Sid Halley is back

There have been a few authors’ that have died and their sons have tried to carry on the writing without success. I am happy to say that Felix Francis has done a fairly good job. When Dick Francis’s wife died the books lacked the polish she gave it as a master of the English language. This is the second book that Felix has written alone, and he has brought back his Father’s character Sid Halley. Sid is now retired from being a detective, is married with a 6 year old girl and is working on his investments. The head of the British racing as him to help solve a problem with someone fixing the races but he declines. Then the man is dead and a man with a Northern Ireland accent is threatening Sid. The story takes off from here with action, suspense, and humor. I like the stories with more racing action but Sid is no longer racing. Martin Jarvis does a good job with the narration. If you are a Dick Francis fan you will not be disappointed.

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His Father's Son

I have to admit that up until this book I haven't been impressed with Felix Frances as a successor to his father. With this book, however, he has truly written a book in Dick Francis' unforgettable style. I found that I couldn't stop listening! I had to know what happened next. If you were a fan of Dick Francis, you will think he has come back to life and written another Sid Halley adventure!

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Sid is not himself and I searched & never found hi

I truly love the Dick Francis franchise and Martin Jarvis as narrator brings it home. But this particular book has Sid Halley as doddering. Sid's wife however brought the whole thing down. Marina comes off as shrill and stupid. She married him knowing who he was & what he did. But for all that she hinders him by crying, arguing and screeching for him to not do whatever then screeching for him to do whatever. She is supposed to be a scientist but she seems to lack any ability to think critically.

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Disappointing

Sadly, this is not Felix's best effort--and I have read a number of them, which I have really enjoyed and even re-read regularly. Sid Halley should have stayed retired and Dick Francis's name long since should have been removed from the cover. Long since time for Francis fils to start down his own path.

The basic set up for the novel had potential but didn't deliver. Every thing was predictable -- even the surprise twists were predictable. This was not the same Sid Halley we have come to know from his earlier stories and I can't believe that 6 years of retirement made him completely stupid. Even worse, all the characters were not well written. Finally, there is the writing and Francis fils has already shown us that he can write better than this--although he does have to come up with something new in the way of spousal endearments, because his "my darling" is becoming rather worn out after the number of times it has been used in this book and and in Even Money.

The secondary plot about the hand-wrist transplant did not do it for me. He never says a word to his wife about it; who in this day and age doesn't discuss even the investigation of such surgery with his spouse before embarking on the project? Then, he wants it so badly that he is wishing out loud for someone to die; that is not the Sid Halley we have come to know from his previous outings. Then there is the blatant set up for a future story ( please, I hope not). All too horribly contrived.

In general, I enjoy Martin Jarvis as a narrator and he did a good job with this one but Tony Britton will always be the voice of Sid Halley (and Dick Francis) in my mind -- and he is no longer recording books.

All in all, if you are looking to try a Felix Francis, don't start with this one; and if you want to meet the real Sid Halley read them in the order they were written.

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Felix Francis pens a worthy sequel

What did you love best about Dick Francis' Refusal?

Unlike many long term series, which run out of steam, the Dick Francis franchise continues to gallop along. Francis' son, Felix, does a very credible job or bringing Sid Halley back into dectecting. Sure, there are some weak point to the plot, but it's still an enjoyable romp.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a book that I looked forward to listening to and which ended far too soon.

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Better than most Dick Francis

Intrigue and good depth of characters. FANTASTIC reader. Highly recommend this story of horse racing culture in England.

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Sid Halley reluctantly returns, doesn't disappoint

"Once a detective always a detective," Sid is told, but until the villain pushes him beyond the brink he wonders if that is true. Lucky for us it is!

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Another fast paced tale

I love the racing aspects of Francis’ stories woven into mystery and murder. Non stop action and extremely well narrated!

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enjoyable book

really enjoyed the book. It seemed like classic Dick Francis. I wouldn't have known it was someone else.

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Don't bother!

What would have made Dick Francis' Refusal better?

Less melodrama! Dick Francis was a master writer, his son should not keep trying to make it on his father's coat tails.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Anything but another bad Felix Francis novel.

Would you be willing to try another one of Martin Jarvis’s performances?

Probably not

What character would you cut from Dick Francis' Refusal?

The author

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