What an awful book!

I managed to finish it only because the audiobook narrator had a very lovely voice.

Oh, I could really go on and on about how bad this one is.

I think the only redeeming feature was the architecture details.

Everything else was just ridiculous.

It wasn't ridiculous in a fun, entertaining way.

Rather, it seemed like the author had a deep-seated hatred for women.

And the main character, who seemed like a self-insert of the author, was portrayed as perfect in every single way.

Yikes!

The plot was completely linear and not surprising in any way at all.

It was just a big disappointment from start to finish.

I would not recommend this book to anyone.

The main character in this novel, Lee, is a classic Francis hero.

He is an extremely strong-minded and self-reliant individual.

Although unhappily married, he takes great joy in being the father of six sons.

His thoughts and reflections on his marriage offer a mature perspective on what constitutes a contented life.

The mystery/thriller element revolves around a troubled and violent upper-class family with whom Lee has a past connection.

Due to a sense of obligation he feels towards the late patriarch of the Stratton family, Lee finds himself and his children embroiled in a perilous situation related to a race course.

In my view, the action-packed and dramatic ending was rather hasty.

However, I suppose that's how things can sometimes unfold in real life.

Overall, I will rate this novel four stars.

It's a thrilling read, not a profound work of literature, but I was able to empathize with the protagonist and had a liking for him.

None of the characters in this story were perfect, which made them all seem believable.

This is one of Dick Francis' later books.

I randomly picked it out of my bookcase, feeling the need for a comforting read by Dick Francis.

As soon as I started, I recalled not enjoying this one as much as his earlier novels. However, thirty years on, I have breezed through it with great relish!

Lee Morris is an architect and builder with six sons and a tumultuous marriage. Francis has deviated from his traditional jockey heroes, but not by much. The plot centers around a failing racecourse owned by a malevolent family with whom Morris has a family connection.

The plot twists and turns in a lighthearted and skillfully crafted way, and I raced to the end with great enjoyment.

In some respects, this book made me yearn for the simplicity of life thirty years ago.

So now I'm awarding it five stars. Would I read it again? Yes, but since I'll probably be deceased in another thirty years, much sooner!!

The Stratton family, which owns the Stratton Park racecourse, is dysfunctional. The racecourse is old and requires repair, but the family is divided on what to do. Some want to modernize it, some prefer to leave it as it is, and others advocate selling it.

Lee Morris, who is related to the elder Lord Stratton and owns seven shares, decides to attend one of the shareholder meetings. It is there that he discovers the family secrets that they are so desperate to cover up. As an architect, Lee has an understanding of the drawings being considered, which makes him take an interest in the proceedings. However, knowledge can be a dangerous thing, especially when his life and the lives of his children are at stake.

In my opinion, this is one of the better works. It is a wonder how Dick Francis comes up with such fresh ideas. The story is both believable and fast-paced. In typical fashion, Lee finds himself in some situations where you might wonder if he will be able to get out, but deep down you know he will because it wouldn't be a Dick Francis mystery if it didn't follow this pattern.

The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but be drawn into the world of the Strattons and Lee's quest to uncover the truth while protecting himself and his family.

This was a truly solid and highly enjoyable page turner.

Although I didn't hold it in as high regard as "To The Hilt", it still managed to perform the crucial task of keeping me fully engaged throughout.

I found myself constantly wondering what exciting or unexpected event was going to unfold next.

However, there was a rather weird emotional turn that occurred in the last quarter of the book.

Thankfully, it wasn't significant enough to completely derail the overall flow and enjoyment of the story.

Despite this minor hiccup, the book remained a captivating read that held my attention until the very end.

It had its own unique charm and managed to keep me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover the conclusion.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read that I would recommend to others who enjoy a good, engaging story.

Lee Morris, an architect, holds shares in the family-owned Stratton Park Racecourse.

Recently, Lord Stratton, the major shareholder and decision maker of the racecourse, passed away a month ago. Roger, for some reason, brought up this topic with Lee.

Lee had sent flowers to the funeral, which he thought was just a decent thing to do. However, Roger then made a comment that someone told him Lord Stratton was Lee's grandfather.

Lee patiently corrected him, explaining that his mother was once married to Lord Stratton's son, but they divorced. His mother then remarried and had him, so he is not actually related to the Strattons.

This news didn't seem to be welcomed. Roger then tried another angle, asking if Lee owned shares to the racecourse.

Lee thought, "Ah, the feud." It seems that with Lord Stratton's passing, Lee is now being pulled into the Stratton family drama to help vote on the fate of Stratton Park.

3.5/5

This was truly the absolute best novel I've read by this particular author. I have already read approximately 5 or 6 books written by him.

The Stratton family in this novel is extremely complex and interesting. The protagonist, who is an architect, being at the racetrack adds a completely new and exciting twist to the story. What's more, his character is refreshingly open-minded and creative, which makes him stand out.

The inclusion of the usual crooked racing hijinks, along with some upper-class social intrigue, truly made this novel a delightful read. It kept me engaged from start to finish, and I found myself constantly eager to turn the page to see what would happen next.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a well-written story with complex characters and an engaging plot. It is definitely a must-read for fans of this author and for those who appreciate good literature in general.

I have been an avid reader of Dick Francis' books for over 20 years. His works have always held a special charm for me, with their engaging plots and well-developed characters. Recently, while browsing through a bookstore, I came across a particular Dick Francis book that caught my eye. I picked it up on a lark, not really expecting much. However, to my pleasant surprise, it was just as good as I remembered his other books to be. The characters in the story were vivid and believable, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. At one point, I had a fleeting thought that I may have read this book in the past, but upon further reflection, I was certain that I hadn't. This book has reignited my passion for Dick Francis' works, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of his books in the future.

Another excellent Dick Francis crime mystery, which is quite distinct from many others that I have perused.

This time, the highly likable hero is an architect and the father of six boys. He takes his five eldest sons on a journey to seek a new project, but unfortunately, he becomes embroiled in a wealthy family's perilous personalities and secrets.

I truly believe that if he were the mother, he would have had the boys to handle and they would have needed him a great deal more than they did, considering he was the father.

As is customary, there are numerous likable characters whom one truly desires to be happy and succeed. Nevertheless, the ending did not leave me with the same sense of satisfaction or well-being as Dick Francis' novels have always done in the past.

Perhaps it was a slight departure from his usual formula, or maybe my expectations were simply too high. Nonetheless, it was still an engaging read that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Despite the somewhat underwhelming conclusion, I would still highly recommend this book to fans of Dick Francis and those who enjoy a good crime mystery.

This particular book by Dick Francis presents a departure from his typical works when it comes to the aspect of romance. Just like his other novels, it is firmly rooted in the racing world. However, what sets it apart is that the protagonist, Lee Morris, is a married man with six children.

The relationship that Lee has with each of his children takes center stage in this story, and it is truly a delight to witness how the reader gets to experience these warm and wonderful bonds. Additionally, although it is only touched upon briefly, the issue of animal rights in the racing world is brought to light. There is a slightly uneasy relationship between the love for horses and the way in which the highly competitive nature of racing can create an environment where mistreatment occurs.

Despite being as fast-paced as his other books, I found myself skipping large portions of the narrative in order to maintain my excitement. This is the reason why I have awarded it a 3-star rating. Nevertheless, the plot detailing was excellent, and I was not disappointed by the big secret that is revealed towards the end. It added an extra layer of intrigue and kept me engaged until the very last page.

The downside of this particular story was the rather unbelievably dreadful aristocratic family that was engaged in a fierce battle over the racecourse. They seemed almost too caricatured to be real. However, I truly relished the character of Lee Morris. His laid-back yet affectionate approach to parenting his 6 young sons (well, only 5 are prominently featured) was endearing. Additionally, his work as an architect and restorer of "ruins" added an interesting dimension to his character.

That vocation made perfect sense when he was called upon to step in and play the role of the "decider" who attempted to untangle the mess of a family dispute regarding the inheritance and future of the racecourse. I believe this is one of my favorite installments in my Francis audiobinge, even if it may not be among the absolute best. It is mostly due to Lee and his relationship with his kids that this story holds such appeal for me.

Overall, despite the flaws in the portrayal of the aristocratic family, the character of Lee Morris and his storyline make this a memorable and enjoyable listen.

If you are a fan of Dick Francis' books, then you are sure to enjoy this one.

Here, we are presented with a jealous and disunited family. The story unfolds, and the main character is left wondering if he is trusting the right person.

The family dynamics are complex, with each member harboring their own secrets and motives. As the plot thickens, the question of trust becomes increasingly crucial.

Will the main character be able to see through the web of lies and deceit? Or will he be led astray by the wrong person?

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, as you try to figure out who can be trusted and who cannot.

It is a thrilling read that will satisfy any mystery lover. So, if you are looking for a new book to add to your collection, give this one a try.