Refusal cover art

Refusal

A Dick Francis Novel

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Refusal

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

Six years ago, investigator Sid Halley retired for good. He’d been harassed, beaten, shot, even lost a hand to his investigating business, and enough was enough. For the sake of his wife and new daughter he gave up that life of danger and uncertainty, and he thought nothing would ever lure him back into the game. He thought wrong.

Sir Richard Stewart, chairman of the racing authority, begs Sid to investigate a series of dodgy races. Sid adamantly refuses, but the following day, Sir Richard is found dead under suspicious circumstances. And then a man with an Irish accent contacts Sid, telling him to deliver a whitewashed report about the suspected race-fixing...or else.

At first Sid ignores these warnings, knowing that once he submits to this criminal bully, he will forever be under his control. But as the intimidation tactics escalate - and Sid’s own family comes under threat - Sid realises he must meet his enemy head-on...or he might pay the ultimate price for his refusal.

©2013 Felix Francis (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Detective Exciting

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Critic reviews

"This is fascinating reading on every level, from the neatly calibrated plot, moving from suspense to terror, to all the details of the racing world Francis provides. Halley is now, as before, an utterly complex, interest-holding character. And the final, moral turn that Francis makes of “refusal” is brilliant. A heroic return for Sid Halley." ( Booklist)
"Francis successfully resurrects one of his late father’s most popular creations and only series character—disabled jockey–turned–PI Sid Halley... Longtime fans will be hard put to tell this gripping thriller from the senior Francis’s work." ( Publishers Weekly)
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Narration terrible. Such a let down following the perfect Tony Britton. Jarvis' shouty, flat, grating accents have ruined the Sid Halley books on audio for me. My favourite fiction serial detective was OK in this book, even though written by Felix instead of Dick. But Jarvis as a narrator....NO THANKS.

Awful Martin Jarvis ruins a good book

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Felix hasn’t quite got the pen of his father but the characters and plot have the same page-turning quality.

Usual great listen

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Loved the story. Took me a while to get use to the narrator's voice portrayal of Marina.. sounded more like Victor Meldrew!

Gripping!

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Jarvis too smooth, they have used more appropriate voices. plot as you expect, which is why you listen!

formula still used and working

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Martin Jarvis kept the suspense going with his talent for accents and his portrayal of McGaskey was spine chilling. This was my first Dick Francis book and I shall definitely listen to more.

Suspense

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Another fast paced and enjoyable Sid Halley story from the Francis stable, if sometimes seeming more laboured than the original ones.

I did not like the narration though, not varied enough and the Michael Caine imitation voice of the police inspector drove me mad!

Story good, narrator disappointing

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I enjoyed the story, it was a bit convoluted at the start as all the pieces of the plot were lined up. I do always feel the female characters of Dick Francis’s books were flat and unbelievable and didn’t feel any different about Marina who I found cold and grating. The relationships between Sid, Charles and Chico were the best written. Whilst the narrator was not hard to listen to his voices were just not quite right his detective voice made me think of Micheal Caine. I think there’s scope for another Sid Halley story and if so I would probably listen to it.

Enjoyable

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If you could sum up Refusal in three words, what would they be?

Very high standard

What other book might you compare Refusal to, and why?

Any Dick Francis

Have you listened to any of Martin Jarvis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

His voices are very believable

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not yet haven't finished only half way through

Any additional comments?

Only that Felix should keep on writing His Dad I'm sure would be so proud.

Just as good as Dad

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Over the past few months I have read quite a lot of Dick Francis books, and loved them. Especially the narration by Tony Britton. This is the first Felix Francis book I have read, not sure if it will be the last. I didn’t find it held me like D.F’s books do plus the brilliant Tony Britton wasn’t reading it. Sorry Martin Jarvis but you just seem to be trying too hard.
I couldn’t get into the story and found it laboured in some parts. Overall three stars is all I think it merits

Not the same

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Excellent book. It was a gripping story by Felix Francis and very well read by Martin Jarvis.

Much enjoyed the book

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