Damage

DICK FRANCIS was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys and author of forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), the biography of Lester Piggott and his own autobiography (The Sport of Queens). He was rightly acclaimed as one of the greatest thriller writers in the world. 
 
 Since his death, his son FELIX FRANCIS has taken over the literary reigns from his father and Dick's legacy lives on through the Dick Francis novels. The Francis flair is clear for all to see in these national treasure thrillers, and readers will appreciate the sporadic reappearance of beloved series characters Sid Halley and Jeff Hinkley.

The stakes are higher than ever in Damage, the fourth solo novel from Top Ten bestseller Felix Francis. 
 
Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, is looking into the shady activities of a racehorse trainer. But as he's tailing his quarry through the Cheltenham Racing Festival, the last thing he expects to witness is a gruesome murder. Could it have something to do with the reason the trainer was banned in the first place - the administration of illegal drugs to his horses? 
 
Days later, it's discovered that many more horses test positive for prohibited stimulants, a scandal that could throw horse-racing into disrepute. It's no surprise when the BHA receives a demand - pay up or face the consequences. In order to limit the damage to the sport, it's critical that Jeff find the perpetrator . . . but he'll soon learn he's up against someone who will stop at nothing to prevail . . . 
 
Praise for Dick Francis and Felix Francis: 
 
'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times 
 
'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail 
 
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life

The Francis flair is clear for all to see

From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time

Felix Francis studied Physics and Electronics at London University and then embarked upon a seventeen-year career teaching Advanced Level Physics. 
 
Felix Francis is the younger son of crime writer and National Hunt jockey Dick Francis, and over the past forty years Felix assisted Dick with both the research and the writing of many of his novels. Felix's love of racing, writing talent, and knowledge and experience as a physics teacher was invaluable in the father-and-son writing partnership. 
 
Felix has written ten 'Francis' novels, the first, Under Orders, published in 2006. Then followed Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money, Crossfire, Gamble, Bloodline, Refusal, Damage and Felix's tenth novel, Front Runner.

Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, is looking into the shady activities of a racehorse trainer. Tailing his quarry through the Cheltenham Racing Festival, Jeff unexpectedly is witness to a gruesome murder. Could it be connected to the trainer's recent ban for administering illegal drugs to his horses? 
 
Days later, more horses test positive for prohibited stimulants, a scandal that could throw horse-racing into disrepute. To limit the damage to the sport, it's critical that Jeff find the perpetrator . . . but he'll soon learn he's up against someone who will stop at nothing to prevail.

Refusal

Refusal is the new Dick Francis novel from bestseller, Felix Francis. 
 
 When Sir Richard Stewart, chair of the horse racing authority, demands ex-investigator Sid Halley examines some suspicious races, he is given a firm no. Sid retired six years ago - and nothing will make him go back. 
 
 But he's wrong. 
 
 Next day, Sir Richard is found dead. Then Sid's six-year-old daughter goes missing and he receives an anonymous call: declare the alleged race-fixing clean, or else. With his family in danger, how can Sid refuse? 
 
 But this anonymous foe has underestimated the guile and determination of Sid Halley. Extreme situations demand extreme solutions and Sid will do anything to get his life back, or die trying. 
 
 The work of thriller master Dick Francis continues through his son Felix's solo efforts: Bloodline, Gamble, and now Refusal. 
 
 Praise for Dick Francis and Felix Francis: 
 
 'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times 
 
 'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail 
 
 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 
 
 'Nail-biting, suspenseful' Choice 
 
 Felix Francis is the younger son of thriller-writing legend, Dick Francis, with whom he co-wrote the four most recent Dick Francis Novels, Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire, with Felix taking an increasingly greater role in the writing. Sadly Dick died in February 2010 but his work will live on through Felix. Refusal is Felix's third solo Dick Francis novel. 
 
 Felix trained as a physicist and spent seventeen years teaching A-level physics before taking on the role as manager to his father, and then as author. He lives in Oxfordshire.

When Sir Richard Stewart, the racing authority chairman, demands Sid Halley investigates suspicious race results, he receives a firm no. Halley retired years ago, swearing he'd never go back. 
 
But then Sir Richard is found dead and Halley receives a threatening call from a man insisting he investigates the alleged race-fixing. Halley wants to steer clear, but when his young daughter goes missing he realizes he may pay the ultimate price. 
 
With his family in danger, how can Sid refuse? Extreme situations demand extreme solutions and Sid will do anything to get his life back, or die trying.

Bloodline

Bloodline is the new Dick Francis novel from bestseller, Felix Francis. 
 
When Mark Shillingford commentates on a race in which his twin sister Clare, an accomplished and successful jockey, comes in third, he can't help but be suspicious. As a professional race-caller, he knows she should have won. Did she lose on purpose? Was the race fixed? Why on earth would she do something so out of character? 
 
That night, Mark confronts Clare with his suspicions, but she storms off after an explosive argument. It's the last time Mark sees her alive. Hours later, Clare jumps to her death from the balcony of a London hotel . . . or so it seems. 
 
Devastated by her death, and almost overcome with guilt, Mark goes in search of answers. What led Clare to take her own life? 
 
Or was it not suicide at all . . .? 
 
Felix Francis is the younger son of thriller-writing legend, Dick Francis, with whom he co-wrote the four most recent Dick Francis Novels, Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire, with Felix taking an increasingly greater role in the writing. Sadly Dick died in February 2010 but his work will live on through Felix. Gamble was Felix's first solo Dick Francis Novel. 
 
Praise for the Dick Francis novels: 
'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail 
'The novel confirms Francis's seat at the head of crime fiction' Racing Post 
'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times 
 
Felix trained as a physicist and spent seventeen years teaching A level physics before taking on the role as manager to his father, and then as author. He lives in Oxfordshire.

When Mark Shillingford commentates on a race in which his twin sister Clare, a successful jockey, comes in third, he can't help but be suspicious. He knows she should have won. Did she lose on purpose? Was the race fixed? Why would she do something so out of character? 
 
That night, Mark confronts Clare with his suspicions, but she storms off after an explosive argument. It's the last time Mark sees her alive. Hours later, Clare jumps to her death from the balcony of a London hotel . . . or so it seems. 
 
Devastated by her death, and overcome with guilt, Mark goes in search of answers. What led Clare to take her own life? 
 
Or was it not suicide at all . . .?

Gamble

Gamble is the latest Dick Francis novel and the first solo novel by Felix Francis. 
 
Nick Foxton once won the Grand National, but a terrible accident cut his racing career short. Years later, he is returning to Aintree - as a spectator - when he once more finds himself the centre of attention. 
 
Minutes before the big race, Nick's colleague, financial adviser Herb Kovak, is shot dead and the gunman vanishes into the crowd. The police want answers but Nick can't explain why anyone would want Herb dead. 
 
Yet when he finds a threatening message crumpled in Herb's coat, Nick begins questioning all he knows about his friend. And on learning that he is the benefactor of Herb's will, Nick is certain that something is not right. 
 
A fact confirmed when Nick discovers he's next in the killer's firing line. 
 
From Felix Francis, the bestselling co-author (with Dick Francis) of Dead Heat and Even Money comes Gamble, the latest Dick Francis novel. Set in the cut-throat world of horse racing, Gamble is an enthralling thriller packed full of suspense, mystery and intrigue. Packed with all the hair-raising suspense and excitement readers know and love from Dick Francis, Gamble is Felix Francis's most heart-pounding thriller yet. 
 
Praise for the Dick Francis novels: 
'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail 
'Spare, efficient and unflashy . . . inexorably draws you in' Daily Telegraph 
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 
'Still the master' Racing Post 
 
Felix Francis is the younger son of thriller-writing legend, Dick Francis, with whom he co-wrote the four most recent Dick Francis Novels, Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire, with Felix taking an increasingly greater role in the writing. Sadly Dick died in February 2010 but his work will live on through Felix. Gamble is Felix's first solo Dick Francis Novel. 
 
Felix trained as a physicist and spent seventeen years teaching A level physics before taking on the role as manager to his father, and then as author. He lives in Oxfordshire.

The novel confirms Francis's seat at the head of crime fiction

Nick Foxton once won the Grand National, but a terrible accident cut his racing career short. Years later, he is returning to Aintree - as a spectator - when he once more finds himself the centre of attention. 
 
Minutes before the big race, Nick's colleague, financial adviser Herb Kovak, is shot dead and the gunman vanishes into the crowd. The police want answers but Nick can't explain why anyone would want Herb dead. 
 
Yet when he finds a threatening message crumpled in Herb's coat, Nick begins questioning all he knows about his friend. And on learning that he is the benefactor of Herb's will, Nick is certain that something is not right. 
 
A fact confirmed when Nick discovers he's next in the killer's firing line.

Crossfire

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Another excellent book from the Francis stable' 5***** Reader Review 
'An excellent gripping story in true Francis fashion' 5***** Reader Review 
'Usual Dick Francis excellence. Gripping from beginning to end' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Captain Thomas Forsyth's tour of Afghanistan is cut brutally short when he is badly wounded by a roadside bomb. 
 
Returning home to his mother - a racehorse trainer and the 'First Lady' of racing - Tom discovers the training business is on the edge, and facing a threat far more dangerous than a run of bad form. 
 
Soon he finds himself on a very different, but just as deadly, battlefield where his military skills are put to the ultimate test . . . kill or be killed? 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Crossfire is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 
 
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 
 
'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 
 
'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 
 
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 
 
'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 
 
'Still the master' Racing Post

Dick Francis (Author) 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. Felix Francis (Author) Felix Francis studied Physics and Electronics at London University and then embarked upon a seventeen-year career teaching Advanced Level Physics. 
 
Felix Francis is the younger son of crime writer and National Hunt jockey Dick Francis, and over the past forty years Felix assisted Dick with both the research and the writing of many of his novels. Felix's love of racing, writing talent, and knowledge and experience as a physics teacher was invaluable in the father-and-son writing partnership. 
 
Felix has written ten 'Francis' novels, the first, Under Orders, published in 2006. Then followed Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money, Crossfire, Gamble, Bloodline, Refusal, Damage and Felix's tenth novel, Front Runner.

Captain Thomas Forsyth's tour of Afghanistan is cut brutally short when he is badly wounded by a roadside bomb. 
 
Returning home, to his mother - a racehorse trainer and the 'First Lady' of racing - Tom discovers the training business is on the edge, and facing a threat far more dangerous than a run of bad form. 
 
Tom finds himself on a very different, but just as deadly, battlefield where his military skills are tested . . . kill or be killed?

Even Money

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Well-researched and expertly written, it is gripping from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review 
'You really feel that you are involved with the plot and feel for the characters' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
On Royal Ascot's first day, bookmaker Ned Talbot watches helplessly as a string of favourites come in. With the punters totting up their winnings, he counts his losses. 
 
Then an old man steps forward with a very different claim. The father Ned never knew - believed to have been killed in a car crash long ago - is standing before him. 
 
 Barely an hour later, Ned's newly-found father is dying in Ascot's car park. Stabbed by an unknown assailant, he warns Ned: 'be very careful'. 
 
But of whom? Of what? 
 
 Ned races to discover the truth behind his father's disappearance and sudden reappearance. It's not just money on the line now. It's lives . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Even Money is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 
 
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 
 
'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 
 
'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 
 
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 
 
'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 
 
'Still the master' Racing Post

Royal Ascot's first day, and bookmaker Ned Talbot watches helplessly as a string of favourites come in. With the punters totting up their winnings, he counts his losses. Then an old man steps forward with a very different claim. The father Ned never knew - long ago believed killed in a car crash - is standing before him. 
 
Barely an hour later, Ned's newly-found father is dying in Ascot's car park. Stabbed by an unknown assailant, he warns Ned 'be very careful'. But of whom? Of what? 
 
Ned races to discover the truth behind his father's disappearance and sudden reappearance. It's not just money on the line now. It's lives.

Silks

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Runs at a cracking pace from beginning to end' 5***** Reader Review 
'Twists and turns all the way through. Silks has you on the edge of your seat' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Geoffrey Mason wasn't terribly disappointed when his client Julian Trent was found guilty. 
 
Despite being paid handsomely as Trent's defence 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 long-time 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 starts to worry. 
 
And things only get worse when one of Mason's fellow jockeys is found dead . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Silks is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 
 
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 
 
'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 
 
'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 
 
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 
 
'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 
 
'Still the master' Racing Post

A triumphant return to Francis family form

"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.

Dead Heat

The abridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Dick and Felix Francis's searing and intrue-fillied thriller, Dead Heat. Read by Martin Jarvis. 
 
'I wondered if I was dying. I wasn't afraid to die but, such was the pain in my gut, I wished it would happen soon.' 
 
The night before the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a prestigious black-tie Gala dinner. It is a fitting testament to the glamour of the occasion that Max Moreton is cooking the evening's meal. 
 
Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles. He is the chef and founder of the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net. However, spending the night in the throes of agony with chronic food poisoning is the last thing Max expects - such things simply aren't becoming of a professional chef. And the last thing he needs is to hear that his food is suspected of putting twenty-four of the guests in hospital. 
 
Within hours, Max's restaurant is being forcibly closed, his reputation is teetering on the brink of ruin, and a court case seems to be looming. But the day is far from over, and soon Max Moreton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood...

Dead Heat is the latest searing, intrigue-filled blockbuster from the Grand Master of thriller-writing.

&lsquo;I wondered if I was dying. I wasn&rsquo;t afraid to die but, such was the pain in my gut, I wished it would happen soon.&rsquo; 
 
The night before the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a prestigious black-tie Gala dinner. It is a fitting testament to the glamour of the occasion that top chef Max Moreton is cooking the evening&rsquo;s meal. 
 
Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles. He is founder of the racing town&rsquo;s favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net. However, spending the night retching in the throes of agony is the last thing Max expects. But much worse is to come...his food is suspected of putting twenty-four of the dinner guests in hospital. Max&rsquo;s pride and professionalism tells him all is not as it seems. 
 
Within hours, Max&rsquo;s restaurant is forcibly closed, his reputation teeters on the brink of ruin, and a court case looms. But the day is far from over, and soon Max Moreton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood... 
 
Dead Heat is the latest searing, intrigue-filled blockbuster from the Grand Master of thriller writing.

Felix Francis

Operating as an undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, Jeff is approached by the multiple-champion jockey, Dave Swinton, to discuss the delicate matter of his losing races on purpose. 
 
Shortly after Jeff narrowly escapes a certain and grisly death, the body Dave Swinton is found in his burnt out car at a deserted beauty spot in Oxfordshire. The police think it's a suicide, but Jeff is not so sure. He starts to investigate those races that Swinton could have intentionally lost, but soon discovers instead that there are those who would prevent him from doing so, at any cost.

Felix Francis

Praise for Front Runner

The Francis flair is clear for all to see

From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time

The master of suspense and intrigue

The Francis flair is clear for all to see

From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time

The master of suspense and intrigue

The Francis flair is clear for all to see

From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time

The master of suspense and intrigue

Books by Felix Francis

Series by Felix Francis

Francis Thriller

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