Second Wind

By: Dick Francis

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

The catastrophic power of a giant hurricane can raise coastal waves 30 feet high and blow through houses at devastating speeds. For TV meteorologist Perry Stuart, however, such predictions are generally hypothetical, as he chiefly predicts periods of English drizzle, with bursts of heavier rain and sunshine to follow. Stuart's profound weather knowledge and accuracy have given him high status among forecasters, but no physical baptism by storm.

Until, that is, a fellow forecaster offers him a Caribbean hurricane-chasing ride in a small airplane as a holiday diversion. But a frightening accident teaches Stuart more secrets than wind speeds, and back home in England he faces threats and danger as deadly as anything nature can evolve.

Dick Francis "has simply never failed. Every one of his opening sentences pulls the reader in and doesn't let go until the last, perfect word," according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

©2008 Dick Francis (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic Reviews

"Fast-moving action." ( The Washington Post)

Narrator too intense

What made the experience of listening to Second Wind the most enjoyable?

I love Dick Francis books and would love to see more of them on audible (not co-written). I enjoyed the story very much, it is always interesting to learn about something I know very little about, so the weather aspect was fun for me. However, this narrator drove me nuts, his tone and voice so intense, like he's on a constant half shout. Calm down!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

See above

What didn’t you like about Michael Page’s performance?

Noted above

Mediocre entry in his many books.

I missed the regular narrator and this book was too far afield from his forte---Racing!
Didn't care for it.

Another great thriller!

If you could sum up Second Wind in three words, what would they be?

Another great one from Dick Francis.....this one just a bit different from his others, but still a super read!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, Francis always keeps me there!

Another Excellent "read"

This book contains many elements of interest but flying and weather are the tops.There is also a mystery of course and that is the main theme and the slowly revealed cause of some erratic behavior by the main characters. This is a good fast moving book. The characters are well drawn and one loves or hates them accordingly. The beauty of Francis' books are the element of education you get from them all twisted up in the mystery and I love that. I learned about hurricanes, weather fronts and flying. If only school was like this!

Doesn't sound like Dick Francis!

I quite enjoyed the sciency aspects of this book, especially the meteorology. But the characters were caricatures. And the tone of the narration was less-than-adept: on the shrill side, especially females. Missed Tony Britton and Simon Prebble!

terrible

Couldnt even finish it. Not the usual Dick Francis. Not much horse racing related material.

Different But Still Great!

This was a bit different type of story for a Dick Francis novel, but still well written and an enjoyable mystery. There are far less references to horses and racing than usual, but the story was intriguing and the characters were likable.

boring

What would have made Second Wind better?

to much detail about the weather, dick francis is about horse racing, really awful story

What could Dick Francis have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

stick to what he knows about.---------------HORSE RACING

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

he is ok, does his best with a crap story

Not My Favorite "Francis" But...

Where does Second Wind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love listening to Audible audiobooks. I love Dick Francis books. Therefore, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to this book; however, having said that, this particular book of his is not my favorite one. But any Dick Francis book is certainly worth the time and effort (and expense) of reading.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was disappointed in the ending. Maybe this is the main reason I didn't enjoy this one of his as much.

good, mindless read

I always enjoy reading Dick Francis, even if it feels alot like eating potato chips, not very filling.