Rating: 
Summary: Suicide presented in a very realistic way
Review: Considering it is a 1967 publication, Blood Sport portrays a man who suffers from depression and from a person (me)who also has and does can say the portrayal is very realistic. I'm amazed Francis could write like this in the mid-60's and wonder a bit now if Dick didn't go through some bouts of depression because you almost have to to portray it correctly. A worthwhile read for more than one reason. Aches, cold feet, full of malaise, life seeming worthless and confusing...Francis knew what he was talking about.
Rating:
Summary: Suicide presented in a very realistic way
Review: Considering it is a 1967 publication, Blood Sport portrays a man who suffers from depression and from a person (me)who also has and does can say the portrayal is very realistic. I'm amazed Francis could write like this in the mid-60's and wonder a bit now if Dick didn't go through some bouts of depression because you almost have to to portray it correctly. A worthwhile read for more than one reason. Aches, cold feet, full of malaise, life seeming worthless and confusing...Francis knew what he was talking about.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent-but not the usual Francis fare.
Review: Dick Francis has earned a well deserved reputation as one of the best suspense writers around--based more on his writing skills and character development that any real talent for suspense. This is because virtually all his books, regardless of character and milieu, follow a well developed formula. By the third or forth Francis book one has a pretty good feel for how things will proceed. His average books are well enough crafted to keep your attention, his better books--such as Banker, Reflex and Proof--grab you by the throat and won't let go till you are done.Blood Sport is a significant departure for Francis. The formula is gone, the action aspects of his work take back seat to a much more cerebral style and the main character is far from the iconoclastic, self reliant individualist we normally expect from Francis. Gene Hawkins is a "screener" for the British Government-essentially a "mole" hunter. He is also suicidal-his previous relationship has shattered and left the man a psychological mess. He has sublimated his troubles into his work-until now. Faced with a mandatory three week leave his boss, fearful for his employee's life-sets him onto the trail of the thieves of one of his pals thoroughbred race horses in America. What follows is one of the more bizarre, compelling chase stories I have ever read. It is also the most unusual novel Francis has written to date. Not all Francis fans will like this book-as the previous reviews will attest. However, I found the story very compelling and felt more of a real connection to the characters than is the norm with a Francis novel. I also found it to be more of a true suspense novel than is usually the case with Francis. I urge Francis fans to give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent-but not the usual Francis fare.
Review: Dick Francis has earned a well deserved reputation as one of the best suspense writers around--based more on his writing skills and character development that any real talent for suspense. This is because virtually all his books, regardless of character and milieu, follow a well developed formula. By the third or forth Francis book one has a pretty good feel for how things will proceed. His average books are well enough crafted to keep your attention, his better books--such as Banker, Reflex and Proof--grab you by the throat and won't let go till you are done. Blood Sport is a significant departure for Francis. The formula is gone, the action aspects of his work take back seat to a much more cerebral style and the main character is far from the iconoclastic, self reliant individualist we normally expect from Francis. Gene Hawkins is a "screener" for the British Government-essentially a "mole" hunter. He is also suicidal-his previous relationship has shattered and left the man a psychological mess. He has sublimated his troubles into his work-until now. Faced with a mandatory three week leave his boss, fearful for his employee's life-sets him onto the trail of the thieves of one of his pals thoroughbred race horses in America. What follows is one of the more bizarre, compelling chase stories I have ever read. It is also the most unusual novel Francis has written to date. Not all Francis fans will like this book-as the previous reviews will attest. However, I found the story very compelling and felt more of a real connection to the characters than is the norm with a Francis novel. I also found it to be more of a true suspense novel than is usually the case with Francis. I urge Francis fans to give it a try.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Odd
Review: Gene Hawkins has a longstanding desire for committing suicide. That is very unlikely for a Dick Francis hero. Indeed, Hawkins is a typical Francis hero; a man of a strong will, an indomitable spirit and a detached mind, yet he bears a wish for killing himself. That's too odd. The story is not bad as a mystery, but I can't tolerate such inconsistency in the hero's character.
Rating:
Summary: Too Odd
Review: Gene Hawkins has a longstanding desire for committing suicide. That is very unlikely for a Dick Francis hero. Indeed, Hawkins is a typical Francis hero; a man of a strong will, an indomitable spirit and a detached mind, yet he bears a wish for killing himself. That's too odd. The story is not bad as a mystery, but I can't tolerate such inconsistency in the hero's character.
Rating:
Summary: I made it to chapter 3
Review: I bought this book immediately after reading Enquiry, which I liked very much. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with this one. I made it to chapter to three....barely. I wanted to like this book, but frankly I was bored by both the plot and the characters. Maybe next time.
Rating:
Summary: I made it to chapter 3
Review: I bought this book immediately after reading Enquiry, which I liked very much. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with this one. I made it to chapter to three....barely. I wanted to like this book, but frankly I was bored by both the plot and the characters. Maybe next time.
Rating: 
Summary: It's off to the races again!
Review: The prodigious Francis has produced another outstanding thriller with his favorite topic horse-racing; As usual his key figure manages to stay alive, if not in one piece and solve the mystery by book's end! Bravo Dick Francis
Rating:
Summary: It's off to the races again!
Review: There's only one problem with Dick Francis books: insomina! The author, no stranger to the world of thoroughbred racing, has a knack for rapidly drawing the reader into the story. The interest is easily maintained as Francis unravels the inner workings of the criminal mind. I enjoyed the change in locale from England to California. As usual Francis does not disappoint and skewers the villian(s) with his always dry wit. There are enough believable red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the satisfying end.
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