Review of "Dick Francis's Damage: A Novel of Suspense" by Felix Francis

Someone seems bent on disrupting British horseracing. A couple of trainers have been suspended for doping horses - though they claim innocence - and one has been driven to murder.



Soon afterwards mandatory testing after a big race reveals that many horses - from stables across the United Kingdom - have been tainted with an illegal substance.



Soon enough the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) receives a message - pay five million pounds or horseracing will be brought to its knees.



Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the BHA, is tasked with investigating the matter and stopping the extortionist.



Jeff soon comes to suspect that the suspended trainers were set up, figures out how the drugs were administered, and takes steps to stop the attacks. The horse doper is clever however, and finds another way to disrupt one of the biggest races of the year.

The BHA tries paying the extortionist a small amount of appeasement money while Jeff continues to investigate but the attacks continue and escalate. Jeff and some BHA members want to inform the police but others fear the publicity will ruin horseracing, a huge industry in Britain.

While all this is going on Jeff is also contending with personal issues: his sister is being treated for cancer,



he's become jaded with his long-time girlfriend;



and he's trying to help his step-nephew who's been accused of selling drugs.



Like his father (Dick Francis), Felix Francis sprinkles the story with interesting tidbits about horsetracks, racing, trainers, jockeys, betting, and the people who govern the sport.



I enjoyed the story and Jeff Hinkley is an engaging character - clever and a master of disguise. It's a treat to see how he goes undercover to search for information and clues.



The resolution of the story is somewhat predictable and a little unsatisfying but it's still an enjoyable book, recommended for mystery lovers.

Rating: 3.5 stars