To the Hilt

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the effort
Review: This is a fun read, I enjoyed it completely.

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.

Rating:
Summary: Another spine-tingling, Francis mystery extraordinaire
Review: This one is yet another terrific Dick Francis mystery. I'm a huge fan of these novels, and "To the Hilt" was every bit as juicy, intriguing, complex, wry, etc. as all the others. But I think the time is ripe for a female protagonist in Francis' stories.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining to the Utmost!
Review: This was an entertaining and fun book. Recomended by my father, I knew it had to be good. It was a very plesant way to spend my free time. Much better than the other Francis books I have read in the past. Recomended to the casual mystery reader.

Rating:
Summary: Great, To The Hilt
Review: This was my first Dick Francis novel and I liked it a lot. It gave me an idea of what Francis was like. As other reviewers said, it was somewhat predictable and not quite descriptive enough. I'm lucky I have a mental picture mind that puts everything in mental picture because if I didn't, I would have hated it. Because of this book, I'm going to read some more Dick Francis and hope that there's more mystery to his plots. I loved the characters, especially Patsy and Sertes. They were hilariously obnoxious. And they fabricated and downright liars. Chris Young was great too. Read it, you'll be interested to see what other tricks Francis has up his sleeve.

Rating:
Summary: Another great mystery!
Review: To the Hilt is worthy of the repertoire of Mr. Francis; the characters will be comfortably familiar to his regular readers, but new enough too, to maintain your interest. The protagonist, 'Mad Alexander' is an instant favorite, and I hope that he'll be included in another story. The mystery itself is quite well done. For audiocassette fans, you will enjoy Tony Britton's reading, he is as usual magnificent.