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Crossfire
Shell-shocked after losing a foot during his tour in Afghanistan, Captain Tom Forsyth returns to his estranged mother's house. His mother has always put horses first and family last. But now she's being blackmailed for a hefty sum every week and being forced to make her horses lose. Using the skills he honed in the military, Tom sets out to find and defeat a hidden enemy before his mother's reputation is ruined, and he ends up back in the crossfire.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2010
195 people are currently reading
1259 people want to read
About the author
Dick Francis
535 books1,249 followersDick Francis, CBE, FRSL (born Richard Stanley Francis) was a popular British horse racing crime writer and retired jockey.
Dick Francis worked on his books with his wife, Mary, before her death. Dick considered his wife to be his co-writer - as he is quoted in the book, "The Dick Francis Companion", released in 2003:
"Mary and I worked as a team. ... I have often said that I would have been happy to have both our names on the cover. Mary's family always called me Richard due to having another Dick in the family. I am Richard, Mary was Mary, and Dick Francis was the two of us together."
Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror '
Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph '
Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National.
On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott.
During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
Dick Francis worked on his books with his wife, Mary, before her death. Dick considered his wife to be his co-writer - as he is quoted in the book, "The Dick Francis Companion", released in 2003:
"Mary and I worked as a team. ... I have often said that I would have been happy to have both our names on the cover. Mary's family always called me Richard due to having another Dick in the family. I am Richard, Mary was Mary, and Dick Francis was the two of us together."
Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror '
Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph '
Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National.
On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott.
During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 459 reviews
December 2, 2011
It breaks my heart to give a weak review to any book with Dick Francis's name on it. It was a grievous loss to the literary world when the master of mystery died in 2010. I am not a horse person or horse-racing fan, but I've devoured every one of Dick Francis's novels, all of which touched on the world of British racing in some fashion. The cool thing was that he could sketch a sympathetic protagonist, whether a jockey, trainer, wine-supplier to the racing crowd, architect hired by a racing family, or whatever in just a few lines, and power into a tantalizing mystery in just a few pages. Action, twists, everything was minimalist. Though some books were weaker than others, most were an engrossing thrill ride, populated with men and women I cared about. Alas, after Mr Francis's beloved wife and collaborator Mary died a few years ago, things were not the same. For four novels, he collaborated with son Felix. I have found none of them up to the standards of Dick Francis's earlier work, but still felt the master's presence. In Crossfire, the last to bear Dick's name as co-author, I didn't feel him there at all.
Crossfire's first person narrator, the injured soldier son of a race horse trainer newly back from Iraq, was flat and unlikeable. The plot - our hero forsaking honor and principles to protect his mother (that neither he nor I respected or liked) from the consequences of her long time tax evasion - fell flat. It wasn't just that he considered it an intellectual puzzle. He was not at all an intellectual. So he was proving his worth after his injury? Sorry, didn't work for me. The villains were predictable and as uninteresting and unlikeable as the hero and his mother.
Bottom line, if you want to read a terrific Dick Francis mystery, read Odds Against, Whip Hand, and Come to Grief, the three books starring Sid Halley, my personal favorites, or Decider or Proof or well, just about any of them. I wish Felix Francis well, but he needs to learn a bit more to carry on his father's fine legacy.
Crossfire's first person narrator, the injured soldier son of a race horse trainer newly back from Iraq, was flat and unlikeable. The plot - our hero forsaking honor and principles to protect his mother (that neither he nor I respected or liked) from the consequences of her long time tax evasion - fell flat. It wasn't just that he considered it an intellectual puzzle. He was not at all an intellectual. So he was proving his worth after his injury? Sorry, didn't work for me. The villains were predictable and as uninteresting and unlikeable as the hero and his mother.
Bottom line, if you want to read a terrific Dick Francis mystery, read Odds Against, Whip Hand, and Come to Grief, the three books starring Sid Halley, my personal favorites, or Decider or Proof or well, just about any of them. I wish Felix Francis well, but he needs to learn a bit more to carry on his father's fine legacy.
April 11, 2011
I'm a long-time Dick Francis fan, and have most of his books in the basement of our house. (Or rather, had--I reached the point where I couldn't read them again, because even though I know them as "the one with the travel author", or "the one with the architect", I recognized all the plots and villains automatically) "Crossfire" is not, however, a DIck Francis novel. It's by his son, Felix Francis, who did research for Francis pere's earlier books. Felix has not yet grasped his father's style, alas.
Dick Francis novels are all roughly similar, sharing the same flavoursome ingredients. Our hero is a calm and quiet chap (always a chap), often estranged from his father, who avoids confrontation and argument. He's physically attacked early in the novel to show what's up against, and then bravely puts himself into danger again at the climax of the novel (demonstrating his bravery to the reader). The villain is often an older man, and class consciousness is strong--a Lord is frequently the quiet guardian and helper of the hero. There are women, but they're not the central point of the novel. Some aspect of the racing industry features in the book, but often there's another industry that's central--jockeys, lads, and owners don't form the majority of Francis's heroes. The writing is smooth and easy, never didactic, and the hero's choices (including putting himself in danger) are rational and never just for the sake of plot. Finally, the novel ends with a blistering race where the good guys win.
Of those key elements, Felix has preserved the male hero, the racing background, and the horse race at the end. In the middle, though, we have a confused hero who doesn't do a good job of thinking through his actions, an even more confused plot, and occasional lapses into clumsy exposition as though a chunk of Wikipedia were pasted into the middle of an otherwise innocent text. I found it disappointing that the elements I loved so much in the father's writing were not present in the son's attempt to continue the series, and I'm curious to see what the halflife of my fond associations with the "Francis" name are: will I buy the next book, the one after that, ... ? How many disappointments until I cease to buy these at airport bookshops?
Dick Francis novels are all roughly similar, sharing the same flavoursome ingredients. Our hero is a calm and quiet chap (always a chap), often estranged from his father, who avoids confrontation and argument. He's physically attacked early in the novel to show what's up against, and then bravely puts himself into danger again at the climax of the novel (demonstrating his bravery to the reader). The villain is often an older man, and class consciousness is strong--a Lord is frequently the quiet guardian and helper of the hero. There are women, but they're not the central point of the novel. Some aspect of the racing industry features in the book, but often there's another industry that's central--jockeys, lads, and owners don't form the majority of Francis's heroes. The writing is smooth and easy, never didactic, and the hero's choices (including putting himself in danger) are rational and never just for the sake of plot. Finally, the novel ends with a blistering race where the good guys win.
Of those key elements, Felix has preserved the male hero, the racing background, and the horse race at the end. In the middle, though, we have a confused hero who doesn't do a good job of thinking through his actions, an even more confused plot, and occasional lapses into clumsy exposition as though a chunk of Wikipedia were pasted into the middle of an otherwise innocent text. I found it disappointing that the elements I loved so much in the father's writing were not present in the son's attempt to continue the series, and I'm curious to see what the halflife of my fond associations with the "Francis" name are: will I buy the next book, the one after that, ... ? How many disappointments until I cease to buy these at airport bookshops?
March 25, 2022
Almost sad after reading this book because it is the last Dick Francis book. Francis has been such a great part of my reading life. He will be sorely missed. I have now read all of his books. I proudly own a few first editions of his work signed by the author. I am sure I will reread all of them.
August 10, 2020
This is the last book bearing the name of one of my favourite authors,whose books I've enjoyed over the years.
But most of this book seems to be the handiwork of his son,Felix.Dick Francis was 90 when he died,in 2010.
Captain Forsyth has returned from Afghanistan,after losing a foot.He returns to the house of his mother,a racehorse trainer,with whom he has always had a difficult relationship.Now there is a stepfather as well.
His mother has always put her horses and her work,ahead of her son.But now the son can be useful to her,when he finds that she is being blackmailed.His military skills will come in handy when trying to extricate his mother from this mess.
It's a pretty good book.Felix's writing has its own distinct flavour.But the sad thing about it is that Dick Francis would write no more.
But most of this book seems to be the handiwork of his son,Felix.Dick Francis was 90 when he died,in 2010.
Captain Forsyth has returned from Afghanistan,after losing a foot.He returns to the house of his mother,a racehorse trainer,with whom he has always had a difficult relationship.Now there is a stepfather as well.
His mother has always put her horses and her work,ahead of her son.But now the son can be useful to her,when he finds that she is being blackmailed.His military skills will come in handy when trying to extricate his mother from this mess.
It's a pretty good book.Felix's writing has its own distinct flavour.But the sad thing about it is that Dick Francis would write no more.
August 2, 2016
Being an avid Dick Francis fan I looked forward to reading this book co written with Felix Francis. It was as usual, very well written with a great plot and believable characters, in particular I liked Captain Tom Forsyth and his tales of his officer command in Afghanistan and coping with life after suffering an IED. However, I've dropped a star mainly because I was a little disappointed that the usual tales of hose racing and its exploits wasn't featured as heavily in this one compared to other books. I would recommend "Crossfire" to anyone - even as a standalone novel regardless of whether you're into horses or not, but if you prefer the more traditional horse racing books of Francis's fame them maybe this one is not for you.
August 30, 2010
How can I possibly do justice to the final book by Dick Francis? His books have been such an important part of my reading life for so many years. I hope his son continues - I will definitely read anything he writes - but honestly it just won't be the same.
If you are a Dick Francis fan, you definitely need to read this one. I don't feel that it is his best book ever, but still a very fine story for his last one. I won't mind reading it again sometime in the future. 3.5 stars.
Rest in peace, Dick Francis! You will be missed.
If you are a Dick Francis fan, you definitely need to read this one. I don't feel that it is his best book ever, but still a very fine story for his last one. I won't mind reading it again sometime in the future. 3.5 stars.
Rest in peace, Dick Francis! You will be missed.
January 8, 2018
Well, this was disappointing. I've enjoyed every other Dick Francis that has come along and it is obvious that Dad did not have a lot of input on this novel. Yes, it is a horse racing mystery...well, at least, it takes place in Lambourn, and the nasty events are happening to a horse trainer.
Tom Forsyth is on medical leave after losing a foot in Afghanistan and soon discovers that his mother, noted horse trainer, Josephine Kauris, is being threatened. Using his battle skills, Tom soon uncovers the mystery behind the threats.
Unfortunately, while the formula is followed, no real tension is created. It's weird because the words are there but I just am not feeling it. Part of it is because, I cannot believe that a captain in the British army with 15 years of experience could be so dumb. He's held captive for over a day before he thinks that, maybe, he'd better get himself out of it? He goes on stakeout but doesn't think that seriously about his practical camouflage? Half way through the day, he thinks of a camera...duh... The best method of achieving leverage is to sleep with one of the perpetrators and then take pictures of her naked...could we get a little bit of tension going here...??? Then there's the ending. Yes, it's all tidy but not very realistic. I mean, sure Tom talks about how the horses and dogs were his friends as a child...doesn't make him a horse trainer.
There's just no passion in this one.
Tom Forsyth is on medical leave after losing a foot in Afghanistan and soon discovers that his mother, noted horse trainer, Josephine Kauris, is being threatened. Using his battle skills, Tom soon uncovers the mystery behind the threats.
Unfortunately, while the formula is followed, no real tension is created. It's weird because the words are there but I just am not feeling it. Part of it is because, I cannot believe that a captain in the British army with 15 years of experience could be so dumb. He's held captive for over a day before he thinks that, maybe, he'd better get himself out of it? He goes on stakeout but doesn't think that seriously about his practical camouflage? Half way through the day, he thinks of a camera...duh... The best method of achieving leverage is to sleep with one of the perpetrators and then take pictures of her naked...could we get a little bit of tension going here...??? Then there's the ending. Yes, it's all tidy but not very realistic. I mean, sure Tom talks about how the horses and dogs were his friends as a child...doesn't make him a horse trainer.
There's just no passion in this one.
August 20, 2010
This was fairly good but not my favorite Francis. I had a couple of huh? moments with some of the horse stuff. One of the things I enjoy about Dick Francis' work is that I know the horse stuff will be done right. Were these huh? moments because this was more than likely mainly written by Felix? I hope that this isn't going to be a problem if Felix continues to write these books.
The story mostly felt the same as the Francis novels I have come to love over the years. The voice is basically the same, the level of detail and research the same high quality. There were parts that were very well done on the getting of information although some of the machinations were not as convoluted as in other Francis novels. The main character was manly and mostly a loner as usual. There wasn't a bout of fisticuffs which is usually but not always included. It did feel similar in plot to many others of Francis' books. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, at least the familiar is well loved and comfortable. The army stuff was good and the British slant on it all was interesting.
The part I disliked the most was the ending, what the main character decides to do with his life in the future. It 100% didn't ring true. I went "you're kidding me?" You'll see when you get there.
The story mostly felt the same as the Francis novels I have come to love over the years. The voice is basically the same, the level of detail and research the same high quality. There were parts that were very well done on the getting of information although some of the machinations were not as convoluted as in other Francis novels. The main character was manly and mostly a loner as usual. There wasn't a bout of fisticuffs which is usually but not always included. It did feel similar in plot to many others of Francis' books. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, at least the familiar is well loved and comfortable. The army stuff was good and the British slant on it all was interesting.
The part I disliked the most was the ending, what the main character decides to do with his life in the future. It 100% didn't ring true. I went "you're kidding me?" You'll see when you get there.
November 20, 2019
Tom, the son of a horse trainer and a stable owner, returns home after 15 years of military service and lost his foot following a bombing in Afghanistan. He is not received with open arms and soon realizes that his mother is being blackmailed, that the racing team's finances are catastrophic and that his mother is making her good racehorses sick with food so they will not win. Tom decides to get to the bottom of everything and catch the culprit without the police being involved.
Very exciting written and it was a great reading pleasure.
(4&frrac12;)
Very exciting written and it was a great reading pleasure.
(4&frrac12;)
August 4, 2012
What is there to say about Dick Francis? As I think about all of his books (yes, this review covers all of his books, and yes I've read them all) I think about a moral ethical hero, steeped in intelligence and goodness embroiled in evil machinations within British horse racing society - either directly or indirectly. The heroes aren't always horse jockies, they can be film producers, or involve heroes engaged in peripheral professions that somehow always touch the horse racing world.
But more than that, Francis's heroes are rational human beings. The choices made are rational choices directed by a firm objective philosophy that belies all of Francis's novels. The dialogue is clear and touched with humor no matter the intensity of evil that the hero faces. The hero's thoughts reveal a vulnerability that is touching, while his actions are always based on doing the right thing to achieve justice.
Causing the reader to deeply care about the characters in a novel is a difficult thing to do. No such worries in a Francis novel. The point of view is first person, you are the main character as you read the story (usually the character of Mr. Douglas). The hero is personable, like able, non-violent but delivering swift justice with his mind rather than through physical means. This is not to say that violence is a stranger to our hero. Some of it staggering and often delivered by what we would think of normal persons living in British society.
You will come to love the world of Steeple Chase racing, you will grow a fondness for horses, stables, trainers and the people who live in that world. You will read the books, devouring one after the other and trust me Dick Francis has a lot of novels (over 40 by my last count).
There are several series woven into the fabric of Francis's work: notably the Sid Halley and Kit Fielding series.
Assessment: Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers. I read his books with a fierce hunger that remains insatiable and I mourn his death.
But more than that, Francis's heroes are rational human beings. The choices made are rational choices directed by a firm objective philosophy that belies all of Francis's novels. The dialogue is clear and touched with humor no matter the intensity of evil that the hero faces. The hero's thoughts reveal a vulnerability that is touching, while his actions are always based on doing the right thing to achieve justice.
Causing the reader to deeply care about the characters in a novel is a difficult thing to do. No such worries in a Francis novel. The point of view is first person, you are the main character as you read the story (usually the character of Mr. Douglas). The hero is personable, like able, non-violent but delivering swift justice with his mind rather than through physical means. This is not to say that violence is a stranger to our hero. Some of it staggering and often delivered by what we would think of normal persons living in British society.
You will come to love the world of Steeple Chase racing, you will grow a fondness for horses, stables, trainers and the people who live in that world. You will read the books, devouring one after the other and trust me Dick Francis has a lot of novels (over 40 by my last count).
There are several series woven into the fabric of Francis's work: notably the Sid Halley and Kit Fielding series.
Assessment: Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers. I read his books with a fierce hunger that remains insatiable and I mourn his death.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: Medic! Medic!
Captain Thomas Forsythe has returned from fighting and being injured in Afghanistan, to a place called home in name only. He and his mother have never been close. She is a well-known, well-respected, successful trainer of racehorses and at risk of losing everything to a blackmailer and/or the Inland Revenue. For the first time ever, Tom can help his mother; if she would only let him.
One thing on which you can always count with a Francis novel is a captivating opening and this book didn’t disappoint. It begins with a bang, literally, and is both current to our time and effective. After that, I must admit, the old charm wasn’t quite there.
Tom is an effective character and classically Francis; he’s independent, a loner, self-reliant and determined. He was certainly the best of the characters in the story, and the most well developed.
It may sound silly, but I enjoyed that the author’s voice, particularly with both the author and the characters being British, sounds British without an attempt to Americanize it. There was a strong sense of place, I feel I’m coming to know the Lambourn region. Details make a difference. The inclusion of information on Tom’s life in the military, including what the infantry wears and carries with them, but also information on the tax system; these things add dimension to the story.
Taking into account that I was reading an uncorrected proof, there was a good deal of redundancy. I hope that won’t be true with the finished edition.
The plot was good, but lacked the suspense to which I’m accustomed and a number of the situations were strikingly, and rather uncomfortably, familiar from previous books. Remembering specifically which books definitely took me out of being involved in reading this one.
One of the classic Francis elements was missing; the protagonist was never involved in a fight. Considering the occupation of the protagonist, this was one book in which he could really have held his own. Maybe that's why it wasn't included, but I certainly noticed the lack of it being there.
What did work, however, was the climax. It was unexpected, somewhat shocking and one of the best from Francis in awhile. The epilogue was well done and it is always important to me to know justice is served.
For all its faults, I don’t regret having read “Crossfire.” It will be interesting to see how the Francis name and style progresses from here.
CROSSFIRE (Ama Sleu-Tom Forsythe-England-Cont) – Good
Francis, Dick and Felix – 45th book
Putnam Adult, ©2010, ARC, US HC ISBN: 9780399156816
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Captain Thomas Forsythe has returned from fighting and being injured in Afghanistan, to a place called home in name only. He and his mother have never been close. She is a well-known, well-respected, successful trainer of racehorses and at risk of losing everything to a blackmailer and/or the Inland Revenue. For the first time ever, Tom can help his mother; if she would only let him.
One thing on which you can always count with a Francis novel is a captivating opening and this book didn’t disappoint. It begins with a bang, literally, and is both current to our time and effective. After that, I must admit, the old charm wasn’t quite there.
Tom is an effective character and classically Francis; he’s independent, a loner, self-reliant and determined. He was certainly the best of the characters in the story, and the most well developed.
It may sound silly, but I enjoyed that the author’s voice, particularly with both the author and the characters being British, sounds British without an attempt to Americanize it. There was a strong sense of place, I feel I’m coming to know the Lambourn region. Details make a difference. The inclusion of information on Tom’s life in the military, including what the infantry wears and carries with them, but also information on the tax system; these things add dimension to the story.
Taking into account that I was reading an uncorrected proof, there was a good deal of redundancy. I hope that won’t be true with the finished edition.
The plot was good, but lacked the suspense to which I’m accustomed and a number of the situations were strikingly, and rather uncomfortably, familiar from previous books. Remembering specifically which books definitely took me out of being involved in reading this one.
One of the classic Francis elements was missing; the protagonist was never involved in a fight. Considering the occupation of the protagonist, this was one book in which he could really have held his own. Maybe that's why it wasn't included, but I certainly noticed the lack of it being there.
What did work, however, was the climax. It was unexpected, somewhat shocking and one of the best from Francis in awhile. The epilogue was well done and it is always important to me to know justice is served.
For all its faults, I don’t regret having read “Crossfire.” It will be interesting to see how the Francis name and style progresses from here.
CROSSFIRE (Ama Sleu-Tom Forsythe-England-Cont) – Good
Francis, Dick and Felix – 45th book
Putnam Adult, ©2010, ARC, US HC ISBN: 9780399156816
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May 16, 2014
"Crossfire" by Dick Francis and Felix Francis was the perfect book for me during a time when I needed something easy to read, fun and informative. Up to now I'd never read any mysteries by Dick Frances, and all I'd previously known about him was that he wrote books with a racing theme. As I familiarized myself with the life of the narrator, Captain Thomas Forsyth, I became intrigued by his life as as soldier in Afganistan, childhood and his homecoming.
A career infantry man, who considered the British army his salvation, his journey once he reunited with his family was as stressful as his time in Afghanistan. The thing that I found the most fascinating about the story was the way Tom used the survival skills he'd learned in the military to help his mother, Josephine Kauri and her husband Derek Phillips out of a tight spot that included blackmail, murder and fraud. Gripping and suspenseful, with just enough humor to keep it from being maudlin and heavy, "Crossfire" is the perfect blend of intrigue, nostalgia and traditional logic.
A career infantry man, who considered the British army his salvation, his journey once he reunited with his family was as stressful as his time in Afghanistan. The thing that I found the most fascinating about the story was the way Tom used the survival skills he'd learned in the military to help his mother, Josephine Kauri and her husband Derek Phillips out of a tight spot that included blackmail, murder and fraud. Gripping and suspenseful, with just enough humor to keep it from being maudlin and heavy, "Crossfire" is the perfect blend of intrigue, nostalgia and traditional logic.
August 23, 2020
Almost DNF in the middle of the first reveals, but was so near the end that I decided to keep going. Dick Francis as sole writer hasn't let me down yet, but I will avoid Felix Francis / Dick Francis collaborations in future.
June 16, 2021
You know what you're gonna get with Dick Francis. His final novel didn't disappoint. Tom Forsyth is a well written central character. You just know that, against all odds, he's going to get the bad guys in the end.
December 15, 2017
Simple straightforward thriller, in the same style as ever. Easy to read, and outcome not immediately identifiable. Relaxing, not testing.
August 2, 2025
How have I missed this book. I’ve been reading Dick Francis books since 1975 but this one escaped. It’s a fast paced very different story and a great read. I will need to track a copy down to add to my collection that gets reread on a regular basis.
March 5, 2021
‘Borrowed’ from my late Pops. I can see why he liked Dick Francis so.
August 11, 2017
Crossfire as a mystery compounds the discomfort foreshadowed in the title by making the protagonist a wounded war veteran who newly wears a prosthetic leg. Had been released from rehab about 4 months prior to coming home. Seems to be getting around quite well. As with many Francis protagonists, said veteran (Thomas) is trying to figure out if he happens to have any kind of future in the armed services, his professed vocation in more than one way. And, as with many Francis novels, the plot zeroes in on the protagonist’s fear that he or she cannot cope in certain situations and the most psychological pain the author(s) can give her or him. In this case, what would the protagonist do in a life or death situation in which the prosthetic proved unavailable? And, as with many Francis novels, the mystery is at least superficially tied to horse racing—both the business of horse racing and the actual training/running of the horses.
But there were two particularly nice moments that piqued my interest. The first was a rather humorous exchange between the protagonist and a potential source. “’You do have a suspicious mind,’ he said, again looking down at my face.” To this gambit, our “hero” responds, “Did Little Bo Peep actually lose her sheep, or were they stolen?” To which comes the response, “He laughed. ‘Did Humpty Dumpty fall, or was he pushed?’” (p. 178) The second was something I probably should have known, but didn’t. At one point, the protagonist is gathering materials together and I learned, “Originally designed during the Second World War to keep gun magazines and ammunition boxes watertight in jungle conditions, duct tape has since become the must-have item for each and every mission.” (p. 253)
As usual, Crossfire is the epitome of a Francis mystery. It purports to be related to horse racing, but enlightens one on so many different areas, as well as offering us characters in desperate situations facing their inner horrors. One may not like any of the characters in this book (the betrayals, the greed, the insensitivity, and many other negative traits are palpable), but one cannot help but like the book. I didn’t feel like Crossfire was quite the masterpiece I sometimes experienced with Dick Francis mysteries, but it is still running ahead of the pack.
(less)
But there were two particularly nice moments that piqued my interest. The first was a rather humorous exchange between the protagonist and a potential source. “’You do have a suspicious mind,’ he said, again looking down at my face.” To this gambit, our “hero” responds, “Did Little Bo Peep actually lose her sheep, or were they stolen?” To which comes the response, “He laughed. ‘Did Humpty Dumpty fall, or was he pushed?’” (p. 178) The second was something I probably should have known, but didn’t. At one point, the protagonist is gathering materials together and I learned, “Originally designed during the Second World War to keep gun magazines and ammunition boxes watertight in jungle conditions, duct tape has since become the must-have item for each and every mission.” (p. 253)
As usual, Crossfire is the epitome of a Francis mystery. It purports to be related to horse racing, but enlightens one on so many different areas, as well as offering us characters in desperate situations facing their inner horrors. One may not like any of the characters in this book (the betrayals, the greed, the insensitivity, and many other negative traits are palpable), but one cannot help but like the book. I didn’t feel like Crossfire was quite the masterpiece I sometimes experienced with Dick Francis mysteries, but it is still running ahead of the pack.
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December 20, 2010
I am an avid fan of Dick Francis. I love the varied ways in which he draws us into the multiple worlds of British horse racing in his mysteries. I generally rush to read each new installment -- but maybe after this one I'll merely amble in the direction. His son Felix has joined him and co-writes this novel about a soldier in the war in Afghanistan whose foot is blown off by a roadside bomb. The soldier, Thomas Forsyth, returns to his mother's house to recover. If he had anywhere else to go, he would. He and his mother (and stepfather) have never done anything but argue, and he misses the life of a soldier already. His mother is a noted racehorse trainer, but lately many of her most promising horses have inexplicably lost races they'd been predicted to win. Thomas soon discovers that his mother is involved in tax evasion and is being blackmailed. His efforts to discover the blackmailer and free his mother from extortion lead him into dangerous - even deadly - territory. This book had Francis' usual plot twists without also having his usual engaging and smooth writing style. The wording is awkward, the dialog stilted, the characters manipulated for plot effects rather than real and "living".
May 22, 2013
I still could not get this book to register correctly just using the title, Crossfire. Be that as it may, I enjoyed reading this! [I]Crossfire[/I], by Dick and Felix Francis, is the latest novel that youngest son Felix has written. It was quite suspenseful and utilizes a lot of modern technology--but then has an incongruous use of a samurai sword! I did not think the hero, Tom Forsyth--an army officer on medical leave due to the loss of a foot--was completely believable. Although being a amputee has could have its limits, both physical and emotional, Forsyth insists on doing everything himself without involving the proper authorities (reminds me of Harry Potter!). But, there is a "line" which should not be crossed--and he crosses it, resulting in the death of a young woman and almost his and his mother's deaths. I would think that a trained soldier would not be so reluctant to utilize local law enforcement (but that is my opinion and I know that other readers would be more empathetic). Still, a very good read! A 3.5 out of 5.
August 27, 2010
A career soldier who's lost his foot in the war, Tom returns to his mother's home until he sorts out what he wants to do with his life since he can't be a warrior anymore. His mother runs a stable and is well known, but he's never gotten along with her or anyone else it would seem. At the start of the book, Tom comes across as a very cold fish, very reserved, distant, and quite bitter. I guess that's to be expected because of the trauma of his injury, but I get the feeling that he was that way before.
At any rate, once he finds out that his mother and stepfather are being blackmailed, the story gets better. He's got a job to do, to save his mother from going to prison. I think having that focus does change him a bit and he starts to be a bit more human.
There's a lot about finances in the book, more so than about horses, which I think slowed the pace of the novel. Still, there's quite a bit of action toward the end and a few surprises.
At any rate, once he finds out that his mother and stepfather are being blackmailed, the story gets better. He's got a job to do, to save his mother from going to prison. I think having that focus does change him a bit and he starts to be a bit more human.
There's a lot about finances in the book, more so than about horses, which I think slowed the pace of the novel. Still, there's quite a bit of action toward the end and a few surprises.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
Last January I set an absolutely ridiculous Goodreads reading challenge for myself--so ridiculous that I'm embarrassed even to admit how high it is (okay, it was 200 books). Needless to say, unless a miracle occurs I'm not going to meet it, although I will say in my defense that I probably have read that many books, but unfortunately a number of them were either not on Goodreads by virtue of being Russian, or I didn't like them, or I just didn't get around to writing reviews for various other reasons. Still, I couldn't just give up without a fight, so I'm going to throw in a few reviews of things that I read last year (or before) in a vain attempt to make up the numbers somewhat.
In keeping with the military theme of most of my recent reading, I'll start off my retrospective reviews with one of "Crossfire," one of the collaborative efforts between Dick Francis and his son Felix Francis.
Funnily enough, since Francis Sr. served in the RAF during WWII and all his books have an autobiographical element, this is the first of his books to feature a military officer. One suspects that, for all the surface-level conservatism of Francis's heroes--they tend to dress conservatively and keep their hair aggressively short, as well as distancing themselves from political activism of all stripes, especially left-wing, and even long-haired, hippy painter Alex Kincaid, from "To the Hilt," is motivated primarily by duty, family, and honor --Francis himself was at heart a rebel and a free spirit, something that comes across in his heroes' preference for self-employment and vigilante justice. Government employees and military men tend to be secondary subjects of satire rather than central heroes.
Anyway, Tom Forsyth from "Crossfire" breaks with that pattern, as he is "married to the military"--until, that is, an unfortunate encounter with an IED in Afghanistan deprives him of one of his feet, along with his military career. Depressed, angry, and unwilling to accept his fate--Tom is one of the angrier, edgier heroes of the Francis oeuvre--he returns to live with his estranged mother in Lambourn until he can get back on his feet, so to speak, only to discover that his mother is neck-deep in trouble and in need of his help.
I admit that I approached the Dick & Felix collaborations with a mixture of interest and trepidation. Dick Francis is probably one of the most formative authors of my reading life, I'm not even ashamed to admit, and sometimes when I reread his works I marvel at how much they've influenced my own stylistic and narrative choices, and probably basic worldview as well. So how would these later, co-written books, hold up?
It must be noted, though, that all of Francis's works were family affairs: as he revealed following her death, his wife Mary was always an integral part of his writing process, up to and including getting a pilot's license and running her own air taxi service as part of the research for "Rat Race." The author "Dick Francis" was really a collaboration between Richard and Mary Francis; in partnering with his son, Francis Sr. is simply continuing on with the tradition.
That being said, for me the Richard & Mary collaborations were the superior product. Of course, they were the superior product to at least 90% of what was out there, so that's a high bar to meet. The Richard & Felix collaborations are, in my opinion, lacking a certain...sense of taste and timing, I would say, for want of a way to explain it any better. The basic elements are all there, but the word choices don't sparkle quite as much, and the plots don't have that muscular pacing that I had always assumed was the result of Francis Sr.'s experience as a jockey. And it's particularly odd/interesting that those are the things that I find missing in these later books, as they are the things you'd think an editor would have the easiest time adding. But no...
Anyway, all that aside, fans of the mystery genre and the Francis version of it are likely to enjoy "Crossfire" nonetheless. It has all the elements one would expect: a damaged, disabled (most of Francis's heroes struggle with some sort of temporary or permanent disability) hero trying to figure out what to do with his life now that the thing he values most has been taken away from him; skullduggery and evildoing in the racing industry; a femme fatale; and vast quantities of information on subjects as varied as horse racing (of course), the British tax code, the British military and officer training thereof, military tactics and the maxims of Sun Tzu, photography, diabetes, and a number of other things as well.
It's a little hard to decide whether some of the stuff that appears is tired recycling of old material, or a nod to some of the Francis classics: is Tom's struggle with his prosthetic limb and his involvement with a woman with a penchant for some light BDSM a nod to Sid Halley? Is his night spent tied up in a stall a deliberate reworking of Rob Finn's (of "Nerve") harrowing night under similar circumstances? Or are there only so many ways that a hero can be captured and detained in a stable?
"Crossfire" is, while not free of flaws, a very enjoyable book, at least if you're into that kind of thing. It's also a very enlightening book, as it is rather like reading a Francis novel with the cover off and all the inner workings exposed. And at its heart it still has something very real--Tom's disaffection and rage at what has happened to him, and his despair at the loss of his old life. I wouldn't suggest that readers take it as the acme and epitome of the Francis brand, but if you've never read anything by Francis before, this is as good an introduction as anything else, and if you are a long-time Francis fan like I am, it will give you the fix you're craving, while also perhaps revealing some of the structure behind what appeared to be the effortless Francis magic.
In keeping with the military theme of most of my recent reading, I'll start off my retrospective reviews with one of "Crossfire," one of the collaborative efforts between Dick Francis and his son Felix Francis.
Funnily enough, since Francis Sr. served in the RAF during WWII and all his books have an autobiographical element, this is the first of his books to feature a military officer. One suspects that, for all the surface-level conservatism of Francis's heroes--they tend to dress conservatively and keep their hair aggressively short, as well as distancing themselves from political activism of all stripes, especially left-wing, and even long-haired, hippy painter Alex Kincaid, from "To the Hilt," is motivated primarily by duty, family, and honor --Francis himself was at heart a rebel and a free spirit, something that comes across in his heroes' preference for self-employment and vigilante justice. Government employees and military men tend to be secondary subjects of satire rather than central heroes.
Anyway, Tom Forsyth from "Crossfire" breaks with that pattern, as he is "married to the military"--until, that is, an unfortunate encounter with an IED in Afghanistan deprives him of one of his feet, along with his military career. Depressed, angry, and unwilling to accept his fate--Tom is one of the angrier, edgier heroes of the Francis oeuvre--he returns to live with his estranged mother in Lambourn until he can get back on his feet, so to speak, only to discover that his mother is neck-deep in trouble and in need of his help.
I admit that I approached the Dick & Felix collaborations with a mixture of interest and trepidation. Dick Francis is probably one of the most formative authors of my reading life, I'm not even ashamed to admit, and sometimes when I reread his works I marvel at how much they've influenced my own stylistic and narrative choices, and probably basic worldview as well. So how would these later, co-written books, hold up?
It must be noted, though, that all of Francis's works were family affairs: as he revealed following her death, his wife Mary was always an integral part of his writing process, up to and including getting a pilot's license and running her own air taxi service as part of the research for "Rat Race." The author "Dick Francis" was really a collaboration between Richard and Mary Francis; in partnering with his son, Francis Sr. is simply continuing on with the tradition.
That being said, for me the Richard & Mary collaborations were the superior product. Of course, they were the superior product to at least 90% of what was out there, so that's a high bar to meet. The Richard & Felix collaborations are, in my opinion, lacking a certain...sense of taste and timing, I would say, for want of a way to explain it any better. The basic elements are all there, but the word choices don't sparkle quite as much, and the plots don't have that muscular pacing that I had always assumed was the result of Francis Sr.'s experience as a jockey. And it's particularly odd/interesting that those are the things that I find missing in these later books, as they are the things you'd think an editor would have the easiest time adding. But no...
Anyway, all that aside, fans of the mystery genre and the Francis version of it are likely to enjoy "Crossfire" nonetheless. It has all the elements one would expect: a damaged, disabled (most of Francis's heroes struggle with some sort of temporary or permanent disability) hero trying to figure out what to do with his life now that the thing he values most has been taken away from him; skullduggery and evildoing in the racing industry; a femme fatale; and vast quantities of information on subjects as varied as horse racing (of course), the British tax code, the British military and officer training thereof, military tactics and the maxims of Sun Tzu, photography, diabetes, and a number of other things as well.
It's a little hard to decide whether some of the stuff that appears is tired recycling of old material, or a nod to some of the Francis classics: is Tom's struggle with his prosthetic limb and his involvement with a woman with a penchant for some light BDSM a nod to Sid Halley? Is his night spent tied up in a stall a deliberate reworking of Rob Finn's (of "Nerve") harrowing night under similar circumstances? Or are there only so many ways that a hero can be captured and detained in a stable?
"Crossfire" is, while not free of flaws, a very enjoyable book, at least if you're into that kind of thing. It's also a very enlightening book, as it is rather like reading a Francis novel with the cover off and all the inner workings exposed. And at its heart it still has something very real--Tom's disaffection and rage at what has happened to him, and his despair at the loss of his old life. I wouldn't suggest that readers take it as the acme and epitome of the Francis brand, but if you've never read anything by Francis before, this is as good an introduction as anything else, and if you are a long-time Francis fan like I am, it will give you the fix you're craving, while also perhaps revealing some of the structure behind what appeared to be the effortless Francis magic.
March 12, 2015
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Dick Francis novels! This one was co-written with his son Felix, but was up there on par with the ones Dick Francis wrote himself. I do find that the ones with his son have more "worldly" elements, like more sexual encounters, and language that I find somewhat offensive. But that said, he surely does tell a good story. I have read maybe 40-50 of his novels, and every one centers around horses in one way or another. That's his trademark. This one was about horse racing, with some tax fraud, and murder thrown in. I really enjoyed it a lot! The main character, Tom Forsyth, was smart, resourceful, and managed to have a fulfilling life in spite of having an artificial leg. I admired his good character traits. I'm going to find another of Dick Francis books, even those co-written with Felix, to read soon.
August 28, 2010
I've read and loved Dick Francis for years, so it was bittersweet to read his last (posthumous) novel. The last few have been co-written with his son Felix (who finished this one after his father's death). Compared to the earlier Dick Francis offerings this one seemed to be more involved with the twists and turns of the plot and somewhat less with the characters as people, but still a quite enjoyable read (I interrupted two other books in progress to read this and wasn't at all sorry). So, will next year be the first year without a new Francis offering on the shelves or the the first with a solo effort by Felix and, if so, will he stick with the English horse racing theme that was his father's trademark or branch out? I can't wait to find out.
Read
March 10, 2016Well, I read this. And I an now wondering what to put in this review.
I've read some truly wonderful novels by Dick Francis, and some pretty 'sloppy' ones as well to be honest, but I picked this up in a charity bookshop yesterday - while searching for Nevil Shute books - and started reading last night.
It's 'okay'. Its a bit of a mish-mash I think, - a little bit of Dick Francis and more of Felix and although it stands up to close inspection, it lacks that certain sparkle that made some Francis Snr books superlative. I read Francis for the 'horse' side of the stories, and there was really not much of that in this book.
For various reasons I'm not rating this, nor am I 'shelving' it.
I've read some truly wonderful novels by Dick Francis, and some pretty 'sloppy' ones as well to be honest, but I picked this up in a charity bookshop yesterday - while searching for Nevil Shute books - and started reading last night.
It's 'okay'. Its a bit of a mish-mash I think, - a little bit of Dick Francis and more of Felix and although it stands up to close inspection, it lacks that certain sparkle that made some Francis Snr books superlative. I read Francis for the 'horse' side of the stories, and there was really not much of that in this book.
For various reasons I'm not rating this, nor am I 'shelving' it.
May 31, 2013
Hooray for familiar Francis fast action and hero. Here his amputation is a foot and racehorse training is the family business. I always like Dick Francis, only he can make the sport interest me.
Tom, invalided out of Afghanistan, has nowhere else to go but to his unfriendly mother. To get her out of tax and blackmail trouble, he almost gets killed. Hard to distinguish friendlies from foes. I guessed partly, but shocked by the ending.
I went back to to find meaning in Francis titles, to distinguish formulaic plots, similar heroes, ordinary background folk. One guess is he gives away the solution in an obscure hint. The supposed friendly is an enemy, and shot dead?
Tom, invalided out of Afghanistan, has nowhere else to go but to his unfriendly mother. To get her out of tax and blackmail trouble, he almost gets killed. Hard to distinguish friendlies from foes. I guessed partly, but shocked by the ending.
I went back to to find meaning in Francis titles, to distinguish formulaic plots, similar heroes, ordinary background folk. One guess is he gives away the solution in an obscure hint. The supposed friendly is an enemy, and shot dead?
October 20, 2013
I listened to on audio on drive into and home from work everyday. I have a 40 minute commute. I found myself trying to come up with excuses to go on an errand so I could back to the action. I have always loved Dick Francis. He is an easy, trustworthy friend who will always tell me a good story with main characters who are "good guys" who you will root for and miss when they leave you. I loved this book, like I have always loved his other books. His books are not complex or complicated, but they make you feel good about basic human nature. Mr. Francis will be missed for his gentle and kind spirit.
March 16, 2011
I loved this book, but then I always love any Dick Francis book. They have a certain style and rhythm. It included living with a disability (no foot), adjusting to life after an injury, horses!, and mystery/intrigue. It was an excellent book.
Note: I've read every Dick Francis book published. I think I started reading him at 14. Why? My grandfather had a couple of race horses at Long Acres. I still have his horse picture that he hung in his dining room. I've never ridden a horse, but his interest led me to love this author.
Note: I've read every Dick Francis book published. I think I started reading him at 14. Why? My grandfather had a couple of race horses at Long Acres. I still have his horse picture that he hung in his dining room. I've never ridden a horse, but his interest led me to love this author.
June 26, 2013
I have read many of Dick Francis' books and enjoyed them, but I didn't realize until I decided to read this one that he had dies in 2010. This book was written together with his son Felix Francis, who is going to continue on writing his father's books. This book is about a wounded veteran who finds dangerous action on the home front when a blackmailer threatens his mother's horse-racing business. It is a suspenseful read.
July 6, 2015
This was a satisfying audiobook experience for a long drive. I'm a fan of Dick Francis's cynical, hard-bodied, ascetic protagonists. Tom Forsyth, the hero in this thriller, is an Afghanistan war veteran, not a jockey, but his mother is a racehorse trainer, so there are horses, but not as many horses as you might expect. Tom's strained relationship with his self-centered mother who is coming unglued in the midst of blackmail pressure and business failings is highly entertaining.
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