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Stone Cold
It was only a horse race, but it could make Kelly Connor's reputation. Unfortunately there was more riding on Pendero's back at Ascot than a young jockey's career. There was the biggest gamble in the unsavoury life of trainer Harry Short. There was the decadent livelihood of Ibn Fayoud, the rich playboy son of an Arab sheikh. And for Jack Butler, the successful bookmaker, there was the sweetest, most dangerous deal imaginable...It was only a horse race, but it led Kelly Connor into a deadly international conspiracy of blackmail, seduction and murder.
- GenresMystery
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 1990
17 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
John Francome
38 books20 followersEx-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...
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fra...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2023
Francome's books first came to my attention in the early 90s when I bought one at Gatwick airport to read on the way home. I'd read most of the Dick Francis titles up to that date and was looking for a similar experience. I believe this one is definitely similar to some of the early Francis novels.
The main character is a woman jockey struggling to prove that she's a good jockey, not just a pretty face. This theme still has relevance. Kelly sometimes uses some poor judgement concerning who to trust, but this seems to be pretty human. The story presents "wheels within wheels" so that readers also can become leery about which characters are the good guys and which the bad (and are some a little of both?). Most of the action remains at and around the English racetracks, although there are a few international events scattered throughout.
Recommended to those enjoying the Francis works and others similar.
The main character is a woman jockey struggling to prove that she's a good jockey, not just a pretty face. This theme still has relevance. Kelly sometimes uses some poor judgement concerning who to trust, but this seems to be pretty human. The story presents "wheels within wheels" so that readers also can become leery about which characters are the good guys and which the bad (and are some a little of both?). Most of the action remains at and around the English racetracks, although there are a few international events scattered throughout.
Recommended to those enjoying the Francis works and others similar.
September 4, 2013
One of the better ones from Francome. This concerns the trials and tribulations of a female jockey and makes a good fast read.
He's still too much of a 'telling' writer for me. I like Dick Francis' way of showing the characters' feelings and thoughts. But he writes a tight thriller plot and I enjoyed this novel.
He's still too much of a 'telling' writer for me. I like Dick Francis' way of showing the characters' feelings and thoughts. But he writes a tight thriller plot and I enjoyed this novel.
February 26, 2020
Grittier and more convoluted...or intricately plotted...than Dick Francis' mysteries.
October 13, 2021
My first Francome didn't disappoint. The lead character was believable. A few story points seemed a little less plausible.
I thought better than Dick Francis. I loved reading Dick Francis 30 years ago but his writing has become dated.
I thought better than Dick Francis. I loved reading Dick Francis 30 years ago but his writing has become dated.
November 18, 2021
I bought about 5 John Francome novels a few years ago and never got around to reading them. My mistake, this book is as good if not better than Dick Francis's efforts. John's tale is a little more risque than Dick's books. Looking forward to his next book "Stud Poker"
November 5, 2023
A true International Thriller
Difficult to keep up with cornucopia of locations. Fast moving all our favourite baddies bent bookies, corrupt Jockey Club Officials and who knows how many others? Greatly enjoyed yarn.
Difficult to keep up with cornucopia of locations. Fast moving all our favourite baddies bent bookies, corrupt Jockey Club Officials and who knows how many others? Greatly enjoyed yarn.
May 10, 2018
Thrilling to the end!
Loved this book. Gripping from beginning to the end.
Great plot and all the excitement of the racing crowd, kept me up all night finishing it...!
Loved this book. Gripping from beginning to the end.
Great plot and all the excitement of the racing crowd, kept me up all night finishing it...!
May 21, 2020
Given that i i'm not into the horse racing industry I got a little bit bogged down with the detail. Some of descriptions of scenery made up for this.
March 28, 2021
Whoever said this author was like Dick Francis must've been stoned.
This is NOTHING like Dick Francis. Can't even finish reading it. This story is horrible.
This is NOTHING like Dick Francis. Can't even finish reading it. This story is horrible.
March 6, 2015
Stone Cold is a really good horse racing mystery. The excellent plot is well written and fast-paced with plenty twists and turns. Most of the character descriptions lack depth though; they seem somewhat secondary to the story.
John Francome is indeed not Dick Francis. That’s good; I don’t need two identical authors. Is one of them better than the other? I don’t think so. Different, yes; better, no. Dick Francis’ characters are much better, easier to relate to. But I find John Francome’s plots more interesting and better drafted.
John Francome is indeed not Dick Francis. That’s good; I don’t need two identical authors. Is one of them better than the other? I don’t think so. Different, yes; better, no. Dick Francis’ characters are much better, easier to relate to. But I find John Francome’s plots more interesting and better drafted.
September 10, 2008
STONE COLD - Poor
Francome, John - Standalone
On one horse race rests Kelly Connor's career as a jockey; the bigggest gamble in the unsavoury life of trainer Harry Short; the livelihood of playboy Ibn Fayound; and the sweetest, most dangerous deal of bookmaker Jack Butler's life. Connor is led into a conspiracy of blackmail and murder.
He is definitely NOT Dick Francis. The plot was overly complicated and he can not write women.
Francome, John - Standalone
On one horse race rests Kelly Connor's career as a jockey; the bigggest gamble in the unsavoury life of trainer Harry Short; the livelihood of playboy Ibn Fayound; and the sweetest, most dangerous deal of bookmaker Jack Butler's life. Connor is led into a conspiracy of blackmail and murder.
He is definitely NOT Dick Francis. The plot was overly complicated and he can not write women.
September 10, 2011
Actually one of the better John Francome's but stil the poor mans Dick Francis!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews