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Front Runner cover art

Front Runner

By: Felix Francis
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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Summary

Things are hotting up in this latest thriller from best-selling author Felix Francis, in his fifth solo novel Front Runner.

Jefferson Hinkley is back. In his role as an undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, Jeff is approached by the multi-time champion jockey, Dave Swinton, to discuss the delicate matter of losing races on purpose. Little does Jeff realise that the call would result in an attempt on his life, locked in a sauna with the temperature well above boiling point.

Dave Swinton is then found dead, burnt beyond recognition in his car at a deserted beauty spot. The police think it's a suicide but Jeff is not so sure. He starts to investigate the possible races that Swinton could have intentionally lost but discovers instead that others are out to prevent him from doing so, at any cost.

©2015 Felix Francis (P)2015 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"From winning post to top of the best seller list, time after time." ( The Sunday Times)
"The master of suspense and intrigue." ( Country Life)

What listeners say about Front Runner

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A brilliantly written story full of twists and turns

It has taken me most of the book to just the end and I still got it wrong

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

As good as his father was

A very good story and great ending , the story teller was also well chosen and kept the story tense in a good way

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Front Runner

I enjoyed this book and am pleased that Felix Francis is carrying along the tradition of his father so well.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • RA
  • 31-10-20

A good modern Francis novel

Really enjoyed Front Runner from page number 1. A swift paced meaty thriller with well thought out characters.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not a patch on Dick Francis

What disappointed you about Front Runner?

I very quickly became bored with this book. Too much unnecessary information about nothing in particular. Whenever something untoward happened to Mr Hinkley it wasn't rocket science to work out roughly what it would be, or how he would extradite himself.

What will your next listen be?

Tomb In Turkey by Simon Brett

Have you listened to any of Martin Jarvis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes, adequate, but not as good as I know he can be.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

At least we didn't have two and a half hours where Mr Hinkley knew something we didn't, as in his previous book.

Any additional comments?

Sorry, but compared to his father, Felix just doesn't cut it for me.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jo
  • 13-01-22

Great story as always but...

Audible get a better narrator. every character sounds the same and all are portrayed as having a plum in their mouth and all characters sound old even if they're only supposed to be 21!

Brilliant story the Francis legend continues but the narration is letting every book down.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Much better than the first outing

Enjoyable and much better than the first outing. Martin Jarvis just isn’t the best narrator and I have to say I never feel the female characters are very strong or likeable in these books. There is a lot more intrigue and suspense in this book but I just don’t find them as enjoyable as the originals. I feel this character is supposed to become the new “Sid Halley” but the books just aren’t as good. They are worth a listen though and I did enjoy the book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Bring back Tony Britton

You either like Martin Jarvis or you don't. I fall in the latter category. I can remember Peter Cook likening Margaret Thatcher's delivery to "perfumed farts". I suspect Jarvis is a Tory

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not a classic...

I really struggled to finish this book which is unusual as far as Dick/Felix Francis books go. The main protagonist wasn't very likable and he did ridiculous things considering he was supposed to be an investigator, I found my self thinking 'don't do that' on a number of occasions. I didn't like the narration either, far too pompous.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Good Storyline.

I thought Peter Darwin & Annabel Would have Had A Bigger Role as he Had a Whole Book to himself when Dick F Was Alive.

Come on You Can Do Better If You Are Going to Use your Dads Old Characters. Give them a Bigger Role.

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