Book Review: Risk

Reviewed By: Carl Brookins - RAM

Risk     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Dick Francis
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Horse Racing # 16
1994, Fawcett, 271 pgs.

Dick Francis has written a ton of mysteries and thrillers. Even though this one has a character, Roland Britten who persists in placing himself in repeated jeopardy, almost invites retaliation --and the baddies of course oblige. But readers will forgive this small lapse for the strong narrative. Few writers working today grab you the way Francis does. "Thursday, March 17, I spent the morning in anxiety, the afternoon in ecstasy, and the evening unconscious." Rouse your curiosity? It did mine.

Britten is an accountant and a part-time steeplechase jockey. Both professions combine to put the poor man at risk in this story. As an accountant he's been required by his sense of truth and justice and his professional ethics to report chicanery, malfeasance and outright fraud to the authorities. Such report coupled with testimony sends people to prison. Naturally those caught diddling the tax man and the public are not happy to be sent to jail. Released after serving time, are some of these culprits from Britten's past back in town looking for revenge?

Any time one is involved in an enterprise that involves the wagering of large sums of money, such as steeplechase racing, one should assume that one will associate with or at least come into casual contact with people looking for an edge. They may be touts, the gamblers, the owners, the jockey's or trainers. Or all of the above. Francis writes with an intimate and realistic view of the horse racing industry in England. That's one of his strengths, along with a strong narrative voice and pacing that cranks along at a fine pace.

All these plus intriguing characters, keep the reader turning the pages.

Carl Brookins - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carl Brookins - RAM

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