Dead Certainty

Harry Radcliffe #1

by Glenis Wilson

A fast-paced mystery set in the cut-throat world of horse-racing: the first in the brand-new Harry Radcliffe series.

Recuperating after a serious accident, not knowing if he’ll ever ride again, champion jump jockey and racing columnist Harry Radcliffe accepts a commission to ghost-write the autobiography of retiring racehorse trainer Elspeth Maudsley. But as he begins to research her family history, it becomes increasingly clear to Harry that there are things Elspeth isn’t telling him about her past. What’s more, a series of threatening incidents, escalating in menace and intensity, begins to convince Harry that someone is determined to stop him writing this book – whatever it takes.

And Harry is about to uncover secrets in his own family’s past too. Secrets that will shake him to his core and ensure that he can never feel certain about anything again.

Genres: Mystery, Horses

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2015

About the author

Glenis Wilson was born and still lives in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. She is also a qualified Reflexologist and Spiritual Healer.
The author can contacted directly at: harryradclifferacing@hotmail.com

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! Loved the book.

[Chris Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when I stumble across a book, find out it is a part of a series and the book is terrific. This book, which was a bit reminiscent of Dick Francis's racing mysteries, was really well done. I am looking forward to the next two books.

[Tina Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysteries and intrigue come thick and fast in the world of racing. Dead Certainty by Glenis Wilson is another addition to this catalogue. The novel could have been written by the likes of Dick Francis (or his wife) as it exhibits the same style of writing. Another similarity is the fact that mystery also surrounds the society of racing, here too.

I'm not complaining about how Ms Wilson has written Dead Certainty but I'm not liking the racing theme. Many critics could see this as piggy-backing on the success of a best-selling author which would be a shame. The author should be viewed as someone new and exciting in their own right. Constant references to another best-selling writer in its reviews isn't really what any author wants to see. Another worrying thing for me, is that I was actually getting extremely confused in my head between Dead Certainty and Tip Off, a John Francome novel. Yes, yet another series of horse racing mysteries...

Perhaps this was due to the fact that I had only finished the latter novel recently; a matter of a few weeks. But, whatever the reason, this is not the desired reaction from your readers that you should be aiming for. Your book should be the one that sticks in people's minds. It should make a mark. Unfortunately, for Ms Wilson, Dick Francis' Bolt is the only book that does that for me in this particular genre.

Even though I am a lover of horses and mysteries, I often tend to avoid reading books just like these, anyway. I have an idea that the subject of racing is a contributory factor here. I'm just not liking it. There are so many other equine disciplines out there that it is a waste of an extensive market just to stick to one or two.

I can't fault the remaining aspects of the novel, though. Good development of characters with a variety of personalities and personal difficulties. Maybe, something to offset the lack of variety in the book's theme? Aside from everything I have said, this is a good book to read, plenty of action and you can't help root for the poor protagonist who seems to get it in the neck frequently. He appears to have more luck caring for his disabled sister than he does himself.

Good read.

[Philip Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent mystery set in the horse racing industry, with lots of intrigue, very much in the vein of Dick Francis, Felix Francis and John Francome

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blurb has this as the second coming of Dick Francis. Well, no. But it was an interesting, entertaining mystery set in the horse racing fraternity.

[Stan Usher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dick Francis it is not, but as racing thrillers go its a good enjoyable read, with good characters and atmosphere

[Vanessa Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulously exciting -

A really gripping and well written book. A great plot of murder and mayhem that keeps you going until the very end end. Can’t wait to read the next one.

[Chris B · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather mediocre reheated sub-Francis/Francome story. But despite a ludicrous sub-plot about miraculous 'spiritual healing' of people, animals and plants - even at a distance ('coincidentally' the author also claims to be a healer herself, and cannot resist inserting this into the story!) - I'd still have given 3 stars.
However, there are a number of jarringly clumsy pieces of writing. The author purports to have been in a writing group for 30+ years, yet still can't resist over elaborating. The worst example is " ...restorative sleep. This engendered by a day spent in the open air": the word you're flailing for is 'after': "....restorative sleep after a day spent in the open air". Fixed it!
There are other examples, and also annoying clunkers: a hospital window "Colditz-like" just because it's kept shut (not barred) and car parks "generously accommodating"...
This feels like a hopeful submission by an aspiring unpublished author rather than a mainstream book by an established one. Not having read anything else by her, I don't know whether the poor passages are typical, or whether this was written at the beginning of her career and only now published having been resurrected from a dust-filled drawer but not edited....
I rather hope that this is juvenilia and her later writing is better, but I'll not put this to the test.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

its not dick Francis

But it’s wonderfully good. AND it appears to be a series. There is a lot of heart felt life experiences, more off the racecourse in this installment. But is has a genuine feel, a love of horses, and obvious knowledge of riders, jockeys and trainers. It will be interesting to see where the series heads; i have already downloaded the second installment

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Dick Francis-style murder mystery. I actually read the second book first, and wish I'd read them in order. It was good - perhaps a little weak in the plot development. I enjoyed it as a tribute to Francis and especially enjoyed the British phrases and setting.

[Judith Trail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The right amount of involvement in the racing world in the UK and a likeable protagonist who is stubborn through threat and more to resolve the mystery in this novel. Lots of knowledge about racing and the types, both good and not so good, of people that comprise this world.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay writing a la Dick Francis, who the author graciously acknowledges right at the start. But, fairly preposterous plot. And way too much romantic angst about the main character's estranged wife for my taste. I will try a later book in the series and see.

[Emg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Harry was just too good to be true.
Author needs to use more robust adjectives to add weight ("luscious" and "delectable" just didn't work). Plot line seemed to be strung together rather developed. And the ending! "Oh, I just made sad stuff happen; I better balance it with happy stuff".

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Dick Francis lovers.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have ready every Dick & Felix Frances book but enjoyed this more than most of theirs. It was more gripping & hard to put down.

[Mrs R · Rating 5 out of 5]

page turner

Made me cry at the end! Can’t wait for the next one! Great storytelling, gradual uncovering of facts and a great ending!

[Gary Vassallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enthralling read from start to finish. I could not put it down as it headed to its climax. While I did see a few of the twists coming I did not see the final twist at the end. Keen to read more of Wilson's books.

[Bestselling Thrillers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Certainty Glenis Wilson 3.5 stars

Skulduggery in the world of horse racing!
Glenis Wilson is following in the steps of Dick Francis in writing about crime in the racing fraternity. In this she strikes just the right balance, and produces a really good story which Francis fans will appreciate.
Harry is a successful jump jockey, until the day he falls at a fence in a pile up with another jockey and horse, and winds up with serious injuries. The doctors make it clear that it is in no way certain that he will be able to return to racing. This is not good news for Harry whose only other income is from a small newspaper column; how will he support both himself, and his disabled sister Sylvie for whom he pays nursing home fees?
Luckily his friend and boss Mike, and his ex-wife Annabel have his back, and Harry is engaged to ghost write the autobiography of Elspeth Maudsley, a successful trainer who is on the point of retirement.
Harry isn’t thrilled by the job, but has the sense not to turn it down and so he settles down with his long-suffering cat Leo, to write his first book.
Almost straight away however he is involved in a series of ‘accidents’ and it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want this book written.
This is a very competent ‘who dunnit?’, but with a good sprinkling of surprises, which lift it to a higher level. It also has likeable (and not so likeable) characters who are very real.
I kept turning the pages until I got to the unexpected conclusion and really enjoyed the read. I am quite sure that you will too.
Pashtpaws

Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review

[Amy Thorleifson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked Dick Francis and can read without comparing, you will like this one. The hero is recuperating jockey Harry Radcliffe who has been hired to ghost write the autobiography of a famous female trainer. Harry has a sometime resident cat named Leo and a wife who has moved on but who is still the love of his life. He also has a severely impaired half-sister who requires care in a specialized nursing home. Several family secrets arise, including one affecting Harry, and with some car chases and general mayhem directed at Harry, a final solution is achieved.
Good characters, adequate racing background and believable twists make this a good read.

[BeParticular · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this. Harry is a very likable character. The plot grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention straight through. I was a bit disappointed by the revelation of the murderer and their motivation--I thought it was a lazy and not believable resolution. But that was not enough to spoil my overall enjoyment of the book. I've never read any Dick Francis, and am not a horseracing fan, but I'll likely check out the next book in this series.

[Sherri Siegfriedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book tremendously! She may have out-mastered the master.