Helpful Score: 12
I love Dick Francis, but this one is not one of his best. But often, him on a bad day is better than some others on their best days!
Helpful Score: 1
A very involved plot. Interesting to the end. A longer book that many of his others, which suits me fine. He weaves horse racing, money, family & greed.
I have enjoyed every Dick Francis novel I have ever read--and that was all that I could get my hands on. You learn something from an expert about the world of horse racing when you read Francis, and I personally find it very satisfying that he always makes right win in the end.
Every time I read one of Dick Francis' books, I think to myself, "This is the best one yet." And then I read the next one, and have the same thought. The same is true of this story. I was kept in suspence as to "who did it" right up to the end, and enjoyed the characters as I read along.
One of his best.Someone is trying to kill Pembroke--he has 5 ex-wives and nine children-and he is rich
An entertaining mystery by a master of the drama.
From Library Journal
Amateur jockey Ian Pembroke is the narrator and principal mover in this engaging effort from the veteran British author. Summoned by his fabulously wealthy father, Malcolm, after a three-year estrangement, Ian attempts to discover who murdered Malcolm's money-grubbing fifth wife and who wants Malcolm dead as well. Suspects include the man's three surviving ex-wives, variously vicious or vindictive, and eight children, arrayed in darkening shades of nasty. Hidden gold, house bombs, expensive racehorses, and foreign venues spice up the familial infighting. A best bet. Literary Guild dual main selection; Mystery Guild featured alternate. REK
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.--
Amateur jockey Ian Pembroke is the narrator and principal mover in this engaging effort from the veteran British author. Summoned by his fabulously wealthy father, Malcolm, after a three-year estrangement, Ian attempts to discover who murdered Malcolm's money-grubbing fifth wife and who wants Malcolm dead as well. Suspects include the man's three surviving ex-wives, variously vicious or vindictive, and eight children, arrayed in darkening shades of nasty. Hidden gold, house bombs, expensive racehorses, and foreign venues spice up the familial infighting. A best bet. Literary Guild dual main selection; Mystery Guild featured alternate. REK
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.--
One of my favorite British mystery authors.
Gold dealer Malcolm Pembroke has 5 ex-wives and 9 children and they all want his money. When violent death strikes one of them he asks his most capable son Ian, the family jockey, to protect him. Excellent reading, fast-paced and a delight.
This book is an excellent one by Francis. It's about a horse trainer with a very rich dad, who's in trouble. They travel all over, and there is never a dull moment in the book. It keeps you engrossed.
About horseracing, jockeys, a man with many spouses,and a critical cle in the darkly buried Pembroke past, simmering with the greed, hate, and vengefulness that could motivate blood to strike against blood. Informative about racecourses, and a great murder mystery
All about how greed, hate, envy and lots of 'daddy's money' affect a large extended family .. not to mention murder....
