To the Hilt

I was looking for something quick and plotty and propulsive, and Mims mentioned Dick Francis, and this was the only Francis I had on hand. So. This wasn't *exactly* what I thought I was looking for, but it sure satisfied the actual itch. A fairly character-driven "who is up to no-good?" family story that I just loved. Fewer horses/less racing stuff in this one than I understand was Francis's usual, but on the strength of this outing I'll be checking out more.

To the Hilt is one of Dick Francis’s best. Alexander Kinloch, you can call him Al, is an artist who leads a simple life in a small house without electricity in the Scottish highlands. His deceased father was the fourth son of an Earl. His stepfather owns the controlling interest in a brewery. His quiet life changes when four thugs come to his house and beat him up for not giving them something they think he has hidden. But they won’t tell him what it is.
The plot is a hard-boiled whodunit and where-is-it. I wish Alfred Hitchcock were around to make a movie adaptation. He would have loved a story with four MacGuffins and a cross-dressing detective. Details of the setting are well-researched, and even the minor characters are show more exceptionally well-drawn. show less

I found this book at the Ursuline Mall (rummage sale) at the St. John's Bazaar, and bought it for a quarter to read while eating my lobster roll. It got me through fried clams and strawberry shortcake as well, and when I got home I couldn't put it down.Dick Francis has a theme that runs through many of his books, as my husband (Snorri Sturlusson) pointed out. A young man comes to a crossroads in his life and some crime involves him on the side of the angels, during the course of which he learns a lot about himself and often begins to chart the course for the rest of his life. Such is To the Hilt. Francis does something a bit different with the formula every time. This time, Alexander Kinlock, the protagonist, is a painter of golf scenes show more who lives off the grid in the Scottish Highlands. Coming home from a trip to the post office, where he's just learned of his stepfather's heart attack, he is set upon and beaten up by four thugs who seem to be looking for something. They leave him (not seeming to care whether he's dead or alive), trash his cottage, and he manages to make his way to his mother's London home. There, Al learns that his stepfather's brewery is about to go under because of a massive embezzlement. And of course there is horseracing involved, as the brewery sponsors an annual steeplechase in which the stepfather's horse is slated to run. And that's not the half of it.
Dick Francis, apparently with help from his wife and, later, their son, researched his books heavily and one of the pleasures of reading them is how much one learns about so many subjects -- in this case, painting, bankruptcy, the trials of turning over one's stately home to a conservation trust. But one never feels lectured at because the storyline is so compelling and Francis is always coming up with unexpected plot twists. I resisted reading Dick Francis for many years and now I'm glad I did, for there will be no more of his books, but I still have many unread to look forward to. Recommended. show less

Artist Alexander Kinloch has worked out a good pattern for his life. His home is a small bothy on a remote mountain in Scotland; he paints on commission, from which he derives both pleasure and a decent income; he lives alone and likes it. One day, however, Alexander's peace is violently shattered when he returns home to find a group of strangers waiting for him. After a scuffle, he is left for dead with only the words ‘‘Where is it?' ringing in his ears. And the days that follow contain more danger than he could ever imagine.

Wierd Alexander lives in the Scottish mountains in a bothy, where he paints, happy in his solitude. Until one day he returns from a supply run and interrupts 4 thugs ransacking his home. After being beaten and thrown down the side of the mountain, Al reluctantly heads to London to support his mother in a time of need. Things continue to spiral out of control.
I really like Alexander and the cast of characters in this book. My favorite character is the private investigator. This was a fast, delicious read and I am keeping it for a future reread.

Not one of his best. Enjoyed it though.

The row between the laird and the National Trust-type authority was interesting. I'm sure there must in reality be a lot of disputes like this about who owns certain artifacts, and whether they should be retained by the individual or the state. But the hiding of it on the roof of the cottage seemed a little daft to me.

To the Hilt is Dick Francis at his best as Alexander Kinloch has to help navigate the problems of his step-father's brewery and family politics. Alexander is an artist who lives in the countryside of Scotland, but who's family is complicated as his step-father owns a major brewery and his uncle is a Scottish lord. When his step-father asks him to help recover from an embezzling scheme, he finds himself dealing with violence and re-evaluates his family relationships. As with the best Dick Francis stories, the characters all feel real, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and there are moments of surprising beauty when horses and art are spoken of. A must read for any lover of Dick Francis.