Felix Francis Books

As one of the youngest ever winners of the Grand National, Nick 'Foxy' Foxton's career as a world class jockey is on perfect track until a near fatal accident cuts his dream brutally short. But when he returns to Aintree as a spectator years later, nothing can prepare him for what unfolds. Minutes before the biggest event on the racing calendar, Nick's affable American colleague Herb Kovak is shot at point blank range, the gunman disappearing amongst the stunned crowd. Along with the police, Nick is left baffled as to why anyone would want to kill such an apparently gentle soul. With the press speculating links to gangland crime and a crumpled note containing a threatening message found in the dead man's coat, Nick begins to doubt how well he really knew Herb. And on discovering Herb had named him as the benefactor of his will, Nick questions why he has been entrusted with the legacy. Is this a generous gift from a friend or is it, in fact, a poisoned chalice?

Shell-shocked and missing a foot-lost to an IED during his tour of duty in Afghanistan-Captain Tom Forsyth has been sent "home" by the army and, at loose ends, returns to his estranged mother's house for the first time since he joined up at seventeen. But Josephine Kauri, the "first lady of British racing," has always put the horses she trains first and her family last. Tom soon finds himself strained to the breaking point with his mother and stepfather. But there's another reason for the stifling tension at Kauri House Stables: Josephine is being blackmailed for a hefty sum every week-and forced to make her horses lose. Retirement is not an option, as she has been warned that it will result in the thing she most fears: exposure and ridicule . . . and prison, when the government finds out what she's been hiding. Tom sets out to discover and defeat this hidden enemy using his finely honed military skills. But can he save his mother's reputation and career, or will he find himself caught in the cross fire?

THE HIGHER THE STAKES, THE DEADLIER THE RISK . . .THE BRAND NEW 2023 THRILLER FROM THE MASTER OF THE RACING THRILLER - NOW AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER IN HARDBACK, EBOOK & AUDIOBOOK. Theo Jennings is a young auctioneer at the Thoroughbred sales ring in Newmarket. The October yearling sales are where the big money exchanges hands in frenzied auctions: millions of Guineas paid for horses that are as yet unnamed, untested, and have never taken a step on the track. It's the greatest gamble in all of horseracing, and one that can end in ruin.Theo has just made the biggest sale of his life, when he overhears a secret conversation between the two bidders - can they really have colluded to fix the price of his big sale? When that same horse is found dead the next morning, he has no choice but to investigate, even against the wishes of his boss. But the more he uncovers, the less he can trust the people around him.The higher the stakes, the greater the risk. And in the bloodstock game, the ultimate price can be murder . . .PRAISE FOR FELIX FRANCIS:'Felix Francis' novels gallop along splendidly' - JILLY COOPER'From winning post to top of the bestseller lists' - SUNDAY TIMES'The master of suspense and intrigue' - COUNTRY LIFE'A story of skulduggery, conspiracy and dodgy dealings' - YORKSHIRE TIMES'A gripping tale' - DAILY EXPRESS'The pages fly by' - HORSE & HOUND

"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.

RACING CAN BE A DEADLY BUSINESS! Harrison Foster, a lawyer turned crisis manager, is called to Newmarket after a fire at Chadwick Stables claims six valuable horses, including a Derby favorite. As he investigates, he discovers human remains among the equestrian casualties, raising questions about a mystery victim since all stable staff are accounted for. Despite his aversion to horses, Harry is pulled into the high-stakes world of Thoroughbred racing, where the care for horses surpasses that of their human caretakers. The Chadwick family, a dysfunctional racing dynasty, is rife with resentment and sibling rivalry, masked by a facade of respectability. Representing the Middle-Eastern owner of the Derby favorite, Harry's inquiry into the horse's death uncovers deeper issues, igniting tensions that threaten his safety. As he navigates this perilous landscape, can he unravel the mystery before becoming a casualty himself? Praise for Felix Francis's novels highlights his flair for suspense and intrigue, with accolades from various publications emphasizing his consistent ability to captivate readers.

Theo Jennings is a young auctioneer at the Thoroughbred sales ring in Newmarket. The October yearling sales are where the big money exchanges hands in frenzied auctions: millions of Guineas paid for horses that are as yet unnamed, untested, and have never taken a step on the track. It's the greatest gamble in all of horseracing, and one that can end in ruin. Theo has just made the biggest sale of his life, when he overhears a secret conversation between the two bidders - can they really have colluded to fix the price of his big sale? When that same horse is found dead the next morning, he has no choice but to investigate, even against the wishes of his boss. But the more he uncovers, the less he can trust the people around him. The higher the stakes, the greater the risk. And in the bloodstock game, the ultimate price can be murder.

When race caller and television presenter Mark Shillingford calls a race in which his twin sister, Clare, an accomplished and successful jockey, comes in second when she could have won, he believes the worst: that she lost on purpose, and the race was fixed. That night, Mark confronts Clare with his suspicions, she storms off after an argument—and 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 and guilty over her death, Mark goes in search of answers. What had led Clare to take her own life? Or was it not suicide at all?

The richest prize in racing. The perfect motive to commit a crime ... Jeff Hinkley, a British Horseracing Authority investigator, has been seconded to the US Federal Anti-Corruption in Sports Agency (FACSA) where he has been asked to find a mole in their organisation, an informant who is passing on confidential information to fix races. Jeff goes in search of answers, taking on an undercover role as a groom on the backstretch at Belmont Park racetrack in New York. But he discovers far more than he was bargaining for, finding himself as the meat in the sandwich between FACSA and corrupt individuals who will stop at nothing, including murder, to capture the most elusive and lucrative prize in the world - the Triple Crown.

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.

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

Damage - the gripping new thriller from 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. Jeff's mental and physical well-being is tested t the very limit, as his life is put on the line. www.felixfrancis.com

When Sir Richard Stewart, chair of the horseracing authority, demands ex-investigator Sid Halley examine some suspicious races, he is goven a firm 'no'. Sid retired six years ago - and nothing will make him go back. But he's wrong.

The latest searing, intrigue-filled blockbuster from from the Champion Storyteller

Suspense escalates as Theo Jennings, an ambitious auctioneer in Newmarket, England, uncovers a web of intrigue following the mysterious death of a valuable yearling colt. Initially poised for a groundbreaking sale, Theo's plans unravel when he becomes embroiled in a murder investigation after a body is found in the same stable. With the police suspecting him and a killer lurking nearby, Theo must navigate treacherous waters to prove his innocence and unveil the true culprit before it's too late.

A thriller that races from the very first page, Hands Down is about one man's search for the truth and how far he will go to find it . . .

The Francis brand of thrillers is about to be updated and expanded for a new generation!

A gripping high-stakes thriller unfolds, crafted by the bestselling author known for the Dick Francis novels. The narrative promises intense suspense and captivating twists, making it a compelling read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Expect a masterful blend of tension and intrigue, showcasing the author's signature storytelling style.

The acclaimed best-selling father-and-son writing team of Silks and Dead Heat deliver another gripping thriller with a thoroughbred racing backdrop. 300,000 first printing.

WITH THE STAKES SO HIGH, RACING CAN BE A DEADLY BUSINESS Chris Rankin is a doctor, a specialist in Emergency Medicine at Cheltenham Hospital, but a doctor who also has health problems. A smartly dressed man has been found unconscious at the local racecourse and is rushed to the hospital, where he subsequently dies. But who is he? Where does he come from? He had no form of identification on him, and no one claims the body. Doctor Rankin is intrigued by the nameless dead man, obsessed even, and starts asking questions. However, someone doesn’t want the questions answered and will go to any lengths to prevent it, including attempting murder. But no one else believes that someone tried to kill Chris, leaving the doctor no option but to discover who the nameless man is and why he died, preferably before following him into an early grave. The Francis brand of thrillers are bigger and bolder for a new generation! Praise for Felix Francis's novels: 'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail 'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'A tremendous read' Woman's Own

Miles Pussett is a former steeplechase jockey. Now he gets his adrenaline rush from riding down the Cresta Run, a three-quarter-mile Swiss ice chute, head first, reaching speeds of up to eighty miles per hour. Finding himself in St Moritz during the same weekend as White Turf, when high-class horseracing takes place on the frozen lake, he gets talked into helping out with the horses. It is against his better judgement. Seven years before, Miles left horseracing behind and swore he would never return. When he discovers something suspicious is going on in the races, something that may have a profound impact on his future life, Miles begins a search for answers. But someone is adamant to stop him - and they'll go to any lengths to do it . . .

Als Privatdetektiv hatte Sid Halley jahrelang erfolgreich Fälle im Rennbahnmilieu gelöst. Er war verfolgt, verprügelt und angeschossen worden. Er dachte, er hätte all das hinter sich. Er lag falsch. Seiner Familie zuliebe hatte Sid Halley das gefährliche und unwägbare Leben als Ermittler aufgegeben. Und nichts in der Welt würde daran etwas ändern können. Bis man ihm ein Ultimatum stellt, das er nicht ablehnen kann.

Fenster zum Tod - Während Thomas Kilbride mit einem Computerprogramm einen Spaziergang durch Manhattan unternimmt, sieht er eine menschliche Gestalt, die offenbar mit einer Plastiktüte erstickt wird. Doch niemand glaubt ihn - denn Thomas leidet an Schizophrenie.Das Lächeln der Frauen - Robert Millers Roman "Das Lächeln der Frauen" beschert Aurélie eine verblüffende Entdeckung: Nicht nur ihr kleines Pariser Restaurant, auch sie selbst kommt darin vor! Als sie den Autor kennenlernen will, führt dies zu ungeahnten Verwicklungen....Glücksspiel - Auf dem Grand National, dem wichtigsten Pferdehindernisrennen Englands, wird der amerikanische Finanzberater Herb Kovak erschossen. Sein Kollege, Ex- Jockey Nick Foxton, wird unerwartet zu Kovaks Testamentsvollstrecker und gerät dadurch in Lebensgefahr.

Dvanáctiletá dívka a její mladší bratr se v lesích severního Idaha stanou svědky vraždy a dají se na útěk před čtveřicí pachatelů. Nalézt někoho, komu by se dalo věřit, je obtížné, neboť stačí jedno slůvko a jejich osud je zpečetěn. Hrdinové i padouši se objevují tam, kde byste je čekali nejméně. Na dvoře Jindřicha VIII. po popravě jeho páté manželky bují intriky a náboženský nepokoj. V Londýně se objeví sériový vrah, který čerpá inspiraci z knihy Zjevení. Právník Matthew Shardlake se zaplete do vyšetřování, při kterém mu hrozí smrt. Sedmadvacetiletá Josey Cirriniová žije osamělý život ve zlaté kleci, útěchu nachází ve sladkostech a v návštěvách listonoše Adama, do kterého je tajně zamilovaná. Po setkání s cizí ženou v šatně si uvědomuje, že ostatní skrývají závažnější tajemství než její police sušenek, a že i ona má právo na vlastní život a štěstí. Mladý šéfkuchař Max Moreton čelí dvěma pohromám: na jeho večeři dojde k otravě hostů a druhý den vybuchne bomba na hostině pro dostihovou smetánku. Max se snaží očistit jméno své restaurace a najít viníky, zatímco pátrá po stopách, které by mohly objasnit záhadu.

Svazek obsahuje zkrácené verze čtyř úspěšných románů oddychových žánrů současné anglosaské provenience. Jednotlivé tituly jsou doplněny stručnými informacemi o jejich tvůrcích. Samostatný napínavý příběh známé autorky krimi žánru Tess Gerritsenové "Hra s ohněm" vypráví o pátrání po tajemném původu neobyčejné, vášnivé skladby - valčíku Incendio. Román Phaedry Patrickové "Podivuhodná odhalení Arthura Peppera" je příběhem osamělého muže, jenž díky nalezenému náramku objevuje tajemství své zemřelé ženy, ale i novou chuť do života. "Trojkoruna" je třetí díl volné detektivní série Jeff Hinkley, ve kterém Felix Francis zasadil napínavou krimi zápletku do vzrušujícího prostředí amerických koňských dostihů. Sophie Kinsella přináší moderní příběh o předstírání dokonalého života, který za vysněnou podobou silně pokulhává, pod názvem "Můj (téměř) dokonalý život".

1) Robert Crais: Hlídka - Bývalý policista a žoldák Joe Pike je vždy ve střehu a má "čich" na nebezpečné situace. Když tedy vidí, jak do jednoho malého občerstvení v Los Angeles vcházejí dva podezřele vyhlížející chlapíci, neváhá zakročit. To ještě netuší, s kým má tu čest ...2) Patrick Taylor: Medik z Dublinu - Doktor Fingal Flaherty O'Reilly vzpomíná na své začátky. Studia bral vážně, i když se neodříkal ani známého rčení "Život studentský, život veselý" - pivo, hospůdky, sport, kamarádi, lásky. Pro pacienty by se rozkrájel, a to už v době, kdy byl nezkušeným medikem. 3) Felix Francis: Hazard - Nick Foxton býval žokej tělem i duší. Pak ho tělo zradilo - zranění ho připravilo o dostihovou kariéru. Stal se finančním poradcem a dostihy má jen jako hobby. A právě na jednom z nejdůležitějších dostihů, na Velké národní v Aintree, mu někdo přímo před očima zabije kolegu. 4) Margaret Maronová: Třídenní město - Manželé z jižanského městečka, soudkyně a šerif, se vydávají na líbánky do zasněženého New Yorku. Odhodláni nenechat se odradit počasím se ubytují a těší se, jak si užijí velkoměsta. Jejich plány se zkalí, když ve vypůjčeném bytě najdou mrtvolu domovníka.

Svazek obsahuje zkrácené verze čtyř úspěšných románů od renomovaných angloamerických autorů, doplněné stručnými informacemi o jejich tvůrcích. První příběh sleduje amatérského jezdce a právníka Geoffreyho Masona, který se ujme obhajoby kolegy žokeje obviněného z vraždy špičkového dostihového jezdce. Mason zjistí, že důkazy jsou až příliš přesvědčivé a rozhodne se případ přezkoumat. Druhá novela se zaměřuje na přátelství Tully a Kate, které trvá přes třicet let. I když jsou si navzájem protiklady, jejich vztah prochází různými životními etapami až do momentu, kdy se zdá, že se přátelství rozpadá. Třetí příběh se točí kolem osobního lékaře amerického prezidenta, který zmizí, a prezident povolá svého přítele Gabea Singletona na jeho místo. Rychlá pomoc se brzy změní v nebezpečnou situaci, kdy i Singleton začne čelit hrozbám ve Washingtonu. Poslední příběh sleduje profesora Andrewa Strattona, který po rozvodu hledá nový smysl života mezi svéráznými obyvateli drsného anglického Cornwallu, kde se mísí mýty a tradiční "bílé" čarodějnictví.

Před sedmi lety byl Miles Pussett žokejem v překážkových dostizích, po nešťastné události však sport opustil a přísahal, že se k němu už nikdy nevrátí. Nyní adrenalin vyhledává na švýcarské ledové dráze Cresta Run ve Svatém Mořici. Náhodou se v městečku ocitne během stejného víkendu, kdy se na zamrzlém jezeře konají špičkové dostihy, a nechá se přemluvit, aby pomohl s koňmi. Věci však nejsou tak nevinné, jak se zdálo. Když Miles zjistí, že se na dostizích děje něco podezřelého, co může zásadně ovlivnit jeho budoucnost, začne hledat odpovědi. Někdo mu v tom však chce zabránit – a udělá pro to cokoli.

Křížová palba - Dick Francis a Felix Francis / Věštkyně istanbulská - Michael David Lukas / Nikdy se neodvracej - Linwood Barclay / Dům v Provenci - Bridget Asherová