[The] first page of "Reflex" shows Dick Francis doing what comes most naturally to him; it is also what he does best—writing about the thrills, spills and chills of horse racing.

There is a lot about riding for money in this book, and all of it is excellent….

Along with all the verve [shown in his first book "Dead Cert"], he now has much more knowledge about how to develop a story and make a plot work. Mr. Francis came to writing after a very successful career as a professional rider…. It seemed unlikely that his specialized knowledge would provide more than three or four fictional themes. Mr. Francis has proved those who nursed such thoughts to be entirely wrong. He has varied his plots intelligently…. (p. 3)

The best things in ["Reflex"], unless you enjoy the photographic puzzles, are the scenes of racing life, which are as...