Date first published	28/09/2023
ISBN Number	978-1 80418 321 2
Page Count	383 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Theo Jennings is a young auctioneer at the Thoroughbred sales ring in Newmarket. The October yearling sales are where the big money exchanges hands in frenzied auctions: millions are paid for horses tthat are as yet unnamed, untested and have never taken a step on the track.

It is the greatest test in all of horseracing, and one that can end in ruin.

Theo has just made the biggest sale of his life when he overhears a secret conversation between the two bidders - can they really have colluded to fix the price of his big sale? When the same horse is found dead the next morning, Theo has no choice but to investigate, even against the wishes of his boss. But the more he uncovers, the less he can trust those around him.

The higher the stakes the greater the risk. In the bloodstock game, the ultimate price can be murder...

Review

After the dip in quality, of Iced, there was an improvement with Hands Down, and I'm pleased to say that the improvement has continued.

Like many of the best Francis books, the story is set within the backdrop of the horseracing world, but not centred on the actual racing. Rather a connection, which in this case is slightly tighter than some, such as glass blowing, wine dealing, corporate banking. However it doesn't linger too long on the inner workings of bloodstock sales, just enough to understand the basics of the sales ring, and doesn't actually help in the explanation of the scam behind the plot - all to do with VAT, and not insurance fraud!

Theo hears the secret conversation, however because the men involved are big spenders, the auctioneers boss doesn't want to ruffle feathers, and so tries to sweep it under the carpet. Like all good heros, Theo decides to try and find out what is happening, but soon finds himself out of his depth, especially when an attempt is made to run him down. Along the way he meets a girl, in a traumatised family, which is forever looking over there shoulders.

Things become even darker, when his principle suspects also start dying, and suddenly we are faced with the typical Francis foe, the man/woman in the shadows with a lot to lose. There is also an attempt at mis-direction, with all the fingers pointing in one direction, but in reality the enemy is someone completly different.

The romance seems to be a bit of an add on in the early stages, especially with the neurotic family, however it becomes key to resolving who and what is behind the attacks. After being taken hostage, Theo's way out is rather brutal, and even though he could leave the culprit to a fiery death, rescues him. However the culprit attempts to kill himself but only succeeds in turning himself into a vegtable, unable to face the full face of the law. This has happened in two or three stories in the past.

As with any Francis novel the characters are lightly sketched, just enough for them to be recognisable. Although there are some interesting secondary characters, such as the office bully who also has to be put in his place.

The story clips along, with the usual obdurate police, being more of a hindrance than help, looking for the easy answer to who has been responsible for the deaths.

A good story, some interesting characters, and a satisfying end to the story, which is not rushed, unlike some of the other stories by Felix.

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