Even Money

Interesting point of view

I was surprised by some of the negative reviews. I actually really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The handling of mental illness was done well and the characters were likeable.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not the Dick Francis I know and Love

I have read every Dick Francis novel and even preordered Even Money because I was so excited to see that a new book was being released. However, within the first few pages I could tell that Dick Francis probably did not contribute much to this book. One of the great aspects of a Dick Francis novel is that you get to know and care about the main character very quickly (for example Sid Halley). The stories were always exciting and pulled you in. When Silks was released I was excited to see that Felix Francis was writing with his father. I thought that the Francis style would continue on. But that does not seem to be the case. Even Money seems to drag along at a very slow pace and is laden with details about horse betting that do not advance the story. Also, even though Dick Francis novels are centered around horse tracks in Britain, there is much more vernacular in this book than any of the other books. So I am very disappointed; I miss the Dick Francis style that I have come to love.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another winner from Dick Francis

Ned Talbot runs his grandfather's bookmaking (as in gambling) business with a young computer expert named Luca. Life is going by day after day until a stranger introduces himself to Ned at the Ascot races. From there, Ned discovers far more than he ever planned and uncovers secrets from both the present and the distant past.

This mystery is more like three mysteries in one, all with Ned as the critical component. Ned is such an interesting character and has a lot of depth. He deals with real issues concerning his family, his past, and his business. And it all comes together at the end in a complex ending that will have you turning the last 70 pages and not putting it down.

I admit that I'm a huge fan of Dick Francis, and if you like his books you'll find another winner here. I was not disappointed with this one, and read it straight through. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery/thriller.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Dick and Felix Francis once again affirm that a father-son writing team can provide quality mysteries

The first day of the Royal Ascot horse races gala was like any other opening at the prestigious event and Ted Talbot, his co-worker Luca, and their assistant Betsy are taking book from the punters. Out of the crowd comes an elderly man demanding to speak with Ted. He insists that he is Peter James Talbot, Ted's father. This is a shocker as Ted was raised by his paternal grandparents who claimed his parents died in a car crash.

Peter informs his still stunned son that he has two half-sisters living in Australia, but before they can get into a car, two thugs demand the older Talbot hand over the money. During the subsequent brawl, James is injured and rushed to the hospital where he dies. Ted goes to his dad's hotel room and finds proof that his father was involved in an illegal activity. The thugs still demand their loot and the code used on chips that are imprinted and then inserted into the horses. Ted's life is in jeopardy but he also wants justice for his father and the insurance these punks will not go after him or his loved ones in the future. He ignores the cops because the lead police officer investigating his father's death assumes he is guilty of something.

Dick and Felix Francis once again affirm that a father-son writing team can provide quality mysteries. Readers are caught up in British horse racing (a trademark of father) and the shenanigans that occur away from the track including some instigated by Ted. Still he receives plenty of empathy as criminals are coming after him as the likely recipient of his father's legacy, he has a mentally ill wife institutionalized, and a co-worker wanting to be his partner in the family business. With plenty of thrills, chills, and spills EVEN MONEY is a sure bet.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another winner!

I am so glad Mr. Francis is back to writing. You can tell his son is assisting with the writing; it's not quite the same but it is VERY close to the original Dick Francis style. What I think is different, and not quite as good, is the depth of the plot. But it is a great mystery, thrilling and minus the stupid blood/gore of some mysteries. I look forward to more from the Francis's.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Even Money

Worst book Dick Frances has ever written, if he actually wrote this.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

What are the odds?

Once again Dick Francis takes us behind the scenes and shows us the world of the bookmakers plying their trade at the race track. How the odds are set and then reset based upon the amount of bets placed before each race. The gamemanship between the on tract bookies and the large off track betting houses to assure that they always end up after each race paying out less then they take in. To complicate our bookmaker's life, he is confronte by his father who was supposedly been long dead, only to have him murdered a few hours later. Now our bookie must find his father's killer while he keeps hie eye on the odds. Great relaxing read for a day at the beach or curled up in fromt of a fire on a cold night.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A great Book!!!!!

As usual Dick & Felix Francis have teamed up for a great book. It is exciting and you like the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a great murder mystery.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have read every Dick Francis book

but this one falls a bit short. Too much slogging through the technicalities of what a bookmaker's life is like to get to the plot and the mystery. I was disappointed because I just wanted to have a good read that took me away like the Dick Francis of old but this was more of a how to be a bookmaker mixed in with a plot that could have been expanded and thus more interesting to the reader.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Ok, not the best

Read above.

Good book

This was a good book. I would recommend it to others and will read/listen to books by the Francis' again.

Not the best Dick Francis entry.

Really not a very intersting book. There are lots better Dick Francis books than this one.

Even Money

This is a good book! However, as with all of Dick Francis' books, it is hard to get into. Once you get into it, it takes off and has a life of it's own.

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