"Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. However, three in one afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow." It's the third death that really troubles former champion jump-jockey Sid Halley. He knows the perils of racing all too well - but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds Huw Walker - the new winner of the Triumph Hurdle and Halley's friend. Now former friend. Walker was riding one of Lord Enstone's ...
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"Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. However, three in one afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow." It's the third death that really troubles former champion jump-jockey Sid Halley. He knows the perils of racing all too well - but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds Huw Walker - the new winner of the Triumph Hurdle and Halley's friend. Now former friend. Walker was riding one of Lord Enstone's horses in the Hurdle and it was the inimitable owner who invited Halley in the first place. His brief: to make discrete enquiries into alleged race fixing. Are results being rigged? Are bookies taking a cut? And if so, are trainers and jockeys playing a dangerous game with stakes far higher than they realise ... Halley's quest for answers draws him ever deeper into the darker side of the race game, in a life-or-death power-play that will push him to his very limits - both professionally and personally.
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I am not a "literary critic", just a life long fan of this writer! When Francis first started writing I hung on every book he wrote, mentally encouraging him to hurry and write the next one. I always appreciated each book standing on its own as I was extremely poor so when I was able to actually buy a book I didn't have to worry about it needing a prequel or a sequel.
I knew nothing of horse racing or the horse "world". I was merely a kid that loved horses and mysteries. I have read every book he has written with some having a slightly different slant, as this book did, but he, in my opinion, always stayed true to what he personally knew-horses. I do not think ANY of his books will disappoint!
AND long live his son, Felix, traveling in Dad's same direction!
roan
Sep 30, 2007
not one of his best
One certainly doesn?t need to be an equine lover to enjoy Dick Francis? novels. His characters are diverse and interesting and the plot twists are practically scary. Each story has a sort of theme. One was about abstract painting. Another focused on a survivalist/travel writer. A great one, Proof, involved liquor stores. Under Orders is mainly about online gambling sites and the inherent pitfalls. There is still the same first-person narration in that smooth voice he manages to write down very well. There?s much more of a risqué aspect than his other books. Normally, this is done rather tastefully, but here it?s as if he?s attempting to cater to pulp fiction standards. There?s nothing cool about that. The twists and turns are still there and it is a good story. Sadly, this just doesn?t measure up to his others novels. Field of Thirteen was a decent book, but showed signs of a downturn. Under Orders is evidence that while Francis has had a great run, he?s past the goal post and needs to get off the track or find a different race.
Genie
Apr 23, 2007
Dick's 39th Novel
In this fast-paced, action-packed novel, Dick Francis gives us a bird's-eye view of online gambling and race-fixing. As ever, the characters are fascinating and believable and once you've started, it is difficult to put the book down. At 87, Francis is assuredly a grand master of crime fiction!
Sydasacres
Apr 2, 2007
Fun and Full of Surprises
Not the best Dick Francis book I have read, but definitely an enjoyable read that will leave you happy at the outcome.
