Blood Sport

By: Dick Francis

Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

When English agent Gene Hawkins told his boss he'd forego his vacation to search for millionaire Dave Teller's prized missing stallion, he didn't know his retainer would include the attention of his boss's beautiful teenage daughter - or Teller's seldom sober wife. He also didn't know that a trail from London to New York to Las Vegas to California would lead eventually to murder.

©1967 by Dick Frances (P)1995 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A rare and magical talent…who never writes the same story twice." ( San Diego Union-Tribune)
"In the world of mystery writing, Dick Francis stands head and shoulders above the rest." ( Ottawa Citizen)

Not Simon Prebble

When I began listening to this book, Audible had the reader misidentified as Simon Prebble. I went back and checked it 5-6 times throughout the first couple of chapters because it was so clearly not Simon. I see that it’s since been corrected, but thought I’d mention it in case anyone else runs in to the same issue, and is caught off guard.

In any case, this excellent reading by Geoffrey Howard was at least as good as any by Simon… dare I say better? Certainly not an unpleasant surprise at all.

a spy with clinical depression

Dick Francis is one of the best mystery-thriller writers of all time- one of the best writers period- a mystery about the theft of thoroughbred studs-it is exciting original sexy romantic- like all Francis novels it is also about how to live a meaningful life in the face of pain fear loss depression and the actions of mans inhumanity to man- timeless- Geoffrey Howard is the best Francis narrator- when he talks it feels the way I felt when I first read it-i am so sick of narrators like Tony Britton doing cartoon versions of these perfect books- this one is the real deal

Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to Blood Sport the most enjoyable?

Geoffrey Howard is a talented storyteller and really brings this book to life! I am a huge Dick Francis fan and this book did not dissappoint me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book while driving back and forth to work.

Keeps your interest

First book I've read from Dick Francis, and not the last. It was a very interesting story with characters that all seem to have their own little secrets. Not so much of a mystery, as it is a suspenseful crime thriller. What I liked was the character development, which kept me listening. Our main man is battling depression throughout the story, with this job seemingly the only thing keeping him from ending it all. This job is recovering a stolen horse, that puts it's owner on someone's hit list, and anyone else searching for the truth.

Best Dick Francis yet

I enjoyed this book. I have read or listened to many Dick Francis books. He has a tendency to be very violent and morbid. He managed to control his penchant for violence to beset his main characters in this book. His main character was very serious and there were several opportunities for him to be beaten, tortured, mentally abused etc. However, Dick did not maximize these opportunities as much as he had in some of the other works I have read. It was refreshing not to have this happen. I can only take so much gratuitous self destruction in one sitting. It was a nice surprise to have less of this in this particular publication. The characters were likeable and did not get beaten up so badly that it seemed unbelievable. I listened to this book all in one day as I was painting trim at my son's house and I was not bored and not shaking my head. Thanks for a good book Dick!

Good book

This is a good mystery with good characters. The narrator was an excellent choice. I won't give away key parts like some of these reviews. It's why I don't read reviews past looking at the stars. I will say that your money is safely spent on this novel.

Thriller

This book had some different twists and turns from Dick Francis' usual story telling. I always love those too, but this was a nice surprise.

Rick Francis

I loved this story. I’ve read all of Dick Francis books. The reader was so easy to listen to.

Fighting depression

Hawkins uses his talents to retrieve a few thoroughbreds . As he completes his mission he fights suicidal thoughts. Dick Francis delivers another well written adventure. Really good story!

My favorite Francis book so far.

I have listened or read 6-8 Francis books to date and this is my favorite. The lead character in this book is quite an interesting concept.