Comeback [Hardcover]

Dick Francis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1991

Peter Darwin, a young First Secretary in the Foreign Office, returns from Tokyo for some leave before taking up a new post. Trained to penetrate the truths behind facades, he has to use all his diplomatic skills to unravel not political puzzles but the cruel fates which befall racehorses.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

His 30th novel, an 11-week PW bestseller in cloth, displays Francis's trademarks: seamless plotting, believable characters, suspense and a bang-on horse-racing setting, in this case featuring a veterinary surgeon plagued by a series of mysterious equine deaths.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A chance encounter leads Peter Darwin, a British Foreign Service officer newly posted back to England, to an involvement with the problems of a Gloucestershire vet who has lost several race horses during or after surgery. Francis's horse and racing trademarks are present here, as are his characters, who in this author's skilled hands, become as comfortable and familiar as members of one's family. The book conveys a strong sense of right and wrong, is fun to read, has an upbeat ending, and displays the same storytelling magic as always. It's a wonderful example of a book that bridges the gap between the YA and the adult novel. For horse lovers and armchair adventurers everywhere. --Pam Spencer, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Michael Joseph; 1st edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718134680
• ISBN-13: 978-0718134686
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,236,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dick Francis was the author of more than forty acclaimed books. Among his numerous awards were three Edgar Awards, the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger, and the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award. He died in February 2010.

Felix Francis has assisted with the research of many of the Dick Francis novels and is the coauthor of Dead Heat, Silks, and Even Money. He lives in England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not his best, April 4, 2004

By 

hrladyship (Las Cruces, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Comeback (School & Library Binding)

In Comeback, Francis enters the world of diplomacy and veterinary medicine more than horse racing, although horses play an important part as usual. The plot seems more contrived than usual in this outing, however. The story opens when Peter Darwin, after meeting two British performers in Miami, find himself helping the couple after they are mugged on the street. Having taken responsible for them in a small way, he finds himself escorting them to England where they are to attend the woman's daughter's wedding.

Once in England, things really go to pieces. The daughter and her fiance work in a veterinary hospital, he as a well-respected surgeon, she as a nurse. But his career is in jeopardy as one after another horse dies after he has operated on it. And the cause has proved impossible to determine.

On a visit to the races at Cheltenham, Peter just happens to meet a young woman employed by the Jockey Club who is escorting two Japanese gentlemen, neither of whom speaks English. Well, Peter's last posting just happened to be Japan where he learned the language and he had even met one of the gentlemen while posted there. The romance which follows is contrived and adds nothing to the basic story in itself. Annabel, the young woman Peter has eyes for, does have connections that help him in his investigation, but those meetings could have come about in a more believable fashion.

Still, Francis' knowledge of horses, racing, and the information he garners regarding other professions is always enlightening. Weak as it is, Comeback is still a fast and often fun read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Homerun for the king of Tracks and Mysteries, March 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Comeback (Mass Market Paperback)

I checked this book from our school library. I must addmit I was a little apprehensive at first, but by the third chapter I was hooked. His name is Peter Darwin, no relation to Charles, he is an english diplomat. He is staying in his childhood town while caring for some new friends. Peter soon finds himself wrapped up in the troulbes of his new friend's future son-in-law. The son-in-law is having troulbes in his horse vet practice when horse after horse in his care ends up dead. Then, the vet hospital burns to the ground and a dead body is found. Peter has to find out who is trying to set up his new-found friend by using the knowledge from his friend and long lost childhood memories. I can assure you, you will not want to put this book down (I sure didn't)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Return Home, January 12, 2008

By 

Nash Black "Troubadour" (Jamestown, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Comeback (Hardcover)

COMEBACK is not one of Dick Francis's best, but down a step from fantastic to different. When you write about a master who produces one great mystery after another, the downs are better than the writers in second place.
Peter Darwin is a young British diplomat who stops off in Miami on his way home from Toyko. An improbable meeting with a nice couple who are on their way to London and enjoying a last night on the town set the stage for this strangely paced mystery.
Vicky Larch and Greg Wayfield are on their way to Gloucester to attend Vicky's daughter's wedding. Peter's childhood home is Gloucester. This mystery/suspense novel takes you deep into the world of veterinary surgery with one of the strangest climaxes in the world of mystery/suspense.
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and QUALIFYING LAPS.