Bolt (Published in 1986) - Authored by Dick Francis - Protecting would be family

Kit Fielding, who was first introduced in Francis’s Break In, makes a second appearance in Bolt. He is a professional jockey, in keeping with the high standards of Dick’s main characters; he is uncompromising on principles and a fine specimen of how a model citizen ought to be. Kit’s boss is Princess Casilia de Brescou - the owner of some of the best horses and racetracks in the country, while his trainer is Wykeham Harlow. At one of the many races she has organized, Kit finds her in an argument with a man who seems rude and arrogant. She requests Kit to accompany her to the London mansion where she resides with her husband Roland, a businessman. Kit’s fiancée Danielle, Casilia’s niece, is also there and vying for her affections is Prince Litsi, his employer’s cousin. Of late, Kit has noticed that Danielle seems cold and somewhat distant, and he begins to wonder if she has lost interest in their relationship. Roland’s unpleasant sister Beatrice Bunt is also at the mansion.
On inquiry, Kit finds out from Casilia that the man she was speaking to at the racecourse was none other than Roland’s business partner Henri Nanterre, from France. The latter seems upset that Roland is opposed to the concept of using plastic, and non metals in the firearms that they manufacture - making such weapons a tool for terrorist attacks. This difference of opinion leads onto becoming the main bone of contention between the two men. One night, intruders enter the stable and shoot two of the horses in the stable with a captive bolt pistol or stunner, also used by veterinarians. Of the two horses killed, one was to a prospective participant in the Grand National Steeplechase. On the other hand, Kit finds out that Henri is the brain behind the attacks and killings - even Beatrice seems to be siding with him.




Nanterre bribes the avaricious Beatrice to get Roland to sign the papers meant to start the manufacture of the forearms. Intimidation and warnings become frequent as Henri religiously starts to plague Roland with threats of dire consequences unless he concedes to do as told. Just as he is about to give in to Henri, Roland is stopped from signing off the deal and handing matters to Nanterre when Kit steps in - raising security around the mansion and stables, employing guard dogs and a bodyguard for the businessman.
Even Danielle is stalked one night after she finds the tires of her car flattened and chased around dark streets, she seeks Kit’s help - he comes to her rescue willingly, seeking the golden opportunity to endear himself to her once more. Prince Litsi is targeted next, and almost loses his life, falling from an under construction viewing platform, but is saved as Kit asks the crowd to cut his fall by laying their coats and jackets on the ground. This is when Kit and Litsi put aside personal differences and unite to defeat the evil Nanterre. He is also pitted against the vile Maynard Allardeck - his sister Holly’s father-in-law, a steward with enough clout to destroy the humble jockey’s career.
An interesting read, typical Francis story, dungeons and dragons, knight in armor. Enjoyable!

Twice Shy (Published in 1981) - Story in 2 parts, 14 years in between - Authored by Dick Francis

Twice Shy is narrated by John and William Derry, in two parts.

John Derry is head of the Physics Department at the West Ealing School, ‘with four masters and two technicians under my name.’ He follows innovative and somewhat unorthodox ways of teaching, which include getting an air gun into class to teach the students a lesson in speed! John has been married, eight years, to Sarah; they feel little attraction for each other and the marriage is like the many we see around us - for name sake’s only. For a young man of thirty three, Derry seems sounds dour, but is actually a solid, dependable guy. There are no offspring, but John has a much younger brother - William who is fifteen years old, tucked away at an expensive boarding school, thanks to a wealthy inheritance. Where is the trademark Francis horses? Well, William wants to be a jockey!
The teacher’s travails begin when his friend Peter hands over deceptively innocent audio music tapes - three of them, for safekeeping. Peter’s wife Donna is having psychological problems, serious ones - she’s stolen a baby - and to make all else worse, he is killed in an explosion! The tapes are far from musical, they are actually a coded computer language, used for betting by a gambler and criminal called Liam O’Rourke. After Peter’s sad demise, two low-lives land up at his doorstep - Angelo and Harry Gilbert, who demand that he handover the tapes to him - they want their hands on the tapes to find out details of the system that bets only on winning horses.




The first half of the book narrated by John Derry is and account of how he tries to safeguard the tapes, dodging the deadly duo and also multi tasking, i. e trying to unravel the secret behind the demand for the tapes. As luck would have it, time runs out for the criminals, and they are both sentenced to fourteen years in prison.
This is the second half of the book, narrated by William Derry, when the criminals have done time. Meanwhile, Jonathan migrates to the US, and takes up a teaching job there. Will, on the other hand, gives in to his love for horses and becomes a successful jockey, he retires when he gets a tad taller and heavier to ride. He then transitions to become a racing manager for a well to do horse owner. He also discovers that Angelo , for some reason believes it is Will who has been the thorn in his side, and the cause for all the bad stuff happening to him - therefore, obviously, Will deserves to die!
Twice Shy is written in the mystery form of Le Carre and PD James, it is Francis’s nineteenth novel. Although the plot is straightforward, the added dimension of the fourteen years works as an uplifting perspective. It is also the inspiration for a film by the same name, directed by Deirdre Friel and released in 1989. The screenplay was jointly written by Dick Francis and Miles Henderson. An interesting read, somewhat bumpy owing to the trappings of all mystery forms of writing and the aspect of technology in the ‘80s progressing towards the ‘90s - not a smooth transition there; even so, a good book on a rainy day.