For Kicks

I agree completely with the other reviewers. This is a terrific suspense novel that happens to give insight into British racing, the class system and each and every character. While I have read all the Dick Francis books, this is the one that I go back to and reread every year or so. Its quiet, understated tone still builds up to suspense and excitement. His earlier books (like this one) are the best, as far as I am concerned, and the most recent one or two are not worth reading. p.s. On a visit to England, I took great joy in going to Newmarket and watching the horses out for practice early in the morning. It felt as if I was in the middle of a Dick Francis book. My husband and daughter, also fans, felt the same.

This is the very first Dick Francis book I've ever read, recommended to me by my father. I certainly have enjoyed the flow of the characterizations, plots, and twists. The short stories are reminiscent of the Hitchcockian type plots. Slime deserves slime. After having read these stories, I am now anxious to read a novel of his. I give it a thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Hitchcock Mystery Magazine short stories.

This is a truly excellent collection of short stories! Dick Francis takes short departures from his typical style to bring us a grouping of stories painting vivid pictures of people we've all known. I liked these stories even better than his books, because he breaks out of his traditional formula and gives us some neat surprises.

I've read ALL of Dick Francis and these stories are in the classic Dick Francis style that we all know: crisply written, tight plots, good characters, and the same suspense that you find in his full-length novels. His horse details are very, very accurate and, even if you don't know horses, you leave with a lot of knowledge about them. Most of all, these stories are great entertainment.

I have purchased and read (many times over) every Dick Francis story ever written and published. I've stood in line to have his books autographed and noencounter with him - in person or in print has ever disappointed. This collection of short stories is no exception. The genre can be difficult and is not suited for everyone, but Mr. Francis does his usual grand job and I loved every minute!