Slay Ride

This is at least my third time reading this book over the past 30-40 years, and it holds up like a champ'. It is not too lighthearted however, telling of a murder investigation that reveals some disturbing things. There is a great deal of intrigue, and while one of the primary antagonists is repeatedly annoying in description, all of the other characters, both good and bad, are well-drawn or even fascinating. Particularly loved are the police officer's brother and his giant dog, who together aid our hero protagonist in his investigation. Set against the beautiful if here unforgiving environment of Norway, Slay Ride tells the story of a murdered jockey in the “usual” ‘Francis tradition, and while there were few misses in Francis' canon, this entry is a palpable hit.