will reveal that Rebecca is throwing races for the bookmakers. But Lee also discovers that the evidence of Rebecca's misdeed was faked by Rebecca herself. She so desperately wants the track renovated and could not convince her father, so she came up with the fake blackmail plot and roped in a willing Yarrow. It was Yarrow who set the explosion, under direction from Rebecca, to push Conrad toward a decision. Keith, meanwhile, was not wholly innocent as he had hired an actor to gather people to protest the track in order to force the family to sell. He was so enraged with Lee for messing with his plans that he tried to set fire to the tent and kill Lee's children but all Keith set on fire was himself. Another winner from Francis.

I think of this as a 3.75, but not quite a four.

As is the case with any Francis novel, it is well-written and enjoyable. Our main character, Lee Morris, is a decent, ethical, hard-working, and smart individual. In addition, he is a loving father to six (!) young boys.

One aspect that I generally appreciate about Francis novels is that the protagonist is always someone I would like very much. The story is filled with excitement, turmoil, feuding within a wealthy family, and stuck-up aristocrats.

However, there is a moment, approximately three-fourths of the way through the book, where it begins to drag. I thought to myself, "Oh dear, not another chapter intended to showcase the class differences and the unmerited anger towards our friend, Lee." It simply didn't seem necessary at that point and wasn't advancing the plot.

Nevertheless, aside from that, the story progresses with an Agatha Christie style denouement, resulting in a neatly resolved and highly satisfying ending.