You know when you're in the movie theatre and everyone is thinking, "Don't go into the house.!!" or similar. I'm getting this feeling for the protaganist in Dark House, who is consistently and persistently making bad decisions about dealing with her ex's threats. She doesn't make much effort to report, record, document, etc and just destroyed a threating note...why?!?! Dick and Felix Francis protanganists are savvy, smart, clever. This does not fit the mold and made me set the book aside in frustration and anxiety. I will get back to it later, I hope. Still a huge fan of these series of books and recommend them widely and highly, but I'm not all in on a lead female character who doesn't act in her own best interests.

DARK HORSE by Felix Francis (Hands Down) continues in the spirit of horse racing mysteries of which Dick Francis was such a champion. His son introduces Imogen Duffy, a young conditional jockey, and reprises the beloved character of Sid Halley. The book feels disjointed, though, with the first half focused on Imogen's racing career and its disruption by her abusive ex-boyfriend and fellow jockey, Liam Carson. He is stalking her but is clever enough to persuade others that she is irrationally threatening him. A sudden death leads to a murder trial, and it is in the second half where Sid Halley becomes involved – checking alibis and witness statements in an attempt to provide a viable defense and discover the truth. Although the story does not flow as smoothly as some of the best from Dick Francis himself (the reference to his life size statue at Aintree Racecourse is a nice salute), readers will enjoy the suspense (once again, Sid's life is threatened) and the vivid descriptions of racing and horse jumping action.

Imogen Duffy is an Irish jump jockey just beginning to make her mark on racing. She is also a young woman who has left an abusive boyfriend who isn't taking her defection well. Liam Carson is also a jockey but not a remarkable one. He invaded her parents' home and was beating Imogen when her father arrived home. The police don't seem to be taking her case seriously. Apparently, she wasn't hurt badly enough for filing an assault charge.

Imogen wins a big race which makes her name known but loses her job with her trainer who happens to be Liam's father and has her reputation ruined by Liam's accusations that she is promiscuous. Luckily, she gets a call from an English trainer who wants her to ride for him. Imogen looks at the move to England as a chance to get away from Liam.

She is still terrorized but tries to set that aside to build a new life. But Liam follows her to England and continues his stalking and harassment. He even tries to injure her when he is entered into the same race that she is riding in. The Stewards call her in for an inquiry where Liam lies his head off about his conduct in the race.

Then Liam forces his way into her cottage in England and Imogen is only saved from another beating when a handyman comes to install a security chain on her door. She was in the middle of threatening Liam with a kitchen knife when the handyman arrives. Her new trainer takes her to the police to report Liam's home invasion, but it is Imogen who gets the caution for threatening Liam with a knife.

She is arrested on way back to Ireland to spend some time with her parents while she is suspended from racing for a couple of days. Liam Carson has been found dead, and she is accused of murdering him by stabbing him with one of her kitchen knives.

Part 2 has Imogen's father coming to Sid Halley to find out who killed Liam and to prove that his daughter didn't. Sid has long been out of the investigating business, but Imogen's father calls in a debt. Some years earlier he had saved Sid's wife's life.

Sid quicky finds out that all the evidence against Imogen is circumstantial. He also learns that her court appointed lawyers are eager for her to take a plea deal since they aren't at all sure that she is innocent. Sid looks into things and coaches her lawyers on their strategy.

Then things get twisty.

This was an enjoyable mystery. I liked catching up with Sid Halley. I was on the edge of my seat as Imogen was being stalked and terrified by Liam. I did feel that ending came rather quicky after the detailed build-up.

Honestly, I'm not sure how many books this prolific author (the son of another prolific author) has written featuring former champion steeplechase jockey Sid Halley, nor am I sure how many I've read. I do know I'd bet on any one of them to be a winner because I know that's a sure thing.

This one is no exception - and it's got two additional selling points: First, Sid - who lost a hand in a nasty fight and was fighting with a prosthetic model last time I tapped into his life - has had a hand transplant and once again has the real thing. Second, this one casts aside any notion that a female jockey can't hold her own with the big [little] guys.

In fact, the first half or so of the book focuses on the life of Irish professional jocket Imogen Duffy, who's trying to win her way up the ranks to become a top performer (meaning in demand and well paid). She's reined in, though, by an ex-boyfriend who's also a jockey - and one who took it way too personally when she dumped him. In retalliation, he's stalking her, making her life miserable and, many times, afraid for her life.

Then, just as she got her sights on the pinnacle of success, said boyfriend turns up very dead - with a knife bearing her fingerprints on it sticking out of his chest. Needless to say, the police aren't wont to disregard the evidence, and she's charged with the murder.

The setting now jumps to Sid, now a private investigator who would much rather spend his time with his wife Marina and their daughter Saskia. He's approached by an old friend who just happens to be Imogen's father - a man to whom Sid owes a favor. And it's not hard to guess what that favor might be: Investigate his daughter's case in the fervent hope of getting her off.

The rest of the book, of course, follows the investigation by Sid and his team as well as Imogen's trial. That, too, was interesting to me - I love to read about courtroom proceedings, even more so when they differ a bit from the rules and regulations of U.S. venues (here, it's in England). All told, it's another great romp - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to ride along by way of a pre-release copy.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Imogen Duffy is a young woman jockey climbing the rungs of a male-dominated profession while resisting the cartoonishly horrible advances of the possessive ex she recently dumped. Initially, we hear about her adventures on the track at various races, the advancement opportunities she earns as well as the sexist negativity frequently thrown her way. During all of this, the boyfriend stalks her, harasses her, spreads sexual rumors about her, and even attacks her physically, and her complaints are met with police indifference. She always moves on to the next horse, the next set of instructions from her trainer, and the next race, described in thrilling detail in the true Francis tradition. Near the halfway point of the book, it was beginning to feel like a racing documentary—all this racing info was interesting, but when exactly was anyone going to get around to investigating a crime?

That happens with the next section—a return to our old friend Sid Halley, tasked with rescuing the plot—oops, I mean investigating the murder of Imogen’s ex and clearing Imogen’s name. This is initially exciting; investigative activities finally start to take place, and what Francis fan doesn’t love a Sid Halley adventure? Then things take a turn, and Sid stops investigating and spends the rest of the book basically telling Imogen’s lawyer what to do. The courtroom drama is suspenseful and fun. I get that we needed some initial laziness by the defense team to create a reason for Sid to intervene, but I’d like to see Sid’s solid investigative skills used to better effect than basically Cyrano-ing arguments into the attorney’s ear during the trial. In a book initially so concerned with biases against women at work, etc., the idea that all the little incompetent woman lawyer needed was a man with no legal training telling her what to say all day long was slightly ridiculous. If she was really that big a dingbat, her client should have fired her.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital advance review copy.

I always enjoy a "Francis" novel. Felix appears to have taken over seamlessly from his Dad, the same attention to detail, strong characterization and obviously the same deep knowledge of horses having grown up in that world. This one I did find the ending a little disappointing, but that's just me.

Sid Halley makes a welcomed return in the latest Felix Francis novel Dark Horse. It's always wonderful to read another racing mystery featuring Sid, however, I was a little disappointed that he did not appear throughout the entire story. The first half features Imogene Duffy, a female jockey, and her abusive boyfriend whom she is accused of murdering. Sid is featured in the second half of the story as he investigates the murder. I felt the first half of the story could have been covered in a few pages and Sid could have investigated the case throughout the rest of the book. The end, however, was a good twist.

Three stars for part 1 featuring Imogene, five stars for part 2 with Sid.

Note to publisher and author: More Sid books, please. He's a great character, why not write more about him?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a sneak peek.

Imogen Duffy is starting to have success as a jockey and finally the courage to break up with her abusive boyfriend, Liam. But he refuses to stop stalking her, alternating pleas of love with physical and emotional abuse, while threatening to kill her. He follows her from Ireland to London making her life miserable, until it overshadows everything, including all her recent wins. Deciding to go home to Ireland she’s arrested at the airport for his murder. Eight months later Sid Halley decides to help with the case and prove her innocence. Filled with racing details, law tactics and mystery.

I’ve been enjoying the Dick Francis books for years so was excited to read this one by Felix Francis. I really enjoyed it, I love the Sid Halley series, it’s a great mix of horses, racing and investigating. The story was interesting and engaging, it caught my interest right out of the gate. I highly recommend this book, also the whole back catalogue which is excellent. Great story, would definitely purchase for a friend.

This was an unputdownable read for me. I couldn't stop reading the first section about the jockey and the highs and lows she experienced. Then switching to our old friend Sid Halley as he got back into investigation one more time.

Felix Francis is a great writer and he explains things about jump racing and the British justice system which helped the reader understand. And a great surprise ending. Fully loved this book and I want to look for more of this author's books that I might have missed.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

As a long-time fan of Dick Francis, I am thrilled his legacy remains in such capable hands, frankly, once I picked up Dark Horse, I couldn't put it down, it was my favorite book yet in the Francis legacy.

🐎 Felix Francis returns to the racetrack with Dark Horse, a gripping 2025 thriller that gallops through danger, obsession, and resilience. This latest installment in the Sid Halley series blends the pulse of steeplechase racing with the menace of psychological suspense, delivering a story that’s as emotionally charged as it is action-packed.

Imogen Duffy, a rising Irish jockey, bursts onto the scene with a win at the Cheltenham Steeple chasing Festival. But her triumph is shadowed by a former violent, possessive boyfriend—also a jockey—whose jealousy spirals into stalking and assault. Fleeing to England, Imogen seeks refuge and a fresh start, only to find her tormentor has followed her across the sea. When he turns up dead, and the evidence points to Imogen, her father enlists Sid Halley to uncover the truth. What begins as a case of protection quickly entangles Sid in a web of threats, deception, and personal peril.

🎯 - Character Depth: Imogen is a standout protagonist—vulnerable yet fiercely determined. Her emotional arc is compelling, and her struggle for autonomy resonates deeply.

- Sid Halley’s Return: Francis continues to evolve Sid with nuance, balancing his investigative prowess with personal vulnerability.

- Pacing & Suspense: The narrative unfolds with taut momentum. Francis knows how to build tension without sacrificing clarity.

- Atmosphere: The racing world is vividly rendered, from the adrenaline of the track to the quiet menace lurking behind stable doors.

🧩 Themes

- Power and Control: The novel explores the psychological toll of abuse and the fight to reclaim agency.

- Justice vs. Reputation: Sid’s investigation raises questions about truth, perception, and the cost of uncovering secrets.

- Resilience: Imogen and Sid must confront their pasts to protect their futures.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Dark Horse is a mystery as well as a character-driven thriller that tackles real-world trauma with empathy and grit. Francis proves once again that the legacy of Dick Francis is in capable hands, crafting a tale that's thrilling and emotionally resonant.