Come to Grief

by Dick Francis

Book Overview

When ex-jockey Sid Halley becomes convinced that one of his closest friends--and one of the racing world's most beloved figures--is behind a series of shockingly violent acts, he faces the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0330347772
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Ltd
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 1.3" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

A Sophisticated Thriller

Dick Francis wrote only three books about Sid Halley, a former jockey turned investigator, and in each book, Sid and his views about his crippling injury change just a little. In COME TO GRIEF, Francis tells us right up front who the villain is, a "least likely" suspect indeed. Ellis Quint is a former champion amateur jockey, a friend and rival to Sid in his halcyon days, and a man who has gone on to outstanding success as a TV commentator and talk show host. So why would such a man stoop to crippling ponies and racehorses by chopping off their feet? It's a mesmerizing picture: Sid reluctantly investigating and Ellis going to the brink, both men sharing a nature that loves and craves risk. Francis points this up in the character of Jonathan, a bored almost-delinquent, who got into trouble with his friends for stealing a car. Jonathan at this point could go either way: full fledged criminal or hot-shot investigator. As in all Dick Francis, there's such forward momentum to the plot that the book is hard to put down. Even though we know "who done it" it's not apparent that the criminal will ever be found guilty. I peg this as one of Francis's best.

This Book Will not Bring Grief

Sid Halley is one of Dick Francis' most intriguing characters. A former jockey, he is left less than whole due to an accident. He becomes an investigator for the Jockey Club, and begins to discover the wide assortment of people who make up the world of racing. He discovers that a friend has a frightening compulsion to mutilate horses, but he can do nothing to prove his belief or to stop the problem. Follow him through the mental torture and physical danger to the truth, and be astonished at the frightening conclusion. You'll be on the edge of your seat through every page. You'll also be amazed at Francis' understanding of human weakness--that's why he's such a good writer.

An outstanding thriller - a marathon through hell

I felt exhausted after reading this book, in which nothing is as it should be: the hero is a vulnerable disabled jockey, his friend, a well-known TV-star, is a horse mutilating psycho, the press ruins the reputation of the really good guy, a sweet little girl has to struggle against leukemia and has nearly lost. Dick Francis does not spare his detective and the readers some of the worst feelings a human being can go through, but Sid Halley admits all these, and bravely goes on. In the end he wins without triumph. A great book - tense thriller and striking lesson on human nature.

It's another homerun from the King of tracks and mystery

Sid Halley is back to play the hero. A caring mother hires Sid to find out who cut off the off-fore leg of her daughter's horse. The daughter is suffering from cancer and hope is bleak. Sid of course takes the case. He tracks done owners of horses who have recently had the same fate as the girl's pony. Sid tracks down the villian... Who? You'll have to read the book. Trust me you'll like it, I read it in four days!

Ex-jockey turned PI Sid Halley bravely faces demons & ghosts

Francis addicts will cheer on "friend" Sid Halley as he faces old ghosts (first wife), old demons (as in WHIP HAND), and new demons (his friend & that of a little girl's fatal disease). The best part of any Dick Francis book are his characters. You always LIKE them. The action keeps you turning the pages, but the characters have you on their side cheering for them. COME TO GRIEF is no different. There are mixed feelings at the end of every Dick Francis book: good, the character is OK; and nuts, now the character is gone away because the book is finished. It has been nice to welcome back Sid Halley for the third time.