Excellent writing and excellent narrator.

Break In and Bolt are the two Dick Francis books that tell the story of Kit Fielding, his life as a racing jockey, and crimes involving the world of racing. Each can stand alone, but are richer if read in order.

Break In introduces Kit, his racing background and, most important, his character as an honorable man. Bolt concludes our peek into his racing and personal life. Both are so well written the reader has no trouble feeling they are in the stable yard or at the racecourse.

I started reading Dick Francis in my early 20's. I am almost 70 and his writing has stood the test of time. He, along with PD James, are masterful contemporary crime writers who can tell stories that pull readers back to their books again and again.

Simon Preeble is outstanding, as usual. I have all his narrations in the Dick Francis collection available at this time. I'm looking forward to adding the other narrators in due time.

9 people found this helpful

A great read

What did you like best about this story?

The depth to wich the story and the characters are created is amazing

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

I head it as fast as I could, beacue the story was compelling and the narater brilliant

4 people found this helpful

Always reliable

Good story. Hangs together. Characters just quirky enough to be interesting. And nice twist at the end. What's not to like?

4 people found this helpful

Another Great Kit Fielding Mystery

This novel is an enjoyable listen. As other reviewers have said, "Break In" and "Bolt" tells the story of Kit Fielding, a racing jockey who solves crimes involving the racing world. Each are stand alone novels, but when read in order, the stories are an asset to each other. The Publisher's Summary gives a good description of this story. There are dark forces lurking on the de Brescou estate killing their racehorses with a “bolt” gun. Kit must solve the mystery before it tears the family business apart.

Dick Francis and Simon Prebble are a winning combination.

6 people found this helpful

Great story but even more outstanding narration!

First book I've read on horses since Black Beauty & what a pleasant surprise it was. The story is a superb blend of - for me - an introduction to the world of horse racing & it's many facets along with drama & suspension. Tradition is subtly evident but the real gem throughout is the remarkable vocal fluency & dexterity of the narrator. That alone makes for great enjoyment!

6 people found this helpful

An old favorite

The audio brought back the pleasure of this story after many years. I read the book twenty years or so ago, but the story didn't feel dated.

5 people found this helpful

Fabulous book.

Love the book. Simon is the BEST narrator. He brings the story to life. I'll be reading more by Dick Francis.

2 people found this helpful

Vintage Dick Francis

Dick Francis writes interesting novels with an appealing hero and a villainous villain. Honor and duty play a big part in this short novel and good wins the day. But the plot moves forward with vigor and the characters (other than the villain) are nicely drawn and vivid. Francis writes the racing scenes exceedingly well and I almost feel like I'm on the horse along with the jockey. Light reading and very entertaining.

The narrator is excellent, lending much to the book.

5 people found this helpful

A Good Story by A Great Mystery Writer

What made the experience of listening to Bolt the most enjoyable?

I love Disk Francis Mysteries. He was a truly good writer.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bolt?

The twist in the story who was killing the horses was revealed. I didn't expect it, I thought he was thrown in to the story to get you off focus.

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have listened to a few of Mr. Prebble's narratives. I have enjoyed his reading, he helps bring the books to life.

2 people found this helpful

Another Pleasant Whodunit by a British Jockey

Bolt by Dick Francis is a pleasantly paced Whodunit with the intelligent British style that makes reading or listening a pleasure. It fascinates me that a Welch writer who quit school at 15 can write so much better than many American writers who have forced themselves through various graduate degrees. One wonders if it is the water, the latitude, or the educational system.

2 people found this helpful