Under Orders

By: Dick Francis

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Sid knows the perils of racing all too well, but in his day jockeys didn't usually cross the finish line with three .38 rounds in the chest - which is how he found Huw Walker, the winner of a coveted race only a few hours earlier. Now Halley's quest for answers will push him to his very limits - both on and off the track.

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©2006 Dick Francis (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Dick Francis is a genius." (Los Angeles Times)
"The writing and action are as crisp as ever." (Publishers Weekly)

Great multiple stories

Reader was great. Great race and people stories and information. Character development was terrific. Can't get enough of Dick Francis.

Another Great Read!

Having read the Sid Halley books one after another, I have to say I enjoyed each one immensely! Martin Jarvis was EXCELLENT in the narration for Under Orders. Some have speculated over who wrote this book, Dick or Felix Francis. I say that it doesn't matter which of them wrote it - it's another WINNER! I'm on to the next book - Refusal - and I can't wait!

Marina is a cipher less information abut her than the villains

see above. Also, action punctuated by too much narrative. Good plot, though. Mr Francis has written better.

No quite there

This one seemed to drag too much in the middle of the book. The plot seemed to loose its way, and I almost gave up on it. But came back at the end.

Under Orders

Easy listening. Not too many characters to keep track of. Surprise ending. Plot was good. Would try another one by this author.

Listened again on: 31 March 2022

Very Entertaining. Good stuff. Good narration. one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen. The rest is in accordance with the 15 word requirement.

A Keen Observation

Although I don’t normally write reviews, I had to comment on this mystery novel by Dick Francis. I love Francis’s writing. He is way underrated as a mystery novelist. Few can compare. This book was written in the late 90s, I believe, near the end of his career. Sid Haley, the former jockey and present private detective, is the protagonist of a series of mysteries. In the last novel, Come to Grief, he endures what can only be described as a “dark night of the soul.” He becomes a pitiful pariah, reviled by almost everyone but his ex father in law. The subject matter is very dark indeed and the novel finds its resolution in a series of tragic events. We are left wondering about the eventual fate of a lovely child with leukemia.

Now this novel is the polar opposite. It is light, witty and romantic. Sid seems to have become a something of a sardonic and cynical social critic. He is also head over heels in love. His first inclination is to avoid cases and causes which run the risk of “coming to grief.” I am going to surmise that Francis deliberately set out to write something less dark than prior Sid Haley mysteries. This kind of control of his craft is impressive. I have not finished but the change of tone and mood has peeked my interest. What will come of it?

Disappointed in the Narrator

Under Orders is the third book in Dick Francis' set with Sid Halley as the protagnoist. Under Orders is the first and has Geoffrey Howard as the narrator. Unfortunately Geoffrey Howard died in September of 2014 and I just couldn't get used to Martin Jarvis as Sid Halley's voice. I have listened to other recordings of Dick Francis by Martin Jarvis and haven't had an issue, but, for me, Mr. Howard really captured Sid Halley's voice. I also didn't like how he portrayed Halley's father in law.
The second book with Sid Halley as the protagonist is not on Audible.

Still on the mark!

Enjoyed these stories for so long it’s great that we have
them continued so well.

One of his best!

Excellent plot! Enjoyable narration. One of Dick Francis's best.
Enjoyable, start to finish.
A must listen/read.