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A USA Today Bestselling author, this slightly out of place Renaissance man writes mysteries and more. Topics include writing, family, gardens, and more, often infused with a bit of gentle philosophy and always with a lust for life.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Next Big Thing
THE NEXT BIG THING: Secret questions with answers only for you...
One of my "newbie" writers from several years back has gone and become extremely successful with her YA series. She's just shot right up to the top with her books, and has learned everything I could teach her as well as is teaching me stuff now! Robin Waldrop is a great lady, please stop by and say hi to her on her blog. Robin tagged me in an ongoing game of "The Next Big Thing" in which authors get to talk about their favorite things: writing, and their current WIP.
Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been
kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster. Rumors fly that Gen’s
mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene
beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans
don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces.
Can Genevieve and William save her mom, or will they be too late?
Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?
Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?
***
At the same time, I was also tagged by Deb Ledford, a very talented writer whose books I adore. Deb features strong Native American influences in her writing, which fascinates me. She also writes one heckuva a mystery/suspense and her sense of place is addictive. Check out all of her books http://secondwindpub.wordpress.com/author/djledford/.
Book two of her Steven Hawk/Inola Walela thriller series, SNARE, is The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist, nominated as Best Mystery that captures the landscape of the Southwest. Also a Finalist for the NM-AZ Book Award in the Mystery/Suspense category.
Here is Deb's blog piece for The Next Big Thing!
(This one's my favorite of Deb's books!)
THE NEXT BIG THING
3-What genre does your book fall under?
6-Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
All of my books are represented by Lida Quillen at Twilight Times Books. I love my publisher! Please check out the great selection of award-winning books on the TTB site. (www.twilighttimesbooks.com)
8-What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
1-What is your working
title of your book?
Virtuoso, book #7 in the Gus
LeGarde Mystery series.
2-Where did the idea
come from for the book?
When my daughter was a
voice student at the world-renowned Eastman School of Music, my mind often went
in crazy directions, imagining mysteries and murders around every corridor, in
the practice rooms, and in the concert halls. It was just natural that Gus
LeGarde, a music professor from a small upstate New York university, would end
up at the school and that he’d uncover some pretty shocking secrets.
3-What genre does your book fall under?
Mystery, but I qualify that
with “country mystery” since my stories are always set in the picturesque
Genesee Valley of upstate NY.
4-Which actors would you
choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I used to picture a young
Harrison Ford playing Gus LeGarde, or maybe Liam Neeson. But I’m probably
dating myself, huh? I’m sure there’s a younger new actor who’d shine as Gus.
What do you think?
5-What is the
one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When Gus LeGarde rescues a
pilot from a small plane crash in the back forty, he becomes involved in a
dangerous mystery with a forged famous painting with a bizarre connection to an
elderly neighbor.
6-Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
All of my books are represented by Lida Quillen at Twilight Times Books. I love my publisher! Please check out the great selection of award-winning books on the TTB site. (www.twilighttimesbooks.com)
7-How long did it take
you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took about two to three
months to get the first draft out. But I wrote this way back in 2004, so it’s
been eight years since I touched it. I’ve been so busy writing my two other
series (Moore Mysteries and Tall Pines Mysteries) that I’ve sort of neglected
these older LeGarde books! Shame on me, huh? The writing is really pretty
dated, though, and I need to thoroughly rewrite it using my current day skills.
But don’t worry, it’ll pass muster when it comes out.
8-What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I haven’t found another
mystery writer to compare to my “country” mysteries yet. They certainly may
exist, but I haven’t read them!
9-Who or what inspired
you to write this book?
My daughter, Melanie, who has the voice of an angel. And my
late father, who was a music professor and pianist of great warmth and talent.
10-What else about your
book might pique the reader’s interest?
Gus
LeGarde is faced with the ultimate challenge of fatherhood – dealing with a
pretty young teenage daughter who’s being wooed by multiple (and dangerous)
young men. I will never know how I got through that phase in my life with three
young daughters who were only two years apart (twins and a single). I played
upon that angst and worry in Virtuoso,
when Gus deals with Shelby’s relationship with a much older young tenor who’s
currently attending the Eastman School of Music. There’s also a strong theme
running through the story about a woman I admire greatly, my wife’s great,
great, great Aunt Emma. This woman was a true hero, an artist, an innovator, a
savior, and a world traveler. Her story is retold in this book.
And now for those I have tagged:
These
lovely writers asked me to participate at a time when I was just
overwhelmed with life and work. But now I have a second to breathe, and
I'm asking them if I can tag them back!
Kim Smith
Pat Bertram
Kim Smith
Pat Bertram
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Are You a Lonely Writer?
Hi, folks.
If you're a writer and sometimes feel lonely, please don't. We're in this together and we've all suffered horrible disappointments, rejections, and bad reviews as well as our first glowing review or piece of fan mail.
I've written about my own experiences over the years through blogs and articles, and my publisher decided it would be a good idea to gather them up to share with writers of all levels.
I've entitled the collection "Write Like the Wind," and there are now three volumes. Maybe someday when I've written more articles I'll add a fourth volume, but for now, this is it!
The eBooks are only 99 cents each, which isn't too bad. Here's a bit about them if you'd be interested in taking a look. ;o)
This writing guide is a collection of articles I’ve written over the past seven years for fiction writers of all levels. Whenever I stumbled across something in the writing process, whether it was new-to-me technical skills or promotional methods, I wanted to share them with my network of writing pals. I was driven to help new writers just as my mentors helped me in the beginning of my career. Sort of like paying it forward, you know?
One of my favorite sayings I use when I sign off from my articles is “remember to take pleasure in the little things, and if you love to write, write like the wind!”
I guess it’s a strange concept, but I have this vision of unleashing swirling gusts of words just like the wind that rattles leaves in trees and blows hats along the sidewalk. Don’t stop to analyze, don’t hesitate, don’t edit yourself to death. There’s plenty of time for that later (and then you can “Edit Like an Architect” like my friend Natalie Neal Whitefield says.) Just let it all out in one big gushing explosion of words, and keep going until you reach the last chapter.
Thanks for ordering this guide. I’d love to hear from you, so if you’d like to say hello, feel free to drop me a line at aaron.lazar@yahoo.com or stop by my website at http://www.lazarbooks.com.
Aaron Paul Lazar
Volume 1:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Motivation
2. Balancing Life and Writing
3. Writing From The Heart
4. Defining a “Real” Writer
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
5. Advice for New Writers
6. Forbidden Words
7. The Hook
8. Writing Like You Talk
Marketing and Building Your Platform
1. Bringing Back the Dead
2. Writing Reviews to Build Your Platform
3. How Radio Shows Can Help Writers
4. Tweet, tweet! (I feel like a bird)
5. Read an eBook Week — an experiment
A Little Poetry, Please
6. Word Painting
7. Squeeze a Little Poetry Into Your Novel
8. Savor the Moment
Learn to Write by Reading
9. Listen to the Master – John D. MacDonald
10. Speaking in Voices – Tami Hoag
Dreams – Do They Influence Your Writing?
11. Connecting through Dreams
12. Downtime and Dreams
Defining Success
The Ultimate Reward
Volume 2:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Finding Time to Write
2. A Writer’s Life
3. Cheap Therapy
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
4. The Dreaded Synopsis
5. Writing Love Scenes
6. Writing From a Woman’s POV (when you’re a guy)
7. Tag Team Query Letters
8. Beta Readers — who they are and why you need them
Marketing and Building Your Platform
9. Blogging — what’s the big deal?
10. Live Chats — do they sell books?
11. Writing Columns and Branding Yourself
12. Audio Books — how to get your novels into ACX
Dealing with Rejection or Unfair Criticism
13. The Shredding
14. Rejection! (Is your book REALLY that bad?)
Character Letters – examples
15. Sam Moore Speaks
16. Message from Gus LeGarde
Where Do You Write?
17. Writing on the River
18. Writing on the Road
19. Writing with Kids
20. Face-to-Face with Writers (in real life!)
Author Interviews – some examples
Interview with Aaron Lazar by Dorothy James
Volume 3:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Are All Writers Egoists?
2. Practical Advice for Writers
3. Chasing the Writing High
4. Coping Skills for Writers in Hard Times
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
5. Dialogue Tags
6. Your Preface: what it is, when to write it
7. Writing the Tough Stuff (or killing the one you love)
8. Setting the Scene in Your Own Backyard
9. Typing “The End”
Marketing and Building Your Platform
10. Being a Guest on Radio Shows — how hard is it?
11. My First Book Signing
12. Freebies — clever marketing, or foolish folly?
13. Recording Your Character’s Voice
Plotting and Ideas
14. What Scares You?
15. Using Emotions to Drive Your Next Plot (“It’s Over”)
16. Response to “It’s Over”
17. Comfort Movies (plot themes)
Character Interviews and Letters – examples
18. Interview with Oscar Stone
19. Interview with Sam Moore
20. Interview with Siegfried Marggrander
Interview with Ruby, from Tall Pines Mysteries
Thank you all and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Aaron Paul Lazar
www.lazarbooks.com
If you're a writer and sometimes feel lonely, please don't. We're in this together and we've all suffered horrible disappointments, rejections, and bad reviews as well as our first glowing review or piece of fan mail.
I've written about my own experiences over the years through blogs and articles, and my publisher decided it would be a good idea to gather them up to share with writers of all levels.
I've entitled the collection "Write Like the Wind," and there are now three volumes. Maybe someday when I've written more articles I'll add a fourth volume, but for now, this is it!
The eBooks are only 99 cents each, which isn't too bad. Here's a bit about them if you'd be interested in taking a look. ;o)
Kindle eBook, 99 cents each
IntroductionThis writing guide is a collection of articles I’ve written over the past seven years for fiction writers of all levels. Whenever I stumbled across something in the writing process, whether it was new-to-me technical skills or promotional methods, I wanted to share them with my network of writing pals. I was driven to help new writers just as my mentors helped me in the beginning of my career. Sort of like paying it forward, you know?
One of my favorite sayings I use when I sign off from my articles is “remember to take pleasure in the little things, and if you love to write, write like the wind!”
I guess it’s a strange concept, but I have this vision of unleashing swirling gusts of words just like the wind that rattles leaves in trees and blows hats along the sidewalk. Don’t stop to analyze, don’t hesitate, don’t edit yourself to death. There’s plenty of time for that later (and then you can “Edit Like an Architect” like my friend Natalie Neal Whitefield says.) Just let it all out in one big gushing explosion of words, and keep going until you reach the last chapter.
Thanks for ordering this guide. I’d love to hear from you, so if you’d like to say hello, feel free to drop me a line at aaron.lazar@yahoo.com or stop by my website at http://www.lazarbooks.com.
Aaron Paul Lazar
Volume 1:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Motivation
2. Balancing Life and Writing
3. Writing From The Heart
4. Defining a “Real” Writer
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
5. Advice for New Writers
6. Forbidden Words
7. The Hook
8. Writing Like You Talk
Marketing and Building Your Platform
1. Bringing Back the Dead
2. Writing Reviews to Build Your Platform
3. How Radio Shows Can Help Writers
4. Tweet, tweet! (I feel like a bird)
5. Read an eBook Week — an experiment
A Little Poetry, Please
6. Word Painting
7. Squeeze a Little Poetry Into Your Novel
8. Savor the Moment
Learn to Write by Reading
9. Listen to the Master – John D. MacDonald
10. Speaking in Voices – Tami Hoag
Dreams – Do They Influence Your Writing?
11. Connecting through Dreams
12. Downtime and Dreams
Defining Success
The Ultimate Reward
Volume 2:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Finding Time to Write
2. A Writer’s Life
3. Cheap Therapy
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
4. The Dreaded Synopsis
5. Writing Love Scenes
6. Writing From a Woman’s POV (when you’re a guy)
7. Tag Team Query Letters
8. Beta Readers — who they are and why you need them
Marketing and Building Your Platform
9. Blogging — what’s the big deal?
10. Live Chats — do they sell books?
11. Writing Columns and Branding Yourself
12. Audio Books — how to get your novels into ACX
Dealing with Rejection or Unfair Criticism
13. The Shredding
14. Rejection! (Is your book REALLY that bad?)
Character Letters – examples
15. Sam Moore Speaks
16. Message from Gus LeGarde
Where Do You Write?
17. Writing on the River
18. Writing on the Road
19. Writing with Kids
20. Face-to-Face with Writers (in real life!)
Author Interviews – some examples
Interview with Aaron Lazar by Dorothy James
Volume 3:
What Makes a Writer Tick?
1. Are All Writers Egoists?
2. Practical Advice for Writers
3. Chasing the Writing High
4. Coping Skills for Writers in Hard Times
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
5. Dialogue Tags
6. Your Preface: what it is, when to write it
7. Writing the Tough Stuff (or killing the one you love)
8. Setting the Scene in Your Own Backyard
9. Typing “The End”
Marketing and Building Your Platform
10. Being a Guest on Radio Shows — how hard is it?
11. My First Book Signing
12. Freebies — clever marketing, or foolish folly?
13. Recording Your Character’s Voice
Plotting and Ideas
14. What Scares You?
15. Using Emotions to Drive Your Next Plot (“It’s Over”)
16. Response to “It’s Over”
17. Comfort Movies (plot themes)
Character Interviews and Letters – examples
18. Interview with Oscar Stone
19. Interview with Sam Moore
20. Interview with Siegfried Marggrander
Interview with Ruby, from Tall Pines Mysteries
Thank you all and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Aaron Paul Lazar
www.lazarbooks.com
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Falling in Love Again... with Dick Francis
Hello, fellow writers and readers. You may have noticed I've been
sort of missing lately. I haven't blogged in a
while, and I've neglected to comment on the articles of others. This
piece is my first in quite a while, and I hope it will at least in part
explain what's been going on in my life.... Thanks for your patience, I
love you all! - Aaron
Falling in Love Again... with Dick Francis
copyright 2012 Aaron Paul Lazar
I've always loved mysteries, and mysteries featuring horses have topped the list since I was a kid. In my youth, I devoured books by Agatha Christie, John D. MacDonald, Rex Stout, and many more, but one of my very favorites was Dick Francis, who I've re-discovered because of a weird and frustrating event in my life.
Since I got a wake up call from my doctor last July (high sugar, type II), I've put almost all of my energy into getting healthy. I get up at 5 AM, do my chores around the house, then take off at 6:30 for a long walk up and down dirt roads with big hills (3-5 miles depending on the day) to get my stupid liver in gear.
Since doing this almost every day since July 11th, 2012, I've lost a lot of weight, gone down four pant sizes, become very anal about tracking and plotting my fasting sugar levels and two-hours-after-eating levels, weigh myself obsessively (without pants naturellement, those jeans weigh over a pound!), and eat pretty much like Ghandi.
All is good now. I'm on a routine. I'm healthy. My cholesterol is fantastically low. My BP is good again. And I'm now my doctor's poster boy for how to handle type II Diabetes without medication.
But I digress.
One of the finest outcomes of this whole maddening situation has to do with what I do while I walk.
I listen.
I listen to so many books per week now, my intake of books has doubled, and that's on top of my eBook consumption which had already quadrupled my "normal" quota of print books. It's phenomenal!
I listen while walking for 1.5 hours daily. I listen in the car to and from work. And I even listening while grocery shopping.
I'm talking about audiobooks, of course, the latest and greatest super duper thing to come from bluetooth and wireless technology. With the help of Audible.com, I've gone through all of Michael Prescott's tautly written thrillers. I've been buying and listening to John D. MacDonald books (Travis McGee series, I intend to listen to the all), and lately I have re-discovered Mr. Dick Francis and his string (not series) of amazing British mysteries often set on racecourses or in the beautiful country-side of England.
I feel as if I'm delving deeper into this talented writer's words than ever before, when I read and coveted his paperbacks long ago. The interpretation by narrator Simon Prebble is so poignant, so intimate, so... gosh darned moving, that I think I'd be entranced listening to this man read the phone book.
Here are a few of the books that I've recently listened to by Mr. Francis, who passed away in 2010. Each time I listen to one of these books, it becomes my newest favorite. Honest, that's how good they are. I heartily recommend each one!
![Decider | [Dick Francis]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vxS7xlAfzKLcL28Y5RlHHjNkF-RTnMBHnTi17LuQIWCEwOZWbnApBUAb7bw6l23t1WNxcJWAkpEU7FsE5asdq-DnS3Kx9gRTlqTdQX6_2wT4a6szvoSbddHBkalfqqWl8=s0-d "Decider | [Dick Francis]")
The stakes are deadly at Stratton Park. Architect and family man Lee Morris never gave much thought to the shares he inherited of the Stratton Park racecourse, the multi-million dollar property owned by the powerful Stratton family. His mother had first received the shares to keep her quiet about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her first husband, Keith Stratton. Now, much to Lee's chagrin, he is being drawn into the thick of the Stratton family squabbles as they wage a furious debate over the future of the race track.
So when Lee packs his six sons into his renovated old bus to visit the racetrack, he finds himself embroiled in a supremely dangerous game that extends much deeper than horse racing. And perhaps too late, Lee realizes his involvement in the racetrack may cost him more than he bargained for. It may cost him his life.
My comments: This would be one of my top audiobooks to recommend. Outstanding quality, story, performance. One of my all time favorites from an already favorite author from way back. I wish Mr. Francis were alive to share my reviews with - I am so grateful for his insight, talent, and inspiration to all writers. ;o)
![Proof | [Dick Francis]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vTM7uZXt7R3nI3g2AUI-0uDRodghtwgob22mAvR452ksKkSFDZ4SqIQcvnlU9ESjopnMj2I_w7wDRk9u6lkCvrwBKVAq-8qdFWeUOT1bH65nJ4D_4wXEy71Yi3-5VYs4w=s0-d "Proof | [Dick Francis]")
With this New York Times best seller, Dick Francis creates an intoxicating blend of the good life, fast horses, and nail-biting suspense.
After a shattering accident plunges a society soiree into chaos, an unassuming wine merchant is left with the bitter aftertaste of suspicion and fear. While catering an outdoor party for a prominent horse trainer, Tony Beach hears rumors of inferior whisky being sold under premium labels. All of that is forgotten, however, when a runaway horse trailer suddenly plows into the guest-filled tent. Later, after the last victim is pulled from the debris, he begins searching for answers to both the fraudulent spirits and the disaster.
As Tony follows up leads, he finds himself pulled deeper and deeper into a treacherous world filled with greed, deception, and unspeakable murder.
Incomparable storyteller Dick Francis grabs your attention on page one and keeps you riveted throughout to the smashing finish. With narrator Simon Prebble’s dramatic timing and superb accents, you’ll find Proof a vintage mystery to be savored.
My comments: I just finished this book this morning, and I'm still mourning it's end. How will I go on without my daily fix? (aside from starting the next Dick Francis audio book!) The author brought to life a man who suffered deep and traumatic losses, and in the background, oh so subtly, makes his readers/listeners fall in love with the character. A true masterpiece!
![Break In | [Dick Francis]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uEVvBGO6oBrieuCEIPCJ8PO-R-_wT9MeqwQok9xQknpUyXqQkI5bcuSFs14_R0pVzA4BImDPPriTs6ULFq08JHkMPTELB0aY4cRCW5xsHInJPhgt4Jjpcxut33fooDnw=s0-d "Break In | [Dick Francis]")
Jockey Kit Fielding has been riding the de Brescous horses in a succession of triumphs on the race course. But this winning streak is about to end. Kit’s twin sister, Holly, has come to him in desperation. Threatened by financial scandal, she and her husband may lose their training stables. Kit soon finds, though, that a greater danger lurks behind the threat - one that could be fatal.
Narrator Simon Prebble has received enthusiastic praise for his superb performances of the Dick Francis novels. His sophisticated British voice is perfect for Kit Fielding, the elegant duchess who employs him, and the other polished residents of the horse racing world.
My comments: The rendering of the various British accents, handling of youth vs. elderly ages, women vs. men's voices... beautifully done! Kudos to an outstanding narrator, and of course, to the amazing talent of the late Dick Francis.
![Hot Money | [Dick Francis]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u3yXvP1zdjIkV4NaJymQV2VkNJUULUaPDs2cFASL7XWE-MX8PNSXy7JBCUrAlh76t0NbJbpeOIYOMVn9bC6IqI42dOfQzAa3_2ACbmYUWQt0EBrHFX8Q7jco1dhKF_MQ=s0-d "Hot Money | [Dick Francis]")
Malcolm Pembroke never expected to make a million pounds without making enemies. Nor did he expect his latest wife to be brutally murdered. All the clues suggest the killer comes from close to home, but after five marriages and nine children, that still leaves the field wide open. When he find his own life in danger, Pembroke entrusts his safety to his estranged son, Ian, an amateur jockey; and through him discovers a compulsive new outlet for his financial expertise. Soon he's playing the international blood stock market for incredible stakes. Not the safest bet for a man on the run from avaricious relatives. Particularly when one of them's got a bomb.
My comments: This book was the first freebie I got from Audible. The narrator, Tony Britton, was quite talented, but in my humble opinion, he didn't quite match the level of Simon Prebble. Don't know if anyone could! Good story, however, which held my interest throughout.
Falling in Love Again... with Dick Francis
copyright 2012 Aaron Paul Lazar
I've always loved mysteries, and mysteries featuring horses have topped the list since I was a kid. In my youth, I devoured books by Agatha Christie, John D. MacDonald, Rex Stout, and many more, but one of my very favorites was Dick Francis, who I've re-discovered because of a weird and frustrating event in my life.
Since I got a wake up call from my doctor last July (high sugar, type II), I've put almost all of my energy into getting healthy. I get up at 5 AM, do my chores around the house, then take off at 6:30 for a long walk up and down dirt roads with big hills (3-5 miles depending on the day) to get my stupid liver in gear.
Since doing this almost every day since July 11th, 2012, I've lost a lot of weight, gone down four pant sizes, become very anal about tracking and plotting my fasting sugar levels and two-hours-after-eating levels, weigh myself obsessively (without pants naturellement, those jeans weigh over a pound!), and eat pretty much like Ghandi.
All is good now. I'm on a routine. I'm healthy. My cholesterol is fantastically low. My BP is good again. And I'm now my doctor's poster boy for how to handle type II Diabetes without medication.
But I digress.
One of the finest outcomes of this whole maddening situation has to do with what I do while I walk.
I listen.
I listen to so many books per week now, my intake of books has doubled, and that's on top of my eBook consumption which had already quadrupled my "normal" quota of print books. It's phenomenal!
I listen while walking for 1.5 hours daily. I listen in the car to and from work. And I even listening while grocery shopping.
I'm talking about audiobooks, of course, the latest and greatest super duper thing to come from bluetooth and wireless technology. With the help of Audible.com, I've gone through all of Michael Prescott's tautly written thrillers. I've been buying and listening to John D. MacDonald books (Travis McGee series, I intend to listen to the all), and lately I have re-discovered Mr. Dick Francis and his string (not series) of amazing British mysteries often set on racecourses or in the beautiful country-side of England.
I feel as if I'm delving deeper into this talented writer's words than ever before, when I read and coveted his paperbacks long ago. The interpretation by narrator Simon Prebble is so poignant, so intimate, so... gosh darned moving, that I think I'd be entranced listening to this man read the phone book.
Here are a few of the books that I've recently listened to by Mr. Francis, who passed away in 2010. Each time I listen to one of these books, it becomes my newest favorite. Honest, that's how good they are. I heartily recommend each one!
The stakes are deadly at Stratton Park. Architect and family man Lee Morris never gave much thought to the shares he inherited of the Stratton Park racecourse, the multi-million dollar property owned by the powerful Stratton family. His mother had first received the shares to keep her quiet about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her first husband, Keith Stratton. Now, much to Lee's chagrin, he is being drawn into the thick of the Stratton family squabbles as they wage a furious debate over the future of the race track.
So when Lee packs his six sons into his renovated old bus to visit the racetrack, he finds himself embroiled in a supremely dangerous game that extends much deeper than horse racing. And perhaps too late, Lee realizes his involvement in the racetrack may cost him more than he bargained for. It may cost him his life.
My comments: This would be one of my top audiobooks to recommend. Outstanding quality, story, performance. One of my all time favorites from an already favorite author from way back. I wish Mr. Francis were alive to share my reviews with - I am so grateful for his insight, talent, and inspiration to all writers. ;o)
With this New York Times best seller, Dick Francis creates an intoxicating blend of the good life, fast horses, and nail-biting suspense.
After a shattering accident plunges a society soiree into chaos, an unassuming wine merchant is left with the bitter aftertaste of suspicion and fear. While catering an outdoor party for a prominent horse trainer, Tony Beach hears rumors of inferior whisky being sold under premium labels. All of that is forgotten, however, when a runaway horse trailer suddenly plows into the guest-filled tent. Later, after the last victim is pulled from the debris, he begins searching for answers to both the fraudulent spirits and the disaster.
As Tony follows up leads, he finds himself pulled deeper and deeper into a treacherous world filled with greed, deception, and unspeakable murder.
Incomparable storyteller Dick Francis grabs your attention on page one and keeps you riveted throughout to the smashing finish. With narrator Simon Prebble’s dramatic timing and superb accents, you’ll find Proof a vintage mystery to be savored.
My comments: I just finished this book this morning, and I'm still mourning it's end. How will I go on without my daily fix? (aside from starting the next Dick Francis audio book!) The author brought to life a man who suffered deep and traumatic losses, and in the background, oh so subtly, makes his readers/listeners fall in love with the character. A true masterpiece!
Jockey Kit Fielding has been riding the de Brescous horses in a succession of triumphs on the race course. But this winning streak is about to end. Kit’s twin sister, Holly, has come to him in desperation. Threatened by financial scandal, she and her husband may lose their training stables. Kit soon finds, though, that a greater danger lurks behind the threat - one that could be fatal.
Narrator Simon Prebble has received enthusiastic praise for his superb performances of the Dick Francis novels. His sophisticated British voice is perfect for Kit Fielding, the elegant duchess who employs him, and the other polished residents of the horse racing world.
My comments: The rendering of the various British accents, handling of youth vs. elderly ages, women vs. men's voices... beautifully done! Kudos to an outstanding narrator, and of course, to the amazing talent of the late Dick Francis.
Malcolm Pembroke never expected to make a million pounds without making enemies. Nor did he expect his latest wife to be brutally murdered. All the clues suggest the killer comes from close to home, but after five marriages and nine children, that still leaves the field wide open. When he find his own life in danger, Pembroke entrusts his safety to his estranged son, Ian, an amateur jockey; and through him discovers a compulsive new outlet for his financial expertise. Soon he's playing the international blood stock market for incredible stakes. Not the safest bet for a man on the run from avaricious relatives. Particularly when one of them's got a bomb.
My comments: This book was the first freebie I got from Audible. The narrator, Tony Britton, was quite talented, but in my humble opinion, he didn't quite match the level of Simon Prebble. Don't know if anyone could! Good story, however, which held my interest throughout.
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