To the Hilt

by Dick Francis

1997

Status

Available

Genres

Mystery

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Standard Shelves

Publication

Jove (1997), Edition: Reprint, 352 pages

Description

Featuring the gripping plot, dramatic settings and believable characters that readers have come to expect from Dick Francis, To the Hilt displays the master at the top of his form. Alexander Kinloch is definitely the black sheep of his noble family, choosing the precarious life of a painter over a lucrative job in his stepfather's brewery. But when a trusted assistant disappears with millions of pounds, Alexander is reluctantly thrust into a foreign world of bankers and auditors. Brutal thugs and jealous relatives stand in his way as he labors to save the business and protect the family treasures. In the face of adversity, Alexander must defend himself and his family's honor to the hilt. After three dozen novels, Dick Francis maintains his reputation as one of the most popular mystery writers of our time. Both suspenseful and poignant, To the Hilt is a wild ride through a perilous adventure.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member auntieknickers

I found this book at the Ursuline Mall (rummage sale) at the St. John's Bazaar, and bought it for a quarter to read while eating my lobster roll. It got me through fried clams and strawberry shortcake as well, and when I got home I couldn't put it down.Dick Francis has a theme that runs through

many of his books, as my husband (Snorri Sturlusson) pointed out. A young man comes to a crossroads in his life and some crime involves him on the side of the angels, during the course of which he learns a lot about himself and often begins to chart the course for the rest of his life. Such is To the Hilt. Francis does something a bit different with the formula every time. This time, Alexander Kinlock, the protagonist, is a painter of golf scenes who lives off the grid in the Scottish Highlands. Coming home from a trip to the post office, where he's just learned of his stepfather's heart attack, he is set upon and beaten up by four thugs who seem to be looking for something. They leave him (not seeming to care whether he's dead or alive), trash his cottage, and he manages to make his way to his mother's London home. There, Al learns that his stepfather's brewery is about to go under because of a massive embezzlement. And of course there is horseracing involved, as the brewery sponsors an annual steeplechase in which the stepfather's horse is slated to run. And that's not the half of it.
Dick Francis, apparently with help from his wife and, later, their son, researched his books heavily and one of the pleasures of reading them is how much one learns about so many subjects -- in this case, painting, bankruptcy, the trials of turning over one's stately home to a conservation trust. But one never feels lectured at because the storyline is so compelling and Francis is always coming up with unexpected plot twists. I resisted reading Dick Francis for many years and now I'm glad I did, for there will be no more of his books, but I still have many unread to look forward to. Recommended.

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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend

Until recently I'd forgotten how much FUN Dick Francis could be. Interesting adventure with missing money, missing treasure and a missing race horse.

LibraryThing member MuseofIre

A good yarn from Dick Francis, better than most of his later books. As usual, the hero is strong, stubborn, and stoic, and the technical details of whatever profession Francis is writing about -- in this case, painting -- are fascinating and well presented. But the idea that Al's pictures of golf

represent the triumph of the human spirit make me snigger quite as loudly as his "unenlightened" critics.

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LibraryThing member tripleblessings

Painter Alexander Kinloch is threatened by thugs, who seem to be searching for an antique family treasure, and a business fortune as well. Set partly in Scotland, interesting description of an artist's work. Average for Francis, a pretty good escape read.

LibraryThing member wfzimmerman

These Putnam Dick Francis books have extremely nice paper! A thick brilliant white that has stood the test of time very well.

LibraryThing member MrsHillReads

Dick Francis is on the list for our CP English class. I enjoy his books...can't seem to find many high school students who do. I just like horse stories and stories about British "society".

LibraryThing member LA12Hernandez

I would love to see the paintings of Alexander Kinloch. I became very interested in Scotland and really became involved in the whole story.

LibraryThing member jet1

Another great read from Dick Francis. Exciting and emotional. As always a lead character who is sharp and stubborn. Horses and racing are almost incidental compared to many of his books.

LibraryThing member smik

TO THE HILT is one of Dick Francis' many stand alone novels. I think I have read most of them over the years but don't remember this one.

Francis (1920 - 2010) was a master story teller and there always seems to be something to keep the reader/listener interested in TO THE HILT. The story feels

credible and there are a number of well drawn characters. In particular I liked the main character Alexander Kinloch, his uncle the Laird known as "himself", and the private detective Al employs, who is a dab hand at changing his persona.

Alexander Kinloch has always been good at hiding things. He has already hidden the golden hilt, but even he has to wonder when his step father asks him to hide a horse.

In addition in the audio version, Tony Britton does an excellent job of a variety of voices.
A most enjoyable novel.

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LibraryThing member katekf

To the Hilt is Dick Francis at his best as Alexander Kinloch has to help navigate the problems of his step-father's brewery and family politics. Alexander is an artist who lives in the countryside of Scotland, but who's family is complicated as his step-father owns a major brewery and his uncle is

a Scottish lord. When his step-father asks him to help recover from an embezzling scheme, he finds himself dealing with violence and re-evaluates his family relationships. As with the best Dick Francis stories, the characters all feel real, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and there are moments of surprising beauty when horses and art are spoken of. A must read for any lover of Dick Francis.

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LibraryThing member SalemAthenaeum

Artist Alexander Kinloch has worked out a good pattern for his life. His home is a small bothy on a remote mountain in Scotland; he paints on commission, from which he derives both pleasure and a decent income; he lives alone and likes it. One day, however, Alexander's peace is violently shattered

when he returns home to find a group of strangers waiting for him. After a scuffle, he is left for dead with only the words ‘‘Where is it?' ringing in his ears. And the days that follow contain more danger than he could ever imagine.

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LibraryThing member skraft001

I've read nearly all of the Dick Francis novels and this is one of the very best.

LibraryThing member JenneB

This is the one with the guy who is a painter and lives in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. It's a pretty good one. Not much horse-racing in it.

LibraryThing member hhornblower

I'm a sucker for Dick Francis, been reading him since I was twelve - my grandfather was a fan and he had them around the house, so I just picked them up. They're not edge of your seat thrillers and the mysteries are fairly straight-forward, but his writing is just elegant. His books are a fun way

to spend some time relaxing. This really isn't a review of this specific title, more of a general take on Mr. Francis' style, you know what to expect with him. I haven't been disappointed yet.

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