Dick Francis Reading Group discussion

I'm re-reading DF this year, hope to share the fun here. Reply if interested!

I don't have the time to re-read books (or rather, so many unread books to go), but would be nice to rekindle my memory of some DF via this discussion.

I read three or four each year, but I like to spread them around, so as not to get too much of a good thing. His plots and his characters are repeated from one book to the next, only the setting is fresh.

Helle wrote: "I don't have the time to re-read books (or rather, so many unread books to go), but would be nice to rekindle my memory of some DF via this discussion."

Rekindling sounds fun!

Algernon wrote: "I read three or four each year, but I like to spread them around, so as not to get too much of a good thing. His plots and his characters are repeated from one book to the next, only the setting is..."

Good strategy. Pop in for a word or two, whenever you like!

Banker
Just finished this edition of "Banker" and find myself remembering how much I like Francis' leading men. Tim Ekaterin (the banker) has all the qualities we've come to expect: intelligence, kindness, curiosity, loyalty, honor. Tim's honor is challenged in this story; I'd forgotten the ending 'til this morning and wondered if was a bit contrived.

"Banker" is the last one I read, I think. I liked in particular the romance angle, as you don't often read about relationships with married women in a Dick Francis thriller.

Algernon wrote: ""Banker" is the last one I read, I think. I liked in particular the romance angle, as you don't often read about relationships with married women in a Dick Francis thriller."

Yes, unusual in that regard. Restrained. Tasteful. Bittersweet, full of yearning and yet tempered with love for his friend, Gordon. I liked the way Francis left much unsaid.

I have been re-reading the Sid Halley series. They are very good and worth a re-read.

Glad to finally see some activity in this group.For the last couple of years,I've been reading him again and collecting the books missing from my personal library.Right now I'm reading his autobiography,The Sport if Queens.Before that,I read Decider and liked it a good deal.Recently,I also read Silks,Crossfire and Even Money and found Felix's books fairly interesting.I still have 20 or so of his books to read again,and despite the familiarity of the ingredients,will continue to read them.

Lorraine wrote: "I have been re-reading the Sid Halley series. They are very good and worth a re-read."

Agreed! He's a wonderful character.

Wsm wrote: "Glad to finally see some activity in this group.For the last couple of years,I've been reading him again and collecting the books missing from my personal library.Right now I'm reading his autobiog..."

There's something comforting in a Dick Francis novel: We know we'll like it!

LOOKING FOR A BOOK matching the plot I am remembering...Hero sees a man in a box at the races. Turns out, Bad Guy is not supposed to be in the country (due to tax laws, limited to time in England). Hero falls in love and goes to meet family of girl. Girl's relatives (Bad Guy and maybe Uncle?) try to kill Hero, but Bad Guy killed instead. I think that happens in U.S. End of book, girl shows up at Hero's house and all is OK.
I've re-read half the Dick Francis books recently, looked through others and am stumped on which title this is from! Thanks for help!

Ph wrote: "LOOKING FOR A BOOK matching the plot I am remembering...Hero sees a man in a box at the races. Turns out, Bad Guy is not supposed to be in the country (due to tax laws, limited to time in England)...."

The description isn't entirely accurate, but it must be "Blood Sport".

Nearly finished Flying Finish. Enjoying it.

I just finished Risk and liked it better on the second read than on the first. This is the book where a jockey is kidnapped after a race and kept on a sailboat for two weeks, escaping in Minorca.

I just finished reading DF from his first book through Nerve. Stopped halfway through as it was touching too many soft spots. Will try picking it back up.
Not sure if the books his son worked on. Any comments on those would be appreciated.

I like Felix Francis' books are also good.

Realized I hadn't read a DF in a while, so I went on a binge.

Just finished 40 books and enjoyed them all!

Also reread a few of Felix's books and was happy to discover that I liked them better now. When they first came out, I was disappointed.

Wow! That sounds like quite a marathon. How long did it take you? Maybe I will do that - he is one of my favorite authors. I actually met him years ago when we visited the Cayman Islands. I knew he lived there and there was a phone book in our place so I took a chance and looked him up. Sure enough he was listed, so I got up my courage and called him. He said to come on over. He was in his 80's and used a scooter to get around, but he was very friendly and took pictures with me and my family.
This group is not very active but welcome to you!

Welcome! I am working my way through Dick Francis and really enjoying his books. I think Break In is one of my favorites so far. I just started my 1st Felix Francis book Damage. I needed a book and it was all the local library in that town had.

I have several authors that I read and reread. Dick and Felix Francis at least one title every few months. To the Hilt and Shattered are two of my current favorites. Sitting down with a book you enjoy can be comforting and even healing.

I'm going through the audio books in publication order. I was a voracious reader when young, but findind it hard to find the time to read now. But I do a fair bit of driving, so I'm enjoying experiencing the books in a new format. I make sure I take a break between them, listen to some podcasts or another book or something, so I can spread out my enjoyment over a long period of time.

Just finished Odds Against. Poor Sid.

Gail Jenson Roach wrote: "I have several authors that I read and reread. Dick and Felix Francis at least one title every few months. To the Hilt and Shattered are two of my current favorites. Sitting down with a book you en..."

I also re-read my DF books, in between new titles. Sometimes you just want a book that you know you'll enjoy, like putting on a favourite cardigan. I read To the Hilt earlier this year and really enjoyed it.

I have only just finished a Nat Gould racing thriller, very old-fashioned in comparison, but I often re-visit High Stakes in particular, Bonecrack & Flying Finish being other re-reads. I like the characters, so it's good to "meet up" with them from time to time.

I was just dusting bookshelves and I'm about to read Wild Horses again, although it seems like the first time! Nothing about it seemed familiar and I read the jacket notes and still didn't remember it! We were only just saying here about re-reading old favourites, so maybe this one wasn't a favourite at all and so quickly forgotten! Anyway, I'm about to start it, I'll keep you posted!

That happens to me a lot since getting into my 60's. I feel like one day my memory was great and overnight I can't remember anything. Curious to see if you remember the story once you start reading.
Virginia

Oh dear, that's me! Yes, I'll keep you posted. It's hard to imagine an unmemorable Dick Francis, although I know I didn't read 10Ib Penalty. I started it, really didn't like the main character or the downright silly hook of the introductory drama, too unlikely for words, and returned it unread to the shelf. Nevertheless, I remember it and why!

just finished reading Bolt

Tim wrote: "just finished reading Bolt"

Break In and Bolt are two of my top favorite Dick Francis mysteries. It's been too long since I've read one, though! I still have a few of the Felix books to catch up on.

Yes those are among my favourites as well, I prefer the ones with more horses in!

Read almost every DF book many years ago and have been re-reading them over the last 2-3 years. I've just finished re-reading Proof and really enjoyed it especially as the main man is a wine merchant and I've been in a wine club for a little over 20 years now. Can't remember what I thought of it when I first read it as a non-wine drinking teenager!

I have read all of the original Dick Francis books and keep buying them for my e-reader. I just re-read For Kicks and it's still a good book, but dated. After all it was written in 1965 and all the bowing and scraping to the bosses and those with a title seem silly now. But I have about 10 more than I've bought and will slowly re-read.