Description:

"Francis, an ex-jockey, has a sense of pace that would be the envy of most of his former colleagues....He throws in a doozy of a bonus surprise."
PEOPLE
Wealthy gold trader Malcolm Pembroke has five ex-wives and nine chidren between them, all fighting among themselves. But when violent death strikes the least likable of his former spouses, Malcolm himself feels threatened, and he calls on his most capable son, Ian, the family jockey, to protect him from his nearest and dearest. While he's at it, Ian is also commissioned to delve for the final, critical clue in the darkly buried Pembroke past, simmering with the greed, hate, and vengefulness that could motivate blood to strike against blood. **

From Publishers Weekly

Francis has another winner, as skillfully constructed as his previous bestsellers. This time, amateur British jockey Ian Pembroke tells what happens after the murder of his father Malcolm's fifth wife, Moira. A rapacious, sharp-tongued woman, she has caused a break between Malcolm and Ian, who despised her for marrying his father solely to get her hands on his considerable fortune. But two attempts on the old man's life compel him to ask Ian for help. Although the trusted son isn't fond of his eight half-siblings or their motheror even of his ownhe's loath to suspect them of conspiring to kill Malcolm, which seems to be the case. To protect his father, Ian takes him to America and other countries, where the two attend the glamorous, big-purse horse racesscenes at which the author excelsbefore returning warily to England. The story gains momentum, with extended family members furious over Malcolm's spending spree and blaming Ian for wasting their inheritance. A real spellbinder, the mystery ends when the miscreant plays one trick too many. Reader's Digest Condensed Book selection; Literary Guild dual selection and Mystery Guild alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Malcolm Pembroke has the Midas touch for making money. With wealth in excess of 100 million pounds and the ability to make investments that never go wrong, he should be happy. However, he has not been as successful in his personal life; married five times with eight children, his last wife, Moira, was murdered. And now someone is trying to kill him. When Malcolm convinces his son Ian to accompany him to Newmarket Sales, Ian finds out firsthand about the murderous atmosphere surrounding his father. As Ian investigates their family he finds motive and malice to spare, and soon he is also in the murderer!s sites. For nonstop action and edge-of-the-seat suspense, it!s hard to top Francis. Simon Prebble!s precise accent and ability to make each voice unique make this performance a winner. Highly recommended for all public libraries.?Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.