Customer Reviews

Dead Cert

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was amazed to learn after reading this one that it was Dick Francis' first novel. Francis was a very successful jockey--racing for the Queen Mother in the 1950's--and after a career-ending injury, he penned his memoirs. Following that success, he developed and incredibly successful second act as a novelist.

I discovered Francis' work last summer--and I have plans to read everything he's done. In the 3 books I've read, his heroes are all gentleman sleuths--full of character, empathy, and wits. In Dead Cert, the trend continues with Alan York, a young amateur jockey trying to uncover the mystery of why a copper wire was intentionally hung to trip his fellow jockey. York is on his own resolving this caper, having failed to fully convince the police that this was anything more than an accidental death.

The writing is of a high caliber, the characters are wonderfully drawn, and I always learn a thing or two about horses--and England--when I read Dick Francis. There's also something quaint about reading a book set in an age before computers, cell phones, and DNA evidence. Grade: A-

Dick Francis didn't save the best for last. I have read all the DF novels except Blood Sport, which I have ordered and expect it anyday. I have loved every single one, but Dead Cert is my favorite, although Bonecrack and Whip Hand are close favorites.

Dick Francis is an excellent author because he is a master at combining three elements into his novels. Horses:), danger and mystery, and romance. If anybody reading this reveiw has never read a DF novel, please do so, you won't regret it!

In yet another gripping story of mystery, murder and British steeplechasing, Dick Francis continues his amazing streak of hit novels.

His real appeal is not racing or mystery however, it is his ability to create characters who are admirable, honorable and self-reliant. If you're looking for troubled, self-loathers who "somehow" overcome their weakness and become unwilling and unwitting heroes, don't look here. Francis' heroes revel in their abilities to withstand evil, overcome it, and end up smiling in spite of it all.

Kudos once again for Dick Francis and Dead Cert!

This is the first of Dick Francis' racing novels, although not the first I read. In fact, I was amazed to see it was numero uno. Even Robert Parker, another mystery master, took one novel to get it right. Francis, in racetrack parlance, broke from the gate fast. All the elements are there: A likeable hero who pursues the truth at great personal risk; a sweet but never turn-the-page-torrid romance with a bend in the road; outside knowledge about an interesting field, and an interesting villain one can almost sympathize with on some level. It grabs you right away with the murder of a jockey during a race and never lets go, right to the surprising conclusion -- one, incidentally, which our hero desperately wanted not to be so. Enjoy. It's a great start to a great, long ride. Francis' first and one of his best.

While savoring each page of this book, I found it hard to believe this was Dick's first work. The plotting is complex, airtight and delightful; the characters each distinct and realistic. For some reason, at times I felt like the plot had elements from "The Avengers" (the classic television series, not the dud movie), although done more seriously. The book was as entertaining to read as the series was to watch. Dick builds suspense masterfully. There is one scene in particular, a "cat and mouse" hunt, that Dick draws so skillfully. The reader experiences the slow tension build up, until he or she is almost in a sort of agony, as the scene continues and continues and continues. Dick has a knack for really getting into his characters' heads and the worlds they live in. As a result, the reader is able to identify with the narrator, who gets caught up unexpectedly and deeper in intrigue, in a weirdly engaging film noir-ish style, but not quite as dark. Dick cert makes writing look effortless!

I have been reading Dick Francis' books for years, and although I have every single mystery that he has written, this one definitely is one of my favorites. He is a true artist of suspense writing; when the villian(s) are finally revealed the reader can't help but be knocked breathless. This book may have been one of his first, but the reading public should be grateful that it wasn't his last. Forget R.L.Stine - THIS book gives you real goosebumps!

I am a 14 year old girl who decided to read Dead Cert because it had horses in it. It is my favoriate book. I liked it because it was clever and engrossing. I would never have expected the ending. Alan York was made to seem very real and a very kind person. He was also extremely smart. I have read many more Dick Francis books since then including: Nerve, Bolt, Risk, Reflex, Whip Hand, and Twice Shy. They are all marvelous, but none as intreguing as Dead Cert. I think every one should read it.

This is the first Dick Francis mystery and I like it the second best. I like "Nerve" slightly better, but only slightly. This "Dead Cert" contains several impressive scenes. The most impressive is the climax in which the star horse "Admiral" plays an unexpectedly spectacular role. It is definitely THE MOST SPECTACULAR scene in ALL Francis mysteries. Highly Recommended.

Dick Francis' first is one of my favorite three novels of his, the others being For Kicks and Blood Sport. Being an unabashed Dick Francis fan, and having read all his novels, I haven't come across a better description of a race than this. In the opening pages where Admiral comes close to winning the race but comes a cropper with his owner and rider getting killed is simply incredible: the thundering horses, the challenges of the course itself, and the early morning mist, with the tension and the atmosphere, with the climax hitting you with the impact of a sledgehammer all make this my favorite passage in all of Dick Francis. Read it. You'll be hooked.

Admiral is dead cert to win, but the horse falls for no visible reason, and the jockey is crushed to death.

Bill Davidson's accident just doesn't look right to his best friend Alan York, and after winning the race Bill should have won, Alan goes back to check the fence. Sure enough he finds a bunch of wire on the ground. But before he can bring the police to the scene, the wire disappears. So it's up to Alan to find the murderer.

Alan is an appealing hero. At 24 years old, he's an astute commodities analyst who works three days a week in London at his very wealthy father's Rhodesia-based trading company. But other days generally find him on a racehorse. He's quite an accomplished amateur jockey.

The plot is rich in quirky characters, atypical thugs and subtle red herrings - with a love story mixed in. Romance is yet another obstacle course for Alan York to run.

Dead Cert is Dick Francis' first novel, but I'd class it as one of his best. it has all the confidence and narrative finesse of a mature work.