Dead Heat

By: Dick Francis, Felix Francis

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

After a six-year absence from the bestseller lists, Dick Francis roared out of the gate with 2006's Under Orders, demonstrating once again every ounce of his famed narrative drive, brilliant plotting, and simmering suspense. Hard on the heels of that triumph comes Dead Heat, set against the backdrop of Britain's famed 2,000 Guineas Stakes.

Max Moreton is a rising culinary star and his Newmarket restaurant, The Hay Net, has brought him great acclaim and a widening circle of admirers. But when nearly all the guests who enjoyed one of his meals at a private catered affair fall victim to severe food poisoning, his kitchen is shuttered and his reputation takes a hit. Scrambling to meet his next obligation, an exclusive luncheon for 40 in the glass-fronted private boxes at the 2,000 Guineas, Max must overcome the previous evening's disaster and provide the new American sponsors of the year's first classic race with a day to remember.

Then a bomb blast rips through the private boxes, killing some of Max's trusted staff as well as many of the guests. As survivors are rushed to the hospital, Max is left to survey the ruins of the grandstand: and of his career. Two close calls are too close for comfort, and Max vows to protect his name, and himself, before it's too late.

©2007 Dick Francis Corporation (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Critic reviews

"Crisp writing and well-paced action." ( Publishers Weekly)

Surprise! Dead Heat refers to the Oven!

Love this one. Our hero is a chef with a restaurant (but near a race track-ha!) Love the twist. Love the narration. And again, the Francis men never disappoint with the great clean writing, interesting plots, excellent narrators, and best of all, the skillful great characterization of everyone in the stories. This is no exception. This one has a modern update with terrorism. Enjoy!

Better than Under Orders

I was very disappointed with "Under Orders" and questioned at the time who helped him write it. The answer is apparently his son Felix and he is getting better. This one was a little slow to start but in the end was pretty typical Dick Francis. If you are looking for great literature, you will not find it here. But if you are looking for a few entertaining hours, this one does just fine.

not in dick francis' style

felix francis has not done a good job carrying on the francis legacy. the characters are unformed, description and tension are missing. too much 'i, i, i.' speculation and breast beating. altogether unsatisfactory.

Loved it!

A highly entertaining mystery involving food poisoning, mass bombers, strange metal spheres, mares as “mules” and much more! I love the Dick Francis Felix Francis Martin Jarvis combination! Give me more!

Loved everything about this book .

Loved everything about this book . Will listen to it again . The narrator was perfect for the story

Needs Work

This was a disappointing effort for Dick Francis. The plot was loose, the deductions were wild leaps that hadn't been well set up, and the customary Francis wit is missing. Add to that, the usual stoic, quiet strength of a typical Francis hero does not come through at all. In fact, the hero sounds distinctly whiny at times, although to be fair I don't know if this is a result of the writing or of the narrator.

Martin Jarvis is a poor replacement for Tony Britton as the reader. His voice is irritating, and he tries too hard to emote when the characters in Francis novels have always been written as very understated. As I said, he often comes across sounding whiny which is what largely ruined the book for me.

Dead Last

There are traces here and there of Dick Francis, who is a consummate writer. I suspect he did a little line editing. If this is, as I suspect, a virgin effort for his son, his father should have been a less tender editor. I am now 2 hours and 40 minutes into this book and there is no trace of a mystery or any indication that there will eventually be a plot. I suggest a good writers' group for young Felix, with people in it who'll be honest about his manuscript's shortcomings. I'm sorry Dick Francis has retired; his son hasn't yet learned enough about plotting and timing to replace him.

Not Dick Francis's best

I think Dick Francis should write by himself. Narrator was not the best.

Not the best Dick Francis

This book grabbed me at the start just like others by Dick Francis but it fell short in plot and suspense. The principal character is the victim of several failed attempts to discredit him or kill him but the reader never really understands why he is targeted. Not what I have come to expect from this author. The narration was good and kept me engaged enough to finish.