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Forfeit

Dick Francis

3.94 · Rating details · 2,897 ratings · 82 reviews

When reporter Bert Checkov falls to his death, his colleague James Tyrone thinks he can prove it was murder. But there's no such thing as a sure thing.

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Paperback, 256 pages

Published April 5th 2005 by G.P. Putnam's Sons (first published 1969)

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Lists with This Book

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The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

Edgar Award Winners

114 books — 157 voters

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105 books — 46 voters

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· 2,897 ratings · 82 reviews

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Mar 24, 2010 James Thane rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime-fiction, dick-francis

James Tyrone is a sports writer for a tabloid paper called The Blaze. It's not the most respectable paper in town, but it pays better than its more prestigious counterparts and Tyrone badly needs the money.

Tyrone's principal beat is horseracing and one day after lunch he walks a fellow scribe back to his office. The other reporter, Burt Chekov, writes for a competitor, but he and Tyrone have been friends. Chekov has been drinking heavily of late and seems to be deeply troubled. He's also been ...more

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Oct 01, 2019 Greg rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, 20th-century, who-did-it, dame-agatha-christie-and-her-peers

Dame Agatha Christie and Her Peers
BOOK 23
CAST - 5 stars: James Tyrone (Ty) is a newspaper writer for the "Sunday Blaze" and is married to Elizabeth, a polio victim who is 90% paralyzed. Their relationship alone, here, is done so beautifully I'd give this novel 5 stars for the cast if there was ONLY Ty and Elizabeth. But this novel is packed with fascinating people. Luke-John Morton is Ty's editor, Derry Clark is Ty's fellow writer. Bert Chekov writes columns about horses for another publication. Dame Agatha Christie and Her Peers
BOOK 23
CAST - 5 stars: James Tyrone (Ty) is a newspaper writer for the "Sunday Blaze" and is married to Elizabeth, a polio victim who is 90% paralyzed. Their relationship alone, here, is done so beautifully I'd give this novel 5 stars for the cast if there was ONLY Ty and Elizabeth. But this novel is packed with fascinating people. Luke-John Morton is Ty's editor, Derry Clark is Ty's fellow writer. Bert Chekov writes columns about horses for another publication. There is the "Lamplighter Race" coming up and some participants are Harry Hunterson (who won his horse, 'Egocentric' in a raffle) and his wife Sarah and their beautiful daughter Gail; Victor Roncy (Pa) who is the owner/trainer of 'Tiddely Pom' (a favorite to win the Lamplighter Gold Cup) and his wife Madge (who absolutely ROCKS during the actual race) and their five sons; and Norton Fox is the owner/trainer of "Zig-Zag" (Fox has a fascinating back-story about a previous horse, "Brevity"). Dermot Finnegan is a small-time jockey riding a small-time horse in the Lamplighter Race and he has recently suffered a race injury. You're gonna like all these people for various reasons, and at the end of the book, as the race commences, it's really hard to root for just one horse/owner. Then there is Charlie Boston who owns a number of betting shops...and his goons who are very, very bad people. Sensational heroes and rotten villians and a Fantastic LOVE STORY? It's hard to improve on a cast like this!
ATMOSPHERE - 4 stars: Francis has done a better job in the past 2 novels I've read at taking us into the stables and into horse training and more. I was confused at a couple of terms (antepost betting, for example) and I'm not sure if a "4-Day-Stage" actually exists (declaration day to put horses in races 4 days before the actual race) for all English races, for a limited number, or just for Francis to up the suspense. But up the suspense it does. The descriptions of the impact of polio on Elizabeth are handled just right and I learned much about this illness which, thankfully, has almost disappeared from the world due to science (yea, that kind of science for which there was a Congressional hearing concerning climate change and a testifying 14-y/o girl was asked, by a US Congressperson, "Why should we believe in science?" Her jaw dropped then she answered, "Because it's science." You see, here in America, science and climate change is all fake. I'd have answered, "well, stand up on your desk, Congressperson, and jump off, head first...would someone call an ambulance please."). Francis also takes us into newspaper rooms and betting and how really bad people make a ton of money on 'fixed'-type races.
PLOT/CRIME - 3: Ty notices that as of late, Bert Chekov has praised a large number of horses who were withdrawn from races about to occur, but after huge amounts of money had been through the betting process. That means the owner of the betting shops keeps the money! Bert had been drinking a lot recently, and suddenly decides to take a leap out of a high floor and dies in the opening chapter on the street right in front of Ty. Naturally, Ty wants to know why, and Ty also realizes there is some kind of sensational story to be written. I can't give this element a higher rating than 3 stars though because I didn't believe that 1)Ty would spill so much knowledge so soon and to all the wrong people as I didn't think he was that stupid and 2) Ty meets a villain or 2, but afterwards still trusts any ol' stranger. Francis throws in some coincidences that are oddly explained. Oh, this could have been a brilliant 5-star sting type plot, but there are plot holes.
INVESTIGATION - 2 stars: As stated, Ty does some stupid things for the sake of suspense and I just didn't believe some of it. And when Ty brags, in a newspaper article, that he has almost caught the villians, well, that was a jaw-dropping moment for me. NO, wouldn't happen. Early, and on page 61 in my edition, someone says, "They said-" then a phone rings and we never learn anything more. I don't like that kind of trick authors play: just when the reader is about to learn something, there is a knock or a ring or some kind of interuption and for some reason nobody ever gets back to the conversation.
RESOLUTION - 3: The race is absolutely thrilling. And do the villians get what they deserve? I liked those parts of the story. But I found the last paragraph detestable. I think you will also.
SUMMARY - 3.4. This is a very good story but with a plot hole or 2 and a writer, Ty, who just can't be that stupid. There is another point I didn't like at all, and it has to do with Elizabeth, but that would reveal too much, so I'll just say that overall, this is good entertainment which could have been so much better. (Not that I personally could write better than Francis, although I think I could perhaps improve on the plot a bit.) ...more

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Jun 28, 2019 edwina procter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As a long term Dick Francis reader I would like to say what a refreshing departure this book was. I've been used to the hardy resistance displayed by his heroes, but only in a singular, insular way. Here we have a singularly tortured individual, tied, by love, to his crippled wife, tormented by more than the nasty criminals who are trying to bludgeon their way to success. A thoroughly engaging read which firmly involves the reader with sympathy driving the hero on to success, not in any way ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Barbara Heckendorn rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-reviewed, books-2019

Also this Dick Francis was exciting, even if more ran next to the racecourse than on the racecourse. This time investigates a journalist unrealities in the horse betting. On a large scale, bets on horses are placed in advance, but shortly before the start these horses are deducted from the race. The bets always go to the same person, since the regulations do not provide for a return of the wagers made. Who is behind these mafia bets and how can this person be caught? With what means of pressure ...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Col rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, f

Synopsis/blurb....
Bert Checkov was a Fleet Street racing correspondent with an unnerving talent for tipping non-starters for big races. But the advice he gave James Tyrone, a few minutes before he fell to his death, was of a completely different nature... Not one for the quiet life, Tyrone has a bloodhound's nose for trouble and pretty soon he's caught up in an increasingly dangerous game. One that threatens him, his crippled wife and the credibility of the racing world. Blowing the roof off is Synopsis/blurb....
Bert Checkov was a Fleet Street racing correspondent with an unnerving talent for tipping non-starters for big races. But the advice he gave James Tyrone, a few minutes before he fell to his death, was of a completely different nature... Not one for the quiet life, Tyrone has a bloodhound's nose for trouble and pretty soon he's caught up in an increasingly dangerous game. One that threatens him, his crippled wife and the credibility of the racing world. Blowing the roof off is the number one policy of The Sunday Blaze ... and Tyrone has stumbled upon explosive material. 'A superb chiller and killer' New York Times Book Review
My first introduction to Dick Francis and his thrillers set in the world of horse racing. This offering was the recipient of the 1970 Edgar Award for best novel, with the author having been a runner-up in each of the 3 preceding years.
The book was quite entertaining. Tyrone was likeable and sympathetic particularly in his efforts to care for his stricken wife and in the sacrifices he had made through the years since she contracted polio. At the same time he was still quite driven in his need to delve deeper into the mystery of his friend, Bert Checkov’s last words in the moments before he died. That this investigation would put him and his wife in danger was a consideration, particularly as the pieces of the puzzle unfolded, but not a sufficient deterrent to his enquiries. Tyrone’s need to find physical release in the company of a woman, whilst remaining loyal and faithful to his invalid wife, was understandable if slightly disappointing. Still, heroes have warts and failings just like the rest of us.
I enjoyed the book for the aspects of community shown in the horse racing environment, with nearly everyone knowing everyone else. Francis realistically portrayed life in the lower echelons of the industry and glamorous it certainly isn’t. As a former champion jockey and the unfortunate rider of the Queen’s Mother’s ill-fated mount Devon Loch in the Grand National, you would expect him to know the ins and outs of racing. Having the skill and ability to transfer that experience and knowledge into written form shows a different quality. I’ll read more of Francis and his horse racing thrillers in the future.
4 from 5
I acquired my copy after swapping a book on the Readitswap it website.

http://col2910.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04... ...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Harry rated it it was amazing

Shelves: detective-mystery, favorites, british-detectives

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 ...more

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Aug 11, 2018 E.P. rated it it was amazing

I hadn't read "Forfeit" in, oh, twenty years or something, until I recently picked it up and reread it. As always, rereading is as enlightening as reading.

"Forfeit" is one of Francis's slighter works in many ways, but it gets added depth by the interactions between Ty (the hero) and his wife Elizabeth, who has been paralyzed by polio. Rather than exciting scenes of horseback riding (Ty doesn't ride once, and only occasionally goes to the races), the tension in the story is largely generated by I hadn't read "Forfeit" in, oh, twenty years or something, until I recently picked it up and reread it. As always, rereading is as enlightening as reading.

"Forfeit" is one of Francis's slighter works in many ways, but it gets added depth by the interactions between Ty (the hero) and his wife Elizabeth, who has been paralyzed by polio. Rather than exciting scenes of horseback riding (Ty doesn't ride once, and only occasionally goes to the races), the tension in the story is largely generated by Ty's conflict over his sexual desire, which hasn't gone anywhere with his wife's paralysis, and his desire to be faithful to the woman whom he still loves.

When I read the story as a teenager I was struck by the drama of the situation but had a hard time sympathizing with either character, both Ty's inner conflict and Elizabeth's fear that he would leave her over it, abandoning her to a life of utter dependency on strangers. Having spent the past several years quite ill (although not, thank God, completely paralyzed like Elizabeth--yet, at least), I was struck on the reread how well Francis captured both characters' emotional struggles. As always, he had a sharp eye for detail and for character, conveying in a few well-chosen phrases the agony that many writers about illness try and fail to convey in pages of purple prose.

The climactic action scene is also a gem. I don't want to give away anything about it, but once again Francis takes the mundane and turns it into high drama.

"Forfeit" is probably not Francis's best work, but it's good, and well worth reading both because it's a compelling read and because of his insight into the experiences of people struggling with difficulties, disabilities, and physical helplessness, a common theme in his work that takes perhaps its most overt form here. It's one of his more "domestic" works, and probably one of his more autobiographical books (Ty is a journalist, like Dick was, and Mary Francis was briefly paralyzed, providing the inspiration for this story) but it's never boring. ...more

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Dec 14, 2016 James Adams rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-thriller

This is the second Francis novel I've read, and it showed that my enjoyment of Reflex was no fluke. This is a strong suspense novel which, while set in and dependent upon the milieu of horse-racing, does not require much in the way of previous knowledge. I have no real affinity for horses, in any capacity (though I do occasionally exclaim "And I want a pony," but that's beside the point), and I was only occasionally left out by this.
As with many British mystery/suspense novels of the time This is the second Francis novel I've read, and it showed that my enjoyment of Reflex was no fluke. This is a strong suspense novel which, while set in and dependent upon the milieu of horse-racing, does not require much in the way of previous knowledge. I have no real affinity for horses, in any capacity (though I do occasionally exclaim "And I want a pony," but that's beside the point), and I was only occasionally left out by this.
As with many British mystery/suspense novels of the time (published in 1969), the plot here centers on extortion and blackmail. Our lead is a reporter at a weekly paper who covers the ponies and has a bit of a rep as a firebrand. After the death of a colleague, a string of suspicious drop-outs is uncovered. Foul play or coincidence? I'll let you guess...
The plot is nothing ground-breaking, and the characters, though enjoyable, are a bit thin. There are some questionable ethics and gender politics, and the way race is handled, though progressive at the time, seems antiquated if not offensive. Remember, many of these issues stem from the novel being nearly fifty years old.
On the other hand, the prose is clear and modern, the support cast is quite engaging, and the villains are convincing. It is only fitting that a novel about racing should be expertly paced, and that is certainly the case here. In fact, the prose and pacing read so thoroughly modern that the occasional mention of rotary phones or apartheid were jarring.
I must mention that this is not an action novel. There is action, but in sparing doses. Our protagonist is no muscular man-at-arms, nor is he an athlete. He's a reporter, and so must rely on his wits when in over his head. This is how the book shows its age, as most modern suspense novels rely much more on visceral thrills. The villains here are thugs, no terrorists, so don't expect elaborate gunfights.
This was an enjoyable read, one that certainly rewards the curious. I am still too new to the author to judge this book in relation to his canon, but can safely say that, in tone, pacing and attitudes, it holds up much better than many of its contemporaries. It has solidified Francis as, to me, an author worth exploring further. ...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Katie rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2006

"Racing correspondent for a newspaper dedicated to exposing scandals in the noisiest way becomes involved in exposing a racing fraud while dealing with the problems of his marriage to a woman housebound by polio."

The main character is somewhat unlikable.

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Mar 31, 2011 Algernon (Darth Anyan) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011

classic Francis - an investigative journalist tries to take down a group of crooks at the racetrack. The usual confrontation where stubborness and brains overcomes brutality and greed. A very touching love story elevates this volume slightly above other books by the author.

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Aug 19, 2013 Dana Stabenow rated it liked it

I wish Francis had written more books featuring James Tyrone.

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Jun 17, 2008 Jacqueline rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, stand-alone, own, pre-2006

Extra 1/2 star.

Despite the fact that I like to periodically reread through all of Dick Francis' books in publishing order, I always skip over this one.

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Jul 31, 2017 Jann rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime-fiction, action-thriller

Another great Dick Francis book featuring the horse racing world. This time the main character is a sports news reporter known for his sensational inside stories about owners, trainers and bookies. Even though the setting is in the horse racing world, Francis finds a way to make each of the books fresh and exciting.

The writer has been asked to do a piece for the magazine Tally, and as his salary at the newspaper is barely enough to keep him and his severely handicapped wife, he is given ...more

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Aug 14, 2018 Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: good-summer-read, bad-audiobook-narrator

A goodish little thriller ruined by Richard Brown's dreadful, mechanical reading. A cut-glass British accent is all very well, but when every sentence, whether it be narration, threats, words of love or desperation has the same inflection and lack of emotion, it quickly palls. With a better reader I might have given this book four stars. I mention the bad reader as a warning to others. I see that Mr Brown has videos on Youtube demonstrating "how to read aloud." If this sample of his technique is ...more

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Jun 06, 2019 Janet rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, reread, horses, mystery-thriller

Sportswriter James Tyrone writes about horse racing. But something odd is happening with fellow race writer Bert Checkov – whenever Bert touts a horse, the horse loses badly or fails to show up for the race. Bert drunkenly confesses to Ty that he has sold his soul; and then falls to his death out of a seventh story window.

Ty discovers there is a rigged betting scheme and the bad guys expect Ty to be the next one to fall in line. Not only does he resist, but he must protect his paralyzed wife ...more

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Aug 27, 2018 Tommy Baker rated it liked it

The beginning gives you the feeling you've stumbled onto an episode of Murder, She Wrote about 10 minutes after the start. Or considering all the car chases and crashes maybe The Rockford Files. The scenes revolving around the publication of Blaze and James Tyler's interactions with his co-workers were awfully dull and made me feel as if I were trapped like an invalid attached to a breathing machine.
Speaking of which, I thought everything having to do with Elizabeth and her predicament and how ...more

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Aug 02, 2018 Arthur Pierce rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The seventh Dick Francis novel, this one has, perhaps, less to do with horses directly than the others, despite the crooked gambling scheme that is the basis for the plot. Like the first six Francis books, it starts out quietly enough, then gradually builds to the point of almost unbearable intensity.

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Apr 20, 2019 Sue rated it liked it

Initially it was slow going and did not present very likeable characters, however once the racing angle and featured horse were prominent in the story, it became, like all Mr Francis' books, hard to put down. Not as complex as some of his others, yet the protagonist becomes more likeable as it goes on and exhibits unusual resolve and presence of mind.

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Sep 03, 2019 Sara Diane rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, mystery, 2019

I love all Francis books, but this one a little less than most. Not quite sure why. It was a good story, with some moral dilemma and lots of intrigue. The main character was in lots of danger, but showed spunk and wit. And it wrapped up nicely in the end. Not a bad read, but just not a favorite.

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Aug 28, 2019 David Howard rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent and moving. All the thrills of anteposte betting - and the nonstarter market racket —on the track— while the organized crime bosses continue to get more desperate to cause favored horses to forfeit. This interesting UK track rule makes for a good crime thriller.

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Dec 01, 2018 Tom Kammerer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: edgars

What a pleasure to read a suspense mystery and guns don’t play a part or role!

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Dec 24, 2019 Beverly Schneider rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Right up to par.

Intrigue,..... mystery, physical harm, sex....etc., etc., etc. enjoy the happy ending Hint.....horse came in second but who cares. Caretaker wins.

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Aug 26, 2019 Wsm added it · review of another edition

Shelves: francis

An early Francis book which I found only last year.Kept me engrossed,among his best.

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Dec 19, 2016 Keith Barraclough rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I always enjoy Dick Francis good story good plot.

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Mar 09, 2017 Garnet Walters rated it liked it

As a snapshot of what life was like in the 60s it was a fascinating read, really enjoyed all the little details. Some of the attitudes were shockingly out of date when looked at with a 21stC perspective. The crime/mystery aspect weren't as interesting but it was still a good read. I like his style of writing too, quite staccato.

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Mar 29, 2008 Nikki rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, edgar-best-novel-winners, books-set-in-england

They say third time is the charm, but in Dick Francis's case it was fourth time. He had been nominated for the Edgar for Best Novel in each of the three preceding years before finally winning it with FORFEIT in 1970. Getting the last laugh, he went on to win it twice more and became a Grand Master in 1996.

This was the first of his books I have read. I tend to go for series books, am not immediately attracted to thrillers, and follow horseracing only if invited to a Derby Day party, so I hadn't They say third time is the charm, but in Dick Francis's case it was fourth time. He had been nominated for the Edgar for Best Novel in each of the three preceding years before finally winning it with FORFEIT in 1970. Getting the last laugh, he went on to win it twice more and became a Grand Master in 1996.

This was the first of his books I have read. I tend to go for series books, am not immediately attracted to thrillers, and follow horseracing only if invited to a Derby Day party, so I hadn't thought I would like them. Now, having read FORFEIT, I'll be much more likely to pick up the next Francis book I see.

FORFEIT's protagonist, James Tyrone, is a journalist -- he writes a racing column for a somewhat sensational newspaper and does occasional free-lance work for magazines. When a colleague from another paper commits suicide, after giving Tyrone a mysterious piece of advice, and Tyrone realizes something odd about horses the dead man has touted in his columns, he begins asking questions. This sets him on a collision course with a sinister South African that imperils not only his own life, but that of his wife. Of course, it also gets his paper a hell of a story.

What little I know about American horseracing was of no use here, as the British system of betting is different and there are also different kinds of races there (pretty exciting ones too, it would seem). But enough was explained (and without recourse to footnotes!) that I was easily able to follow the story.

I read recently that in a thriller, you know fairly soon who the villain is and the excitement is in the race between villain and hero to accomplish or prevent the villain's plans (wildly paraphrasing here). That is a good description of this book. Given the conventions of crime fiction, one is 99% sure that good will win out, but Francis keeps us on the edge with that 1% of uncertainty. There are books you can't put down, and then there are those which I, at least, must put down -- something so frightening happens that I must stop to catch my breath and let my heart rate return to normal. This was such a book.

My husband, who has been reading these Edgar winners along with me, said about Julian Symons' THE PROGRESS OF A CRIME that one mark of a good writer was the care he takes with minor characters. I couldn't see it in that book because I just disliked the whole book so much. But I could really see the truth of it in FORFEIT. The horse trainer, the young woman groom, the jockey, the racing steward, the horse breeder and his family -- each has a story, and we hear it, without detracting at all from the fast-moving plot.

So if, like me, you thought you wouldn't be interested in a book about horseracing, think again and read a Dick Francis book. He's been doing fine without me all these years, the only loss has been mine.
...more

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Feb 25, 2017 Jennifer rated it liked it

Good storyline overall, but it dragged a bit in execution.

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Apr 12, 2013 Ching-Bing-Ping rated it really liked it

Shelves: britain, award-winners, thriller

This was my 7th Dick Francis novel. Took a long time to complete it. The reason for the delay was a mixture of book related issues and a suddenly developed interest in movie watching.
The book deals with horse racing and placing bets thereof. When a race reporter Bert Checkov commits suicide, his friend and the protagonist of the novel, James Tyrone, while working on an article on non-starters and ante-post betting related to such non-starters, stumbles onto a scam related to such betting. This, ...more

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Dec 26, 2014 John Marsh rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Library audible
James Tyrone is a reporter for Fleet Street the blaze. Tyrone's wife is almost entirely paralayized from polio and bed bound. For sex, Tyrone has the hots and sex encoubters with a girl, Gale.
Bert Checkov was a Fleet Street racing correspondent with a talent for tipping non-starters. Increased his life insurance, got drunk and fell out the window to his death. He had been press ganged into the payroll of a South African tycoon bookmaker who had brought a Birmingham chain of ...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Gypsy Lady rated it liked it

Written in 1969. How is our hero going to resolve his dilemma?

Dick Francis "writes about the basic building blocks of life -- obligation, honor, love, courage, and pleasure. Those discussions come disguised in adventure novels so gripping that they cry out to be read in one gulp -- then quickly reread to savor the details skipped in the first gallop though the pages." Houston Chronicle

Page 13
Every window in the house was a clutter of diamond-shaped leaded lights which might have had some point ...more

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About Dick Francis

Dick Francis

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Dick Francis CBE (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 ...more