Sunday, January 15, 2012

Review: High Stakes

 

High Stakes is a particularly good Dick Francis book, which says a lot, since they are all first-rate. It follows the tried and true Francis formula of a hero who is successful in a particular profession, has a connection with horse racing, and gets drawn in to solve a crime.

In this case, Steven Scott is the inventor of a popular line of mechanical children's toys who used his wealth to buy racehorses. But Scott's lack of hands-on involvement makes him a sitting duck for a shady trainer working a con on gullible owners.

High Stakes is more of a caper than Francis's usual, more straightforward who-done-it. Scott figures out the con early on and puts together his own, elaborate sting to catch the bad guys. This involves recruiting a mishmash team of amateurs, all with particular skills or connections, a horse-buying trip to Florida, and a love affair with a firecracker American gal.

It's no spoiler to say that the good guys prevail and the bad guys get their comeuppance. But, like always, it’s a great ride.


OTHER REVIEWS

If you would like your review of this or any other Dick Francis book listed here, please leave a comment with a link and I will add it.

NOTES

This is my first book for the European Reading Challenge and counts as my UK choice.  What country will I visit next? Probably Italy, when I participate in the Venice in February Challenge.





4 comments :

  1. I really like Dick Francis too. I think my favorite of all of them has to be Hot Money. I love the complicated family dynamics in that one. Good luck on your European Reading Challenge. I joined only two challenges this year. Both of them have the goal of reducing the TBR mountain - which is my biggest goal for the year. Happy reading!

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  2. Kathy: Hot Money is on my iPod -- it looks very good. I go after these Francis books like an addict. I try to space them out more than I do, but I get a real craving every couple of months.

    Good luck with your TBR goals!

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  3. It's good but not his best. His mysteries seemed to have gotten substantially longer the longer he wrote, but they were all enjoyable. Shame he's passed.

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  4. I've never tried Francis's work, but it sounds like I need to try it.

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