Enquiry was an excellent example of Dick Francis's best writing. Kelley Hughes is a steeplechase jockey. After the favorite he was riding fails to win a race, he and the trainer are called in by the stewards for an inquiry. Neither of them are expecting the result of that enquiry: they lose their licenses and aren't allowed around racing.

Kelley is surprised at the hearing both because of the verdict and because of the "evidence" presented. A fellow jockey testifies that Kelley told the other riders to ease off and photos were shown that indicate he took bribe money from the trainer. And a tape from another race shows him contradicting what he had said to explain not using a whip on the horse. Only the horse in the race wasn't the one he was riding in the disputed race.

Determined to clear his name, Kelley begins his own investigation and easily learns that the fellow jockey had taken a bribe to lie about Kelley and that the detective who shot the pictures showing bribery was well known for producing "evidence" for the right price.

Someone is clearly fearful that Kelley will learn the truth because his car was tampered with almost causing his death. But the accident makes Kelley even more determined. With the assistance of some of his racing acquaintances, Kelley finds evidence that proves that the enquiry was rigged but finding out who was so determined to have him and the trainer disbarred from racing leads Kelley into even more danger.

The writing is spare, and the action is fast-paced and furious. Kelley is an ordinary man doing what he loves and then doing what it takes so that he can keep the career he loves. He's not a superman and is beaten up during the story but pain won't stop him from reaching his goal. ( )

When an honest jockey is accused of cheating, where can he turn when no one listens to his protests? Deciding to investigate himself is possibly one of his worst decisions, leading him into mortal danger. A page-turner in true Dick Francis style. ( )

 All you need is love by Marie Force
The first book in the Green Mountain series. Marie sets the tone for the series in All You Need Is Love. It's a delightful story about the big city girl and the small-town guy. You are introduced to large loving family, which sets the stage for many books to come in this series. ( )

We learn through flashbacks that narrator Kelly Hughes and trainer Dexter Cranfield have just lost their licenses; an enquiry panel was of the opinion that Kelly had held back his odds-on favorite and let another Cranfield-trained horse win. However, there was enough inconsistent behavior exhibited by the panel that Kelly believes he was set up.

This book is a study in social class at all levels. Kelly’s family, poor farm workers in the mountains of Wales belief he ‘deserved’ to lose his license because ‘The Lord’ Steward said so just as much as the Steward who was a ‘Lord’ believed he had the right to take it away. Wealthy trainer Canfield felt the ruling had more impact on him because of his social position than it did on his workers who he laid off for something which they had no responsibility. Roberta Canfield exposed only to her parents views acts the same way and wonders why she is treated as she is by ‘Hughes,’ as she refers to Kelly. Like father, like 19 year old daughter.

In addition to social levels determined by birth and wealth, Francis throws in behaviour towards deviant sexual practices and mental illness. It is rare that a person is looked at for themselves and then have their circumstances are accessed before behaviour or standing is judged.

Reviewed
2021-2-16

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ( )

I needed some Dick Francis. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich is too heavy (literally and mentally?) for the train.

***

There seemed to be even less action/intruige than a usual DF mystery. A full half of the book passed before the hero was actually threatened by anyone.

Also, the social commentary on S&M (and confusion with physical abuse) was a little strange/unexpected. Oh, the 60s. And a lot of parts of the country now, I guess. ( )