Bonecrack

A face paced, tightly plotted, early Dick Francis is BONECRACK. Neil Griffon takes over for his father, who is recovering from a broken leg. Neil's own life is the price of a blackmail scheme, but one of the most interesting aspects of this novel is the growth of Alessandro Rivera, at eighteen, from a spoiled brat into a man. Neil does not have the means to defeat the father who holds the stables and his life prisoner, so he uses the only power at his command, he changes the son and defeats the father. BONECRACK is a fantastic read for pride in accomplishment and the love of racing. Nash Black, author of WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

The beginning and ending of the story by Dick Francis is always heart touching. This is no exception. This is the story about father and son. Father is dictatorial and difficult to communicate with Son. This applies both Neil and Alessandro. Alessandro's father is Enso Rivera who is crook and Neil's father is the owner of one of the prosperous racing stables. Neil is abducted and demanded to let Aless to ride on Archangel which is the most popular horse for the Derby. After he was released, Aless was sent to his father's stable which Neil runs temporarily because his father is in hospital. Aless is arrogant and bullish like his father, but gradually changes himself owing to Neil's delicate technique. Neil is in danger to break his color bone. The nearer the Derby is coming, the more dangerous Enso becomes but Neil's determination is solid. Toward the end, Aless was put into a dangerous spot and unexpected ending is the most exciting and heart warming.

After reading UNDER ORDERS recently decided to re-read some of Dick Francis' older material, and this 1971 release seemed a good one with which start. There are many problems in Newmarket at Rowley Lodge stables, main one being that Neil Griffon's father, the stable's owner, is hospitalized with a broken leg and temporarily cannot run the stables. Neil takes upon himself to pinch hit, and since Neil and his father have never gotten along at all, his father does not like it one bit. But Neil carries on slowly winning everyone but his father over. Added to this is another very mentally disturbed father who through threats of violence forces his son on Neil as apprentice jockey; with some of the threats having already been carried out. The plot runs very smoothly, and though there are a few very close calls with violence, it eventually reaches a very satisfactory end. The conflict between two sets of fathers and sons offers interesting reading, with the two sons eventually understanding more than either father ever did or could. Thought provoking, indeed. This book is tightly written with very interesting, believable characters who act and speak as they should. The focus is very much on horses in stable with some insight also offered into just how they are trained and entered into races. It is one of the more enjoyable books from Dick Francis I've read viewing racing from not only from the owner's point of view, but the trainer and the jockeys, as well. And now that most of his earlier books have been reissued by Berkley in new printings with very colorful cover paintings, the entire package is not only refreshing but worth the time spent. Recommended. Semper Fi.

This book is a classic Francis book. I have read all his books and this is one of my favorites (together with to the hilt and nerve). The hero of this book much like other Francis books is a 30 years old Nile Griffin "a wonder kid". The main difference in this book is that the bad guys are known from the beginning and the book focus on the battle with and not on the discovery of the enemy. This book has all the things necessary for a good mystery book, and is read in one sitting. Enjoy.

This is a story of two father-son couples; the hero who is temporary in charge of a training stable and his cold-hearted father, and a spoiled son who wants to be a champion jockey and his fanatic, ruthless father. Their unhappy relationship is lightly and smoothly described in the fast-paced, thrilling story, yet I am strongly impressed by the relationship. Francis is really a good writer. And it is also interesting that a daily life of a training stable is vividly described.