Once upon a time there was an ex-jockey named Dick Francis who
wrote taut, fresh action-mysteries about racing (Dead Cert, Nerve,
Forfeit, Bonecrack, etc.). For the past ten years or so, however,
his fame has grown while his work has gotten ragged, strained,
unreliable. And this new adventure - a formula train-thriller
that's short on races, and virtually devoid of mystery - may well
be Francis' weakest book yet. Bland narrator-hero Tor Kelsey is a
millionaire but, for fun, works as a security-agent for the British
Jockey Club. Most recently, he's been on the trail of sleek villain
Julius Filmer, who's guilty of extortion and murder - but always
manages to walk away scot-free. Then the Jockey Club learns that
Filmer has booked passage on "The Great Transcontinental Mystery
Race Train," a Canadian PR event that combines a posh rail-ride
with special races and a silly "murder game" (complete with hired
actors) along the way. What dastardly evil does Filmer have in
mind? No one is sure. But young Tor goes undercover - just in case
- as a waiter/actor. From Toronto to Vancouver, he watches as
Filmer cozies up to a matronly (but shady) Thoroughbred-owner, and
to the super-wealthy Lorrimore family. Blackmail, it would seem, is
in the air - as is sabotage: all the familiar railroad cliffhangers
are played out, halfheartedly. Some of the horses on board may also
be in danger. And eventually, after some minor derring-do, Tor
foils the foul Filmer at last - and uncovers the truth about the
Lorrimore dan's truly ludicrous Deep Dark Secret. Lumpily padded,
thinly plotted: a thoroughgoing disappointment for Francis fans -
and not much fun even for fanciers of the luxury-train-in-jeopardy
genre. (Kirkus Reviews)
A story of drama and intrigue set on the sinister side of the international racing circuit. Tor Kelsey, an undercover agent for the Jockey Club's Security Service trails Julius Apollo Filmer, a blackmailer and murderer, onto a luxury train carrying several racehorse owners across Canada.
General
Imprint: |
Pan Books
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
1990 |
Authors: |
Dick Francis
|
Dimensions: |
176 x 110 x 25mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Mass Market
|
Pages: |
388 |
Edition: |
Reissue |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-330-31071-0 |
Categories: |
Books >
Fiction >
Genre fiction >
Crime & mystery >
General
|
LSN: |
0-330-31071-2 |
Barcode: |
9780330310710 |
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