Dick Francis's Refusal
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- ¥880
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- ¥880
Publisher Description
Six years ago, private investigator Sid Halley retired. He’d been harassed, beaten, shot, even lost a hand—enough was enough. For the sake of his wife and new daughter, he gave up that life, and he thought nothing would ever lure him back into the game.
He thought wrong.
Sir Richard Stewart, chairman of the racing authority, begs Sid to investigate a series of dodgy races. Sid refuses. Then Sir Richard is found dead under suspicious circumstances. And then a man with an Irish accent contacts Sid, telling him to deliver a whitewashed report about the suspected race-fixing…or else.
At first Sid ignores these warnings. But as the intimidation tactics escalate—and his own family comes under threat—Sid realizes he must meet his enemy head-on…or he might pay the ultimate price for his refusal.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Francis successfully resurrects one of his late father's most popular creations and only series character disabled jockey turned PI Sid Halley (last seen in 2006's Under Orders), who has given up detecting as a concession to his wife, Marina. Well-off from investments, Sid leads a happy if placid country life with Marina and their six-year-old daughter. Given his desire to avoid the rough stuff, Sid is reluctant to look into "some corrupt goings-on in racing" when asked to do so by Sir Richard Stewart, chairman of the British Horseracing Authority. Sir Richard is sparing with details, providing only a list of recent races, and Sid is careful not to commit. Sid changes his mind after Sir Richard dies while sitting in a running car in a closed garage, an apparent suicide. Of course, his involvement in the case places Sid and those dear to him at risk. Longtime fans will be hard put to tell this gripping thriller from the senior Francis's work.
