Dick Francis's Gamble

By: Felix Francis

Narrated by: John Keating

Felix Francis continues his father’s New York Times bestselling legacy with another edge-of-your-seat story that’s classic Francis.

Nicholas “Foxy” Foxton, a former jockey who suffered a career-ending injury, is out for a day at the Grand National races when his friend and coworker Herb Kovak is murdered, execution style, right in front of him—and 60,000 other potential witnesses. Foxton and Kovak were both independent financial advisers at Lyall Black, a firm specializing in extreme-risk investments.

As he struggles to come to terms with Kovak’s seemingly inexplicable death, Foxton begins to question everything, from how well he knew his friend to how much he understands about his employer. Was Kovak’s murder a case of mistaken identity...or something more sinister?

“[Felix Francis] has one priceless advantage. He couldn’t have had a better teacher.”—The Washington Times

©2011 Dick Frances Corporation (P)2011 Recorded Books

Wonderful

Not only is the plot a joy to read but John Keating did a great job as narrator.

Contrived

I am sorry to say this book was a disappointment. It is forced, contrived and rests much too much on fiddly details.

Couldn't put it down

If you could sum up Dick Francis's Gamble in three words, what would they be?

Sill has magic!

What did you like best about this story?

Plot, although a bit predictable after ready all his previous stories

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The narrator was quite irritating! Tevoice was the best I've heard

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Enjoyed it all

Any additional comments?

Will definitely not download books with this narrator again! Squeaky and child-like voice

Felix Took a Gamble

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I keep leaving this book and coming back to it, hoping I'll like it better. The main character is not the classic Dick Francis hero. The performance falls short.

If you’ve listened to books by Felix Francis before, how does this one compare?

I always liked the ones Felix wrote with his dad and Tony Brittain as performer is a hard act to follow.

What didn’t you like about John Keating’s performance?

John Keating is fast talking and sing song. Sing song drives me crazy: The beat to the words is da-da-da da. Gosh, I hope it is the reader, but the words fit right into the rhythm.

Do you think Dick Francis's Gamble needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I haven't finished this one yet, so, no, not a follow-up like this. I'm having a tough time getting through this one.

Any additional comments?

Why is it Dick Francis's gamble? If Dick's name is on it, I expect a continuity of style, heroic type, author confidences and life views shared with the listener. Felix continues his father's technique of educating the listener on a corner of life; but in this book, I felt Felix phrased investment information like he was talking down to us...rather like, 'stick this basic info into the text as straight info and then move on'...somehow Dick managed to weave the basics in without leaving the drama.

US-UK gambling scheme was interesting.

Way too much explanation regarding cancer and finance. Foxy chose an umbrella as his weapon and didn’t think about a knife, even though he was in the kitchen. Really?