I have read every Dick/Felix Francis book. I enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it to our patrons who enjoy fast-paced mysteries. I particularly enjoy reading about the many aspects of horse racing.

PULSE by Felix Francis continues Dick Francis’ tradition of writing mysteries set primarily in the British racing world. They are always fun escapism, full of surprises. My favorites are the stories around Kit Fielding and Sid Halley, both of whom struggled with personal issues as well as trying to solve murders. Here, the younger Francis introduces a female protagonist, Chris Rankin. As senior physician in the A & E Department at Cheltenham General Hospital, she begins investigating a death related to the famous race course while also coping with her own panic attacks and anxiety. She keeps asking questions and that leads to some dangerous threats. Booklist gives PULSE and its cliff-hanger chapters a starred review.

I thought the book started a little slow and truthfully I wasn't enamored of Chris, but since I have always loved all of the Francis books - both Dick and Felix, I persevered. This book took me to the medical world of jockeys and horse tracks, a world I had never known. and taught me more about the world of betting - not necessarily on who will win, but maybe who will be first over a fence. The book kept me going until the very end, it was thoroughly enjoyable. It wouldn't surprise me if this book didn't bring more female readers to the Francis books - while I didn'tr really like Christ,at first, I sure did grow to like her. Nice to have a distaff side for once.

I loved Pulse by Felix Francis, because he comes at this racing murder from an entirely different track, which makes it so much more than a simple whodunnit. . An unconscious man found at the racetrack is brought to the busy local ER and attended to by Dr. Chris Rankin, although he dies under her care. Dr. Rankin, who is suffering from acute depression and eating disorders is disciplined for her actions, and suspended. She also works at the racecourses as part of the medical team who must be there to assess the injuries of fallen jockeys. Police have no clue who this man is and don't think it's a murder ,although Chris suspects foul play, becoming overly interested in his death and why he was killed. I was fascinated to learn about this side of racing, never having known how and why doctors are needed at races. I loved that his main character was a strong female, who had mental issues she needed to overcome, and how this affected her interactions with family and career. This book is multi faceted and I couldn't put it down.