Customer Reviews

Second Wind

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I originally started reading Dick Francis' mysteries because of the connection to the horse world. While Second Wind is very well written, there was practically no connection to horses whatsoever. Some of Mr. Francis's other current novels showed this omission, and I sincerely hope he will bring back horses and their influence in his stories.

When I want to read a book that teaches me something, offers some wisdom, and thoroughly engrosses me in a great story, there's no one I'd rather read than Dick Francis. For a man who began writing about horse racing, he has delved into an amazing range of knowledge, including in this case, weather knowledge and hurricanes. He's also deeply wise about relationships, inner motivation, and life. I've never been to a horse race but I'd walk a mile for a Dick Francis book.

I have read most of Mr. Francis' books and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them until Second Wind. I kept thinking, Dick Francis did NOT write this book! I found this to be one of a handful of books, in my lifetime, that I quit reading before the book ended. Toward the end of this book, I was so confused about what was happening that I could barely follow the story. I also had lost all interest in the characters and didn't give a hoot what happened to them! My initial excitement about a new Dick Francis novel quickly turned to disappointment. Go back to the old tried-and-true formula, Mr. Francis, and don't ever use a "ghost writer" again!

Having read all the previous novels by Dick Francis I looked forward to his latest. What a disappointment! I'm afraid he was out of his element with meteorology. The only time horses and racing entered the story was as a place to 'exchange' information between the characters. Dick Francis knows horses and racing and should stick to that. But even the style of writing was not the same, boring and wandering.

SECOND WIND is my first Dick Francis mystery novel and I'm hooked (that leaves about 37 books to go)! I couldn't put this book down and found myself out of breath as surprises continued to erupt toward the end of this well-written story!

SECOND WIND tells of English meteorologist Perry Stuart's flight into both extreme weather and bad company after accepting a Caribbean vacation opportunity to chase a hurricane. The chase plane goes down and Stuart barely makes it to an island that is anything but usual. Dick Francis really keeps readers guessing throughout this complex tale! Story components include British weather forecasts, sick race horses, depressed friend, piloting airplanes, Florida, hurricanes, ocean/island survival, cows, good guys and bad guys. Francis rather brilliantly incorporates a fascinating look at British TV meteorologists in action by neatly tying weather forecasting in with his favorite topic, horse racing!

Dick Francis, a former British steeplechase jockey, is a top-notch storyteller who is superb at constructing unique who-done-it scenarios. It's my understanding that nearly all of Francis' novels are based in some way upon his own experiences and/or that he and his wife take a great deal of time to research for background and technical accuracy, etc. Francis writes in a smooth, fast-paced, vividly descriptive style using an economy of words. The thing is, every word is effective! I immediately cared about Francis' very human characters and felt a part of the story because of his cultural and setting descriptions. I also learned from entering his well-researched worlds of meteorology, flying, and, of course, the horse racing scene based upon his own experiences!

I highly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy a mystery full of compelling surprises! I predict you won't be able to stop with just one Dick Francis novel!

Having never read Francis before, I liked this book. It's fast paced, has interesting and unexpected twists, and is very entertaining.

I have read, heard, and listened to quite a few negatives regarding this novel. However, I feel that this is one of the best novels Mr.Francis has put out. Always a new twist, a new path taken, this time the worlds of meteorology, small aircraft piloting, and cultivated bovine diseases mesh with the world of horse racing. Perry Stuart is an intresting protagonist, different than most of this authors heros, as he has no first hand horse world experiance. This novel is populated by a world of dark characters, plot twists and complex emotions. Alternately a mystery novel, bio tech thriller, spy caper and more, this is one of the more intricately laced stories that Mr.Francis has ever written. Though a slight departure from his norm, a well thought out book that will appeal to many fans, if they are not off put be the seemingly unjust bias of critics everywhere. With the death of his wife, Mr.Francis has hinted at retirement, so to miss a master at work because of some bad press would be a travesty.

I have read every book written by Dick Francis, and having a close connection with the horseracing field, have always enjoyed his books. The twists and turns and well written mysteries are always in "Francis style", but he has managed to create differences in each of his books.I found Second Wind very good. I was pleased with the plot of the book, the variation of locations and the twists in the end.However, this book confused me with its general composition and written format. The story was Francis, but the writing style was not. Sentences going on forever and weaving on through entire paragraphs. I really wonder if a "ghost writer" had helped him put this story down on paper. It just didn't seem right.Dick Francis has been a consistently fabulous writer for many years and I recommend this book to his fans.I hope the death of his beloved wife this past year does not conclude his literary gifts to the world.....a fan

I have read Dick Fancis novels for 15 years and this is the first one my husband ever had to hear me complain about. I found much of the writing convoluted and overblown and often times the end of the sentences didn't match up with how they had started. Add to that characters who never really take hold (I felt like I should have a score card: Robin Darcy, round, bald, married to Evelyn, lives in Florida, mushroom and sod king)and plot lines that are confusing at best and this adds up to a real disappointment. I usually save Dick Francis novels for long plane trips as they make the time fly! If I had taken this on the plane, I would have thought I was traveling by old fashioned stage coach. Better luck next time, Mr. Francis!

Although this book isn't as riveting as some of his other books, I still found it to be an enjoyable read. As usual with a Francis novel, the reader always learns a little something along the way.

I've read the other reviews that pan this book. Even though it's not my all-time favorite Francis novel, it's still a far cry better than some of the other books on the market that are a total waste of time and paper.