I last read this book in 2001, which was twenty years ago. It was shortly after the 9/11 attack. I hadn't read any Dick Francis for a while, and when I picked up this book, it was like running into an old friend. There is a certain lighthearted good will about Francis that makes him a pleasure to read.

Although there are grim things going on in the story, such as people dying, perhaps it is the self-confidence and the assurance that things will turn out right, which a jockey must have, that enables Francis to write characters who face adversity with a grin.

Alan York, an amateur steeplechase jockey, is a thoroughly likable character. He is also a clever sleuth. While trying to understand a friend's death in a riding "accident," York uncovers a massive criminal conspiracy.

There is clever detective writing here, and a rather nice love story as well. Like so many of Francis' books, there is a vivid portrait of the racing world. The main thing is that this is a highly enjoyable read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

It's a book that combines mystery, adventure, and romance in a way that only Dick Francis can. Whether you're a fan of his work or new to his books, this one is definitely worth picking up.

My Mom was an ardent fan of Dick Francis, and I grew up immersed in his books. I read most of them not just once but multiple times. However, it had been a significant amount of time since my last reading of this particular one. As a result, I could relish it without being able to anticipate every single event that would unfold.

This, I believe, was Dick Francis's initial foray into the realm of novel writing. Given his previous occupation as a jockey, all of his novels are set within the world of horse racing in one aspect or another. In this story, an amateur jockey named Alan York is directly behind his friend Bill Davidson on a steeplechase racecourse. Davidson is confident of winning on his horse, Admiral. However, inexplicably, Admiral falls while attempting a jump, and Davidson loses his life as a consequence of the fall. York has witnessed something suspicious, and when he later returns to investigate, he discovers evidence of foul play. He commences asking questions and realizes that as he delves deeper into the matter, he is provoking a hornet's nest. He is a shrewd fellow (much like all of Francis's protagonists), and by examining seemingly unrelated crimes that are occurring, he discerns that they are all interconnected. Nevertheless, the closer he gets to the truth, the greater the danger he faces. In this book, York freely and gladly consults with the local police inspector. However, in future books, Francis's protagonists almost invariably avoid contact with the police.

There is always an element of romance in Francis's books as well. In this one, Alan meets a young and beautiful first-time racehorse owner named Kate, and he instantly falls in love with her (which seems rather contrived to the reader). Nevertheless, she is a lively and interesting character, and she establishes a mostly friendly rivalry between Alan and another jockey named Dane.

You can easily tell that it's his first book, mainly due to the plot.

The story might lack the polish and sophistication that comes with more experienced writing, but it still holds a certain charm that makes it worth many re-reads.

The hero of the tale is truly endearing, with his flaws and virtues, and you can't help but root for him throughout his adventures.

However, what really steals the show is this magnificent horse, Admiral.

Admiral is not just a means of transportation for the hero; he is a character in his own right, with a personality and spirit that are impossible to ignore.

The bond between the hero and Admiral is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the book, and it adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story.

Overall, despite its flaws, this first book is a great read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to pick it up again and again.

Though this is an early Dick Francis novel, I hadn’t read it.

However, after finally picking it up, I was thoroughly impressed. It is a very enjoyable suspense story, exactly what I expect from this author.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. Francis has a unique way of creating characters that are both relatable and engaging.

The setting, which is often related to the world of horse racing, adds an extra layer of authenticity and interest to the story.

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good suspense story. It is a great example of Dick Francis’ talent as a writer and is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish.

I've perused a plethora of these books, and at long last, this particular one made its appearance in my library.

It adheres to (or perhaps even establishes) the pattern characteristic of the majority of his works. It offers us a tantalizing peek into the realm of steeple chase, all the while unraveling a mystery.

This book, in comparison to others, experiences a bit of a lull in the middle. However, the grand reveal and chase sequence that follows is truly one of his finest. It was nothing short of "riveting". Rated G and exquisitely written, it manages to engage the reader from start to finish.

Despite the slight dip in pace, the overall charm and intrigue of the story more than make up for it. It's a testament to the author's skill that he can create a world that draws us in and keeps us on the edge of our seats, even when there are a few slower moments along the way.

All in all, this is a book that is well worth the read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery set against the backdrop of an exciting and unique world.

After reading some works by Jane Smiley, I found myself longing for more stories about horses. It has been decades since I last delved into the writings of Dick Francis. To be honest, I really have no clear recollection of whether I have read this particular book before. However, as I started reading, it immediately scratched that itch within me.

The story seems to unfold in a familiar yet exciting way, transporting me back to the world of horse racing and the thrilling adventures that come with it. The characters are vividly portrayed, and I can't help but become invested in their lives and struggles.

I'm eager to see where this journey takes me and how the story will ultimately conclude. Even if I have read it before, it feels like a new discovery, and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

Whether it's the detailed descriptions of the horses or the nail-biting race scenes, this book has all the elements that make a Dick Francis novel so captivating. I'm looking forward to continuing this literary adventure and seeing what other surprises it has in store for me.

I have a profound love for murder mysteries, and this particular one is truly outstanding.

Dick Francis, prior to becoming a writer, was a renowned champion steeplechase jockey. His deep affection and in-depth knowledge of the sport are vividly evident throughout the novel.

Right from the start, he immerses readers directly into the heart of the action. The protagonist, Alan York, is an absolute delight. He is not only witty and intelligent but also has a charming self-deprecating sense of humor.

When Alan's closest friend and fellow jockey meets a tragic end during a horse race, Alan resolves to pursue the killer and solve the mystery.

Now, is this novel considered high art? Perhaps not. However, it is an incredibly engaging mystery that offers a great deal of entertainment and enjoyment to the reader. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover the truth behind the murder.

Overall, it's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of humor and a racing theme.

I have a deep affection for this particular book.

What I truly loved was especially the exciting ending. I deliberately refrain from elaborating on it here, for fear of spoiling it for others.

Currently, I am engaged in re-reading all of Dick Francis's books. The reason is that I derived so much enjoyment from them 15 years ago.

The ending of this specific book, which unfolds over several chapters, has remained firmly in my memory throughout all these years.

Interestingly, upon re-reading it, the enjoyment has not been diminished in the slightest.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you pick up this book and give it a read. It is truly excellent and has the power to captivate readers, both old and new.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful literary experience.

Corruption, conspiracy, protection, and murder - these are the dark secrets that are uncovered in the thrilling world of racing by millionaire jockey Alan York. As the story unfolds, we are drawn into a web of mystery and danger.

However, after reading a few of these types of books, it becomes evident that they start to feel like clones of each other. In this case, out of 12 such books, this one ranks only 3.

My love for horse racing, which is so passionate at this point in my life, unfortunately, didn't transfer over to horse racing literature. The excitement and drama that I experience at the races just don't seem to translate onto the pages.

Despite this, the image of a horse and rider, like the one shown in the GIF, still holds a certain allure. It reminds me of the beauty and grace of these magnificent animals and the skill and courage of the jockeys who ride them.

Perhaps there is a book out there that can truly capture the essence of horse racing and reignite my interest in this genre. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the real thing at the track.

This was not my first read-through of DEAD CERT and it probably won't be my last because...Dick Francis! He is literally incomparable! Case in point here: this is his first book and yet he is a master of the form already!

All the way through, I was repeatedly impressed by his spot-on technique (that never felt mechanical), along with his superb plotting which holds up extremely well even after 60 years! He was a man blessed with many diverse talents, all of which he developed to the highest achievements.

The three I am most aware of are: Champion Steeplechase Jockey, award-winning sports journalist, and World-wide best-selling author and holder of many literary awards, including "Grand Master," given by Mystery Writers of America, and he's not even American, but British! I am sure his achievements in his homeland are just as great, if not more so!

To be sure, this was an outstanding mystery and all-around novel, but it had a few flaws in copy editing, which made it confusing at times. What was much worse, and a real error on the part of the author, was the overly abrupt ending.

In fact, I thought my book must be missing a page because there was no real conclusion and it was a HUGE let-down. It took my rating down a full star.

The bright side, of course, is that there are 40-plus Dick Francis books where he honed his storytelling skills and nailed his endings as well as everything else! I can't wait to explore more of his works and see how he continued to evolve as a writer. Each book is likely to offer a unique and thrilling experience, filled with his trademark suspense, vivid characters, and in-depth knowledge of the horse racing world.

Despite the flaws in this particular book, I still highly recommend DEAD CERT to fans of mystery and horse racing alike. It's a great introduction to the works of Dick Francis and a testament to his talent as a writer.

A Truly Exceptional Investment

As of 2019, having been in print for nearly sixty years, this is an extremely enjoyable read. The hero, much like Dick Francis' heroes typically do, discovers true love and prevails in several races. Although he doesn't emerge victorious in the race that the book concludes with, he achieves a moral victory of considerable significance within it.

Throughout the journey, he dismantles a malicious criminal enterprise, and this, of course, forms the core of the book. In this, Dick Francis' inaugural novel, he set the fundamental parameters that remained consistent throughout the entirety of his writing career, during which he produced approximately forty novels. The fact that all of them are still in print (some, such as this one, only figuratively speaking) speaks volumes.

So, if you can endure reading a novel written in the BCP era - before the advent of cell phones - then by all means, purchase this one. It is highly improbable that you will have any regrets.

Book on CD read by Simon Prebble

Alan York, a wealthy amateur jockey, is having a great ride in the race. He's closely behind his good friend Bill Davidson until Bill's horse falls, and Alan crosses the finish line first. However, this victory is bittersweet as Bill is severely injured and later dies in the hospital. As Alan reflects on the race, he becomes certain that there was something unnatural about the way Admiral took that jump. So, he decides to go back to the course and examine the jump where Bill's horse fell. To his surprise, he finds a coil of wire, which serves as proof that the course was sabotaged. But unfortunately, by the time he brings a race official to take a look, the wire is mysteriously gone. Determined to figure out why someone would want to harm his friend, Alan begins an investigation that leads him to discover a web of corruption that extends far beyond the world of racing.

I must admit that I'm late to the party when it comes to reading Dick Francis, and I deeply regret missing out on his work all these years. He truly knows how to write a captivating thriller. His plot is expertly crafted and progresses at a rapid pace, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. There are numerous red herrings to throw you off the scent, as well as legitimate clues to keep you engaged. I thought I had solved the mystery, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was proven wrong. It was a thrilling ride from start to finish!

Simon Prebble does an excellent job with the audio version. His diction is clear, his pacing is perfect, and he really shines in the thrilling chase scene, bringing it to life in a truly exciting way. Overall, it's a great combination of a captivating story and a talented narrator.