Most Popular Books by Dick Francis

Incomparable New York Times bestselling author Dick Francis offers a compelling tale of fine living, fast horses, and shattering suspense... Wine merchant Tony Beach has expertly catered his latest society soiree, but the fun’s over when a team of hit men crash the party...literally. The event leaves Tony with a bitter aftertaste of suspicion—and sets off a mystery that’s an intoxicating blend of deception, intrigue, and murder.

The debut novel from the New York Times–bestselling “master of crime fiction and equine thrills” features an investigation into the death of a jockey (The Atlantic Monthly). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Steeplechaser Alan York knows well the dangers of the sport. But when his best friend and rival jockey Bill Davidson takes a fall in the middle of a race and doesn’t get up again, Alan discovers it was no accident. Someone rigged a tripwire to take down the running horse. The more Alan investigates, the more he suspects that there is more to the plot than just murderous horseplay. But even as he approaches the finish line to this mysterious race, those responsible for his friend’s death are already planning for Alan to have a mysterious accident of his own . . . “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer “An imaginative craftsman of high order.” —The Sunday Times “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

From the New York Times–bestselling“master of crime fiction and equine thrills,” a former jockey takes on the crooked world of horse dealing (Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. For a generous commission, ex-prize-winning jockey Jonah Dereham reluctantly agrees to bid on a young steeplechaser on behalf of a wealthy American woman. But his life is thrust into danger immediately following the auction, when he receives a blow to the head by two thugs demanding ownership of the horse. Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning—and now Jonah must figure out the high-stakes game being played . . . before he becomes its next casualty. “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “An imaginative craftsman of high order.” –The Sunday Times “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” –The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

Architect Lee Morris has plans to restore Stratton Park racecourse to its former grandeur. But the combative Stratton heirs have violent plans of their own.

From a New York Times bestseller, “a superb thriller . . . terrific” about a sportswriter who risks his own life investigating a suspicious death (San Francisco Chronicle). Dick Francis, Edgar-Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. When reporter Bert Chekov falls to his death, his colleague James Tyrone is suspicious. Chekov’s column had recently recommended some ‘can’t-lose’ horses, who then wound up out of the running on race day. Tyrone thinks he can prove it was murder, but he may not live to tell the tale. Because as the dead man has already made clear, there’s no such thing as a sure thing . . . Praise for the writing of Dick Francis: “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “Nobody executes the whodunit formula better.” —Chicago Sun-Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

From a New York Times bestseller, “action, character, and color ride in perfect balance” in a thriller about a horse portraitist turned amateur sleuth (Kirkus Reviews). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Charles Todd, a renowned painter of horses, is shocked when he turns up at his cousin Donald’s house for a weekend visit to find his cousin’s young wife dead on the floor and Donald the police’s prime suspect. Determined to prove Donald’s innocence, Todd trails a series of clues from England to Australia to New Zealand, only to realise someone is trailing him. Someone with every intention of taking him out of the picture for good . . . Praise for the writing of Dick Francis: “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “Nobody executes the whodunit formula better.” —Chicago Sun-Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

Gerard Logan, a talented glassblower, is the target of a band of criminals who think he knows where to find a valuable videotape that is somehow connected to his late friend, jockey Martin Stukely.

When ex-jockey Sid Halley becomes convinced that one of his closest friends--and one of the racing world''s most beloved figures--is behind a series of shockingly violent acts, he faces the most troubling case of his career.

From acclaimed master of mystery Dick Francis comes a thrilling novel about the illusion of film and the reality of murder—a New York Times notable book. Thomas Lyon has finally been given the chance to direct a potential blockbuster, based on the true story of an unsolved crime that rocked the horseracing world twenty-six years ago. But a cryptic deathbed confession, an assault on an elderly woman, and a frightening threat lead Lyon to pick up the thread of this unfinished tale—and follow it through to its perilous end...

“Fast-paced, meticulously plotted...Nobody sets up a mystery better than Dick Francis.”—San Francisco Chronicle Jump in the saddle with a sure thing. Travel writer John Kendall travels to England to interview a racehorse trainer. Soon enough, however, Kendall realizes that completing the book will be tricky at best. Because the racehorse trainer he’s tasked with interviewing has something to hide—a secret that could threaten Kendall’s life.

A certified public accountant and amateur steeplechase rider gets his chance to ride a famous horse in a top race and jumps into an obstacle-strewn course of trouble and danger.

A closed-door enquiry has found a jockey guilty of the lowest possible crime--throwing a race for money. His reputation scarred, he''s begun his own investigation--but asking the wrong questions just might get him killed.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Field of 13, 10 Lb. Penalty, To the Hilt, and so many more...a com-pelling and chilling tale of drugged racehorses, double-dealers, and masterful detection that confirms Dick Francis''s reputation as "mystery''s Gibraltar." (Chicago Sun-Times)

In a pulse-pounding tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat, renowned author Dick Francis delves into the dangerous world of horse racing in The Danger. A string of kidnappings that threatens to unravel the entire industry, and as seasoned detective Andrew Douglas takes charge of the investigation, he must navigate a treacherous labyrinth of criminals, political intrigue, and personal danger. With heart-stopping twists and a gripping narrative, this international crime and mystery novel will captivate fans of thrilling suspense.

A newly reissued edition of this clasic novel from the Champion Storyteller.

Champion race-jockey Kit Fielding''s patron, Princess Casilia, is in trouble. Her invalid husband is being threatened and all the Princess''s best runners are being destroyed - shot by a bolt. The only person she can turn to is Kit, but he has problems of his own.

Moscow is the last place horseman Randall Drew wants to go, but when his Royal Highness the Prince asks a favor, it''s not easy to refuse. The Royal Family is worried about the Prince''s brother-in-law, who aims to make the Olympics. Unfortunately, a jealous Russian rider has sworn to kill him if he sets one foot in Moscow. Randall investigates, and finds a terrifying track of sabotage and murder.

Sid Halley, former jockey-turned-detective, returns. Death at the races is not uncommon, but three in one day--including a winning horse and champion jockey--are more than enough to raise Halleys suspicions. Now available in a tall Premium Edition.

When a hurricane-chasing plane is downed on a Caribbean island, TV meteorologist Perry Stuart barely escapes with his life. But he can''t escape what he saw on the island--and if the people who''ve tracked him back to England have their way, Stuart will have a zero percent chance of survival.

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. Physics teacher (and crack shot) Jonathan Derry is given some tapes to look after by a friend. They''re not your usual tapes: they hold a computer programme which functions as a bookie-breaking betting system. When Jonathan''s friend is then 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? 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 ''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 ''The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish'' Scotsman ''Francis writing at his best'' Evening Standard ''A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever'' Sunday Express ''A super chiller and killer'' New York Times Book Review 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.

From a New York Times–bestselling “master of crime fiction and equine thrills,” a betrayed race horse owner must get back his stolen thoroughbred(Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Steven Scott may have been a successful, wealthy inventor with no experience in horse racing, yet with the inspired guidance of his trainer, Jody Leeds, and the prowess of a beautiful black hurdler named Energise, he has brought home several wins. But his winning streak is about to come to a fast end when he discovers trouble in his own stables: trouble that could bring about his own termination if he doesn’t watch his step. Praise for the writing of Dick Francis: “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “An imaginative craftsman of high order.” —The Sunday Times “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

"Delightful...A tense, fast-paced new mystery...boasting a resolute, resourceful, and modest hero and lots of racetrack characters and color." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Transporting racehorses to the course is big business for ex-jockey Freddie Croft. But when a driver breaks a cardinal rule and picks up a hitchhiker, the results are fatal...for the hitchhiker. Freddie knows that a corpse is bad for business, especially when its trail leads to corpse number two --- and to strange nighttime stalkers and unseen conspirators who are weaving a web of deceit and danger that Freddie might never escape....

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. Tim Ekaterin has a lot of money. Unfortunately, it is other people''s, 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. His suspicions are confirmed when one of those helping with the horses is murdered. Now it''s not just about money, but about life and death. Determined to get to the bottom of why anyone would do this, Tim puts himself in danger''s path to discover the truth . . . 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 ''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 ''The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish'' Scotsman ''Francis writing at his best'' Evening Standard ''A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever'' Sunday Express ''A super chiller and killer'' New York Times Book Review

A high-class, transcontinental horse-racing junket should be an idyllic getaway for the super-rich. But one passenger on this train is a sociopath, a genius at blackmail and criminal corruption—and he plans to take everyone for everything they''ve got.

From the acclaimed master of mystery and suspense comes the story of a self-imposed outcast who must refresh his detection skills in order to save himself and his family.

From "the best writer in the mystery genre" (Larry King) comes the story of a jockey who discovers that his losing streak is caused by something sinister.

Matt Shore is a substitute pilot assigned to fly four racing buffs to the track. They''re nervous, but Matt''s not. That is, until he manages an emergency landing minutes before the plane explodes. Matt doesn''t think anything else can possibly go wrong. Then he finds himself caught up in a rat race of danger that puts him on the wrong side of the odds....

Geoffrey Mason is well known (as "Perry" Mason) among the pro riders, including Steve Mitchell and Scot Barlow--arguably the two top pros. So when Scot Barlow is murdered--with Mitchell''s pitchfork nonetheless--Geoff finds himself pulled into the case asa

In this mystery from New York Times bestselling author Dick Francis, a jockey becomes the sole inheritor of his late brother''s business, horse, mistress, and enemies. Steeplechase jockey Derek Franklin has had more broken bones than he cares to count, but it seems his latest injury could very well bring his days on the race course to a screeching halt. But that’s the least of his concerns when his brother turns up dead, leaving Derek as the sole inheritor of his estate. It doesn’t take long for Derek to learn that his brother—a magistrate who imported and sold semiprecious stones—was keeping more than his share of secrets. Now Derek must recover $1.5 million worth of missing diamonds—and find out who wanted his brother dead—or else his career won’t be the only thing in danger of being cut short...

"One of the greatest living suspense writers." CBS RADIO British investigator David Cleveland has come to Oslo to investigate a champion jockey''s disappearance right before the National, a race he was certain to win. But he''s almost drowned in a fjord for his troubles. David knows accident and coincidence couldn''t begin to explain this little mishap or the oncoming gruesome string of deaths that David Cleveland would find was meant to include his own....

A thriller about jumping horses and how they are transported from one place to another around the world.

This is the biography of thriller-writer Dick Francis. Francis is known for setting his novels against the background of horseracing. This revised edition tells how he became one of Britain''s leading National Hunt jockeys and a champion steeplechaser, riding as jockey to the Queen Mother. The story of Francis is traced from life in the saddle to life as a bestselling novelist.

From a New York Times–bestselling author, a “solid winner in just about any mystery/adventure race” featuring a private eye targeting racetrack corruption (Kirkus Reviews). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Sid Halley’s career as a jockey—and his marriage—were brought to a sudden end by a heartbreaking accident. His glory days are over, but now, as a private investigator, he still finds a certain satisfaction in successfully solving a case. His latest one, though, could prove to be his undoing. Rosemary Casper, wife of an elite racehorse trainer, has begged for his help in figuring out why her husband’s most promising horses have been performing so poorly. Halley thinks she’s overreacting at first. Then hints of deceit and brutal danger make him think twice . . . Praise for the writing of Dick Francis: “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “Nobody executes the whodunit formula better.” —Chicago Sun-Times “A rare and magical talent… who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune

Steeplechase jockey Christmas "Kit" Fielding has had more than his share of close calls both on and off the course. But trouble hits close to home when a grudge between his family and his sister''s in-laws turns into a blood feud.

"A Dick Francis novel from the author of Dick Francis''s GAMBLE and Dick Francis''s BLOODLINE"/

A superbly crafted collection of thirteen tightly plotted tales that treats readers to murder, mystery, and mayhem in the world of horseracing. “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.”—Chicago Tribune With his remarkable blend of unrelenting suspense, finely tuned narrative, and lean, stylish prose, New York Times bestselling author Dick Francis proves that he is as much a master of the short story as he is of the novel in this thrilling collection.

Ned Talbot is a small-time bookmaker on the edge of giving it all up when his world is turned upside down by a man who claims to be his father, long thought dead. And when the mysterious stranger is murdered, Ned feels compelled to find out exactly what is going on. But the more he discovers, the longer the odds become for his survival.

New York Times bestselling author Dick Francis has been hailed as “a master of understated suspense” (The San Diego Union-Tribune). With this blockbuster novel, he lives up to his dazzling reputation, delivering the compelling story of a father and son who must work together to defeat a deadly adversary... Even though Ben Juliard had always dreamt of becoming a jockey, he couldn’t say no when his father—a prominent politician—pulled some strings and got him a job in his campaign for Parliament. Now Ben needs to do more than smile for the cameras. With each step up on the ladder of power come new dangers to the aspiring candidate. And as the mysterious attacks grow ever more lethal, Ben discovers that politics can be the most perilous horse race of all...

From the New York Times–bestselling “master of crime fiction and equine thrills,” a jockey turned investigator tackles crime in the horse racing world (Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. A hard fall took hotshot jockey Sid Halley out of the horse racing game, leaving him with a crippled hand, a broken heart, and the desperate need for a new job. Now he’s landed a position with a detective agency, only to catch a bullet from some common thug. And things are about to get even more hectic. The agency is giving him a case to handle on his own. The case brings him to the door of Zanna Martin, a woman who might be just what Sid needs to get him back up and running. But he’s up against a field of thoroughbred criminals, and the odds against him are making it a long shot that he’ll even survive . . . “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —The Plain Dealer “An imaginative craftsman of high order.” —The Sunday Times “Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.” —Chicago Tribune “Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.” —Boston Herald “[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.” —Newsday “[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.” —The Wall Street Journal “Francis is a genius.” —Los Angeles Times “A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune