Bonecrack Mass Market Paperback – June 6, 2006

Not quite a five but better than a four. I like the way the characters flesh out as the story develops. The story line is a little slow out of the gate, but picks up speed and gallops to a surprising climax.

I liked the characterization, the suspense, of course the horses, and the give and take of this book. Strikingly good tale.

His books can always be counted on to make you want to read more of them. They've got interesting characters, good descriptions of the way things are done, and yet keep you guessing throughout.

I enjoyed this more than any of the many Dick Francis books I have read. The relationships between the sons and fathers here is thought provoking. I like the way the main character is able to resolve a terrible problem without being a super hero. That seems to be the case in many of the Francis books. A good mystery with a glimpse of good British morality.

Dick Francis has done it again - a great read with surprising twists at the end. And his customary insight in to people. Loved this book!

If you thought I'd be prejudiced in favor of Dick Francis just because I've read 32 of his books, you may just possibly be right. Fortunately, I have 13 more that I haven't read yet, so I still have a tiny bit of room to change my mind. Right now, I hold Dick Francis consistently to be the best mystery writer I have ever read. And I do love writers like John Sandford, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Jeff Abbott, William Berhardt, Linwood Barclay and others of that caliber. Bonecrack is just another one of his amazing list of exceptional books that stand head and shoulders above many of those other masters of mystery.Writers like Jack Higgins and to a certain extent Lee Child seem to write variations of the same book over and over again. Not so Dick Francis. Even though each of his books has a thread running through it that invariably involves horse racing that commonality is much more like the fact that Alfred Hitchcock always made an appearance in each of his films. Each of Francis' protagonists are unique. His characters are clad in flesh and blood so they come alive on the page and have meaningful relationships. Francis' scenarios seem lifted from real life and involve the reader emotionally. There is little detail that isn't relevant and Francis does not waste time with pages of description of clothing, landscapes, or mechanical intricacies designed to let you know how much Francis knows about nuclear submarines, botany, small arms, fighter jet cockpits, or international investment. You won't miss it, either here in Bonecrack or any of his other books.Read Bonecrack or any other Dick Francis book and I think you could became the same kind of Francis addict I am. Since his death, his son Felix, who co-wrote with his father during his later years, now writes under his own name as part of a "Dick Francis brand franchise." His books are much like his father's, who obviously taught him well, so I'm pleased to recommend him too. Happy reading.

After reading UNDER ORDERS recently decided to re-read some of Dick Francis' older material, and this 1971 release seemed a good one with which start.There are many problems in Newmarket at Rowley Lodge stables, main one being that Neil Griffon's father, the stable's owner, is hospitalized with a broken leg and temporarily cannot run the stables. Neil takes upon himself to pinch hit, and since Neil and his father have never gotten along at all, his father does not like it one bit. But Neil carries on slowly winning everyone but his father over. Added to this is another very mentally disturbed father who through threats of violence forces his son on Neil as apprentice jockey; with some of the threats having already been carried out. The plot runs very smoothly, and though there are a few very close calls with violence, it eventually reaches a very satisfactory end. The conflict between two sets of fathers and sons offers interesting reading, with the two sons eventually understanding more than either father ever did or could. Thought provoking, indeed.This book is tightly written with very interesting, believable characters who act and speak as they should. The focus is very much on horses in stable with some insight also offered into just how they are trained and entered into races. It is one of the more enjoyable books from Dick Francis I've read viewing racing from not only from the owner's point of view, but the trainer and the jockeys, as well. And now that most of his earlier books have been reissued by Berkley in new printings with very colorful cover paintings, the entire package is not only refreshing but worth the time spent.Recommended.Semper Fi.

A rather dated story with a daft plot involving the Derby favourite. Nowadays even a syphilitic lunatic would think twice about taking on the Irish billionaires and middle-eastern dictators that own the leading flat horses!That said it is a sharp paced, undemanding read and perfect for a short air journey. With Francis you always get what you pay for.

Neil, the trainer and son, trains more than winning horse. His nemeses never knew what hit them. This one is worth a sequel.

Good read while I'm dog sitting, entertains but you don't have to concentrate too hard.

Good read

I don't know how many times I have read this book but like all Dick Francis books I have enjoyed it as much as the first time I read it, so much feeling comes across with every page that is turned.