Customer Reviews

Comeback

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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)

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.

I love D.F. His books are pure enjoyment. A darn good plot and a easy read. I would recommend to anyone. I read his books more than once.

Any book by Dick Francis is good. I am slowly building my Francis collection in hardcover. If you like a good mystery, Dick Francis is (was) one of the best mystery authors ever.

I always look forward to reading another Dick Francis book. I hope there will be someone who will pick up where he left off in writing books about horses. I totally enjoy all the detail he includes. He will be missed .

I'm running out of Dick Francis mysteries, sadly. I've saved the less well-reviewed ones till last - and I'm surprised at how excellent they are in fact.

Comeback is good solid Dick Francis. The protagonist Peter Darwin, a charming young diplomat, speaks various languages, loves his parents (even his stepfather) - and is good at fixing problems and hiding his thoughts while doing so.

Peter is on his way from Japan to his next assignment in London, when he rescues an older couple from muggers. This act of spontaneous heroism involves him inextricably with the couple. In any case Peter, Vicki and Greg are all flying to England on the same plane. Peter ends up staying with them for a visit to Cheltenham, where Vicky's daughter's wedding is to take place.

This happens also to be the neighborhood where Peter spent his early boyhood. He keeps quiet about that, being a reserved fellow, but early memories arise little by little - and ultimately help him solve a troubling mystery.

The mystery evolves around the sudden death of horses that are under the care of Vicky's daughter's fiancé Ken McClure, a vet.

Sudden friendships and love at first sight play an important role in the plot. Peter puts his life and his heart at risk for people he's just met: the young vet, and a lovely young woman encountered at the races. But after all, Dick Francis himself fell in love with his wife Mary at first meeting. He knows how these things work.

Comeback is educational, as is often the case with Francis books. I got more information than I could absorb about horse surgery and care! But it was interesting.

I'd recommend Comeback wholeheartedly, especially to fans who intend to read every Francis novel.

Through a series of improbable coincidences a young diplomat becomes involved in the problems of a young veterinarian.
As usual, Dick Francis writes beautifully and brings his characters to life.
As usual, horses are involved.

Through a series of twists and turns a young diplomat returns to his childhood home and finds a new friend. His new friend's career is threatened by a series of patient losses under his care.
Dick Francis has his usual understanding of horses and people.

I really enjoyed this one. Peter Darwin in a diplomat recently posted back home to England after several years in Japan. He makes the acquaintance of some fellow Brits who are mugged.They are both pretty shaken and are glad for his help when they make it to England. But the troubles are only beginning. Darwin is soon involved in sorting out some malicious mischief at a vet's surgery. I liked this one a lot.