“I wondered if I was dying. I wasn’t afraid to die, but, such was the pain in my gut, I wished it would happen soon.” With these lines, Dick and Felix Francis create a great opening that grabs readers’ interest and pulls them into the action ride that is their new novel, “Dead Heat.”
Max Moreton, chef and amateur sleuth, narrates this story. Max is a culinary star and a young one at that. He runs and co-owns The Hay Net, an upscale restaurant in Newmarket, in the heart of British horse-racing country. The night before the famous 2,000 Guineas Stakes, Max caters a gala dinner party for more than 250 people. Most diners and his staff suffer from food poisoning, and some are even hospitalized. This disastrous event prompts the health service to lock down his restaurant.
Despite the hardship of a closed kitchen, Max and a few of his hardy staff manage to provide lunch the following day for an American company in an exclusive box at the racetrack. A massive explosion levels the small gathering, leaving the small community shocked and reeling from this unusual violence. The Hay Net loses a faithful staffer in the carnage, leaving Max with his restaurant and his reputation wounded.
When the health service alleges that it knows the cause of the mass poisoning, Max claims his innocence and vows to find out how and why this happened. This turn of events sets Max’s life on end and puts him and others at risk. Max’s investigation takes him away from the restaurant, around England and even across the “pond” to the United States as he tries to find answers instead of more questions.
As Max learns more about the explosion, he comes up with a theory that seems too far-fetched to be real. But as he discovers more details, he becomes convinced that he is right. However, he doesn’t have enough information or proof to take to the authorities, so he continues his search alone.
Just as he thinks things can’t get any worse, Max is hit with a lawsuit filed by a beautiful violist, Caroline Aston. Because of her illness, Caroline missed going to America with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She and her agent want damages and lost wages. This unpleasant issue turns into something else when plaintiff and defendant meet. It is this romance, blooming among death and disaster, that seems too quick, too easy and too perfect, even for fiction.
Despite the aforementioned romantic miss, “Dead Heat” does not disappoint with its complicated plot, solid characters and fascinating look into the world of high- end restaurants, chefs and, of course, horses.
Max is another of Francis’ fine, strong characters. Just like Sid Halley in “Under Orders,” Max is hard-headed and determined to find answers despite threats and bodily harm.
It is this persistence and morality that drives the action and wins fans. Francis’ writing continues to utilize his usual droll humor. It is this lightness amid the drama and dangerous situations that continues to please.
“Dead Heat” is Dick Francis’ 41st novel and son Felix’s first officially credited book. Previously, Felix helped his father with research using his background as a physics teacher, pilot and marksman. Felix is a graduate of the University of London and was, until recently, a teacher at an exclusive private school.
Leslie Doran is a freelance writer in Durango.
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FICTION
Dead Heat,
by Dick Francis and Felix
Francis, $25.95
