Internationally popular Dick Francis packs his equestrian mysteries with as much breath-taking suspense and danger as any neck-and-neck thoroughbred race. In this New York Times best-seller, he combines the hazard of investing in horses with the calculated risk of high finance to create a plot that twists and turns around every corner. It seems a sure thing when young investment banker Tim Ekaterin underwrites a multi-million-dollar loan for a stud farm. The owner plans to purchase the championship racehorse, Sandcastle. But when disaster stalks the famous stallion and his offspring, Tim is plunged headlong into deception and murder. Winner of three Edgar Awards and named a Grand Master, Dick Francis creates extraordinary characters from people who could be your next door neighbors. Narrator Simon Prebble's authentic accents and expert pacing will hold you spellbound as this exciting thriller races from the absorbing first chapter to the startling finish.
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"Excellent book as all of Dick Francis books are. Keeps you reading to see what happens next. The hero this time is a merchant banker who is in love with his boss' wife, but saves his life when maddness threatens. I hated to finish it as something isalways happening."
— Patricia (4 out of 5 stars)
" I really enjoyed this audio book. I have always liked this author and this is a great example of why. This is 1 of my favorites. "
— TK, 5/30/2022" Dick Francis. What more do you need to say? "
— Murray, 2/16/2014" With Dick Francis one always gets a good mystery and a behind the scenes lesson about one thing or another. In this one it is the banking industry and horse breeding pharmacology. "
— Doc, 2/5/2014" I read this when I was obsessed with Dick Francis's books. Great read. "
— Mark, 2/4/2014" Recommended by my mom. It took me a while to get into it,but I once I gave it a chance, I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. "
— Janssen, 1/26/2014" Ok, very clever. Just heard Frederick Forsyth on the radio , not to myself must read the jackal. "
— Greg, 1/18/2014" Tim Ekaterin arranges the sale of the champion racehorse Sandcastle for millions of pounds. Learning of an apparent defect, he is plunged into a world of violence and murder. "
— Fredrick, 1/1/2014" Mystery whidh deals with horse racing. "
— Jim, 1/1/2014" I love the ability of Dick Francis to write so smoothly it's almost impossible to detect what he's doing. He might start his story a bit slowly, but you know he's going to ramp you up for a good ride. I intend to read many more of his works. "
— Jeff, 11/7/2013" My dislike comes down to a personal bent, I like the fact that Francis' characters are all honorable and the adultery in this book just jars - not on a religious level but given freedom of divorce I can't like him for the deceit. "
— Annabel, 10/29/2013" For the full review -- including another trip down Memory Lane with Alaina -- follow the link to That's What She Read. "
— Alaina, 10/18/2013" This was my first foray into the Dick Francis novels, which were highly recommended by my aunts. It didn't disappoint, plus I learned much about horse racing and horse breeding. "
— Natasha, 9/14/2013" Another one of my favorite Dick Francis mysteries. This one deals with family intrigues, of which I am fairly familiar. Good twists, clever little details, and interesting to read. "
— Lynne, 8/9/2013" One of the best Francis novels. It's a bit atypical in some respects, but the story is wonderful and gut wrenching. "
— Julie, 6/27/2013" Well, the usual Dick Francis racy read...not as good as some I have read, but the plotting is devious and the writing fresh so I liked it. Good enough book to spend a lazy evening with, if you like to do that sort of thing... "
— GS, 3/22/2013" His heroes are always viral young men full of integrity who get themselves involved in murder. Since the books are all about some facet of horse racing, I find them interesting. Characters are all well developed. Not a high level of suspense, but the endings seem to come as a aurprise to me. "
— Liz, 2/22/2013" Almost did not finish this. I really disliked the first 75 pages but it got better as it went along "
— Nancy, 2/17/2013" one of the weakest dick francis that i hv ever read :( "
— Ankur, 9/2/2012" Not as fast paced as other Francis novels, but gripping just the same. How does he do that? "
— Kate, 5/28/2012" It just seemed like the right time to read an adventure featuring a good-guy investment banker. Especially one that was written in the early 80s. "
— Leta, 2/17/2012" In high school, I loved Dick Francis, but this one didn't hold up. "
— Sara, 1/25/2012" I don't care how flat he can sometimes be, I really like Dick Francis. "
— Rebecca, 12/30/2011" One of my top three Francis books. "
— David, 9/15/2011" I love the ability of Dick Francis to write so smoothly it's almost impossible to detect what he's doing. He might start his story a bit slowly, but you know he's going to ramp you up for a good ride. I intend to read many more of his works. "
— Jeff, 8/31/2011" I read this when I was obsessed with Dick Francis's books. Great read. "
— Mark, 8/2/2011" Ah, Dick Francis is as good as I remembered. And if you stay up 'til 3AM you can finish things! "
— Sandra, 7/30/2011" This was one of the first Dick Francis books I read when I started in on him around 1984, and it's an excellent example of his brilliant readability, engrossing plots, and commitment to research. "
— Stven, 2/7/2011" I don't care how flat he can sometimes be, I really like Dick Francis. "
— Rebecca, 12/9/2010" Ok, very clever. Just heard Frederick Forsyth on the radio , not to myself must read the jackal. "
— Greg, 10/17/2010" One of the best Francis novels. It's a bit atypical in some respects, but the story is wonderful and gut wrenching. "
— Julie, 6/29/2010" I love everything Dick Francis writes. "
— Lora, 9/24/2009" 1 Jan 1998, 12 Mar 1998 "
— Kaethe, 9/16/2009" My very first Dick Francis book...and one that I return to from time to time. <br/> <br/>Well written mystery with a financial plot twist along with the horse racing theme. <br/> "
— Robert, 9/14/2009" Recommended by my mom. It took me a while to get into it,but I once I gave it a chance, I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. "
— Janssen, 7/14/2009Dick Francis, (1920–2010) a former champion steeplechase jockey, was the author of many bestselling mysteries set in the world of horse racing. The only three-time recipient of the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for best novel, his awards include the Gold Dagger, the Cartier Diamond Dagger, the MWA’s Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement, an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tufts University of Boston, and in 2000 he received a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.