Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
England, London, ca 1980
Philip Nore er ca 30 år og er vokset op ved mere eller mindre tilfældige bekendtskaber af sin mor Caroline Nore. Heldigvis var moren meget charmerende og hendes bekendte fandt sig godvilligt i Philip og lærte ham endda et og andet. Han har lært at flyde med strømmen og
Philip er blevet jockey og har fotografering som hobby efter at han i lang tid boede hos to fotografer Duncan og Charlie. En af hans venner Steve Millace løber i en stime af uheld. Først dør hans far George Millace i en soloulykke i sin bil. Derefter er der indbrud i Georges hus under begravelsen og dagen efter kommer et par hjemmerøvere forbi og banker Georges enke Marie for at få at vide hvor pengeskabet er. De bliver dog afbrudt af nabokonen og tager flugten, hvilket er heldigt for George havde slet ikke et pengeskab. George var sportsfotograf med speciale i billeder af tabere og andre uheldige, så han havde ingen venner.
Steve har samme dag som røveriet brækket kravebenet i et styrt, så Philip hjælper med oprydningen efter tyveri og røveri og opdager at George som alle gode fotografer gemte sine film i fryseren. Det går op for Philip at George udover sportsbillederne også tog billeder, som kunne være velegnede til pengeafpresning. Han fortæller dog ikke Marie dette, men hun har selv tænkt tanken og får sønnen til at flytte filmene over til naboen. Det viser sig at være klogt for om natten brænder nogen hele huset af.
Philip har fundet et billede, hvor Elgin Yaxley og Terence O'Tree snakker sammen. Det er dynamit, for Terence har skudt fem af Yaxleys heste, så denne fik udbetalt forsikringssummen, men ingen har kunnet bevise nogen forbindelse mellem de to. På den anden siden vil en afsløring af de to jo også afsløre at George Millace drev pengeafpresning og hvem har brug for det? Philip beslutter at lade sovende hunde sove, også selv om Yaxley måske står bag indbrud, røveri og ildspåsættelse.
Billederne i fryseren er ufarlige, men flotte. Billederne i George Millaces skrotbunke er lidt svære at afkode, men bestemt ikke ufarlige. Et af dem er et kærestepar i seng med hinanden, men de er ikke gift med hinanden.
Jeremy får Philip til at aftale med ham at de skal forsøge at finde Amanda. Første stop er James More, der er Carolines eneste søskende. Han er homoseksuel og da Lavinia opdagede det, besluttede hun sig for at finde Amanda. Han hjælper ikke ret meget, men han lover at give Philip en slat af pengene, hvis han skaffer beviser for at Amanda er død.
Næste stop er at finde tilbage til nogle af dem, der passede Philip i sin tid. Han finder en Samantha Berger, der har en datter Clare, som bestemt ikke er tabt bag en vogn. Hun opdager Philips talent som fotograf og har straks planer for en bog med hans billeder fra væddeløbsbanerne, og for at blive hans agent og måske mere end det.
Philip viser billederne af kæresteparret til en lord White, hvilket kurerer ham for en forgabelse i kvinden Dana den Relgan. Lord Whites kone Wendy White er meget lettet over den udvikling og tilgiver hans sidespring.
Den anden på billedet var Ivor den Relgan, som Lord White ellers var i gang med at give stor magt, men det dropper han også.
En annonce i et rideblad giver et spor til Amanda og Philip finder en Mandy North, der formentlig har Amanda Nore som rigtigt navn, men hun er vokset op ved en religiøs sekt, Den yderste Nådes Broderskab.
Lidt senere på dagen, mens Philip er godt tilfreds med at have fundet ud af ting og skræmt skurke ved at bruge Georges afpresningsmateriale, dukker Ivor op og truer ham med en pistol. Et par bøller giver Philip en gang bank, der er ved at tage livet af ham, men ender med bare at koste nogle dages restitution. Clare og Jeremy dukker op og Jeremy kommer til at udløse en dødsfælde, som nogen har anbragt i mørkerummet. Jeremy dør med nød og næppe ikke af den svovlbrinte, der bliver frigivet, men hvem i alverden har anbragt den? Naboen har et bud, for hun har set vedkommende og Philip kan sætte tommelskruerne på Lance Kinship, filminstruktør og pusher. Philip har også en klemme på Victor Briggs som han rider for, men den er næsten ok med Briggs.
Lance hældte lidt i Georges drink, da George kom forbi for at afpresse ham til at holde op med at forsyne Dana med narkotika, så han slipper afsted med mord, men Philip har sin egen ide om retfærdighed. Lavinia dør og efterlader sine penge til James og Philip med halvdelen til hver. Og Philip og Clare finder sammen og rider ud mod solnedgangen, som det nu plejer at ske i en Dick Francis bog.
Ganske underholdende bog med en sympatisk afpresser eller hvad man nu skal kalde den alternative retfærdighed som Philip benytter sig af. Den danske udgave er forkortet en del i forhold til den engelske, for siderne er ca samme størrelse, men der er 217 i denne og 250 i den engelske.
Philip Nore er ca 30 år og er vokset op ved mere eller mindre tilfældige bekendtskaber af sin mor Caroline Nore. Heldigvis var moren meget charmerende og hendes bekendte fandt sig godvilligt i Philip og lærte ham endda et og andet. Han har lært at flyde med strømmen og
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tage imod hvad verden nu byder ham. Et aksiom er dog at hans mormor Lavinia Nore er en heks. En ung advokat Jeremy Folk lokker ham dog til at besøge hende og hun fortæller at han har en halvsøster Amanda. Hverken moderen eller søsteren er dog til at finde og Philip har tolket moderens forsvinden som at hun med stor sandsynlighed er død og borte.Philip er blevet jockey og har fotografering som hobby efter at han i lang tid boede hos to fotografer Duncan og Charlie. En af hans venner Steve Millace løber i en stime af uheld. Først dør hans far George Millace i en soloulykke i sin bil. Derefter er der indbrud i Georges hus under begravelsen og dagen efter kommer et par hjemmerøvere forbi og banker Georges enke Marie for at få at vide hvor pengeskabet er. De bliver dog afbrudt af nabokonen og tager flugten, hvilket er heldigt for George havde slet ikke et pengeskab. George var sportsfotograf med speciale i billeder af tabere og andre uheldige, så han havde ingen venner.
Steve har samme dag som røveriet brækket kravebenet i et styrt, så Philip hjælper med oprydningen efter tyveri og røveri og opdager at George som alle gode fotografer gemte sine film i fryseren. Det går op for Philip at George udover sportsbillederne også tog billeder, som kunne være velegnede til pengeafpresning. Han fortæller dog ikke Marie dette, men hun har selv tænkt tanken og får sønnen til at flytte filmene over til naboen. Det viser sig at være klogt for om natten brænder nogen hele huset af.
Philip har fundet et billede, hvor Elgin Yaxley og Terence O'Tree snakker sammen. Det er dynamit, for Terence har skudt fem af Yaxleys heste, så denne fik udbetalt forsikringssummen, men ingen har kunnet bevise nogen forbindelse mellem de to. På den anden siden vil en afsløring af de to jo også afsløre at George Millace drev pengeafpresning og hvem har brug for det? Philip beslutter at lade sovende hunde sove, også selv om Yaxley måske står bag indbrud, røveri og ildspåsættelse.
Billederne i fryseren er ufarlige, men flotte. Billederne i George Millaces skrotbunke er lidt svære at afkode, men bestemt ikke ufarlige. Et af dem er et kærestepar i seng med hinanden, men de er ikke gift med hinanden.
Jeremy får Philip til at aftale med ham at de skal forsøge at finde Amanda. Første stop er James More, der er Carolines eneste søskende. Han er homoseksuel og da Lavinia opdagede det, besluttede hun sig for at finde Amanda. Han hjælper ikke ret meget, men han lover at give Philip en slat af pengene, hvis han skaffer beviser for at Amanda er død.
Næste stop er at finde tilbage til nogle af dem, der passede Philip i sin tid. Han finder en Samantha Berger, der har en datter Clare, som bestemt ikke er tabt bag en vogn. Hun opdager Philips talent som fotograf og har straks planer for en bog med hans billeder fra væddeløbsbanerne, og for at blive hans agent og måske mere end det.
Philip viser billederne af kæresteparret til en lord White, hvilket kurerer ham for en forgabelse i kvinden Dana den Relgan. Lord Whites kone Wendy White er meget lettet over den udvikling og tilgiver hans sidespring.
Den anden på billedet var Ivor den Relgan, som Lord White ellers var i gang med at give stor magt, men det dropper han også.
En annonce i et rideblad giver et spor til Amanda og Philip finder en Mandy North, der formentlig har Amanda Nore som rigtigt navn, men hun er vokset op ved en religiøs sekt, Den yderste Nådes Broderskab.
Lidt senere på dagen, mens Philip er godt tilfreds med at have fundet ud af ting og skræmt skurke ved at bruge Georges afpresningsmateriale, dukker Ivor op og truer ham med en pistol. Et par bøller giver Philip en gang bank, der er ved at tage livet af ham, men ender med bare at koste nogle dages restitution. Clare og Jeremy dukker op og Jeremy kommer til at udløse en dødsfælde, som nogen har anbragt i mørkerummet. Jeremy dør med nød og næppe ikke af den svovlbrinte, der bliver frigivet, men hvem i alverden har anbragt den? Naboen har et bud, for hun har set vedkommende og Philip kan sætte tommelskruerne på Lance Kinship, filminstruktør og pusher. Philip har også en klemme på Victor Briggs som han rider for, men den er næsten ok med Briggs.
Lance hældte lidt i Georges drink, da George kom forbi for at afpresse ham til at holde op med at forsyne Dana med narkotika, så han slipper afsted med mord, men Philip har sin egen ide om retfærdighed. Lavinia dør og efterlader sine penge til James og Philip med halvdelen til hver. Og Philip og Clare finder sammen og rider ud mod solnedgangen, som det nu plejer at ske i en Dick Francis bog.
Ganske underholdende bog med en sympatisk afpresser eller hvad man nu skal kalde den alternative retfærdighed som Philip benytter sig af. Den danske udgave er forkortet en del i forhold til den engelske, for siderne er ca samme størrelse, men der er 217 i denne og 250 i den engelske.
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Genres
Publication
[Kbh.] : Forum, 1985.
Description
Fiction. Literature. Mystery. HTML: Well-plotted and full of atmospheric charm, Reflex demonstrates the fine style that earned Dick Francis the title of Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America. This fast-paced story of a jockey's courageous murder investigation exposes the politics and corruption at the heart of the British racing world. Philip Nore has no greater ambition than to successfully complete the last years of his career as a jockey, even if it means bending the rules a bit. But when pushed, Philip discovers that there really are a few other things that matter to him. One is finding the truth about the death of a much hated track photographer. Reflex showcases the author's gift for creating heroes out of ordinary men. Simon Prebble's distinctive voice, deep and mildly accented, is perfect for Francis' work. His performance highlights the psychological drama and intrigue to deliver a positively exhilarating listening experience..… (more)
Media reviews
Times Literary Supplement
One hesitates to criticize a Francis novel, but Reflex displays in a less extreme form a defect of its predecessor Whip Hand, in which three themes proved in the end to have nothing to do with each other. Francis usually observes Chekhov’s dictum that if there is a pistol hanging on the wall,
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sooner or later someone in the story must fire it, but in fact the sister search is irrelevant to the photography problem, and when she is found in unhappy circumstances the hero does nothing to rescue her. Although this outcome is supposed to change Philip Nore’s attitude to life (‘I had roots’) his final resolution (one can’t give the game away) is not altogether convincing. Show Less
New York Times
''Reflex'' contains more interesting characterizations than most of Mr. Francis's books, particularly in Philip's poignant recollections of his shadowy butterfly mother, who used her charm to dump her small boy on one friend after another over the years. But there are limits to Mr. Francis's
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talent. His heroines are present simply to fill a few pages and sometimes to share a bed, and the characters who lie outside the racing world he knows so well are often drawn perfunctorily. Mr. Francis might reply that a writer of his kind of thriller cannot afford psychological intricacies, and very likely he would be right. In the end, action is the name of the Dick Francis game. In writing scenes of action, not all of them violent, and blending them into a mystery adventure, he is now a long way ahead of the rest of the field. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member JulesJones
Jockey Philip Nore isn't too impressed when a young solicitor turns up at the weighing room, asking him to go and see his estranged grandmother. They're estranged because his grandmother threw his mother out of the house when she became pregnant. Nore doesn't know who his father is, hasn't seen his
Another mystery drops into his lap when one of his friends suffers a series of misfortunes. Steve's father dies in a car accident, his mother is burgled and then attacked. George Millace was a professional sports photographer, and it becomes clear to Nore that Millace had photographed more than horses. Nore's haphazard upbringing has equipped him to dig up the dirt someone thought they'd buried along with Millace, because Nore's best loved foster parents were also professional photographers, and Nore knows darkroom techniques inside out.
Nore slowly works his way through George Millace's legacy, uncovering a network of corruption and blackmail -- and getting too close to the final truth for somebody's comfort.
It's a beautifully constructed thriller, with the first strand intertwining with the second to provide the final resolution, even though there's no direct link between them. And as ever with Francis's novels, it's an enthralling story of a man discovering himself and what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
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mother in years and has good reason to believe that she's dead, and was brought up by a succession of his mother's friends who were asked to look after him for a few days that turned into a few months. He lost the one set of involuntary foster parents who wanted to keep him. So he's more than a little bitter on the subject of family. Only being told that his grandmother is dying persuades him to go and see her -- only to find that she isn't dying just yet, and that she wants him to find a sister he never knew he had.Another mystery drops into his lap when one of his friends suffers a series of misfortunes. Steve's father dies in a car accident, his mother is burgled and then attacked. George Millace was a professional sports photographer, and it becomes clear to Nore that Millace had photographed more than horses. Nore's haphazard upbringing has equipped him to dig up the dirt someone thought they'd buried along with Millace, because Nore's best loved foster parents were also professional photographers, and Nore knows darkroom techniques inside out.
Nore slowly works his way through George Millace's legacy, uncovering a network of corruption and blackmail -- and getting too close to the final truth for somebody's comfort.
It's a beautifully constructed thriller, with the first strand intertwining with the second to provide the final resolution, even though there's no direct link between them. And as ever with Francis's novels, it's an enthralling story of a man discovering himself and what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
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LibraryThing member LA12Hernandez
As a photographer and drafter i appreciate the research Francis did on this story.
LibraryThing member TadAD
This was the first Dick Francis book I read and is still one of my favorites. The mystery plot is, perhaps, just a touch hokey but the characters and love interest are great.
LibraryThing member dekan
it was very nice to get back to a dick francis book. he will always be my favorite. he used to be a steple chase jockey before he started writting books. you are so immersed by his writting you can taste, smell and feel it completely. His books all center around racing whether it be the driver for
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the horses, vet, rider, owner or realitive of an owner. they are so well done that if i had the money would look into owning steplechase horses as well. The stories are all vastly different aside for this however. This paticular story is about a photographer who catchs more from his pictures that you would think. The main character philip then ends up with the pics and is then charged with not only figuring out the puzzles of the pics but the added responsibility of now having the knowledge gained by them. Show Less
LibraryThing member SalemAthenaeum
Jockey Philip Nore is no ordinary hero. When Nore began to suspect that a track photographer's fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and to trap the killer. Slowly, he unravels some nasty secrets involving corruption, blackmail and murder - and unwittingly sets himself
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up as the killer's next target. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mrsbaty
Life has changed for me enough lately that I can now participate in the book discussion groups at my public library. The book for October is Reflex by Dick Francis and I'm thrilled that it spurred me to a reread of this great mystery.
When I began reading mysteries (about 5th grade) I was fortunate
In Reflex, as with all Dick Francis novels, we are plunged into the world of British horse racing. Our hero is Phillip Norse, a 2nd tier jockey who had a very unconventional childhood because his mother constantly left him with other people to raise. He has no idea who his father was and his maternal grandmother has always refused to acknowledge his existence. He learned his two passions in life, photography and horse racing, from two of the couples that his mother left his with.
Our story begins with two events. His grandmother decides she wants to see him and one of the most prominent racing photographers is killed in a car accident.
These two events change Phillip's life. Phillip learns from his grandmother that he has a sister and if he can find her, the grandmother will leave all her money to this unknown sister. He gets involved in the death of the photographer because of his friendship with the photographer's son. It becomes clear that the photographer did not always make people happy with his pictures.
Phillip has a number of ingenious mysteries and puzzles to solve. They are really very clever and entertaining to read about. Through them all he has to come to grips with his own code of ethics. How far is he willing to go for justice and for the good of the racing world? He also has to come to grips with his own need to keep people at bay. Can he open up and let people into his life? There is great character development as he explores these questions. Every solution to every mystery is satisfying. I find this book to be a superb mystery from an author who would have been a master of any genre he had decided to write.
When I began reading mysteries (about 5th grade) I was fortunate
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that the first three authors I read were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and Dick Francis. These remain the standards by which all other mysteries I read are judged. Tough acts to follow!In Reflex, as with all Dick Francis novels, we are plunged into the world of British horse racing. Our hero is Phillip Norse, a 2nd tier jockey who had a very unconventional childhood because his mother constantly left him with other people to raise. He has no idea who his father was and his maternal grandmother has always refused to acknowledge his existence. He learned his two passions in life, photography and horse racing, from two of the couples that his mother left his with.
Our story begins with two events. His grandmother decides she wants to see him and one of the most prominent racing photographers is killed in a car accident.
These two events change Phillip's life. Phillip learns from his grandmother that he has a sister and if he can find her, the grandmother will leave all her money to this unknown sister. He gets involved in the death of the photographer because of his friendship with the photographer's son. It becomes clear that the photographer did not always make people happy with his pictures.
Phillip has a number of ingenious mysteries and puzzles to solve. They are really very clever and entertaining to read about. Through them all he has to come to grips with his own code of ethics. How far is he willing to go for justice and for the good of the racing world? He also has to come to grips with his own need to keep people at bay. Can he open up and let people into his life? There is great character development as he explores these questions. Every solution to every mystery is satisfying. I find this book to be a superb mystery from an author who would have been a master of any genre he had decided to write.
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LibraryThing member witchyrichy
It took me a little while to get involved in the story: partially because of reading it slowly and partially because of Francis' somewhat stilted style. But once I moved along, I found it intriguing and engaging. I loved the focus on photography and how we record our lives. Long before anyone
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thought of taking a photo a day, Phillip Nore was already doing it. Clair comments on how he has captured a whole life and allowed her to see things through him. She is able to understand his life because of his photographs. Show Less
LibraryThing member quiBee
Very well written story, great character and the introduction to a background I'd never come in contact with before.
I thought perhaps the resolution of the final problem in the book was not as strong as the rest of the writing, but all in all, very enjoyable.
I thought perhaps the resolution of the final problem in the book was not as strong as the rest of the writing, but all in all, very enjoyable.
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
Dick Francis is always a good read. The mystery is good and I always feel I learn a little more about what it is like to be a jockey. This book had an interesting twist in that photography was a main theme throughout the mystery. I followed the mystery, discovering the evidence as the hero did.
Who would enjoy it? People who like racing or horses and mysteries. People who like photography and mysteries. If you like all three as I do, then you should love it.
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This was a thoroughly satisfying mystery.Who would enjoy it? People who like racing or horses and mysteries. People who like photography and mysteries. If you like all three as I do, then you should love it.
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LibraryThing member marichu77
Another Dick Francis masterpiece. Really get to connect with the hero. Interesting info about photography. Plotline was good. Interesting to note Nore's dislike for the dead photographer battling with admiration for his work and deeds (if not motives).
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Against his better judgment, jockey Philip Nore gets involved with the aftermath of the death of sports photographer George Millace. Although Nore didn’t like Millace, he does like Millace’s son, Steve, a fellow jockey. A series of burglaries in Millace’s home suggests that Millace had
This is a satisfying crime novel that gives readers two mysteries - a murder and a missing persons investigation. Philip is at a turning point in his life, and his interest in the puzzles he solves helps him make decisions about his future. As in the last Francis novel I read, the hero is basically good but flawed. Adversity brings out the best in his character.
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photographs that someone wanted to keep hidden. Nore’s amateur photography skills help him to spot things the police and insurance investigators missed, but he’ll have to figure out the right techniques to reveal what Millace has so carefully concealed. In a parallel story, Nore meets his dying grandmother for the first time, and he reluctantly agrees to help her lawyers search for a long-lost family member.This is a satisfying crime novel that gives readers two mysteries - a murder and a missing persons investigation. Philip is at a turning point in his life, and his interest in the puzzles he solves helps him make decisions about his future. As in the last Francis novel I read, the hero is basically good but flawed. Adversity brings out the best in his character.
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LibraryThing member quondame
Philip Nore provides an experience of the darker side of racing as he starts to notice that his career as a jockey has an end in sight whether through accident or age, and he gets a fortuitous nudge and push to develop his photography hobby into a future while he dodges bad eggs and searches for a
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sister he never knew he had. A good and rather technical day at the virtual races. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ameise1
Philip Nore, who earns his living as a jockey, but incidentally with his camera many photos of racing places in places where the normal public has no access fights on different fronts. On the one hand he is harassed by a lawyer, that he should visit his dying grandmother and should fulfill her last
In addition to all this, he is being pressured by a horse owner to manipulate races.
It was a very exciting read and kept me guessing until the end.
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wish. He gets to know his past, which was not always pleasant to him. On the other hand, he receives from a jockey colleague a box that his dead father has filled with various photo puzzles. Thanks to his experience as a photographer, he gets to the bottom of the various mysteries. Not only he, but also important persons are in danger.In addition to all this, he is being pressured by a horse owner to manipulate races.
It was a very exciting read and kept me guessing until the end.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
Main character Philip Nore is a steeplechase jockey nearing the end of his career. He does have a possible new career as a photographer but lacks the confidence to give up his present for a potential future. He is a very intriguing character who is the product of a very unusual childhood. Philip's
Two of the homes where he was left have influenced his present. He spent a couple of years with a gay couple named Charlie and Duncan who developed his interest in photography. He was with them for a couple of years until Duncan left and his mother swept him away to friends at a racing stable who developed his interest in being a jockey.
Now 30, he's more or less drifting in his life. Then a few things happen that change him. The trainer and owner he works for most often have asked him to throw a race. He had done this for them in the past but not for the last three years. And famous racing photographer George Millace died in a single car accident. Millage was an excellent photographer but not much liked because he had an unerring eye for photos that most didn't want to see. He was filled with ill will. His son Steve is a fellow jockey with Philip.
When Steve has a fall and breaks his collarbone, Philip offers him a ride home. Steve's mother's house had been burgled while they were at the funeral and again a couple of days later. The second time Mrs. Millace was beaten up by the burglars who were looking for a safe. Steve gives Philip a box of his father's mistakes that he had carefully kept and Philip was intrigued to find out why he had saved them. His common interest in photography and love of puzzles drew him in - and led him into danger.
Another change is also coming to Philip's life. The grandmother who threw her daughter out when she was a teen wants to see him. She's sent a lawyer from the firm who does her business to bring him to her. The lawyer guilts Philip into visiting the grandmother he hates for her treatment of his mother. She drops a bombshell and wants him to find his sister Amanda - a sister he didn't know he had.
Philip works with the lawyer to look for his sister while trying to solve George Millace's puzzles. The puzzles lead to Millace's possible side job as a blackmailer and put Philip in great danger from those Millace had blackmailed when they learn that he has the photographic files.
This was an excellent story with an intriguing main character and very interesting photographic puzzles. I really liked the descriptions of the characters which illuminated them in a few short sentences. I liked Philip learning more about his family and his past. I also liked that it led him to a new future and a woman to love.
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seventeen-year-old mother would frequently leave him with friends for various lengths of time. His few times with his mother were spent in a drug culture. He was exposed to marijuana and LSD as a preschooler. He saw his mother infrequently and never after the age of fifteen. He received birthday and Christmas gifts until his eighteenth birthday when he assumed she died - probably of a heroin overdose. Two of the homes where he was left have influenced his present. He spent a couple of years with a gay couple named Charlie and Duncan who developed his interest in photography. He was with them for a couple of years until Duncan left and his mother swept him away to friends at a racing stable who developed his interest in being a jockey.
Now 30, he's more or less drifting in his life. Then a few things happen that change him. The trainer and owner he works for most often have asked him to throw a race. He had done this for them in the past but not for the last three years. And famous racing photographer George Millace died in a single car accident. Millage was an excellent photographer but not much liked because he had an unerring eye for photos that most didn't want to see. He was filled with ill will. His son Steve is a fellow jockey with Philip.
When Steve has a fall and breaks his collarbone, Philip offers him a ride home. Steve's mother's house had been burgled while they were at the funeral and again a couple of days later. The second time Mrs. Millace was beaten up by the burglars who were looking for a safe. Steve gives Philip a box of his father's mistakes that he had carefully kept and Philip was intrigued to find out why he had saved them. His common interest in photography and love of puzzles drew him in - and led him into danger.
Another change is also coming to Philip's life. The grandmother who threw her daughter out when she was a teen wants to see him. She's sent a lawyer from the firm who does her business to bring him to her. The lawyer guilts Philip into visiting the grandmother he hates for her treatment of his mother. She drops a bombshell and wants him to find his sister Amanda - a sister he didn't know he had.
Philip works with the lawyer to look for his sister while trying to solve George Millace's puzzles. The puzzles lead to Millace's possible side job as a blackmailer and put Philip in great danger from those Millace had blackmailed when they learn that he has the photographic files.
This was an excellent story with an intriguing main character and very interesting photographic puzzles. I really liked the descriptions of the characters which illuminated them in a few short sentences. I liked Philip learning more about his family and his past. I also liked that it led him to a new future and a woman to love.
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LibraryThing member streamsong
Philip Nore is a middle-talent steeplechase jockey, coming to the end of his career. Thanks to a very unconventional childhood, he spent time with a couple who were gifted photographers and Philip has been exploring his own gift in that direction.
He’s aware of, but does not admire a successful
Phillip takes up the challenge and works with arcane developing techniques to try to solve riddles in blank negatives.
While the techniques are even more arcane and outdated since the development of digital photography, this adds even more to the story – such hidden information would require even more rare knowledge to discover today.
But I’m finding Francis’s mysteries to be a bit formulaic. I love the ties to horses, steeplechasing and racing. I like the fact that the hero is a good guy, although this also makes the heroes less nuanced – no noir or anti-heroes for Mr. Francis. But although each book has unique details, the stories tend to blend together in my head due to their similarities.3.5 stars.
He’s aware of, but does not admire a successful
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track photographer named George Millace, whose cynical photos always manage to show embarrassing moments. But then Millace drives his car into a tree; Millace’s wife is beaten, and Millace’s house is burned down. Can Millace’s photographs be the cause?Phillip takes up the challenge and works with arcane developing techniques to try to solve riddles in blank negatives.
While the techniques are even more arcane and outdated since the development of digital photography, this adds even more to the story – such hidden information would require even more rare knowledge to discover today.
But I’m finding Francis’s mysteries to be a bit formulaic. I love the ties to horses, steeplechasing and racing. I like the fact that the hero is a good guy, although this also makes the heroes less nuanced – no noir or anti-heroes for Mr. Francis. But although each book has unique details, the stories tend to blend together in my head due to their similarities.3.5 stars.
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LibraryThing member AliceAnna
I just really like Francis. I've never read anything by him that wasn't well-written with good characters and a solid plot with ending that aren't telegraphed. Just a good enjoyable mystery!
LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
Reflex by Dick Francis
3.5 stars.
This a standalone book by Dick Francis which was written in 1980, but truth be told you wouldn't know this from the book.
Philip Nore is a steeplechase jockey and amateur photographer who becomes involved in two mysteries. First, the father of a friend of his, who is
For me this seemed to take a slow start, but did pick up pace in the second half of the book. Don't worry if you are not into horse racing this is still a good mystery book and you don't have to be into horse racing (I personally hate horse racing), this is just the backdrop for the story. There are plenty of twists and turns in the book and some unexpected outcomes. In this book are some of the most surprising ways of hiding letters and messages that come to light after the photographer dies - very unique in my reading experiences.
Overall I would say I enjoyed this book, quickly grew to like Philip and wanted things to come out well for him. I couldn't put the book down during the last 140 pages as I had to see how it turned out. It's a shame Dick didn't write more about this character. If you haven't read a Dick Francis book yet I would encourage you to do so. They're quick and enjoyable reads, and not particularly gritty.
3.5 stars.
This a standalone book by Dick Francis which was written in 1980, but truth be told you wouldn't know this from the book.
Philip Nore is a steeplechase jockey and amateur photographer who becomes involved in two mysteries. First, the father of a friend of his, who is
Show More
a ruthless racecourse photographer, dies in a car accident, but Philip thinks it was murder. Even more so when strange things keep happening at the home of the photographer. As he investigates he quickly becomes embroiled in intrigue, murder and blackmail but who is behind this. At the same time he is called to the sickbed of his grandmother who seems to detest him for some reason and he has never seen her before. She is dying and asks him to find a step-sister that he didn't even know existed and with no clue as to where she can be.For me this seemed to take a slow start, but did pick up pace in the second half of the book. Don't worry if you are not into horse racing this is still a good mystery book and you don't have to be into horse racing (I personally hate horse racing), this is just the backdrop for the story. There are plenty of twists and turns in the book and some unexpected outcomes. In this book are some of the most surprising ways of hiding letters and messages that come to light after the photographer dies - very unique in my reading experiences.
Overall I would say I enjoyed this book, quickly grew to like Philip and wanted things to come out well for him. I couldn't put the book down during the last 140 pages as I had to see how it turned out. It's a shame Dick didn't write more about this character. If you haven't read a Dick Francis book yet I would encourage you to do so. They're quick and enjoyable reads, and not particularly gritty.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
REFLEX is one of my favorite books by Dick Francis. I love his heroes who are ordinary men dropped into extraordinary situations and who manage to triumph in part because of their strong moral characters.
Philip Nore is the hero of this story. He's an aging jockey and amateur photographer. He is
Philip has two main problems in this story. First of all, he is given a set of photographic puzzles when a successful race photographer whose work Philip admired but whom he personally disliked died in a car accident. Philip rode with the man's son and got involved when that man's parents' house was burgled during the funeral anad again later when the photographer's wife is beaten in a home invasion and when her house is burned down.
Philip's curiosity is what starts his involvement. When he manages to solve some of the photgraphic puzzles, he learns that the photographer was blackmailing members of the racing world into good behavior. Philip is also attacked and badly beaten once it is learned that he has the photos.
Philip's second problem begins when a lawyer comes to see him to ask him to visit the grandmother who through his mother out because she is dying and wants his help. He is surprised to learn that his mother had another child, and that the grandmother wishes to leave her whole estate to the girl if he can manage to find her. Philip feels no obligation to help the hateful dying woman but he is curious to find the sister he never knew he had.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I liked watching Philip go from a drifting unconnected man to one who has plans for his future after racing and a woman who loves and understands him. I liked Francis's spare prose and appreciate Simon Prebble's deft narration of the story.
Philip Nore is the hero of this story. He's an aging jockey and amateur photographer. He is
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coming to the end of his racing career which he fell into as a teen. Born to a drug-addicted seventeen-year-old mother who was thrown out of her home, Philip was raised by a succession of her friends making him helpful and resourceful and unable to form deep relationships. Philip has two main problems in this story. First of all, he is given a set of photographic puzzles when a successful race photographer whose work Philip admired but whom he personally disliked died in a car accident. Philip rode with the man's son and got involved when that man's parents' house was burgled during the funeral anad again later when the photographer's wife is beaten in a home invasion and when her house is burned down.
Philip's curiosity is what starts his involvement. When he manages to solve some of the photgraphic puzzles, he learns that the photographer was blackmailing members of the racing world into good behavior. Philip is also attacked and badly beaten once it is learned that he has the photos.
Philip's second problem begins when a lawyer comes to see him to ask him to visit the grandmother who through his mother out because she is dying and wants his help. He is surprised to learn that his mother had another child, and that the grandmother wishes to leave her whole estate to the girl if he can manage to find her. Philip feels no obligation to help the hateful dying woman but he is curious to find the sister he never knew he had.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I liked watching Philip go from a drifting unconnected man to one who has plans for his future after racing and a woman who loves and understands him. I liked Francis's spare prose and appreciate Simon Prebble's deft narration of the story.
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Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1980)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1980
Physical description
217 p.; 18.7 cm
ISBN
8755313361 / 9788755313361
Local notes
Omslag: Jørgen Jørgensen
Omslagsfoto: Jørgen Jørgensen
Omslaget viser en koncentreret fotograf
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Reflex" af Ib Christiansen
Omslagsfoto: Jørgen Jørgensen
Omslaget viser en koncentreret fotograf
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Reflex" af Ib Christiansen
Other editions
Reflex by Dick Francis (Paper Book)
Similar in this library
Pages
217
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |