Helpful Score: 1
Dick Francis always creates interesting, knowledgeable narrators. This mystery acts as a thriller all the while teaching you about wine, distilleries, and alcohol. A very satisfying book!
Unusual book for Francis...horses aren't as big a part of the storyline as usual...it mainly circulates in the world of...Wine. A guy with a sensitive palate for fine Wine tries to track down a murderer in a very unusual way...I actually found the background about the different taste signatures and methods of production and what not very interesting. Good one, but definitely not the usual Francis.
wild hijinks that always involve horses somehow, but in this instance has a main character who's a wine merchant. Extremely enjoyable, I have read it several times and liked it.
Dick Francis reminds me of a master craftsman of say fine furniture. His quality and style are such that, though all his pieces are different, they nevertheless bear the mark of his unique style and craftsmanship. Once in a while you'll come across a piece that's so unique that at first you're not absolutely sure it's one of his but a very short inspection convinces you that, yes, as odd as this piece may be, it's his.
That's a long way of alluding to the fact that Francis' books tend to be highly formulaic. For the most part you know what you are getting before you even open the cover. The formula consists of a highly independent, iconoclastic, extremely self-reliant protagonist who, for reasons he doesn't fathom, has become the center of a storm that, before everything has played out, will involve him in intrigue, murder and at least one act of horrific violence aimed at him personally. There will be some sort of at least marginal if not central theme of horse racing and a specific theme to the book-precious gems, photography or, in the case of Proof, the wine business.
Proof is a bit of a departure form the formula. The horrific violence is right up front in the form of a ghastly automobile accident. Tony Beach, the protagonist of this accident is present to experience it though he emerges unscathed. The accident does, however, bring him into contact with a private investigator. Their shared experience leads them to get ot know one another and the investigator, realizing Tony has some skills he needs, drags him into one of his cases. Thus Tony is an involved party to, but not the focus of the intrigue of this novel.
That's a long way of alluding to the fact that Francis' books tend to be highly formulaic. For the most part you know what you are getting before you even open the cover. The formula consists of a highly independent, iconoclastic, extremely self-reliant protagonist who, for reasons he doesn't fathom, has become the center of a storm that, before everything has played out, will involve him in intrigue, murder and at least one act of horrific violence aimed at him personally. There will be some sort of at least marginal if not central theme of horse racing and a specific theme to the book-precious gems, photography or, in the case of Proof, the wine business.
Proof is a bit of a departure form the formula. The horrific violence is right up front in the form of a ghastly automobile accident. Tony Beach, the protagonist of this accident is present to experience it though he emerges unscathed. The accident does, however, bring him into contact with a private investigator. Their shared experience leads them to get ot know one another and the investigator, realizing Tony has some skills he needs, drags him into one of his cases. Thus Tony is an involved party to, but not the focus of the intrigue of this novel.
Another great Dick Francis book involving a wine merchant who solves a murder.
There are times when I want to read a stand-alone mystery. There's no mental commitment to reading a whole series of books and no trying to remember what came before. For that sort of book, Dick Francis comes to mind. Usually there's at least a tangential link to horses and I feel like I will learn something new.
This time the industry is the wine/spirit industry. Wine merchant Tony Beach is the focus and "proof" has more to do than with spirits. Is there a decent life after the sudden death of a dearly loved spouse? Will Tony find courage? Can the hero prove who the villain is? Early in the book we find out there is indeed a bad guy, but who is he? How does everything tie together? The reader and the hero take this path together.
This is an excellent traditional mystery.
This time the industry is the wine/spirit industry. Wine merchant Tony Beach is the focus and "proof" has more to do than with spirits. Is there a decent life after the sudden death of a dearly loved spouse? Will Tony find courage? Can the hero prove who the villain is? Early in the book we find out there is indeed a bad guy, but who is he? How does everything tie together? The reader and the hero take this path together.
This is an excellent traditional mystery.
Another enjoyable tale from Dick Francis. He always has a great story line filled with twists & turns. Enjoyable light reading
"Fake Scotch and Foul Murder Test The Strength of One Man's Spirit..."
A bit high faluting as far as the characters
At an annual party to celebrate the success of the racing season everything seemed to be running well to form. Until a runaway horsebox ploughed into the marquee. Witness to the terrible death and destruction, wine merchant Tony Beach knows it is just one of those tragic accidents. But when his expert advice is called on by the police over sub-standard alcohol in a local night club, connections start to click. In helping Gerard McGregor, a corporate investigator, Tony finds himself up against a cruel and chilling adversary.
Dick Francis was a jockey in Gereat Britain and Wales around World War 2. He is talking from experience. Beautiful copy!
Dick Francis' books are always an engrossing read. This time we have a hero who doubts himself because he does not not share in the family's brand of excellence. As does every Francis hero, he resolves this self-doubt before the end of the book, and it also reshapes for him the aching loss of his much-loved wife.
What's different and unusual about "Proof" is the chase scene at book's end. I happen to be immune to Stephen King's brand of horror. Francis doesn't practice that kind of nebulous terror. Instead, he gives us hero and sidekick taking the investigation of a murderous perpetrator into his lair. Our hero is, quite rightly, very frightened of the man, who is known to have executed a former ally in a peculiarly grisly and cruel fashion.
I first read this book upon its publication many long years ago. The details had escaped me, but I found myself unwilling to re-read that chase scene. When I finally did, waiting for broad daylight to read it in, I was astonished at the power and precision of Dick Francis' writing. I still had to change my underwear afterward.
The book's denouement is an equally powerful catharsis, accomplished with an economy of words that deprives it of none of its muscle. Highly recommended.
Dick Francis' books are always an engrossing read. This time we have a hero who doubts himself because he does not not share in the family's brand of excellence. As does every Francis hero, he resolves this self-doubt before the end of the book, and it also reshapes for him the aching loss of his much-loved wife.
What's different and unusual about "Proof" is the chase scene at book's end. I happen to be immune to Stephen King's brand of horror. Francis doesn't practice that kind of nebulous terror. Instead, he gives us hero and sidekick taking the investigation of a murderous perpetrator into his lair. Our hero is, quite rightly, very frightened of the man, who is known to have executed a former ally in a peculiarly grisly and cruel fashion.
I first read this book upon its publication many long years ago. The details had escaped me, but I found myself unwilling to re-read that chase scene. When I finally did, waiting for broad daylight to read it in, I was astonished at the power and precision of Dick Francis' writing. I still had to change my underwear afterward.
The book's denouement is an equally powerful catharsis, accomplished with an economy of words that deprives it of none of its muscle. Highly recommended.
It's classic Dick Francis. A quiet but smart Everyman type of protagonist who finds amazing inner fortitude to win the day. Beach has a lot more self-doubt than most of Francis' heroes, but he does what needs to be done. As in most of the later novels this one is only tangentially related to horse racing. The wine and whiskey business was presented interestingly - I've done tours of distilleries but they don't talk about how it's trucked about. The usual understated dialogue is there, with some dry humor. A good mystery without any plot twists, but good pacing and interesting characters. And no horses die.
Hey, this audio book is awesome! One of the best of Dick Franis' that I had listened to. Tony Britton does an EXCELLENT job of reading with the correct expression, clearing of the throat, nervousness, and women's voices. I really noticed and appreciated it. Besides that, this is a riveting novel, one of Francis' best and one of my favorites. I had read it already a couple of times, and wanted to listen to it while traveling. This tape is unabridged, which is great.
An Arab shiek killed by a runaway horse trailer, a sad widower who owns a wine shop, a gorgon who runs a restaurant, a steely-eyed police inspector, an even steelier-minded ultra-private investigator, a horse trainer's wife, and an investigation into forged wine labels, and stolen truckloads of the best Scotch, all meld into an entertaining and suspenseful read as only Francis can do it!
Brilliant, wonderful, keeps you on the edge of your seat, SO worth reading!
Larry King said that Dick Francis is absolutely brilliant
Great read but then I've enjoyed ALL of Dick Francis' books.
Book Description
Young wine merchant Tony Beach's exposure of a liquor scam sparks a brutal murder and forces the corruption in the liquor industry to spread into the realm of thoroughbred horse racing.
My Review:
This was my first Dick Francis book. I enjoyed learning about the different methods of making scotch. His characters were very interesting. I liked Tony and Gerard with their investigative skills and the crazy lady who shot her rifle up the chimney in order to clear the bird's nest was very humorous. I thought Francis' writing style was easy to read. My only complaint is that Dick Francis left a few things hanging in regards to the incident in the beginning of the book. Who really let the horse trailer go into the tent and why? I look forward to reading another of his books and I would recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries about horse racing and making and distributing alcohol.
Young wine merchant Tony Beach's exposure of a liquor scam sparks a brutal murder and forces the corruption in the liquor industry to spread into the realm of thoroughbred horse racing.
My Review:
This was my first Dick Francis book. I enjoyed learning about the different methods of making scotch. His characters were very interesting. I liked Tony and Gerard with their investigative skills and the crazy lady who shot her rifle up the chimney in order to clear the bird's nest was very humorous. I thought Francis' writing style was easy to read. My only complaint is that Dick Francis left a few things hanging in regards to the incident in the beginning of the book. Who really let the horse trailer go into the tent and why? I look forward to reading another of his books and I would recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries about horse racing and making and distributing alcohol.
