Under Orders - Dick Francis

Déjà vu

Crippled ex-jockey Sid Halley is back for his third go, a record for a Francis hero. Back, too, are all the familiar Francis plot elements befalling his reticent middle-aged heroes, and a sharper focus on the horse-racing industry than in his recent books. Except that now Sid is actually in the business of sleuthing, and has to expect the abuse the villains typically mete out. However, vulnerable with a new girlfriend, someone else takes the worst of the punishment this time around. Luckily, she is as tough as he is.

I find Francis's novels to be fast reads, so smoothly written and tightly plotted that they truly are hard to put down when you know you really should. Francis is a concise, matter of fact writer--much like his heroes (although Sid is awfully emotive compared to most others). Whenever I come across a new Francis novel, I know I am in for pleasurable hours of reading at the first opportunity. It is wonderful how this story spins out into a broad conspiracy from such small or disconnected beginnings. There is no reason to stop and ponder, and not much reason to think deep thoughts. As nasty are the events depicted, these are sunny, optimistic books.

One thing I would like in his novels is more "atmosphere," more mention of place, landscape, light--just to be able better to visualize what are exotic places to me.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

I am a Dick Francis virgin, that is to say Under Orders is my first Dick Francis novel. Unlike some of the other reviewers I have no fond memories of his previous works and writing style and therefore I present my review based solely on my experience with the content contained between the covers of this book.

I was immediately drawn into this tale of a one handed former jockey, now surviving as a moderately successful P.I., and his main squeeze, a vivacious, blond, Dutch cancer research specialist as they navigate the perilous waters of steeplechase racing and internet gambling. They cross paths with a variety of characters including horse trainers and jockeys, who are suspected of being paid off to fix races, a journalist whose paparazzi tactics are less than honorable, a grieving father, an ex-member of MI5, a couple of English Lords, and a plethora of supporting cast members.

Murder, suicide, and muggings replete with an ample amount of blood and gore are the order of the day and the author's vivid description of the intricacies of internet gambling as well as his speculation as to the devious methods which could be employed by gambling site owners to ensure them windfall profits was quite enlightening.

Additionally, Mr. Francis obviously has his finger on the rather jaded pulse humanity as illustrated by an incident in his story depicting the publics' mournful reaction to the death of a racehorse and the news coverage generated by that event when compared with the apathetic reaction to the death of a jockey on the same day. It would appear that we are a species more willing to empathize with and bestow our compassion on an animal than on our fellow man.

I found this offering to be a quick read and a pleasant diversion and particularly impressive when one considers that the ingenious plot is the brainchild of an 86 year old author. Cheers to you, Mr. Francis.....and three and a half stars too.

Another winner for Dick Francis

I bought "Under Orders" 2 days ago and just finished reading it this morning. Housework and eating fell to the wayside as I entered the world of Sid Hadley, Jockey turned Private Investigator. Dick Franicis never fails to weave several plot lines together for an exciting ending. This book also lets the reader enter the real world of Police Departments lack of funding, how computers are enabling "easy to get away with" crime and how science is making sure that the right person is caught, not just an easy patsy. I'd recommend this book to any mystery lover.

Dick Francis - Under Orders

Another winner from Dick Francis. His later works depend rather much on a tried and trusted formula especially with hero Sid Hailey. However this very predictability has appeal at least you know what you are going to get. Heroes are brave, clever and underestimated, baddies are loud, brash and ruthless and women are beautiful and compliant.Great stuff!

Boring and unconvincing

This was one of the most boring books I have ever read.

The plot was uninteresting and plodding and all the characters were just cardboard cut outs; completely superficial and predictable and with no depth at all. The female characters were particularly unbeliveable and some of their dialogue was just awful.

I am at a loss to explain how so many people gave this book high ratings, perhaps it is due to his earlier work being of a higher standard? (It'd have to be surely for this writer to have had such a career.)