One problem with Dick Francis novels as comfort reading is that in fact they tend to be a bit depressing. Mr. Francis is quite good, when he wants to be, at putting his heroes into emotional jeopardy as well as physical. Not realistic, character-development, litchratchoor emotional jeopardy, just the counterpart to having the shit kicked out of them. In Nerve, our Hero is a struggling jockey with a background in rodeo and such, who gets a reputation for being willing to ride the most difficult and ornery horses (in steeplechases, so at considerable personal risk). Just as he breaks through to regular success, the Villain dopes every single horse he rides, and starts spreading the rumor that our Hero has lost his nerve. That attacks him at his strength, much more vicious than attacking someone’s weakness. And, you know, although it’s clear that our Hero will in the end demonstrate his courage to a once-more adoring crowd (and the Girl), for a while it’s a bit harrowing.
chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek,
-Vardibidian.