Rating: 
Summary: Most excellent!
Review: I wish I hadn't read the book so I could have the pleasure of reading it all over again. One of his best protagonists. Great read! Mr. Francis, if you are out there--KEEP 'EM COMING!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: My Grandmother (of all people) turned me on to Dick Francis. I have never been to England, don't especially like horses, and have never seen a horse race in my life and I LOVE THIS AUTHOR! This book, in particular, is one of his very best. If you haven't tried Dick Francis, this is a great one to cut your teeth on.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: My Grandmother (of all people) turned me on to Dick Francis. I have never been to England, don't especially like horses, and have never seen a horse race in my life and I LOVE THIS AUTHOR! This book, in particular, is one of his very best. If you haven't tried Dick Francis, this is a great one to cut your teeth on.
Rating: 
Summary: Alexander is a hero, but the story lacks strenght
Review: The best feature of this book is the outstanding development of Alex Kinloch character whose actions, thoughts, personality, reflections and humor made me go along with him all the way to the end. The story however has nothing to do with the quality of the character
Rating:
Summary: A Dick Francis masterpiece!
Review: The main character of Dick Francis' "To the Hilt" is twenty-nine year old Alexander Kinloch whose only desire is to spend time alone painting. Unfortunately for him, Alexander is thrust into a plot involving the theft of million from his stepfather's, Ivan Westering's, brewery. Alexander is asked for his help in hiding Ivan's two treasures, the King Alfred cup and Golden Malt, a valuable racing thoroughbred. But soon Alexander realizes that not only will he have to protect these two items at the same trying to find out where the embezzled money went, he must also watch out for himself as things turn from worse to deadly...My second Dick Francis novel to read, I found "To the Hilt" a totally enjoyable read. Very exciting and suspenseful, there's a lot of mystery. Alexander is a delightfully fun character, you can't help but feel sorry for him as he gets more and more involved in helping his stepfather although the only thing he wants to do is paint. Dick Francis must also be applauded for his array of interesting characters. There's the jealous stepsister Patty who would do anything to discredit Alexander, Alexander's uncle Robert the Earl, Oliver Grantchester the lawyer, and more. But probably my most favorite characters is 'Young and Uttley', who is really just one person. I love how he has so many disguises. I cracked up laughing at one part where Alexander tries not to reveal that his 'lady-friend' is actually his 'Young and Uttley' bodyguard!...
Rating:
Summary: One of the great Dick Francis novels
Review: This is one of the first Dick Francis novels I read, and it remains one of the best for me. If I read it in the larger context of his work, it does seem to be something of an anomaly--not first and foremost about horses, and not concentrating on action and the understated heroics that many Francis heros find themselves forced into. ...there is a depth to the character of Alexander--a sort of simultaneous self-undertanding and also a oneliness that he wishes he could get past--that is touchingly human. I actually think this book has much more depth than some of the more action-packed stories. I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great Dick Francis novels
Review: This is one of the first Dick Francis novels I read, and it remains one of the best for me. If I read it in the larger context of his work, it does seem to be something of an anomaly--not first and foremost about horses, and not concentrating on action and the understated heroics that many Francis heros find themselves forced into. ...there is a depth to the character of Alexander--a sort of simultaneous self-undertanding and also a oneliness that he wishes he could get past--that is touchingly human. I actually think this book has much more depth than some of the more action-packed stories. I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A good read for all
Review: This is only the second Dick Francis book I've read, but I think I'm hooked. To the Hilt had just the right combination of suspense, intrigue, familial strife, and general pathos to keep me engrossed from start to finish. The plot centers less around who did what than *why* they did it, and what the results will be. I identified with and rather liked the main character, Alexander, and I appreciated the humanity Francis gave to all the characters, even the antagonists. I particularly appreciated the eccentric relationship between Al and Emily. Even if you're not a huge Dick Francis fan, or a mystery buff, I think you would enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A good read for all
Review: This is only the second Dick Francis book I've read, but I think I'm hooked. To the Hilt had just the right combination of suspense, intrigue, familial strife, and general pathos to keep me engrossed from start to finish. The plot centers less around who did what than *why* they did it, and what the results will be. I identified with and rather liked the main character, Alexander, and I appreciated the humanity Francis gave to all the characters, even the antagonists. I particularly appreciated the eccentric relationship between Al and Emily. Even if you're not a huge Dick Francis fan, or a mystery buff, I think you would enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining, fast-paced mystery.
Review: This is the least equestrian of any Dick Francis book I've ever read. However, this distinction does not detract from the entertainment value of the book. As with other Dick Francis mysteries, "To The Hilt" is an easy-to-read and very entertaining novel. For anyone who has enjoyed any or many of the dozens of other Dick Francis books, this is a fine addition.
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