"Francis, an ex-jockey, has a sense of pace that would be the envy of most of his former colleagues....He throws in a doozy of a bonus surpris...
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reviews
May 26, 2009
As I read, I was comparing this to the works of two other mystery writers. Comparisons are odious, but also fun. One is Robert Barnard, due to the unsavoriness of so many of the characters. (Unlike with Barnard, when you know the complete asshole of chapter 1 will be murdered by chapter 3, there was no chance they'd all be murdered.) It works better in Barnard, perhaps because he concentrates his writer's bile on one or two characters. Francis is trying to create 10 nasty people, and also e
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Apr 23, 2011
Sheila
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I loved this book! I've enjoyed all of Dick Francis' mysteries that I've read so far, and this is my favorite of them. As always, there's a likable protagonist, and I also liked his lively multimillionaire father, who, apparently endangered by someone in his large extended family, calls upon his most trusted son, an amateur jockey, to protect him. Perfect pacing, shocking twists, good writing, quite a few comical scenes, and detailed portrayals of the various greedy, spiteful, squabbling family
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Oct 03, 2010
Kellie
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If you think you have a dysfunctional family, read this book. It may make you feel better. This is about Ian and his father. His father has been married 5 times. His last wife was murdered and now someone is after him. After Ian and his Dad have been estranged for years his Dad asks him to be his “body guard”. Someone is trying to kill him and he is scared. Malcolm Pembroke is very rich. The dysfunction in the family is essentially his money and their lack of it. Based on the circumstanc
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Jan 27, 2009
Michael
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I zipped through this book in just a couple of days; it was one of the best mysteries I'd read in a long time. The characters are all very well developed, and original; so much so that they almost seemed real. It was written from a very unique point of view, as well; that of a horse jocky. I don't know anything about horse racing, and so it proved very interesting.
Jan 09, 2011
Marie
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I've read all the Dick Francis books over the years, starting back in the 80's when I found my first tattered copy in a used bookstore. When Dick passed away last year, I decided it was time to rediscover the pleasure of his stories. I particularly enjoyed this story of family dysfunction and greed. I loved the voice of the protagonist and found the mystery to be satisfying.
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Apr 13, 2010
Candace
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I love Dick Francis books, but I can tell my favorites by which ones I re-read the most often. This one is tellingly battered. I have read it so many times that I know everything that happens, but it's like visiting with an old friend. I love the father in this story, love the whole family set-up, and the mystery is great, too.
Aug 24, 2010
Diane
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I enjoyed this book, as I have enjoyed others by Dick Francis. There were lots of characters in the book--the main character, Malcolm, had 5 wives (he referred to them as "the witches") and 9 children. The story develops as Malcolm's latest wife is murdered. It is very entertaining with a little surprise at the end.
Sep 13, 2008
LJ
rated it:
HOT MONEY - Ex
Francis, Dick - 26th book
With his five ex-wives and the nine children between them, it's no great surprise that spectacularly wealthy gold trader Malcolm Pembroke should preside over a motley clan in constant conflict with one another.
But when violent death strikes the least likable of his former spouses, Malcolm himself feels threatened, and he calls on his most capable son, Ian, the family jockey. Ian's task: to protect his father from their nearest, More...
Francis, Dick - 26th book
With his five ex-wives and the nine children between them, it's no great surprise that spectacularly wealthy gold trader Malcolm Pembroke should preside over a motley clan in constant conflict with one another.
But when violent death strikes the least likable of his former spouses, Malcolm himself feels threatened, and he calls on his most capable son, Ian, the family jockey. Ian's task: to protect his father from their nearest, More...
Jun 11, 2011
Jessica
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I listened to this book while running over the last few weeks. Wealthy father with several ex-wifes is suspected of killing one of them. His son helps him to deal with the police as well as evade the person who is trying to kill him. It was too uneventful for me, especially to listen to, but I like Dick Francis.
Jul 06, 2010
Monk
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Actually listened to this on CD, with an incredible narrator. I feel much smarter after listening to a British accent for 10 hours. Standard Francis fare, which means a decent mystery, solid characters, an engaging narrator, and horses.
Jun 29, 2011
Louise
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One of my guilty pleasures is Dick Francis. The mysteries are all clear and bright and nothing really dangerous happens to anyone (save the person who is killed in the beginning of each novel). Perfect post-natal nursing reads.
Jan 26, 2012
Jeff
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I would have given this 5 stars, but the ending didn't cut it for me. Murder mysteries are great, but don't make it so ridiculous at the end to surprise us. Oh, and money won't solve all of the family's problems.
Feb 09, 2012
Lisa Ann
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Dysfunction of the highest form. I 'd love to hear from others who read Dick Francis, a prodigious writer. I've never devoted any time to checking out his other works, this one came to me on a recommendation.
Apr 20, 2011
Marilyn
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Had a hankering for a book that had to do with horses--I think anyone with knowledge or a like of horses is much more likely to appreciate the book, but it was an entertaining read regardless.
Nov 13, 2010
Megan
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I never read murder mysteries. I think this was my first one. I had to read it because it was about 9 kids who all wanted their inheritance now. Which one of his kids was trying to kill him?
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Mar 19, 2010
Christie
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This is one of the best Dick Francis books that I've read. I liked the suspense (as usual) but also the psychological look into a wealthy and largely dysfunctional family like the Pembrokes.
Jul 29, 2010
Tabitha
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All of Francis' books are brilliant and suspenseful. I particularly like this one for the characters, they feel real with flaws. Wonderful mystery as well.
Mar 22, 2011
Alaina
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For the full (and, for once, surprisingly succint) review, follow the link to That's What She Read.
Feb 17, 2011
Jason
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Not bad, a typical Francis novel written to formula. Good fun, and this book saved my life when recently staying in a holiday town. Guess what? It had horses in it :-)
Feb 28, 2011
Laurie
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This book was okay but nothing to get excited about. It is not a book I would recommend unless someone has run out of other books to read.
Jul 24, 2010
Lynne
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A typical Dick Francis mystery with lots of suspects and a hero who finds the solution. As always, horses and horse racing play a part.
Aug 04, 2009
Cathy
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I am currently listening to the Chivers audiobook version of this novel, read by Tony Britton. The family characters are not very believable, but the story is interesting and entertaining, even though this is the 2nd or 3rd time I've listened to it. I vaguely remember the ending, so am trying to listen for clues that I missed in the past.
Nov 20, 2008
Leanna
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I listen to Dick Francis audio books. The narrator has a wonderful easy listening English accent. They are most entertaining.
Sep 21, 2010
Natalie
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Sad what families do to each other over money...great Dick Francis writing but pretty sad bunch in the family.
Jan 29, 2012
Stephen
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Hot Money
By Dick Francis.
Copyright 1987.
Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.
Hardcover, 324 pages.
By Dick Francis.
Copyright 1987.
Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.
Hardcover, 324 pages.
Apr 02, 2009
Brittany
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I LOVED this book! It always kept you guessing until the VERY end. A real thriller i thought!
Mar 04, 2009
Martha and I have been listening to the audible books version. Forgotten how funny this one is.
Oct 01, 2007
Momdad
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A great Dick Francis read ! Story revolves around a very, very wealthy Englishman, his five wives, and 14 offspring. Most are in "need" of financial assistance, but he does not want to spoil any of them until someone kills one of his ex-wives and tries three times to kill him. With the help of one son he goes into hiding in England, Kentucky, Los Angles, and Australia to elude his killer - in the process buying race horses, winning races, and taking a flyer on Australian gold mines.
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Mar 21, 2011
Sandra
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Despicable family and not enough information to guess who dunnut. But a fun read.
Oct 11, 2010
Elizabeth
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Written in a very elementary way. Almost boring. Too many characters to keep track of.
