Product Description

Teenager Benedict Juliard has no other ambition than to ride in steeplechases as an amateur jockey. Having agreed not to do anything that could destroy his father's growing public service and political career, Ben finds himself targeted in an attack mounted by his father's enemies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15009 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most impressive aspects of Dick Francis's long and celebrated career (he's won three Edgar Awards, the Silver Dagger, the Gold Dagger, a Cartier Diamond Dagger, and was named the 1996 Mystery Writers of America Grand Master) is the freshness that he brings to each of his novels. In 10 lb. Penalty Francis adds several new arrows to his quiver. His protagonist, Ben Juliard, narrates the tale in a vivid first person that begins in his insecure late teens instead of the settled middle age of the usual Francis hero. Also, Ben's relationship with horses is more of a fading dream than an active reality. The book begins with Ben's expulsion from Vivian Durridge's stables; he's removed with a false accusation of glue sniffing. But as Ben soon discovers, it is, in fact, his powerful father's machinations that are behind his ill fortunes. The elder Juliard is "standing for Parliament," and the bachelor candidate needs his son by his side for a year of campaigning if he hopes to win. Ben accedes to his father's wishes. He almost always has, but he soon finds that his "gap year"--his year before entering university--is going to be a nightmare. Orinda Nagle, the widow of the recently deceased Hoopwestern MP, and her companion, Alderney Wyvern, resist George's campaign from the start. Then, Usher Rudd, a scandal-mongering journalist, turns his vitriol to George. When an attempt is made on George's life, he and his son find themselves inside a vigorous tale of suspense that takes several narrative years to sort out.

Francis's lucid prose is the driving force in this political mystery, and the realistic rendering of the complicated father-son relationship between George and Ben adds a sophistication and weight that marks the author's best fiction. --Patrick O'Kelley, Amazon.com

Review
"Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at full gallop."

From the Publisher
ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING THRILLER WRITERS OF OUR AGE
Horses, politics, lies and treachery. They can all carry the mazimum 10lb penalty. And, as any jockey knows, a 10lb penalty can be a killer....

'At his best, Francis can make you feel the hot breath of horses on the back of your neck' Express on Sunday

Customer Reviews

Different but even better than the rest
I have read almost all of Dick Francis' books and this book really surprised me. Instead of giving me just a rollercoaster-ride, this book went from suspense to Literature. The wonderful character-building and the heart-warming story of a boy growing to be a man and his relationship with his father, is just beautifully written.

There aren't many horses in it, but who cares with qualities like the ones I've just mentioned?

The worst novel I have ever read
This book is a classic of mediocrity. It is the only Dick Francis I have read and I am not prepared to risk another.
The characters were wooden, the plot non-existent, the writing poor. This would not have been so bad if I had been given the book but I actually paid for it. How do I get a refund and an apology?

Enough is Enough. All great jockeys need to retire sometime!
Dick Francis has written many fine crime thrillers. He always sticks to his winning formula and usually produces a readable book. However, over recent years this formula has begun to look a little too familiar. 10lb Penalty is just one book too far. The characters are totally unbelievable, the plot weak and the outcome predictable. I have read ever Dick Francis book published so far but 10lb Penalty is definitely my last.