Second Wind

In flashback, we are catapulted into the world of meteorologist Perry Stuart who agrees to fly through the eye of storm on Trox Island, a blighted place steeped in guano and harbouring a nasty secret. When the reader encounters details of the racing world in Francis's earlier thrillers, it had the satisfying ring of authenticity. The same is true in Second Wind, as Stuart's character was developed with the help of BBC weatherman John Kettley. Although a new venue for Francis, he still has the knack of quickening the readers' pulse with a few carefully chosen words: "Despair was too strong a word for it. Perhaps despondency was better. When they came for me, they came with guns." --Barry Forshaw

Everything about the book was lazy and self-indulgent. The story was pointless and rambling. Characters were introduced seemingly at random. And the romantic sub-plot between our hero and his granny's nurse was almost funny. Almost.

Above all, though, how could any author decide to cast a BBC weather forecaster in the role of action hero? Labouring from one page to the next I couldn't shake this mental image of Ian McCaskill battling international terrorists.


Sadly, the worst thing he's ever done   January 17, 2001
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I've read everything the guy's ever written and enjoyed the vast majority, but this one, quite frankly, is awful. Put your feet up, Dick!


The most recent and sadly the poorsest Dick Francis book   January 6, 2001
Having read all of his books I feel that the last 5 have been something of a let down with 'Second Wind' almost unreadable. Where once I looked forward to his latest offering, now it's a case of "Is he still churning them out". Maybe it's time to stop, to be remembered for the good ones.