Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Dead Reckoning
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.gleniswilson.co.uk/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY: British
RESEARCHER NOTES:
| LC control no.: | nb2007013793 |
|---|---|
| LCCN Permalink: | https://lccn.loc.gov/nb2007013793 |
| HEADING: | Wilson, Glenis |
| 000 | 00397cz a2200157n 450 |
| 001 | 7205431 |
| 005 | 20150502073953.0 |
| 008 | 070612n| azannaabn |n aaa |
| 010 | __ |a nb2007013793 |
| 035 | __ |a (OCoLC)oca07437369 |
| 040 | __ |a Uk |b eng |e rda |c Uk |d IArlh |
| 100 | 1_ |a Wilson, Glenis |
| 374 | __ |a Authors |2 lcsh |
| 375 | __ |a female |
| 377 | __ |a eng |
| 670 | __ |a Love in Laganas, 2007: |b t.p. (Glenis Wilson) |
PERSONAL
Born in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, England.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Article contributor to The Lady.
MEMBER:Nottingham Writers’ Club, member; Romantic Novelists’ Association, member; Crime Writers’ Association, member.
AWARDS:Gladys Bungay Rose Bowl award, Blood on the Turf, 1988; Writer of the Year award, Photo Finish, 1992; Gladys Bungay novel award, Honey Tree, 2001; Angel Harvest, 2007; Dead Certainty, 2009; So Wrong-So Right, 2011; Manuscript of the Year, Nottingham Writers Club, “A Display of Delphiniums,” 2011; “Freedom,” 2012; Gwladys Bungay Silver Rose Bowl Award, Dead on Course, 2013; NWC Ena Young Award for Prose, 2014; Writer of the Year Award, 2014; NWC Manuscript of the Year, 2015; Gwladys Bungay Silver Rose Bowl Award, Dead Reckoning, 2015.
WRITINGS
Article contributor to The Lady.
SIDELIGHTS
Glenis Wilson is a short story writer, article writer, and novelist. Wilson was born in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, England, and began writing at a young age. Wilson writes articles for The Lady. Her writing has received numerous awards, including the Gladys Bungay novel award for books Honey Tree, Angel Harvest, Dead Certainty, and So Wrong-So Right and the Nottingham Writers Club Manuscript of the Year award for ‘A Display of Delphiniums’ in 2011 and ‘Freedom’ in 2012.
Wilson is a member of the Nottingham Writers’ Club, the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and the Crime Writers’ Association. She lives in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Dead Certainty
Dead Certainty, the first of the “Harry Radcliffe Mystery Series,” opens with Harry Radcliffe, a champion jockey, recovering from a serious injury following a racing accident. Radcliffe is dejected and hopeless, as his career as a jockey might be over. While waiting for a verdict from his doctor, he receives an offer from Elspeth Maudsley, one of British horse racing’s most famous trainers. Maudsley wants Radcliffe to ghostwrite her biography. Radcliffe initially rejects the offer, but recognizing that he needs the money and a distraction, he decides to accept.
Nearly as soon as Radcliffe accepts the job, disasters pop up throughout his life. His house is nearly burned down, someone attempts to drive him off of the road, and someone he knows ends up dead. Radcliffe is certain that someone is trying to silence him, and what he may reveal by writing Maudsley’s biography. In addition to writing the biography, he must uncover who is out to silence him. Emily Melton in Booklist wrote, “a stunning conclusion make this horsey tale a winner long before it crosses the finish line.”
Dead on Course
In Dead on Course, the second installation of the “Harry Radcliffe Mystery Series,” Radcliffe has made a full recovery from the riding injury he experienced in Dead Certainty, and he’s back on the racetrack. After his first win, he is approached by Jake Smith, an ex-con, whose sister, Jo-Jo, recently died in a car crash. Smith is convinced that the car crash was a murder, and, privy to Radcliffe’s reputation as an amateur detective, he demands Radcliffe’s help in the case.
Smith threatens to hurt someone close to Radcliffe if he does not help, so Radcliffe must comply. He begins interviewing the individuals Smith considers to be potential suspects, but does not seem to find anything useful. Then, while Smith is out of town, another person is found dead. Radcliffe investigates the tragedy, and begins to uncover a murder plot that reaches far beyond Jo-Jo’s death. Sharon Wheeler in Crime Review wrote that the book is “a sprightly adventure, and boasts a decent amount of racecourse action.”
Dead Reckoning
Dead Reckoning focuses on the previously introduced jockey Harry Radcliffe and hardened ex-con Jake Smith. When Radcliffe makes a visit to street worker Alice, he finds her dead. Alice was a friend of Jo-Jo’s, Smith’s late sister, and Radcliffe is convinced Smith murdered Alice. Radcliffe is surprised when Smith seeks him out, swearing he did not commit the murder and demanding Radcliffe find the real murderer.
As in Dead on Course, Smith uses death threats to force Radcliffe to help, this time threatening to kill both Radcliffe and his ex-wife. Though his ex-wife, Annabel, is in a relationships and expecting, Radcliffe is still in love with her, and agrees to investigate the murder. Unfortunately, Smith is the police force’s top suspect, so as Radcliffe is investigating the murder, he must also help hide and protect the man who is threatening his life. Melton in Booklist wrote, “solid writing, a twisty plot, a likable hero, and plenty of horse-racing ambience make for an entertaining read.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, May 15, 2017, Emily Melton, review of Dead Reckoning, p. 20; May 1, 2015, Emily Melton, review of Dead Certainty, p. 28; October 15, 2015, Emily Melton, review of Dead on Course, p. 20.
Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2017, review of Dead Reckoning.
Publishers Weekly, May 1, 2017, review of Dead Reckoning, p. 40; April 27, 2015, review of Dead Certainty, p. 54; Oct. 19, 2015, review of Dead on Course, p. 57.
ONLINE
Crime Review, http://crimereview.co.uk/ (June 20, 2015), Sharon Wheeler, review of Dead Certainty; (January 2, 2016), Sharon Wheeler, review of Dead on Course.*
Biography
Links
News
Previous Work
Contact
Biography:
Glenis Wilson
Born in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, I was always a scribbler from childhood. I have been a member of Nottingham Writers' Club for 35 years, and am also a member of both the Romantic Novelists' Association, and the Crime Writers' Association.
My writing credits are: Articles, including several in 'The Lady' magazine, and thirteen published short stories.
I have ten published novels which are also available in Large Print.
I have won a number of NWC internal competitions; my first novel 'Blood on the Turf'- published in 1989 - won the 1988 Gladys Bungay Rose Bowl Award for a novel.
My second novel 'Photo Finish' which went on to be published collected the Writer of the Year award in 1992.
In 2000 I collected four annual NWC competition awards; following this with further Gladys Bungay novel awards in 2001, 2007, 2009 and 2011 for 'The Honey Tree', 'Angel Harvest', 'Dead Certainty' and 'So Wrong-So Right' respectively. All four novels are now published.
In November 2011 I received an award from Nottingham Writers Club for the 'Manuscript of the Year'. This was for a twist ending, cameo short story of 250 words entitled 'A Display of Delphiniums'. In November 2012 again won the 'Manuscript of the year' award with my cameo short story 'Freedom'.
My book entitled 'Vendetta' was published in February 2012.
The Novel 'Dead on Course' , sequel to 'Dead Certainty', won the Gwladys Bungay Silver Rose Bowl Award in 2013.
NWC Ena Young Award for Prose 2014.
Received the Writer of the Year Award 2014.
Won NWC 'Manuscript of the Year 2015'
'Dead Reckoning', 3rd in the 'Harry Radcliffe' novels won the Gwladys Bungay Silver Rose Bowl Award 2015.
Born in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, Glenis Wilson was always a scribbler from childhood. She's been a member of Nottingham Writers' Club for 35 years, and also a member of both the Romantic Novelists' Association, and the Crime Writers' Association.
Tony Butler
Alison L R Davies
Ron Morris
Pat Murfet
Mike Soar
David Stocks
Ken Swallow
Glenis Wilson
Ruth Wilson
Ztan Zmith
Others:
Bead Roberts
Steve Wetton
Biographies
Glenis Wilson
Nottinghamshire born Glenis Wilson was a scribbler from childhood. She has been a member of Nottingham Writers' Club for 30 years, and is also a member of both the Romantic Novelists' Association, and the Crime Writers' Association.
Her writing credits include thirteen published short stories, and several articles in 'The Lady' magazine.
Her four published novels are also available in Large Print; two novels were more recently published: one in 2004 'Web of Evasion' and 'Love in Laganas' in 2006.
She has won a number of NWC internal competitions; her first novel 'Blood on the Turf'- published in 1989 - won the 1988 Gladys Bungay Rose Bowl competition for a novel.
Her second novel 'Photo Finish' which went on to be published collected the Writer of the Year award in 1992.
In 2000 she collected four annual NWC competition awards; following this with further Gladys Bungay awards in both 2001 and 2007, for 'The Honey Tree' and 'Angel Harvest' respectively. Both of these books have gone on to be published in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Wilson, Glenis: DEAD RECKONING
Kirkus Reviews.
(May 1, 2017): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Wilson, Glenis DEAD RECKONING Severn House (Adult Fiction) $28.99 7, 1 ISBN: 978-0-7278-8708-5
A jockey is forced to investigate a murder by a violent criminal.Champion jockey Harry Radcliffe already has a past with Jake Smith, who forced Harry to find the killer of his prostitute sister, Jo-Jo (Dead on Course, 2015, etc.). When Harry makes a nonprofessional visit to Alice, another working girl Jo-Jo knew, he finds her murdered as well. Harry assumes Jake is the killer until Jake hijacks him, swears he didn't kill Alice, and says he wants Harry to find the real murderer. Even though his estranged wife, Annabel, is pregnant by another man, Harry still loves her, and Jake's threats to kill both of them if he doesn't cooperate drive him to investigate Alice's death. Beginning with Alice's select list of clients, many of them friends of Harry, and some hints from Jake, Harry embarks on a desperate search for the killer. Because Jake tops the police list of suspects, Harry finds him a place to hide and returns to his racing career while searching for clues. When a racing accident puts him in the hospital for several days, he's unable to supply Jake with provisions and is nearly killed by the enraged psychopath on his return. Still, he has no choice but to carry on to protect Annabel. Although he has friends who are willing to help, the dirt he digs up includes shocking news about his own family, and he finds that Jake's not the only person who might like to see him dead. Prior knowledge of the first two volumes in this series would undoubtedly make this complicated tale of racing, violence, and murder easier to follow. Rest easy, Dick Francis: you're still way out in front.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Wilson, Glenis: DEAD RECKONING." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2017. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491002912/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=ec4e3e7c. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491002912
1 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead Reckoning
Emily Melton
Booklist.
113.18 (May 15, 2017): p20. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Dead Reckoning. By Glenis Wilson. July 2017. 224p. Severn, $28.99 (9780727887085); e-book (9781780108780).
Harry Radcliffe is gifted jockey who also has an uncanny knack for getting involved in murder cases. This time, after Harry finds the bludgeoned body of longtime friend Alice, he has still another murder to solve. Harry would like to think his old nemesis, hardened criminal Jake Smith, is involved, but Jake wants Harry to find the murderer. Given that Jake was apparently the last per son to see Alice alive, he's sure the cops are looking for him, so the pressure is on Harry to find the killer before the cops find Jake. Solid writing, a twisty plot, a likable hero, and plenty of horse-racing ambience make for an entertaining read.--Emily Melton
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Melton, Emily. "Dead Reckoning." Booklist, 15 May 2017, p. 20. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A496084748/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=514f9468. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A496084748
2 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead Reckoning
Publishers Weekly.
264.18 (May 1, 2017): p40. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Dead Reckoning
Glenis Wilson. Severn, $28.99 (224p) ISBN 9780-7278-8708-5
Jump jockey Harry Radcliffe has an incredibly high pain threshold, as shown in Wilson's unconvincing third horse racing mystery (after 2015's Dead on Course). When Harry finds prostitute Alice Goode with her head bashed in at her Newark, England, home, he thinks he knows who killed her--gangster Jake Smith. After reporting his suspicions to the police, Harry starts to drive home, but along the way he notices that the psychopathic Smith has been hiding in the backseat of his car. Smith demands that Harry find the real murderer and also provide a place for him to hide out. If the jockey fails to do this, Smith threatens, he'll kill Harry's pregnant wife (who's separated from Harry and happily living with her unborn child's father). As Harry delves deeper into Alice's life, he uncovers more than he bargained for, as well as some truths that are too closely connected to his own family. Meanwhile, Harry repeatedly meets Smith in secluded places, where he invariably receives a ferocious beating from the thug. Readers will struggle to suspend disbelief. Agent: David Grossman, David Grossman Literary Agency (U.K.). (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Dead Reckoning." Publishers Weekly, 1 May 2017, p. 40. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491575287/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=f65a0a8d. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491575287
3 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead on Course
Emily Melton
Booklist.
112.4 (Oct. 15, 2015): p20. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2015 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Dead on Course.
By Glenis Wilson.
Dec. 2015. 208p. Severn, $28.95 (9780727885449); paper (9781847516466); e-book (9781780107035).
Those who love both horses and a good mystery will find this latest installment in the Harry Radcliffe series a real treat. After recuperating from a fall during a race, Harry is thrilled to be riding again. But he's no sooner won his first race than he's approached by Jake Smith, an ex-con who's aware of Harry's status as a talented amateur sleuth. Jake's sister Jo-Jo died recently in a car crash, and Jake is convinced she was murdered. He's giving Harry no choice but to find Jo- Jo's killer or he'll harm someone close to Harry. Giving in, Harry starts interviewing the few leads Jake's given him. With Harry off attending a wedding, tragedy strikes, a tragedy that will break open not only the story behind JoJo's death but also a much larger murder plot. With a compelling story, plenty of action, taut suspense, a no-nonsense sporty hero, and realistic descriptions of a jockey's world, this one follows perfectly in the Dick Francis tradition, now so ably continued by his son Felix.--Emily Melton
Melton, Emily
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Melton, Emily. "Dead on Course." Booklist, 15 Oct. 2015, p. 20. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A433202138/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=9488aa2a. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A433202138
4 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead Certainty
Publishers Weekly.
262.17 (Apr. 27, 2015): p54. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Dead Certainty
Glenis Wilson. Severn, $27.95 (208p) ISBN 978-0-7278-8486-2
Wilson (Vendetta) kicks off a new mystery series with a premise that will sound awfully familiar to Dick Francis fans. Champion jockey Harry Radcliffe faces an uncertain future after a serious accident during a race. With time on his hands, he accepts a suggestion from his friend and trainer, Mike Grantley, to ghostwrite the autobiography of Elspeth Maudsley, "one of jump racing's top lady trainers." It seems like a benign-enough assignment, but it soon becomes clear that not every member of Elspeth's family is keen on the project. Soon after Harry begins work, his Nottinghamshire home is broken into, his life is endangered, and a person he knows ends up dead. Elements of Harry's personal life will also remind readers of Francis's Sid Halley novels. In particular, he has a complex relationship with his estranged wife, whom he loves though she's clearly moved on to another man. Harry is an engaging-enough lead, but Wilson will need to add more to future books to make them memorable. Agent: David Grossman, David Grossman Literary Agency (U.K.). June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Dead Certainty." Publishers Weekly, 27 Apr. 2015, p. 54. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A412556003/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=80fd442f. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A412556003
5 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead Certainty
Emily Melton
Booklist.
111.17 (May 1, 2015): p28. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2015 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
By Glenis Wilson.
June 2015.208p. Severn, $27.95 (9780727884862); e-book (97817801064031).
When jockey Harry Radcliffe is seriously injured during a race, it seems his riding career may be over. Waiting to get final confirmation of this devastating possibility from his doctor, he's feeling very sorry for himself. At first, when a friend brings him a proposal from Elspeth Maudsley, one of British horseracing's most famous trainers, to write her biography, Harry rejects it. But since he needs money, he eventually agrees to take on the project. Almost as soon as he starts delving into Elspeth's life, however, deadly "accidents" begin to happen: his house is nearly set on fire, he's run off the road, and a staged car crash nearly costs him his life. There is something in Elspeth's past that someone is desperate to hide, but what? A twisted plot, plenty of suspense and action, a likable hero, and a stunning conclusion make this horsey tale a winner long before it crosses the finish line--and, of course, a perfect choice for Dick (and, now, son Felix) Francis fans.
Melton, Emily
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Melton, Emily. "Dead Certainty." Booklist, 1 May 2015, p. 28. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A417131014/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=ebccf364. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A417131014
6 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Dead on Course
Publishers Weekly.
262.42 (Oct. 19, 2015): p57+. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Dead on Course
Glenis Wilson. Severn, $28.95 (208p) ISBN 978-0-7278-8544-9
Wilson's second murder mystery featuring British jump jockey Harry Radcliffe (after Dead Certainty) opens strongly enough, with the compelling opening line, "I knew I was a target when I opened the cottage door that morning and found, sitting on the doorstep, a pair of false teeth." The dentures belonged to a fellow jockey, Carl Smith, whose murdered corpse Harry discovered in a lavatory in the prior book. Soon afterward, Harry gets a threatening note from Carl's brother, Jake, and when the two men meet up, Jake demands that Harry investigate the supposedly accidental death of his sister, Jo-Jo, or face the prospect of bodily harm to the attractive grown daughter of a horse owner whom Harry's ridden for. Jake denies leaving his brother's dentures outside Harry's home. Harry ends up tackling numerous murders, but he's not the most impressive of detectives, and the plot doesn't live up to the intriguing start. Agent: David Grossman, David Grossman Literary Agency (U.K.). (Dec.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Dead on Course." Publishers Weekly, 19 Oct. 2015, p. 57+. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A432383100/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=041cfb92. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A432383100
7 of 7 1/18/18, 9:00 PM
Dead on Course
Publisher Severn House
Date Published 28 August 2015
ISBN-10 0727885448
ISBN-13 978-0727885449
Format hardcover
Pages 208
Price £ 19.99
Dead on Course
by Glenis Wilson
Jockey Harry Radcliffe is back in the saddle after serious injury – but he soon finds himself embroiled with investigating the death of a gangster’s sister.
Review
There are challengers around for the crown of the late, great Dick Francis, but neither Felix Francis nor AP McCoy can make the weight. Glenis Wilson’s first outing, Dead Certainty, showed flashes of class. But the follow-up, Dead on Course, falls at the last.
It’s a sprightly adventure, and boasts a decent amount of racecourse action. But it falls at the last when it comes to that old chestnut of convincing the reader that an amateur sleuth really has no alternative but to stick their nose in. Jockey Harry Radcliffe could spark a stewards’ enquiry in an empty changing room – and that’s perhaps not surprising given the company he keeps.
Harry is back in the saddle after a long lay-off through injury (which is why he got dragged into murky affairs last time out). Gangster Jake Smith, newly released from prison, knows that Harry found out who murdered his brother. And now he wants the jockey to investigate the death of his sister Jo-Jo – and is quite explicit what will happen if Harry doesn’t co-operate.
Dead on Course canters along at a fair pace, but would benefit from stronger characterisation across the board – particularly the female characters. And the voice consistently feels slightly off; both Harry and his trainer mate Mike are prone to sounding a bit too in touch with their feminine side – and that’s even before we have Harry’s ex-wife and the faith healing!
Harry and Mike seem to spend half the book with their eyes on stalks at potential love interests. Mind you there’s a bad attack of double standards when it comes to Harry and the fragrant Fleur. He seems to think she’s a trollop for wanting to shag in the stables – but he was planning to take her into the horsebox for some finishing line action!
I’m never quite convinced why Harry gets embroiled in these investigations and why the police are way in the distance. Wilson doesn’t play fair with the reader either – there’s too much of the ‘I phoned x and asked him y. He confirmed what I’d thought all along.’ When the reveal comes, I had to go back and double-check who the person was. There’s a clumsy recap at the end for the slow of understanding and the terminally bemused! And if you’re unconvinced by Harry’s ability to get himself into trouble, the last page will have you rolling your eyes.
Dead on Course is a decent enough read for a rainy afternoon. But it isn’t a sleek thoroughbred coasting to victory in one of the Classics. It’s over the jumps at Fakenham on a Wednesday afternoon in January!
Reviewed 02 January 2016 by Sharon Wheeler
Sharon Wheeler is a recovering sports writer who now lectures in journalism and PR, and works as a freelance writer and editor.
Dead Certainty
by Glenis Wilson
Jump jockey Harry Radcliffe is out of action after a fall – but ghost-writing an autobiography for a veteran trainer turns out to be even more dangerous.
Review
Dead Certainty comes hammering in on the heels of the late Dick Francis like an over-excited steeplechase field. And it’s a definite white-knuckle ride to the finishing line.
Harry Radcliffe is a jump jockey who’s put out of action by a crashing fall. While his shattered bones knit and he waits to see whether he’ll ever race again, he agrees reluctantly to ghost-write an autobiography for veteran trainer Elspeth Maudsley, who is about to retire. But a series of accidents and attacks suggest that someone’s not over-enamoured of Harry’s literary exploits.
Dead Certainty is a very decent page-turner which definitely follows in the hoof-prints of Francis. It always seems a bit unfair to compare every horse-racing mystery to those of the Master, but it’s inevitable – especially when you have a stiff upper lip hero, a good egg boss, the unattainable woman (in this case Harry’s estranged wife), dodgy sorts with odd names, and racecourse action. Alongside all of this is Harry’s badly disabled half-sister Silvie, who he is devoted to. There’s mystery surrounding her, as well.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by Harry, who has the feel of being written by a woman – and yes, I reckon I can almost always tell the gender of an author when they’re using initials or a pseudonym! Ex-wife Annabel is a counsellor as well as having a sideline in faith-healing, which Harry seems to accept very non-cynically, both for him and his accident-prone moggy. And his eulogies to Silvie veer on the soppy at times.
I’m not entirely convinced that Glenis Wilson plays fair with information as she goes along, which means a rather clumsy summing-up scene at the end. And I’m not sure either that the police, who take a back seat in the book, would accept some of the deliveries from Harry so unquestioningly. And I bet every writer I know wishes they could knock out a book as effortlessly as Harry (without the presence of agents or publishers) – a man whose only previous writing experience is a tips column in a racing paper!
But if you’re missing Dick Francis like hell, Dead Certainty is certainly worth a punt.
Reviewed 20 June 2015 by Sharon Wheeler
Sharon Wheeler is a recovering sports writer who now lectures in journalism and PR, and works as a freelance writer and editor.