To the Hilt

One of our favorite Dick Francis, TO THE HILT has both suspense and the British humor, which is sly and cunning. Alexander Kinlock is the odd ball of his family. But his uncle, the Earl, understands the reclusive personality of an artist who earns a decent living with renderings of the game of golf. Summoned from his lair by his step-father, he is confronted by death, the necessity of hiding a horse and saving the brewery, which is the main stay of the family business. Hiding family treasures is Alex's forte along with his visionary paintings. If you haven't read this one, find it and do, it is mystery, chaos and family at its best. Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

The main character of Dick Francis' "To the Hilt" is twenty-nine year old Alexander Kinloch whose only desire is to spend time alone painting. Unfortunately for him, Alexander is thrust into a plot involving the theft of million from his stepfather's, Ivan Westering's, brewery. Alexander is asked for his help in hiding Ivan's two treasures, the King Alfred cup and Golden Malt, a valuable racing thoroughbred. But soon Alexander realizes that not only will he have to protect these two items at the same trying to find out where the embezzled money went, he must also watch out for himself as things turn from worse to deadly...My second Dick Francis novel to read, I found "To the Hilt" a totally enjoyable read. Very exciting and suspenseful, there's a lot of mystery. Alexander is a delightfully fun character, you can't help but feel sorry for him as he gets more and more involved in helping his stepfather although the only thing he wants to do is paint. Dick Francis must also be applauded for his array of interesting characters. There's the jealous stepsister Patty who would do anything to discredit Alexander, Alexander's uncle Robert the Earl, Oliver Grantchester the lawyer, and more. But probably my most favorite characters is 'Young and Uttley', who is really just one person. I love how he has so many disguises. I cracked up laughing at one part where Alexander tries not to reveal that his 'lady-friend' is actually his 'Young and Uttley' bodyguard!...

My Grandmother (of all people) turned me on to Dick Francis. I have never been to England, don't especially like horses, and have never seen a horse race in my life and I LOVE THIS AUTHOR! This book, in particular, is one of his very best. If you haven't tried Dick Francis, this is a great one to cut your teeth on.

I absolutely loved this book! The best thing about it is the end, when it is so tense that you feel like screaming or something. But then Francis is also able to use a little humor to defuse it, embodied in the cross-dressing bodyguard. I hope that Dick Francis never stops writing books!

Dick Francis's To the Hilt, May be read without any guilt -- The man's at the top of his game, Though his heroes are always the same-- This one's named Al, he's a Scot, Who gallops through the usual plot -- Some thugs search him out; beat him up, To lay hands on the King Alfred Cup -- The cup causes all sorts of bother, In service of his ailing step-father -- Who's moping around in a funk, 'Cause his treasurers gone;done a bunk -- His brewery's money is gone, Can Al help the plant carry on? -- He hides his kinsmen's chief pleasures, The cup, hilt and some other treasures -- Among them a thoroughbred horse; You knew there was one, of course -- Does he put all the bad guys to rout? Well, read the book and find out! -- If mystery tales are your style, This one's a guaranteed smile