Product Description

Ex-jockey, Derek Franklin, inherits his brother's jewellery business, mistress and some shadowy business associates. When expensive diamonds go missing, his only hope of survival is to identify his brother's enemies. From the author of "The Edge" and "Odds Against".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1858373 in Books
• Published on: 1989-12
• Format: Abridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio Cassette

From Publishers Weekly
By now, regular readers of Francis's novels know exactly what to expect: a carefully plotted mystery woven through the world of horseracing, with a few twists and a hero who can be depended upon to do the right thing. On those counts, his 28th novel neither surprises nor disappoints. When Derek Franklin, a steeplechase jockey nursing a shattered ankle from a bad spill, learns of the death of his older, long-estranged brother Greville, he's stunned to find himself named as both executor of the will and sole heir. But in rapid succession, Derek is mugged, his brother's gemology firm is robbed, and Derek himself is assaulted in another robbery attempt; understandably, he comes to suspect that Greville's death may not have been an accident. The complications that follow involve diamond trading, a horse named Dozen Roses and secret computer passwords that are discovered with such consistent good luck that credibility suffers. So does Derek--by story's end, he has rebroken his ankle and been involved in two shootings and a car wreck. Thanks to a clever finale, however, he emerges as intact as the author's reputation. Reader's Digest Condensed Books selection; Mysterious Book Club main selection; BOMC featured dividend selection.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Absolutely one of his best. -- Associated Press

Terrific...From the wonderful opening paragraph to the end, Francis propels you forward at a nearly breathless pace. -- Detroit Free Press

Review
Absolutely one of his best. (Associated Press) Terrific...From the wonderful opening paragraph to the end, Francis propels you forward at a nearly breathless pace. (Detroit Free Press)

Customer Reviews

Touched me
What I especially loved about this book was the portrayal of Derek's discovery of all that he lost once he found out what type of man his brother was. It was a more reflective book, more emotional than many of the other "stiff upper lip" books by Francis. As a psychologist, I was drawn to this aspect Straight. My favorite Dick Francis book yet.

To Walk in My Brother's Shoes . . . .
Straight builds on a very neat piece of psychology. Derek Franklin, injured steeplechase jockey, unexpectedly has to carry on for his much older brother (18 years to be exact) after the brother dies from an accident. I am sure we all have wondered what it would be like to be one of our siblings. The experience for Derek is very literal.

Derek's brother is in the diamond trade, and a fortune in diamonds are missing. That sounds like the source of the mystery, but that is actually launched by getting mugged in the parking lot after leaving his brother's bed in the hospital as the beginning of a nonstop tale of intrigue. In the course of unraveling the mystery and fighting for his life, Derek also learns a lot about his brother . . . and himself. This is a great novel for anyone who likes to think about "what if?".

The only quibble some will have is that this book has relatively little about horse raising in it, compared to the other Dick Francis novels. Be open minded though, for the change is good for you, the reader.

Get Straight to it!

Absolutely wonderful
This is my favorite Dick Francis novel, given to me by a good friend who also loves Francis. It is a book that sticks with me always. Wonderful story, action when you need it (which is a hallmark of Franics novels) but not overshadowing the relationships in this story. The hero is put in a situation where he has to feel his way along and learn his brother's business and life while simultaneously dealing with the loss of his brother and an emptiness in his life. I found it very moving. It is one of the few books that I have read where I have wondered what happens to the characters afterwords--as if they are real people. (Actually, Dick Francis is one of the few authors who has that effect on me. I also have that reaction to the three novels about Sid Halley.)

I strongly recommend this book, even to those who are not primarily mystery readers.