Dick Francis' Refusal

By: Felix Francis

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

Six years ago, investigator Sid Halley retired for good. He'd been harassed, beaten, shot, even lost a hand to his investigating business, and enough was enough. For the sake of his wife and new daughter he gave up that life of danger and uncertainty, and he thought nothing would ever lure him back into the game. He thought wrong.

Sir Richard Stewart, chairman of the racing authority, begs Sid to investigate a series of dodgy races. Sid adamantly refuses, but the following day, Sir Richard is found dead under suspicious circumstances. And then a man with an Irish accent contacts Sid, telling him to deliver a whitewashed report about the suspected race-fixing...or else. At first Sid ignores these warnings, knowing that once he submits to this criminal bully, he will forever be under his control. But as the intimidation tactics escalate - and Sid' s own family comes under threat - Sid realizes he must meet his enemy head-on...or he might pay the ultimate price for his refusal.

©2013 Felix Francis (P)2013 Recorded Books

Great story

What made the experience of listening to Dick Francis' Refusal the most enjoyable?

The narration was superb. Martin Jarvis's ability to use different voices was impressive.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Didn't have a favourite character - although Sid Haley is always good.

Sid Halley is back

There have been a few authors’ that have died and their sons have tried to carry on the writing without success. I am happy to say that Felix Francis has done a fairly good job. When Dick Francis’s wife died the books lacked the polish she gave it as a master of the English language. This is the second book that Felix has written alone, and he has brought back his Father’s character Sid Halley. Sid is now retired from being a detective, is married with a 6 year old girl and is working on his investments. The head of the British racing as him to help solve a problem with someone fixing the races but he declines. Then the man is dead and a man with a Northern Ireland accent is threatening Sid. The story takes off from here with action, suspense, and humor. I like the stories with more racing action but Sid is no longer racing. Martin Jarvis does a good job with the narration. If you are a Dick Francis fan you will not be disappointed.

equal to or better than Dick Francis

What did you like best about this story?

The craftsmanship.

Any additional comments?

It's been awhile since I read a Dick Francis novel. This one by Felix has the same qualities: interesting story, characters, dialog, style, writing. I recall the ones by Dick being shorter. If so, this one by Felix is not extended by padding but by the necessity of the story. I am happy that the Francis series of stories with a British horse racing theme continues.

Disappointing

Sadly, this is not Felix's best effort--and I have read a number of them, which I have really enjoyed and even re-read regularly. Sid Halley should have stayed retired and Dick Francis's name long since should have been removed from the cover. Long since time for Francis fils to start down his own path.

The basic set up for the novel had potential but didn't deliver. Every thing was predictable -- even the surprise twists were predictable. This was not the same Sid Halley we have come to know from his earlier stories and I can't believe that 6 years of retirement made him completely stupid. Even worse, all the characters were not well written. Finally, there is the writing and Francis fils has already shown us that he can write better than this--although he does have to come up with something new in the way of spousal endearments, because his "my darling" is becoming rather worn out after the number of times it has been used in this book and and in Even Money.

The secondary plot about the hand-wrist transplant did not do it for me. He never says a word to his wife about it; who in this day and age doesn't discuss even the investigation of such surgery with his spouse before embarking on the project? Then, he wants it so badly that he is wishing out loud for someone to die; that is not the Sid Halley we have come to know from his previous outings. Then there is the blatant set up for a future story ( please, I hope not). All too horribly contrived.

In general, I enjoy Martin Jarvis as a narrator and he did a good job with this one but Tony Britton will always be the voice of Sid Halley (and Dick Francis) in my mind -- and he is no longer recording books.

All in all, if you are looking to try a Felix Francis, don't start with this one; and if you want to meet the real Sid Halley read them in the order they were written.

enjoyable book

really enjoyed the book. It seemed like classic Dick Francis. I wouldn't have known it was someone else.

Another fast paced tale

I love the racing aspects of Francis’ stories woven into mystery and murder. Non stop action and extremely well narrated!

Pleasantly Surprised.

Would you listen to Dick Francis' Refusal again? Why?

Most likely. I usually re- read books at a later date.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not on the edge of my seat through the book, definitely an "edge worthy" ending. The Francis's book have a decent steady pace to them, with a flourish at the end.

Have you listened to any of Martin Jarvis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Dead Heat by Dick and Felix Francis. I feel the same way about both books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Im an ex patriot Brit living in the US, I have been involved with horses and horse racing and these books are a lot like a visit home, if one overlooks the villains and their machinations of course.

Always a good story

I’ve listened to all of Dick Francis’ books (some several times) and most of Felix’s. I need to figure out what I lack. I guess one could say the stories are predictable but only in that there is a protagonist and antagonist. I’ve listened to 4 Sid Halley stories now and at first I didn’t like him as much but I’ve grown to really like him. Hope he makes it to a second-hand shop for book 5!

Sid is not himself and I searched & never found hi

I truly love the Dick Francis franchise and Martin Jarvis as narrator brings it home. But this particular book has Sid Halley as doddering. Sid's wife however brought the whole thing down. Marina comes off as shrill and stupid. She married him knowing who he was & what he did. But for all that she hinders him by crying, arguing and screeching for him to not do whatever then screeching for him to do whatever. She is supposed to be a scientist but she seems to lack any ability to think critically.

Felix is NOT his Father

This story is okay, but does not live up to Dick Francis’ works. Established characters act in uncharacteristic ways. Marina has had a complete personality transplant from the brave woman in the last book. Okay, but not great, and no narrator matches up to Simon Prebble.