Silks

by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

Book Overview

A lawyer and amateur jockey is torn between doing what's right and what will keep him alive in this New York Times bestselling thriller from Dick and Felix Francis. Geoffrey Mason wasn't terribly disappointed when his client Julian Trent was found guilty. Despite being paid handsomely as Trent's defense counsel, he believes Trent needs to be locked up for a good long time. He only wishes it had happened more quickly--if the trial had ended just a bit earlier, Mason could have made it to the Foxhunter Steeplechase and fulfilled his longtime dream as an amateur jockey. But not long afterward, Trent is set free when witnesses and jurors start recanting--under intimidation, Mason suspects. Remembering Trent's threats at the time of his conviction, Mason is none too happy. And things only get worse when one of Mason's fellow jockeys is found dead...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425228975
• ISBN13: 9780425228975
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Another Hit

I have read all of Dick Francis's books and he hasn't let me down yet. If you like to read about horse racing and the English law this book is for you. It held my interest for the whole ride.

SILKS is a terrific legal thriller

Julian Trent blames his former London barrister Geoffrey Mason for his initial assault conviction that was overturned on appeal. Mason thought his client got off soft on an overwhelming lost case. However, Trent believes his lawyer did not provide a proper defense and begins sending intimidating messages to Mason. Although he has doubts bigger than Big Ben, Mason agrees to defend jockey Steve Mitchell against a murder charge. Evidence is strong that a crime of passion occurred as witnesses saw Mason's client and another jockey Scot Barlow arguing over the latter's late sister who was the former's girlfriend Millie when he was married with kids. Barlow blamed Mitchell for his sister's suicide while Mitchell blamed Barlow for informing his wife of the affair as his spouse divorced him, remarried an Aussie, and moved with their kids to Australia. Not long after that Barlow was found murdered with the means being a pitchfork. However, to his shock, unknown adversaries order Mason to lose the case or else they imply his septuagenarian father would be battered like his computer just was. SILKS is a terrific legal thriller starring a barrister with a difficult case exponentially compounded by threats to lose and by Mason's problems to focus as he also believes Trent is involved. The story line is a fast ride around the track although racing is more background than usual in a Dick Francis thriller. Although the courtroom revelation seems out of Perry Mason rather than Geoffrey Mason, fans enjoy the latest collaboration from the father and son Francis horse racing mystery team (see DEAD HEAT). Harriet Klausner

Smooth as Silk...

I was very excited when I found that this book was coming out. Since Dick Francis seemed to have stopped writing for a time, before the release of his last book written with his son, Dead Heat, I made sure that this was not a reprint. I also made sure that I had plenty of free time, because once I pick up one of his books, I can't put it down! This one did not disappoint me. As with his other books, the setting takes place in London and little towns nearby that feature racetracks. This story centers around the English legal system, which is fascinating to me. It has the usual main character who is a nice bloke (Geoffrey Mason) but has had some bad things happen to him. He also finds a new love interest, and fights the good fight against the evil bad guy, and good wins out in the end. When I read this book, I felt like I was there, in the little town that was described, and that I could feel the feelings that the characters were feeling. Even though this book stuck to Dick Francis' typical plot, it felt fresh and entertaining to me. I was actually smiling at the end, and it takes a good book to do that for me. If you are a Dick Francis fan, I would definitely purchase this book. And, I am very happy to report that Mr. Francis' son, Felix, seems to be fully capable of having the reigns turned over to him when it becomes necessary.