The Edge [Mass Market Paperback]

Dick Francis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 1990

"A tour de force...A steadily high level of interest, comedy, suspense, and surprise."
THE ATLANTIC
The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race is not only a glittering rail junket that promises the oportunity to race a thoroughbred on some of the world's great courses, but is something more: an intriguing mystery will be enacted on board, which passengers will be invited to solve. But included on the guest list is one Julius Apollo Filmer, justifiably reputed to be the most ruthless operator lurking in the racing underworld, and he's planning a strange plot of his own. For Tor Kelsey, undercover security agent for the British Jockey Club, a scenario of imaginary mayhem is about to explode into a nightmare of real and bloody murder.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

To catch a murderer, an undercover agent for the British Jockey Club poses as a waiter on the "Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train." "There is no limit to the thrills along the way, and no way of predicting the stunning denouement," lauded PW. 1,000,000 first printing.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Young Tor Kelsey, competent, race-horse wise, and independently wealthy, works for undercover security at the English Jockey Club. "Loaned" to the Canadian Jockey Club, he spies on charming but slippery British extortionist Julius Apollo Filmera horse flesh aficionadoaboard the first-ever Transcontinental Mystery Race Train. During the week-long trip, put together to promote Canadian racing, Kelsey narrowly avoids detection, single-handedly averts catastrophe, and even falls in love. This most excellent and memorable construction, crisply crafted and sparkling with intensity, evidences a deft, masterful hand. Literary Guild main selection. REK
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (January 29, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449217191
• ISBN-13: 978-0449217191
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,323,094 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

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Dick Francis -- and I've read 'em all, April 10, 2000

By 

Anne Cahill (Groton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read "The Edge" at least a dozen times since it was published and my enjoyment never diminishes. The lead character, Tor Kelsey, is full of charm, wit, and plenty of humility -- his self-effacing ways lead one to wonder how it is he doesn't realize his own attractive nature. The romantic relationship in this book was one of the most realistic ones Mr. Francis has ever written, possibly because the two involved spend enough time together to develop a real rapport (unlike some of his other "romances", where the man and woman meet and suddenly have deep feelings for one another). While "The Edge" is less of a mystery than other books -- we know Julius Apollo Filmer's a bad guy from the start -- the characters are incredibly well-written and the book becomes more about seeing why Filmer does what he does and how he's going to get caught. The Lorrimore family especially was very well-crafted, from the needy and petulant daughter Xanthe to screwed-up teenage son Sheridan to the "money can't buy you everything" father Mercer. On top of everything else, Mr. Francis captures the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and the excitement of traveling by train. I know that before I die I will have to take a train trip across Canada, and that's due to this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Edge - Is it a railroad or horse racing mystery?, November 15, 2004

By 

Larry Plachno "Editor/Publisher" (Polo, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge (Paperback)

While Dick Francis is best known for his easy-going mysteries involving horse racing, this book can be called one of the better railroad mystery novels. It may not be in the same class as Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, but most of the action does take place either on board a train or at a race track.

Like most railroad mystery novels, the setting and details are at least partially contrived. Imagine crossing Canada on a private train known as The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train which transports racegoers, horse owners and their horses while making stops for horse races. Railfans will find a lot of interest here including a private car, schedules, dispatching, switching, flagging, white flags, and even rail sabotage.

Our hero, Tor Kelsey from the English Jockey Club, comes on board the train in disguise to watch a British horse owner suspected of murder and extortion. Tor immediately gets involved with the crew and with train activities. Particularly noteworthy is the mystery within a mystery as actors present an on-board mystery as the train (and story) progresses.

Unusual for Francis, there is also a romantic theme. Our hero meets and becomes interested in a young lady, and this also develops as the train speeds on. This novel is not a nail-biter but moves along at the typical Francis leisurely but entertaining pace. He does a masterful job of interweaving so many different themes (horse racing, railroading, sabotage, romance, and a mystery play) into one great story,

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All Aboard, February 8, 2000

By 

Lee J. Stamm (Kennewick, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge (Mass Market Paperback)

An enjoyable, almost lighthearted tale which makes a very pleasant read. A good assortment of characters, and a minimum of violence. Those who have taken long train journeys will enjoy it even more. As always with Francis, the story, though interesting, is less important than his exceptional skill in telling it. This may not be his best work, but it is still far superior to most other writers of this genre.