Safe Bet Paperback March 11, 1999

by John Francome

Only when it's too late does Mike Powell realise that he's wasted his talents as a jockey and spoilt his marriage. His riding career is in decline; his beautiful wife, Tessa, has left him. And, to cap it all, he's almost bankrupt, having tried to build a future by pinhooking. Then, on the way to the Sports Personality of the Year Awards, Mike is killed in a car crash. When his old friend Jed Harvard discovers that Mike's estate has been left to an American called George Parker - a man he's never heard of before - his suspicions are aroused. While tracking down George, Jed discovers that Mike's business deals have left a number of bitter enemies, and he realises that all is not what it seems...

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published November 5, 1998

About the author

Ex-National Hunt Champion Jockey John Francome is a broadcaster on racing for Channel 4. He lives in Berkshire.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fra...

Reviews

[Helle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Safe Bet was like a badly ridden horse race: it started very slow and when it was too late it accelerated to the point where it got entangled in its own legs (or in this case story line).
The characters were flat, which is often the case with John Francome novels. But usually I can forgive that, because the story is interesting, fast paced and thrilling. Unfortunately in this case, the pace was all wrong as mentioned and the plot was illogical and too unrealistic.

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, well written with a twist I didn't see coming.

[Michelle]

As always Francome never disappoints..a truly engaging read for horse lovers of mystery!

[Margaret Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very surprising to the end

I enjoyed it very much. The ending was a complete surprise.well done so like dic k francis at his best

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some language. Set in the horse racing world and similar to Dick Frances books. Mile Powell, an older jockey, his riding career is coming to a close, his marriage is defunct, and he's almost bankrupt - nothing is going right. Then he meets a cousin he never knew he had and things go from bad to worse. Mike's ex brother-in-law is suspicious and starts to unravel the mystery around the new cousin and all of Mike's dealings that went so wrong and then you find out....
No spoiler from me

[Bionic Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to Dick Francis.