Date first published	Sept. 2015
ISBN Number	978 0718 17884 0
Page Count	425 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Jeff Hinkley is operating as an undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, he is approached by champion jockey Dave Swinton to discuss the delicate matter of his losingraces on purpose. Little does Jeff realise that his visit to Swinton'd house will result in a brutal attempt on his life.

Shortley after Jeff narrowly escapes a certain and grisly death, the charred body of Dave Swinton is found in his burnt out car at a deserted beauty spot in Oxfordshire. The police seem to think it's suicide, but Jeff is not so sure. He starts to investigate the races that Swinton could have intentionally lost, but instead soon discovers that there are those who would prevent him from doing so at any cost.

Review

This is the second outing for Jeff Hinkley, and is a better, more rounded story than his first outing which I felt was slightly lacking. With this story we do get to meet the villain before the last chapter.

Like many of Dick Francis books in the past this one is topical, picking up on the furore of tax evasion and sheltering money off shore. A topic that has rumbled on in the UK for nearly 12 months at the time of writing.

What I liked about the book was that from a fairly early point in the story you are wrong footed into thinking that Swintons death and the attacks on Jeff are linked, whereas, the attempts on his life are as the result of one of those random events, that at the time has little meaning. The first attack on Jeff does have a bearing on the horse racing fiddle, but the main thrust of the story moves off shore. I won't say anymore as it might spoil your enjoyment of the book.

Like all good stories the hero is a slightly lonely person using work to hide his loneliness since his girlfriend upped sticks and left. He meets someone new, but it is she that ultimately nearly gets him killed, on his first holiday for three years. (Who said holidays were good for you!).

One area not completely cleared up relates to the kidnappers accomplice, who by the stories end had stilled not been arrested, so a possible follow up could follow.

To sum up a more complete novel, with a couple of nice turns, a couple of red herrings, and also some character building, so we understand a bit more about Jeff and family life.

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