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Silks (Hardcover)

by Dick Francis (Author), Felix Francis (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Michael Joseph (4 Sep 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0718154576
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718154578
  • Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.2 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 40,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #9 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Authors, A-Z > F > Francis, Dick

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
There are few thriller writers who have had such long and distinguished careers as Dick Francis, and his lengthy series of books (with their zesty recreations of the racing world) are among many readers' favourite novels in the genre. Recently, ill-health seemed to threaten the author's reliable productivity, and the death of his wife (who had long been a behind-the-scenes collaborator on his books) made it appear that the golden days of the Dick Francis racing thriller were firmly in the past. However, here is Silks, the result of a collaboration between Dick Francis and his son Felix -- and it will be a welcome arrival for the legions of Francis admirers.

Julian Trent is found guilty of a violent unprovoked attack on an innocent family and a charge of attempted murder. He is accused by the judge of showing no remorse for his actions, but receives a remarkably light sentence. Surprisingly, this news is not welcome to his defence barrister, Geoffrey Mason, who was secretly hoping for a more severe judgement against his client, whom he does not like. Mason is a part-time jockey (this is a novel with Dick Francis's name on the jacket, after all), and when Mason dons his racing silks and travels to Sandown to follow his real passion -- riding a thoroughbred in a heated steeplechase -- he finds that he cannot leave the violence that is often the bread and butter of his profession behind him A fellow rider is savagely killed by a pitchfork driven through the chest, and there is a persuasive amount of evidence against champion jockey Steve Mitchell as the killer, but Mason becomes involved -- and finds all the various aspects of his life coalescing in a lethal fashion.

Dick Francis has 41 novels under his belt, and remains the consummate thriller practitioner. Felix, his son, had helped with the research on his father's novels over the last 40 years (notably Twice Shy, Shattered and Under Orders). Silks is their second full collaboration after Dead Heat, and should provides Francis aficionados with all the elements they've grown accustomed to. --Barry Forshaw

Review
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'A triumphant return to Francis family form' The Daily Mail 'A tremendous read' Woman's Own 'Still the master' Racing Post

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Silks
96% buy the item featured on this page:
Silks 4.1 out of 5 stars (18)
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£4.55
Dark Horse
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£3.99
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Bonecrack 4.0 out of 5 stars (2)
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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Lacking and lacklustre, 8 Dec 2008
I've been a Dick Francis fan for 25 years and have read and re-read everything he's written with glee and delight: even when the basic plots and what happened to the hero seem formulaic, the background research and the sparkling dialogue, and the quick way in which the author taught you about the new area of knowledge the book was dealing with always shone out against much less accomplished writers.

Sadly, the recent efforts lack that polish and clarity and Silks is even more longwinded than Dead Heat was. Perhaps some of the fault lies in the main character, a rather staid and straight-laced barrister who takes most of the book to be jolted out of his rather complacent life, but the dialogue seemed stilted, whole pages were devoted to complex backstory that previous books would have dashed off in a few succinct paragraphs, and overall I felt what was needed most was a good editor.

Once the story got going I did enjoy it, but getting to that point was a chore, no devouring page after page with gusto as in previous works.

Its great that Dick Francis is still writing, and I'm glad his son Felix is able to work with him but I suspect what we're really lacking here is the fine and sure touch of his wife Mary; it must be hard to change a writing team that had honed its skills to perfection. This is readable, and somewhat fun, but I hope the next book sees Dick and Felix getting into their stride.

Not one I'll be re-reading, sad to say and three stars mainly because even a poor Dick Francis is still a Dick Francis
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26 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars RACE PAST THE FINISH LINE WITH THIS FATHER&SON TEAM, 1 Sep 2008
By mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
Fear and gross inhumanity gain the edge in this new story by father & son writers Dick and Felix Francis. Previously they wrote "Dead Heat" together; Felix has also sleuthed much background material over the years. In "SILKS" they build on a successful pattern that had been enhanced by the sensitive touch of Dick Francis' late wife Mary.

The familiar locales, racetracks, pubs, roundabouts, flowered countryside form a background for an informative under-story woven throughout this narrative: a history of the English system of courts & law. It is a satisfyingly palatable way to understand some of the differences between 'their ways' and ours in the USA. And how about staying the night in that fascinating Oxford hotel transformed from local prison? Reading contemporary mysteries, the reader is sometimes exposed to a sort of Wikipedia or 101 level course about industries, burial customs, you name it.

Should we care that racing is at a minimum in this second team effort? I prefer more racing thrills to getting pasted with the decidedly un-silky overdose of man's inhumanity. Geoffrey Mason is a barrister with dreams of rising to "Q.C." (or "silks"). He fulfills his boyhood dream of riding steeplechase, has amateur status and his own beautiful mount "Sandeman." It wasn't Mason's choice to be gathering evidence to prove the innocence of a fellow jockey accused of murder. But the barrister becomes the victim of frightful intimidation that follows him, and others, through the entire story. The book flap states that Mason "is left fighting a battle of right or wrong ... " Unfortunately "right" doesn't necessarily bring a satisfactory conclusion any more than war does. In this mystery some struggles perhaps reflect autobiographical events the two authors have experienced in the past few years. Even though living in the Caribbean, Dick Francis may not yet have felt the ocean's healing power.

There are characters and a pace in the Francis novels that have staying power even when violence 'sticks in the craw' ... This reader is left with a most unpleasant taste as my hopes of declaring a second to my 1989 favorite (("STRAIGHT" ~~ isbn # 0399134700)) were smashed in the final pages, I was dismayed to have raced to an ending of such ugly brutality.

(commentary-with-a-small-"c" by mcHaiku from INDIANA/USA)
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best from Francis in a long time, 6 Nov 2008
By L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
First sentence: "Guilty."

Barrister and amateur jockey Geoffrey Mason, known as `Perry Mason' by his racing friends. He had once successfully defended a violent young man, Julian Trent. Trent, found guilty nonetheless and swearing revenge against Mason, is now being released on appeal.

Mason receives a call from fellow jockey, Steve Mitchell. Steve has been arrested for the murder of another jockey, the hatred between the two of known was well known. Mason first receives a warning and then a beating, instructing him to lose the trial and ensure Mitchell is convicted. Mason realizes his only option is to stand up to Trent, but a at the risk of his life and those he loves.

Even though this was written by Dick and Felix Francis, I'm going to refer to them as singular. Francis has such a wonderful voice. He has a way of drawing you into the story, a way of explaining things that make the information fascinating and an excellent ear for dialogue. I appreciated his including information on English law.

Francis creates great characters. His protagonist isn't particularly brave and strong, but he is stubborn and determined, and his villains are about as villainous as they come. I liked that he made the point about not understanding how hard it is to stand up against violence and intimidation. It was nice to see the hero actually get the girl in this story.

The story was similar to a horse race in that it milled out a bit in the beginning giving you background information, took off with sudden action and built in pace and suspense up to the end. Even the courtroom scenes, which were so well done, had an element of suspense.

Portents are something I normally hate and the one early in the book wasn't necessary. I also don't usually like when authors hold information back from the reader, but here it worked. Thinking back, I probably could have anticipated many of the turns in the plot, but I was so engrossed in the story, I didn't take the time to analyze as I read. And that's what makes Francis, Francis; you jump on and go to the end. The ending is violent and bothers some people; however, I felt he addressed the age-old question of legality versus justice.

This was definitely the best Francis book I've read in a long time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars His worst book
I'd had this book for a week before I had time to read it and was looking forward to it very much. I have all of his other books and have read them several times. Read more
Published 21 hours ago by R. Webb

5.0 out of 5 stars SILKS BY DICK FRANCIS
Birthday present for a partially sighted person who says:-
Could not put the 'book down' - thougherly enjoyed it and the lovely
voice of Martin Jarvis. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mrs. Beryl J. Mottram

3.0 out of 5 stars spell binding story telling that we have learnt to enjoy from Dick Francis.
Geoffrey is a defence barrister and an amateur jockey. After hearing his client Julian Trent receive 8 years for actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and attempted murder he... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lizzie Hayes

4.0 out of 5 stars Silky Francis


For over fifty years since he famously rode Devon Loch in the Grand National, Dick Francis has made a living out of writing stories about the horse racing world with... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Neutral

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Dick Francis novel
The book arrived in excellent condition, just as described. Another great story from Dick Francis and his son Felix using their knowledge of the horse world set into a... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Val

4.0 out of 5 stars silks
very good, most enjoyable, my husband is disabled and finds it difficult to read, but still enjoys easy to listen to stories.
Published 5 months ago by J. S. Inns

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent service
Excellent service from supplier, product was for a Christmas present
for a visually impaired friend who appeared pleased with it.
Published 5 months ago by J. Hubbard

3.0 out of 5 stars More cotton than silk!
Great story, exciting plot, and quite a good read, but lacking in the femine touch that brings depth and richness to the story. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. B. H. Ridley

5.0 out of 5 stars Legal Challenge
SilksI bought this book as a Christmas present for my wife. She is a keen Dick Francis fan, and owns almost every book that he has written. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr M G Dunstall

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't stop before the end!
A different type of Dick Francis story with racing only appearing to be in the background. However as the saga progresses racing, horses and all things connected with them become... Read more
Published 7 months ago by C. Shepherd

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