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Loading... Straight (original 1989; edition 1990)by Dick Francis
Work InformationStraight by Dick Francis (1989)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Steeplechase jockey Derek Franklin is newly recovering from a broken ankle as a result of a fall and being stepped on by a horse when he receives a call that his much older brother Greville has suffered an accident and isn't expected to live. He rushes to his brother's side and is there when he passes away. He reflects that he doesn't know much about his brother's life and doesn't know who to contact. He finds his brother's gem business and struggles to make sense of it. It is especially hard when he learns that his brother has secretly bought diamonds for one of his major clients. Greville's staff insists that they don't deal in diamonds and the bank is looking for its repayment of the loan. Derek needs to get into the twisty mind of his brother who loved puzzles and misdirection in order to find the diamonds. He also learns that his brother was a magistrate in the process of a hearing to confirm or deny a person a license to race. One of his fellow magistrates insists that Greville had testimony essential to the hearing which he asks Derek to find. Derek faces all sorts of attacks from a mugging when he leaves the hospital after Greville's death to a couple of burglaries to a shooting on the road that kills the car's driver and causes a massive pile-up. Through it all, Derek is learning more about the brother that he barely knew and more about the people he dealt with. I really enjoyed this story about a man out of his depth but not in a situation beyond his abilities. no reviews | add a review
Is contained inIs abridged inReader's Digest Condensed Books: Straight • Morning Glory • Touching the Void • The Negotiator by Reader's Digest Reader's Digest Auswahlbucher 177 : Reporter. Und gäbe es Hoffnung nicht. Unbestechlich. Suchhund Sam by Reader's Digest Kirjavaliot - Perintö (Straight ∙ Monkeys on the Interstate ∙ The Keys of the Kingdom ∙ Coyote Waits) by Valitut Palat Distinctions
The death of his brother Greville--an enigmatic figure with numerous enemies--bodes ill for Derek Franklin, who inherits numerous aspects of his life, including its dangers. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Derek is likeable, direct and observant as he gets involved with his late brother’s business, his race horses and his mistress. He’s surprised then suspicious after several attempts at robbing or attacking him. There were some interesting parts to the story but not as interesting as others I’ve read by him. Still, it was an easy read. ( )