I've said it before and I'll say it again, Dick Francis is just a good story-teller. His books may not be high literature, not even a terribly thrilling thriller. They're just charming, fun reads. Can't recommend highly enough. ( )

This was my third Dick Francis novel and probably my least favourite so far. However, for someone who has only been to the races twice in their life, I am learning a lot about the world of horse racing and, I must say, I am finding it fascinating.

While the plot moved nicely, I found the mystery in "Knockdown" rather bland and the ending finished abruptly. However, still a quick, easy read. ( )

Always a good read, Dick and Mary Francis's novels. There was a fleeting reference in here to a detective agency owned by two people, including a Halley. Nice little nod to his Sid Halley character...Er, or was that in Slay Ride? I read it yesterday and. Knock Down today... ( )

I really enjoyed this one. Very fast rad. Compelling plot and I literally did not know "whodunit" until the very last --- lots of possible culprits. I enjoyed the main character as well. The only thing I have a quibble with was the romance -- totally unbelievable. Why do novelists insist on having characters fall in love at the drop of a hat? ( )

He doesn't really want to do it, but ex-prize winning jockey Jonah Dereham soon finds himself bidding for a young steeplechaser. The money he's spending belongs to Mrs. Kerry Sanders, a wealthy American woman who wants the horse for the son of a special friend. Fine - for a generous commission, he'll buy the horse. What isn't fine is the crunch on the skull he gets after the auction. Unfortunately for his health, it is only the first in a series of abusive and downright illegal attacks that Jonah must survive before he ultimately figures out the real game that's afoot…

I like this guy. Of course, since he's a Francis hero, he has incredibly high pain resistance, a weird home life, no girlfriend at the start of the book and a sort-of one by the end. He's also an ex-jockey, like 50 % of them (80 ?). But I like the way he figures things out. He also handles threats much the way I do - the beehive model. Ignore me and I'll ignore you; hit me and you're in a world of hurt. And he's incredibly patient with people who won't see they're on the same side he is...Good one. Not one of my absolute favorites, but up there. ( )

The hero is Jonah Dereham, bloodstock dealer. An average Francis thriller, not one of my favourites. ( )

Read it a long time ago. Don't remember it too well. ( )