Field of Thirteen

The racing scenes feel so vivid and real — I wonder what research or personal experiences influenced his descriptions. Did anyone else feel transported to the tracks?

Some of the mysteries wrapped up quickly, which kept the pace lively, but I was left wondering if that was intentional or a stylistic choice. How did others feel about the resolutions?

I'm curious whether these stories share a common theme or if they were chosen for their standalone strength. Was there a unifying thread in Francis's mind?