Nerve (1964)

I read this book before I was ever aware of LibraryThing or quite possible before it was even available. Dick Francis is one of my all time best authors. I find ever book to well written and you don't want to stop reading until it is finished. The story line is always associated directly or indirectly with horse racing. I would highly recommend Dick Francis' books to anyone who loves a good mystery story. My rating is based on my knowledge of his work and how much I enjoy reading them. ( )

When you've read several DF novels over the years, and enjoyed most of them, they do all start to blend into one another. The beginning seemed new to me, but most of the rest I had a nagging sensation that I'd read it before. It's the usual plot- amateur jockey realises something isn't quite right, and through a combination of perserverance and brute strength manages to get to the bottom of it. I'll leave you guess whether or not he gets the girl too.

As it happens I had read it before - but that doesn't change the predictable nature of the plot. However, that also means it features DF's predictable high points - the challenge of the horse and the race. The insights into 60s society, and the occasional really touching moment in delicate prose, as a gentleman realises his obligations.

If you like his writing style and the horses you'll like this, it's at least as good as his average novel. ( )

Typical Dick Francis thriller about an alienated jockey who investigates the sabotage of riders' hopes. The tortured hero struggles through his pain to convince the racing world that he has not lost his nerve as he tracks down his deranged enemy and takes his revenge. Much of Francis' work is formulaic but it is an effective formula that seduces the reader and this very early novel has a freshness that enhances it appeal. ( )

Nerve is the story of Rob Finn, an up-and-coming young jockey, who learns that someone is systematically destroying jockeys' careers and takes revenge. Francis is never really at his best when delving into psychology, but the point where Rob understands exactly how alike he and the villain are is riveting. I also really like the romance in this one; unlike in some of his other books, it feels central to Rob's character. ( )

Rise and fall of a marginal jockey who supposedly loses his nerve--excellently plotted. Francis once again has a taste for appropriate revenge. ( )