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thinkertales's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sebasvlas's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Teddy “Ned” Talbot has had both his feet in the horse and bookie world, since he was a little boy. He worked as a runner for his grandfather. He knows all there is about the business of being a really good bookie.
Ned is approached by a man claiming to be his father. Ned doesn’t believe him as his father and mother died in a car crash years ago. Ned has no choice but to believe the man when he knows details and facts about things that only Ned’s father would know. Before they can get close, a man approaches them and demands to know where the money is from Ned’s father. Ned calls for help and the man flees. By this time it is already too late. His father has been stabbed to death. Ned goes to his father’s hotel room and there he finds lots of cash and a strange device that is every bookie’s dream.
I have been eyeing Dick Francis’s books for some time but just never read one till now. A reason I was drawn to this author is because of the horse on the cover. I am a sucker for horse elated books or books that have horses on the covers. I though this was a so, so read. The plot had some interesting parts but it couldn’t hold up all the way through for me. Ned never really connected with me on a level that made me want to get drawn into the story fully. The authorities were clueless and if it wasn’t for Ned the case would have gone unsolved. Unfortunately Even Money wasn’t a Triple Crown winner this time.
Ned is approached by a man claiming to be his father. Ned doesn’t believe him as his father and mother died in a car crash years ago. Ned has no choice but to believe the man when he knows details and facts about things that only Ned’s father would know. Before they can get close, a man approaches them and demands to know where the money is from Ned’s father. Ned calls for help and the man flees. By this time it is already too late. His father has been stabbed to death. Ned goes to his father’s hotel room and there he finds lots of cash and a strange device that is every bookie’s dream.
I have been eyeing Dick Francis’s books for some time but just never read one till now. A reason I was drawn to this author is because of the horse on the cover. I am a sucker for horse elated books or books that have horses on the covers. I though this was a so, so read. The plot had some interesting parts but it couldn’t hold up all the way through for me. Ned never really connected with me on a level that made me want to get drawn into the story fully. The authorities were clueless and if it wasn’t for Ned the case would have gone unsolved. Unfortunately Even Money wasn’t a Triple Crown winner this time.
mtkth's review against another edition
Explained betting odds in a way I almost understood-- even with a chart! But didn't love it overall.
katejones's review against another edition
3.0
Oops, apparently read this in English 6 years ago. Listened to in Dutch.
Plot could be a bit better (way too coincidental at times, and some plot point were ignored for a long time before they suddenly popped up again), but overall a nice read.
Plot could be a bit better (way too coincidental at times, and some plot point were ignored for a long time before they suddenly popped up again), but overall a nice read.
st4rlight's review against another edition
4.0
نيد تالبوت "بطل الرواية " عمل طيلة حياته وكيل مراهنات على خيول السباق - بعد أن ورث عمل العائلة عن جده -شهد حياة صعبة ، ورأى الكثير ، كد واجتهد وقاوم الظروف التي واجهته . بين زوجة مريضة وعمل صعب حيث منافسة بقية الوكلاء والشركات الكبيرة تقضي على مكاتب المراهنات الصغيرة .
بوصول رجل يدعي أنه والده تنقلب حياته ، خاصة وأنه من المعروف له أن كلا والديه قد توفيا في حادث سيارة حين كان عمره عاما واحدا .
تتصاعد الأحداث بعدأن يقتل والده - الذي عرفه لساعات قليلة - أمامه ويخبره قبل وفاته أن يتوخى الحذر ..
رواية مليئة بالألغاز تدور في عالم وكلاء المراهنات على الأحصنة ، طريفة ، خفيفة ، وأحداثها سلسة ..
بوصول رجل يدعي أنه والده تنقلب حياته ، خاصة وأنه من المعروف له أن كلا والديه قد توفيا في حادث سيارة حين كان عمره عاما واحدا .
تتصاعد الأحداث بعدأن يقتل والده - الذي عرفه لساعات قليلة - أمامه ويخبره قبل وفاته أن يتوخى الحذر ..
رواية مليئة بالألغاز تدور في عالم وكلاء المراهنات على الأحصنة ، طريفة ، خفيفة ، وأحداثها سلسة ..
rmardel's review against another edition
3.0
I've never read a book by Dick Francis before and this was on the "discard/share" table at my local gym. It was formulaic but I really enjoyed reading it.
farkle's review against another edition
4.0
Why did I stop reading Dick Francis? Maybe it's about time that I go back and start over from the beginning. The perfect read for when you're waiting for the novocaine to wear off and are doped up on pain killers... or a good beach read too!