Date first published	1969
ISBN Number	0 330 02674 7
Page Count	206 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

no jockey likes being labelled a cheat. Least of all by a Stewards' Enquiry. Kelly Hughes career looks doomed. He knows he's been framed, but finding the reason could prove dangerous. Especially with a killer on his tail. Hughes' own enquiry uncovers dynamite that could blow the racing world apart. Only a few powerful, and violent men know the sordid secret, and they'll go to extraordinary lengths to keep it that way. Murder is just one option...

Review

I first read this novel a long time ago, and picked it up recently whilst feeling under the weather. I was shocked to discover how old this book is - 33 years old at the time of review. From the writing it has not dated that much, perhaps some of the attitudes have changed, and of course there are no mobile phones, or computers much in evidence.

Even in later books everyday gizmo's do not feature that much, and of course the use of modern technology makes a thriller that much easier to write. Stuck on a plot point? Get the character to look up some info on the internet.

The book is a great piece of writing. The shock that Kelly feels as his sentence is announced is almost palpable. However Hughes is not the target, like other stories, he is a casualty of a bigger war. However the power that is behind all this does not realise what they have unleashed until it is to late and they are being carted off for a state at HM's pleasure.

The book follows Kelly's stumble around trying to find out who framed him and why, and it is this that draws you into the book.He doesn't become a super detective overnight, but gradually narrows down the people likely to have set him up. This is made easier when an attempt is made on his life, and it is only pure chance that he escapes death by inches.

Once again there are two protagonists - I won't give too much away as it spoils the direction of the book, however the framing is done as an act of kindness to prevent the possibility of murder, unfortunately Hughes announces his innocence, and declares to find the truth sparks off another series of events.

Besides his the two organisers, they also employ a private detective, who is not above a bit of violence to get his way, and there is a fantastic fight scene that is gritty and brutal. When the thug gets his comeuppance there is a huge sigh of relief.

This is another brisk Dick Francis classic that has stood the test of time. Read and enjoy.

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