Dead on Course

Harry Radcliffe #2

by Glenis Wilson

A fast-paced mystery set in the cut-throat world of second in the new Harry Radcliffe series.

Back in the saddle and race riding again after weeks recuperating from a serious accident, champion jockey Harry Radcliffe reckons his life is back on course. That’s before local gangster Jake Smith, newly released from gaol, makes contact. Knowing of Harry’s success in finding out who killed his brother, Jake now wants him to discover who murdered his sister, Jo-Jo. Refusing to accept the official verdict of accidental death, Jake is prepared to use whatever violence necessary to uncover the truth. He’s determined that somebody pays the price for his sister’s death – and if Harry doesn’t find out who’s responsible, it’ll be him.

Once again forced to turn detective, Harry is about to enter a world of greed, corruption and treachery in order to unmask a ruthless killer.

Genres: Horses

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Glenis Wilson was born and still lives in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. She is also a qualified Reflexologist and Spiritual Healer.
The author can contacted directly at: harryradclifferacing@hotmail.com

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara]

This thriller follows a jockey involved in more than racing. Britain is the setting. Rather more dead bodies are discovered by the same man than seems likely, but he has got himself mixed up with a few criminals in the previous book, which I had not read. I would say you can jump into the tale with this starting point, but readers of the previous book will probably get more out of it.

The characters are well drawn and distinctive, while fans of crime noir or Dick Francis's early books will find themselves at home. Just don't get too attached to anyone. I also thought that our protagonist takes too much of a beating up for a jockey, who would have no bodyfat to protect him.

[Judith Trail]

This is a straightforward action-filled mystery set in the world of steeplechase racing in England, jockey Harry being the protagonist who against his wishes has been pulled into investigations of murder. Harry is divorced, still madly in love with his ex, Annabel, who has married a Lord and is pregnant. She lives nearby and in spite of her love for her new husband, just can't seem to keep entirely out of Harry's life. Harry is forced by a thuggish man to investigate the death of the man's sister, a kept woman of a local wealthy man, both being killed in a car crash. There are many possible suspects, a great deal of physical abuse of Harry by various potential and actual murderers, and a couple of horse races, performed with barely healed bruising and battered muscles. The horse racing mysteries all seem to love getting their protagonists severely beaten and hurt, and then detailing in great glee the painful process of healing all the while continuing to race horses. A good palette cleanser from epic fantasy or science fiction, no complex emotionsk, no tortured characters: just a couple of imaginative murders, several beatings, parties, fast driving and some horses! A great, fun read.

[Barbara]

I enjoyed the second book. It felt a little smoother than the first, actually, even though I read them in reverse order. I'd recommend reading them in the correct order as the characters from the first are developed more in the second. His villain's character and motives are a little weak. If you enjoy Dick Francis, this series is a nice tribute with a similar style. In particular, I enjoy the British setting and phrases!

[Brenda Nelson]

What a read!!!

I loved all the Dick Francis books and now I have a new race riding favorite. Once I begin reading a Glenis Wilson book there's no stopping until I finish it! Took until3a.m. this morning to finish this one. Mystery, murder and magnificent horse flesh. I'm in live again. Thank you Glenis😘.

[Ricardo Verde]

Having read all 36 of Dick Francis’ books a decade or more ago, I was please to stumble across another Steeplechase jockey mystery!
Simple, and well written. A pleasant reprieve from years of non-fiction!

[Nin]

Was enjoying the series. Unfortunately, the MC reacting so nastily to a woman responding aggressively to his amorous advances whilst mooning over his wife who left him for another man (and was now pregnant with that man's baby!) killed the series for me.

[Chris Conley]

I like the mysteries. Love the characters. Wish Harry could get by without being battered!

[Kate]

Not too sure how I am liking this book. The plot is quite unbelievable. The premise that a jockey investigates a murder because an ex-con threatens to hurt an acquaintance of his isn't believable. Neither is the dialogue between them. Harry's ridiculous relationship with his wife (not ex-wife) is weird. I'll keep going, but not sure I'll bother with the 3rd book.

[Suzanne]

while not completely sold on this character or writer from the first book, I was willing to give it another go. first I must confess that Dick Francis is one of my all time favorite authors and I've read every one of his books multiple times. she manages to emulate several elements of the best of Francis (the race world interconnectedness, close friends who believe in the main character, threats (and actual) of bodily harm that do nothing to deter our hero) the wheels fell off the bus completely for me when *spoiler alert* Harry is completely repulsed by a normal woman who knows that she's sexually interested in him and is willing to act on it. he basically has Victorian era vapours over it. and yet. he remains hopelessly in love with his wife who has gone off to live with another man. I almost put the book down then and there but I did finish as the mystery is sufficiently intriguing to want to know the resolution. I will not be picking up another of her books.

[Helen]

If you liked Dick Francis' books, you should enjoy this one. It's the same formulas as his earlier books - top jockey, stoically coping with horrendous falls in races and getting belted up at least a couple of times, but managing to solve crimes ahead of the police. Everywhere he goes, he stumbles on another clue - you need to suspend your disbelief in so many coincidences though.

[Carol Giles]

Brilliant and

This is the second book I have read by this author couldn't put it down until I had finished it well rounded plot with interesting characters and descriptions of life racing horses. Loved it when is the next one out!!!!

[Joanne]

Not Francis, but running in the same race. Not bad.

[Philip Mccauley]

Harry's at it again mixed up in a murder investigation that he has been forced into, whilst back riding winners at the track.

[Liz]

Second book in a series, and I like how the characters are developing.

[Gary Vassallo]

While I really enjoyed this I found it quite similar to the first book in the series.