New Release Books by Dick Francis

Dick Francis takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing with this gripping tale about the illusion of film and the reality of murder. Champion jockey Robert Sherman has disappeared right before his wife was about to give birth. And right before he was sure to win the National. A coincidence? British investigator David Cleveland doesn’t think so. He’s convinced someone made Sherman disappear, but with every answer David gets, the body count rises. And if he isn’t careful, the next body might just be his own... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. A hard fall took hotshot jockey Sid Halley out of the horse racing game, leaving him with a crippled hand, a broken heart, and the desperate need for a new job. Now he’s landed a position with a detective agency, only to catch a bullet from some common thug. And things are about to get even more hectic. The agency is giving him a case to handle on his own. The case brings him to the door of Zanna Martin, a woman who might be just what Sid needs to get him back up and running. But he’s up against a field of thoroughbred criminals, and the odds against him are making it a long shot that he’ll even survive... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. With only his tormented past for company, Gene Hawkins is restlessly facing three lonely weeks of vacation. So when his boss asks for his help to help millionaire Dave Teller locate a missing priceless breeding stallion he accepts, against his better judgement. But he gets more action than he bargains for when he draws the attention of his boss’s daughter, advances from Teller’s socialite wife and the deadly attention of the horse thieves who would be more than happy to put Hawkins out to pasture, permanently... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. When reporter Bert Chekov falls to his death, his colleague James Tyrone is suspicious. Chekov’s column had recently recommended some ‘can’t-lose’ horses, who then wound up out of the running on race day. Tyrone thinks he can prove it was murder, but he may not live to tell the tale. Because as the dead man has already made clear, there’s no such thing as a sure thing... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. The youngest child of rich, neglectful parents, Henry Grey was occasionally accused of being an overgrown brat. But all Henry wanted was a career that would bring him some genuine fulfilment, a little adventure, and a chance to prove his true character. So he decided to take a dirty demanding job transporting racehorses by air, much to his snobbish family’s horror. And when he discovered that he was actually transporting something altogether different, he had to call upon every ounce of resourcefulness he had to land with his life intact... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Nerve is the story of a struggling young jockey named Rob, a misfit in a family of accomplished musicians, who discovers that his troubling losing streak is caused not by a lack of skill or confidence, but by something far more sinister.... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing Steven Scott may have been a successful, wealthy inventor with no experience in horse racing, yet with the inspired guidance of his trainer, Jody Leeds, and the prowess of a beautiful black hurdler named Energise, he has brought home several wins. But his winning streak is about to come to a fast end when he discovers trouble in his own stables: trouble that could bring about his own termination if he doesn’t watch his step. Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing A closed-door enquiry has found Kelly Hughes guilty of the lowest crime imaginable by a horse racer, throwing a race for money. He’s been framed, his reputation is scarred, he’s been banned from racing, and there’s nowhere to turn for help. But that doesn’t mean he has to take it. He’s begun his own investigation to uncover the people who ruined his career, and to find out why they want him off the track. But when the enquiry gets too personal, asking the wrong questions might just get him killed. Praise for Dick Francis ‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer ‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune ‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound... all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review ‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald ‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday ‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman ‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune ‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Edward Lincoln may be a worldwide superstar who plays daring detectives on the big screen, but in reality he’s just an ordinary man. Unfortunately, his ailing friend doesn’t seem to think so, and now he’s come to South Africa to investigate who’s been tampering with her racehorses. But it isn’t long before he realizes he must go face-to-face with a killer, and give the performance of his life to save his life... Praise for Dick Francis ‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times ‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times ‘A rare and magical talent... who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

The Dick Francis Collection Three intriguing racetrack mysteries Former champion jockey Dick Francis invented his own genre of mystery-thriller when an accident cut short his riding career. No longer able to perform at the track, he began writing about it, using jockeys and other track types to show what went on behind the scenes, where murder and mystery were as prevalent as horses and hay. Here’s three fan favorites. Nerve Someone is trying to destroy the lives of jockeys all over England. When Jockey Robert Finn becomes the next target, he takes it upon himself to do a little amateur sleuthing to settle the score. (published in 1964) In the Frame Charles Todd is an English artist who is well known and respected for his renderings of sleek and athletic horses. What he now faces at his cousin Donald's house is also art—the art of a perfectly brutal murder. (published in 1976) Reflex When jockey Philip Nore begins to suspect that a track photographer's fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and to trap the killer, and unwittingly sets himself up to become the hunted rather than the hunter. (published in 1980)

Bonecrack is a classic novel from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. At midnight Neil Griffon's home is broken into and he is abducted by masked men. When he wakes up, hours later, Neil discovers that 'unless he cooperates' his kidnappers will destroy his father's racing stable, his precious horses and even Neil himself. Returning to the stables, Neil can tell no one about his ordeal, or his kidnappers' threats of violence if he does not comply with their demands. Trapped, Neil refuses to surrender - and devises an ingenious scheme to beat his kidnappers at their own game. Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Bonecrack is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. Other novels include the huge bestsellers Dead Heat, Under Orders and Silks. The Dick Francis legacy continues through his son Felix Francis: Refusal is his latest novel, following Bloodline and Gamble. Praise for the Dick Francis novels: 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'Still the master' Racing Post 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. Dick Francis died in February, 2010, at the age of 89, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. As an amateur jockey, Roland Britten was lucky, and as an accountant he was rigorous. He knew he was on the hate list of several fraudsters, but never thought pen-pushers got kidnapped. And not from a racecourse right after beating the odds to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Held prisoner, Britten has no idea who his kidnappers are nor why they have abducted him. Only when resourceful school headmistress Hilary Pinlock gives him the opportunity to escape is he able to seriously think about what has happened and turn his logical mind to track down his abductors. But his kidnappers haven't finished with him yet - and they'll risk anything to get hold of him once again . . . Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.

When a string of kidnappings rocks the horse racing world, Andrew Douglas is brought in to recover the missing-without becoming the next victim.

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.

New York Times bestselling Grand Master of Crime Fiction Foreign Office diplomat Peter Darwin uncovers a peculiar operation involving a veterinary surgeon and the unexplained deaths of several valuable racehorses.

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. Life as a writer is colder, hungrier work than John Kendall had bargained for. Not even the survival guides he's written can help him. So when notorious racehorse trainer Tremayne Vickers approaches Kendall to write his biography, it's an offer the impoverished writer can't turn down. Moving into Vickers' country home, Kendall quickly becomes immersed in his host's lifestyle: riding racehorses, making friends, and getting to know the family. But then a local stable girl is found dead - and the party's over. A killer is lurking in the shadows. And Kendall's own survival tips are about to become more useful - and more deadly - than he could ever have imagined . . . Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.

"Delightful...A tense, fast-paced new mystery...boasting a resolute, resourceful, and modest hero and lots of racetrack characters and color." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Transporting racehorses to the course is big business for ex-jockey Freddie Croft. But when a driver breaks a cardinal rule and picks up a hitchhiker, the results are fatal...for the hitchhiker. Freddie knows that a corpse is bad for business, especially when its trail leads to corpse number two --- and to strange nighttime stalkers and unseen conspirators who are weaving a web of deceit and danger that Freddie might never escape....

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 classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. Just after learning that his stepfather is gravely ill, artist Al Kinloch, returning to his remote home in the Scottish Highlands, is attacked by four men. They ask one question - 'where is it?' - then leave him for dead. Baffled and hurt, Al visits his stepfather and learns millions of pounds are missing and a valuable racehorse is under threat. Roughed up already, Al decides he has nothing to lose getting to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, the thugs who beat him up and the person behind them will make sure that Al doesn't survive their next encounter... Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'A super chiller and killer' New York Times Book Review Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.

"Julian Trent, you have been found guilty by this court of perpetrating a violent and unprovoked attack on an innocent family including a charge of attempted murder. You have shown little or no remorse for your actions and I consider you a danger to society." When defence barrister Geoffrey Mason hears the judge's verdict, he quietly hopes that a long and arduous custodial sentence will be handed down to his arrogant young client. That Julian Trent only receives eight years seems all too lenient. Little does Mason expect that he'll be looking Trent in the eyes again much sooner than he'd ever imagined. Setting aside his barrister's wig, Mason heads to Sandown to don his racing silks. An amateur jockey, his true passion is to be found in the saddle on a Thoroughbred, pounding the turf in the heat of a steeplechase. But when a fellow rider is brutally murdered - a pitchfork driven through his chest - Mason's racing life soon becomes all too close to his working life. The prime suspect is one of their brethren, champion jockey Steve Mitchell; the evidence is overwhelming. Mason is reluctant to heed Mitchell's pleas for legal advice - but soon he finds himself at the centre of a sinister web of threat and intimidation. Mason is left fighting a battle of right and wrong, and more immediately, a battle of life and death... his own.

Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing'Daily Mirror 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'A super chiller and killer' New York Times Book Review

On the heels of Under Orders, ?Francis once again proves himself a master. Wow.? (BOOKLIST) Max Moreton is a rising culinary star?until his guests fall victim to severe food poisoning?and then a bomb blast rips through the luncheon he?s catering. Two close calls are too close for comfort, and Max vows to protect his name, and himself, before it?s too late.

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. One-handed ex-jockey Sid Halley works as a private detective, using his racing knowledge to solve crimes that baffle the police. In Whip Hand, Sid is asked to investigate possible doping of the horses of thoroughbred trainer George Casper - whose once-successful mounts have been failing spectacularly on the race track. At the same time he learns that a conman has left his ex-wife Jenny facing a jail sentence over a fake charity, while the Jockey Club want him to look into certain powerful syndicates who may be acting in a ruthless and illegal manner. Quickly, Sid discovers that each of his investigations is entirely unwelcome. But he isn't put off easily - not even when a threat is made to take off his remaining good hand. Three dangerous cases, three ways to die - Sid is back on home turf . . . Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time.

Nick 'Foxy' Foxton's career as a world class jockey is on a perfect track until a near fatal accident cuts his dream brutally short. But when he returns to Aintree years later, nothing can prepare him for what unfolds.

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.

'For Kicks ' is a spy story. Faced with a threat to the whole sport of steeplechasing, the stewards decide that only an undercover operation can succeed in revealing the mystery. Daniel Roke, taking on the job light-heartedly, finds himself headed for deadly danger. Yet the worst of his troubles comes not from his enemies but from the two devastating daughters of October launch.