A Mind to Murder (Published in 1963) - Authored by PD James - Second adventure for Dalgliesh

Acclaimed writer P. D. James was part of the British Police and Criminal Law Department before she ventured into the world of writing novels. Her background in the Civil Service is very clearly depicted through her skillful writing, which contains rich and vibrant descriptions of her characters. Her writing has clearly evolved with her second novel in the Adam Dalgliesh series, where she has poignantly depicted the character’s personal life.
A Mind to Murder is certainly more descriptive than its predecessor and the story line and plot setting definitely have a ring of authenticity to it. This is because James uses her experience to carefully describe characters and settings in the book. For example, the victim of this book is a hospital administrator in a London Psychiatric outpatient clinic. James herself has enough experience in that field to accurately describe the workings of the hospital and the heartbreak of mental illness, having had to take care of her husband – a physician who was a patient for more than 20 years before his death.
A Mind to Murder is about Steen Psychiatric Clinic – a well reputed clinic situated in London. However its formidable façade crumbles when the hospital administrator, a Miss Bolam, is found murdered in the basement of the clinic with a chisel driven through her heart and totem from the art therapy lab placed on her chest. Miss Bolam is described as a total Girl Scout, who wouldn’t have hurt a fly. Who then could conjure such hatred towards her? Detective Adam Dalgliesh is called in to investigate the murder.




Dalgliesh then has the task of interrogating patients, doctors and other staff of the clinic. He must follow up every clue and solve every puzzle so as to uncover the murderer. This draws him into the world of psychiatry, drugs and deceit. Dalgliesh sifts through the suspects’ anxieties and desires, to uncover which one of them could have an unresolved conflict that led to the murder of Miss Bolam. The story has set pieces of suspects in a closed environment. As a result the reader begins to speculate who the killer could be.
James has developed the character of Detective Dalgliesh in this novel and has shown him to be a widower who is thoughtful and brooding. He is shown to be a child of respectable and notable parentage, and someone who enjoys writing poetry.
James’ study of the human mind and human nature are plainly perceptible in this book. A clear example of this is the inner conflict that Dalgliesh feels when he searches the home of the victim knowing well that it is an invasion of her privacy. Like before, James does not lay all her cards on the table, but reveals them as and when necessary in the book.
The book is a short and quick read with only 224 pages. Overall, A Mind to Murder is interesting and like any good murder mystery one has to pay attention to every detail, unless they want to miss out on a clue.

Break In (Published in 1985) - Defending his family - Authored by Dick Francis

He is gearing up for a three mile steeplechase - the Sunday Towncrier Trophy (which took place on a Saturday, and was given news coverage on Sunday). His horse was North Face, winner of thirty eight races, thirty seven of which have been with Kit Fielding. As he is preoccupied with thoughts of the race, his sister comes in to meet him - one look and Kit is aware that Holly, who hates to drive, hasn’t come to visit , but drove one hundred and fifty miles from Newmarket because something was wrong. However, prone to superstition before a big race, he doesn’t encourage her to confide in him just yet; instead he asks her to wager all the money she has on No. Eight, and buy herself a drink with what’s left. With a promise to solve her problem, Kit - the older twin, takes her leave.
After a moody start, North Face does come out with flying colors – ‘like an arrow from nowhere’ - and now Kit is focused on finding out what Holly’s problem is. This time its three yearlings that Holly’s husband has purchased and is unable to pay for - the local gossip rag The Daily Flag has printed the news that Robertson ‘Bobby’ Allardeck, horse trainer and son of the tycoon Mallard Allardeck is in over his head, and Daddy isn’t going to rescue him. The threats start coming in, as Bobby is unable to make payments and obviously Holly is concerned for the safety of her husband.




The couple cannot consider suing the paper as they lack the financial means to do so - Kit is advised that they should ask instead for a public apology and retraction of the article. Owing to the bank loans, Bobby has no future in the house or property, as it is being viewed as security by the bank; however, amidst the hullaballoo, Holly discovers they are going to be parents, and after the initial reservations, the mood is of quiet celebration.
Jamie Grave is not giving up and tries every trick to ‘steal’ his horses back, but the plans are foiled by the wily Kit Fielding. Bobby and Kit’s relationship becomes one of mutual respect as they cover each other’s backs. Allardeck Sr. ignores his son’s plight stubbornly, eyeing the knighthood then lordship - in order to keep his prospects high, he donates most of his money generously to charities. As the mystery around Bobby’s troubles starts to unravel, Kit finds out that the vicious attacks by the press are actually Maynard Allardeck’s doing - this comes as a hurtful surprise to the family.
Dick Francis’s knowledge of horses and the familiar environ of racetracks comes to the fore as the novel progresses - his ease of narrative and simplicity in language with a touch of the poignant - are all well balanced and enthralling. This is his twenty fifth novel and is a favorite with readers, especially as Kit Fielding as the main character, engages the audience with his straightforward and honest approach to problems; he is at once astute and sensitive - as can been seen in his dealings with sister Holly and lover Danielle. An entertaining read from a clean hearted, well experienced story teller!

Even Money (Published in 2009) - Sudden appearance of a father - Authored by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

Ned Talbot has a clear perspective of who is, rather who he is perceived to be - a pariah. The sort of creature that makes for the underbelly of the racetrack - a bookie. The closet snobbery and class divide is obvious, stock broking is white collar, whereas punters socializing with bookies is strictly a ‘NO’. Ned and his assistant Luca are able to make decent profits and sizeable losses as they ply their trade at Royal Ascot and other small racecourses. A second generation bookie, he has seen the trade descend into depravity - from being an art form, almost where transactions were written in books, to the paper emitting computer – bookies are now less known for honor, better known for their sly, wily ways.
His mundane numbed existence is jolted out of its seasoned normality, when a man claiming to be his father, meets him at the parking lot at the Ascot. Ned is shocked, he grew up with his grandfather, who told him his parents had died in a car crash - so who is this man, really, claiming to be his father? Where had been all these years? Why had he chosen to show up now - seven years and two days after the old man’s death? His mind is a mess - he has never met his father for thirty seven years, has believed that the only family he has is now dead, yet here is this man, claiming to be his parent!
And so Edward ‘Ned’ Talbot is reunited with Peter James Talbot, his father. Peter tells him that he had panicked when Ned’s mother died in the crash, and in typical teenage fashion, had bolted in the opposite direction - to Australia. As Peter is filling the blanks in Ned’s life, telling him he has two half sisters, they walk down an alley. The sound of footsteps rings alarm bells, he’d had a bad day at the races - why would anyone follow him to steal from him?




The duo are mugged, and even though Ned throws an envelope with money towards the men - it simply lies untouched on the grass, so does his father - who has been stabbed in the stomach. Peter dies in the emergency room. Orphaned twice over, Ned is numb with shock, which deepens when the investigating officer tells him that contrary to the information the man has shared with them regarding his ‘father’ - the credentials the dead man has speak otherwise; his credit card and driver’s license have on them the name Alan  Charles Grady.
The police are mistrustful of Ned, shadowing him as he visits Sophie, his wife in hospital, who is being treated for bipolar disorder;  his mind is plagued with questions, as he wonders how and why his ‘father’ could’ve landed them all in such a mess? When he goes to the hotel where his father had rented a room, Ned finds thirty thousand pounds in cash, a device that resembles a remote control, counterfeit horse papers, and a polythene bag containing something that resembles grains of rice, but on closer look is frosted glass. Despite all the depressing events in his life, Ned is rewarded with a happy ending - where he is reunited with his sisters, and both he and Sophie look forward to parenthood!
Dick and Felix Francis have researched well, the Senior Francis is gifted with years of experience as a steeplechase jockey and Felix has almost effortlessly managed to melt into the style of writing adopted by his father - this seamless narration is the strength of Even Money. Excellent read!