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  • Hands Down

  • Dick Francis Novels, Book 11
  • By: Felix Francis
  • Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
  • Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)
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Hands Down cover art

Hands Down

By: Felix Francis
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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Summary

Sid Halley, a private investigator, has a new left hand, having had a transplant since his last appearance in Refusal. After receiving death threats, an ex-jockey trainer friend calls Sid to ask for his help, but Sid has his own problems to deal with, like recovering from surgery and saving his crumbling marriage.  

When his friend’s stable yard is torched, horses killed and the friend is found dead, Sid can only blame himself for not helping sooner. The police think it’s suicide, but Sid is not convinced after his friend’s terrified phone calls. Heavy with a guilty heart, Sid starts to investigate and soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that cuts to the very heart of the integrity of British horse racing.

Can Sid figure out what happened to his friend, or will he be the next one that the killer targets?

©2022 Felix Francis (P)2022 Recorded Books Inc

What listeners say about Hands Down

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration with good plot

After a couple of books that did not live up to high expectations this was very good and I really enjoyed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Another enjoyable story and well read by Martin Jarvis
Look forward to the next one

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story well told.

I enjoyed the story with its twist and turns and especially how Sid coped with the transplant hand. Martin
Read it well too.

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

Not a vintage Francis novel

I have been a fan of Dick Francis novels for longer than I want to remember and thought Felix Francis has developed a number of good novels to the series. However, whilst the storyline in parts is very strong this is due to the amount of detail and how it appertains to the plot at a particular moment in time. Unfortunately I found the description to be plodding and has the suspense of sitting in a comfy armchair with slippers on. There is all the description of how Sid's right arm or plastic prosthesis is replaced with a transplant at the beginning, with all the relevant detail and his feelings and his wife's feelings on the matter but I just felt what has this to do with the genre Francis is writing about? It might make a character more human but I found parts irritating. I enjoyed Sid Halley's previous outings but just couldn't read this with the same anticipation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Typical Francis book

Full of twists and turns, set in the background racing. Great to listen to. Up to the usual Francis standard.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, miscast poor performance

Although Felix Francis isn’t his father his books are
generally a “good read” and those set in the racing world have a colourful sense of place. Racing, and it’s world is popular and plays an important place in current times and is fertile territory for good stories. However Martin Jarvis, a good actor for his time, is sadly badly miscast, making them feel horribly old fashioned and leaden. Perhaps he is used again and again out of a sense of loyalty and being the nearest person to Tony Britten there is, (even he would not be right today)but he doesn’t bring any life, vibrancy or truth to the characters. I feel like I’ve been yanked back to the 50s or 60s. I know it’s important to satisfy long time Francis followers but if this continues there is little
chance of gathering any new readers / listeners. Be brave. Cast a younger actor!

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

standard Francis but Jarvis is TOO smooth

Felix has written better but it is classic formula Francis. I usually love Martin Jarvis as a narrator (esp Just William) but he's too middle class comfortable and smooth. the personal relationship voice he uses is almost unlistenable. Sid Halley is rendered a partner of no standing. we would all leave the pathetic lovelorn puppy.

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

Unoriginal

Storyline has very close similarities to the previous book’s plot! Over explanations of terminology are clunky and unnecessary (why would an investigator ask what an SIO was?) Martin Jarvis reads it too slowly and with intonations that would better suit a story aimed at children. Persevered as I’d paid for it and I’ve listened to all Dick/Felix Francis books, but I’m afraid this one was not worth it in the end.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Boring

14 chapters in and virtually nothing happens. Couldn't be bothered to finish the book. Felix Francis trying to carry on from his father and failing miserably

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