DICK FRANCIS' REFUSAL

Felix Francis's mystery novel features the return of the smooth-voiced and always exceptional Martin Jarvis to the Francises' racing world. Francis brings back his father's only series character, Sid Halley, the one-armed former jockey and former private investigator. For the listener, it's a thrilling reunion. An Irishman phones Halley to threaten that if he doesn't produce a whitewashed report regarding racing corruption, his family will be harmed. In addition to expertly expressing tension and emotion, Jarvis is also a master of accent. The Irishman is served up with perfect menace. Halley's wife, Marina, is originally Dutch, so her English hints at a European foreignness. His ex-father-in-law, Charles, is courtly, patrician, and a wee bit doddering. Most entertaining of all is Halley's old sidekick, Chico, who dispenses brawny assistance with a rough North London gruffness. A.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2013]