Come to Grief

By: Dick Francis

Narrated by: Tony Britton

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sid Halley, the ex-champion jockey turned investigator who appears in Odds Against and Whip Hand, is back and facing new dilemmas and dangers. The opening finds him having uncovered an obnoxious crime committed by a friend whom he, and everyone else, has held in affection bordering on love. On the morning set for the opening of the friend's trial, at which Sid is due to be called as a witness, other people's miseries explode and send him spinning into pulverizing days of hard, rational detection and heart-searching torments. Troubled, courageous, and unwilling to admit defeat, for Sid Halley it is business as usual.

©1995 Dick Francis (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Excellent narrator! Classic Dick Francis

I have listened to all of Dick Francis' more than 40 books. The plot line of this one is gruesome, but fairly imaginative. Of course, Sid, the main character, gets attacked. That's standard fair in most DF stories. The sub-plot of the sick child is touching and is woven well into the main plot.

The range of Tony Britton's voice is impressive. He does several british accents very well, and moves easily between male, female and child voices.

The experience of the story is greatly enhanced by Tony's narration.

The four star rating is due to uneven sound quality in the production. This recording was clearly taken from cassettes, as the sound quality quickly shifts from crisp and clear to muffled. You can still hear the entire story.

Without regard to production quality, I highly recommend this book.

Read this one Third

If you like one Dick Francis mystery, you will probably like them all (if you get a good reader - which is usually the case fortunately). He wrote four mysteries featuring ex-jockey Sid Halley: Odds Against (1965); Whip Hand (1979); Come to Grief (1995); and Under Orders (2006). Even though the books span 40 years, the elapsed time within/between all the stories is about 3 or 4 years. Technology advances with the times from book to book and we aren't supposed to notice that as readers. After all, it's really the mysteries and Francis' quality writing that we're here for, isn't it?

Great read / Listen

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and the narration is excellent. I highly recommend this book.

The only Dick Francis I didn't like.

This was the one and only dark & horrible story by Francis. Not probable. Not enjoyable. Not fun. Not interesting. Concept & novel should not have ever been published. I've owned horses, and this was painful to finish. Otherwise, Dick (& Felix) are the best.

Great third story of Sid Halley

Would you listen to Come to Grief again? Why?

I enjoyed this story. Sid Halley is an interesting character. The reader was good with different voices for characters. Recommend it.

Great story, well written

Would you consider the audio edition of Come to Grief to be better than the print version?

Have only listened to the audio version.

What other book might you compare Come to Grief to and why?

Many other Francis books

Have you listened to any of Tony Britton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Always well done.

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

It showed as in real life that celebrities can be involved in real life. As in life many celebrities are put on higher planes were they are viewed as above reproach, but we all need to come to the realization that celebrities are human and capable of being criminals.

Another Dick Francis Classic

Another Dick Francis Classic. Great with a fast moving engaging plot, a page turner,a great companion for anyone.

Excellent, as usual!

I enjoy Dick Francis immensely. This book did not disappoint. Sid Halley is a likeable character, and Dick Francis lifts the lid on this private man, giving us a glimpse of the true character beneath the rock-like, fearless facade he presents to the rest of the world.

His affection for the little girl with leukemia is touching. Dick Francis really seems to understand what makes people tick, and there is always a heart-warming portrayal of the goodness and honesty of ordinary people, contrasted with the face of true evil in his villains.

As always, Francis' love and respect for horses is very much in evidence - the special relationship which can come about only through intimate association with these extraordinary creatures over many years. This is, indeed, classic Francis, and a book I shall enjoy listening to again and again.

Tony Britton cannot be faulted as the narrator of the Dick Francis novels. He is just right in every way, and brings out the different characters beautifully. I can't imagine anyone else reading them!

Sound quality.

Quality of sound recording spoilt a good story. Have always enjoyed Dick Francis books. Bolinda should check their sound recordings.

Very good

Typical Francis. His almost anti-hero is the key role. Imaginative and well paced. Well worth the read.

Good story - shame about the hiss!

I really enjoyed this story but the annoying constant background hiss was really off putting

Poor sound. Very good story.

Good story but sound poor quality . Audible should check standard of sound as this was not good value for money.

Great story terrible sound

Please do something about the sound quality. It’s not fair to the excellent narrator and does nothing for the story.

not his best but worth the time

it's a bit far fetched. Sid should inflict serious damage on the journalists, and the other characters are not as well set as usual. Britton his usual brilliant. Bolinda still unable to be consistent except in their inconsistencies. you need to speed up and slow down this time.

Gripping stuff

Great dory as usual from Dick Francis, nicely read by Tony Britton. One minor glitch in the old recording but didn’t detract from my enjoyment.

Great!

Computers come into this thriller. Can’t quite believe the motivation for the hideous crimes? Bit far fetched perhaps but it is still a rollicking good listen

Awful recording

Excellent Dick Francis story, really enjoyed the re-emergence of Sid Halley. Somewhat spoiled by an awful quality recording. Continual crackles in the background, stopping and then restarting at a lower volume and rather muffled. Actual narration fine just ruined by the quality