Product Description

Young physicist Jonathan Derry is given some musical tapes by a friend. As it turns out, the tapes hold not popular songs but rather an elaborate computerized horse-betting system that can make the holder a rich man — or a dead one. High-speed-thriller master Dick Francis weaves a constantly twisting plot, a wicked villain, and nonstop action into an explosive showdown.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1626763 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-06
• Format: Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 6
• Binding: Audio Cassette

From Library Journal
Physics teacher Jonathan Derry inherits trouble when his friend Peter gives him three innocuous-looking musical tapes that contain the computer language version of the betting system of a professional gambler named Liam O'Rourke. Unfortunately, Angelo and Harry Gilbert also know about O'Rourke's system and nothing will stop them from getting it. As usual, Francis will keep listeners enthralled as the menace and destruction associated with this system change the lives of everyone who touches it; from quick-witted physicist Jonathan to his younger, horse-loving brother William, everyone pays a heavy price. Tony Britton's performance is perfect. A guaranteed winner; highly recommended for all public libraries. Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
As hinted in the title, Francis has altered his formula a bit this time. Instead of one decent, reluctant hero, here there are two: the Derry brothers, who fight the same monster-villain. . .but 14 years apart. First we meet 30-ish narrator Jonathan Derry, a physics teacher who is given some computer-tapes (for safe-keeping) by a pal. And when the pal promptly dies in a boat explosion, a couple of thugs pay Jonathan a visit - who, since he happens to be an Olympic marksman, fends them off with a gun. What's on these precious tapes, then? Well, as Jonathan sleuthfully discovers, the tapes contain a fool-proof horserace-betting system - stolen from an ancient widow (her gambler-husband created the system). So Jonathan tries to keep the tapes from the thugs - but thug Angelo, who has already killed at least once in his tape-pursuit, now takes Jonathan's wife hostage; and our ingenious hero must use both physics and marksmanship to rescue wife Sarah (along with their rocky relationship) and get Angelo sent to prison. The end? Hardly. Suddenly it's 14 years later, Jonathan is teaching in California, but his kid brother William (now 29) is in England, managing the many racehorses of an American tycoon. And when raging bull Angelo is released from prison, monstrously vengeful, he goes after nartutor #2 William - who decides to try to make permanent peace: he bashes Angelo, locks him in a cellar, gets hold of those notorious tapes (which Jonathan long ago gave to a schoolteacher chum), and gives them to the now-subdued Angelo. The end? Not quite. Because, unbeknownst to William, those tapes are fatally flawed, and Angelo soon believes that William has tricked him - which means that there's more mayhem ahead before the Derrys can rest easy. True, as you may have gathered, the horses are pretty much in the background this time (though nicely so). And there's a thinness of emotional texture in the blow-by-blow second half. (One can't help wondering how much more powerful the book would have been if Jonathan were killed by Angelo.) But, if not as informative or affecting as prime Francis, this is topnotch, nonstop entertainment: ironic, clever, exciting, and - even when rip-roaringly violent - thoroughly warmhearted. (Kirkus Reviews)

Review
A thriller like a Hitchcock film. (People) An exhilarating fright ride...a cunning revenge scheme...another good Francis run. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Customer Reviews

Definitely not the way to start your love of Francis..
As a really big Dick Francis fan, I would be really sad if someone heard all these great things about this author, picked up this book, and then never tried another book again. It's not a very good one. The premise is good, the characterizations as usual are very nice, but the plot goes nowhere and stays there from about halfway in until the last, disappointing page. Changing narrators in the book was a nice risk, but it ruins everything. Having the book be about computers and then putting in a 14-year gap was also not the wisest thing. If you want to start off on the right Francis Foot, try PROOF or WILD HORSES or ENQUIRY, and there you're neck-deep in characterization, plot and thrills. Francis is a master, but even masters have an off day.

14 year gaps in books about computers? Try again!
Gotta agree with the other reviewer's comment about mixing 14 year gaps in stories with plots centering about computers. I actually program these silly things for a living, and listening to this book in 2001 was interesting purely from this historical computer languages angle. However, I found myself distracted througout wondering if it was the initial story about Jonathan that was intended to take place in '81 or the second story 14 years later. I don't think I buy it either way: programs don't last 14 years.
My verdict: centering the plot on a computer program? Good.
Breaking the story into two, changing narrators, and setting the 2nd half 14 years later? Good.
Both? Not so good.
Try Whip Hand or In The Frame instead.

Francis Never Fails
Dick Francis is one of the finest mystery/thriller writers going. This book, one of the first mysteries I ever read, hooked me to Francis's saddle during my teens. I've enjoyed the ride ever since.