To the hilt (original 1996; edition 1997)

by Dick Francis

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1,913	29	9,379	(3.85)	46
Featuring the gripping plot, dramatic settings and believable characters that readers have come to expect from Dick Francis, To the Hilt displays the master at the top of his form. Alexander Kinloch is definitely the black sheep of his noble family, choosing the precarious life of a painter over a lucrative job in his stepfather's brewery. But when a trusted assistant disappears with millions of pounds, Alexander is reluctantly thrust into a foreign world of bankers and auditors. Brutal thugs and jealous relatives stand in his way as he labors to save the business and protect the family treasures. In the face of adversity, Alexander must defend himself and his family's honor to the hilt. After three dozen novels, Dick Francis maintains his reputation as one of the most popular mystery writers of our time. Both suspenseful and poignant, To the Hilt is a wild ride through a perilous adventure.… (more)

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Member:	hasse88
Title:	To the hilt
Authors:	Dick Francis
Info:	Jove Books
Collections:	Your library
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Tags:	fiction, detective

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To the Hilt by Dick Francis (1996)

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To the Hilt is one of Dick Francis’s best. Alexander Kinloch, you can call him Al, is an artist who leads a simple life in a small house without electricity in the Scottish highlands. His deceased father was the fourth son of an Earl. His stepfather owns the controlling interest in a brewery. His quiet life changes when four thugs come to his house and beat him up for not giving them something they think he has hidden. But they won’t tell him what it is.
The plot is a hard-boiled whodunit and where-is-it. I wish Alfred Hitchcock were around to make a movie adaptation. He would have loved a story with four MacGuffins and a cross-dressing detective. Details of the setting are well-researched, and even the minor characters are exceptionally well-drawn. (

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Tom-e | Oct 11, 2024 |

Wierd Alexander lives in the Scottish mountains in a bothy, where he paints, happy in his solitude. Until one day he returns from a supply run and interrupts 4 thugs ransacking his home. After being beaten and thrown down the side of the mountain, Al reluctantly heads to London to support his mother in a time of need. Things continue to spiral out of control.
I really like Alexander and the cast of characters in this book. My favorite character is the private investigator. This was a fast, delicious read and I am keeping it for a future reread. (

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elorin | Oct 2, 2024 |

Never heard of him until this summer. A delightful surprise. Horse themed mysteries? Why not! A fun, page-turning narrative voice. I’ll probably pick up more Francis if I discover him in a free library or “book swap” shelf while traveling. (

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invisiblecityzen | Mar 13, 2022 |

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invisiblecityzen | Mar 13, 2022 |

I'm a sucker for Dick Francis, been reading him since I was twelve - my grandfather was a fan and he had them around the house, so I just picked them up. They're not edge of your seat thrillers and the mysteries are fairly straight-forward, but his writing is just elegant. His books are a fun way to spend some time relaxing. This really isn't a review of this specific title, more of a general take on Mr. Francis' style, you know what to expect with him. I haven't been disappointed yet. (

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hhornblower | Nov 20, 2021 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Dick Francis	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Houston, Adrian	Photographer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Is contained in

Dick Francis Collection [9-in-1] by Dick Francis

Dick Francis Collection [8-in-1] by Dick Francis

Dick Francis Collection [10-in-1]: Smokescreen / To the Hilt / Knock Down / Silks / High Stakes / Slay-ride / Comeback / Bolt / Whip Hand / Twice Shy by Dick Francis

Driving Force [and] To the Hilt by Dick Francis

Rat Race [and] To the Hilt by Dick Francis

Dick Francis Boxed Set 1 [10-in-1] by Dick Francis

Is abridged in

Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1997 v02 by Reader's Digest

Reader's Digest Condensed Books: To the Hilt • Icon • Point of Impact • The Obsession by Reader's Digest

RDCBLP v093 To The Hilt | Weeding Out the Tears by Reader's Digest

Reader's Digest Condensed Books: To the Hilt • The Outsider • The Third Twin • Moonlight Becomes You by Reader's Digest

(show 3 more)

Reader's Digest: Kirjavaliot - Luumusaari, Haukkamies, Kiinalaista rulettia, Perinnönjako by Reader's Digest

Over de kling; Verzoening; Total control; Vreselijke leugens by Reader's Digest

Dødsstødet, Slettede spor, Nøglerne til gaden, Langt mere end øjet ser by Reader's Digest

▾Awards and Honors

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New York Times bestseller (Fiction – 1996)

Notable Lists

Tayshas High School Reading List (2000)

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To the Hilt

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To the Hilt

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I don't think my stepfather much minded dying.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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▾Book descriptions

Featuring the gripping plot, dramatic settings and believable characters that readers have come to expect from Dick Francis, To the Hilt displays the master at the top of his form. Alexander Kinloch is definitely the black sheep of his noble family, choosing the precarious life of a painter over a lucrative job in his stepfather's brewery. But when a trusted assistant disappears with millions of pounds, Alexander is reluctantly thrust into a foreign world of bankers and auditors. Brutal thugs and jealous relatives stand in his way as he labors to save the business and protect the family treasures. In the face of adversity, Alexander must defend himself and his family's honor to the hilt. After three dozen novels, Dick Francis maintains his reputation as one of the most popular mystery writers of our time. Both suspenseful and poignant, To the Hilt is a wild ride through a perilous adventure.

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Book description

Ex-jockey Alexander Kinloch is a true British eccentric. Isolated, living the life of a painter, he only emerges every few weeks for provisions. Alexander's life is interrupted when he is summoned to the bedside of his dying stepfather. From there, Alexander is drawn into the fearful, untamed wilderness of polite society where someone wants him dead.

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