4.5, if I could. One of the more enjoyable Francis books I've read in a while, or maybe I was just more in the mood now. Sid Halley is a likable protagonist, as I guess they all are, and this one was thought-provoking, as usual. My favorite summer reading! ( )

An odd combination: a first-person narrator with occasional fits of astute self-awareness telling us the hard-boiled story of some interwoven detecting adventures. Sid Halley is an ex-jockey who has become a PI after suffering the loss of a hand in a racing accident. He's also an ex-husband who aparently chose his career over his marriage. Sid gets involved surreptitiously with the case of a trainer whose most promising horses have been underperforming at crucial times. He's also asked to investigate, confidentially, whether the racing security man overseeing syndicates is doing his job properly. On top of these, his father-in-law, with whom he gets along famously, asks Sid to help his ex with a problem she's gotten into. So we get to see Sid working on all these items at once, as well as the horrible treatment he receives from his ex-wife. Sid puts up with it because he thinks he deserves it.

Francis comments throughout about how different we look to others from how we see ourselves, and he ilustrates this pretty well. There is some intermittent psychological insight mixed with attempts to be a "hard guy" who ignores his feelings. It's almost as if the author couldn't decide how much to focus on this stuff. The story sticks to Francis's usual formula of a slow start and a hectic finish. Not great but an enjoyable read. ( )

Another reread. Not one of my favorites. This one was written in '65 back when Dick was trying to be so hard boiled. I like the character of Sid and his father-in-law Charles, but everything else is so grim and no so psychological. It's okay to while away time but not something to pick up just for a good read. I have a harder time relating to Sid than most of the later heroes. The way he reacts to his disfigurement is odd, as is the way he just lets his marriage go. Too passive for my tastes, too unhappy. ( )

Sid Halley #2, investigates a case of horse nobbling and scandal at the Jockey Club. Good suspense, one of my favourites. I like to re-read the Halley series every couple of years. ( )