Customer Reviews

For Kicks

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You have to have read a couple of Dick Francis' novels before you understand the author. In a way he stands alone, for as far as I can tell he has not overtly used other writers styles and no contemporary writer has used Francis as a primary influence. All of Francis' books follow a similar arc, from one to the next, you know exactly what you will get. But in a strange way, this is not bothersome, instead it is like revisiting an old familiar and comfortable place.

Francis' books are not in a series format. He only uses the same character for a second time once. In his first ten or so books, he uses a particular jockey to set his story around. And later he finds people of different professions that have racing interests to center stories around. This book, "For Kicks" is from the transitional phase, the late 60's, early 70's. It tells the story of Daniel Roke, a trainer from Australia who is hired to uncover a doping ring that is not being detected through traditional meathods. Its a pretty simple story, and like all of Francis' work it is refreshingly understated. With James Patterson and Patricia Cornwells mamoth body counts and terrorising serial killers, or end of the world scenarios ala Tom Clancy and too many others influencing todays reading lists, its amazing to see how much quiet tension builds up in Francis' stories.

I would highly recommend Francis to anyone. Its a fun world to live in for a while, where all of England revolves around the racing world... every other profesion comes second. I remember how much I loathed the idea of Francis before I first read him and I laugh now at my perception of what his books would be about. I mean, how can one author base a huge series of mysteries on racing horses? Dick Francis does so quite well.

I agree completely with the other reviewers. This is a terrific suspense novel that happens to give insight into British racing, the class system and each and every character. While I have read all the Dick Francis books, this is the one that I go back to and reread every year or so. Its quiet, understated tone still builds up to suspense and excitement.

His earlier books (like this one) are the best, as far as I am concerned, and the most recent one or two are not worth reading.

p.s. On a visit to England, I took great joy in going to Newmarket and watching the horses out for practice early in the morning. It felt as if I was in the middle of a Dick Francis book. My husband and daughter, also fans, felt the same.

Intellectuals may scorn him, moderns may call him dated, but they don't know what they're missing. You can always depend on Dick Francis for engrossing adventure with just the right amount of philosophical underpinnings. Enjoy!

Short stories normally aren't my favourites. But these 13 are great. Every one of them.

I've read ALL of Dick Francis and these stories are in the classic Dick Francis style that we all know: crisply written, tight plots, good characters, and the same suspense that you find in his full-length novels. His horse details are very, very accurate and, even if you don't know horses, you leave with a lot of knowledge about them. Most of all, these stories are great entertainment.

For years I have bought every novel Dick Francis has written and was disappointed with only one. Now there are two. This collection contains what appear to be magazine short stories. There is virtually no character development and not much plot development either. This is obviously not Francis' genre. Approach this one with caution, for most of the things you like most about his novels are missing from his short stories. Very disappointing!

I have read all the Dick Francis books and I have 3 favorites. This one, Enquiry, and Bolt. I have read this book at least 8 times and I think it is awesome! It is so perfectly written. Everyone who hasn't read this book should read it!

I found this book to be consistant with Francis's style. I enjoyed the plot, mostly because it is not quite the typical Francis book,perhaps because it is one of his earlier books. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the mystery Daniel had to solve. I would definitely reccomend this book to both Francis fans and new readers of his work.

This book was the first Mr.Francis's book I have read in my life. I was completely involved his world, and can not stop read his books. Unfortunately, I caught up with the latest book, and can not stand waiting his next one.

This is a truly excellent collection of short stories! Dick Francis takes short departures from his typical style to bring us a grouping of stories painting vivid pictures of people we've all known. I liked these stories even better than his books, because he breaks out of his traditional formula and gives us some neat surprises.