A solid read by FF. On the whole I enjoyed it. There were a few things which held it back from more stars for me There were a few deus ex machina notes, which I never like. The story had been really setting up a confrontation between Diego and Jeff and then nothing happens? He's killed off the page by someone else? Meanwhile the last time they interacted our hero ran like a coward from him. Shaking my head. Then one of the other main threads and really the most important one since the book is called Triple Crown is that that whole plot line ended off the page too. And to cap off that mistake for me anyway, Jeff not only didn't stay to watch the Belmont but he didn't even watch in on the page with the reader back home in England. And a final thing which also led to me feeling that Jeff was more acted upon than acting himself is that yes he managed to save himself from the two moles but after that he had to be saved again by someone else. So actually the book failed for me because I have come to expect heroes from this series to be really smart, resourceful and tough. So this one wasn't as strong as some others by FF. And this time definitely not up to par with DF. Still the horse racing stuff was well done and fun. And I will definitely keep reading Mr. Francis' books when they come out and will continue to await them anxiously. ( )

Felix Francis did his homework about US Racing, the tracks and pageant of the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, he wrapped a story about gun toting US Federal officials that turned into a litany of drugs, evil trainers and the unwashed hired help that invest horse racing. It dragged but I listened to the end because I expected better. Stick to what you know should be high on an author's to-do list. ( )

Jeff Hinkley is on leave from the BHA to assist the US Federal Anti-Corruption in Sports Agency to try to track down a mole. Someone is horse racing division is tipping off the trainers that a raid is coming leaving FACSA unsuccessful and looking bad too. He begins a secret investigation of the special agents in the horse racing division. Then Jeff tags along on a raid which results in a dead trainer. Clearly the trainer was tipped off.

When three of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby become sick and are withdrawn, Jeff needs to solve another mystery. He goes undercover in the stables of the trainer of the winning horse and works as a groom as they are preparing the horse for the Preakness. Besides his investigation, he attracts the enmity of one of the other grooms and his gang. This just adds more pressure to Jeff as he tries to find out what is going on. He has to find out if the illnesses to the horses was planned or coincidental and has to find a way to get the mole to make a mistake and be revealed.

This was a fast-paced mystery with lots of details about thoroughbred racing in the United States. I liked seeing the Triple Crown races through the eyes of someone from Great Britain. Jeff is a man who is burning out on his job now that he is becoming known and cannot go undercover anymore. The case in the United States comes at just the right time to throw some excitement and danger back into his life. However, he isn't particularly excited to go up against heavily armed special agents and makes some pointed comments about US gun policy.

This was an enjoyable mystery. ( )

An Englishman with experience investigating corruption in British horseracing comes undercover to work on an American agency after a mole suspected of tipping off targets of official investigations. He goes under cover and finds info on a trainer who trained a Derby winner (after 3 other favorites got sick) showing the trainer had deliberately made other horses sick. He also finally uncovers the mole (or moles) who chase him thru a near empty grandstand and try to kill him. I liked the book by the son of Dick Francis who wrote a lot of mysteries about horse racing.

I loved this read. Felix Francis has done his father well when he took over writing for his father. I love this series of books with Jeff Hinkley. This story was fun to read. It was fun to see The American Triple Crown through someone from England. There were a few twists and turns throughout the book. I look forward to many more. ( )