Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
London : Pan Books, 1977.
Description
Steven Scott is relatively new to horses. A successful, wealthy inventor, he takes up horse racing as a hobby-a hobby that soon brings him winner after winner under the inspired guidance of his trainer, Jody Leeds. Currently both their reputations are wrapped up in a beautiful black hurdler named Energise. But just when Steven is winning at both women and horses, he discovers deceit in his own stables. Termination of the troublemaker marks Steven for his own termination-and much sooner than he can imagine.
User reviews
LibraryThing member tripleblessings
Steven Scott, toymaker and race horse owner, fights back against a crooked trainer and bookie. Likeable character, pretty good read, not one of my favourite Francis thrillers though.
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
This is the toymaker one - I always have a hard time remembering which title goes with which story. But they're all good (well, nearly all), so it doesn't matter too much. And I can usually recognize it from the blurb, so I know which one before I start to read. Nothing extraordinary in this one -
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tough guy, nice girl, bad situation solved by thinking and hanging on. But the toys are neat. Show Less
LibraryThing member bardsfingertips
The absolute best part about this book, for me, is the Britishness of it all. If I were to assume anything at all is that most people would pick up a Dick Frances book for the horses within its covers. I am not a horse person. And to be quite frank, they tend to frighten me just a tad. Therefore, I
This book is told from a first person narration where everything (from the one pre- and post-sex scene to the racing of horses) is recited as matter-of-factly; to the point that it becomes rather humorous to me.
Nevertheless, all of the "good-guy" characters are rather likable without any real flaws except within their own bumbling personalities that tend to get them in trouble. The "bad-guys" are greedy and self-serving and without any human justification for what they do. There is no real depth of character to any of them.
But, it's a fun book with plenty of that Britishness that I truly loved. Who knows, I may ask the person that leant it to me for more considering they are quick reads.
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am not a biased reviewer at all.This book is told from a first person narration where everything (from the one pre- and post-sex scene to the racing of horses) is recited as matter-of-factly; to the point that it becomes rather humorous to me.
Nevertheless, all of the "good-guy" characters are rather likable without any real flaws except within their own bumbling personalities that tend to get them in trouble. The "bad-guys" are greedy and self-serving and without any human justification for what they do. There is no real depth of character to any of them.
But, it's a fun book with plenty of that Britishness that I truly loved. Who knows, I may ask the person that leant it to me for more considering they are quick reads.
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LibraryThing member janoorani24
Just finished [High Stakes] by [[Dick Francis]] for my Mystery/Thriller category. This book was originally published in 1975, and was reprinted in 1993. Somehow, I missed it both times. It was, as usual, excellent. I have honestly never read a Dick Francis book I didn't like, and keep all of them
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because they are so great for re-reading. The hero in this one is a toy designer and owns a few racehorses. The revenge he takes on those who swindle him pales in comparison to the revenge they take on him. At least, that's my opinion. My edition also includes an introduction by the author. Show Less
LibraryThing member DocWalt10
Fast read. Dick Francis captures the true nature of innocents over villainy in this story. Self made rich business man, very smart, at what he does, inventing toys. But gullible in his venture into being a race horse owner. He learns revenge comes at a high cost.
LibraryThing member SalemAthenaeum
Steven Scott had no horseracing experience, but with the guidance of his trainer and the prowess of a beautiful black hurdler named Energise, he has brought home several wins. But his winning streak comes to an end when he discovers trouble in his own stables--trouble that could bring about his own
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termination. Show Less
LibraryThing member buttsy1
Quite a typical Dick Francis novel - easy to read, and keeps one interested throughout. I always enjoy the racing background to the stories, but just wonder in this particular one: do the UK racing authorities not use brand markings to identify individuals, and why do the stewards not check every
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horse? I know it would wreck this story, but for the sake of reality?? Show Less
LibraryThing member themulhern
By the numbers Dick Francis. A bit too much revolves around betting scams, a good way to take money off people, no doubt, but it's hard to get excited about double-dealing in that arena. The other parts of the scam were a bit more outrageous. AFAIK, Francis has always shied away from female
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protagonists, but he does take the trouble to make the protagonist's love interest a woman of character. In this book, she plays an important part in one of his little schemes. Show Less
LibraryThing member ritaer
An oldie by Dick Francis with many of his typical elements. A man who is very good, in an eccentric wort of way, at his own profession becomes interested in horse racing. Some horse racing related scandal or crime affects the protagonist. The protagonist is subjected to danger and violence. He
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meets an exceptional young woman and becomes enamored. After final action scene, all ends relatively well. In this case, the protagonist is a professional toy designer. He comes to realize that his trainer is cheating him and withdraws his horses. He cannot explain himself without risk of a libel suit, so is criticized by the race community. He gradually discovers that the cheating is on a larger scale than he previously suspected. When he plots revenge he angers three very vindictive and ruthless people who will not stop at murder. In one of his Chip Harrison books, Lawrence block gently mocked Francis for his habit of giving blow by blow descriptions of the damage done to his protagonists and their subsequent suffering. Show Less
LibraryThing member stephanie_M
Another well done novel by Francis, whom I adore. This audiobook was narrated very well by Geoffrey Howard.
LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
This was my second Dick Francis novel and I enjoyed it much more than the first one. Like "Nerve", "High Stakes" was a quick, entertaining thriller set in the world of horse racing. Steven Scott was a very likeable, intelligent protagonist who devised a clever, non-violent plan to deliver swift
Steven had a mismatched circle of friends who he roped into to ensure his plan was a success. This lied to some humorous dialogue and my favourite was definitely Bert, who kept me entertained whenever he was in the spotlight.
Overall, "High Stakes" was an engaging and entertaining read.
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justice when he realised that his trainer had been skimming large amounts of money off him over a period of time.Steven had a mismatched circle of friends who he roped into to ensure his plan was a success. This lied to some humorous dialogue and my favourite was definitely Bert, who kept me entertained whenever he was in the spotlight.
Overall, "High Stakes" was an engaging and entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
Steven Scott finds himself in danger when he realizes that his racehorse trainer has been systematically cheating him. However, firing his trainer at the racecourse and his trainer's popularity, makes him the villain of the piece.
When he further realizes that his trainer has substituted another
I really enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1975. I had read it years ago but it was just as exciting and engaging as when I first read it. I liked Geoffrey Howard's narration.
When he further realizes that his trainer has substituted another
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horse for his, he plans and epic con to get his horse back and get the trainer his comeuppance. Steven, who is a very successful inventor and engineer, is assisted in his quest by his new girlfriend, his workshop assistant, and a wealthy banker in his quest. I really enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1975. I had read it years ago but it was just as exciting and engaging as when I first read it. I liked Geoffrey Howard's narration.
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Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1975)
Language
Original publication date
1975
Physical description
253 p.; 18 inches
ISBN
0330248367 / 9780330248365
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