Shattered

Rating:
Summary: Another Book, Another Occupation
Review: Dick Francis certainly refutes all those who call him "the author who always writes about horse racing". The heroes of previous novels have been meterologists, gemologists, wine merchants, etc. Now, interesting facts about the glass blowing industry are interwoven in another page turner. I was not disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: "Shattered" expectations
Review: I like Dick Francis. I don't want to be a nay-sayer, but this Francis tale did not meet my expectations based on his previous Francis books. Maybe his talent has grown so much that we expect too much. ? Francis' fans really look forward to his new books and I can hardley wait until the next one is on the market--especially after reading "Shattered" because I am really anxious to see a new Francis book hit the stand at his former standards. We try not to be too fickle, but hey, there are a lot of other authors out there. I missed the inner workings of the main character such as the main character in "Whip Hand." One of the reasons that I like Francis' writing is that he makes his characters believable people, but the people in "Shattered" didn't quite make the grade--like the title, they were a bit shattered themselves. The blatant innuendoes detracked from the story. They did not add anything to the story. If forcing the main characters into relationships is an editor/publisher-requirement, then Francis needs to find new ones. He writes well enough without senseless nonsense. I don't think any of his fans enjoyed the manipulated relationship in "Shattered." There was no reason for the main character and his lady friend to find mutual attraction. Who are we to judge a great story teller? None of us write as well as Francis and I never will, but I suppose we, as the money spenders, do have some small right to express our opinions. I'd like to see his next book called "Greased Pockets" and present us a book at his former standards to keep us spending our hard-earned money at his bookstand. Overall, I felt like I was reading a "shell game." Keeping tabs of the videotapes was like keeping track of a master shuffling a pea under cups. ? The ending felt like a Charles Dickens ending to me--that is, where a story could have been good, the ending just happened. Francis is not alone in this change of standard. Ms. Lilian Jackson Braun has done the same to her fans on her last two books. I still like to read both Braun and Francis. I will keep trying to read them both, but I hope they renew our faith in their talented storytelling abilities. I generally cannot put down a Francis story. I didn't feel the same attraction to "Shattered." I didn't put it down too much because I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't. I waded in the shallow water and was never put out to sea at all.

Rating:
Summary: So-so
Review: I have written every word Mr. Francis has ever written. I think that this book strays too far from the original concepts Mr. Francis used to write about. How long has it been now since there has been a novel about actual horse people, and not just "friends" of jockeys or trainers? I found the characters in this novel likable enough, but the plot was convoluted and difficult at times to really understand where Mr. Francis was coming from. I would like to see a return to the intrigue of books such as Risk or Twice Shy. Anyone agree with me?

Rating:
Summary: A solid if not exceptional work.
Review: Shattered returns Dick Francis readers a step closer to the horseracing world than his last book "Second Wind." Still, as the horseracing world is only a background image in Shattered, so is much of the storytelling passion. Francis is at his best when his characters feed off of their own equestrian experiences for strength, e.g. Sid Halley. In those stories the reader can connect the hero's inner resolve to their passion for riding. Its more difficult for Francis to project why the reader should feel the same about Shattered's protagonist, a mild mannered glass blower.

Die hard Dick Francis fans will find Shattered a nice diversion until his next book, but will rate it a second class addition to his collection. Those new to Francis will find it an easy read and may be intrigued enough to delve into some of his first class works. I suggest Decider, Hot Money, or Proof.

Rating:
Summary: Worst Dick Francis novel ever!
Review: I'm not sure exactly how old Dick Francis is; well over 70, I think. For each great mystery writer there comes a day when he can't write a good book any more. I think this book marks that point for Dick Francis, and while I have been looking forward to his approximately annual novels since the late 60's, I am not looking forward to another one. I hope he hangs up his hat now.

As always, the premise is great, although this hero has a more tenuous connection to the world of racing than any previous one I can recollect at this moment. Unlike certain other novels, where Francis typically provided fascinating insights into an unusual or interesting profession (the peak for me was Reflex, with its wonderfully well-worked out details of photographic puzzles), the glass-blowing details seem cursory and hardly make the reader care at all. The characterizations are mechanical, the plot hardly hangs together at all, and almost no tension is generated by the story. The writer's mannerisms are in full control here, and I take that as a sign that Francis's imagination is running low on fuel.

Francis leaves behind a splendid oeuvre of classic racing thrillers, and I'd like to remember him as he was in his prime. It was sad, for example, as Rex Stout kept writing for a decade beyond his good work. Let's hope Francis doesn't repeat his example.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Read!
Review: I bought this with a bit of trepidation - Mr. Francis's last book was not up to his usual high standards. I loved this one though! A competent, engaging hero, good friendships, quirky characters, a little romance and an evil villainess all combine in vintage Francis. If you enjoy Francis, you'll like this one!

Rating:
Summary: Shattered is correct.
Review: Shattered is correct. Dick Francis is human after all. The plot moved around so much I thought the story was about a moving van. At times it was interesting but then Gerard Logan would appear in the third person and the theme went every which way. His thoughts and theories were scattered. It never made me think. It is no where near what Mr. Francis is capable of.

Rating:
Summary: Shattered
Review: Dick Francis has done it again. This is one of his best books yet. One must find out what happens to the characters (at the risk of losing a lot of sleep). I was immediately drawn into the story and also learned a bit about glassblowing as well. Dick Francis' style is so tight it squeaks! but his books are always well written. Each year I look foward to getting my "Dick Francis fix." Thank you Mr. Francis for providing such a wealth of knowledge and pleasure over the years. Long may you continue!

Rating:
Summary: Dick Francis back on form
Review: As a confirmed Dick Francis fan, I can honestly say that "Shattered", the latest in a long line of racing-related mysteries, is the best thing Mr. Francis has written in several years. His previous two efforts, the short-story compilation "Field of Thirteen" and the hurricane story "Second Wind", both fell far short of the standard one expects from this talented writer, but he is back on track (so to speak) with "Shattered".

Gerard Logan is a glassblower whose closest friend, a jockey, is killed in a fall at the racetrack. The death of his friend is bad enough but Gerard soon discovers that the secret videotape Martin had planned to entrust to him (and didn't quite make it) has placed him in grave danger. The enemies believe Gerard does have the videotape and will do anything to get at it.

The "Francis style" comes through clearly in this mystery, as Gerard works through the real and potential dangers facing him and eventually has the answers to "who" and "why". For people who read Francis for the horse-related storylines, you may be disappointed. Like many of his most recent works, this novel only peripherally touches upon the racing world. After the death of Martin, which happens in the first pages, there's only one visit to a racetrack and almost no description of horses. On the other hand, this could give the book a broader appeal for those who are not equine-inclined.

A highly recommended read!

Rating:
Summary: Rotten as all later books are
Review: For a long tome the thrillers by Francis have been getting from bad to worse. Allthough for nearly 20 books Francis was on the top og his/her career in thrillerwriting the last ten books have been very bad. Characters are hardly workes out and the plot is not right. When is the editor of the publisher going to tell man and wife Francis that enough is enough.