REVIEW Former jockey Dick Francis has earned an international reputation as a best-selling writer with his entertaining mysteries

set in the milieu he knows best. THE EDGE is Francis twenty-seventh novel, and it carries on in the tautly paced and highly readable tradition of his earlier books. This time out, the setting is the racetracks of Canada and a specially chartered train carrying a group of wealthy owners and their horses to a series of races designed to promote the sport. Into this world of luxury and privilege comes a potential viper: Julius Apollo Filmer, an owner who has left a trail of unexplained deaths in his wake. British Jockey Club agent Tor Kelsey boards the train disguised as a waiter and attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding several of its passengers as a series of dangerous mishaps plagues the trans-Canadian excursion. Kelsey also serves as the books narrator. An independently wealthy young man who works for the Jockey Club out of a lifelong love of horses and racing, Kelsey is a resourceful and engaging sleuth. His powers are put to the test on board the train, where Francis adds another layer of complication to his story in the form of a theatrical murder mystery presented in stages for the passengers entertainment by a troupe of actors also traveling on the train. Francis populates his story with a number of interesting characters, including the disturbed son of one of the owners, the trains amiable conductor, and the gravely ill mother of Kelseys Canadian contact, who serves as the crucial telephone link between Kelsey and her son. Francis also succeeds in capturing the atmosphere and details of a railway journey, using the train itself to add to the storys suspense as it builds toward its surprising conclusion. THE EDGE is a thoroughly enjoyable tale, told with all of the tension twists, and sharp dialogue that have made Francis one of the most popular of current mystery writers.

REVIEW 2 This was a somewhat different kind of story as it was neither a typical mystery (one knew whodunit from the opening pages) nor exactly an adventure. I guess it would qualify as a thriller. It started out fairly slowly but built to a good conclusion. It was a good read but not really a page turner. My biggest problem with it was pace. maybe a bit too much cloak and not enough dagger. It also did a lot of telling rather than showing, almost as if the original story was too long and reduced by turning many conversations into exposition instead of dialogue. What I liked about it most was that the plot tied itself up nicely without seeming to, everything just fit.

REVIEW 3 Definitely one of Dick Francis' best mysteries--although in this one the hero is not a jockey or former jockey. He is working at the tracks to get rid of 'evildoers' who would ruin racing. He stays very anonymous, until he has to accompany the Great Transcontinental Race Train (across Canada, stopping to allow the rich owners to race their favorit). This time Tor does not know who might be the bad guy or guys as they too are 'undercover'. There are many unusual characters on the train as well as a lovely young lady who arranges everything for the owners, and makes Tor think its might be time to settle down, but he has to survive attempts on his life first.

REVIEW 4 This is one of the best mystery books I have ever read. Dick Francis is an amazing author who not only writes well but gives closure to the ending in a realistic and plausible way. I LOVED it. If you like mysteries and have not ready one of Dick Francis' books...you are missing out!