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2nd out of 36 books
—
45 voters
To the Hilt
by
Dick Francis
From the acclaimed master of mystery and suspense comes the story of a self-imposed outcast who must refresh his detection skills in order to save himself and his family.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Berkley
(first published 1996)
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I've been rereading all the Dick Francis on the shelf in the Homer Public Library. This one is still my favorite, painter Alexander Kinloch, nephew of a Scottish earl, is summoned from his aerie in Scotland by his mother to tend to his step-father, whose prosperous brewery has been ripped off to insolvency by its disappeared comptroller. Wonderful characters, contained but loving mother Vivienne, dithery but honorable step-father Ivan, proud, stubborn, hilarious uncle Himself (the earl), viperou...more
What is there to say about Dick Francis? As I think about all of his books (yes, this review covers all of his books, and yes I've read them all) I think about a moral ethical hero, steeped in intelligence and goodness embroiled in evil machinations within British horse racing society - either directly or indirectly. The heroes aren't always horse jockies, they can be film producers, or involve heroes engaged in peripheral professions that somehow always touch the horse racing world.
But more tha...more
But more tha...more
May 27, 2012
Arati Devasher
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reviewed-at-book-weyr
This has to be one of my favourite Dick Francis novels. Aside from the fact that his writing style is pleasing and action is fast-paced, and that I always learn something new, I love that he writes about simple people in extraordinary situations. He creates unerringly charming characters, the sort that you'd like to know in real life, and I've never yet taken more than one session to read a book of his! Unputdownable!
Alexander Kinloch, a somewhat eccentric but successful painter, lives in an iso...more
Alexander Kinloch, a somewhat eccentric but successful painter, lives in an iso...more
While this was a page-turner, I did not enjoy it as much as other Dick Francis books I have read. I don't know if I have become a more sophisticated reader, or if this was not one of Mr. Francis's best efforts. But the sudden abrupt revelations, the false foreshadowing, and the unrealistic, one dimensional characters made the book very annoying at times.
But it was a nice, fluffy read after a heavy book, and the ending was mostly satisfying. The interwoven history of a Scottish aristocrat and the...more
But it was a nice, fluffy read after a heavy book, and the ending was mostly satisfying. The interwoven history of a Scottish aristocrat and the...more
I realize that there is a common thread in Francis' novels - you've got a good guy who basically gets in the thick of events by circumstance, or because other people like piling their problems upon him. Furthermore, the same guy often finds himself dodging physical attacks/murder attempts while trying to sort out the $h!t the aforementioned other people piled upon him. Of course, somewhere in there is a (strong or feeble) link with horse racing, another of Francis' trademarks.
Summed up like that...more
Summed up like that...more
I found this book at the Ursuline Mall (rummage sale) at the St. John's Bazaar, and bought it for a quarter to read while eating my lobster roll. It got me through fried clams and strawberry shortcake as well, and when I got home I couldn't put it down.
Dick Francis has a theme that runs through many of his books, as my husband (Snorri Sturlusson) pointed out. A young man comes to a crossroads in his life and some crime involves him on the side of the angels, during the course of which he learns...more
Dick Francis has a theme that runs through many of his books, as my husband (Snorri Sturlusson) pointed out. A young man comes to a crossroads in his life and some crime involves him on the side of the angels, during the course of which he learns...more
This book was one I read for book club, and I very much enjoyed this mystery. In fact, I intend to read more of Dick Francis; and if more of his books are as good as this one, I will add him to my list of favorite mystery authors, along with Agatha Christie and Tony Hillerman!
The story is set in Scotland & London, with a very down-to-earth - and somewhat reluctant - hero, who gets thrown into the action against his will. He acquits himself admirably, however, and in the end saves the day.
A...more
The story is set in Scotland & London, with a very down-to-earth - and somewhat reluctant - hero, who gets thrown into the action against his will. He acquits himself admirably, however, and in the end saves the day.
A...more
Painter Alexander Kinloch is thrown in at the deep end when through family circumstances and after an intense beating when thugs broke into his home on the mountainside is forced to go home to help out his family.
His stepfather Ivan has had a heart attack due to stress after an employee basically bankrupted his brewery business and then also turns up dead in suspicious circumstances.
This is not the only problem facing Alexander when outside forces try to stop him saving the brewery and more viol...more
His stepfather Ivan has had a heart attack due to stress after an employee basically bankrupted his brewery business and then also turns up dead in suspicious circumstances.
This is not the only problem facing Alexander when outside forces try to stop him saving the brewery and more viol...more
Jan 12, 2013
Robin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Adults and Older Teens who are interested in economics with a spin
Recommended to Robin by:
My Principal
Shelves:
december-2012-tbr
A Pretty Good Book.
Synopsis:Artist Alexander Kinloch has worked out a good pattern for his life. His home is a small bothy on a remote mountain in Scotland; he paints on commission, from which he derives both pleasure and a decent income; he lives alone and likes it. One day, however, Alexander's peace is violently shattered when he returns home to find a group of strangers waiting for him. After a scuffle, he is left for dead with only the words ‘‘Where is it?' ringing in his ears. And the days...more
Synopsis:Artist Alexander Kinloch has worked out a good pattern for his life. His home is a small bothy on a remote mountain in Scotland; he paints on commission, from which he derives both pleasure and a decent income; he lives alone and likes it. One day, however, Alexander's peace is violently shattered when he returns home to find a group of strangers waiting for him. After a scuffle, he is left for dead with only the words ‘‘Where is it?' ringing in his ears. And the days...more
To the Hilt is the second Francis novel to focus on an artist. Last time, the hero painted horses (In the Frame). This time, he paints mostly golf scenes. This is possibly the most solitary of Francis' many solitary heroes, and perhaps also the most eccentric. The somewhat complicated plot includes several bad guys of varying degree, several goals and/or objects that must be obtained, hidden, preserved, or saved, and two rounds of Francis' patented pain and suffering for the hero. Francis also i...more
TO THE HILT - Ex
Francis, Dick - 35th book
The "hilt" refers to the jewel-encrusted, solid gold handle of the ceremonial sword of Scotland's would-be king, Bonnie Prince Charlie. A descendant of the Scottish earl to whom the prince gave the hilt, narrator Alexander Kinloch lives in an unelectrified bothy in the Scottish mountains, supporting himself through his paintings. Al's keen visual sense allows him to draw the faces of the four thugs who beat him and tear apart his home in the opening chapt...more
Francis, Dick - 35th book
The "hilt" refers to the jewel-encrusted, solid gold handle of the ceremonial sword of Scotland's would-be king, Bonnie Prince Charlie. A descendant of the Scottish earl to whom the prince gave the hilt, narrator Alexander Kinloch lives in an unelectrified bothy in the Scottish mountains, supporting himself through his paintings. Al's keen visual sense allows him to draw the faces of the four thugs who beat him and tear apart his home in the opening chapt...more
Dick Francis is quickly becoming my favorite mystery author, and one of my favorite authors in general! Every time I sit down with one of his books (usually hungering for something engrossing and interesting), I almost always have it finished by the next day, because I can't stop reading. Why would I want to? His stories are fast-paced, his characters charming and likeable without being too generic, and his plots intricately and well-constructed. It's just fun to read his stuff. And I almost alw...more
I read this book during the weeks that we were getting ready for our pig dissection in school. Before I knew what happened to Ivan, I named my pig Ivan. That night when I was reading
Ivan died I thought it was really funny that I named my dead pig after a character that then died. Anyway, this Francis book is just as good as the rest that I have read- which means that it is part of a group of books that are some of my favorite mysteries ever!
I've read quite a few Dick Francis books. All of them have a male character who "narrates" the story. Each of these characters is unemotional and rational, but passionate about something (racing, glass blowing or in this case, painting). Predictably, Alex, the main character in this book, was beaten twice and recovered from this while sorting out a financial disaster for his step-father's company. Usually I like the main character, but I felt pretty neutral about this one, and the plot was, well...more
From 1996 comes a rather interesting book involving money, horse racing & a bit of history as well. In this tale we follow the story of Alexander Kinloch as he deals with various events surrounding the family treasures which are in harms way. Francis writes a relatively easy to read story that isn't all that hard to follow with characters that are essentially nothing out of the ordinary & a plot that keeps moving w/out too much trouble & that isn't too hard to follow.
Alex is blessed and cursed with a pair of trusting surrogate fathers. All Alex wants to do is paint in the wilds of Scotland, but his uncle the Laird and Ian his stepfather want him to hide their property from rapacious associates including Ian's daughter. Someone is prepared to go to great lengths to oppose Alex's stewardship. I love this one because of Francis's soul-satisfying understanding of solitude and Alex's painting; also because of Alex's cleverness.
As always, Dick Francis doesn't disappoint. His characters have flaws as well as strength and Alexander Kinloch is no different. When faced with a request to help his step-father which will in turn please his mother, he faces off with his jealous step-sister, multiple beatings by vicious thugs, and the mysterious disappearance of embezzled funds, the humble painter known to his family as Mad Alexander has his pride out to the test.
I love, love, LOVE this book. I like the protagonist very much. I hated for it to end and I find that I want to spend more time in this world. I read it years ago and I've remembered bits and pieces of the story so I decided to read it again. It's very visual. The protagonist is an oddball, quirky character. I plan to investigate to see if Francis continued this character into additional books. If you're asking me, I say read it!
The only reason I finished this book was because it was a travelling book and I thought it was cool that I found one and wanted to read it and pass it on. The plot was very stagnant but there were two characters that made it worthwhile. One was entertaining and the other was very admirable and I felt like I knew him when it was over, but not really worth the read.
This is my favourite Dick Francis novel. His are the only books that I read and re-read (usually with a few years in between readings). I can't get enough of his great heroes (or would they be anti-heroes in some cases).
I was so sad when I found out that Dick Francis had passed away. I'm hoping his son, Felix, will "take up the torch".
Nov. 23, 2012 - Reread this book again. I love it when the unassuming hero defeats the bad guy(s) in the end.
I was so sad when I found out that Dick Francis had passed away. I'm hoping his son, Felix, will "take up the torch".
Nov. 23, 2012 - Reread this book again. I love it when the unassuming hero defeats the bad guy(s) in the end.
This book was loaned to me by a friend who knew I liked horses. I figured it wasn't going to be good but picked it up one day when I was out of other material. Boy was I suprised! It turned out to be a "can't put down" book. To The Hilt is well written. It's descriptive enough to pull you into the scene but not wordy too lose interest. Lots of action and suspence.
Not one of his best. Enjoyed it though.
The row between the laird and the National Trust-type authority was interesting. I'm sure there must in reality be a lot of disputes like this about who owns certain artifacts, and whether they should be retained by the individual or the state. But the hiding of it on the roof of the cottage seemed a little daft to me.
The row between the laird and the National Trust-type authority was interesting. I'm sure there must in reality be a lot of disputes like this about who owns certain artifacts, and whether they should be retained by the individual or the state. But the hiding of it on the roof of the cottage seemed a little daft to me.
ALEXANDER IS A HERO, BUT THE STORY LACKS STRENGHT
The best feature of this book is the outstanding development of Alex Kinloch character whose actions, thoughts, personality, reflections and humor made me go along with him all the way to the end. The story however has nothing to do with the quality of the character
The best feature of this book is the outstanding development of Alex Kinloch character whose actions, thoughts, personality, reflections and humor made me go along with him all the way to the end. The story however has nothing to do with the quality of the character
I always enjoy reading a good Dick Francis novel. They are pretty clean, the language isn't too bad, and not a lot of sex.... Sometimes I even reread the books, because it's like being with a friend you haven't seen in several years. I really enjoy the characters he uses, and also enjoy the series he wrie about too.
An excellent story. Did not seem like a mystery to start with but developed into an overall good plot with an
interesting finish. It was the first time I have read one of his books, but it will not be the last. My understanding
is that he has passed away. Unfortunate.
interesting finish. It was the first time I have read one of his books, but it will not be the last. My understanding
is that he has passed away. Unfortunate.
Surprising myself that I am rating a mystery so high, but I really like this book. I love the way Francis includes so much detail about the painting techniques, just like he did about photography in one of his other books. Very well written, extremely likable protagonist.
This was my mom's favorite Dick Francis book; she read all of them before her passing in 2002. I have to agree with her, it's one of his best. I like most of his that I've read, honestly. But yeah, this one is another old friend on a cold, rainy day.
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An outlier, it has a very different feel from his other books. Perhaps the character really is a loner, where all his other characters are alone, but not loners.
I wanted to play a part in this one more than most of his books.
I wanted to play a part in this one more than most of his books.
Aug 01, 2011
Ian
added it
oh dear, I've read a few Dick Francis books and they have all blurred into one horsey-mystery, I can't recall whether I've really read this one or not. They're good if you just want an easy holiday read though.
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Dick Francis CBE (born Richard Stanley Francis) was a popular British horse racing crime writer and retired jockey.
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
More about Dick Francis...
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
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“Some are born weird, some achieve it, others have weirdness thrust upon them.”
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