Shattered
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3.7 • 23 Ratings
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time
'An excellent, gripping story in true Francis style' 5***** Reader Review
'As always, Dick Francis keeps you reading until you get past the finishing post!' 5***** Reader Review
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Cheltenham Races, New Year's Eve.
Gerard Logan witnesses the death of his close friend, jockey Martin Stukely, after a fall from his horse. In the aftermath, Gerard is left to pick up the pieces - including a mysterious unmarked videotape that Martin secretly left him.
But before Gerard gets to watch it, the videotape is stolen.
And soon further crimes against Gerard and those close to him start to occur. What was on the missing videotape? And why are the attacks continuing?
In order to stay alive, Gerard needs to keep one step ahead of his enemies and uncover the truth - before his livelihood and everything he loves is shattered for good . . .
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Reflex is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis.
Praise for Dick Francis:
'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror
'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman
'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph
'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life
'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard
'Still the master' Racing Post
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Francis's latest may be one of his less memorable rides, but even at 80, the old master proves he can still go all out in the final stretch. The hero here is Gerard Logan, a dashing English bachelor who owns and operates his own glassblowing shop in a charming village in the Cotswolds, popular with other artisans and tourists. Logan's problem is that his good friend, jockey Martin Stukely, gave him a videotape shortly before dying in a fall during a steeplechase at Cheltenham racetrack. That videotape is now missing, stolen by a tall, bearded gent who made off with it while Logan's back was turned. Now, a crew of thugs wants the tape. They are led by the cruel, aptly named Rose Payne, a ruthless bookmaker who knows what's on the tape--medical breakthrough secrets worth millions--and will do anything to get it. Logan tries to reason with Payne, saying he no longer has the video, and besides, he doesn't even know what it contains. But Rose won't give up. She and her crew beat up Logan on several occasions, viciously trying to break his wrists so he can no longer practice his craft. Logan, no slouch when it comes to payback, finally mounts an all-out defense that includes not only physical reprisals, but also a crafty recovery of the missing object. Francis's 41st novel (To the Hilt; 10 Lb Penalty; etc.) lacks the pounding drive of his best efforts, and several elements of the plot are hard to swallow without cutting the author a lot of slack. Yet the spirited repartee, cleverly laid cues, infectiously likable characters and bang-up finale are all vintage Francis, and the fascinating glimpses the novel furnishes into the glassblowing trade are a bonus. 300,000 first printing.
Customer Reviews
Mr
The worst Dick Francis book I have ever read, and I've read almost all of them. The plot is non existent, the characterisation awful, and the writing infantile.
Absolutely awful