English agent Gene Hawkins is restlessly facing three weeks of vacation with only his tormented past for company. So when his boss asks him to help millionaire Dave Teller locate a prized missing stallion, he accepts. But he gets more action than he bargained for when he draws the affection of his boss’ beautiful teenage daughter, advances from Teller’s socialite wife, and the deadly attention of the horse thieves, who would be happy to put Hawkins out to pasture…permanently.
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"I always enjoy reading a good Dick Francis novel. They are pretty clean, the language isn't too bad, and not a lot of sex.... Sometimes I even reread the books, because it's like being with a friend you haven't seen in several years. I really enjoy the characters he uses, Syd in this book. Guess I've always had a little crush on him, and I also enjoy the series he writes about too. I'm not a gambler, but I really enjoy watching them live, as well as on screen. There is a certain excitement that I don't find in many other places."
— Carol (4 out of 5 stars)
“A rare and magical talent…who never writes the same story twice.”
— San Diego Union-Tribune“In the world of mystery writing, Dick Francis stands head and shoulders above the rest.”
— Ottawa Citizen“Galloping entertainment.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Fascinating book - obviously written by someone who knows the sport from the inside. Narration is excellent. "
— Anne, 2/4/2014" Wandering about the library, rediscovering favorite authors I had read in the past, I picked this one up for recreational reading. Loved it, as I do all of his. "
— Barbara, 1/30/2014" Not a bad book for entertainment, but its plot requires too much suspension of disbelief, even for a pulp novel. "
— Riley, 1/26/2014" Klopjacht "
— Ingrid, 1/26/2014" Gene Hawkins is hired to find a priceless race horse that has disappeared. He travels to America (California) and faces the thieves who would thwart his effort. "
— Tom, 1/23/2014" A Jackson, Wyoming dude ranch is the setting for this one. I liked it enormously! I've spent a bit of time in Jackson and in the other parts of the American desert West Francis uses for the setting of this book, and I think that was a draw. It is a particularly good sample of Francis's writing. Gene Hawkins is the hero. "
— Maribeth, 1/10/2014" This book contains scenes on the Thames River west of London and in Kentucky. That's all I can remember of it, so will have to read it again some day. "
— Lorraine, 1/7/2014" Always a pleasure to read a Francis book, even if for the second or third time. "
— Yvonne, 12/30/2013" If you like crime, mystery and suspense, plus love horses, read Dick Francis. "
— Ko, 12/25/2013" Dick Francis never fails to provide a good story. This search for a missing throughbred takes you from London to California to Las Vegas. "
— Marge, 12/13/2013" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love a damaged hero, and it's nice that Dick Francis makes his characters attractive. The plot was interesting, and I liked that the setting changed to the United States, places I've been too (not that I don't like British settings). "
— Hpstrangelove, 11/9/2013Dick 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).
Geoffrey Howard (a.k.a. Ralph Cosham) was a stage actor and an award-winning narrator. He recorded more than 100 audiobooks in his lifetime and won the prestigious Audio Award for Best Narration and several AudioFile Earphones Awards.