Bonecrack [UNABRIDGED] (Paperback)

by Dick Francis (Author) "They both wore thin rubber masks..." (more)
Key Phrases: apprentice race, parade ring, head lad, Tommy Hoylake, Rowley Lodge, Lucky Lindsay (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A positive genius. -- Time

Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... -- New York Times Book Review --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Description
At twenty to midnight Neil Griffon's home is broken into and he is roughly abducted by masked men. He has no idea who they are, or what they want. But when Neil wakes up, hours later, he quickly discovers that unless he cooperates his kidnappers will destroy his father's precious horses, racing stable and ultimately Neil himself. Returned to take charge of the stables, Neil can tell no-one about his ordeal. Vicious threats and horrible violence against his horses become a day-to-day reality and he is forced to comply with his blackmailer's wishes. Trapped in a war of attrition, Neil realises he must find a way to stop these criminals before his nerve gives out. After all, a choice between his integrity and his life is no choice at all...

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Pan Publishing (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330234471
• ISBN-13: 978-0330234474
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #504,416 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PAGE TURNER IF EVER WAS ONE!, September 27, 2006

By	Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Bonecrack (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading UNDER ORDERS recently decided to re-read some of Dick Francis' older material, and this 1971 release seemed a good one with which start.

There are many problems in Newmarket at Rowley Lodge stables, main one being that Neil Griffon's father, the stable's owner, is hospitalized with a broken leg and temporarily cannot run the stables. Neil takes upon himself to pinch hit, and since Neil and his father have never gotten along at all, his father does not like it one bit. But Neil carries on slowly winning everyone but his father over. Added to this is another very mentally disturbed father who through threats of violence forces his son on Neil as apprentice jockey; with some of the threats having already been carried out. The plot runs very smoothly, and though there are a few very close calls with violence, it eventually reaches a very satisfactory end. The conflict between two sets of fathers and sons offers interesting reading, with the two sons eventually understanding more than either father ever did or could. Thought provoking, indeed.

This book is tightly written with very interesting, believable characters who act and speak as they should. The focus is very much on horses in stable with some insight also offered into just how they are trained and entered into races. It is one of the more enjoyable books from Dick Francis I've read viewing racing from not only from the owner's point of view, but the trainer and the jockeys, as well. And now that most of his earlier books have been reissued by Berkley in new printings with very colorful cover paintings, the entire package is not only refreshing but worth the time spent.

Recommended.

Semper Fi.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Father - and - Son, October 10, 2007

By	Gomegomes (Sao Paulo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonecrack (Mass Market Paperback)

The beginning and ending of the story by Dick Francis is
always heart touching. This is no exception.
This is the story about father and son. Father is dictatorial
and difficult to communicate with Son. This applies both Neil
and Alessandro. Alessandro's father is Enso Rivera who is
crook and Neil's father is the owner of one of the prosperous
racing stables. Neil is abducted and demanded to let
Aless to ride on Archangel which is the most popular horse
for the Derby. After he was released, Aless was sent to his father's
stable which Neil runs temporarily because his father is in hospital.
Aless is arrogant and bullish like his father, but gradually changes himself
owing to Neil's delicate technique. Neil is in danger to break his
color bone. The nearer the Derby is coming, the more dangerous
Enso becomes but Neil's determination is solid.
Toward the end, Aless was put into a dangerous spot and unexpected
ending is the most exciting and heart warming.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Unhappy Father-Son Relationship, November 5, 2001

By	APRICOT "ryoko" (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonecrack (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a story of two father-son couples; the hero who is temporary in charge of a training stable and his cold-hearted father, and a spoiled son who wants to be a champion jockey and his fanatic, ruthless father. Their unhappy relationship is lightly and smoothly described in the fast-paced, thrilling story, yet I am strongly impressed by the relationship. Francis is really a good writer. And it is also interesting that a daily life of a training stable is vividly described.