One of the better FF books - although as usual it's not who done it - but how to stop who done it. ( )

I've read almost all of Dick Francis' books years ago yet skipped his son Felix Francis' books until I saw this one available at my local library. I think I got a bit nostalgic and while reading became pleased that I had. I really like the updated and now retired version of Sid Halley, sort of like a catch-up on what he's been up to so many years later. I simply could not put the book down, appreciating, as before with Dick Francis' books, reading about the racing world in Great Britian. As always, there's a villain, and a good bit of action. The secondary characters have their flaws, but virtues too, with real-life dilemmas on how to navigate the inroads of an at-times corrupt racing industry. Felix Francis, like his father before him, provides insider's view into a world few of us know by using realistic situations with a fair number of well-fleshed-out characters. Quoting the book's title, this is a "Hands Down" well-crafted mystery to its satisfying conclusion, and an all-around insightful read. ( )

Well written, well researched, entertaining, a good read ( )

Sid Halley is back! He's coping with a troubled marriage and a transplanted hand so there's an undercurrent of personal development. The main mystery is classic Francis material and satisfying to get to the end of. ( )

Things should be good for Sid Halley. He's gotten a hand transplant and his new left hand is almost fully functional. He's given up investigating for investing which should eliminate most of the danger in his life. And he's married to his beloved Marina and has a nine-year-old daughter named Saskia who is the center of his existence.

But when Marina expresses discontent in their marriage and takes Saskia to visit her parents because her father is dying, Sid wonders if she'll ever come back. And then he gets a phone call from a man he used to race with who is now a trainer asking for help. Sid's reluctant to get involved since he's so focused on the state of his marriage.

But when he learns that his friend's stables have burned down and he's presumed dead, Sid feels he has no choice but to get involved. Sid meets the friend who is hiding out for fear of villains, but the fear keeps him from telling Sid the whole story. And the villains catch up, murdering the friend and staging it as a suicide.

Sid begins to investigate this new threat to the sport he loves. Someone is finding a way to rig horse races for their own financial gain and are blackmailing both jockeys and trainers to further their plot. Sid calls in old friend Chico Barnes to act as his backup and bodyguard. His former father-in-law Charles also has a role to play both as reluctant caretaker for Sid's dog and sounding board for Sid's thoughts.

While I felt that the story started slowly and presented a more introspective Sid than that of earlier stories, the pace did pick up and engaged me in Sid's adventures. Nearing fifty and having much more to lose made Sid a more careful investigator but still a very persistent and intelligent one. ( )