Syndicate

De: Felix Francis

Narrado por: Martin Jarvis

Chester Newton is a successful racehorse syndicate organiser and his company, Victrix Racing, is having its best year yet. When his prized horse, Potassium, wins the world-famous Epsom Derby, Chester is set to become the next big thing in British horse racing.

But one phone call changes everything.

Someone hiding behind a voice scrambler and an untraceable phone is demanding he fixes a race—and they’re willing to go after Chester’s family if he fails to comply.

Chester’s business is the only thing in his life that isn’t falling apart. With his marriage on the rocks and his children growing increasingly distant, he is not willing to let someone destroy the success he’s spent his life building.

Then his daughter is kidnapped and, very suddenly, it’s not just his livelihood that’s on the line. Now Chester must discover just how far he will go to protect his family …

©2024 Felix Francis (P)2024 Recorded Books

Disappointing

Not a single likable character. Descriptions of horses and racing lack any real enjoyment of either. Narrator seems to have marbles in his mouth.

Skip this one

Every Dick Francis book contains a protagonist with morality. Every Dick Francis book contains a protagonist within integrity and humility. This book is missing all three.

Despised the voice

Couldn't even finish the book. And I love Francis. It feels odd to discuss taste, but that is the nature of a review.

One dimensional story

I feel like they mailed it in. Predictable ending. Seems like Felix likes money, while Dick loved writing great stories.

Weaker than most Francis’ series of books

I’ve loved the Francis books since discovering them a couple years ago! However, this story wasn’t great and seemed like work getting to the end. There was a big surprise at the end, but I guess/figured it out. Also the voices for the squeaky voice (I guess it was intentional here), Chester’s wife, and even Chester’s lover were annoying.

Don’t bother – it’s awful

If you’re expecting a typical Dick Francis novel with likable characters, interesting plot, twists, suspense, and action you’re going to be terribly disappointed. I only managed to get through half the book before I gave up in disgust. I didn’t like any of the characters. They were shallow and annoying, especially the wife. Instead of plot twists we get a lot of mind numbing facts and figures. On top of this, the narrator has developed a speech impediment, slurring his "s" sounds and making it painful to listen to. Maybe he and Felix should retire.

Disappointing. Drawn out. Like Marvin Jarvis as narrator.

Too long and it was obvious it was the children. Squeaky voice obviously not that of a serious kidnapper. Disappointing characters. Parents clueless. Not the strong and savy hero character that is usual in dick Francis stories.

Not my favorite

I generally love these books. This one, the narrator sounded like his mouth was full of cotton or marbles, and his accent of a woman from the south was horrible. The marbles in the mouth thing was very distracting, and that was the voice he used for most of the characters. I also found the story, a little crass and disjointed.not up to the usual standards in my opinion.

Not up to a Dick Francis standard

Lots of verbiage with very little action. The if the scenes with the woman in chapter 23 were mean to be erotic the writer sorely issued his mark: just plain cheesy and tedious. I am sorry I thought these books would be as entertaining as the original.

Less than what I expected

Shallow characters and a less than the usually exciting mystery for a Dick Francis novel. Disappointing. Difficult to care for any of the characters, even the protagonist, due to lack of depth. Since we don’t know enough about any of the character’s character or motive , it’s tough to care or be surprised by their behavior which lessens the impact of the resolution of the mystery. Odd too that no one really pays a big price for their treachery, very unlike the usual Francis way.