Customer Reviews

Enquiry

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The story of Enquiry begins after a jockey, Kelly Hughes, and a trainer, Dexter Cranfield, have been stripped of their licenses and banned from any association with racing. Thanks to a flashback, we learn the hearing was pretty much a kangaroo court and the pair was framed for intentionally throwing a race. Hughes decides to find out what really happened and starts digging into things. Along the way, he starts to get chummy with Cranfield's daughter, making for some interesting cross-class romance. From there, things proceed to resolution in a pretty straightforward fashion for a mystery.

Enquiry moves along at a quick pace, and is not a long book at 264 pages. Kelly Hughes is the main character and he's honest, fairly courageous, and reasonably intelligent. He's no detective but he is determined to keep digging until he can find out who set him up. It doesn't take long for you to get firmly in his corner and stay there. The supporting cast is also interesting. It was definitely a nice touch to show the class snobbery between aristocracy and laborers.

This book is a good read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a mystery. Either first time readers or established fans of Francis should be pleased with what they find here. I can't point out any real flaws in the book because it didn't suffer from any. Buy it, read it, and enjoy it.

Jockey Kelly Hughes and trainer Dexter Cranfield have their licenses suspended by the Oxford stewards for supposedly throwing a race. Hughes believes that they were framed and he sets out to clear their names and get the licenses restored.

Who would want to ruin their careers? Could it be the envious and greedy jockey Charley west? Could it be rival trainer Jack Roxford or the imperious Lord Gowery?

As the truth is revealed we hear a story of sexual deviation, blackmail, fixed evidence and attempted murder.ENQUIRY is up to the usual standard for a crime novel by Dick Francis.If you are a fan of the author, you will probably enjoy this book.

Kelly Hughes, jockey and Dexter Cranfield, trainer are warned off---barred from racing. The secret enquiry is a frame, but how does Kelly Hughes prove it?
The hunt takes him into blackmail and vicious revenge yet provides a girl to keep the story moving. ENQUIRY by Dick Francis is a deftly plotted work that moves as fast as the pace of the horses. The crossing of class boundaries in this book does not work as well as other Francis's stories, but it is an early career book, which may explain some of the awkwardness.
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and QUALIFYING LAPS.

I confess a preference for Francis' older, shorter mysteries. This is one of my favorites. Its emotional weight above the usual, and a romance, frequently a weakness of his books, works well in this book. Look for it if you could find it.

When you read a Dick Francis novel you know that you are not only getting a great read but you are also getting a book written by a writer who knows his subject. Dick Francis was one of the world's greatest jockeys. Talk about horses and racing - he knew his subject. He was also Queen Elizabeth's and her mother's rider for many years. A great athlete!

Jockey Kelly Hughes and trainer Dexter Cranfield are accused of rigging a race. The enquiry by Jockey Club Stewards that should have cleared things up instead turns out to be a nightmare of distortion and false evidence. Both men lose their licenses and are warned off racing.

Cranfield's first impulse is to shoot himself. He's a snob and can't bear the disgrace. Kelly Hughes, however, is a fighter. He finds Cranfield's gun, unloads it and vows to set matters straight. He'll get their licenses back, or die trying.

As Kelly looks into the matter, he takes more than one beating and endangers his life, as do all Dick Francis heroes. But on the plus side, Kelly gets to know Roberta Cranfield, the snobbish trainer's gorgeous, aristocratic daughter.

The reader can look forward to scandalous doings in high society, shocking examples of treachery for pride or pay - and some interesting insights into how good jockeys win races.

All in all, I found ENQUIRY to be an excellent Dick Francis, with well drawn characters from every social class.

My copy is the British 1969 edition and I've read it so many times I need a new one. I've been a fan of Francis for many years and particularly I like the interaction between Kelly and Roberta.

This is my 1st Dick Francis book--another author I selected from the "Mystery Lovers' Book of Quotations." I found it quite enjoyable--especially since the author provides sufficient information/clues to "figure it out." Which I did, but with some effort. The characters are varied & interesting--especially the dichotomies in social position & how the characters respond to these under varying circumstances. The central theme of horse racing was also different & interesting too. The ending is, however, rather sudden & unforeseen. I'm not sure how realistic it is--but it's possible. I look forward to reading more Francis' books.