“Blood Sport”   By Dick Francis

 

 2011 Book Review #107

      Mixed Reviewers

Gene Hawkins is a "screener" for the British Government...essentially a "mole" hunter. He is also suicidal-his previous relationship has shattered and left the man a psychological mess. He has sublimated his troubles into his work-until now.

Hawkins takes a mandatory 3 week vacation.  When his boss asks him to help find Dave Teller's missing Thoroughbred stallion, Chrysalis, he agrees because he has nothing better to do than sit around and be depressed.

Hawkins finds out quickly that things are a lot more complicated than he thought. There's not one missing horse, but three, and there's a family of crooks trying to cover up their theft at all costs. This even includes murder. Hawkins tracks the thieves from England to Kentucky, the Western United States and back again.  Hawkins does his job but,  there is a sad ending to this story.

My Thoughts:  I like Francis’ books, but this one was a little slow moving.  The plot was unusual and it was hard to keep all  the player separated.  That could have just been me…I don’t know. If you are a Dick Francis fan, by all means read this book!