Product Description

At twenty to midnight Neil Griffon's home is broken into and he is roughly abducted by masked men. He has no idea who they are, or what they want. But when Neil wakes up, hours later, he quickly discovers that unless he cooperates his kidnappers will destroy his father's precious horses, racing stable and ultimately Neil himself. Returned to take charge of the stables, Neil can tell no-one about his ordeal. Vicious threats and horrible violence against his horses become a day-to-day reality and he is forced to comply with his blackmailer's wishes. Trapped in a war of attrition, Neil realises he must find a way to stop these criminals before his nerve gives out. After all, a choice between his integrity and his life is no choice at all...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3111331 in Books
• Published on: 1993-08
• Format: Large Print
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 237 pages

Review
A positive genius. -- Time

Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... -- New York Times Book Review

About the Author
Dick Francis has written more than forty international bestsellers and is widely acclaimed as one of the world's finest thriller writers. His awards include the Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the crime genre, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tufts University of Boston. In 1996 Dick Francis was made a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement and in 2000 he received a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Customer Reviews

A PAGE TURNER IF EVER WAS ONE!

After reading UNDER ORDERS recently decided to re-read some of Dick Francis' older material, and this 1971 release seemed a good one with which start.

There are many problems in Newmarket at Rowley Lodge stables, main one being that Neil Griffon's father, the stable's owner, is hospitalized with a broken leg and temporarily cannot run the stables. Neil takes upon himself to pinch hit, and since Neil and his father have never gotten along at all, his father does not like it one bit. But Neil carries on slowly winning everyone but his father over. Added to this is another very mentally disturbed father who through threats of violence forces his son on Neil as apprentice jockey; with some of the threats having already been carried out. The plot runs very smoothly, and though there are a few very close calls with violence, it eventually reaches a very satisfactory end. The conflict between two sets of fathers and sons offers interesting reading, with the two sons eventually understanding more than either father ever did or could. Thought provoking, indeed.

This book is tightly written with very interesting, believable characters who act and speak as they should. The focus is very much on horses in stable with some insight also offered into just how they are trained and entered into races. It is one of the more enjoyable books from Dick Francis I've read viewing racing from not only from the owner's point of view, but the trainer and the jockeys, as well. And now that most of his earlier books have been reissued by Berkley in new printings with very colorful cover paintings, the entire package is not only refreshing but worth the time spent.

Recommended.

Semper Fi.

Father - and - Son
The beginning and ending of the story by Dick Francis is
always heart touching. This is no exception.
This is the story about father and son. Father is dictatorial
and difficult to communicate with Son. This applies both Neil
and Alessandro. Alessandro's father is Enso Rivera who is
crook and Neil's father is the owner of one of the prosperous
racing stables. Neil is abducted and demanded to let
Aless to ride on Archangel which is the most popular horse
for the Derby. After he was released, Aless was sent to his father's
stable which Neil runs temporarily because his father is in hospital.
Aless is arrogant and bullish like his father, but gradually changes himself
owing to Neil's delicate technique. Neil is in danger to break his
color bone. The nearer the Derby is coming, the more dangerous
Enso becomes but Neil's determination is solid.
Toward the end, Aless was put into a dangerous spot and unexpected
ending is the most exciting and heart warming.

Two Unhappy Father-Son Relationship
This is a story of two father-son couples; the hero who is temporary in charge of a training stable and his cold-hearted father, and a spoiled son who wants to be a champion jockey and his fanatic, ruthless father. Their unhappy relationship is lightly and smoothly described in the fast-paced, thrilling story, yet I am strongly impressed by the relationship. Francis is really a good writer. And it is also interesting that a daily life of a training stable is vividly described.