High Stakes [Hardcover]

Dick Francis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 1988

Steven Scott's nine racehorses are his pride and joy and he insists on having them trained by this great friend, Jody Leeds. Then, gradually, unwillingly, Steven learns that Jody has been systematically cheating him of very large sums of money. Not unnaturally he removes the horses from Jody's care, but this simple act unleashes a chain of unpredictable consequences. Overnight, Steven's peaceful existence erupts into a fierce and accelerating struggle to retain his good name and, eventually, his life. "High Stakes" takes a look at several plausible fiddles and frauds, some of them funny, some vicious, but all of them expensive for the fall guy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop."—Chicago Tribune

"Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound...All the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer."—The New York Times Book Review



"Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure, inventive menace."—Boston Herald



"[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills."—Newsday



"Each Francis novel seems to be his best."—The Sunday Oklahoman



"Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis."—The San Diego Union-Tribune



"It''s either hard or impossible to read Mr. Francis without growing pleased with yourself: not only the thrill of vicarious competence imparted by the company of his heroes, but also the lore you collect as you go, feel like a field trip with the perfect guide."—The New York Times Book Review



"One of the most reliable mystery writers working today...Francis''s secret weapons are his protagonists. They are the kind of people you want for friends."—Detroit News and Free Press



"[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries."—The Wall Street Journal



"A rare and magical talent¡Kwho never writes the same story twice."—The San Diego Union-Tribune



"For more than 30 years, Dick Francis has been mystery''s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better."—Chicago Sun-Times

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

With a glass of champagne in one hand and binoculars in the other, the world of racing could seem a very cosy and civilized hobby. Especially when your horse has just sprinted past the winning post.

But the pleasure of a day at Sandown is spoiled for Steven Scott when he sacks the trainer of his horses, a man he once thought of as a friend. For although on the surface Jody Leeds is a bright young workaholic, Scott suspects he’s a crook.

Racing may have its rewards but, as Scott finds out to his own cost, not all of them are innocent... or legal.

‘An unfailing supply of well-managed twists’ Sunday Times

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Michael Joseph (September 19, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718130901
• ISBN-13: 978-0718130909
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,480,405 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Francis , just excellent!, August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: High Stakes (Mass Market Paperback)

As usual Dick Francis crafted a tight plot with plenty of character development. Story is about a young, wealthy, toy designer who discovers that his racehorse trainer is cheating him in a big way. The rest of the story involves recovery of the owners property and retribution to the theives. Francis at his best!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best...but then they all are, August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: High Stakes (Mass Market Paperback)

Dick Francis has got to be the best mystery writer to come along in a long time. I never tire of his books. I've read High Stakes and listened to it on cassette many times. High Stakes is an enjoyable read with suspense and even romance. As always, Francis writes about horses. Horses are the thread that hold his books together, but none of his books are the same. He always manages to put a different spin on things and he's never boring! I mean, the man's written about so many different professions I'm wondering what he's gonna write about next. He's got jockeys, toy makers (High Stakes), teachers, negotiators for kidnap victims, painters, politicians, detectives, government agents, pilots, truck drivers, survival guide writers. You name it, he's got it. His characters are always ordinary yet extraordinary in what they can accomplish when they set their minds to. They discover strength they didn't know they had--Sid Halley for instance in Come to Grief. I hesitate to say this, but I, as a woman, find it true that many of his characters have an underlying sexiness to them. Francis is not one of those authors who feel the need to use explicit language or sex scenes, but the sexiness is definitely there! I could go on all night about Francis' wonderful plots and characters, so I'll just satisfy myself with saying they are all great and you won't regret reading any of his books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Francis, February 9, 2006

By 

Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: High Stakes (Paperback)

This vintage (1975) Dick Francis thriller/mystery centers on Steven Scott who supports his race horse owning hobby by inventing toys, very expensive and very popular toys. When he finally realizes that his trainer has been stealing from him - stealing for a long time and on a grand scale he announces that he will be changing trainers immediately his life begins to get complicated. First he discovers that he had been taken for even more money than he had thought, then is shocked when the now former trainer steals his horse and tries to run him over in the process. He then discovers that public opinion is firmly on the trainers side! The complications continue at a rapid pace, involve a romance and expand from England to Florida.

When you purchase a Dick Francis novel you get a known product. The heroes are all young men, attached in some way or another to the racing world, who get caught up in intrigue and romance. The other known quantity of a Francis novel is that they are well written, the plots are clever with the clues fairly laid out for the reader to follow, the characters become real and sympathetic and the reader is in for a few very enjoyable hours.