In this, his third adventure, Sid Halley is still in his mid-thirties, still troubled, courageous and unwilling to admit defeat. He uncovers a crime by a friend whom he - and everyone else - has held in affection.
Come To Grief
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Dick Francis brings back Sid Halley, champion jockey-turned-PI of his earlier novels Whip Hand and Odds Against, in this troubling story. Ellis Quint has everything he could want: fame, youth, money, good looks, and talent. What Sid has to figure out is why his friend Ellis also has a streak of sadism that leads him to cut off horses' hooves in the dead of night. Sid's search for the truth leads him into the lowest depths of human nature. Winner of the Edgar Award for best mystery novel.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Francis fans will welcome the return of narrator Sid Halley (Odds Against; Whip Hand) as the one-handed PI and ex-jockey takes on a case of multiple mutilations of thoroughbreds; unnervingly, the amputation of the animals' front left hooves mirrors Sid's own injury. The investigator soon realizes that the man behind the crimes is his old friend Ellis Quint, ex-gentleman jockey and now a beloved TV host. Sick at heart, Sid builds a strong case; but, when Quint is charged, British law bars any public discussion of the case, rendering Sid mute at the huge public backlash against him. Particularly vicious and unrelenting is The Pump, a garish tabloid. When another mutilation occurs and Ellis has a seemingly unbreakable alibi, Sid finds some odd connections between a business tycoon, The Pump's noble owner and Ellis. Finally, the honorable, brave and thoroughly decent Sid faces his worst nightmare?the loss of his good hand?while doing what he must. A subplot about a little girl with leukemia offers some touching sentiment, and there are flashes of dry wit throughout as Francis, who turns 75 later this year, proves himself still at the top of his game. BOMC featured alternate; Reader's Digest Condensed Book; simultaneous Simon & Schuster audio; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I thoroughly enjoyed "Come to Grief," as I enjoyed "Whip Hand," the second of Francis' three Sid Haley novels. Insomuch as all of Francis' main characters are essentially the same person, Sid Haley fits his bill, but - perhaps by simple virtue of being ressurected through three novels now - Haley is a much deeper, more real person than some of the others. Francis really threw himself into writing Haley, exploring his motivations, fears, bravery, and tenaciousness to a far greater extent than his typical character, and you end up caring about the outcome quite a lot. I listened to this book (narrated by Simon Preebles) simultaneously to reading "Hot Money," and there's really no comparison in quality. "Hot Money" is average, "Come to Grief" is well above the norm.
The other reviewers' comments about this being a darker, more disturbing book than Francis' average are all true, of course, but in my opinion this improves the read.
The other reviewers' comments about this being a darker, more disturbing book than Francis' average are all true, of course, but in my opinion this improves the read.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I will admit going into this that I am more than halfway in love with Sid Halley. However, we would not be a good match, since I, like his ex-wife, would be aggravated because he wouldn't be reliable and be home on time for dinner.
Levity aside, I am predisposed to like and of Francis' books about Halley, and there are things I like here. I like Sid having a chance to develop relationships with some people and having a chance to genuinely love, as he does with the little girl with leukemia here. I also really want him to have a satisfying relationship, and he seems to be interested in that, although I don't think the love interest in this one is as pleansant or as good a prospect as in Whiphand.
However, as some other reviewers have noted, this seems to be a rather mean-spirited book. I don't understand why the handsome man who appears to have everything stoops to mutilating horses, and I don't understand what the fundamental message about human nature is here. I think Francis was really trying to say something profound here, but I can't get to it. I was left feeling like I missed something important, and it made me frustrated and sad.
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
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.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another foray into Sid Halley's world
This is one of my favorite Dick Francis books; I find myself occasionally going back to the book to relive one of my favorite moments. Read more
Published on Oct 10 2000
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointing Edgar winner
Given that for virtually every book one can purchase, there are at least a dozen excerpts from reviews somewhere inside stating "never better" and "top of... Read more
Published on Sep 21 2000 by Michael Wendt
2.0 out of 5 stars
A little bit of a let down
This book is the 3rd Francis wrote involving one of his characters, Sid Halley. While the book, like many of his others, was an acceptable read it did not live up to my... Read more
Published on July 19 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
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... Read more
Published on Aug 23 1998
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sick!
I didn't like this one so much. I've read & enjoyed just about everything else Dick Francis has written. Read more
Published on Aug 18 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
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. Read more
Published on April 6 1998
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing and well-written
I started out cynical, considering the fact that this book is a MWA award winner. Slowly, but surely this book of Francis proves to be a real page-turner. Read more
Published on Dec 20 1997
5.0 out of 5 stars
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... Read more
Published on Oct 13 1997 by JB LeBout
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