Product Description

A high-class, transcontinental horse-racing junket should be an idyllic getaway for the super-rich.

But one passenger on this train is a sociopath, a genius at blackmail and criminal corruption--and he plans to take everyone for everything they've got.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #482137 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The British author's 27th novel boasts the combination of subject matter and prose style that have made him an international bestseller: thoroughbred horses and heroes, heart palpitations, speed and comedy. Heading the large, colorful cast, narrator Torquil (Tor) Kelsey is an undercover agent for the British Jockey Club. The members have been balked in their efforts to convict wily Julius Apollo Filmer of murder and other crimes that tarnish the sport of kings. With hopes of gaining evidence against Filmer, Tor joins the rich crowd going from England to Canada for "The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train." Pretending he's a waiter, Tor keeps an eye on Filmer as the train rockets across the Northwest. There is no limit to the thrills along the way, and no way of predicting the stunning denouement. 200,000 first printing; $150,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild main selection.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Young Tor Kelsey, competent, race-horse wise, and independently wealthy, works for undercover security at the English Jockey Club. "Loaned" to the Canadian Jockey Club, he spies on charming but slippery British extortionist Julius Apollo Filmera horse flesh aficionadoaboard the first-ever Transcontinental Mystery Race Train. During the week-long trip, put together to promote Canadian racing, Kelsey narrowly avoids detection, single-handedly averts catastrophe, and even falls in love. This most excellent and memorable construction, crisply crafted and sparkling with intensity, evidences a deft, masterful hand. Literary Guild main selection. REK
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Once upon a time there was an ex-jockey named Dick Francis who wrote taut, fresh action-mysteries about racing (Dead Cert, Nerve, Forfeit, Bonecrack, etc.). For the past ten years or so, however, his fame has grown while his work has gotten ragged, strained, unreliable. And this new adventure - a formula train-thriller that's short on races, and virtually devoid of mystery - may well be Francis' weakest book yet. Bland narrator-hero Tor Kelsey is a millionaire but, for fun, works as a security-agent for the British Jockey Club. Most recently, he's been on the trail of sleek villain Julius Filmer, who's guilty of extortion and murder - but always manages to walk away scot-free. Then the Jockey Club learns that Filmer has booked passage on "The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train," a Canadian PR event that combines a posh rail-ride with special races and a silly "murder game" (complete with hired actors) along the way. What dastardly evil does Filmer have in mind? No one is sure. But young Tor goes undercover - just in case - as a waiter/actor. From Toronto to Vancouver, he watches as Filmer cozies up to a matronly (but shady) Thoroughbred-owner, and to the super-wealthy Lorrimore family. Blackmail, it would seem, is in the air - as is sabotage: all the familiar railroad cliffhangers are played out, halfheartedly. Some of the horses on board may also be in danger. And eventually, after some minor derring-do, Tor foils the foul Filmer at last - and uncovers the truth about the Lorrimore dan's truly ludicrous Deep Dark Secret. Lumpily padded, thinly plotted: a thoroughgoing disappointment for Francis fans - and not much fun even for fanciers of the luxury-train-in-jeopardy genre. (Kirkus Reviews)

Customer Reviews

My favorite Dick Francis -- and I've read 'em all
I've read "The Edge" at least a dozen times since it was published and my enjoyment never diminishes. The lead character, Tor Kelsey, is full of charm, wit, and plenty of humility -- his self-effacing ways lead one to wonder how it is he doesn't realize his own attractive nature. The romantic relationship in this book was one of the most realistic ones Mr. Francis has ever written, possibly because the two involved spend enough time together to develop a real rapport (unlike some of his other "romances", where the man and woman meet and suddenly have deep feelings for one another). While "The Edge" is less of a mystery than other books -- we know Julius Apollo Filmer's a bad guy from the start -- the characters are incredibly well-written and the book becomes more about seeing why Filmer does what he does and how he's going to get caught. The Lorrimore family especially was very well-crafted, from the needy and petulant daughter Xanthe to screwed-up teenage son Sheridan to the "money can't buy you everything" father Mercer. On top of everything else, Mr. Francis captures the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and the excitement of traveling by train. I know that before I die I will have to take a train trip across Canada, and that's due to this book.

The Edge - Is it a railroad or horse racing mystery?
While Dick Francis is best known for his easy-going mysteries involving horse racing, this book can be called one of the better railroad mystery novels. It may not be in the same class as Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, but most of the action does take place either on board a train or at a race track.

Like most railroad mystery novels, the setting and details are at least partially contrived. Imagine crossing Canada on a private train known as The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train which transports racegoers, horse owners and their horses while making stops for horse races. Railfans will find a lot of interest here including a private car, schedules, dispatching, switching, flagging, white flags, and even rail sabotage.

Our hero, Tor Kelsey from the English Jockey Club, comes on board the train in disguise to watch a British horse owner suspected of murder and extortion. Tor immediately gets involved with the crew and with train activities. Particularly noteworthy is the mystery within a mystery as actors present an on-board mystery as the train (and story) progresses.

Unusual for Francis, there is also a romantic theme. Our hero meets and becomes interested in a young lady, and this also develops as the train speeds on. This novel is not a nail-biter but moves along at the typical Francis leisurely but entertaining pace. He does a masterful job of interweaving so many different themes (horse racing, railroading, sabotage, romance, and a mystery play) into one great story,

All Aboard
An enjoyable, almost lighthearted tale which makes a very pleasant read. A good assortment of characters, and a minimum of violence. Those who have taken long train journeys will enjoy it even more. As always with Francis, the story, though interesting, is less important than his exceptional skill in telling it. This may not be his best work, but it is still far superior to most other writers of this genre.