Even Money Audiobook

" More about the betting side of horses than the actual running of them. First Dick Francis mystery I've read that didn't have a jockey as the main character. "

" Terrible. Lots of explanation about English paramutuals that are mind-boggling and have to bearing on the story. Never connected with the protagonist "

" This story is told from the perspective of a legal bookie in England with a mentally ill wife. The use of high tech equipment (RFID, Internet, mobile phones) added nicely to the story and the inside veiw of the betting world was most interesting. I throughly enjoyed this book. "

" I liked this one. Lots of twists. I might want to read others in this series. Certainly it would be best to read all of his books in order, even though this did read well on its own. Learned a lot about horse racing. "

" This book explains the bookie business at the race tracks in England, and how the odds are manipulated and side bets are made so that bookies don't suffer great losses. It was not one of the better of the Dick and Felix Francis books, but I enjoyed it all the same. The central character, Ned Talbot, meets a man at Royal Ascot races who claims to be his father. Ned thought his father had been dead since he was a toddler, so had a hard time believing this, but just as he was being convinced, the man is murdered in the racetrack car park. Ned investigates his father's business, discovers his dad was a crooked bookie and involved in a scheme to change the identity of race horses with sensing chips injected under the horses' skin. He's also dealing with his wife, Sophie, who is mentally ill. "

" This is the first book by Dick Francis that I have read. It's a good thriller. Unlike other men's adventures/thrillers it's realistic. I didn't understanding everything about the betting but there isn't too much of it to worry about. "

" Why did I stop reading Dick Francis? Maybe it's about time that I go back and start over from the beginning. The perfect read for when you're waiting for the novocaine to wear off and are doped up on pain killers... or a good beach read too! "

" Good typical Dick Francis - intriguing read "

" Typical Francis. Had a few unexpected twists in the plot. A great easy read for the summer. "

" A fascinating read about an English Bookie whose life history is very complicated. Some insight into the business of the independent on-site bookie while he tries to discover why his father, who he has never known, shows up and is almost immediately murdered. His wife is bi-polar. "

" enjoyed until the last section and then it went downhill. "

" Has the tough guy attitude of Dick Francis' earlier books. Very readable, but not one of my favorites...I think it will make many other fans happy, though. "

" The main character didn't have enough personality to make the book interesting, and had too many troubled relatives. How much illness and violent death can one family have before the book becomes totally unbelievable? Also, too little mystery, too much violence and a too many racecourses. "

" Dick Franicis' son Felix helped write this book. It's great and of course about horses. This time about bookmakers in England and the "fixing" of the odds. Good story, just a little language and the knid of good ending I like. "

" Very interesting. Felix Francis is keeping the Francis books coming. "

" This is the first book written by Dick and his son that I have been disappointed in. The story was kind of unbelievable as were the characters. I have always loved his books. I have one more to read--we'll see how that one measures up. "

" Learn about bookmaking...the horsey kind... "

" Not nearly as good as his other books. Disappointing. "

" I always love Dick Francis books, even though they are formulaic. This one was centered on the horse track gambling, told from the perspective of a bookie. Interesting side plot involving a manic depressive wife. A couple plot holes. "

" Another quality Francis read. How does this man do it? Loved it. "

" is still as good as the old original dick francis with his wife helping "

" I loved this story. I did not really understand the betting and odds but that did not matter because I did love the characters. I also loved the story and the premise...tons of suspense though...I had to put it down because I was getting to nervous a couple of times! But I am a big chicken! "

" Dick Francis has written so successfully for so many years that his books really have become formulaic. This one followed the formula and is OK, but just lacks the energy of his older works. I'll always want to read his books but they've really become mind candy rather than keeper books. "

" Too little story and too much detail of the betting system in England. "

" This book follows the typical Francis formula.This is the first time I remember a bookmaker being the protagonist. Strengths:several interesting characters, good pacing, interesting premise. Weakness: too many villans muddles the resolution. "

" Not great, but better than the first two father/son collaborations. The narrator isn't nearly as interesting or as developed as those in Francis' solo efforts, but a better than the other two, as is the plot. "

" More about the betting side of horses than the actual running of them. First Dick Francis mystery I've read that didn't have a jockey as the main character. "

" This is the first book by Dick Francis that I have read. It's a good thriller. Unlike other men's adventures/thrillers it's realistic. I didn't understanding everything about the betting but there isn't too much of it to worry about. "

" Good Old Dick Francis! His second last book..... "

" The Dick Francis novels are always good. No matter when they are written, they aren't "dated". "

" The last collaboration, I think, before Dick Francis died. It has good reviews so I'm hopeful this one will jog along as well as the last one (Silks which I thought would make an excellent film or TV miniseries). <br/> <br/>And having finished it - it was great. Loved it. Very pacy. <br/> "

" I enjoy reading Dick Francis books and this one did not disappoint. It was his usual easy reading, but I loved the mystery of who killed the dad and the twists and turns that ended up going with it. "

" Despite my dyscalculia I enjoyed the numeric aspects of the story because I could look at the handy sizing chart provided to find the relative direction of change between any two betting odds, which was the relevant point rather than any real value. "

" I agree that this one still doesn't quite have the old Dick Francis magic but it's tons better than Silks. Ned Talbot is more like Francis' usual hero. "

" Pretty entertaining, and I liked the 'twist' at the end. Everything nicely wrapped up and all loose ends tied. A nice, easy read. "

" It was fun and good-paced book. Interesting twists and a very believable character. Also enjoyable even if you don't know much about horse racing. "

" Good typical Dick Francis - intriguing read "

" I like Dick Francis--quick reads, interesting facts about horse racing and usually, a good mystery. "