Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
Skotland, ca 1995
Alexander Kinlock - kaldet Al - på 29 år er ud af en stor familie og åbenbart er det ham, der er valgt til at være underlig. Han maler kunstmalerier med akrylfarver et lidt øde sted i Skotland og har det fint med det. Hans stedfar Ivan Westering får et hjerteanfald og
Stedfaderens bryggeri er på vej ned, fordi økonomidirektøren Norman Quorn er stukket af med pengene. Bryggeriets direktør Desmond Finch er heller ikke tilfreds med at det er Al, der har tøjlerne, men han må jo finde sig i det. Al får hjælp af revisor Tobias Tollright og advokat til at finde en bobestyrer, Margaret Morden, der kan forhandle med kreditorerne for at holde en konkurs på afstand. Han flytter også stedfaderens præmievindende hest med hjælp fra sin kone, Emily Jane Cox. De er flyttet fra hinanden, men er stadig gode venner og han overnatter også i hendes seng på vej væk med hesten.
I baggrunden spøger et hestevæddeløb og Kong Alfreds guldpokal, som låner prestige til både løb og bryggeri. Al hyrer en privatdetektiv, der ikke er tabt bag en vogn og sammen får de fundet ud af at det er Oliver Grantchester, der har planlagt bedrageriet sammen med Norman. Et sted undervejs i fortællingen bliver Norman fundet dræbt og det står klart at Grantchester har forsøgt at pine ud af ham hvor pengene er gemt. Desværre blev Norman pint ihjel inden han fortalte noget, så Grantchester har indtil videre ikke fået noget ud af svindelen.
Ivan dør og efter begravelsen lokker Patsy Al til at komme og ryge fredspibe. I stedet bliver Al overfaldet af Grantchesters fire bøller og Grantchester, Suetsee og Patsy ser til. Patsy er dog ikke med på at pine Al og forsøger at forhindre det. Det er dog Als privatdetektiv, der får sat en stopper for løjerne, men ikke får Al har prøvet en omgang af den samme tortur, der tog livet af Norman.
Slutningen er dog fin, for Al og hans kone Eve kommer til en fin forståelse. Patsy bliver helt fornuftig. Grantchester ryger formentlig i spjældet sammen med sine bøller og i alt fald har privatdetektiven med et par gode spark sørget for at han ikke formerer sig.
Museumsmyndighederne med en firsårig Zoë Lang i spidsen forsøger at finde både Kong Alfreds pokal og Kinloch-sværdet, men strækker våben, da Al viser sig dels at have skjult sværdfæstet umanerligt godt og dels at have malet et mesterligt portræt af Zoë, som hun er sikker på vil udødeliggøre både maler og motiv.
Glimrende spændingsroman, som er ganske svær at lægge fra sig efter de første ca hundrede sider. Der er overvejelser om kønsroller og om hvilke mål man skal sætte sig i livet og hvordan man affinder sig med døden, som gør bogen usædvanlig læsværdig.
Alexander Kinlock - kaldet Al - på 29 år er ud af en stor familie og åbenbart er det ham, der er valgt til at være underlig. Han maler kunstmalerier med akrylfarver et lidt øde sted i Skotland og har det fint med det. Hans stedfar Ivan Westering får et hjerteanfald og
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Alexander er på vej til at pakke, da han bliver overfaldet af fire banditter, der efterlader ham hjælpeløs, mens de gennemroder hans hus for at finde etellerandet. Al kommer til sig selv og får lidt hjælp til at komme til London. Moderen Vivienne tager imod. Ivan tænker sig grundigt om og giver så Al uindskrænket fuldmagt til at handle på sine vegne, mens han kommer sig. Det er hans datter Patsy Benchmark formentlig ikke tilfreds med og hans advokat Oliver Grantchester er slet ikke. Patsys mand, Surtees, er om muligt endnu mere sur og skummel.Stedfaderens bryggeri er på vej ned, fordi økonomidirektøren Norman Quorn er stukket af med pengene. Bryggeriets direktør Desmond Finch er heller ikke tilfreds med at det er Al, der har tøjlerne, men han må jo finde sig i det. Al får hjælp af revisor Tobias Tollright og advokat til at finde en bobestyrer, Margaret Morden, der kan forhandle med kreditorerne for at holde en konkurs på afstand. Han flytter også stedfaderens præmievindende hest med hjælp fra sin kone, Emily Jane Cox. De er flyttet fra hinanden, men er stadig gode venner og han overnatter også i hendes seng på vej væk med hesten.
I baggrunden spøger et hestevæddeløb og Kong Alfreds guldpokal, som låner prestige til både løb og bryggeri. Al hyrer en privatdetektiv, der ikke er tabt bag en vogn og sammen får de fundet ud af at det er Oliver Grantchester, der har planlagt bedrageriet sammen med Norman. Et sted undervejs i fortællingen bliver Norman fundet dræbt og det står klart at Grantchester har forsøgt at pine ud af ham hvor pengene er gemt. Desværre blev Norman pint ihjel inden han fortalte noget, så Grantchester har indtil videre ikke fået noget ud af svindelen.
Ivan dør og efter begravelsen lokker Patsy Al til at komme og ryge fredspibe. I stedet bliver Al overfaldet af Grantchesters fire bøller og Grantchester, Suetsee og Patsy ser til. Patsy er dog ikke med på at pine Al og forsøger at forhindre det. Det er dog Als privatdetektiv, der får sat en stopper for løjerne, men ikke får Al har prøvet en omgang af den samme tortur, der tog livet af Norman.
Slutningen er dog fin, for Al og hans kone Eve kommer til en fin forståelse. Patsy bliver helt fornuftig. Grantchester ryger formentlig i spjældet sammen med sine bøller og i alt fald har privatdetektiven med et par gode spark sørget for at han ikke formerer sig.
Museumsmyndighederne med en firsårig Zoë Lang i spidsen forsøger at finde både Kong Alfreds pokal og Kinloch-sværdet, men strækker våben, da Al viser sig dels at have skjult sværdfæstet umanerligt godt og dels at have malet et mesterligt portræt af Zoë, som hun er sikker på vil udødeliggøre både maler og motiv.
Glimrende spændingsroman, som er ganske svær at lægge fra sig efter de første ca hundrede sider. Der er overvejelser om kønsroller og om hvilke mål man skal sætte sig i livet og hvordan man affinder sig med døden, som gør bogen usædvanlig læsværdig.
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Genres
Publication
[Kbh.] Forum 1998
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
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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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
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represent the triumph of the human spirit make me snigger quite as loudly as his "unenlightened" critics. Show Less
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
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.
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
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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
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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. Show Less
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
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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. Show Less
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
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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. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1996
Physical description
284 p.; 23.1 cm
ISBN
8755325416 / 9788755325418
Local notes
Omslag: Carl Vang Petersen
Omslaget viser et sværdskæfte fra det syttende århundrede (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)
Omslagsfoto: Bridgeman Art Library
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "To the Hilt" af Hanne Tang
Side 5: Bedas dødssang
Fore thaem neidfaerae naenig uuirthit
thoncsnotturra, than him tharf sie
to ymbhycggannae aer his hiniongae
hwaet his gastae godaes aeththae yflaes
aefter deothdaege doemid uueorthae.
Before that sudden journey no one is wiser in
though than he needs to be, in considering,
before his departure, what will be adjudged to
his soul, of good or evil, after his death-day.
From The Earliest English Poems, translated by Michael Alexander (Penguin Books, Third Edition 1991)
Side 64: Under min berøring var hendes krop for længst glemt og dog velkendt, som at gå tilbage til et forladt hus: et nyudforsket bryst, den velkendte konkave mave, det hårde venusbjerg, det bløde, varme og mørke mysterium nedenunder, velkendt i hemmelighed, men aldrig udforsket i lyset, da hun på trods af sin ligefremme offentlige optræden var genert i privatlivet.
Jeg gjorde det, som jeg vidste hun kunne lide, og som altid oplevede jeg den mest intense nydelse ved at glæde hende. Det var let at glide ind, for hun var parat og modtagelig. Bevægelserne stærke og rytmiske, et fælles instinkt. Da jeg mærkede pulsen hamre dybt i hende, tog jeg også mit eget lange øjeblik; før i tiden havde det somme tider været lige så godt, men ikke altid. Også på det område var vi øjensynlig blevet voksne.
Side 98: Inden den pludselige rejse er ingen klogere i tanken, end han behøver at være, når han inden afrejsen betænker, hvad der vil blive tilkendt hans sjæl, af godt eller ondt, efter hans dødsdag.
Omslaget viser et sværdskæfte fra det syttende århundrede (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)
Omslagsfoto: Bridgeman Art Library
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "To the Hilt" af Hanne Tang
Side 5: Bedas dødssang
Fore thaem neidfaerae naenig uuirthit
thoncsnotturra, than him tharf sie
to ymbhycggannae aer his hiniongae
hwaet his gastae godaes aeththae yflaes
aefter deothdaege doemid uueorthae.
Before that sudden journey no one is wiser in
though than he needs to be, in considering,
before his departure, what will be adjudged to
his soul, of good or evil, after his death-day.
From The Earliest English Poems, translated by Michael Alexander (Penguin Books, Third Edition 1991)
Side 64: Under min berøring var hendes krop for længst glemt og dog velkendt, som at gå tilbage til et forladt hus: et nyudforsket bryst, den velkendte konkave mave, det hårde venusbjerg, det bløde, varme og mørke mysterium nedenunder, velkendt i hemmelighed, men aldrig udforsket i lyset, da hun på trods af sin ligefremme offentlige optræden var genert i privatlivet.
Jeg gjorde det, som jeg vidste hun kunne lide, og som altid oplevede jeg den mest intense nydelse ved at glæde hende. Det var let at glide ind, for hun var parat og modtagelig. Bevægelserne stærke og rytmiske, et fælles instinkt. Da jeg mærkede pulsen hamre dybt i hende, tog jeg også mit eget lange øjeblik; før i tiden havde det somme tider været lige så godt, men ikke altid. Også på det område var vi øjensynlig blevet voksne.
Side 98: Inden den pludselige rejse er ingen klogere i tanken, end han behøver at være, når han inden afrejsen betænker, hvad der vil blive tilkendt hans sjæl, af godt eller ondt, efter hans dødsdag.
Other editions
To the hilt by Dick Francis (Paperback)
Similar in this library
Pages
284
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |