Wild Horses

By: Dick Francis

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

When Thomas Lyon decides to make a movie based on an unsolved crime that shocked the horseracing world in Wild Horses, he discovers that someone will do anything - including commit murder - to make sure this story isn't told.

©1994 Dick Francis (P)1994 Simon & Schuster

The story and the narrator were great!

Highly recommended! I wasn't prepared to like the novel at all because I previously have looked down on murder mysteries, but Wild Horses is great!

Overall an enjoyable listen

I thought it was a well written who done it. There were enough twists and turns that there was still an element of surprise to the ending.

The only part of this book I was not happy about was the predation of an 18 year old girl. It can’t take that much more creativity to find an age appropriate love interest for the lead.

Overall, the book was a really enjoyable listen. Simon Prebble did a great job narrating and brought this book to life.

Wow!

I love Dick Francis - this is the best, and Simon Prebble's performance is spectacular!

Loved this Book - Problems with the download fixed

I purchased this book (despite reviews that said it contained only the first two chapters) hoping that the download problem had been fixed. To other potential buyers who might skip an enjoyable book over the potential problems, I am pleased to say I got the full book.

I am a big Dick Francis fan and have listened to many of his books (and read them all). I always enjoy the insights into unusual professions as well as the characterization and plot line. This book, whose main character is a movie director, continues that successful approach, intertwining the making of a movie with the revival of fears linked to the old death that is the subject of the film.

For potential buyers, I have two more notes:
1- The reader, according to the book itself, is Simon Prebble rather than Simon Jones, as listed in the information. I have not listened to all of this book yet, but have liked his rendition of other Francis books I have heard, including Proof, Decider and Banker.
2- The book is the UNabridged version, rather than the abridged (again according to the opening of the book reading; this is also consistent with the stated length.)

Simply the best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There is no one else like Dick Francis. I continued to listen for 9 straight hours without losing interest once. I love how he introduces a new setting for every mystery- this time it was the production of a film about horseracing. I appreciate his straighforward prose which propels the story forward and introduces interesting characters without expounding unnecessarily on background. Dick Francis' stories always have the right amount of tension and violence without gratuitous blood-letting. His hero is always smart, strong, and courageous while still seeming vulnerable and sympathetic. There are no loose ends in a Dick Francis mystery- the riddle introduced in the first page is answered by the final page, and many more besides.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild Horses?

Chasing the knife-wielding assailant in a jeep.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene with the wild horses on the beach pulled it all together for me. Before that, the title was a clever pun.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but very entertaining escapism!

Any additional comments?

My only complaint would be about the female characters- while written to be strong and independent, their behavior does not exemplify those traits. Also, I don't believe the female victim would have acted in the way that the mystery revealed (can't say more than that without spoiling the ending).I don't understand the comments about the narrator for the first 3 chapters. The narrator was excellent throughout.

Francis is perfection.

Great characters, intricate plotting. The director of a movie about a 26 year old mysterious death finds himself in physical peril from unknown persons intent on stopping the film. It was intriguing to have the story told through his visual story-teller's eyes. Narration was spot on.

Second time much better

Listened to this a year ago , but this the second I listened to it I enjoyed even more . I have become a major dick francis fan , and wont stop untill have listened to all his books. Someday I would love to visit Great Britton , thank you

Simon Prebble reads wonderfully

Loved Wild Horses when it was released in hard cover. Loved it again as Simon Prebble read it to me. He is an amazing story teller. Read my review on Goodreads and know I hate auto correct.

Typical Francis as always a good read

Would you listen to Wild Horses again? Why?

Its a good story with good strong characters & a strong interesting plot.

Any additional comments?

Dick Francis books take you there; to a part of the world that has many other facets that one might be surprised by. The plots strong as are the characters & it never lets you down.

Father forgive me.

The narrator was excellent. It was so good I have listened to it 3 times.