Dick Francis Reading Group discussion

Finally, a street date for the new Felix Francis book-- October 2,2012 for the hard back and Kindle additions. I don't see an audio version :-( It took a while before an audio version was released of Gamble, so I will be patient and wait for it rather than rushing off to buy the hard-back.

Great - I've enjoyed the Felix Francis books, and will look forward to it. Thanks for posting.

Okay, Bloodlines was released yesterday. Has anyone read it yet?

I read it, gave it 3 stars. Good solid effort from Felix, kind of predictable. When the library called last month to tell me the book I reserved had come in, I told a friend I was looking forward to reading it but there's only 1 Dick Francis. Currently reading our group member Sasscer Hill's "Racing From Death", at the halfway point I'm liking her book more than "Bloodlines".

I have Bloodlines on reserve at the library. I rarely buy books that I don't know I'm going to want to keep to re-read and so far none of the ones written with/by Felix Francis have gotten on that list.

Will have to try Hill and see how that goes. I'm still looking for even a close approximation to DF's writing.

Hi Sharon, I see you like horses so I'd be surprised if you didn't like "Racing From Death". Sasscer Hill is very strong with the racing/backside knowledge.

That is at the top of my 'to read' list now. I have trouble with most books that include horses because I grew up with them and have bred horses for years as well. Things like 'blue eyed white Arabs' will make me throw a book at the wall (my only objection to my Kindle is that it isn't 'throwable').

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about racing as I grew up in the west, but have always liked reading about it and the few horse races we had at the county fairs and the Indian relays. My father loved racing, he'd been a brush track jockey in SD when he was a kid and of course I grew up with the Black Stallion books.

What I always wanted to do was steeplechasing or eventing but never got to see an actual event course until I got to walk the course at the Rolex in the Kentucky Horse Park when I was 50. At that point, I looked at the big, solid jumps that were higher than my head and decided it was much too late in life to try.

I'm pretty sure Sasscer Hill also did some steeplechasing in her time:-) I've got her 1st novel yet to read, when I finish it I'll let you know how it is.

I am patiently waiting for this one to come out on Audible.

Library called and Bloodlines is waiting for me at the library. I know what I'm going to be doing this evening.

Several chapters in on Bloodlines and have to say this is the best of the Felix Francis books I've read so far. I haven't been a particular fan of the previous books but this one feels as if he's found himself comfortable with the writing.

Glad you're enjoying it Sharon. I finished that other Sasscer Hill book and enjoyed it a lot. Hopefully both her and Felix have something working for next year.

Just book the eBook version of Bloodline for my Nook & will start it tonight!

I just downloaded the Audible version and am about to begin. Another day shot; I won't get much accomplished until I finish.

Okay, I finished it but I'm withholding judgement until I read it again. I do however continue to think that it is well past time to get Dick's name out of the titles written by Felix. It bugs me to see Dick's name on the cover that he had absolutely nothing to do with and Felix is a big boy now and has proven that he can write a book and sell it on his own.

I was all set to be disappointed because this was the first book after Dick Francis's death. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The plot was very good and similar to other Dick Francis plots, plus some of the quotes and witticisms in the book were excellent. Only weakness was that the protagonist was not as well developed as I was used to with Mr. Francis. I give Felix 4 stars on his first solo writing effort.

I'm about half done, and it's taken a fair amount of discipline not to have stayed up late to be further along than I am. So far, this seems much smoother and cohesive than Felix's first solo effort, Gamble, and the various collaborations. I'm enjoying this immensely.

Message 16 (by me) was posted incorrectly and is an old review of Crossfire. Here is my review of Bloodline:

Based on other reviews of Felix's books from Dick Francis fans, I was prepared for another mediocre effort by Felix in an attempt to replicate his father's work. I was very pleasantly surprised. This was a great tale by Felix and, frankly, if I didn't know Felix had written it, I would have thought it to be not only one of Dick's, but one of his best.

The plot was very well thought out and Felix had obviously done a lot of research regarding the production of horse racing via television and other modern electronic communication. I also learned a lot about the betting process in Great Britain that I did not know previously.

Felix also did a very good job of creating and developing the protagonist and led us through his many trials and tribulations, much as his father used to do.

For me, Felix has now come of age as a writer. Let's give credit where credit is due and stop comparing him to the incompatible Dick Francis.

Finished and glad to say that this is one of those you hate to see end. I'd been a bit hesitant after the last few, but am very glad to say that Felix Francis has definitely come into his own with this one.

Finished this some time ago. I loved most of this and would definitely recommend it to people who are skeptical after the last few FF novels.

I just finished Bloodline - it was quite good, but I've enjoyed other DF/FF and FF books too. But one comments: I read lots of British police novels, and they don't take all the time off during a murder investigation that they did in this book.

"For me, Felix has now come of age as a writer. Let's give credit where credit is due and stop comparing him to the incompatible Dick Francis."

Agreed. We should not keep comparing son to father and that's one of the reasons why it is time to take father's name off the cover. How can you not compare the two when dad's name on the cover all but forces you to?