Blood Sport

Diok Francis keeps his expert writting going and your love for his novels going with this book, Blood Sport. If you read one of his books you can't wait to read another!

I received this CD book as a gift. I am a great Dick Francis Fan and love all his books,(This rating being for the author not the audio book) so this complaint isn't for the author, but for the folks who released this CD book, disk 4 is the same as disk 3 therefore part of the book is missing. It is from Borders produced by Recorded Books LLC, so please folks if you get this cd book beware.

I recently finished rereading Blood Sport again--it's either my third or fourth read of the book. I think I've reread only 1 other Francis novel, so clearly this novel speaks to me a great deal. This is because the hero is suicidal and finds ways to live. The hero is depressed, yet he is able to live by drawing on anger that anyone would deprive him of the right to live or die. I will not spoil the ending of the novel, but I will say the hero finds a better and more powerful reason to live the rest of his life without considering suicide. Another key character also suffers from depression; she is able to find a new career in life and improve her life a great deal. Romantic love does not play a significant role in either character's battle with depression. If you have ever experienced depression, I recommend this book. It will distract you from your life with its plot that (even after almost 40 years) is still gripping, but more importantly this book offers some great messages about the value of human life, friendship, and the nature of love that may inspire and comfort you.

OK, we've all read at least one of Dick Francis' early novels. The usual components are there: HORSES, racing, mystery, and often a physical or psychological character defect. (I write this, having a hearing loss, so I can appreciate the effort!) The main character, Gene Hawkins, is an intelligence agent who once had his heart ripped out. (I always wanted to write that last phrase) In his agony, he has to escort his boss's nubile 17-year-old daughter to California, to solve a horse kidnapping. Living in the 21st century, trust me, you will not guess the ending of this novel. We need a few more authors with this sense of decency.

There's only one problem with Dick Francis books: insomina! The author, no stranger to the world of thoroughbred racing, has a knack for rapidly drawing the reader into the story. The interest is easily maintained as Francis unravels the inner workings of the criminal mind. I enjoyed the change in locale from England to California. As usual Francis does not disappoint and skewers the villian(s) with his always dry wit. There are enough believable red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the satisfying end.