BLOG TOUR: The Chase - Felix Francis

RACING IS AN ART WORTH KILLING FOR . . .

The brand new 2026 novel from the master of the racing thriller - now available in hardback and ebook.

Fabian Tulley is only trying to run his own art gallery in London's Mayfair in peace - but someone is determined to ruin his life.

Accused of selling a fake Sir Alfred Munnings painting, he is unable to prove his innocence because the police are holding the piece as evidence.

While running a retail stand at Cheltenham Racecourse, some of his other paintings are vandalised. Then, two men try to run him down in the racecourse car park.

To make matters even worse, his regular clients are threatening to keep away from his gallery and his landlords are trying to terminate his lease. Everything is against him, but with someone trying to destroy his life's work, Fabian resolves not to cave under the pressure.

Saving his business will prove to be the fight of his life - or his death . . .

 

What did I think?

The Chase is my first Felix Francis book and it won't be my last; I absolutely LOVED IT!  I wouldn't normally read a book set in the horse racing world. and I only chose to read it as my Nanna used to read Dick Francis novels, but I'm so glad that I gave it a try.

I really liked Fabian Tully; he's the son of a horse trainer and rather than follow in his father's father's footsteps he's made a name for himself as a reputable art dealer.  That is until he is accused of selling a fake painting and his art gallery starts to resemble a ghost town.

The plot is intricate but easy to follow and it is filled with shocks and surprises.  I learnt a lot about horse racing and art while I was reading and, despite not being subjects I've ever been drawn to, found it incredibly enjoyable. It's very easy to read and difficult to put down once you pick it up.  In fact, I only put it down once and read it in two sittings.

Combining art with horse racing, The Chase is an unputdownable, fast-paced thriller that entertained me from start to finish.  I will definitely be looking to read more books by Felix Francis on the strength of this one.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOGATHON: Crucified (DC Jack Warr book 5) - Lynda La Plante

Detective Jack Warr should be resting on his laurels. He's just put sadistic serial killer Rodney Middleton behind bars and he's ready to enjoy some time at home with his young family.

Instead, Jack is having violent nightmares that leave his wife Maggie terrified.

What Jack needs is a break, but instead he finds himself sucked into another grisly case as a man is found horrifically murdered in an art-framer's shop. Jack becomes fascinated by the elaborately staged killing - especially coming straight after the surprise reappearance of charismatic forger Adam Border.

Could Adam be the victim?

Or the murderer?

Finding the truth will unveil a shocking portrait of a corrupt art world - but will it also expose the secrets Jack is so desperately trying to keep hidden?

 

What did I think?

Crucified is the fifth book in the fantastic Jack Warr series and I absolutely loved it.  It can be read and enjoyed as a standalone but I loved the references to previous cases so I think it is outstanding when read as part of the series.

If I thought Jack Warr couldn't be more flawed in the previous books then I was wrong.  He is at breaking point and there is so much going on at home and at work that's it no wonder he is having nightmares.  It's great to have a less than perfect main character as it's much more realistic and it only makes me love Jack more.  I think if I hadn't read the earlier books though I would think Jack was well dodgy.

I loved the art forgery storyline and the highly imaginative crime that made me feel a little queasy.  Even just thinking about it now is making me grimace!  As it says in the synopsis, Jack isn't sure whether his old nemesis/acquaintance Adam Border is the victim or the murderer, so that gives you a clue as to the state in which the body is found.  Yikes!

As with all of the books in the series, Jack's personal life drives a large part of the narrative and I almost feel like part of the family as I'm so eager to see how they're all getting on.  They certainly have a lot of challenges to face in this instalment and Maggie's patience is severely tested but, as the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Incredibly compelling and impossible to put down, Crucified is gripping from start to finish and after his surprising announcement I can't wait to read what Lynda La Plante has in store for Jack.  I loved this book (even the grisly parts) and would highly recommend it.

I received a gifted ARC to read and review as part of the Compulsive Readers blogathon and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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