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.
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.
Twice Shy
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?
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?
Refusal
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.
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.
Bolt
Jockey Kit Fielding's patron, Princess Casilia, is in trouble. Her invalid husband is being threatened by a ruthless business partner who wants to use the firm to manufacture arms. At the same time, some of the Princess's best horses are being killed - shot by a bolt.
The only person the Princess can turn to is Kit - but he has his own problems. Between riding winners (and saving his impending marriage) Kit has somehow to find out and stop who is slaughtering the horses.
But, as he's about to discover, the killer has more than horses in his sights.
The only person the Princess can turn to is Kit - but he has his own problems. Between riding winners (and saving his impending marriage) Kit has somehow to find out and stop who is slaughtering the horses.
But, as he's about to discover, the killer has more than horses in his sights.
Break In
Steeplechase jockey Kit Fielding has just ridden another winner for his patron - the Princess - when his distraught twin sister Holly comes to him with terrible news. A newspaper is printing stories which will put her husband, Bobby Allardeck, and his stables out of business.
Putting aside the age-old Fielding-Allardeck feud, Kit decides to try to find out who is behind these cruel stories.
This, he quickly discovers, upsets many ruthless and powerful people who'll do anything to protect themselves.
But this is family and Kit will risk everything - including his neck - to find the truth.
Putting aside the age-old Fielding-Allardeck feud, Kit decides to try to find out who is behind these cruel stories.
This, he quickly discovers, upsets many ruthless and powerful people who'll do anything to protect themselves.
But this is family and Kit will risk everything - including his neck - to find the truth.
Longshot
Life as a writer is colder, hungrier work than John Kendall 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 he can't turn down.
Kendall becomes immersed in his host's lifestyle: riding racehorses 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 survival tips are about to become more useful - and more deadly - than he could ever have imagined.
Kendall becomes immersed in his host's lifestyle: riding racehorses 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 survival tips are about to become more useful - and more deadly - than he could ever have imagined.
Rat Race
Pilot Matt Shore now spends his days ferrying high-class passengers between English race courses. one eventful trip ends with his plane exploding in a ball of fire, Matt knows he's not that unlucky.
When the police confirm it was a bomb, Matt realises he has a problem. One of his passengers must have been the target - the question is who?
Matt to find out fast - because he's scheduled to ferry the same people over the coming weeks.
Can Matt stay alive long enough to stop the bomber?
When the police confirm it was a bomb, Matt realises he has a problem. One of his passengers must have been the target - the question is who?
Matt to find out fast - because he's scheduled to ferry the same people over the coming weeks.
Can Matt stay alive long enough to stop the bomber?
Risk
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 . . .
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 . . .
Slay Ride
David Cleveland is sitting in a dinghy in a Norwegian fjord. He's helping the Norwegians to find out why a visiting English rider has done a runner with the racehorse takings.
It should be straightforward, but when the dinghy is hit by a speedboat and Cleveland almost drowns, he realises there's more to this case than some missing money - especially when a dead body turns up.
The stakes are suddenly dangerously high. A sensible man would leave it to the police and go back home to England. Except, it turns out, that England isn't safe either . . .
It should be straightforward, but when the dinghy is hit by a speedboat and Cleveland almost drowns, he realises there's more to this case than some missing money - especially when a dead body turns up.
The stakes are suddenly dangerously high. A sensible man would leave it to the police and go back home to England. Except, it turns out, that England isn't safe either . . .
Smokescreen
Edward Lincoln has scaled the Himalayas, survived car chases and defeated scores of assassins. As a movie action man he's even suffered stoically at the hands of sadistic directors.
After finishing his latest film, he visits South Africa to discover why a dying friend's horses are suddenly failing on the race track. Lincoln's attempt to help a friend soon puts him in harm's way. From a nearly fatal interview to a dangerous accident in a gold mine, it seems only luck is keeping him alive.
And in life, unlike the big-screen, there's no coming back from dead . . .
After finishing his latest film, he visits South Africa to discover why a dying friend's horses are suddenly failing on the race track. Lincoln's attempt to help a friend soon puts him in harm's way. From a nearly fatal interview to a dangerous accident in a gold mine, it seems only luck is keeping him alive.
And in life, unlike the big-screen, there's no coming back from dead . . .
Trial Run
Ex-steeplechaser Randall Drew is reluctantly off to pre-Olympic games Moscow, as a favour to royalty. One of the blue bloods is destined to compete in the games and there are concerns - both of safety and of scandal - that only Drew, with his racing connections, can sort out.
On arriving - speaking no Russian and wishing he were back home - Drew is supposed to identify and contact one Alyosha to clear up the scandal. Instead, he finds himself tailed by the KGB and embroiled in foiling a terrorist plot - or die trying.
On arriving - speaking no Russian and wishing he were back home - Drew is supposed to identify and contact one Alyosha to clear up the scandal. Instead, he finds himself tailed by the KGB and embroiled in foiling a terrorist plot - or die trying.
Whip Hand
Ex-jockey Sid Halley 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.
Three dangerous cases, three ways to die - Sid is back on home turf . . .
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.
Three dangerous cases, three ways to die - Sid is back on home turf . . .
Bonecrack
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.
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.
Come To Grief
Sid Halley, ex-champion jockey turned investigator, is facing his toughest test.
A number of horses have been brutally mutilated, provoking horror all round. Even Sid's friend, broadcaster Ellis Quint, has been moved to make a shocking programme about it.
But when Sid is asked to investigate, the evidence he uncovers points in a startling direction and he finds that his head must overrule his heart.
As friends and associates are angered by his discoveries, so Sid is drawn into a terrible web of conspiracy and intrigue. Escape will require all his legendary wits and cunning . . .
A number of horses have been brutally mutilated, provoking horror all round. Even Sid's friend, broadcaster Ellis Quint, has been moved to make a shocking programme about it.
But when Sid is asked to investigate, the evidence he uncovers points in a startling direction and he finds that his head must overrule his heart.
As friends and associates are angered by his discoveries, so Sid is drawn into a terrible web of conspiracy and intrigue. Escape will require all his legendary wits and cunning . . .
Dead Cert
'Admiral met the fence perfectly. He rose to it as if flight were not only for birds. And he fell.'
Alan York's friend, jockey Bill Davidson, was killed in Admiral's fall. After the race, York visits the fence and discovers a coil of wire lying beside the fence post and signs of where the wire had been attached.
The fall was no accident - but murder.
Unable to convince the police of this, York is forced to turn amateur sleuth and is soon on the trail of a ruthless gang of race-fixers.
Alan York's friend, jockey Bill Davidson, was killed in Admiral's fall. After the race, York visits the fence and discovers a coil of wire lying beside the fence post and signs of where the wire had been attached.
The fall was no accident - but murder.
Unable to convince the police of this, York is forced to turn amateur sleuth and is soon on the trail of a ruthless gang of race-fixers.
Enquiry
When Kelly Hughes rides the favourite into second place, he gets penalized for his trouble. Not only has he lost the race, but also his licence, as the Jockey Club suspends him - believing he threw the race.
Knowing that the problem lay with the horse's performance, not his own, Kelly suspects he was framed and sets about finding out who has set him up.
But the closer he gets to the perpetrators, the more danger he finds himself in. Now there's more than his reputation and career at stake.
There's also his life . . .
Knowing that the problem lay with the horse's performance, not his own, Kelly suspects he was framed and sets about finding out who has set him up.
But the closer he gets to the perpetrators, the more danger he finds himself in. Now there's more than his reputation and career at stake.
There's also his life . . .
Flying Finish
Amateur jockey Lord Henry Grey decides on a whim to join the bloodstock market, transporting racehorses around the world. And when he meets the glamorous Gabriella in Italy, he is sure he's hit the good life.
That is, until a horse unexpectedly dies in transit and a colleague vanishes.
Then Grey discovers that both his predecessors also went missing in curious cirmcumstances - and begins to doubt the wisdom of his career change.
Either he turns detective or his own disappearance could be next . . .
That is, until a horse unexpectedly dies in transit and a colleague vanishes.
Then Grey discovers that both his predecessors also went missing in curious cirmcumstances - and begins to doubt the wisdom of his career change.
Either he turns detective or his own disappearance could be next . . .