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Book Review By Ann Gaines
10 LB Penalty by Dick Francis

Dick Francis's books always have something to do with horse racing. In this case, that's just part of the plot.

Benedict Juliard is 18. He's out of school and living on his own, making his living as a jockey, when his father arranges for Benedict's boss to fire Benedict. The senior Juliard is running for Parliament. A widower, he needs to show the public that he's a family man.

George Juliard has always been generous with Benedict, but the two have never been close. Benedict's mother died in childbirth and he was raised by an aunt and then went to what we in the US would call private school. At school, he does well in math and the sport of shooting.

At first, Benedict is none too happy to do as his father wishes. He wants to spend his life surrounded by horses, not making the political circuit - or going to university, which his father thinks he should do next. But when several attempts are made on his father's life, the two become close. It's Benedict who will begin to unravel what's happening.

One surprising thing about this book is that it takes place over several years, following the young Benedict as he gets to go back to the stables and then onto a career in the business end of horse racing.

I always love Dick Francis's male characters. One of the great pluses of this book, to my mind, is that it features two strong but gentle, likeable men. There's a sweet romance, too. I ended up caring very much what happened to 10 Lb. Penalty's characters.


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - very upbeat
How difficult to spot villain? - Somewhat obvious
Time/era of story:
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a teen
Ethnicity/Race

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
Motive of antagonist - power
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
City? Yes
City: - London
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - lots of descript of animal care
Misc setting - resort/hotel

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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