Syndicate cover art

Syndicate

Dick Francis Novels, Book 13

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Syndicate

By: Felix Francis
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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About this listen

Chester Newton is a successful racehorse syndicate organiser and his company, Victrix Racing, is having its best year yet. When his prized horse, Potassium, wins the world-famous Epsom Derby, Chester is set to become the next big thing in British horse racing.

But one phone call changes everything.

Someone hiding behind a voice scrambler and an untraceable phone is demanding he fixes a race – and they’re willing to go after Chester’s family if he fails to comply.

Chester’s business is the only thing in his life that isn’t falling apart. With his marriage on the rocks and his children growing increasingly distant, he is not willing to let someone destroy the success he’s spent his life building.

Then his daughter is kidnapped and, very suddenly, it’s not just his livelihood that’s on the line. Now Chester must discover just how far he will go to protect his family …

©2024 Felix Francis (P)2024 Recorded Books Amateur Sleuths Crime Thrillers Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Racing
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I always love the Francis books and had waited so excitedly for this one, but it did feel a little lacking. All the women portrayed were extreme and poorly narrated, terrible kids you could happily disown, a dithering protagonist and quite a low level of action (in fact pretty much no action or suspense in this one) and so it all left me feeling a little sad. The story itself was actually good and the plot intricate with some great new facts about betting which I had no idea could be so complex, but I did guess the identity of the villain pretty early on.
You’ve absolutely got to love and admire long-standing Francis narrator, Martin Jarvis, who we’ve listened to and adored for decades, and who despite now being in his mid-80’s can still narrate with real prowess. However, his wonderful but aging voice really couldn’t quite carry off the age or variety of our multitude of characters who all sounded old.again, I think I’m def of the view the Felix Francis books are probably better read than listened to.

Decent plot, low level action, not quite what we’re used to.

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Martin Jarvis sounds as though he has come back from the dentist with a numb mouth! Terrible narration, many slurred and mispronounced words. What has happened to him? He was fine on another book. Combined with a poor story where nothing really happens.

Truly terrible narration

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I loved the book, well read as always by Martin Jarvis. My only criticism is that I think Felix overdid the history of British horse racing details. That being said, I'm already looking forward to the next one.

A real page turner in the Francis tradition

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The plot was a bit thin and I worked it out half way through the book.
As always Martin Jarvis's narration is spot on but th rrest was lacking the usual Francis sparkle.

Not as good as usual

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Great fan of Dick Francis, just listened to the new Felix Francis which was okay. Then found this one excellent!!! more tha okay!!! Well written and very well narrated. Enjoyed it could not wait to get back to it!! loved the characters and the story line!!! highly recommended!!

enjoyed it immensely...

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Narrator sounds very jaded. Possibly sounds odd, maybe due to dental issues. (Possibly a dental plate,
I don’t want to criticise but Martin sounds too old and when he is speaking as a woman he sounds very snobbish

Narration is slurred and dull

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[NO SPOILERS] After the pleasing Hinkley trio (FF 2014-2016), 'Pulse' wallowed so much in dreary mental illness detail that I skipped the next few books, especially after I saw the 'Iced' reviews. But... decided to take a punt on this one, and I think it's a return to Hinkley form. Yes, as some folks have commented, there's detail about syndicates - but, given the book title, that's hardly a surprise. After all, 'Reflex' (DF 1980) had loads of photographic detail in it, for instance.

UK audiobook: to my ears, this audio often sounded like Jarvis had ill-fitting false teeth, or had a large sweet in his mouth - the worst DF/FF audio since the UK version of 'Silks' (2008).

[MAYBE SPOILER] Some customer reviews criticise the central character but he cares deeply for his daughter and is rather fed up with his marriage, so I'd call it realistic.

Good story marred by its narration

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I love Dick Francis and his son Felix Francis books generally, but this is my least favourite by far. No point of the affair, fairly predictable "twists" and unlikeable characters. Very disappointed ☹️

Unlikeable characters and predictable "twists"

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This was a poor recording, making Martin Jarvis sound like he has a lisp. Apologies if he has, but I haven’t noticed it before. Think mr Francis needs to consider other narrators. Also, people who read these books had a pretty good idea of horse racing, there is no need to explain every bet, in every book, and try to explain the handicapping system, nobody understands that. Do your own thing Mr Francis, don’t copy your father.

Good story

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The storyline took up half of the book. The rest of the book was a lecture on horse racing procedures. Dick Francis never had to introduce soft porn into his stories to try to keep the reader’s interest. I will read the next book, but if there is no improvement on this one, it will be my last.

Not a Patch on his Father

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