Twice Shy [Paperback]

Dick Francis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2004

A computerized horse-betting system falls into Jonathan Derry's hands--and unless he returns it to the rightful owners, the odds of his survival are slim to none.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Physics teacher Jonathan Derry inherits trouble when his friend Peter gives him three innocuous-looking musical tapes that contain the computer language version of the betting system of a professional gambler named Liam O'Rourke. Unfortunately, Angelo and Harry Gilbert also know about O'Rourke's system and nothing will stop them from getting it. As usual, Francis will keep listeners enthralled as the menace and destruction associated with this system change the lives of everyone who touches it; from quick-witted physicist Jonathan to his younger, horse-loving brother William, everyone pays a heavy price. Tony Britton's performance is perfect. A guaranteed winner; highly recommended for all public libraries. Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A thriller like a Hitchcock film. (People) An exhilarating fright ride...a cunning revenge scheme...another good Francis run. (Chicago Sun-Times)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425198774
• ISBN-13: 978-0425198773
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,761 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

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Definitely not the way to start your love of Francis.., April 28, 1998

By 

Jason Scott Sadofsky (Medford, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twice Shy (Mass Market Paperback)

As a really big Dick Francis fan, I would be really sad if someone heard all these great things about this author, picked up this book, and then never tried another book again. It's not a very good one. The premise is good, the characterizations as usual are very nice, but the plot goes nowhere and stays there from about halfway in until the last, disappointing page. Changing narrators in the book was a nice risk, but it ruins everything. Having the book be about computers and then putting in a 14-year gap was also not the wisest thing. If you want to start off on the right Francis Foot, try PROOF or WILD HORSES or ENQUIRY, and there you're neck-deep in characterization, plot and thrills. Francis is a master, but even masters have an off day.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 14 year gaps in books about computers? Try again!, December 14, 2001

By 

Annette C. Nelson "webtarkeena" (Gresham, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twice Shy (Audio Cassette)

Gotta agree with the other reviewer's comment about mixing 14 year gaps in stories with plots centering about computers. I actually program these silly things for a living, and listening to this book in 2001 was interesting purely from this historical computer languages angle. However, I found myself distracted througout wondering if it was the initial story about Jonathan that was intended to take place in '81 or the second story 14 years later. I don't think I buy it either way: programs don't last 14 years.
My verdict: centering the plot on a computer program? Good.
Breaking the story into two, changing narrators, and setting the 2nd half 14 years later? Good.
Both? Not so good.
Try Whip Hand or In The Frame instead.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars horses and computers, November 2, 2007

By 

Mary Bell (Cynthiana, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twice Shy (Paperback)

Two brothers, one a teacher, the other a horseman, dealing with a computer program for handicapping races. Like all of his books, this one is character driven.
Could have more horses in it.