Review by Booklist Review
The beloved king of the horse-racing mystery reintroduces ex-jockey-turned-sleuth Sid Halley in a story that is guaranteed to have readers lined up at the circ desk. Smart, tough, cool, and controlled, Halley lost his left hand in an accident years earlier, but that doesn't stop him from investigating equine enigmas. When someone starts mutilating priceless racehorses by hacking off their feet, Halley can't wait to find the bloody bugger who's responsible. Outraged by the senseless attacks, Sid interviews owners, noses after leads, and slogs through muddy pastures looking for clues. He soon concludes, to his horror, that the attacker is one of his oldest pals, friendly rival and fellow ex-jockey Ellis Quint. But when Sid makes his well-founded accusations public, he quickly becomes a pariah, as the racing community refuses to think the worst of the well-respected Quint. Francis' latest is one of his very best, offering a cleverly contrived plot, unforgettable characters, and steadily mounting suspense. But there's more emotional involvement and impact than usual, and the story seems more engaging and real than Francis' typically well structured but formulaic adventures. Halley is solid, engaging, and true blue--a perfect hero for a story that is fast out of the starting gate, smooth in the stretch, and a sure bet for the winner's circle. (Reviewed August 1995)0399140824Emily Melton
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Francis fans will welcome the return of narrator Sid Halley (Odds Against; Whip Hand) as the one-handed PI and ex-jockey takes on a case of multiple mutilations of thoroughbreds; unnervingly, the amputation of the animals' front left hooves mirrors Sid's own injury. The investigator soon realizes that the man behind the crimes is his old friend Ellis Quint, ex-gentleman jockey and now a beloved TV host. Sick at heart, Sid builds a strong case; but, when Quint is charged, British law bars any public discussion of the case, rendering Sid mute at the huge public backlash against him. Particularly vicious and unrelenting is The Pump, a garish tabloid. When another mutilation occurs and Ellis has a seemingly unbreakable alibi, Sid finds some odd connections between a business tycoon, The Pump's noble owner and Ellis. Finally, the honorable, brave and thoroughly decent Sid faces his worst nightmarethe loss of his good handwhile doing what he must. A subplot about a little girl with leukemia offers some touching sentiment, and there are flashes of dry wit throughout as Francis, who turns 75 later this year, proves himself still at the top of his game. BOMC featured alternate; Reader's Digest Condensed Book; simultaneous Simon & Schuster audio; author tour. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
No word yet on the plot of this latest thriller from the author of such best sellers as Decider (Putnam, 1993), but it's a good bet that the cast features plenty of horses and jockeys. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
YAThe champion jockey turned detective, Sid Halley, returns in this mystery to find the perpetrator of heinous crimes committed against prize-winning horses that are not insured. The horse community rejects his findings and does everything in its power to stop the investigation. Physical force, slanderous newspaper stories, and bugged phones are some of the tactics used to discredit and demoralize Halley. Fortunately, the nature of the crime is so unnerving that some powerful people enter the scene demanding that he finish his work. Francis has once again created a plausible mystery that can't be solved before finishing the book. The reading is easy and descriptive. The story, set in the present, includes characters and situations that will appeal to teen readers...especially horse lovers. Another Blue Ribbon selection from this notable author.Linda A. Vretos, West Springfield High School, Springfield, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Big news for Francis fans: He's broken his rule against recycling heroes and brought back one-handed p.i. Sid Halley (Odds, Against, 1966; Whip Hand, 1980) to investigate a series of mutilations of two-year-old ponies. Sid naturally feels close to the equine victims, who've had their off-forefeet amputated; but he feels even more unnervingly close to the suspect he soon uncovers--his old friend and former racing competitor Ellis Quint, now turned immensely popular TV entertainer. Despite the mountain of evidence that leads to Ellis's arrest, Sid, gagged by England's sub judice role from discussing the case until the trial begins, falls victim himself to a campaign of smears and revenge so vicious--the weekly paper he's been working with suddenly turns on him in savage columns defending Ellis, and Ellis's father attacks him with an iron bar--that there must be somebody big and well-organized behind the vendetta against him. A world away from the racetracks he used to call home--the closest we get to a race is Sid's laconic comment, ""I watched the Derby with inattention. An outsider won""--Sid pokes around after that somebody, risking not only innuendo and hatred, but the loss of his remaining hand. Francis's 34th novel is grand entertainment with a bittersweet edge his fans haven't seen since his sorely missed hero's last appearance. Welcome back, Sid. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
