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Field of Thirteen

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 · rating details · 1,304 ratings · 62 reviews

A superbly crafted collection of thirteen tightly plotted tales that treats readers to murder, mystery, and mayhem in the world of horseracing.

Paperback, 304 pages

Published March 2nd 2004 by Berkley (first published 1998)

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Aug 04, 2012 Harry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: detective-mystery, favorites

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 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 than that, Francis's heroes are rational human beings. The choices made are rational choices directed by a firm objective philosophy that belies all of Francis's novels. The dialogue is clear and touched with humor no matter the intensity of evil that the hero faces. The hero's thoughts reveal a vulnerability that is touching, while his actions are always based on doing the right thing to achieve justice.

Causing the reader to deeply care about the characters in a novel is a difficult thing to do. No such worries in a Francis novel. The point of view is first person, you are the main character as you read the story (usually the character of Mr. Douglas). The hero is personable, like able, non-violent but delivering swift justice with his mind rather than through physical means. This is not to say that violence is a stranger to our hero. Some of it staggering and often delivered by what we would think of normal persons living in British society.

You will come to love the world of Steeple Chase racing, you will grow a fondness for horses, stables, trainers and the people who live in that world. You will read the books, devouring one after the other and trust me Dick Francis has a lot of novels (over 40 by my last count).

There are several series woven into the fabric of Francis's work: notably the Sid Halley and Kit Fielding series.

Assessment: Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers. I read his books with a fierce hunger that remains insatiable and I mourn his death.(less)

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Feb 02, 2011 Bibliowulf rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm the last person on earth to be caught with a "NY-times bestseller" in hand, yet here I was. Having depleted my library's reserve of Rex Stout titles for entertaining mindless reading, I was too winded to reach out for my fantasy comfort food (which, to me, is far from mindless) and even Raymond Chandler seemed too heavy-handed, to give a snapshot of my mental state of late.
What we have in this reviewed title is a decent page-turner that fulfills the sole task for which it has been intended:...more I'm the last person on earth to be caught with a "NY-times bestseller" in hand, yet here I was. Having depleted my library's reserve of Rex Stout titles for entertaining mindless reading, I was too winded to reach out for my fantasy comfort food (which, to me, is far from mindless) and even Raymond Chandler seemed too heavy-handed, to give a snapshot of my mental state of late.
What we have in this reviewed title is a decent page-turner that fulfills the sole task for which it has been intended: to provide light and easy-going amusement for a reader whose overcooked brain is in need of a good cooling down and whose stressed-out consciousness is in need of a harmless commitment-free distraction. Just as lite beer is geared primarily towards after-work off-duty casual times and shouldn't be compared to stronger, more pedigreed ales (a comparison which obviously disadvantages the former), so should this collection of easily digestible short stories not be mentioned in the same breath as the high-brow classics of American literature.
That being said, I found this collection to be exactly what the doctor ordered, for what it's worth. Dick Francis, as ever, revolves around his favorite equine world of the racetrack, and all the unscrupulous stuff that is teeming under its surface. The crimes are white-collar (no spilled guts, no violence), and instead of investigations they build up towards abrupt denouements with fast-paced suspense, stripped-down and episodic and, as far as the short-story medium goes, adequately satisfying.
This is clearly a big shot writing slick commissioned pieces geared to "sell" to the targeted audiences of publications he is composing for, and there were moments in the prose where that slick mainstream professionalism showed through and made the reading repugnant (a story commissioned by a women's magazine features a lovable faultless female protagonist who is exploited by nasty men around her - O RLY??? [sic]). Overall though, Francis writes with an emotional detachment of a quick-eyed lawyer who is on everybody's side at once yet has no qualms about manipulating his pawns. In the true American style, the value of (the belief in?) basic human decency and what-goes-around-comes-around mentality shows through. He is an ex-jockey, hence presumably his insider's knowledge of all the pitfalls of dealing with horses on professional level. I've probably written a longer review than the book is worth, but nevertheless - recommended for those seeking an easy read that is guaranteed not to involve the thought-processor at all. Liking horses is of course a plus.(less)

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Feb 01, 2013 Cari rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Dick Francis book I had not yet read, and it was interesting because each story was only a few pages long, at most 10-15 so the character development was not as strong as his longer books. I also liked that his characters in this were a bit different from the ones he writes in his longer stories, not necessarily so upstanding or honorable.

"Collision Course" is my favourite of the stories. Bill Williams, the protagonist, exemplifies who I would want to be, hard working, studious, young, and no...more

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Dec 12, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a fabulous collection of short stories! I am not usually a fan of short stories, and purchased this at the used book sale only because I saw the author's name. I thought it was a novel.
I read my first Dick Francis novel a few weeks ago when my dad gave me one to read on the airplane coming home. Francis wrote crime novels about various crimes and with heroes from various professions, and I enjoyed reading one about a tax accountant. Francis was a jockey by trade, and his stories are alw...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Anne Toronto1 rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Field of Thirteen" are short stories by Dick Francis, all try to twist ending, some not as just as I'd wish, less justice, easier on wrong-doers. The variety of scams hint ideas never fleshed out to full length. Not as much humor as I like, incomparable skill creating whole personalities from bits, names, single sentences, even omissions. I read them all before; liked first best, drawn by chance according to foreword "Notes on the Racecard", that also name-drops Penguin publisher, wife, and Car...more "Field of Thirteen" are short stories by Dick Francis, all try to twist ending, some not as just as I'd wish, less justice, easier on wrong-doers. The variety of scams hint ideas never fleshed out to full length. Not as much humor as I like, incomparable skill creating whole personalities from bits, names, single sentences, even omissions. I read them all before; liked first best, drawn by chance according to foreword "Notes on the Racecard", that also name-drops Penguin publisher, wife, and Caribbean sea apartment. Francis was well rewarded for his talent.

1 Raid at Kingdom Hill - "Tricksy Wilcox was not the most intelligent of men" p3, "was never" p12, caught stealing betting funds after calling in bogus bomb scare, by cop attracted running legs clad in fluorescent orange sox. (Spoiler: Mrs Angelisa Ludville, debt-ridden deserted Tote ticket clerk, and lazy lax security officer Major Kevin Cawdor-Jones both abscond with more scot-free, while Tricksy stays mum.)
2 Dead on Red - Emil Jacques Guirlande, assassin afraid of flying, shoots flame-haired successful jockey Red, gun hidden under tourist map, paid by jealous "Rock" Davey Rockman to next take out suspicious employer Gypsy Joe. (Spoiler: Enroute to second job, ferry sinks, crimson hull visible last.)
3 Song for Mona - Joanie Vine selfish snob, ignores illness of country-accented mother Mona Watkins, causing death. (Spoiler: Angry friends, rich Bolingbrokes, famous singer Cassidy Lovelace Ward writes and dedicates memorial song, and with husband gold-medal rider Oliver keep hidden newspaper article that Joan's late father convicted child-rapist.)
4 Bright White Star - (No names) Tramp warned off by shotgun of Jim and Vivi Turner after landowner kicks down his shelter on Xmas Eve. (Spoiler: Tramp gives apologetic landowner colt with forehead star he slipped away from thieves Turners; landowner tells sergeant to call Race officials.)
5 Collision Course - Absalom Elvis da Vinci "Bill" Williams, editor fired from Cotswold Voice news, treated like dirt arriving by boat to Kinser-owned restaurant for job interview. (Spoiler: Interviewer R. Harold Field hires Bill after he asks Kinsey for apology and permanent welcoming notice for boaters.)
6 Nightmare - Martin Retsov, upset by recurring visions of run-over father who taught him scam stealing pregnant mares, works feed sales legit three years before pickpocket hitch-hiker Johnnie Duke seems ideal new partner to start up again. (Spoiler: Sergeant Duke and backup catch villain red-handed.)
7 Carrot for a Chestnut - Whining "ungrateful beast" p182 bad Chick 19 accepts payoff, feeds poisoned carrot to chestnut, Toddy Morrison falls, horse dies. Trainer Arthur Morrison assigns Chick next. (Spoiler: Chick feeds drugs too late, horse falls, dies, rider Chick paralyzed, cared for his family, the Morrisons.) see "The Treasury of Great Racing Stories http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
8 The Gift - Fred Collyer 46 alcoholic reporter, oblivious to others' disgust, blacks out after overhearing Kentucky Derby fix, but starts to remember when Blisters Schultz steals wallet thus drink money. (Spoiler: Fred borrows money, passes out, misses deadline.)
9 Spring Fever - Mrs Angela Hart, kindly gullible wealthy widow 52, falls for jockey Derek 24. Observant trainer "darling" Clement gets Derek in cahoots to over-rate useless colt "Magic", pay £5K, charge £20K. Chance bystander Yorkshire seller's brother, innocently exposes scam. (Spoiler: Derek, injured in fall, feels guilty, confesses, but advises that Magic has true potential and trainer will lie to avoid Whitbread race. Angela, sad but open-eyed blackmails Clement to run colt in as promised, wins a bundle, sells horses, goes on cruise.)
10 Blind Chance - Arnold Roper knows photo-finish winners, informs network of separate betters, like unemployed family man Greg 52, and takes cut. Blind teen has radio hobby, overhears transmission before judge announces result, wins independently of gang, but noticed by chance. (Spoiler: Arnold is photographer that develops official snapshots.)
11 Corkscrew - Sandy Nutbridge, his aged mother, and wealthy Jules Reginald Harlow are all British and conned by crooked American lawyer Patrick Green. (Spoiler: Harlow has honor, persistence, and funds to hire smart lawyer David Vynn for justice. Four years later, debt-free "but still dishonest at heart" Green moves to another state, but victim of swindle "in a dark alley beat [him] to a pulp.")
12 The Day of the Losers - Austin Dartmouth Glenn cannot wait five years for hot serial numbers to be obscure, so grimes new banknotes and takes to Grand National. Jerry Springwood jockey 32 has lost his heart. Stewards deny Chief Superintendent Crispin request to fix win and catch member of murdering bank gang collecting on bet, but Springwood conquers fears and wins anyway. (Spoiler: Glenn rips up ticket but first placer disqualified; by not collecting he "cursed his wife and kicked the cat", but keeps job as nearby jail night guard. Jockey retires, weeps "for lost courage", doesn't "realize he rode bravest race of his life". p314
13 Haig's Death - Winchester race judge Christopher Haig 42 fantasizes still, not knowing this is his last day of life. Jasper Billington Innes and wife Wendy 42 are bankrupt, need first-runner Lilyglit to win. Second favorite Fable owners Arkwright brothers jockey and trainer are dishonest, going to be caught this time. Storm Cone #3 jockey Moggie Reilly 24, fallen for trainer's daughter Sarah Driffield, refuses last-ditch plea from normally honest Innes to throw race. (Spoiler: Haig's death causes race declared void as if "nothing happened", so Innes, Reilly, even Arkwrights have happy fates after an eventful dangerous race.)

Trivia:
#1 has "millenniumized money and usages" p1, unlike Australian pounds in "For Kicks"
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
#9 has numbers only, I added pounds symbol because set in England. (less)

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Jan 10, 2012 Scott added it

Shelves: didn-t-finish

I never should have even cracked this book, and I'll tell you why. I get book recommendations from only a couple of people, mainly my brother and Dad. This book was given to me by Dad with a not-so-glowing recommendation. I took it anyway, thinking that I would give it a try. Well, I won't be doing that anymore. The minute I picked up the book, I had this knowledge that I may not like it. This book is a book of fiction short stories, and when was the last time I read a book of fiction short stor...more

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Sep 13, 2008 LJ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action_suspense, contemporary_post_1945, dick_francis, england, mystery, short_stories

FIELD OF THIRTEEN (short stories) - G /VG
Francis, Dick - 37th book

That octet, composed mostly in the 1970s and initially appearing in various journals (Sports Illustrated, the Times of London, etc.), is reprinted here, along with five new tales, each introduced in brief by Francis. There's not a slacker among them, though few champions either. The earliest yarn, "Carrot for a Chestnut," dating from 1970 (eight years after Francis's first novel), is typical, presenting a morally ordered universe...more

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Apr 18, 2010 Maryse rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: booksale-finds, short-stories

I first read this book around 3 years ago. It was one of the few books in my cousin's library that was not a romance novel. And so, without warning, I was introduced to Dick Francis and his equestrian themed stories.

From the get-go, I really enjoyed his style. It's concise, no nonsense and brief, without sacrificing atmosphere or storyline, which is just right for the kind of stories he writes (I'm not really sure what genre they are, but most involve a crime or so and, of course, horses). His...more

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Oct 05, 2009 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: essays-short-stories

A series of stories are always fun, but Dick Francis made a few of these really special, particularly Spring Fever and Collision Course, both of which are delightful. All the others hold up almost as well. Usually I enjoy reading a collection of short stories because I can put them down easily. Not so with these. Although it is my second time reading them, I read the book from beginning to end with only one overnight stop. Not the first time that's happened to me with a Dick Francis book.

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May 15, 2008 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you're keeping track of what I'm reading...YES, I've been on a Dick Francis kick for the last, oh, month or so. My dad got me started on his books years ago, and I'll read four or five at a time before I get burned out and need to read something else. Fabulous writer. Terrific plot twists.

Field of Thirteen is a collection of Francis' short stories (I'm also currently on a short-story kick, mostly F. Scott Fitzgerald, but that's another...er...story). In my opinion, Francis does his best work...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Andrew rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read tons of Dick Francis books as a teen. I'm not a horse racing fan; so the fact that he could continue to draw me in is a testament to his talent. This book is a collection of short stories that he has written over the years. Some were great; others were mediocre. But it was good to again read some D. Francis.

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Jun 01, 2010 Luvthemcorgs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Exciting!! A very quick read, and thrilling. Dick Francis always keeps the reader guessing, but doesn't throw in any unknown characters or clues to confuse you. I love him even though his characters are mostly british. The Plot and language are easy to follow. Another winner for Mr. Francis.

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Sep 21, 2011 ஐ Briansgirl (Book Sale Queen)ஐ marked it as unread · review of another edition

Shelves: author-francis-dick, mystery, own

The short stories included are:
(reviewd as read)

Raid at Kindgom Hill
Interesting.
FYI: The Tote, formerly the Horserace Totalisator Board, is a British bookmaker. It was owned from its formation in 1928 by the UK Government but was sold to Betfred in July 2011. The company is known for its pool bets and is the only organisation in the UK which is allowed to run pool betting on horseracing.

Dead on Red

Song for Mona

Bright White Star

Collision Course

Nightmare

Carrot for Chestnut

The Gift

Spring...more

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Apr 25, 2011 J.F. Juzwik rated it 5 of 5 stars

These were great stories. I always enjoy Dick Francis' novels anyway, so when I discovered a collection of short stories, I had to give it a try. Each one is a very well crafted tale, with interesting and very believable characters. He knows how to present an interesting and exciting story in novel form, and the same holds true for the short story. These are terrific!

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Oct 05, 2010 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a series of 13 stories written for different magazines or newspapers over Mr. Francis' career. They are short and easy to read and amazing in their varying plots and creativity. I loved this book!

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Feb 17, 2011 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Enjoyable short stories with enough detail about the characters and horses that I cared about the outcome of each. A good book to have at the condo for guests to read 1 or all 13.

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Dec 26, 2011 Rebekkila marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10348297

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Sep 09, 2011 Candice Arnold rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've read almost all of Dick Francis' novels. He's one of my favorite authors. When I read about his death, I felt bereft.

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Jan 29, 2012 Stephen Broeker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dick-francis

Field of Thirteen.
By Dick Francis.
Copyright 1998.
Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.
Hardcover, 287 pages.

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Dec 21, 2010 Bob rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Thirteen short stories revolving around horses and the racing scene in Britain and the US. Most having some nefarious activity and a surprise ending.

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May 02, 2008 Sharol rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a compilation of 13 stories written by Dick Francis, which Dan brought home for me from the library one day. When I discovered horse racing was involved, a subject I knew nearly nothing about, I put off reading it. When I finally did I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the good clean fun of each story line and couldn't wait to read more.

There's no doubt I will read more of his books in the future. Mr. Francis writes interesting stories and there's nothing trashy or morbid about them....more

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Oct 26, 2009 caty rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Field of Thirteen" is a collection of short stories by Dick Francis. He's one of my favourite authors, and I'll be honest that his stories tend to have a lot of similarities - they're all mysteries, usually involving a major crime such as murder, and the main character is somehow connected to horse-racing. This was nice because a couple of stories were a little different. some of them had been commissioned by magazines such as Sports Illustrated and Women's Own so he was trying different techni...more

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Mar 10, 2009 Barrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

as with most short stories, I want a full-length novel. But I did enjoy the reads.

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Apr 02, 2009 Lisa H. rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: dick-francis, mystery

Sorry, Mr. Francis - short fiction really isn't your forte.

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Apr 06, 2013 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Heartwarming, sad, funny with nice & quick moral endings.

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Jan 10, 2010 Raymond added it · review of another edition

Field of Thirteen by Dick Francis (1999)

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Jun 30, 2009 Ange rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a book of short stories. I picked it up unknowingly. Much to my surprise, I found the stories simply delightful.

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Sep 03, 2012 Will added it · review of another edition

A combination of stories... all with ties to horse racing that was a lot like a big horse race... one or two stars out of the bunch.. a lot of also rans... and a lot of why was this one even there?

Most of these stories were written back in the 70's for magazines... they were far from the best sports fiction writing I've seen... because of the format of the book... thought about giving up on it for a while... stuck with it though... but should have used slot machine logic here... if after a while...more

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Dec 20, 2010 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I don't care for short stories, apparently.

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Jul 13, 2009 Jan (the Gryphon) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthology, mystery

Not much murder, but a great deal of justice.

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