Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Dead Heat


On Friday I ran into the library to return a book and saw a new book by Dick Francis and Felix Francis, his son. Dead Heat is definitely a Dick Francis mystery. He follows his familiar pattern - which is why I enjoyed it enough to spend last Saturday reading it instead of doing other things. Yes, it's formula fiction, but sometimes formula fiction is as good as an aspirin, or a favorite meal. It's soothing and familiar and it's nice to experience familiarity - even in reading.


Reading this so soon after Michael Ruhlman's book, The Making of a Chef, was nice, because the hero is a chef. Francis weaves in bits about chefs and restaurants and cooking that his readers may not know. And horses and racing are involved - peripherally. But there's also a side trip to Delafield, Wisconsin, and polo games, and orchestra musicians, and the viola, and it all comes together well to make a decent mystery for a Saturday.


This isn't my favorite Dick Francis mystery, but it was good enough to order in the audio version so that Steve can enjoy it when he's on the road.

Labels:

6 Comments:

Blogger Tammy said...

I keep forgetting to check out Dick Francis. Although I've been pretty engrossed with the MC Beaton Agatha Raisin series. It evens out the richer books Julie has me reading. :)

5:59 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

I like Agatha Raisin, too.

6:22 PM  
Blogger Tracy Batchelder said...

Don't think I've read a Dick Francis mystery, but I'm ready to try one now. Don't mind formula writing. Sometimes it's just what I'm in the mood for.

8:19 AM  
Blogger Dana in Georgia said...

I'm forwarding this to DD#3 who is my Dick Francis fan and enjoys cooking.

7:36 AM  
Blogger BookGal said...

I was avoiding this one because I thought it might not be as good with the son as a cowriter. Thanks for a good review that changed my mind.

11:06 PM  
Blogger Literary Feline said...

This does sound good! I haven't read Dick Francis before but will have give him a try. I agree with you, sometimes the reading formula fiction is just what I need most!

12:00 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home