Dick Francis Reading Group discussion

Does anyone remember which book has the memorable scene of the protagonist left locked to his steering wheel in his car in the woods for several days? Thanks in advance for your help!

Smokescreen. He was an actor and was in S.Africa when this happened.

And the twist to this was that the scene happened twice in the book - once in the opening pages for a movie the protagonist was filming, and again, later, for real. I always thought was brilliant.

As I remember, the "evil one" got the idea from the movie. Can't name the "evil one" would give away a good read for those who haven't read this book yet.

His name was Danilo and he was hoping to murder the protagonist for an inheritance, making it look like a stunt that had gone wrong. In today's unforgiving climate for thriller-writers, I think this scene would be found implausible. Edward Lincoln (the protagonist) survives partly by leaving the car windows closed to slow evaporation. In reality, if you were in a car with closed windows facing the sun in 35 or 40 degree heat you would be baked alive within an hour or two. Also, if he did survive being in the car for 3 days with only a mouthful or 2 of water, I should think he would need emergency treatment to prevent organ failure, not just a drink of beer. But heck, it's a good story!