Dick Francis Reading Group discussion

Even Money is due out in the US on August 25, 2009! I can hardly wait!

Book Description:
The New York Times–bestselling authors return with a heart-stopping new novel.

On the first day of Royal Ascot, the world’s most famous horse race, the crowd rejoices in a string of winning favorites. Ned Talbot has worked all his life as a bookmaker— taking over the family business from his grandfather— so he knows not to expect any sympathy from the punters as they count their winnings, and he his losses. He’s seen the ups and downs before—but, as the big gambling conglomerates muscle in on small concerns like his, Ned wonders if it’s worth it any more.

When a gray-haired man steps forward from the crowd claiming to be his father, Ned’s life is thrown into far deeper turmoil. He’d been told since he was a baby that his parents had died in a car crash.

Barely an hour later, his newly found father is stabbed by an unknown assailant in the Ascot parking lot. Blood oozing from his abdomen, his father warns Ned to "be very careful." But of whom? Of what? Ned finds himself in a race to solve his father’s riddle—a race where coming in second could cost him more than even money—it could cost him his life. . . .

Oh great! I just noticed this post, glad to hear a new one is coming out. Thanks. :)

Less than a month to go! Has anyone pre-ordered it? Or heard about a book signing schedule? I think for the past few books there have only been book signings in England.

I pre ordered with amazon.com, can't wait, watch for the post even though I know it will not be here yet!!

I got the notice that we are to start reading the book on the 25th, since it usually takes me one sitting, and the book is not here yet, I hope to be the first one to read it. Then I can make criptic comments for the rest of you! :) If they send it before the stores have it in! If not I may not be first, oh well :(

Fun, Bonnie! I look forward to your cryptic comments. :)

Did anyone rush out and buy it? I pre-ordered mine, but it looks like it won't ship until early next week.

I'm excited! A new Dick Francis! There just aren't enough of those in a lifetime.

I got my order shipping confirmation yesterday!
I am staying away from book stores, so I won't be tempted to get two copies!

Bonnie

I know what you mean, Bonnie. If I saw one in a bookstore right now, it would feel wrong to walk away without buying one. :)

Got mine, read it, made comment to some place and it is not here, hmmm.

bonnie, altoona fl

Bonnie, you've been sending your comments to our Yahoo email group. :)

Luann wrote: "Bonnie, you've been sending your comments to our Yahoo email group. :)" so how do I change that?

OOPs, sorry, did not mean to insult you, but it is different there.

Will have to look again at where that came up. on page 102 they mention 30-threes, and 106 someone take sixteens, neither of which show up anywhere in the explanation.

I looked up racing jargon, and since the lady won 50 pounds on a place bet, which would have paid less than a win bet, I think he was referring to the 6-1 odds against, which would have paid her 70 lbs to win.

On page 108 he refers to sevens, but the horse was mentioned two pages earlier at seven to one, so that would explain that term. But contadicts the idea of 16teens being 6/1.

and 30 threes, hmmm only one on there that comes close is 100/30, which pays off in 3.33 which might explain the short hand.

On page 304 in trying to lay off he refers to threes, and was given 5 to 2 which is just below 3/1 so threes is 3/1.

Good luck to people reading this in 50 yrs!

The other strange number fact was a car going 90 mph, when in England it would be in kilometers per hour. Don't know if the publisher changes that for the American printouts.

Me again, just got my issue of Horse illustrated and they feature an article with Dick and Felix about their writing together. Fun for a Fan!
Bonnie in Fla

Aha forgot something, thanks Joan for clearing up the mystery! I spent so much time in Spain and Italy, the cars all were made with kilos, probably by now they have both on the dial.
Bonnie

Bonnie wrote: "so how do I change that?"

It's not a problem, Bonnie. You are welcome to participate in both the email group and the GR group! (I would love it if more people would.) Except some people may not be in both groups, so they won't necessarily understand some of your comments that are responding to things people said in the email group. And people in the email group won't necessarily see things that are posted here.

Hi, I've been looking to see if anyone is discussing the new book. Am I looking in the wrong place?

Nope, this would be the place, Alison. Have you read it yet? What did you think? I just read it a few days ago. I wanted to LOVE it, but I only liked it. You can read more of what I thought here.

Hi Luann,
I agree - the book is good , but not the gripping stuff that is Dick Francis at his best. However, over the years there have been others that rate A-,rather than the A ++ books that we all know and re-re-re-read!

I finally got around to reading Even Money, and I really liked it. I had been putting it off for a long time for a number of reasons.
I was a little bit blown away to see the similarities between this book and a novel that I'm writing myself - protagonist who believes her father has been dead for decades finds out he's been alive and had another family on the other side of the country. He also dies right at the beginning of the story. The mother's name, Patricia, was even the same. I almost wish I hadn't read it til I finished writing mine! Now I'm wondering whether I need to rewrite portions of it.
Since mine's more a drama than a mystery, I think I'll be ok.

I liked Even Money better than Silks or Under Orders.