'Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. However, three in a single afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow.' It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley. Former champion jockey Halley knows the perils of racing all too well - but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds jockey Huw Walker - who, only a few hours earlier, had won the coveted Triumph Hurdle. ...
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'Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. However, three in a single afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow.' It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley. Former champion jockey Halley knows the perils of racing all too well - but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds jockey Huw Walker - who, only a few hours earlier, had won the coveted Triumph Hurdle. Just moments before the gruesome discovery, Halley had been called upon by Lord Enstone to make discrete enquiries into why his horses appeared to be on a permanent losing streak. Are races being fixed? Are bookies taking a cut? And if so, are trainers and jockeys playing a dangerous game with stakes far higher than they realise? Halley's quest for answers draws him ever deeper into the darker side of the race game, in a life-or-death power play that will push him to his very limits - both professionally and personally. In his first new novel for six years, Dick Francis returns to prove once again that he is the Grand Master of thriller writing.
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Add this copy of Under Orders to cart. $0.99, very good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
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Very Good. . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Add this copy of Under Orders to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Add this copy of Under Orders (Sid Halley) to cart. $1.22, good condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Putnam.
Add this copy of Under Orders (a Dick Francis Novel) to cart. $1.25, good condition, Sold by Once Upon A Time Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tontitown, AR, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
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This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
Add this copy of Under Orders (Sid Halley) to cart. $1.25, good condition, Sold by Once Upon A Time Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tontitown, AR, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Putnam.
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Good in good dust jacket. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
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Add this copy of Under Orders to cart. $1.26, very good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Putnam Publishing Group.
Add this copy of Under Orders to cart. $1.26, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Putnam Publishing Group.
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Good. Former Library book. All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
I am not a "literary critic", just a life long fan of this writer! When Francis first started writing I hung on every book he wrote, mentally encouraging him to hurry and write the next one. I always appreciated each book standing on its own as I was extremely poor so when I was able to actually buy a book I didn't have to worry about it needing a prequel or a sequel.
I knew nothing of horse racing or the horse "world". I was merely a kid that loved horses and mysteries. I have read every book he has written with some having a slightly different slant, as this book did, but he, in my opinion, always stayed true to what he personally knew-horses. I do not think ANY of his books will disappoint!
AND long live his son, Felix, traveling in Dad's same direction!
roan
Sep 30, 2007
not one of his best
One certainly doesn?t need to be an equine lover to enjoy Dick Francis? novels. His characters are diverse and interesting and the plot twists are practically scary. Each story has a sort of theme. One was about abstract painting. Another focused on a survivalist/travel writer. A great one, Proof, involved liquor stores. Under Orders is mainly about online gambling sites and the inherent pitfalls. There is still the same first-person narration in that smooth voice he manages to write down very well. There?s much more of a risqué aspect than his other books. Normally, this is done rather tastefully, but here it?s as if he?s attempting to cater to pulp fiction standards. There?s nothing cool about that. The twists and turns are still there and it is a good story. Sadly, this just doesn?t measure up to his others novels. Field of Thirteen was a decent book, but showed signs of a downturn. Under Orders is evidence that while Francis has had a great run, he?s past the goal post and needs to get off the track or find a different race.
Genie
Apr 23, 2007
Dick's 39th Novel
In this fast-paced, action-packed novel, Dick Francis gives us a bird's-eye view of online gambling and race-fixing. As ever, the characters are fascinating and believable and once you've started, it is difficult to put the book down. At 87, Francis is assuredly a grand master of crime fiction!
Sydasacres
Apr 2, 2007
Fun and Full of Surprises
Not the best Dick Francis book I have read, but definitely an enjoyable read that will leave you happy at the outcome.
