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Francis Thriller

51 books in this series
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.
Front Runner
Front Runner
Things are hotting up in this gripping thriller from bestselling author Felix Francis

'Grabs you from the start and keeps you hooked. A fast-paced book that you can't put down' 5***** READER REVIEW
'A great story, suspenseful with lots of twists and turns' 5***** READER REVIEW
_______

Jefferson Hinkley is back.

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.

Little does Jeff realise that his visit to Swinton's house will result in a brutal attempt on his life.

Shortly after Jeff narrowly escapes a certain and grisly death, the charred body Dave Swinton is found in his burnt-out car at a deserted beauty spot in Oxfordshire.

The police think it's 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 . . .
_______

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
Damage
Damage
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
10-Lb Penalty
10-Lb Penalty
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Great plot, non-stop action and great bad guys . . . What's not to like?' 5***** Reader Review
'Draws you in in the first five seconds and doesn't let go' 5***** Reader Review
'Dick Francis is a master at holding attention throughout' 5***** Reader Review
______

Seventeen-year-old Benedict Juliard's ambitions of becoming a steeplechase jockey are dashed when he's falsely accused of taking drugs.

For his estranged father, however, this is an opportunity. A wealthy businessman running for a parliamentary by-election in Dorset, Juliard Senior needs all the help he can get - especially when the campaign moves from mudslinging to something more deadly.

Now young Benedict has to grow up fast - not only to find out who is trying to harm his father's chances of election, but also to keep him alive long enough to stay in the race . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, 10-Lb Penalty 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
Banker
Banker
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Brilliant . . . I was riveted from the first to the last page' 5***** Reader Review
'Banker has it all: murder, heroics, low tricks and high finance. I highly recommend it' 5***** Reader Review
'Intelligent, well-paced, will grip you to the end' 5***** Reader Review
______

Tim Ekaterin has a lot of money. Unfortunately, it belongs to other people, and it is his job to invest it wisely, or get fired.

And right now he's taken a big risk: using £5 million to stud a champion racing stallion.

When the resulting foals have birth defects, Tim is worried and decides that there may be something else going on at the stables. And when one of those helping with the horses is murdered, his suspicions are confirmed.

Now it's not just about money, but about life and death. Determined to get answers, Tim puts himself in danger's path to discover the truth . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Banker 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
Blood Sport
Blood Sport
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Another exciting read that keeps you on the edge of your seat' 5***** Reader Review
'Grabbed my attention from the beginning . . . One of Dick Francis' best!' 5***** Reader Review
'Excellent characterisations, believable villains and wonderful plots' 5***** Reader Review
______

Gene Hawkins is a fixer for his boss Mr Keeble: if Keeble has a problem, Gene goes and fixes it. It's that simple. Sometimes it requires the Luger he carries - mostly it doesn't.

Now Keeble has summoned Gene back from a long-overdue holiday. It seems that a very expensive stallion has been taken in Kentucky. It's the third high-value kidnapping in a few years. Keeble wants his horse back - and it's Gene's job to go out there and find it.

But what Gene doesn't know is that he's about to get involved with blackmailers and murderers. Looks like that Lugar will see some use . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Blood Sport 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
Comeback
Comeback
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Gripping from start to finish, a brilliant plot and fast paced' 5***** Reader Review
'Another brilliant adventure story from the inimitable Dick Francis. This story keeps you turning the pages eagerly' 5***** Reader Review
______

Foreign Office diplomat Peter Darwin is returning to England, back to his childhood home of Gloucestershire. But instead of a pleasant trip down memory lane, Peter finds himself coming to the aid of a veterinary surgeon whose operating theatre is rapidly turning into an abattoir.

A string of valuable racehorses have suffered unexplained deaths, and the police are baffled. When Darwin looks into the mystery, he finds that his connections - and memories - help him uncover criminal activities that stretch back all the way to his childhood.

But the more Darwin uncovers, the closer he gets to a killer who just can't stop . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Comeback 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
Driving Force
Driving Force
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'A brilliant story with an unusual plot. An absolute page turner!'
5***** Reader Review
'Gripping from the first sentence and packed with action' 5***** Reader Review
______

Ex-jockey Freddie Croft now runs a fleet of vehicles which transport racehorses across the British Isles and Europe. But when two of his drivers pick up a hitchhiker who ends up dead, Freddie's got a big problem.

First, it quickly becomes apparent that the hitcher wasn't quite what he seemed.

And second, Freddie finds that his horse boxes might just be being used for moving something a lot less legal than horses.

Now he must figure out what is going on before the police, and before whoever is doing it cottons on and tries to stop him - permanently . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Driving Force 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
For Kicks
For Kicks
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
Forfeit
Forfeit
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'A masterpiece from the master of equine fiction. Truly sensational from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review
'Tense, tautly-written, with memorable characters - an absolute cracker' 5***** Reader Review
______

Bert Checkov, a racing correspondent, drunkenly confesses to fellow Fleet Street hack James Tyrone that he's been giving his readers tips for years.

Five minutes later, Checkov falls out of a seventh-floor window.

Tyrone is convinced there's more to Checkov's death than meets the eye. When he starts digging, he discovers that many of Checkov's tips never even made it to the start. But the deeper Tyrone gets, the dirtier and more dangerous this business appears to be.

If he's not careful, he'll be following Checkov to his death . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying Finish 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
High Stakes
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
Hot Money
Hot Money
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Well-crafted and unputdownable. An excellent read' 5***** Reader Review
'Superbly paced and plotted. One of Francis's best' 5***** Reader Review
'A well written and totally engrossing read' 5***** Reader Review
______

Malcolm Pembroke didn't get rich without making a few enemies - not least among the five wives and nine children left like wreckage in his wake.

But when Moira, his fifth wife, is murdered, Malcolm believes that someone is out to get him. Desperate and fearful, there's only one person he can turn to: his estranged son, Ian.

Ian - an amateur jockey - wants nothing to do with his father until it becomes clear the old man's life is in danger.

And worst of all, the evidence suggests it's from someone the family . . .

Can Ian work out who it is before they strike again?

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Hot 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
In the Frame
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
Odds Against
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
Proof
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
Reflex
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
To The Hilt
To The Hilt
Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time

'Great characters, twisting plot. One of the very best Francis novels' 5***** Reader Review
'Tense, puzzling and powerful . . . Francis is a consummate craftsman' 5***** Reader Review
______

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. Already roughed up, 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 . . .

Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, To the Hilt 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

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