Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
To the Hilt  By  cover art

To the Hilt

By: Dick Francis
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Featuring the gripping plot, dramatic settings and believable characters that listeners have come to expect from Dick Francis, To the Hilt displays the master at the top of his form.

Alexander Kinloch is definitely the black sheep of his noble family, choosing the precarious life of a painter over a lucrative job in his stepfather’s brewery. But when a trusted assistant disappears with millions of pounds, Alexander is reluctantly thrust into a foreign world of bankers and auditors. Brutal thugs and jealous relatives stand in his way as he labors to save the business and protect the family treasures. In the face of adversity, Alexander must defend himself and his family’s honor to the hilt.

After three dozen novels, Dick Francis maintains his reputation as one of the most popular mystery writers of our time. Both suspenseful and poignant, To the Hilt is a wild ride through a perilous adventure.

©1996 Dick Francis (P)1997 Recorded Books

More from the same

What listeners say about To the Hilt

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    783
  • 4 Stars
    186
  • 3 Stars
    43
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    777
  • 4 Stars
    112
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    693
  • 4 Stars
    172
  • 3 Stars
    33
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Relaxed Entertainment

Dick Francis novels are not only entertaining, but we also learn a little bit about horse racing and the world of horse racing along with what some people will do in the name of winning the trophy and greed for money. The main characters are always someone to be admired for their courage, integrity and their loyalty to family and friends.

The Publisher's Summary gives a good description of this story. Dick Francis mysteries may not be for everybody. If you want an interesting story performed by an excellent narrator, then you may love these novels performed by Simon Prebble. His voice suits the pace and energy of these novels. Most times, I don't want to hear fast talking narrators. I want a chance to absorb who the major and minor players are and what the story is about without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Prebble and other excellent narrators, makes you feel that you are a part of the story as opposed to being read a story.

This one is a must for Dick Francis followers and mystery lovers in general.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as usual

What made the experience of listening to To the Hilt the most enjoyable?

The James Bond of the equine world rides again! Great storytelling by the narrator and a great story by Francis. The other great thing about Francis is you get to learn a little about another subject. In this case, painting with acrylics.

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Further character development. The thing with excellent narrators , like Prebble, is you feel you are a part of the story as a opposed to being read a story, usually by an American who sounds angry and abrasive.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Old Friends now on audio

I read every Dick Francis book that existed when I was a kid. Every. single. one. Now I get to listen to them as I drive and it makes my heart so happy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My First Dick Francis

And why did I wait so long? Great book and characters. Can't wait to listen to more of his works.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the top Must Read by Dick Francis

If you could sum up To the Hilt in three words, what would they be?

Intense, Endurance and Rich

What did you like best about this story?

The enduring loyalty, kindness, and dark humor of main character.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

He is never disappointing and brings to life everything he reads.

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

I gasped out loud and was not able to guess the true nature of a few of the characters with a few laughs too!

Any additional comments?

This is a must read/listen for a Francis follower and a must read for any mystery lover

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting!

Great story! I read this years ago and enjoyed listening to again just as much. The characters are very well written.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved this book

What did you love best about To the Hilt?

I love almost all of Dick Francis's books but this one touched home since I am an artist and he brought the drive of art alive.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dick Francis is the BEST!

Mystery, intrigue, interesting characters, and intelligent writing. I always love his stories! The beauty of Scotland is brought to life and the insight into the inner thought processes of an artist had me appreciating the author all over again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved this one!!

There really isn't any bad Dick Francis. Even if you are questioning the choice based on the summary before you commit, you will never regret listening to any of the collection. Dick Francis is such a great writer, creating such rich characters that are noble, humble and so much fun. What sets some apart from others is that the narration by Simon Prebble is also enchanting.
This one is no exception!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another winner

Great plot though difficult to follow sometimes because of the accent and items and places challenging to the American ear, which of course is all part of the charm. I still can't rectify the 50-ish sounding narrator, though he has a flawless performance (well, maybe not some of the female characters). The story to me indicates the main character is in his 30's, yet the narrator sounds 50-ish++. Nothing against older people (I'm one of 'em), but voices need to fit the part I would think.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful