Dead Heat

Max Morton is sick. He thinks it's food poisoning and he's not the only one affected, so he's worried, because last night he was the chef at a black tie dinner event. He's the youngest chef to receive the "Michelin Star" which is a true chiefly honor. He not only owns a popular restaurant in New Market, but he also operates his own catering business. So when an environmental health office shows up to investigate the poisoning, he's got cause for concern. The inspector does too, so she shuts down his restaurant, despite the fact that the food had not been prepared at his restaurant and that all of the leftovers are gone. Fortunately Max still has his catering business. He's catering a function held in the viewing box at the 2000 Guineas horse race when a bomb goes off. Several people are killed, but luckily for Max, he suffers only minor injuries, however the woman who put on the event is badly injured and one of Max's staff does not survive the blast. Despite this tragic event, Max still has to try and save his restaurant. He discovers kidney beans caused the poisoning. However there were no kidney beans on the menu, nor were they used in anything served that night, so how could they have been in the food? Now Max has to wonder if he'd been set up. He also begins to wonder if the bombing was somehow connected to the food poisoning. Was the food poisoning an attempt to keep someone away from the bombing, if so who? And who was the bomb intended for? These are just a few of the questions you'll be asking yourself as you page through this satisfying mystery. I've long been a fan of Dick Francis and missed him dearly when he stopped writing. Then when he came back after so long off with Under Orders, I bought it straightaway. Now a year later we have this story. It's good to have Dick Francis back and I hope he and Felix have many more mystery thrillers in them. Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Dead Heat is a really enjoyable read - nearly equal to the best of Dick Francis' mysteries. Like others here, I've read and enjoyed them all. Yes, this book contains classic Francis aspects - and why shouldn't it? The various plots and intrigues are woven well and lead to a perfect ending. A typical Francis page-turner, this book is unique in the fact that we never spend even a moment with an actual horse. Horses play their part in the book, though, and for someone like me who is around horses all of the time, that was enough. Hopefully Team Francis has more to come our way.

I've been reading Dick Francis' books for a long time and always enjoy his style. But, as I'm not able to read as often as I would like, it may be years before I pick up one of his titles. 'Dead Heat' reminded me why I enjoy him so much! I was a bit leary of getting started on this novel as I was afraid I might get lost or distracted between sittings. Oh contrare! Although it was detailed and, I felt, had a fairly deep plot; it was easy to pick up where I left off. And once I got about half way through, I simply had to stay with it until I finished the book. And Mr. Francis gave us a happy ending, which I always enjoy.

I loved it. I loved 'Under Orders', and all the others for the last 25 or more years. Boy, did I miss you. Only a Dick Francis (and now a Felix Francis too) gets carried onto an airplane. Nothing else can make you forget the noise, smells, crowding, jitters... I have a terrible memory, which adds to the enjoyment of rereading. Yet, most of what I know about wine is from a Dick Francis novel (I know, pathetic, but true). I can still picture the toy inventors workshop with the wide drive belts. Just try to forget that terrible murder at the vet's surgery. Did any of us know there was a special bolt action instrument fired with a shotgun shell? Flying horses, kidnapping, transcontinental trains, murder most foul, every time you read a Dick Francis you wonder how he will ever best that story. A year passed, and then another and another, and finally I thought there would be no new ones to read. I am delighted that Felix Francis may be able to carry on writing a good book, should his Father decide to retire. Many Sons have successfully continued their Father's characters and style, and added their own. Thanks for adding all the extra 'friends' to my life.

After I was "introduced" to Dick Francis a decade ago, I had a great time in the library, going through his many books. They are uniquely Dick Francis... he developed his own sub-genre of mystery writing. His last two, however, were, quite frankly, weak. Was this the end? Then came Dead Heat. It's got that poor guy who gets beat up and in over his head. It's got that bulldog determination to right a wrong, and get the bad guys. And it's got horses and horse racing. In other words, it is definitely Dick Francis. However, this time it is Dick Francis and son (Felix). The plot line is intriguing and sharp. Culinary mastermind Max puts together a catered dinner for 200 and most become desperately ill with "food poisoning." To make matters worse (much worse), the very next day, a bomb goes off in Max's next meal event. What is a restauranteur to do? Find out "who dun-nit." And that Max attempts to do, in typical Dick Francis style and grit. You know, his novels aren't great literature. They are just plain fun. Max is a realistic character, with his own set of trials and tribulations. But he's pissed off that somebody is trying to wreak his restaurant and his good name. He happens to also fall in love with something attached to a viola. So, welcome back to Mr. Francis, and welcome forward to son Felix. I know that I speak for other Dick Francis fans in saying we look forward to your next installment!