Try an audiobook on us
Silks
People who bought this also bought...
-
Even Money
- By: Dick Francis, Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the first day of Royal Ascot, the crowd rejoices in a string of winning favorites. Ned Talbot has worked all his life as a bookmaker – taking over the family business from his grandfather – so he knows not to expect any sympathy from the punters as they count their winnings, and him his losses. He’s seen the ups and downs before – but, as the big gambling conglomerates muscle in on small concerns like his, Ned wonders if it’s worth it any more.
-
-
Another brilliant novel
- By MoBotRio on 29-08-17
-
Dead Heat
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Felix Francis, Tony Britton
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The night before the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a prestigious black-tie Gala dinner. It is a fitting testament to the glamour of the occasion that top chef Max Moreton is cooking the evening's meal. Founder of the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net, Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles.
-
-
Slow cooking not worth the wait
- By Knucklebones on 20-04-18
-
Crossfire
- By: Dick Francis, Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Thomas Forsyth’s second tour of Afghanistan is cut brutally short when he’s badly wounded by a roadside bomb. Tom’s world is torn apart by the injury – the Army is his life. The thought of never rejoining his regiment is a terrifying prospect and one that he is not willing to entertain. Tom returns to Lambourn, to his childhood home, where his mother is a racehorse trainer and the ‘First Lady’ of racing.
-
-
Crossfire
- By Mrs Patricia Lee on 27-11-11
-
Under Orders
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley. Former champion jockey Halley knows the perils of racing all too well – but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds jockey Huw Walker – who, only a few hours earlier, had won the coveted Triumph Hurdle.
-
-
Loved it
- By Mr. J. M. Brooks on 23-10-07
-
Gamble
- By: Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Michael Maloney
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As one of the youngest ever winners of the Grand National, Nick ‘Foxy’ Foxton’s career as a world-class jockey is on perfect track until a near-fatal accident cuts his dream brutally short. But when he returns to Aintree as a spectator years later, nothing can prepare him for what unfolds. Minutes before the biggest event on the racing calendar, Nick’s affable American colleague Herb Kovak is shot at point-blank range, the gunman disappearing among the stunned crowd.
-
-
His father's son
- By Gordon on 07-01-12
-
Wild Horses
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a blacksmith, now famous and respected as a newspaperman, Valentine Clark knows everyone who is anyone in the racing world. Aged, confused, blind and dying, he harbours a daunting secret that he is desperate to be rid of. He makes last confession to his visiting film-director friend, Thomas Lyon, whom in his delirium he mistakes for a priest.
-
-
Another gem from Dick Francis
- By Shoshi on 29-03-08
-
Even Money
- By: Dick Francis, Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the first day of Royal Ascot, the crowd rejoices in a string of winning favorites. Ned Talbot has worked all his life as a bookmaker – taking over the family business from his grandfather – so he knows not to expect any sympathy from the punters as they count their winnings, and him his losses. He’s seen the ups and downs before – but, as the big gambling conglomerates muscle in on small concerns like his, Ned wonders if it’s worth it any more.
-
-
Another brilliant novel
- By MoBotRio on 29-08-17
-
Dead Heat
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Felix Francis, Tony Britton
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The night before the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a prestigious black-tie Gala dinner. It is a fitting testament to the glamour of the occasion that top chef Max Moreton is cooking the evening's meal. Founder of the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net, Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles.
-
-
Slow cooking not worth the wait
- By Knucklebones on 20-04-18
-
Crossfire
- By: Dick Francis, Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Thomas Forsyth’s second tour of Afghanistan is cut brutally short when he’s badly wounded by a roadside bomb. Tom’s world is torn apart by the injury – the Army is his life. The thought of never rejoining his regiment is a terrifying prospect and one that he is not willing to entertain. Tom returns to Lambourn, to his childhood home, where his mother is a racehorse trainer and the ‘First Lady’ of racing.
-
-
Crossfire
- By Mrs Patricia Lee on 27-11-11
-
Under Orders
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley. Former champion jockey Halley knows the perils of racing all too well – but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds jockey Huw Walker – who, only a few hours earlier, had won the coveted Triumph Hurdle.
-
-
Loved it
- By Mr. J. M. Brooks on 23-10-07
-
Gamble
- By: Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Michael Maloney
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As one of the youngest ever winners of the Grand National, Nick ‘Foxy’ Foxton’s career as a world-class jockey is on perfect track until a near-fatal accident cuts his dream brutally short. But when he returns to Aintree as a spectator years later, nothing can prepare him for what unfolds. Minutes before the biggest event on the racing calendar, Nick’s affable American colleague Herb Kovak is shot at point-blank range, the gunman disappearing among the stunned crowd.
-
-
His father's son
- By Gordon on 07-01-12
-
Wild Horses
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a blacksmith, now famous and respected as a newspaperman, Valentine Clark knows everyone who is anyone in the racing world. Aged, confused, blind and dying, he harbours a daunting secret that he is desperate to be rid of. He makes last confession to his visiting film-director friend, Thomas Lyon, whom in his delirium he mistakes for a priest.
-
-
Another gem from Dick Francis
- By Shoshi on 29-03-08
-
Decider
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Free choice? There's no such thing, according to Lee Morris. Choice is pre-ordained by your personality. Stratton Park racecourse faces ruin in the hands of a squabbling family. Lee is slowly sucked into the turmoil, unwillingly on the surface but half-understanding the deep compulsions that influence his decisions. One road leads to safety, another to death. How do you know which is which?
-
-
Two families in contrast!
- By Shoshi on 29-03-08
-
Hot Money
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Production Issues
- By AGR on 24-04-16
-
Break In
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Steeplechase jockey Kit Fielding has just ridden another winner for his patron – the Princess – when his distraught twin sister Holly comes to him with terrible news. A newspaper is printing stories that will put her husband, Bobby Allardeck, and his stables out of business.Putting aside the age-old Fielding-Allardeck feud, Kit decides to try to find out who is behind these cruel stories.
-
-
Engaging
- By Ellen on 28-06-18
-
Damage
- By: Felix Francis
- Narrated by: Michael Nielson
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, is looking into the shady activities of a racehorse trainer. But as he's tailing his quarry through the Cheltenham Racing Festival, the last thing he expects to witness is a gruesome murder. Could it have something to do with the reason the trainer was banned in the first place – the administration of illegal drugs to his horses? Days later, many more horses test positive for prohibited stimulants.
-
-
Felix delivers in the classic style if his father.
- By R. Plumtree on 28-04-15
-
Flying Finish
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Grey doesn't particularly care for having been born the heir to an earldom. he is a reserved young man whose greatest problem is his mother's match-making plots and whose greatest joy is to ride as an amateur steeplechase jockey. But on a sudden impulse, he throws in his respectable desk job to join a firm which transports racehorses all over the world.
-
-
believable story line
- By Amazon Customer on 15-05-12
-
Longshot
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John Kendall knows how to survive. He's written six handbooks on the subject. Now he wants to become a novelist, preferably without starving to death. But when cold and hunger set in, Kendall impulsively accepts an unlikely job. He is to research and write a biography of Tremayne Vickers, a famous racehorse trainer. Staying at Vickers' home in rural Berkshire, Kendall soon learns to like his host and friends, learns to ride racehorses, learns about murderers ...
-
-
Expect the unexpected
- By Sue on 13-04-13
-
Proof
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At an annual party to celebrate the success of the racing season, everything seemed to be running well to form, including the need for more champagne. Then a runaway horsebox ploughed into the marquee. A witness to the terrible death and destruction, wine merchant Tony Beach knows it is just one of those tragic accidents. But when his expert advice is called into play over sub-standard alcohol in a local night club, connections start to click, and another person dies, horribly.
-
-
Proof
- By Kevin on 01-04-06
-
Bolt
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Kit Fielding, champion steeplechase jockey, finds out that his chief patron, Princess Casilia, is facing an increasingly serious threat, he goes unhesitatingly to her aid. Neither realises that his instinctive support is the first step towards a frightening battle involving violent risk, with the honour of the princess's family as the prize and Kit's own destruction as the forfeit.
-
-
this book has it all<br />
- By Mrs on 01-10-17
-
To the Hilt
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Artist Alexander Kinloch has worked out a good pattern for his life. His home is a small bothy on a remote mountain in Scotland; he paints on commission, from which he derives both pleasure and a decent income; he lives alone and likes it. One day, however, Alexander's peace is violently shattered when he returns home to find a group of strangers waiting for him.
-
-
Thanks, an excellent book, a good listen.
- By Mr on 21-04-14
-
The Danger
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A beautiful Italian girl driving home in an open top sports car, a little boy playing on a South Coast beach and the senior steward of the Jockey Club on his way to a press reception in Baltimore. One after the other they suffer the same nightmare ordeal - kidnapping. But there is one thing connecting these particular cases. For the Italian girl is a jockey, and the little boy an only son of a racehorse owner.
-
-
Audio file FAULTY - at least one chapter totally missing
- By Bootie Boot on 08-05-18
-
Forfeit
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
James Tyrone was the troubleshooting gracing correspondent of the Sunday Blaze, a newspaper dedicated to exposing scandals I the noisiest (and most profitable) way. Ty was accustomed to hot water, but from the day a Fleet Street colleague died after give him some serious advice, he found himself wading deep into more danger than he expected.
-
-
Vintage Francis
- By Jean on 15-02-11
-
Twice Shy
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When physics teacher Jonathan Derry is unwittingly given some computer tapes containing a bookie-breaking betting system, his sharp-shooting abilities come in extremely handy against the thug who comes looking for them. Fourteen years later, Jonathan's brother William is about to fall victim to the same thug. But this time, William is determined to play a cautious and crafty game. After all, once bitten ...
-
-
Classic Francis
- By A Genealogist on 15-11-06
Summary
When defence barrister Geoffrey Mason hears the judge’s verdict, he quietly hopes that a long and arduous custodial sentence will be handed down to his arrogant young client. That Julian Trent only receives eight years seems all too lenient. Little does Mason expect that he’ll be looking Trent in the eyes again much sooner than he’d ever imagined.
Setting aside his barrister’s wig, Mason heads to Sandown to don his racing silks. An amateur jockey, his true passion is to be found in the saddle on a Thoroughbred, pounding the turf in the heat of a steeplechase. But when a fellow rider is brutally murdered – a pitchfork driven through his chest – Mason’s racing life soon becomes all too close to his working life. The prime suspect is one of their brethren, champion jockey Steve Mitchell; the evidence is overwhelming.
Mason is reluctant to heed Mitchell’s pleas for legal advice – but soon he finds himself at the centre of a sinister web of threat and intimidation. Mason is left fighting a battle of right and wrong, and more immediately, a battle of life and death ... his own.
Critic reviews
"A gripping thriller." ( Publishers Weekly)
"One of the most reliable mystery writers working today." ( The Detroit News)
What members say
Average customer ratings
Overall
-
-
5 Stars71
-
4 Stars34
-
3 Stars15
-
2 Stars5
-
1 Stars3
Performance
-
-
5 Stars61
-
4 Stars15
-
3 Stars6
-
2 Stars3
-
1 Stars2
Story
-
-
5 Stars54
-
4 Stars22
-
3 Stars11
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
-
Overall
- Kim Harris
- Cambridgeshire, UK
- 14-10-12
Terrible casting for a disappointing book
The first thing to say is that this is definitely not Dick Francis's best book by a very long way. It is poorly paced and does not have the characterization of other novels. However, this is made worse by the reading by Tony Britton who, being elderly, has a very elderly voice, completely at odds with the age of the protagonist. Always in your head is a vision of an elderly person. If this were not bad enough, the attempts by the reader to impersonate women are truly dreadful. The young woman vet sounds like an old biddy with a falsetto upper class voice.
Don't buy this reading. If you are a Dick Francis fan, buy the book instead. Better still, re-read one of his old books and give this one a miss. I definitely won't be buying any more of the readings by this actor.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
- Stuart
- muirkirk, ayrshire, United Kingdom
- 18-11-10
Breathless
This audiobook suffers from what is becoming a quite common problem at the moment. The story is in the first person, told by a character who is 36 years old, but the actor narrating is actually 86 years old, and quite breathless at times. It makes listening to the story an unconvincing experience, particularly during the action sequences, and it seems the publishers should be paying more attention to their casting for first-person narratives, rather than sticking with old favourites.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
- Anonymous User
- 05-02-11
Silks
I agree with the previous reviewer, the story was ruined by the narrator. Trying to imagine this voice to be that of a 36 year old man was impossible; it acted as an irritant throughout the audio book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
- ANNE
- GUISBOROUGH, United Kingdom
- 09-09-11
absolutely terrible book
This is the worst book I have ever had on Audible, the reader was completely unsuitable for the characters he was to portray, everybody sounded as though they were over 65 and on their last legs, the plot is about a young man, age 36 and his tedious investigation of a murder on behalf of the accused. The long and bored explanation s of legal proceedures and racing rules drove us to making sacastic comments as we listened in the car on our Summer holiday. The very predictable villian was obvious very early on and the stupid behaviour of the main character was unbelievable. The romantic interest started off quite well but quickly the young lady became as stupid and long winded as her man. I usually quite enjoy Dick francis but this is appalling and would beg you not to waste your money or credit on this boring long and extremely irritating book
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
- Dave
- Wirral, United Kingdom
- 07-04-13
Good tale
Having read all Dick Francis' novels, I was curious how he could write any new ones. Turned out to be a great story, in keeping with all the previous books. Congratulations to Felix for continuing his father's great work.
Only complaint. ...as good as Tony Britten was, the old voice didn't suit the character.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Katherine Walcot
- 27-05-18
Another great Francis family book.
I'm a huge Dick Francis fan and none of the new Felix Francis books disappoint. Silks is a particularly good offering. So glad the Francis stable remains in business!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- dave breen
- 22-10-17
Dave Breen
Another great story. Most enjoyable and well narrated by Tony Brittain. Looking forward to the next book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MoBotRio
- Yorkshire UK
- 06-09-17
Another classic
Brilliantly read by Tony Britton, another Francis thriller that is compelling & unput downable. Total enjoyment
-
Overall
- Georgina cordell
- 21-04-17
georgina
always loved his book enjoyed the horse riding elements in all his story great to listening to
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Grumpy pensioner 🤔
- 10-10-16
A silky story of intrigue
Yet another fine Francis and son story involving the world of horse racing and criminality.10/10
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rosemary
- 10-10-11
Another Dick Francis Classic
Another Dick Francis Classic. Great with a fast moving engaging plot, a page turner,a great companion for anyone.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- warwick
- 25-03-12
Just Brilliant
Where does Silks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
As good as any
What did you like best about this story?
the storey is engrossing
What about Tony Britton’s performance did you like?
It took a little while to get used to Tony Britton, but then he becomes the only person you would have reading this
Any additional comments?
I couldn't stop listening & the end came too soon
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Doug Wilkie
- 17-08-14
Another good book by Francis.
Would you listen to Silks again? Why?
Awesome book, well worth the read. Would listen to it again without question.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
For the entire book, really enjoyed the book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tracey
- 02-08-14
silks
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
yes it was a good book very much like his syd halley books
What was one of the most memorable moments of Silks?
when he finally get the trent guy
Which scene was your favorite?
the stepple chase at cheltenham
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MysteryL
- 31-01-13
Skip this
The sins of the son are are visited on the father in this case. This story lacks the charm of Dick Francis's books, I'll pass on any others written by Felix.