STALKING HORSEJohn FrancomeHeadline £10.99 Dec 2003Reviewed by Simon Kernick |
|
Josh Swallow is a highly experienced, soon-to-be-retiring jockey who wants to go out as champion in this, his last season as a rider. Yet events are conspiring against him. Firstly, theres young Irish whippersnapper, Ben OBrien, whos already steaming ahead in the championship with no sign of flagging. Then theres Leo Lovell, a big shot horse trainer who used to be Joshs mate but who fell out with him after he caught Josh sleeping with his wife. And, of course, theres the wife herself, Annabelle, whos quite a frisky sort. As the book begins, shes coming on to Josh again, keen it seems to rekindle their affair. And, by golly, if this isnt enough, Josh has got his very own stalker too, and this one is seriously doolally, and not averse to a bit of murder either if it gets her closer to the man she loves. The fact that our hero is in a new and very happy relationship with an attractive young filly (metaphorically speaking, of course) and doesnt even know she exists, is but a minor inconvenience. Hes going to know soon enough. So, with all this in the pot, it promises to be an eventful few weeks for Josh as he makes his bid for glory. And so it proves. Coming under suspicion for murder, and losing more friends than a Tenerife timeshare salesman thanks to the antics of his stalker, he has enough trouble finding a horse to get on, let alone winning sufficient races to become champion. Francome weaves the threads of his story into a fast-paced and enjoyable yarn with plenty of twists and turns, and one which leads to a suitably tense and satisfying finale. The writing style is breezy and light, and doesnt strain the readers neurons too much, and if theres one criticism Id have, its that everything (from the plotting to the characterisation) is just a little bit too neat. But thats a minor fault and the fact remains that I read the book in three sittings and was never in any doubt that Id finish it, which is what I want from a thriller.
|