The Edge

by Dick Francis

Book Overview

Undercover operative Tor Kelsey just received his make-or-break assignment: masquerading as a waiter on The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train -a high-class horse-racing junket for the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039913414X
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Putnam Pub Group
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.4" x 1.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Mystery Train Adventure

This Francis novel combines racehorses with a Canadian rail excursion. If you love trains, this is the Francis novel for you. While the hero, Tor Kelsey is trying to outthink a villain, the race train riders are having a murder mystery enacted by professional actors. But who are the actors and who are the real villains? Take this thrilling ride to find out.

The Edge - Is it a railroad or horse racing mystery?

While Dick Francis is best known for his easy-going mysteries involving horse racing, this book can be called one of the better railroad mystery novels. It may not be in the same class as Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, but most of the action does take place either on board a train or at a race track. Like most railroad mystery novels, the setting and details are at least partially contrived. Imagine crossing Canada on a private train known as The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train which transports racegoers, horse owners and their horses while making stops for horse races. Railfans will find a lot of interest here including a private car, schedules, dispatching, switching, flagging, white flags, and even rail sabotage. Our hero, Tor Kelsey from the English Jockey Club, comes on board the train in disguise to watch a British horse owner suspected of murder and extortion. Tor immediately gets involved with the crew and with train activities. Particularly noteworthy is the mystery within a mystery as actors present an on-board mystery as the train (and story) progresses. Unusual for Francis, there is also a romantic theme. Our hero meets and becomes interested in a young lady, and this also develops as the train speeds on. This novel is not a nail-biter but moves along at the typical Francis leisurely but entertaining pace. He does a masterful job of interweaving so many different themes (horse racing, railroading, sabotage, romance, and a mystery play) into one great story,

My favorite Dick Francis -- and I've read 'em all

I've read "The Edge" at least a dozen times since it was published and my enjoyment never diminishes. The lead character, Tor Kelsey, is full of charm, wit, and plenty of humility -- his self-effacing ways lead one to wonder how it is he doesn't realize his own attractive nature. The romantic relationship in this book was one of the most realistic ones Mr. Francis has ever written, possibly because the two involved spend enough time together to develop a real rapport (unlike some of his other "romances", where the man and woman meet and suddenly have deep feelings for one another). While "The Edge" is less of a mystery than other books -- we know Julius Apollo Filmer's a bad guy from the start -- the characters are incredibly well-written and the book becomes more about seeing why Filmer does what he does and how he's going to get caught. The Lorrimore family especially was very well-crafted, from the needy and petulant daughter Xanthe to screwed-up teenage son Sheridan to the "money can't buy you everything" father Mercer. On top of everything else, Mr. Francis captures the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and the excitement of traveling by train. I know that before I die I will have to take a train trip across Canada, and that's due to this book.

A wonderful read

I'll admit I had some trouble getting into it, but after the first few chapters I loved the book. I was unsure what I would think at first. I'd never read anything by Dick Francis before and I knew nothing about racing, but Francis fit a wonderful plot into this book.

Great Read!

I enjoyed this one more than any other Francis I've read. The horses are not the focus this time, but the romance and suspense of a train ride make for a terrific mystery setting. As always, the lead character is immensely likeable.