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High Stakes
Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing
Steven Scott may have been a successful, wealthy inventor with no experience in horse racing, yet with the inspired guidance of his trainer, Jody Leeds, and the prowess of a beautiful black hurdler named Energise, he has brought home several wins.
But his winning streak is about to come to a fast end when he discovers trouble in his own stables: trouble that could bring about his own termination if he doesn’t watch his step.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1975
431 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Dick Francis
538 books1,256 followersDick Francis, CBE, FRSL (born Richard Stanley Francis) was a popular British horse racing crime writer and retired jockey.
Dick Francis worked on his books with his wife, Mary, before her death. Dick considered his wife to be his co-writer - as he is quoted in the book, "The Dick Francis Companion", released in 2003:
"Mary and I worked as a team. ... I have often said that I would have been happy to have both our names on the cover. Mary's family always called me Richard due to having another Dick in the family. I am Richard, Mary was Mary, and Dick Francis was the two of us together."
Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror '
Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph '
Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National.
On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott.
During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
Dick Francis worked on his books with his wife, Mary, before her death. Dick considered his wife to be his co-writer - as he is quoted in the book, "The Dick Francis Companion", released in 2003:
"Mary and I worked as a team. ... I have often said that I would have been happy to have both our names on the cover. Mary's family always called me Richard due to having another Dick in the family. I am Richard, Mary was Mary, and Dick Francis was the two of us together."
Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror '
Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph '
Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National.
On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott.
During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.
Series:
* Sid Halley Mystery
* Kit Fielding Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
May 4, 2018
I would argue that this is one of the best books in the Dick Francis catalog. The protagonist, Steven Scott, is somewhat unusual for a Dick Francis novel in that he is a relatively wealthy man who made a fortune designing a very popular line of children's toys. As a sideline, he has bought a number of race horses, even though he knows next to nothing about horses.
Scott entrusts the horses to the care of a trainer named Jody Leeds, and the horses enjoy some success at the races. But after some time has passed, Scott realizes that Leeds has been defrauding him in a fairly significant way. The fraud is clever enought that Scott can't actually prove the offense but he confronts Leeds and informs him that he is removing his horses from Leeds and taking them to another trainer. Leeds has expanded his operation at some expense to accommodate Scott's horses and explodes at the thought that Scott is going to leave him high and dry. In fairly short order, violence and other chicanery will ensue.
While the law will be no help in this case, Scott is determined to protect his interests as best he can. He thus concocts a scheme that will have to move as flawlessly as the gears in the toys he has invented in the hope of righting the wrongs that have been done against him. It's a very clever plot with a lot of the usual Francis touches, and it's a lot of fun watching it unfold. Again, one of the best of the novels from Dick Francis.
Scott entrusts the horses to the care of a trainer named Jody Leeds, and the horses enjoy some success at the races. But after some time has passed, Scott realizes that Leeds has been defrauding him in a fairly significant way. The fraud is clever enought that Scott can't actually prove the offense but he confronts Leeds and informs him that he is removing his horses from Leeds and taking them to another trainer. Leeds has expanded his operation at some expense to accommodate Scott's horses and explodes at the thought that Scott is going to leave him high and dry. In fairly short order, violence and other chicanery will ensue.
While the law will be no help in this case, Scott is determined to protect his interests as best he can. He thus concocts a scheme that will have to move as flawlessly as the gears in the toys he has invented in the hope of righting the wrongs that have been done against him. It's a very clever plot with a lot of the usual Francis touches, and it's a lot of fun watching it unfold. Again, one of the best of the novels from Dick Francis.
November 26, 2023
I have requested that GR remove this from "Nerve" where it was misplaced.
Francis is here again running against his strong fanbase’s preference for books featuring a jockey (or trainer). Here Steven Scott is a horse owner who has been taken for a ride by his trainer who has found multiple ways to siphon off money from his naïve and well-off boss.
Steve made his money designing and manufacturing challenging and unique children’s toys. He lives in a posh section of London and has acquired an interest in horses. Though he has never been on a horse, he now owns a few who race in quite different circumstances – steeplechasers and flat runners.
In trying to extricate himself from this vampirism, he only gets himself in deeper troubles. It’s not only his wealth that is threatened, but his life as well. Part of the “fun” of the arc of this novel is that we experience Steve’s increasing understanding and empathy for his horses.
Even though this is a bit out of Francis’ mainstream, he is a master of this (self-invented) genre. The thrills and the pace build nicely and the end is satisfactory.
3.5
Francis is here again running against his strong fanbase’s preference for books featuring a jockey (or trainer). Here Steven Scott is a horse owner who has been taken for a ride by his trainer who has found multiple ways to siphon off money from his naïve and well-off boss.
Steve made his money designing and manufacturing challenging and unique children’s toys. He lives in a posh section of London and has acquired an interest in horses. Though he has never been on a horse, he now owns a few who race in quite different circumstances – steeplechasers and flat runners.
In trying to extricate himself from this vampirism, he only gets himself in deeper troubles. It’s not only his wealth that is threatened, but his life as well. Part of the “fun” of the arc of this novel is that we experience Steve’s increasing understanding and empathy for his horses.
Even though this is a bit out of Francis’ mainstream, he is a master of this (self-invented) genre. The thrills and the pace build nicely and the end is satisfactory.
3.5
August 4, 2012
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.
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.
June 16, 2012
No surprises here: a solid thriller set in the world of horseracing. Read it in one sitting, on a beautiful summer morning, lazing in the sun of my backyard.
The two sides of the conflict are clear right from the start line. On one side is Steven Scott, young and wealthy, an enthusiastic newcomer to the racetrack, with money to burn but with little practical knowledge about buying, training and racing the horses he owns. On the other side an ambitious trainer and a shady bookmaker that are apparently taking advantage of his good nature and friendly demeanour.
As a long time reader of Dick Francis novels, I know it doesn't pay to underestimate his tall, quiet, competent but self effacing protagonists. They hide a mulish perseverence and an unshakeable sense of justice. Steven may have been fooled once, but he's not going to take it laying down.
What I liked better in High Stakes than in other Francis books is the way he sets up Steven as a team player, rather than the usual Lone Ranger hero. He quickly gathers around him a few loyal friends and sets up a really smart heist to outwit the bad guys. I won't go into details, other than to say this book is a bit above average in Francis portofolio when it comes to actual plot. I also enjoyed the romantic angle in Steven life, one that is integral to the story rather than a cookie cutter sideline.
The conclusion is a bit too predictable and too much .
Dick Francis is not really such a quotable author, but I picked one of my favorite passages in this book, highlighting his passion for horses and racing that permeates every one of his novels:
We watched him from the balcony of the private box with hearts thumping like jungle drums. It was for this that we had gone to so much trouble, this few minutes ahead. For the incredible pleasure of seeing a superb creature do what he was bred,trained, endowed, and eager for. For speed, for fun, for exhilaration, for love.
The two sides of the conflict are clear right from the start line. On one side is Steven Scott, young and wealthy, an enthusiastic newcomer to the racetrack, with money to burn but with little practical knowledge about buying, training and racing the horses he owns. On the other side an ambitious trainer and a shady bookmaker that are apparently taking advantage of his good nature and friendly demeanour.
As a long time reader of Dick Francis novels, I know it doesn't pay to underestimate his tall, quiet, competent but self effacing protagonists. They hide a mulish perseverence and an unshakeable sense of justice. Steven may have been fooled once, but he's not going to take it laying down.
What I liked better in High Stakes than in other Francis books is the way he sets up Steven as a team player, rather than the usual Lone Ranger hero. He quickly gathers around him a few loyal friends and sets up a really smart heist to outwit the bad guys. I won't go into details, other than to say this book is a bit above average in Francis portofolio when it comes to actual plot. I also enjoyed the romantic angle in Steven life, one that is integral to the story rather than a cookie cutter sideline.
The conclusion is a bit too predictable and too much .
Dick Francis is not really such a quotable author, but I picked one of my favorite passages in this book, highlighting his passion for horses and racing that permeates every one of his novels:
We watched him from the balcony of the private box with hearts thumping like jungle drums. It was for this that we had gone to so much trouble, this few minutes ahead. For the incredible pleasure of seeing a superb creature do what he was bred,trained, endowed, and eager for. For speed, for fun, for exhilaration, for love.
November 2, 2018
I thought the book dragged a bit at the beginning, but the last third was quite exciting & I couldn't put it down. I liked the main character & the rest were well done. The romantic thread was a nice touch, not over done. The rest was thrilling & pretty twisty, although it was obvious what was coming. Still, he managed to add yet another.
I was quite surprised by one bit of information I'll keep my faith that an ex-jockey like Francis knows more than I do, though.
I haven't read any of his books in a long time. It was nice to catch up with another.
I was quite surprised by one bit of information I'll keep my faith that an ex-jockey like Francis knows more than I do, though.
I haven't read any of his books in a long time. It was nice to catch up with another.
December 24, 2020
4.5 Stars for High Stakes (audiobook) by Dick Francis read by Ralph Cosham. Wow, this was a wonderful audiobook. Lots of action and a really unique story.
December 27, 2021
Surprisingly, I had never read this one before. I own a lot of Francis’ books, but not this one. I listened to an audio version. The story was interesting, the characters were familiar, but this story just seemed a little more fun than others. The protagonist pulls together an odd assortment of friends to help him get even with the horse trainer who’d been stealing from him. I’m not sure who the narrator was, but when he was voicing the words of the American girlfriend, he sounded like a guy imitating Barbara Stanwick in Double Indemnity. Tough, matter of fact, cavalier. A little distracting but, at the same time, funny.
Reread 12/16/21
Oddly enough I read this book exactly three years ago. This story was a blast. To right the wrongs done against him, inventor Stephen Scott, invents an elaborate plot with tight time lines, relying on the acting skills of his new found friends. His plan also wasn’t necessarily legal. So much tension! Suspense! This also had a nice romance.
Reread 12/16/21
Oddly enough I read this book exactly three years ago. This story was a blast. To right the wrongs done against him, inventor Stephen Scott, invents an elaborate plot with tight time lines, relying on the acting skills of his new found friends. His plan also wasn’t necessarily legal. So much tension! Suspense! This also had a nice romance.
May 2, 2022
Another winner from Dick Francis, with a very likeable and humble hero. Steve Scott is an Engineer, who got rich by inventing toys. He owns race horses too, but know nothing about horses. His trainer, Jody cheats him over time, with a very crooked plan which would be hard to prove and convict. Scott fires him but he becomes a persona non-grata among the racing circles. The way Jody cheats him and the way Jody gets all the sympathy made me angry.
Our hero is of course clever. How he gets even with Jody makes the book exciting. Along the way, we learn more about horse racing. I also learnt the difference between slander and libel. What more does one need !
Our hero is of course clever. How he gets even with Jody makes the book exciting. Along the way, we learn more about horse racing. I also learnt the difference between slander and libel. What more does one need !
June 17, 2021
High Stakes Dick Francis now I know more about gambling on horses than I wanted too. The rush excitement of winning was described so well. Almost rushed out to a betting agency lucky I recovered my sanity. Back to the story you got naive new comer Steve, single woohoo, independently wealthy toy developer, is that such a thing, apparently it is...anyway he buys a stable of horses a staggering amount of money, listens and learns, the "TRADE" overtime he becomes involved with the excitement of gambling, horse training, trainers, horse management, jockey management, dealing with fellow horse owners on and on it goes but thats in the guts of the story, but bang at the start he fires his trainer absolutely unheard of among that type people in that type of world. Presto the backlash isn't straight away but intensifies as you learn just how corrupt and negative everything is, how Steve has been duped and it all leads to a tense moment of nearly getting murdered by an evil gang that are involved behind the shadows to shutdown, to hide this world of trickery and skull duggery, but I can't figure how on earth was Steve so tough well tougher than he portrays, and slippery and sliding everywhich way, and even getting a girlfriend along the way...while dealing with a gang and in the end winning, heck nearly fell of my imaginary horse with Steve but he wins in the end, yay.....
May 25, 2020
It was 1986,I had recently discovered Francis and there certainly was a novelty to his books,at the time.I had never been to a race course,I had not even been near a horse.And I never was a gambler.
And yet the world of British horse racing,as presented by Dick Francis attracted me like a magnet.I read High Stakes in a single setting,and still remember how much I enjoyed it.
Crooked horse trainers are a staple of Francis books.Jody Leeds is one such character who defrauds one of his horse owners,a wealthy man who trusts him.
The owner is then compelled to get even and exact his revenge.One of his best books.
And yet the world of British horse racing,as presented by Dick Francis attracted me like a magnet.I read High Stakes in a single setting,and still remember how much I enjoyed it.
Crooked horse trainers are a staple of Francis books.Jody Leeds is one such character who defrauds one of his horse owners,a wealthy man who trusts him.
The owner is then compelled to get even and exact his revenge.One of his best books.
October 29, 2015
I haven't read a Dick Francis book in years. I guess I thought of them as Enid Blyton books for grown-ups (with lashings of horse poop), but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. A good old-fashioned horseracing mystery. No real surprises with the plot - but just a good captivating, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable mystery. I am definitely considering seeking out more Dick Francis books in the future. A pleasant re-discovery!
August 22, 2020
AROUND THE WORLD OF CRIME AND MYSTERY
British - 1993
CAST - 2: Steven Scott makes toys and is rich. He decides to get into horse racing: there is no explanation as to why. I'll hazard a guess: he wants to play with living things, but of course the author can't actually say that, as it makes Scott the villain who is supposed to be the good guy. But Scott IS the villain: he doesn't understand the fees, the money, etc., that goes around, that greases the gears. But Scott SHOULD know because that's how the author crafts this world: round and round with toys and round and round the race course then round and on top of the love interest. Francis even says this in the introduction. The novel opens with Scott firing Jody Leeds, Scott's trainer, as Jody has trimmed some money off the top. Of course Jody has! That's the world. Jody is winning a LOT of money for Scott, but poor Scott can't handle it, can't even just have a conversation with Jody, Scott just out and out fires him. So I had mixed feelings about everyone in the cast and didn't much care for anyone. Oh, and then there is Ganser Mays, a bookie who makes a little extra on the side. Shocking, right?
ATMOSPHERE - 2: A little bit about making toys (not enough), a little bit about horse racing (not enough), a little romance off to the side (yawn) and rich guys who want more and more money and will have horses killed without much thought. Rather a cruel world is horse-racing. In earlier Francis books, the horses and their health ruled. But here in later books, Francis seems not to care.
CRIME - 1: Jody Leeds skims a little off the top from a very wealthy man. That's not really a crime, that's how things just are.
INVESTIGATION - 1: No cops, but there are dead horses and a fake census.
RESOLUTION - 1: Stupendously violent for a certain character and, because this character does something pretty awful OUTSIDE the world of horse-racing, he almost deserves it, but Scott is no judge and jury. And the final line is just plain lazy writing.
SUMMARY - 1.4: In the world of this genre, the butler might guzzle and extra pint from the master's cellar. A maid might wear a bit of jewelry then return it. A pair of nice driving gloves may go missing. But no one is slaughtered, no people, no horses. Here, in this book, they are. This guy Scott is a piece of work: he shoulda just stuck to making toys and being the born playboy. Isn't that good enough? He even flies from London to Miami for some hot beach sex. Then horses die. Fun times.
British - 1993
CAST - 2: Steven Scott makes toys and is rich. He decides to get into horse racing: there is no explanation as to why. I'll hazard a guess: he wants to play with living things, but of course the author can't actually say that, as it makes Scott the villain who is supposed to be the good guy. But Scott IS the villain: he doesn't understand the fees, the money, etc., that goes around, that greases the gears. But Scott SHOULD know because that's how the author crafts this world: round and round with toys and round and round the race course then round and on top of the love interest. Francis even says this in the introduction. The novel opens with Scott firing Jody Leeds, Scott's trainer, as Jody has trimmed some money off the top. Of course Jody has! That's the world. Jody is winning a LOT of money for Scott, but poor Scott can't handle it, can't even just have a conversation with Jody, Scott just out and out fires him. So I had mixed feelings about everyone in the cast and didn't much care for anyone. Oh, and then there is Ganser Mays, a bookie who makes a little extra on the side. Shocking, right?
ATMOSPHERE - 2: A little bit about making toys (not enough), a little bit about horse racing (not enough), a little romance off to the side (yawn) and rich guys who want more and more money and will have horses killed without much thought. Rather a cruel world is horse-racing. In earlier Francis books, the horses and their health ruled. But here in later books, Francis seems not to care.
CRIME - 1: Jody Leeds skims a little off the top from a very wealthy man. That's not really a crime, that's how things just are.
INVESTIGATION - 1: No cops, but there are dead horses and a fake census.
RESOLUTION - 1: Stupendously violent for a certain character and, because this character does something pretty awful OUTSIDE the world of horse-racing, he almost deserves it, but Scott is no judge and jury. And the final line is just plain lazy writing.
SUMMARY - 1.4: In the world of this genre, the butler might guzzle and extra pint from the master's cellar. A maid might wear a bit of jewelry then return it. A pair of nice driving gloves may go missing. But no one is slaughtered, no people, no horses. Here, in this book, they are. This guy Scott is a piece of work: he shoulda just stuck to making toys and being the born playboy. Isn't that good enough? He even flies from London to Miami for some hot beach sex. Then horses die. Fun times.
July 7, 2011
This is another Francis book with a somewhat atypical Francis hero. This one, Steven Scott, is successful and mostly happy with no previous tragedies to cloud his life. He does, however, lead a mostly solitary life -- and, at the beginning of the book, his trainer's dishonesty deals a serious blow to Steven's trust in his fellow man. This book follows Steven as he makes sure that the bad guys get what's coming to them, but also shows him developing his own circle of friends and coming out of his isolation.
The schemes in this one -- both the plotting of the bad guys and the retribution of the good guys -- are complicated and fun. I wish there had been a second Steven Scott book, because I'd like to know what he and his buddies got up to next!
The schemes in this one -- both the plotting of the bad guys and the retribution of the good guys -- are complicated and fun. I wish there had been a second Steven Scott book, because I'd like to know what he and his buddies got up to next!
May 2, 2022
My Dick Francis reading binge continues. This time Steven Scott the owner of several racehorses finds out his trainer is swindling him. He fires him and then finds out the horses he bought have been switched. He then embarks on getting his horse Energise back. Along the way he meets Allie an American woman and goes to Miami in the States.
Jody the trainer is a nasty character along with his bookmaker partner. The switch and tension of the final scenes are exciting. Overall a great adventure with twists and turns.
Jody the trainer is a nasty character along with his bookmaker partner. The switch and tension of the final scenes are exciting. Overall a great adventure with twists and turns.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2017
Not the absolute best of the Dick Francis novels, but rattles along at a fair pace
April 8, 2023
This one was one of his better books. Even as the story progresses, nothing is a huge surprise or an unbelievable stretch. The bad guys get what they deserve, our hero is battered but still upbeat and unbeaten. And the criminals are scrambling to figure out a new game, because there’s lots of money to be made around horse racing and always a new angle.
January 27, 2019
In this excellent Dick Francis novel, Steven Scott is a very successful businessman, who discovers that his friend, Jody Leeds, the trainer of his horses has been stealing from him, and its not a small amount. Leeds has been charging him for trips that were not taken and jockey training rides that were not ridden. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however, because Leeds and as Scott discovers in this engaging story, his crew have been using Scott to line their pockets in a nefarious scheme.
Scott, who was a neophyte in horse training has relied on Leeds, the son of a member of the jockey club, Leeds has help picked out the horses for Scott to buy, trains them, then races them in England. Scott has also bet with Leeds bookie -- Ganser Mays.
The horses all do well but Scott discovers that somehow or other when he has his biggest bets on his horses, they all seem to lose. He basically figures out that Mays and Leeds are conspiring to fix the races. Figuring this all out, at the start of the novel, Scott fires his trainer and takes his horses back. However, Leeds conspires to steal Energise, Scott's latest horse, and when Scott goes to get the horse back, he discovers that Leeds plot is even more complicated, as the horse that is returned is not Energise, but looks like him.
Enlisting the help of a business man, a lovely girl that he meets and courts during the novel, and another bookie, Scott decides to get Energise back.
Unusually for a Francis novel, Scott's courtship of the girl is done well and Scott's business background is also well drawn, but its the story itself that is just sublime.
In the end, even after all that transpires, Scott knows that it was worth it.
And so will the reader.
Scott, who was a neophyte in horse training has relied on Leeds, the son of a member of the jockey club, Leeds has help picked out the horses for Scott to buy, trains them, then races them in England. Scott has also bet with Leeds bookie -- Ganser Mays.
The horses all do well but Scott discovers that somehow or other when he has his biggest bets on his horses, they all seem to lose. He basically figures out that Mays and Leeds are conspiring to fix the races. Figuring this all out, at the start of the novel, Scott fires his trainer and takes his horses back. However, Leeds conspires to steal Energise, Scott's latest horse, and when Scott goes to get the horse back, he discovers that Leeds plot is even more complicated, as the horse that is returned is not Energise, but looks like him.
Enlisting the help of a business man, a lovely girl that he meets and courts during the novel, and another bookie, Scott decides to get Energise back.
Unusually for a Francis novel, Scott's courtship of the girl is done well and Scott's business background is also well drawn, but its the story itself that is just sublime.
In the end, even after all that transpires, Scott knows that it was worth it.
And so will the reader.
March 9, 2018
Another well done novel by Francis, whom I adore. This audiobook was narrated very well by Geoffrey Howard.
July 4, 2023
Steven Scott finds himself in danger when he realizes that his racehorse trainer has been systematically cheating him. However, firing his trainer at the racecourse and his trainer's popularity, makes him the villain of the piece.
When he further realizes that his trainer has substituted another horse for his, he plans and epic con to get his horse back and get the trainer his comeuppance. Steven, who is a very successful inventor and engineer, is assisted in his quest by his new girlfriend, his workshop assistant, and a wealthy banker in his quest.
I really enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1975. I had read it years ago but it was just as exciting and engaging as when I first read it. I liked Geoffrey Howard's narration.
When he further realizes that his trainer has substituted another horse for his, he plans and epic con to get his horse back and get the trainer his comeuppance. Steven, who is a very successful inventor and engineer, is assisted in his quest by his new girlfriend, his workshop assistant, and a wealthy banker in his quest.
I really enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1975. I had read it years ago but it was just as exciting and engaging as when I first read it. I liked Geoffrey Howard's narration.
May 28, 2012
Oh Dick Francis, how I miss you. I'm sure I must have read this book eons ago, but I read and re read Dick Francis books with relish. One of my favourite authors.
Story. Steven Scott is a brilliant toy inventor, however, not so brilliant when it comes to horse racing. He has placed his horses with a very dishonest trainer, who has taken him for quite a few bob, an enormous amount, actually. When Scott tumbles his game, he pulls his horses out, only to be ostracized by the racing community, who sides with the evil trainer.
However, Scott is not as dumb as they all think he is, with a little help from his friends he is able to turn the tables on the crooks. Though it takes a lot of money, and he finds a little romance on the way. Lovely.
Story. Steven Scott is a brilliant toy inventor, however, not so brilliant when it comes to horse racing. He has placed his horses with a very dishonest trainer, who has taken him for quite a few bob, an enormous amount, actually. When Scott tumbles his game, he pulls his horses out, only to be ostracized by the racing community, who sides with the evil trainer.
However, Scott is not as dumb as they all think he is, with a little help from his friends he is able to turn the tables on the crooks. Though it takes a lot of money, and he finds a little romance on the way. Lovely.
March 15, 2010
Excellent. This is only my second Dick Francis book but won't be my last. Extremely well written with well developed characters. Great narrator
December 7, 2022
Francis is the best
March 29, 2024
I didn't warm to the MC at first, but it turned out to be a fun "righting wrongs" plot. Shame about the cover on my edition, which shows a flat race when it's all about National Hunt racing.
January 4, 2026
What if there was a HEIST and it was for HORSES and your team was a ragtag bunch of FRIENDS and you were a TOYMAKER BY TRADE
November 23, 2022
Fun story as always. I hope to find more of his books in the future.
November 23, 2017
Solid. Simply solid.
Much like buying your favourite soft drink brings few surprises a Dick Francis novel offers little deviation from his tried and trusted template.
A strong – morally and emotionally – hero, who is being wronged by a villain who is either violently vicious or in chaoots with someone who is, form the basis of all good Francis novels. This one is no exception.
All the trademarks are ticked: brutal beating, destruction of property, clever plot (although this one is easier to unravel than some), beautiful love interest and a crucial horse race thrillingly described.
Telling you what order these elements appear would spoil your enjoyment and whilst this book will never have you marvelling at its brilliance it will keep you occupied for a few hours as you spend time in the company of some engaging characters.
The bad guys are, as in many Francis novels, almost cartoonishly bad but they are still fairly well drawn. Our hero is moralistic but nonetheless quite engaging.
It's a fun read and nothing more. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Much like buying your favourite soft drink brings few surprises a Dick Francis novel offers little deviation from his tried and trusted template.
A strong – morally and emotionally – hero, who is being wronged by a villain who is either violently vicious or in chaoots with someone who is, form the basis of all good Francis novels. This one is no exception.
All the trademarks are ticked: brutal beating, destruction of property, clever plot (although this one is easier to unravel than some), beautiful love interest and a crucial horse race thrillingly described.
Telling you what order these elements appear would spoil your enjoyment and whilst this book will never have you marvelling at its brilliance it will keep you occupied for a few hours as you spend time in the company of some engaging characters.
The bad guys are, as in many Francis novels, almost cartoonishly bad but they are still fairly well drawn. Our hero is moralistic but nonetheless quite engaging.
It's a fun read and nothing more. And there's nothing wrong with that.
February 26, 2009
High Stakes begins with Steven, owner of 12 racehorses, abruptly pulling his horses from the training of his long time trainer. He has found that he has been cheating on the billing, and even worse, been defrauding Steven by collusion with a bookmaker. The scheme - let the horse win on medium and small bets but when Steven bets big, make sure the horse looses.
We find that Steven is an inventor of popular children's toys and it is interesting to read about how he makes them and the process he goes through in his mind when inventing them. The parallel is drawn between a specific toy and how one person can manipulate a group of others.
The challenge in the story is for Steven to be able to catch the trainer and bookmaker in their theivery without being sued for lible and to be able to clear his current bad reputation of a rich owner who has left his perfectly wonderful trainer over some mistakes in billing!
We find that Steven is an inventor of popular children's toys and it is interesting to read about how he makes them and the process he goes through in his mind when inventing them. The parallel is drawn between a specific toy and how one person can manipulate a group of others.
The challenge in the story is for Steven to be able to catch the trainer and bookmaker in their theivery without being sued for lible and to be able to clear his current bad reputation of a rich owner who has left his perfectly wonderful trainer over some mistakes in billing!
June 1, 2019
The thing that makes Dick Francis novels stand out from the pack of run-of-the-mill mysteries is his keen insight into the horse racing industry and in this book he takes a look at a special kind of fraud that unscrupulous trainers can put over on their absentee owners. To the untrained eye, many horses look alike, so what do you do when a trainer swaps your prize-winning horse with one that looks similar but doesn’t have the racing magic? It’s an interesting problem, especially when the trainer is well liked, and it’s especially painful when Steven Scott, are hero, is vilified by the press and other race goers for trying to extricate himself from a man who has been cheating him. There’s never any doubt who the villain is in this novel, but there’s a lot of uncertainty regarding how our hero will get justice in the end. The solution to one of Francis’ most ingenius.
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If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 31, 2011
A very good Dick Francis novel. I love to see the thought put in to resolving the issue of getting back the proper race horse. I love the deft way that Francis handles the relationship in this story between Steve and Allie. A perfect Francis and a favorite reread for me.
May 23, 2021
Oh the end 🥲😂
It’s no good expecting fairytale endings in racing.
It’s no good expecting fairytale endings in racing.
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