Valentine, a blind, confused old man on his deathbed, seeking his peace with God, makes his last confession to a visiting friend, Thomas Lyon, mistaking him for a priest. This puts Thomas in a moral dilemma. Wild horses wouldn't drag from a priest the secrets of the confessional. Engaged in directing a film set in the world of racing, Thomas finds that the solution to this quandary could mean the difference between life and death.
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"My favorite Francis so far. Added to the usual mix of British locations and equine folks, this one also involves a film shoot. A film about horse racing folks in England with a murder mystery thrown in. Most excellent! "
— Michael (4 out of 5 stars)
“Another winner.”
— San Diego Union-Tribune“A tip-top thriller.”
— Publishers Weekly“Simon Jones clearly differentiates the various characters in a well-paced reading.”
— Audiofile“Another winner from this popular writer.”
— Booklist" This Francis novel makes for great listening and will whet your appetite for more of his novels. "
— Margeemax, 1/28/2023" Engaging story about young director Thomas Lyon, directing a film about an unsolved murder in his old home turf of Newmarket. The film as it evolves from the director's pov provides a fascinating glimpse of his creative process. Another true blue Francis male protagonist. Gets a bit icky at the end, but the interest throughout makes it a good read. "
— Jo, 2/11/2014" This was a slightly different style than the usual Dick Francis book but was about movie making. It was an interesting read because of this and so I liked it. "
— Laura, 2/9/2014" This is the first Dick Francis book I have read. I found it to be an enjoyable mystery/thriller with a backdrop of horses and movie making that had me coming back for more. "
— Simon, 2/2/2014" 3.5 stars. A little more sentimental than most. Still quite good. AND the hero falls for an 18 year old when he's 30. Give me a break. "
— Sandra, 1/19/2014" My favorite Francis so far. Added to the usual mix of British locations and equine folks, this one also involves a film shoot. A film about horse racing folks in England with a murder mystery thrown in. Most excellent! "
— Michael, 1/4/2014" I happen to like these books even though I"m not into horses - like the who-dunit, and the quick read. "
— Nancy, 1/4/2014" A movie producer hears a friend's deathbed confession about an unsolved crime that occurred over 30 years ago. He feels compelled to solve the crime. "
— Fredrick, 12/27/2013" Towards the end of the book his hero explains why he's in the entertainment business--a justification for "wasting" his talent/time. He says something like "helping people to find their courage". "
— Jenny, 12/24/2013" not upto the usual Dick francis level, - too far fetched and meandering :( "
— Ankur, 12/14/2013" I have decided that I really rate Dick Francis. "
— Greg, 12/11/2013" This is a re-read borrowed from my niece as my copy is packed away somewhere. I enjoyed it the first time and it still seemed as good as then "
— Teotakuu, 11/20/2013" Really liked "To the Hilt" by Dick Francis so I figured this one would be good too. So far, it is. "
— Charlynn, 8/13/2013" This is the first book of Dick Francis that I've read. I enjoyed the story around the raising and racing of horses. I will read more of his books. "
— Jeanne, 8/8/2013" Now I understand why so many people like this author. I read this in a day and will definitely read of Dick Francis's novels. Am anxious to see if he has new characters, or some of the same, in each book. "
— Marge, 7/4/2013" In the novel, Thomas Lyon directs an oscar-winning film ending with wild horses racing across the beach; all the while solving a 26-year-old mystery! Authored by the prolific Dick Francis. "
— Carol, 5/13/2013" T. Lyons, filmmaker, works to solve a mystery posed by an old friend and protect his film from sabotage. Good story, weird ending, but, as always in a Dick Francis novel, a hero to fall in love with. "
— Sarah, 4/11/2013" Not my favorite Dick Francis book but still Dick Francis. The ending was pretty perverse. "
— Carol, 2/6/2013" Love the way this author writes "
— Liana, 11/27/2012" I love Dick Francis! This was my first, and now I'm on a roll! "
— Samaganda, 6/28/2012" very nice, simple, quickie after being immersed by great book for weeks "
— Rita, 6/13/2012" very nice, simple, quickie after being immersed by great book for weeks "
— Rita, 5/13/2011" The ending went a little too CSI-ish for my taste. But overall I liked it. "
— Aubrey, 5/5/2011" A friend lent me this when she heard that I'd never read any Dick Francis. It was a good mystery set against an interesting background of horseracing and film-making. Easy and enjoyable reading, and well-written. "
— Mrsgaskell, 3/10/2011" Exactly what I want from a Dick Francis novel. "
— Bronwyn, 2/4/2011" A good mystery, focussing on motives and personalities. A horsewoman recommended this author, but in this book, the horses are mainly background. "
— Amy, 1/22/2011" Sometimes, you just have to read a good mystery. And Dick Francis always delivers. Mmmm good. Like a basket of french fries at your favorite pub; not very nutritious, not going to remember it later, but certainly satisfying. "
— Joell, 11/27/2010" Now I understand why so many people like this author. I read this in a day and will definitely read of Dick Francis's novels. Am anxious to see if he has new characters, or some of the same, in each book. "
— Marge, 11/9/2010" I have decided that I really rate Dick Francis. "
— Greg, 10/17/2010" Forgot how much I enjoyed Dick Francis. Good to re-read an old favorite. "
— Leigh, 8/3/2010" This book was decent. I can usually guess what the outcome will be half way through the book. This book kept me guessing til the end. However it wasn't one those book that keeps you so enthralled that you want to read it all in one night. "
— Erin, 7/20/2010" Great mystery - lots of fun. At the end it got a little kinky but nothing that really phased me (just being honest : ). "
— Erika, 6/12/2010Dick 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).