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Bloodline
Bloodline is the new Dick Francis novel from bestseller, Felix Francis.
When Mark Shillingford commentates on a race in which his twin sister Clare, an accomplished and successful jockey, comes in third, he can't help but be suspicious. As a professional race-caller, he knows she should have won. Did she lose on purpose? Was the race fixed? Why on earth would she do something so out of character?
That night, Mark confronts Clare with his suspicions, but she storms off after an explosive argument. It's the last time Mark sees her alive. Hours later, Clare jumps to her death from the balcony of a London hotel . . . or so it seems.
Devastated by her death, and almost overcome with guilt, Mark goes in search of answers. What led Clare to take her own life?
Or was it not suicide at all . . .?
Felix Francis is the younger son of thriller-writing legend, Dick Francis, with whom he co-wrote the four most recent Dick Francis Novels, Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire, with Felix taking an increasingly greater role in the writing. Sadly Dick died in February 2010 but his work will live on through Felix. Gamble was Felix's first solo Dick Francis Novel.
Praise for the Dick Francis novels:
'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail
'The novel confirms Francis's seat at the head of crime fiction' Racing Post
'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times
Felix trained as a physicist and spent seventeen years teaching A level physics before taking on the role as manager to his father, and then as author. He lives in Oxfordshire.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
240 people are currently reading
1393 people want to read
About the author
Felix Francis
47 books540 followersFor over forty years, the London University grad helped father Dick Francis (31 Oct 1920 – 14 Feb 2010), ex-jockey known for horse-racing mysteries. In 2007, after 17 years teaching physics, he took on the job full-time. Experience also as international marksman aided research for Shattered, Under Orders, and Twice Shy. Co-author of NY Times bestsellers Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 362 reviews
July 7, 2016
I had no idea what to expect from this new to me author and I was very pleasantly surprised. This turned out to be a fairly light but certainly interesting mystery set in the world of horse racing. I enjoyed the story even though some of the deaths were a little improbable, and I did not even come close to guessing whodunnit. However since the main character and erstwhile amateur detective did not guess either I did not feel too bad.
Overall a pleasant way to spend a few rainy hours and I would be quite comfortable reading more by this author.
Overall a pleasant way to spend a few rainy hours and I would be quite comfortable reading more by this author.
February 4, 2014
So sad. Dick Francis was my favorite author, just someone you could rely on to churn out a great mystery once a year. His books were just enjoyable and you didn't want to put them down. His protagonists were always likable, everyday heroes. No matter their profession (and that was part of the formula; a Francis novel was always based around the hero's work so each novel you would learn about the life of a chemistry teacher, a jockey, a trainer, a painter, a precious gem dealer, etc), the character was always dashing and clever and always endured his beatings stoically until he had outwitted and outmaneuvered the villain in the end. You had the feeling that if you met these characters you would really enjoy their company.
After Dick Francis passed away his son Felix Francis took over the franchise and started writing the books solo. Though the formula stayed the same (this one I learned about the profession of racecourse commentator), the thrill is gone. The protagonists have all the charm of a sweaty balding fellow the next cubicle over with food stains on his shirt. There's no hero here, there's just a very ordinary guy bumbling along and almost accidentally discovering who did it in the end.
After Dick Francis passed away his son Felix Francis took over the franchise and started writing the books solo. Though the formula stayed the same (this one I learned about the profession of racecourse commentator), the thrill is gone. The protagonists have all the charm of a sweaty balding fellow the next cubicle over with food stains on his shirt. There's no hero here, there's just a very ordinary guy bumbling along and almost accidentally discovering who did it in the end.
June 26, 2013
I expected to like this book. I didn't expect to actually love it and say "Wow" on the last page. But that's what happened. For starters, Dick Francis fans should not be disappointed. This book has all the elements that made Dick Francis such an enjoyable writer--the suspense, the likeable characters, the thorough research that teaches you more than you can imagine about the protagonist's career...and more. But this writer has a wit and a style all his own that is both fresh and enjoyable. I got emotionally involved in this book to an extent I didn't expect. Not only is a marvelous plot with more twists and turns than a steeplechase racetrack, I had a few LOL moments that took me by surprise. I even held my breath a few times due to the suspense. A sad note is that the writer obviously has a deep understanding of grief, which comes out at various moments and makes this book both triumphant and poignant at the same time. Simply a genuinely enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next Felix Francis book. Kudos.
May 13, 2021
When his twin sister seems to have comitted suicide, a race announcer investigates her death, finding she was fixing races. He finds a blackmail scheme among other things.
A lot of tension generated, with very little action.
A lot of tension generated, with very little action.
February 4, 2013
A good solid mystery with the traditional Francis focus on the horse-racing industry - in this case, the narrator is a race-caller and TV commentator. The mystery of why Mark Shillingford's sister Clare died is well done, complete with the not-unusual crucial piece of missing information (can't tell you what, it would spoil the book).
But I'll say the same thing I've said about Felix's other works: He isn't his father. There's nothing wrong with his writing, but to me it lacks the deep human empathy that Dick Francis's work expressed, especially in his later years. I think Felix actually tried harder in that department with this book, but he hasn't quite got it. It's one of those ineffable things about writing, that individual tone that some writers have that, quite possibly, no one else can duplicate.
The book also struck me as recycling some concepts from the earlier Francis body of work: specifically twins, blackmail, adultery, and a character who thinks he's content but has actually stalled out in life. That's my impression, anyway. Frankly, you'd probably have to have read all the books at least three times, the way have, to think so - therefore, most readers won't even notice, I'm sure.
But I'll say the same thing I've said about Felix's other works: He isn't his father. There's nothing wrong with his writing, but to me it lacks the deep human empathy that Dick Francis's work expressed, especially in his later years. I think Felix actually tried harder in that department with this book, but he hasn't quite got it. It's one of those ineffable things about writing, that individual tone that some writers have that, quite possibly, no one else can duplicate.
The book also struck me as recycling some concepts from the earlier Francis body of work: specifically twins, blackmail, adultery, and a character who thinks he's content but has actually stalled out in life. That's my impression, anyway. Frankly, you'd probably have to have read all the books at least three times, the way have, to think so - therefore, most readers won't even notice, I'm sure.
October 23, 2012
Would I have read with a critical eye if the author was Dick Francis instead of Felix Francis? I'm not sure, but there definitely seemed to be a difference (if slight) in quality.
All of the Dick Francis hallmarks are there:
-a great hook: Mark, a racing commentator, realizes his twin sister Clare, a jockey, is purposely riding to lose, an illegal offense. Why?
-a sibling relationship: Mark and Clare are twins
-a profession related to racing: Mark is a racing commentator, so readers learn a bit about live TV behind the scenes
-the role of newspapers and reporters: as usual, one highbrow paper whose reporter has integrity, and one tabloid paper whose reporter is a rat
-murder: or is it suicide? No, we're pretty sure it's murder.
-amateur detective aided by police: in this case, Mark is pretty competent, and the police are pretty unhelpful
-the bachelor protagonist: attractive to women, and naturally good in bed
However, though I raced through it (no pun intended), it wasn't as clever or satisfying as some of the old ones, such as Hot Money, Decider, Banker, Twice Shy. In those, the women were stronger characters (and did less screaming. Can't they at least "exclaim"?), the reader learned more about whatever the main character's specialty was - betting systems, color photography, piloting a plane, veterinary science, whatever - and the twist/reveal was more spectacular, and yet there were seeds planted throughout. The culprit in Bloodline kind of comes out of nowhere.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. If you feel compelled to read British racetrack mysteries, you could certainly do worse.
All of the Dick Francis hallmarks are there:
-a great hook: Mark, a racing commentator, realizes his twin sister Clare, a jockey, is purposely riding to lose, an illegal offense. Why?
-a sibling relationship: Mark and Clare are twins
-a profession related to racing: Mark is a racing commentator, so readers learn a bit about live TV behind the scenes
-the role of newspapers and reporters: as usual, one highbrow paper whose reporter has integrity, and one tabloid paper whose reporter is a rat
-murder: or is it suicide? No, we're pretty sure it's murder.
-amateur detective aided by police: in this case, Mark is pretty competent, and the police are pretty unhelpful
-the bachelor protagonist: attractive to women, and naturally good in bed
However, though I raced through it (no pun intended), it wasn't as clever or satisfying as some of the old ones, such as Hot Money, Decider, Banker, Twice Shy. In those, the women were stronger characters (and did less screaming. Can't they at least "exclaim"?), the reader learned more about whatever the main character's specialty was - betting systems, color photography, piloting a plane, veterinary science, whatever - and the twist/reveal was more spectacular, and yet there were seeds planted throughout. The culprit in Bloodline kind of comes out of nowhere.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. If you feel compelled to read British racetrack mysteries, you could certainly do worse.
April 14, 2013
I read the book in one sitting. Enjoyed learning about the protagonist's career announcing races for games and media. The plot was fine. Where the book let me down was in secondary character development and some improbable physicality. For instance, nobody with broken ribs is capable of giving or receiving hugs a few days later. Slip-ups like that pulled me out of the narrative. The hero meets an eager, bright, beautiful woman at a family event and she throws herself at him despite his having no apparent status or interest in who she is, he doesn't even know what she does for a living for several days. Clearly he isn't paying full attention, and for some men that would be the case, but that seems unlike the hero. Possible but unlikely, felt more like the wish fulfillment of an author wanting his hero/avatar shagging like a James Bond. This means the hero wavered in and out of the boot-stap up world of racing featured in all the earlier books. In general I missed the athletic physicality of description that made the Dick Francis books more visceral. So my advice to the author is to get the details right (continuity and probability) and find a way to more deeply inhabit the spirit and body of your men and women!
July 15, 2017
I am a longstanding fan of Dick Francis, and to me this book is nothing like it at all.
The first big difference with the writing of Dick Francis is that it lacks the generally humane and positive outlook on the characters. Most characters are flat and flat in a generally slightly cynical way.
The writing itself is sometimes hard to follow. It starts of scenes or dialogues with one emotion and then totally contradict itself a few lines down. And not because the motivation of the character changes naturally. It just feels inconsistent, and makes the characters act at a distance and a bit random.
And I had major trouble with the unrealistic timing. The twin sister, not just any sister but the actual twin sister, died of an unexplained suicide right after they had a fight. That would have a severe emotional impact, I'd say. Something that may affect you for months, if not years.
Yet only two weeks later, he confesses "it was the first time I felt happiness since Clare's death" or something to that effect, without hinting on any underlying devastation. It feels so superficial.
The plot was too far-fetched for my liking, and that's a shame because it hinted at some very interesting angles.
The first big difference with the writing of Dick Francis is that it lacks the generally humane and positive outlook on the characters. Most characters are flat and flat in a generally slightly cynical way.
The writing itself is sometimes hard to follow. It starts of scenes or dialogues with one emotion and then totally contradict itself a few lines down. And not because the motivation of the character changes naturally. It just feels inconsistent, and makes the characters act at a distance and a bit random.
And I had major trouble with the unrealistic timing. The twin sister, not just any sister but the actual twin sister, died of an unexplained suicide right after they had a fight. That would have a severe emotional impact, I'd say. Something that may affect you for months, if not years.
Yet only two weeks later, he confesses "it was the first time I felt happiness since Clare's death" or something to that effect, without hinting on any underlying devastation. It feels so superficial.
The plot was too far-fetched for my liking, and that's a shame because it hinted at some very interesting angles.
January 26, 2018
The Butler did it. How does the Publisher's justify this being a Dick Francis novel when it is written by his son? It could be a "Son of Dick Francis Novel" or a "Son of Dick Francis, trained by Dick Francis novel" but it ain't no Dick Francis novel. The main character is not likeable nor particularly adept. He constantly refuses to involve/inform the police on criminal matters leading to deaths that might have been prevented.
Loose ends abound: for instance those being blackmailed are told to get a cetain sum ready. Then the follow up note with the delivery instructions says to have the amount in used twenties or fifties. Isn'tthat important to know in the first note? What if the blackmailee had a hard time to get used fifties ready and the second note said to have twenties? The whole blanketting victims with blackmail notes is not well explained. How was the blackmailer supposed to know which one threw away the notes and which ones wanted to pay?
The blackmailer was a character pulled out of the author's hat - it might as well have been the butler.
Loose ends abound: for instance those being blackmailed are told to get a cetain sum ready. Then the follow up note with the delivery instructions says to have the amount in used twenties or fifties. Isn'tthat important to know in the first note? What if the blackmailee had a hard time to get used fifties ready and the second note said to have twenties? The whole blanketting victims with blackmail notes is not well explained. How was the blackmailer supposed to know which one threw away the notes and which ones wanted to pay?
The blackmailer was a character pulled out of the author's hat - it might as well have been the butler.
April 5, 2020
Found this on my shelves and thought it would make a good, distracting read for the moment. It did.
I was a fan of Dick Francis's racetrack mysteries 20 years ago and this one is in the same vein. Dick Francis always had a likable, everyday main character who would figure out the mystery, figure out the bad guys and go on about his business, which would relate in some way to the racing world. This book follows the same basic formula, with Mark, a race track commentator investigating his twin sister's apparent suicide (she's a winning jockey). The secondary characters, specifically the girlfriends, don't seem very real or plausible though. But still, a good read, bit disappointing at the end.
I was a fan of Dick Francis's racetrack mysteries 20 years ago and this one is in the same vein. Dick Francis always had a likable, everyday main character who would figure out the mystery, figure out the bad guys and go on about his business, which would relate in some way to the racing world. This book follows the same basic formula, with Mark, a race track commentator investigating his twin sister's apparent suicide (she's a winning jockey). The secondary characters, specifically the girlfriends, don't seem very real or plausible though. But still, a good read, bit disappointing at the end.
January 14, 2026
A solid 3.5 ⭐
November 8, 2012
In Bloodline, Felix Francis' latest horse racing mystery, Mark Shillingford, a television commentator at the track is horrified to learn that his twin sister Claire, a noted jockey, has apparently fallen to her death from the balcony of a hotel. The police rule it a suicide, but Shillingford is just not ready to believe it. He had just met her earlier that evening, and while they had a fight about some race she had lost, she had given him no reason to believe that she was depressed.
After a notorious muckraker Toby Woodley publishes a nasty article about Claire and claims to have known some buried secrets about Mark, he is mysteriously knifed to death. The police suspect Mark.
Meanwhile Mark delves into Claire's life and he discovers that someone has been blackmailing her, a trainer and other members of the horse establisment about small indiscretions in their lives. But now the blackmailer is seeking more and more money. Mark is determined to find out why Claire dies, and twice has to foil attempts on his life. When he discovers the blackmail, he believes that her death and the blackmail are tied together.
At the end, Mark must confront the murderer and blackmailer in a final confrontation.
The story is solid, but there are few clues in the prose that lead you to even suspect who is the killer. Meanwhile, I am almost positive, but would have to re-read all of the Dick +Francis oeuvre to figure it out, that the blackmailing journalist who uses small blackmail was previously used in another one of his earlier books, although that blackmail was used to fund the Jockey Fund and not someone's wallet.
Finally, Francis is very good describing the racing commentary that forms the tie to the horse racing world in this novel, but there is still an emotional detachment in his writing. His father made you feel the protagonist pain or price, Felix Francis leads you through it. Maybe that's just enough.
After a notorious muckraker Toby Woodley publishes a nasty article about Claire and claims to have known some buried secrets about Mark, he is mysteriously knifed to death. The police suspect Mark.
Meanwhile Mark delves into Claire's life and he discovers that someone has been blackmailing her, a trainer and other members of the horse establisment about small indiscretions in their lives. But now the blackmailer is seeking more and more money. Mark is determined to find out why Claire dies, and twice has to foil attempts on his life. When he discovers the blackmail, he believes that her death and the blackmail are tied together.
At the end, Mark must confront the murderer and blackmailer in a final confrontation.
The story is solid, but there are few clues in the prose that lead you to even suspect who is the killer. Meanwhile, I am almost positive, but would have to re-read all of the Dick +Francis oeuvre to figure it out, that the blackmailing journalist who uses small blackmail was previously used in another one of his earlier books, although that blackmail was used to fund the Jockey Fund and not someone's wallet.
Finally, Francis is very good describing the racing commentary that forms the tie to the horse racing world in this novel, but there is still an emotional detachment in his writing. His father made you feel the protagonist pain or price, Felix Francis leads you through it. Maybe that's just enough.
November 3, 2012
Remember the early books of Dick Francis where the everyman hero got the stuffin' beat out of him, with him getting nearly killed two or three times a book while he was trying to solve the mystery? Well, Felix Francis has adopted that same formula for BLOODLINE and I think it's the best one he's written so far.
When Mark Shillingford's sister dies in an apparent suicide, he's not convinced. He had just had dinner with her a few hours before her death and she was anything but suicidal. It didn't make sense. Still, there's a note, a grieving dysfunctional family, the threat of losing his lover, job, and his home to distract him. As he investigates her death, another person dies and there are several attempts on his life which lead to another tragedy. He uncovers race fixing and blackmail, all things that point to the fact that his sister was murdered.
There are some slower parts to the book like when he's calling races or when he's with his family, things I didn't care about. But when Mark is actually fumbling along, having no real clue what's going on, it's very much like the earlier books where an amateur falls into the middle of a big mess of corruption and has to fight to survive.
I give it a thumbs up. It's been a while since I read a whole book in one evening.
When Mark Shillingford's sister dies in an apparent suicide, he's not convinced. He had just had dinner with her a few hours before her death and she was anything but suicidal. It didn't make sense. Still, there's a note, a grieving dysfunctional family, the threat of losing his lover, job, and his home to distract him. As he investigates her death, another person dies and there are several attempts on his life which lead to another tragedy. He uncovers race fixing and blackmail, all things that point to the fact that his sister was murdered.
There are some slower parts to the book like when he's calling races or when he's with his family, things I didn't care about. But when Mark is actually fumbling along, having no real clue what's going on, it's very much like the earlier books where an amateur falls into the middle of a big mess of corruption and has to fight to survive.
I give it a thumbs up. It's been a while since I read a whole book in one evening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2012
When race caller and television presenter Mark Shillingford calls a race in which his twin sister, Clare, an accomplished and successful jockey, comes in second when she could have won, he believes the worst: that she lost on purpose, and the race was fixed. That night, Mark confronts Clare with his suspicions, she storms off after an argument—and it’s the last time Mark sees her alive. Hours later, Clare jumps to her death from the balcony of a London hotel . . . or so it seems.
Devastated and guilty over her death, Mark goes in search of answers. What had led Clare to take her own life? Or was it not suicide at all?
The best thing about this book was the in depth explanations of racing and commentating. The worst was the lack of feeling. There was no depth to the characters, Mark went into what was possibly a life-changing relationship with hardly any lead-up at all. Completely unbelievable. I never felt any grief, never felt near to tears, never felt much tension. Completely bland and disappointing.
I'm giving it two stars because it passed a few hours pleasantly enough.
Devastated and guilty over her death, Mark goes in search of answers. What had led Clare to take her own life? Or was it not suicide at all?
The best thing about this book was the in depth explanations of racing and commentating. The worst was the lack of feeling. There was no depth to the characters, Mark went into what was possibly a life-changing relationship with hardly any lead-up at all. Completely unbelievable. I never felt any grief, never felt near to tears, never felt much tension. Completely bland and disappointing.
I'm giving it two stars because it passed a few hours pleasantly enough.
November 5, 2012
I admit I approached this book with a bit of trepidation as I have not cared much for the earlier books by Felix Francis. Fortunately, I would say that he is coming into his own with this one.
Definitely has the tone and feel of the Dick Francis books that I enjoyed so much, a main character somewhat flawed but gaining strength as he continues on, quite well developed supporting characters and a very interesting twist on blackmail in the plotline.
Overall an excellent continuation along the Francis tradition. I reserve nearly all of my 5 star ratings and many of my 4 star ratings for books I know I am going to want to keep and re-read at some point and this is one of them. Not quite "amazing" but a solid 4 star and I am definitely looking forward to the next.
Felix Francis has, I believe, truly come into his own with this one.
Definitely has the tone and feel of the Dick Francis books that I enjoyed so much, a main character somewhat flawed but gaining strength as he continues on, quite well developed supporting characters and a very interesting twist on blackmail in the plotline.
Overall an excellent continuation along the Francis tradition. I reserve nearly all of my 5 star ratings and many of my 4 star ratings for books I know I am going to want to keep and re-read at some point and this is one of them. Not quite "amazing" but a solid 4 star and I am definitely looking forward to the next.
Felix Francis has, I believe, truly come into his own with this one.
July 3, 2022
3,5 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Bloedlijn is het tweede boek dat Felix Francis schreef na de dood van zijn vader. In het verleden had hij al samen met zijn vader boeken geschreven maar zijn boeken zijn net iets minder vloeiend en en de spanningsboog is hier en daar wat wobbelig. Het Duurt een hele tijd voordat het spannend wordt.
Het gaat over Mark Shillingford, paardensportcommentator wiens zus plotseling overlijdt. Is dit zelfmoord of is er iets anders aan de hand? Mark heeft zo zijn bedenkingen en doet navraag. Dat komt hem duur te staan.
Net als in de boeken van zijn vader is de hoofdpersoon op een bepaalde manier een buitenbeentje. Hij wilde jockey worden maar is daar door zijn lichamelijke gesteldheid niet geschikt voor. Zijn tweelingzus Clare is echter een succesvolle jockey.
Na een vrij lange aanloop begint het pas spannend te worden. en dan gaan de verwikkelingen razendsnel. Mark weet de dader te ontmaskeren en de identiteit van de dader is zeker een verassing. Hij komt nogal uit de lucht vallen. Dat is meteen een van de gebreken van dit boek. Natuurlijk wil je niet al halverwege het boek weten wie het is maar je wilt wel enige aanwijzingen hebben. Helaas dus weinig puzzelen, en dat maakt het geen top boek voor mij.
Al met al kreeg ik bij het lezen van dit boek wel weer de "Dick Francis" ervaring maar in een iets meer afgezwakte vorm.
Aangenaam en vlot te lezen en voorbij de helft wordt het steeds spannender.
Bloedlijn is het tweede boek dat Felix Francis schreef na de dood van zijn vader. In het verleden had hij al samen met zijn vader boeken geschreven maar zijn boeken zijn net iets minder vloeiend en en de spanningsboog is hier en daar wat wobbelig. Het Duurt een hele tijd voordat het spannend wordt.
Het gaat over Mark Shillingford, paardensportcommentator wiens zus plotseling overlijdt. Is dit zelfmoord of is er iets anders aan de hand? Mark heeft zo zijn bedenkingen en doet navraag. Dat komt hem duur te staan.
Net als in de boeken van zijn vader is de hoofdpersoon op een bepaalde manier een buitenbeentje. Hij wilde jockey worden maar is daar door zijn lichamelijke gesteldheid niet geschikt voor. Zijn tweelingzus Clare is echter een succesvolle jockey.
Na een vrij lange aanloop begint het pas spannend te worden. en dan gaan de verwikkelingen razendsnel. Mark weet de dader te ontmaskeren en de identiteit van de dader is zeker een verassing. Hij komt nogal uit de lucht vallen. Dat is meteen een van de gebreken van dit boek. Natuurlijk wil je niet al halverwege het boek weten wie het is maar je wilt wel enige aanwijzingen hebben. Helaas dus weinig puzzelen, en dat maakt het geen top boek voor mij.
Al met al kreeg ik bij het lezen van dit boek wel weer de "Dick Francis" ervaring maar in een iets meer afgezwakte vorm.
Aangenaam en vlot te lezen en voorbij de helft wordt het steeds spannender.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2019
I enjoy the way Dick Francis would include some details of the horse life, perhaps how a jockey spends his off day, or how an artist making horse trophies blows glass. He always mixed two or three of these kinds of deep dives together to build a plot. In this Felix Francis extension of the Francis franchise, we get detail on television race commentators. A lot of detail. I figured out how the crime would be solved based on the first scene, even before there was a crime. So this wasn’t one of the better ones in the series. Much of the book dragged with repetition. I will say that beyond the stretching of the story through repetition and the occasional plot oddity, this showed some signs of good storytelling. Some of that was seeing plot points familiar from early books in the series, but some was interesting writing. I look forward to reading more by Felix as he hones his craft.
June 8, 2022
When Mark Shillingfords twin sister apparently commits suicide after being confronted by Mark for deliberately losing a race so begins an investigation into her death. She had tried to phone him prior to her death but after arguing with her Mark was reluctant to answer. He is then wracked with guilt at the possibility that he might have prevented her death. He begins his own investigation and becomes the victim himself/
A look into the world of racing in this book.
A look into the world of racing in this book.
February 15, 2017
Pferderennen – ein Thema, mit dem ich wenig bis wirklich gar nichts anfangen kann. Gibt’s sowas überhaupt in Deutschland? Mir fällt da spontan nur Ascot ein… Aber tatsächlich gibt es in Deutschland doch einige Trab- oder Galopprennbahnen, wie ich nach ein wenig Recherche herausgefunden habe. Für mich ziemlich überraschend, wobei ich eine Entschuldigung vorbringen kann. Die Zeit hat sich hier die Mühe gemacht und eine Deutschlandkarte mit den vorhandenen Pferderennbahnen versehen und in meinen Heimaten Franken & Baden-Württemberg ist anscheinend Pferderennen nicht so beliebt – es ist quasi der„grüne“ Fleck auf der Karte. Bezüglich Englands fallen mir aber weiterhin nur Ascot und viele hässliche Hüte ein. Damit war es das aber auch. Das hat sich nun aber gehörig geändert.
Mark Shillingford ist Kommentator von Pferderennen, sowohl direkt beim Rennen als auch im Fernsehen vertreten. Als er seine Schwester Clare, eine Jockey, beim letzten Rennen absichtlich langsam reiten sieht, spricht er sie beim gemeinsamen Abendessen an und verdirbt beiden den Abend. Ein Rennbetrug kann das Ende ihrer Karriere bedeuten, doch selbst Mark hat das Rennen mehrmals sehen müssen, um sich Clares Betrugs sicher zu sein. Einige Stunden später ist Clare tot – Selbstmord vom Balkon eines Hotels. Ist er schuld am Tod seiner Schwester? Hat er mit seiner Anschuldigung Clare in den Tod getrieben? Mark macht sich schwere Vorwürfe, doch so richtig kann er an die Selbstmordtheorie nicht glauben. Steckt etwa mehr dahinter und es war ein Mord?
Beide Shillingfords, im Übrigen Zwillinge, träumten schon als Kind vom Pferderennsport und einer Karriere als Jockey. Mark wurde allerdings zu groß und kräftig, so dass es nur Clare möglich war, diese Laufbahn einzuschlagen. Doch Mark bleibt in der Nähe – der Sport hat es ihm angetan. Der Vater der beiden ist nicht einfach, ihre Geschwister mehr als 10 Jahre älter, so dass die beiden Zwillinge noch näher zusammen rücken. Doch in letzter Zeit haben die beiden sich auseinander gelebt. Marks Entdeckung von Clares Rennmanipulation treibt einen Keil zwischen die beiden, da helfen auch die Nachrichten nicht, dass Clare seit Kurzem glücklich in einer neuen Beziehung ist. Nach dem Essen versucht Clare hin anzurufen und er geht nicht ran – dann stürzt sie vom Balkon. Oder wird gestoßen. Mark macht sich schwere Vorwürfe, aber auch sein Vater kämpft mit Schuldgefühlen. Marks Zwiespalt zwischen seinen Schuldgefühlen und dem Wunsch, den Tod seiner Schwester aufzuklären ist deutlich zu sehen. Immer wieder wird er von seiner Trauer eingeholt, auch wenn ihn seine vertraute Umgebung, die Rennbahnen, an seinem Plan festhalten lassen.
Eigentlich ist sofort klar, dass wenn der Selbstmord keiner war, dann kann das Mordmotiv nur im Pferderennsport zu suchen sein. Und wer ist da besser geeignet, den Täter zu finden, als ein Beteiligter des Trubels? Die Polizei ist mit der Selbstmordtheorie sowieso ganz zufrieden (und der Inspektor gleich mal in Urlaub gefahren) und mehr Kenntnis im Rennsport als Mark Shillingford kann sie auch nicht aufweisen. Und so verbringt der Leser mit Mark seine Stunden auf den verschiedenen Pferderennbahnen, bzw. immer darüber, denn dort sitzen die Moderatoren und Kommentatoren. Man geht mit ihm zu Trainern, Jockeys und in Ställe, trinkt ein Gläschen mit den Pferdebesitzern und versucht auch nur ansatzweise die Pferdenamen und Jockey-Farben auseinander zu halten – natürlich vergeblich. Das überlässt man dann lieber den Profis, Mark zum Beispiel.
Ich persönlich lerne immer gerne etwas aus Büchern und auch diesmal wurde ich nicht enttäuscht. Der Pferderennsport ist mir so fern wie der Mond von der Erde und nach dem ersten Kapitel habe ich befürchtet, es bleibt so. Doch man kommt rein in die Welt der Pferderennen. Pferderennsport – ein Sport der Reichen? Auch. Klar sind die Besitzer oft sehr reich, doch es ist ein ganzer Tross, der daran beteiligt ist, ganz zu schweigen von denen, die auf die Pferde wetten. Ein spannender Einblick in eine ganz andere, mir unbekannte Welt: den Pferderennsport.
Natürlich fällt Mark mit seinen Fragen auf. Er stochert in verschiedenen Wunden, mehr nebenbei, aber doch penetrant. Er stöbert im Hotel und besorgt sich das Band der Überwachungskamera, tritt einigen Leuten dabei auf den Schlips und muss auch einige Anschläge auf sein Leben überstehen. Doch auch wenn dies aufregende Momente für Mark und den Leser sind, ist „Schwesterherz“ eher ein ruhiger, aber packender Krimi. Die Kombination des Kennenlernens und Austarieren einer für mich vorher fremden Umgebung gepaart mit einem Krimifall und dem bedächtigen, aber hartnäckigen Mark Shillingford haben mir tolle Lesestunden beschert.
Bitte aber nicht – wie ich – Felix Francis mit seinem Vater Dick verwechseln, einem Veteran im Krimi-Genre. Ob der Sohn in die Fußstapfen des Vaters passt, kann ich nicht beurteilen, da dies mein erster „Francis“ ist, allerdings widmen sich beide wohl ihrem Lieblingsthema: dem Pferderennsport.
Fazit:
Zwischen Pferden und Geld sucht Mark Shillingford den Mörder seiner Schwester – ein packender Kriminalfall im Pferderennsport, der es schafft, einem den Sport näher zu bringen. Fesselnd!
Mark Shillingford ist Kommentator von Pferderennen, sowohl direkt beim Rennen als auch im Fernsehen vertreten. Als er seine Schwester Clare, eine Jockey, beim letzten Rennen absichtlich langsam reiten sieht, spricht er sie beim gemeinsamen Abendessen an und verdirbt beiden den Abend. Ein Rennbetrug kann das Ende ihrer Karriere bedeuten, doch selbst Mark hat das Rennen mehrmals sehen müssen, um sich Clares Betrugs sicher zu sein. Einige Stunden später ist Clare tot – Selbstmord vom Balkon eines Hotels. Ist er schuld am Tod seiner Schwester? Hat er mit seiner Anschuldigung Clare in den Tod getrieben? Mark macht sich schwere Vorwürfe, doch so richtig kann er an die Selbstmordtheorie nicht glauben. Steckt etwa mehr dahinter und es war ein Mord?
Beide Shillingfords, im Übrigen Zwillinge, träumten schon als Kind vom Pferderennsport und einer Karriere als Jockey. Mark wurde allerdings zu groß und kräftig, so dass es nur Clare möglich war, diese Laufbahn einzuschlagen. Doch Mark bleibt in der Nähe – der Sport hat es ihm angetan. Der Vater der beiden ist nicht einfach, ihre Geschwister mehr als 10 Jahre älter, so dass die beiden Zwillinge noch näher zusammen rücken. Doch in letzter Zeit haben die beiden sich auseinander gelebt. Marks Entdeckung von Clares Rennmanipulation treibt einen Keil zwischen die beiden, da helfen auch die Nachrichten nicht, dass Clare seit Kurzem glücklich in einer neuen Beziehung ist. Nach dem Essen versucht Clare hin anzurufen und er geht nicht ran – dann stürzt sie vom Balkon. Oder wird gestoßen. Mark macht sich schwere Vorwürfe, aber auch sein Vater kämpft mit Schuldgefühlen. Marks Zwiespalt zwischen seinen Schuldgefühlen und dem Wunsch, den Tod seiner Schwester aufzuklären ist deutlich zu sehen. Immer wieder wird er von seiner Trauer eingeholt, auch wenn ihn seine vertraute Umgebung, die Rennbahnen, an seinem Plan festhalten lassen.
Eigentlich ist sofort klar, dass wenn der Selbstmord keiner war, dann kann das Mordmotiv nur im Pferderennsport zu suchen sein. Und wer ist da besser geeignet, den Täter zu finden, als ein Beteiligter des Trubels? Die Polizei ist mit der Selbstmordtheorie sowieso ganz zufrieden (und der Inspektor gleich mal in Urlaub gefahren) und mehr Kenntnis im Rennsport als Mark Shillingford kann sie auch nicht aufweisen. Und so verbringt der Leser mit Mark seine Stunden auf den verschiedenen Pferderennbahnen, bzw. immer darüber, denn dort sitzen die Moderatoren und Kommentatoren. Man geht mit ihm zu Trainern, Jockeys und in Ställe, trinkt ein Gläschen mit den Pferdebesitzern und versucht auch nur ansatzweise die Pferdenamen und Jockey-Farben auseinander zu halten – natürlich vergeblich. Das überlässt man dann lieber den Profis, Mark zum Beispiel.
Ich persönlich lerne immer gerne etwas aus Büchern und auch diesmal wurde ich nicht enttäuscht. Der Pferderennsport ist mir so fern wie der Mond von der Erde und nach dem ersten Kapitel habe ich befürchtet, es bleibt so. Doch man kommt rein in die Welt der Pferderennen. Pferderennsport – ein Sport der Reichen? Auch. Klar sind die Besitzer oft sehr reich, doch es ist ein ganzer Tross, der daran beteiligt ist, ganz zu schweigen von denen, die auf die Pferde wetten. Ein spannender Einblick in eine ganz andere, mir unbekannte Welt: den Pferderennsport.
Natürlich fällt Mark mit seinen Fragen auf. Er stochert in verschiedenen Wunden, mehr nebenbei, aber doch penetrant. Er stöbert im Hotel und besorgt sich das Band der Überwachungskamera, tritt einigen Leuten dabei auf den Schlips und muss auch einige Anschläge auf sein Leben überstehen. Doch auch wenn dies aufregende Momente für Mark und den Leser sind, ist „Schwesterherz“ eher ein ruhiger, aber packender Krimi. Die Kombination des Kennenlernens und Austarieren einer für mich vorher fremden Umgebung gepaart mit einem Krimifall und dem bedächtigen, aber hartnäckigen Mark Shillingford haben mir tolle Lesestunden beschert.
Bitte aber nicht – wie ich – Felix Francis mit seinem Vater Dick verwechseln, einem Veteran im Krimi-Genre. Ob der Sohn in die Fußstapfen des Vaters passt, kann ich nicht beurteilen, da dies mein erster „Francis“ ist, allerdings widmen sich beide wohl ihrem Lieblingsthema: dem Pferderennsport.
Fazit:
Zwischen Pferden und Geld sucht Mark Shillingford den Mörder seiner Schwester – ein packender Kriminalfall im Pferderennsport, der es schafft, einem den Sport näher zu bringen. Fesselnd!
October 3, 2017
Loved it. Such a brilliant protagonist, would like to meet him as he felt so real. A definite chip off the old block as I loved his father's books too!
Read
November 3, 2021bloodline by Felix Francis
Brilliant paced read. Lots of twists and turns. Second reading looking for the clues. He writes as a jockey with pace and purpose.
Brilliant paced read. Lots of twists and turns. Second reading looking for the clues. He writes as a jockey with pace and purpose.
February 18, 2022
Forgotten how much I enjoyed these.
November 27, 2012
We’re life-long Dick Francis fans, and have enjoyed both son Felix’s co-authored books and his recent first novel (“Gamble”) on his own, although for sure in such a style and formula to extend the family bibliography rather than set a new direction. And while all the familiar elements were present, from the horse racing milieu to the lovable male protagonist good at what he does (a TV race commentator in this case), somehow the book had a workmanlike feel to it that sapped our enthusiasm by the end.
The hook sets us up for a good tale, when our hero Mark Shillingford catches the pretty famous jockey, twin sister Clare seemingly fixing a race from certain details only he as a former jockey, and with the ability to replay the race in slow motion at will at the studio, is likely to ever detect. He confronts his sister at dinner over the matter, and she lays some cryptic comments on him, leaves in a huff, and commits suicide later that night. Mark thought it was more likely a murder, as did we, and basically the rest of the tale proceeds to develop the plot to determine an alternative explanation. The death of a tabloid reporter and other shenanigans add to the complexity of the plot, but of course our hero eventually unravels all, despite being roughed up on a couple of occasions, a familiar theme.
So – a rather typical entry in the set, but one that while modestly enjoyable and entertaining, failed to generate much heat or excitement.
The hook sets us up for a good tale, when our hero Mark Shillingford catches the pretty famous jockey, twin sister Clare seemingly fixing a race from certain details only he as a former jockey, and with the ability to replay the race in slow motion at will at the studio, is likely to ever detect. He confronts his sister at dinner over the matter, and she lays some cryptic comments on him, leaves in a huff, and commits suicide later that night. Mark thought it was more likely a murder, as did we, and basically the rest of the tale proceeds to develop the plot to determine an alternative explanation. The death of a tabloid reporter and other shenanigans add to the complexity of the plot, but of course our hero eventually unravels all, despite being roughed up on a couple of occasions, a familiar theme.
So – a rather typical entry in the set, but one that while modestly enjoyable and entertaining, failed to generate much heat or excitement.
February 28, 2013
I don't think that Felix Francis needs to keep adding his father's name on his books. He's doing a good job himself. I liked the horse setting--Mark Shillingford is a commentator on the race tracks as well as doing interviews for TV racing channels. It's another aspect of the racing world, and one not covered by his father in his long list of books. The love of and connection to horses isn't quite the same, but the world of racing is there. There is a twisty and action-filled plot: while commentating a race, Mark realizes something is wrong with the outcome, and it's his twin sister who seems to have thrown the race, although in such a way not many would recognize. He confronts her with it and they fight. The next morning she is dead, a suicide, the police believe. Mark is not so sure and sets out to find out why she either killed herself or was killed, while still protecting her reputation as a successful jockey. The final ingredient that I've loved in Dick Francis novels is the goodness and kindness, yet mental and moral strength of the main character. I found the book engrossing but felt a little let down toward the end, because of a some shallowness in the character, I think.
The book started out stronger than it ended in terms of character, although the bang up ending was there. I should read an old Dick Francis for comparison purposes. Perhaps I am remembering them better than they actually are.
The book started out stronger than it ended in terms of character, although the bang up ending was there. I should read an old Dick Francis for comparison purposes. Perhaps I am remembering them better than they actually are.
December 8, 2015
De tweeling Marc en Clare zijn beide bekend in de Engelse paardensport. Clare als een beroemd en succesvol jockey en Marc als racecommentator en presentator. Wanneer Marc tijdens het becommentariëren van een race waarin zijn zus tweede wordt, valt hem iets op. Bij het terugzien van de beelden ziet hij dat zijn zus de race heeft gemanipuleerd door zich aan het einde in te houden. Ze heeft dus met opzet de race verloren.
Nadat hij zijn zus hiermee geconfronteerd heeft, overlijdt zijn zus uren na hun confrontatie aan de gevolgen van een val van het balkon van een hotelkamer. Iedereen is er van overtuigd dat het zelfmoord is geweest, maar Marc kan er maar niets van geloven. Ondanks het verdriet dat hij heeft om zijn tweelingzus is hij enorm gedreven om de waarheid te achterhalen. Clare blijkt meerdere races opzettelijk te hebben verloren. Waarom riskeerde zij haar carrière?
Vanuit het perspectief van Marc wordt het verhaal verteld. Zijn zoektocht naar antwoorden is boeiend, maar niet echt spannend te noemen. Dit komt voor mij met name door de hoeveelheid jargon dat gebruikt wordt om de lezer uit te leggen hoe de Engelse paardenraces in zijn werk gaat. We lezen tot in het kleinste detail hoe paarden en jockeys worden beschreven, uitgelegd en toegelicht. Een goede aanvulling, mits goed gedoseerd. Voor mij persoonlijk heeft dit de vlotte schrijfstijl van Francis geremd.
Lees verder op mijn boekenblog: http://boekenz.nl/2015/07/bloedlijn-v...
Nadat hij zijn zus hiermee geconfronteerd heeft, overlijdt zijn zus uren na hun confrontatie aan de gevolgen van een val van het balkon van een hotelkamer. Iedereen is er van overtuigd dat het zelfmoord is geweest, maar Marc kan er maar niets van geloven. Ondanks het verdriet dat hij heeft om zijn tweelingzus is hij enorm gedreven om de waarheid te achterhalen. Clare blijkt meerdere races opzettelijk te hebben verloren. Waarom riskeerde zij haar carrière?
Vanuit het perspectief van Marc wordt het verhaal verteld. Zijn zoektocht naar antwoorden is boeiend, maar niet echt spannend te noemen. Dit komt voor mij met name door de hoeveelheid jargon dat gebruikt wordt om de lezer uit te leggen hoe de Engelse paardenraces in zijn werk gaat. We lezen tot in het kleinste detail hoe paarden en jockeys worden beschreven, uitgelegd en toegelicht. Een goede aanvulling, mits goed gedoseerd. Voor mij persoonlijk heeft dit de vlotte schrijfstijl van Francis geremd.
Lees verder op mijn boekenblog: http://boekenz.nl/2015/07/bloedlijn-v...
July 7, 2013
I would give this book three and a half stars if that was an option. "Bloodline" is a solid mystery with a variety of interesting characters. Felix Francis does a good job describing the details in the professional life of Mark Shillingford, a horse racing commentator, who is the protagonist. Mark's personal life takes a beating, in part because of the death of his twin sister Clare. Mark's dysfunctional family is somewhat reminiscent of the family in "Hot Money", one of my favorite books by Dick Francis, the late father of Felix. Alas, "Bloodline" didn't quite meet the standard of a Dick Francis novel. Some of the plot developments, like when Mark meets a friend of another sister at a family party who makes no secret of her interest in him, seemed rushed. It's almost as if Felix Francis was following an outline that required certain situations being present in a plot, and felt he had to get all of them in somehow. I didn't get the same emotional connection with the characters in "Bloodline" compared to those in many Dick Francis books. Still an enjoyable read. I'm interested in horse racing, and the books of both Francis men have provided a closer look from the point of view of a jockey, trainer, or in this case, racing commentator. Will continue to read Felix's efforts.
November 11, 2012
The second standalone written by Dick Francis’ son follows the same formula that served the father so well: A mystery set in the English racing world, populated by the trainers, jockeys and track officials. In this case, the plot involves the Shillingford family, especially race-caller Mark and his twin sister, jockey Clare. When Clare rode a horse that came in second when it should have won, he believed Clare lost on purpose and over dinner they had a heated argument.
Later that night, Clare fell 15 stories from a London hotel to her death, an apparent suicide. Bereft, Mark starts asking questions, seeking a reason for her death. What was the meaning of a short written message which the police believed to be a suicide note, but really is ambiguous? What, if anything, does the discovery of several blackmail victims in the racing world have to do with her death?
The author shows the same talent as Dick Francis for creating suspense, pitting danger and personal jeopardy for his protagonist on the way of solving the mystery. And the reader will be hard put to tell the difference in the writing between father and son. It is virtually indistinguishable.
Highly recommended.
Later that night, Clare fell 15 stories from a London hotel to her death, an apparent suicide. Bereft, Mark starts asking questions, seeking a reason for her death. What was the meaning of a short written message which the police believed to be a suicide note, but really is ambiguous? What, if anything, does the discovery of several blackmail victims in the racing world have to do with her death?
The author shows the same talent as Dick Francis for creating suspense, pitting danger and personal jeopardy for his protagonist on the way of solving the mystery. And the reader will be hard put to tell the difference in the writing between father and son. It is virtually indistinguishable.
Highly recommended.
October 21, 2012
Based on the reviews from Dick Francis fans, I was prepared for another mediocre effort by Felix in an attempt to replicate his father's work. I was very pleasantly surprised. This was a great tale by Felix and, frankly, if I didn't know Felix had written it, I would have thought it to be not only one of Dick's, but one of his best.
The plot was very well thought out and Felix had obviously done a lot of research regarding the production of horse racing via television and other modern electronic communication. I also learned a lot about the betting process in Great Britain that I did not know previously.
Felix also did a very good job of creating and developing the protagonist and led us through his many trials and tribulations, much as his father used to do.
For me, Felix has now come of age as a writer. Let's give credit where credit is due and stop comparing him to the incompatible Dick Francis.
The plot was very well thought out and Felix had obviously done a lot of research regarding the production of horse racing via television and other modern electronic communication. I also learned a lot about the betting process in Great Britain that I did not know previously.
Felix also did a very good job of creating and developing the protagonist and led us through his many trials and tribulations, much as his father used to do.
For me, Felix has now come of age as a writer. Let's give credit where credit is due and stop comparing him to the incompatible Dick Francis.
February 1, 2013
I hadn't realized how much I missed reading Dick Francis' books until I pulled this one out of the library. Granted, this is Felix, the son, but his style is clearly reminiscent of his father's. What did strike me as a bit different, however, is that the protagonist and his sister, as well as their family, were not really very likeable people. Neither seemed to have many redeeming qualities which didn't make the book worse, but just different. In addition, the ick factor re: the denouement was kind of interesting. Really? That's the killer? Oh well, novels in the 21st Century. Here we are. Altogether a good read, or rather listen, as I had the audio book, but it does make me want to go back and pull out some older Dick Francis books.
May 30, 2015
Audio book. I read all the Dick Francis stories there were. This is the second by his son. As with the books written by his father this one has a first-person narrator and as with moots the other books, the narrator is directly tied to the host-racing industry, this time as a race commentator. I enjoyed it (although I occasionally got bogged down in racing details, such as why a trainer might secretly bet that his horse would lose and what he stood to gain if that horse did lose. Essentially, the narrator discovers that his jockey twin sister might be "throwing" some races but, before he has chance to find out if and why she dies in what is described as a suicide, he continues to search for why she died and ends up almost dying himself. Not a deep read but an exciting one.
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