Odds Against (Sid Halley #1)

A 38 slug enters Sid Haley's side and he is jerked out of a deep depression as he has watched his arm, his career and marriage ground under flashing hooves. Thus Dick Frances introduces one of his most popular characters in ODDS AGAINST. Sid is working in a detective agency at the instigation of his ex-father-in-law, while trying to put his life of steeplechasing behind him. A small set up goes haywire and Sid is pitched into the world of racing from the outside of the rail. A job he thinks he hates until it is almost destroyed. Fast action, great prose, tense drama, and the reader enters Sid's world. Mystery fiction at its best, told by a master of the genre. Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

This is one of the author's early novels and the first one in the series about ex-jockey turned PI Sid Halley. This novel introduces the character, his past, his father-in-law, his work associates, etc. The first three novels about Halley, Odds Against, Whip Hand, and Come to Grief, can also be found in the combined omnibus edition, Win, Place, or Show. The novel is very good and has survived the test of time, i.e., it is still an interesting plot 40 years after it was written. Sid Halley came from an impoverished background and had to leave school as a teenager. He was apprenticed as a jockey and by the time he was 18 her was a success. He made good investments and is also moderately wealthy. An accident ended his career as a jockey, and he has been employed, more or less, in a PI firm. Events lead him into a case involving an unscrupulous businessman who is trying to acquire racetrack property for personal profit. Like many businesses, the assets (in this case land) are undervalued in relation to the stock price, making a racetrack a takeover target. There are some surprises as the story progresses. The novel deals with adult situations. There is little sexual content, mostly by reference, but considerable violence.

Dick Francis is wonderful. "Odds Against" is the first introduction to ex-jockey turned private investigator Sid Halley. I found this book to be enthralling. Dick Francis paints pictures with words! Simply the best! A must read.

I give ***** to the verson read by Ian McShane (avoid the other readers). I enjoyed McShane's read voice. Some actor/readers, try to act took much when they read - I mean males doing higher voices for females are such a pain. McShane give the right tone, a narrator and is it an enjoyed voice that carries you vividly into the world of ex-jockey Sid Halley. Injured in a riding accident, he now is a Enquiry agent/security expert that is looking into the strange accidents happening and Seabury Race Course. Dick Francis' writing, quite naturally, is excellent, though it is McShane excellent narration that has me listening to this tape again and again. I have given it several times and gifts and recommended it to friends. All have thanked me for the enjoy listen.

This was the first book I have read by Dick Francis , and all I can say is......wow. Everything about this book was great: characters, plot, action.... I can't wait to read the next one and then all the rest of them. I especially like the fact that the hero is not some superman who is always one step ahead of a dim-witted criminal adversary, but just an ordinary joe thrust into a very bad situation. the horse racing angle is also an interesting backround. you can't miss with this one!!