Scan barcode
ncrabb's review against another edition
3.0
I have yet to read a Dick Francis that disappointed or unsettled me. This one lived up to his excellent reputation.
Ben Juliard is set to become a jockey. He has a job in the industry, and he has the desire and motivation to make it happen. But he is falsely accused of using drugs, and the stable owner summarily cuts him off and fires him despite his protestations and remonstrances.
But there’s perhaps more to the false accusation than he originally believed. It turns out that his dad needed him to help him. Seems dear old dad has political ambitions. He’s sure his son, Ben, can help him get elected. The two swear out a pact that neither one will ever conduct their lives in a way that would embarrass the politician, and young Ben strives mightily to keep the promise.
But a hate-filled member of the press who wants to sabotage Ben’s dad’s job. As a result, the fake news scandals begin, and before the book is done, things will turn deadly.
I enjoyed most the relationship between Ben and his politician father. The two are in some ways distant, but as the dangers mount and the fake news gets increasingly vicious, the two come together in wonderful ways. It’s a relatively short book, and it’s well worth the time investment you put into it.
Ben Juliard is set to become a jockey. He has a job in the industry, and he has the desire and motivation to make it happen. But he is falsely accused of using drugs, and the stable owner summarily cuts him off and fires him despite his protestations and remonstrances.
But there’s perhaps more to the false accusation than he originally believed. It turns out that his dad needed him to help him. Seems dear old dad has political ambitions. He’s sure his son, Ben, can help him get elected. The two swear out a pact that neither one will ever conduct their lives in a way that would embarrass the politician, and young Ben strives mightily to keep the promise.
But a hate-filled member of the press who wants to sabotage Ben’s dad’s job. As a result, the fake news scandals begin, and before the book is done, things will turn deadly.
I enjoyed most the relationship between Ben and his politician father. The two are in some ways distant, but as the dangers mount and the fake news gets increasingly vicious, the two come together in wonderful ways. It’s a relatively short book, and it’s well worth the time investment you put into it.
bookaneer808's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Very enjoyable mystery that, as usual, includes the horseriding world, though this one is mostly centered on English politics.
The protagonist's father is meant to be charismatic and have a magnetic personality, which makes him an ideal politician; personally I found him arrogant, ruthless and cold...so when I was meant to root for him, I hoped he'd come a cropper.
The story clipped along at a fair old rate though and was relentlessly entertaining, so well worth a read.
The protagonist's father is meant to be charismatic and have a magnetic personality, which makes him an ideal politician; personally I found him arrogant, ruthless and cold...so when I was meant to root for him, I hoped he'd come a cropper.
The story clipped along at a fair old rate though and was relentlessly entertaining, so well worth a read.
jk2600's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jazzlioness's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Includes a scene of violence against a womanjanlhill's review against another edition
3.0
Good mystery but not great on characters. Hard to care about a lot of them.
curtisrad's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
gwentolios's review against another edition
5.0
I normally don't like mystery books, but I breezed through this book in 2 days and then picked up another by Francis. I love his writing, with how his simple sentences have such a huge impact. And while the mystery wasn't very obvious,the villain was shown early, it was enjoyable reading about how to stop the crimes and how the whole series of events helped Ben to grow. His relationship with his father is wonderful, and Francis describes being on the edge of adulthood from the teenage perspective so well. An enjoyable read, and one I will probably re-read in the future.