Come to Grief (Paperback)

by Dick Francis (Author) "I had this friend, you see, that everyone loved..." (more)
Key Phrases: The Pump, Ellis Quint, Sid Halley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Dick Francis brings back Sid Halley, champion jockey-turned-PI of his earlier novels Whip Hand and Odds Against, in this troubling story. Ellis Quint has everything he could want: fame, youth, money, good looks, and talent. What Sid has to figure out is why his friend Ellis also has a streak of sadism that leads him to cut off horses' hooves in the dead of night. Sid's search for the truth leads him into the lowest depths of human nature. Winner of the Edgar Award for best mystery novel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
Francis fans will welcome the return of narrator Sid Halley (Odds Against; Whip Hand) as the one-handed PI and ex-jockey takes on a case of multiple mutilations of thoroughbreds; unnervingly, the amputation of the animals' front left hooves mirrors Sid's own injury. The investigator soon realizes that the man behind the crimes is his old friend Ellis Quint, ex-gentleman jockey and now a beloved TV host. Sick at heart, Sid builds a strong case; but, when Quint is charged, British law bars any public discussion of the case, rendering Sid mute at the huge public backlash against him. Particularly vicious and unrelenting is The Pump, a garish tabloid. When another mutilation occurs and Ellis has a seemingly unbreakable alibi, Sid finds some odd connections between a business tycoon, The Pump's noble owner and Ellis. Finally, the honorable, brave and thoroughly decent Sid faces his worst nightmare?the loss of his good hand?while doing what he must. A subplot about a little girl with leukemia offers some touching sentiment, and there are flashes of dry wit throughout as Francis, who turns 75 later this year, proves himself still at the top of his game. BOMC featured alternate; Reader's Digest Condensed Book; simultaneous Simon & Schuster audio; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Jove (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425207188
• ISBN-13: 978-0515119527
• ASIN: 0515119520
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #609,806 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Puzzling Book, September 4, 2001

By	Martha E. Nelson (Watertown, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

I will admit going into this that I am more than halfway in love with Sid Halley. However, we would not be a good match, since I, like his ex-wife, would be aggravated because he wouldn't be reliable and be home on time for dinner.

Levity aside, I am predisposed to like and of Francis' books about Halley, and there are things I like here. I like Sid having a chance to develop relationships with some people and having a chance to genuinely love, as he does with the little girl with leukemia here. I also really want him to have a satisfying relationship, and he seems to be interested in that, although I don't think the love interest in this one is as pleansant or as good a prospect as in Whiphand.

However, as some other reviewers have noted, this seems to be a rather mean-spirited book. I don't understand why the handsome man who appears to have everything stoops to mutilating horses, and I don't understand what the fundamental message about human nature is here. I think Francis was really trying to say something profound here, but I can't get to it. I was left feeling like I missed something important, and it made me frustrated and sad.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ex-jockey turned PI Sid Halley bravely faces demons & ghosts, October 13, 1997

By	Joanne B. LeBoutillier "ding dong lady" (Central Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Francis addicts will cheer on "friend" Sid Halley as he faces old ghosts (first wife), old demons (as in WHIP HAND), and new demons (his friend & that of a little girl's fatal disease). The best part of any Dick Francis book are his characters. You always LIKE them. The action keeps you turning the pages, but the characters have you on their side cheering for them. COME TO GRIEF is no different. There are mixed feelings at the end of every Dick Francis book: good, the character is OK; and nuts, now the character is gone away because the book is finished. It has been nice to welcome back Sid Halley for the third time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read., December 17, 2007

By	Susan A. Kibler - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Come to Grief (Paperback)

Dick Francis always write well constructed mysteries with good character representations and believeab le motivations. The only thing that kept me from giving this book five stars is that it is less suspenseful when you know before the end of the book who did it.