cover image Straight

Straight

Dick Francis. Fawcett Books, $5.99 (320pp) ISBN 978-0-449-21720-7

Suspicions about his brother's death lead a steeplechase jockey into a mystery involving diamond trading, a horse named Dozen Roses and secret computer passwords. Francis's 28th novel ``neither surprises nor disappoints,'' said PW; though consistent, uncanny good luck causes the credibility to suffer, a clever finale allows the author's reputation and his hero to emerge intact. (Mar.)