From Publishers Weekly
Any writer of a horse-racing thriller, especially one set in Britain's steeplechase milieu, risks comparison with Dick Francis. Racing journalist Daniel stands up well, giving us a dazzling insider's view of the sport, particularly " 'chasing." Top jockey Georgie Blane is in his mid-30s, married and a father but still something of a restless Irish kid, not above an extramarital fling or "pulling" the occasional race for cash. Pushed by his wife to pay the bills, Georgie agrees to pull Vantage, the odds-on favorite in a big race. Quixotically he changes his mind, wins the race and tries to ruin the gamblers behind the fix. Disaster follows and although some of the villains are punished, Georgie's life falls apart. The many characters and the ambience ring absolutely true, with some of the most exciting and realistic race scenes recently penned, yet Daniel's affection for his setting doesn't cloud his vision: horses are "very seriously stupid." A top-notch, winning debut.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Amid a welter of racing detail, Daniel tells the story of an aging jockey, Georgie Blane, who has been offered 60,000 to throw an important race. He fails to do so, and risks the subsequent consequences. It is certain that the author knows his stuff. However, he jams in so much detail and so many characters that the reader is swamped and confused. He also brings in Georgie's shaky marital situation, his penchant for the ladies, and a brother who always seems to be in some sort of trouble. The violence and foul language don't help the story either. Only for libraries with many British racing fans, for whom Dick Francis and nonfiction are insufficient.
- Robert E. Greenfield, formerly with Baltimore Cty. P.L.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
