For Kicks

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.

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Incredibly enjoyable and will deliver its kicks again and again' 5***** Reader Review 
'You can always depend on Dick Francis for an engrossing adventure' 5***** Reader Review 
'Edge-of-seat stuff, a real page turner' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Daniel Roke owns a stud farm in Australia. He's young, smart, hard-working and desperate for some excitement - all of which makes him the ideal candidate for the Earl of October, who has come visiting. 
 
 The Earl is concerned about a horse-doping scandal that is destroying English racing. He wants to pay Daniel to come back with him, pose as a highly corruptible stable lad and discover who is behind it. 
 
 But when Daniel agrees, he doesn't realise just how close he'll have to get to find the truth. 
 
Nor how determined the criminals will be to prevent him living long enough to tell anyone . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, For Kicks 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'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

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.

Daniel Roke owns a stud farm in Australia. He's young, smart, hard-working and desperate for some excitement - which makes him the ideal candidate for the visiting Earl of October. 
 The Earl is concerned about a horse-doping scandal that is destroying English racing. He wants to pay Daniel to come back with him, pose as a highly corruptible stable lad and discover who is behind it. 
 Unfortunately, when Daniel agrees he doesn't realise how close he'll have to get to find the truth. Nor how determined the criminals will be to prevent him living long enough to tell anyone...

High Stakes

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Riveting from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review 
'Nothing beats a good Francis, and this is as good as they come' 5***** Reader Review 
'An excellent thriller. Spellbinding up to the end' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
When inventor Stephen Scott abruptly fires his winning trainer Jody Leeds, the racing world is shocked and disgusted - though not quite as angry as Leeds, who swears revenge on his former friend. 
 
 But Steven is convinced that Leeds has been stealing from him - and worse - and felt he had no choice. And when Leeds decides to enact his vengeance, Steven finds out just what a nasty piece of work he really is. 
 
 Because now Steven is not only in fear of losing everything - but also his life. 
 
Somehow, he must prove to the world that Leeds is a vicious crook - or die trying . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, High Stakes 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

As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing

When inventor Steven Scott abruptly fires his winning trainer Jody Leeds, the racing world is shocked and disgusted - though not quite as angry as Leeds, who swears revenge on his former friend. 
Now, Steven is not only in fear of losing everything - but also his life. Somehow, he must prove to the world that Leeds is a vicious crook - or die trying.

In the Frame

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'No one writes better thrillers than this - a classic' 5***** Reader Review 
'Tight plot, excellent locations and explosions of tension! You don't get much better than that' 5***** Reader Review 
'So many twists and turns, the tension never lets' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Charles Todd, a successful artist who paints horses, arrives at his cousin Donald's house and stumbles on a grisly scene: 
 
Police cars everywhere, his cousin arrested for murder and Donald's wife brutally slain. 
 
 Believing - unlike the police - Donald's story of a burglary gone wrong, Charles follows clues which lead him from England to Australia, and to a diabolical scheme involving fraud and murder. 
 
 But soon Charles realises that someone is on his trail. 
 
Someone who wants to make sure that Charles won't live long enough to save Donald . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, In the Frame 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 regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever

Charles Todd, a successful artist who paints horses, arrives at his cousin Donald's house and stumbles on a grisly scene: police cars everywhere, his cousin arrested for murder and Donald's wife brutally slain. 
 Believing - unlike the police - Donald's story of a burglary gone wrong, Charles follows clues which lead him from England to Australia and a diabolical scheme involving fraud and murder. 
 But soon Charles realises that someone is on his trail. Someone who wants to make sure that Charles won't live long enough to save Donald.

Odds Against

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'Such clever writing, engaging flawed characters. Dick Francis never disappoints' 5***** Reader Review 
'A great read . . . Dick Francis pulls out all the stops' 5***** Reader Review 
'No one does mystery better than Francis. You just can't put the book down' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Champion jockey Sid Halley retired from racing when his hand was smashed in a fall. Now he works as a private detective - which is proving to be no less dangerous to life and limb. 
 
 Recuperating from a bullet wound, Sid is asked by his father-in-law to investigate some potentially shady activity involving Seabury racecourse and a ruthless property dealer. 
 
 But the closer Sid gets to those determined to get their hands on Seabury, the more he finds himself in harm's way. 
 
The odds are against him - but that's exactly when Sid is at his best . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Odds Against 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

The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish

Champion jockey Sid Halley retired from racing when his hand was smashed in a fall. Now he works as a private detective - which is proving to be no less dangerous to life and limb. 
 
 Recuperating from a bullet wound, Sid is asked by his father-in-law to look into some potentially shady activity involving Seabury racecourse and a ruthless property dealer. 
 
But the closer Sid gets to those determined to get their hands on Seabury, the more he finds himself in harm's way. The odds are against him - but that's exactly when Sid is at his best ....

Proof

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'A brilliant read with lots of exciting twists and turns. Couldn't put it down' 5***** Reader Review 
'An excellent thriller that keeps you on the edge. Dick Francis at his best' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Wine merchant Tony Beach will do anything for a quiet life. But when a party to celebrate the end of the racing season ends in eight violent deaths, he is drawn reluctantly into the subsequent investigation. 
 
 Meanwhile, the police, having evidence of the sale of illicit alcohol at a local club, ask for Tony's help in closing it down. Thanks to his intervention, Tony comes to the attention of the criminal underworld. 
 
And that's when he reluctantly realizes that the deaths and the illicit alcohol are connected. 
 
 Tony doesn't want to be a hero. But if the choice is that or dying . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Proof 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

Tony Beach will do anything for a quiet life. But when a party to celebrate the end of the racing season ends in eight violent deaths, he is drawn reluctantly into the subsequent investigation. 
 Meanwhile, the police, having evidence of the sale of illicit alcohol at a local club, ask for Tony's help in closing it down. Thanks to his intervention, Tony comes to the attention of the criminal underworld. 
 And that's when he reluctantly realizes that the deaths and the illicit alcohol are connected. 
 Tony doesn't want to be a hero. But if the choice is that or dying...

Reflex

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 
 
'A fast-paced, exciting, gripping thriller' 5***** Reader Review 
'One of Dick Francis's best . . . A real page-turner' 5***** Reader Review 
'Deeply satisfying from beginning to end' 5***** Reader Review 
______ 
 
Jockey and amateur photographer Philip Nore knows all too well how it feels to take a tumble from a horse. He also knows what it's like to feel the wrath of furious owners and trainers. You can't always be a winner. 
 
 George Millace hated winners. As a photographer he specialized in taking pictures that exposed the failings of riders. But now he's dead - and no one seems very sorry. 
 
 But when Millace's home is broken into during his funeral and Nore finds himself helping clear up, he finds something unexpected. Millace had other pictures - ones people will go to desperate lengths to possess. 
 
 Now he must find out who wants them - and fast. 
 
Because if George Millace's death was no accident, then his killers are getting closer . . . 
 
Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Reflex 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

Jockey Philip Nore knows all too well what it's like to fall from a horse, to feel the wrath of owners and trainers, to not always be a winner. 
 
 George Millace hated winners. As a photographer he specialized in exposing the failings of riders. Now he's dead - and no one seems very sorry. 
 
 But after Millace's home is broken into, Nore finds something unexpected. Millace had other pictures - ones people are desperate to possess. 
 
 Now Nore must discover who wants them - and fast. Because if George Millace's death was no accident then his killers are getting closer.

Dick Francis

Physics teacher (and crack shot) Jonathan Derry is given some unusual tapes to look after by a friend. They hold a computer programme which functions as a bookie-breaking betting system. 
 When Jonathan's friend is killed in a suspicious explosion and two thugs turn up at his house waving guns and demanding the tapes, Jonathan realises that he's been handed a whole lot more trouble. 
 Jonathan knows he won't be left alone unless he gives them what they want. However, he decides to play his own game. After all, he's a crack shot. He can look after himself - can't he?

Dick Francis

Praise for Twice Shy

A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever

As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing

Books by Dick Francis

Series by Dick Francis

Francis Thriller

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