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78th out of 571 books
—
512 voters
Whip Hand (Sid Halley Mystery #2)
by
Dick Francis
Sid Halley's glory days as a jockey are over, but he still finds a certain satisfaction in successfully solving a case. His latest one, though, could prove to be his undoing.
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
June 7th 2005
by Berkley
(first published 1979)
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I've now read twenty-eight of the Edgar Best Novel Award winners, and one thing I've noticed is that the selection committee seems to favor the stand-alone novel over the series entry. Out of the 28 there have been 17 stand-alones as against 11 series novels (one of which, Ed Lacy's ROOM TO SWING, probably shouldn 't count as it did not become part of a two-book series until several years after the award). After what seemed like a zillion international thrillers all in a row, it was fun to read...more
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British critic H. R. F. Keating said on the NBC, when he reviewed Whip Hand:
I suppose if I actually had to choose one book of the year; but you can't really -- If I had to, though, I would go for a straight thriller -- Dick Francis' Whip Hand. I thought that was Francis absolutely at his most typical, and best. He writes extraordinarily well; and this time I think he's put himself squarely into his world. A marvelous book. A book about a person, about human qualities, couraage, or integrity or w...more
I suppose if I actually had to choose one book of the year; but you can't really -- If I had to, though, I would go for a straight thriller -- Dick Francis' Whip Hand. I thought that was Francis absolutely at his most typical, and best. He writes extraordinarily well; and this time I think he's put himself squarely into his world. A marvelous book. A book about a person, about human qualities, couraage, or integrity or w...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
I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to reading a Dick Francis novel. I mean, he's been writing them since the early 60s and they are based in the world of horseracing even though this one is only peripherally about horses. Verdict? Excellent. I picked up this book at random in a charity shop, so with no prior knowledge find it's the second in a short series featuring Sid Halley, one time champion jockey who lost his hand and now investigates cases associated with the world of rac...more
Jul 14, 2011
Contrarius
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thriller,
my-favorite-recent-reads
Whip Hand was the second book by Dick Francis to win the prestigious Edgar award -- he is still the only author to ever win three Edgars for mystery novels -- and I think it's a pretty terrific entry in his series. It is also the second book about Sid Halley, the one-handed ex-jockey who has become a successful private detective.
This book has a lot of emotional content compared to many Francis novels. Sid is forced up against the boundaries of his own endurance and courage by very Evil Men who f...more
This book has a lot of emotional content compared to many Francis novels. Sid is forced up against the boundaries of his own endurance and courage by very Evil Men who f...more
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This is the second Dick Francis novel featuring Sid Halley, former jockey turned private investigator. I haven't read the first book so I don't know how Halley lost his left hand but I found the book stood well on its own. Halley and his assistant Chico have three current cases. They are investigating several horse-racing syndicates, the unexpected poor performance of several "favourites", and a fraudulent charity for which Halley's ex-wife was set up. As usual, this was a good read with some su...more
This is the second book in the Sid Halley series and I enjoyed it even more than the first. I always had reservations about reading Dick Francis, since I am not that familiar with horse racing. However, that is not an issue with his books. The plot and the characters hold my attention. His portrayal of relationships and emotions is very well done.
The next book in this series was written decades later, so I am interested to see if it picks up in the same time period.
I am glad I finally started re...more
The next book in this series was written decades later, so I am interested to see if it picks up in the same time period.
I am glad I finally started re...more
Whip Hand is the second installment in Francis’ Sid Halley series and my fourth read for the Edgar Awards Reading Challenge. Sid Halley is a clever guy. Once a celebrated jockey, an injury has put him on the sidelines. He remains a part of the horse racing world by becoming an investigator for friends from his former life. Despite no background as a PI, Halley has taken to it like a fish in water.
In Whip Hand, Halley is approached by the wife of a horse owner to investigate possible sabotage of...more
In Whip Hand, Halley is approached by the wife of a horse owner to investigate possible sabotage of...more
1 Jan 1985
1 Jan 1998
14 Dec 2000
Another reread. Not one of my favorites. This one was written in '65 back when Dick was trying to be so hard boiled. I like the character of Sid and his father-in-law Charles, but everything else is so grim and no so psychological. It's okay to while away time but not something to pick up just for a good read. I have a harder time relating to Sid than most of the later heroes. The way he reacts to his disfigurement is odd, as is the way he just lets his marriage go...more
1 Jan 1998
14 Dec 2000
Another reread. Not one of my favorites. This one was written in '65 back when Dick was trying to be so hard boiled. I like the character of Sid and his father-in-law Charles, but everything else is so grim and no so psychological. It's okay to while away time but not something to pick up just for a good read. I have a harder time relating to Sid than most of the later heroes. The way he reacts to his disfigurement is odd, as is the way he just lets his marriage go...more
As much a psychological profile as a mystery thriller, WHIP HAND moves along on two levels: first, the facade ex-jockey Sid Halley presents to the world, and second, his very different inner life, filled with insecurities and longing. He finds himself in some extremely dicey situations, which are described in lurid detail, but the plot is satisfying and resolves itself in an unexpected way.
Francis' prose is expert, bordering on the poetic when describing horse racing, a pleasure to read.
Francis' prose is expert, bordering on the poetic when describing horse racing, a pleasure to read.
I've read "Whip Hand" before, but, as with other Dick Francis books, the characters and writing style are so exemplary that I couldn't resist reading it again. The main character in this book, Sid Halley, is my favorite Francis character. He admits his vulnerabilities to himself and those closest to him, but never lets them stand in his way. This book also explores the relationship between Sid and his ex-wife, Jenny. It's realistic and further highlight Francis' amazing talents.
Sid Halley is an ex-jockey turned private investigator. He is asked to look into some bribes and horse tampering along with trying to find a con artist who framed his ex-wife. The story moves along very well, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm not much of a horse racing kind of girl. There was some language, but nothing too over the top. I would be willing to pick up another Dick Francis novel in the future.
I like almost anything written by Dick Francis, but this is one of his best. If you are not familiar with his books, Dick Francis writes mysteries that involve English horse racing, generally from a jockey's perspective, and always bring in information about some other profession. They are always well-researched and well-written. The male characters are usually very complete. They are usually all separate books (not a continuing series) but Sid Halley, this book's main character, is a repeat and...more
If you have to pick any Dick Francis to read, pick this one. It's a great old-fashioned story of one man against the odds. In this case, Sid Halley is an ex-jockey. A fall from his horse cost him a hand, and now he's trying to rebuild his life as he begins work as a private detective. When a case starts to go horribly wrong, Sid has to call on all his wit and courage to come out alive.
My first Dick Francis read and it was great!
Not all that fond of books set abroad but didn't know that when I began reading. Can say though that it didn't bother or annoy me at all that it was set in England. Actually learned much about England by reading the book.
Story was unique and the writing was way, way above average. Clear, clean with no excess words. Dick Francis, from what I've read, had no training in writing but he was a jockey so he knows his subject. Look forward to reading Franci...more
Not all that fond of books set abroad but didn't know that when I began reading. Can say though that it didn't bother or annoy me at all that it was set in England. Actually learned much about England by reading the book.
Story was unique and the writing was way, way above average. Clear, clean with no excess words. Dick Francis, from what I've read, had no training in writing but he was a jockey so he knows his subject. Look forward to reading Franci...more
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Read this for a class, and it was my favorite of the bunch. We had started off with Sherlock Holmes who is an arrogant, infallible jerk. We finished with Sid Halley who is real and flawed and scarred. He had moments of weakness which made the moment of triumph all the more savory. It's a fast and easy read (I did it in a weekend) and a very interesting study on the relationship between physical danger and psychological susceptibility.
Yes I admit it - I really like Dick Francis! His main characters are almost always the same - strong, brave and resourceful. But I always fall for them big time and Sid Halley is one of my favorites. There are always some interesting bits of information(great research!)thrilling races and I do love English horse racing. Check out the Kit Fielding books too.
Apr 02, 2009
Lisa H.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
dick-francis,
mystery
My all-time favorite Dick Francis book. Like most of Francis' protagonists, Sid Halley is Everyman, with a healthy dose of self-sufficiency and a quick mind that usually keeps him one step ahead of his enemies. In the first book featuring Halley, Odds Against, Sid has suffered a major injury that cost him not only his career as a top jump jockey, but his sense of self as well. In Whip Hand, Sid has become so successful in his new career as an investigator that his target decides the only way to...more
This book was the very first book I read of Dick Francis collection. It was spell binding and I was instantly hook on Sid Haley. It is actually the second book of a two book set. I should have read Odds Against first, but didn't know. Love his books and have read almost everyone he wrote. Definately my favorite auther - Dick Francis!!!!!
Jan 18, 2010
HM
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Horse-lovers, British mystery lovers
Recommended to HM by:
A friend who likes mysteries
This is a new mystery series for me. I always like to read series pretty much in the order they were written, and this is not the first but must be pretty early in the series.
The story was pretty well developed. And as a former long-time winning jackey himself, the author clearly knows a lot about the horse racing world.
The story was pretty well developed. And as a former long-time winning jackey himself, the author clearly knows a lot about the horse racing world.
This was my very first Dick Francis book. My mother in law bought it and I started reading it on the way home from the store. Long story short, I insisted that I get to finish reading it before she did! It didn't take long, though, because I couldn't put it down!
Master story teller!
Master story teller!
Another Sid Halley based storyline and a great read. Typical Dick Francis read with the storyline keeping you reading right to the last page. Looking forward to more Sid Halley reads.
This one is focused on the Jockey Club and the possible rigging of races. Unexpected twist near the end.
This one is focused on the Jockey Club and the possible rigging of races. Unexpected twist near the end.
Corruption was in the racing scene. Horses that should have won were losing and being retired. Sid Halley came through injuries and death threats with the surprising resolution. Except for the pointless inclusion of an affair, this was an enjoyable easy read.
I like Dick Francis. A reliable and enjoyable read. English horse racing. (Always listen for the voices.) This one about Sid Haley. Ex-jockey (because he lost his hand). Figuring out what's wrong with racing. . . What not to like.
Read again . . . better than I remembered! It moved up a star! A couple of PG-13 moments. But I love D. Francis' heroes. They are real; very real emotions. I think I understand Men in general better because of his writings.
A second outing for Sid Halley the jockey who has lost a hand and started an investigation business. He is so good villains attack him when they hear he is on the case - helping him to solve crimes at no little cost to himself.
Whip Hand was the usual fast-paced mystery set in the world of horse racing in England. There is the usual bit of angst regarding human relationships that keeps the reader involved.
More great mysteries. Dick Francis is a horseman so all his books are set at the track, or have the horse world or jockeys at their center. Someone I've read for years and love
I enjoy all of Dick Francis's books and he has a lot! They are always good reading with excellent writing and a good plot. Characters are very likeable. So sad he is gone.
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| Plot | 1 | 5 | Dec 20, 2012 12:27am |
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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“I guessed life was like that. You gained and you lost, and if you saved anything from the ruins, even if only a shred of self-respect, it was enough to take you through the next bit.”
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