One of the most popular writers in the world, I am one of the many people that waits for his new works every year. His level of detail and research help immerse you in the world he is writing about. His main character is usually a minor variation of the same person; competent, versatile, educated, slightly outside society, but rather than being boring, this is one of the things that brings his readers back every year. One thing that I always enjoy is looking at the multiple meaning of the titles that are held in the story.
Shattered
Once again Dick Francis takes us somewhere new. This time it is into the world of glassblowing, with the usual Francis competent hero being the glassblower and owner of the shop. There is of course a connection with horse racing, that being the hero's best friend, a jockey who dies in the first chapter and sets in motion the problems to come.
In some ways this is a typical Francis work, the very competent hero, a racing connection, a love interest for the hero, and some other points. But it does not feel like a typical work. The writing seems to be fresher and more alive than in the last few books. And that makes it much easier to get lost in the life of Gerard Logan and his current troubles. His troubles include helping the widow and children of his best friend, getting to know an attractive policewoman, finding out what was on a missing video tape, and dealing with the ruffians that believe he has the tape. His attitudes and methods of dealing with these problems are unorthodox but ingenious and of course, successful. But it is a fun ride, one of the best Dick Francis has done in years. I only hope it is not the last one he does.
Dick Francis(Reader) / Audio Cassette / Published 1999
The newest Francis is out. Once again an unlikely hero falls into a rather byzantine scheme and winds up coming out on top of the bad guys. A standard hero, a standard plot, a little bit of horse racing thrown in, there doesn't seem to be anything outstanding about the book. No more than any other Francis, which are in a class of their own.
Some things do make this a little different from normal. The hero is a meteorologist for the BBC, which is definitely different, and there is the hurricane flying, which is not an everyday occurrence. Finally, while things do seem to be a typical Francis, he does manage to throw in a few surprises, which really add to the story. All in all, a better than average Francis.
In his newest book, Francis explores the world of politics. Of course he also includes a tie-in with the world of horse racing, but it is only a modest connection. I don't know how close it is in the details of the political life in England, but it is good enough to keep my suspension of disbelief going.
Dick Francis / Mass Market Paperback / Published 1989
Starting off having nothing to do with racing, Francis quickly involves the world of high finance and insurance with bloodstock and the breeding of racehorses. An entertaining book, with a bit more sorrow occurring than is the usual in Francis books.
Dick Francis / Mass Market Paperback / Published 1997
In some ways, an unusual psychological study, in others a typical Dick Francis novel. Quite disturbing, especially for someone that has had broken bones.
Dick Francis / Mass Market Paperback / June 30, 2000
In an unusual start for Francis, his hero starts this book being warned off from racing. Of course Kelly Hughes did not do what he was accused of and he sets out to prove it to the Racing Stewards and the public at large. He succeeds as Francis' heroes almost always do, but there are some surprises along the way. A pleasant read.
The newest Dick Francis is out. Unfortunately it is not a new novel. Instead it is 13 short stories, some previously published, others written just for this collection. The good news is, the stories are very good. There is an interesting mixture, sometimes the good guys win, sometimes the bad guys, and sometimes everybody loses. A lot of entertainment, in a form that is not what we usually see from Mr. Francis. Since it is very unlikely that most people have read all of the previously published works, this is a good way to pick up some of his older stuff. And we can always hope he is feeling up to a new novel next year.
Dick Francis / Mass Market Paperback / October 3, 2000
One of Francis' few explorations of the racing world outside of England, parts of it are unfortunately predictable. Not a bad read, but also not one of the best, it is easy to see that it was originally written in the early 70s.
The next to newest book has a fairly typical Francis hero, an eccentric outsider who can handle just about anything,. but it is fun. I never would have found the Hilt.
Dick Francis / Mass Market Paperback / Published 1995
During the making of a movie, an up and coming young director finds himself involved in solving a 26 year old mystery. Interesting characters, an intricate plot, another fun read from Dick Francis. A bit off in its depiction of how Hollywood actually treats a writer, but an intriguing story nonetheless.
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/ September 2000