New Releases by Dick Francis

Explore the bizarre and hilarious possibilities of intergalactic relations in Robert Sheckley's "Meeting of the Minds," a collection of science fiction short stories that brilliantly blends humor with thought-provoking encounters. A master of satirical science fiction, Sheckley uses the theme of human-alien interaction to explore the absurdities of communication and the challenges of understanding across vastly different cultures. This collection, focused on the subject of human-alien encounters, offers a series of witty and inventive scenarios involving space travel and the often-comical consequences of first contact. Experience Sheckley's signature blend of science fiction and humor, where alien contact is less about epic battles and more about the everyday struggles of bridging the gap between species. Perfect for readers seeking a dose of levity alongside their science fiction, this meticulously prepared edition brings Sheckley's unique vision to a new audience, showcasing the timeless appeal of his stories. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The debut novel from the New York Times–bestselling "master of crime fiction and equine thrills" features an investigation into the death of a jockey ( The Atlantic Monthly). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Steeplechaser Alan York knows well the dangers of the sport. But when his best friend and rival jockey Bill Davidson takes a fall in the middle of a race and doesn't get up again, Alan discovers it was no accident. Someone rigged a tripwire to take down the running horse. The more Alan investigates, the more he suspects that there is more to the plot than just murderous horseplay. But even as he approaches the finish line to this mysterious race, those responsible for his friend's death are already planning for Alan to have a mysterious accident of his own . . . "Dick Francis is a wonder." — Cleveland Plain Dealer "An imaginative craftsman of high order." — The Sunday Times "Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop." — Chicago Tribune "Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace." — Boston Herald "[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills." — Newsday "[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries." — The Wall Street Journal "Francis is a genius." — Los Angeles Times "A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice." — The San Diego Union-Tribune

Shell-shocked after losing a foot during his tour in Afghanistan, Captain Tom Forsyth returns to his estranged mother's house. His mother has always put horses first and family last. But now she's being blackmailed for a hefty sum every week and being forced to make her horses lose. Using the skills he honed in the military, Tom sets out to find and defeat a hidden enemy before his mother's reputation is ruined, and he ends up back in the crossfire.

An accident cuts short the career of one of the youngest-ever winners of the Grand National, who is unprepared for what happens when he returns to Aintree as a spectator years later.

When he is hired to write the biography of a racehorse trainer, author John Kendall encounters more than he bargained for as he stumbles into a web of danger and death in rural England.

Ned Talbot is a small-time bookmaker on the edge of giving it all up when his world is turned upside down by a man who claims to be his father, long thought dead. And when the mysterious stranger is murdered, Ned feels compelled to find out exactly what is going on. But the more he discovers, the longer the odds become for his survival.

A lawyer and amateur jockey is torn between doing what’s right and what will keep him alive in this New York Times bestselling thriller from Dick and Felix Francis. Geoffrey Mason wasn’t terribly disappointed when his client Julian Trent was found guilty. Despite being paid handsomely as Trent’s defense counsel, he believes Trent needs to be locked up for a good long time. He only wishes it had happened more quickly—if the trial had ended just a bit earlier, Mason could have made it to the Foxhunter Steeplechase and fulfilled his longtime dream as an amateur jockey. But not long afterward, Trent is set free when witnesses and jurors start recanting—under intimidation, Mason suspects. Remembering Trent’s threats at the time of his conviction, Mason is none too happy. And things only get worse when one of Mason’s fellow jockeys is found dead...

Architect Lee Morris has plans to restore Stratton Park racecourse to its former grandeur. But the combative Stratton heirs have violent plans of their own.

Sid knows the perils of racing all too well, but in his day jockeys didn't usually cross the finish line with three .38 rounds in the chest-which is how he found Huw Walker, the winner of a coveted race only a few hours earlier. Now Halley's quest for answers will push him to his very limits-both on and off the track.

From "the best writer in the mystery genre" (Larry King) comes the story of a jockey who discovers that his losing streak is caused by something sinister.

When ex-jockey Sid Halley becomes convinced that one of his closest friends--and one of the racing world's most beloved figures--is behind a series of shockingly violent acts, he faces the most troubling case of his career.

When a hurricane-chasing plane is downed on a Caribbean island, TV meteorologist Perry Stuart barely escapes with his life. But he can't escape what he saw on the island--and if the people who've tracked him back to England have their way, Stuart will have a zero percent chance of survival.

Steeplechase jockey Christmas "Kit" Fielding has had more than his share of close calls both on and off the course. But trouble hits close to home when a grudge between his family and his sister's in-laws turns into a blood feud.

New York Times bestselling author Dick Francis has been hailed as “a master of understated suspense” (The San Diego Union-Tribune). With this blockbuster novel, he lives up to his dazzling reputation, delivering the compelling story of a father and son who must work together to defeat a deadly adversary... Even though Ben Juliard had always dreamt of becoming a jockey, he couldn’t say no when his father—a prominent politician—pulled some strings and got him a job in his campaign for Parliament. Now Ben needs to do more than smile for the cameras. With each step up on the ladder of power come new dangers to the aspiring candidate. And as the mysterious attacks grow ever more lethal, Ben discovers that politics can be the most perilous horse race of all...

From the acclaimed master of mystery and suspense comes the story of a self-imposed outcast who must refresh his detection skills in order to save himself and his family.

The accidental death of jockey Martin Stukely implicates his friend Gerard Logan, a glassblower, in a dangerous search for a missing videotape.

In this collection of short stories the settings range from the national Hunt at Cheltenham, where a middle-aged owner falls in love with her jockey, to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, where the demon drink and wilting willpower take their toll.

Australian horse breeder Daniel Roke has resisted the exorbitant sum of money offered by a suave Englishman to investigate a scandal involving drugged racehorses. But after another investigator dies mysteriously, Roke agrees to fill his shoes--and learns that men who would give drugs to horses would do much worse to human beings. Reprint.

Derek Franklin, injured steeplechase jockey, is at end of his career when he is thrust into chaos following the accidental death of his brother Greville who was an importer of semi-precious stones.

Foreign Office diplomat Peter Darwin uncovers a peculiar operation involving a veterinary surgeon and the unexplained deaths of several valuable racehorses.

Steven Scott is relatively new to horses racing. But under the inspired guidance of a great trainer, he wins again and again. Yet just when Steven is winning at both women and horses, he discovers deceit in his own stables. And termination of the troublemaker marks Steven for his own termination.... "Few things are more convincing then Dick Francis at full gallop." CHICAGO TRIBUNE

From this acclaimed writer a new thriller of knife-edge suspense and masterful plotting... The little girl appeared inCentral Park: red-haired, blue-eyed, smiling, perfect - except for the blood on her shoulder. It fell from the sky, she said, while she was looking for her uncle, who turned into a tree. Poor child, people thought. And then they found the body in the tree. For NYPD detective, Kathy Mallory, there is something about the girl that she understands. Mallory is damaged, they say, but she can tell a kindred spirit. And this one will lead her to a story of extraordinary crimes; murders stretching back fifteen years, blackmail and complicity and a particular cruelty that only someone with Mallory's history could fully recognise. In the next few weeks, Kathy Mallory will deal with them all... in her own way.

Matt Shore is a substitute pilot assigned to fly four racing buffs to the track. They're nervous, but Matt's not. That is, until he manages an emergency landing minutes before the plane explodes. Matt doesn't think anything else can possibly go wrong. Then he finds himself caught up in a rat race of danger that puts him on the wrong side of the odds....

Fabulously wealthy gold-trader Malcolm Pembroke has in his possession something the whole world wants--and anyone could kill for. In fact, even Malcolm's closest kin are moving in a little too close for comfort. Reissue.

The police enlist Tony Beach, a purveyor of wines and spirits, to help expose a scam involving cheap whiskey peddled under high priced labels.

Dick Francis is..."Rare and magical." --San Diego Union-Tribune "Head and shoulders above the rest." --Ottawa Citizen

When a champion jockey disappears--right before a big race and the birth of his child--Investigator David Cleveland bets on foul play.