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Title: Francis at his worst so far.
Review: Having read this book, I have come to the sad conclusion that perhaps Dick Francis has finally written one book too many. Certainly he is far off the form that produced such winners as the Sid Halley books, Bonecrack, or The Danger, to mention just a few. In this one, the plot is weak and obvious, the characters poorly developed (except for the clothes they wear, their looks, and their inevitable purity or villainy), and the outcome entirely predictable. I felt with some dismay that it's probably time for Francis to retire from his second profession, although I will miss him as will his many other devoted readers. But this would be a far better choice than to watch his high-energy thoroughbred writing style become that of a mere hack.
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