Dick Francis was a well-known British steeple-chase jockey who, after retiring from one profession, became an internationally known author of horse-racing mysteries.
Dick Francis wrote more than 40 novels, which were mainly stand-alone stories with a single central character. The main characters in each book were not repeated in other books. There was one exception due to one character becoming so popular that Francis’ readers asked for more. Thus, the author began the Sid Halley series.
Character Sid Halley was a steeplechase jockey until an injury left him with a crippled hand. He subsequently became a one-handed private investigator after discovering he had a natural affinity for the work. His specialty, due to his considerable knowledge of the horse racing industry, becomes centered around crimes related to racing. Dick Francis featured him in three novels.
Review of the First Three Novels Featuring Sid Halley
Odds Against (1965)
Former jockey Sid Halley landed a position with a detective agency following a career-ending injury. While setting a trap to catch a penny-ante thug, Sid lets down his guard and ends up getting shot.
While recovering from his bullet wound at the home of his former father-in-law, Charles, he is intrigued to learn that some invited weekend guests are planning a takeover of a famous race course with the intent of selling the land for housing and making a bundle. Charles wants Sid to prevent this from happening, but these criminals are experts and have gotten away with similar situations in the past.
Halley goes up against them, and finds the odds are against him succeeding, or even surviving.
Whip Hand (1979)
Sid Halley, ex-jockey turned detective, returns in the second book in the Sid Halley series. Sid lost his left hand due to an earlier racing accident and subsequent beating by thugs. Now he is spending his time working as an investigator, specializing in racing crimes, helped by fellow detective Chico Barnes.
Sid & Chico suddenly find themselves in the middle of investigating three different horse racing problems at the same time.
First, a trainer’s wife wants them to look into problems in her husband’s racing stables involving horses whose 2-year-old form are failing as 3-year-olds.
Then, Charles, Sid’s ex-father-in-law, asks Sid to find a man who has conned Sid’s ex-wife Jenny and left her in police trouble over a fake charity.
Finally, Sid & Chico are approached by both a racehorse owner and Lucas Wainwright, head of the Jockey Club’s security service, to look into certain syndicates which should not have gotten through the checking process.
A fascinating Dick Francis thriller.
Come to Grief (1995)
Sid Halley returns in book #3 in the series.
Still continuing to work as a private investigator, Sid goes to help solve the problem of who could have maimed a pony belonging to a little girl suffering from leukemia. While investigating, Sid discovers that there have been several shocking violent acts against horses left unattended overnight in fields.
Sid eventually becomes convinced that the perpetrator is one of racing’s most beloved figures - and a personal close friend. The case thus becomes the most troubling of his career.
Summary
These first three books in the Sid Halley series set the stage for a continuation of the series by Dick Francis’ son Felix. The rest of the series will be found in another review coming soon.
*The Sid Halley series of book reviews is written by Wednesday Elf
It sounds like a great series! Very interesting that the author transitioned from being a successful jockey to being a successful author. I would imagine being a jockey would be a very physically demanding job that would require early retirement. How awesome that he was able to use his experience to create a new occupation for himself.
ReplyDeleteALL Dick Francis' books are terrific, Mouse (IMHO). He was one of my most favorite writers (along with my daughter's). I own all his books and have reread them multiple times. His writing was THAT good. While he wrote mostly stand-alone books (each one having a different main character), this character - Sid Halley - became so popular with his readers that he has his own page on Wikipedia! Quite something for a fictional character.
DeleteAnd, yes, you are right about jockeys - especially steeplechase jockeys as Dick Francis was - that they are prone to early retirement. Most demanding sports take a toll on an athletic's body that results in 'retirement' from participation somewhere in one's 30's. :)
DeleteOh, and I meant to say, of course, I want to know who hurt the little girl's pony!
DeleteRay used to always read Dick Francis novels years ago. I have never read them but after your review I will have to give them a try.
ReplyDeleteI own all the Dick Francis and Felix Francis novels and reread them at least once a year. My daughter is also a fan and we often talk about the books and the characters as if they are old friends. :) Glad Ray enjoyed them too.
DeleteThese books sound like a great series with interesting stories. With the author having been a jockey I imagine there is a level of insight that you would not otherwise have in the book. Thank you for your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Raintree Annie. I especially enjoy the descriptions of the English countryside and the famous race courses, since Dick Francis (and now son Felix) are from England and almost all the stories take place there.
DeleteI will have to get these books for my granddaughters who are crazy for horses and horse stories. I love anything that keeps them reading and this series sounds like it's meant for them! Thanks for brining this to my attention Pat Austin!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit, Olivia.
DeleteIt’s quite impressive that Francis’s fans loved Sid Halley’s character so much that they begged for sequels to the first novel! Sounds like a terrific trilogy.
ReplyDeleteAs you will see in Part II of this series, Sid Halley is such a popular character that he now has his own page on Wikipedia. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful transition to make, and to read how much of an amazing writer he is has me intrigued. The fact that he has stand alone characters featured in the book series is appealing to me - versus continuation of the same story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my book reviews, Barbara.
Delete