Most Popular Books by Dick Francis

New York Times bestselling Grand Master of Crime Fiction Foreign Office diplomat Peter Darwin uncovers a peculiar operation involving a veterinary surgeon and the unexplained deaths of several valuable racehorses.

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

After his friend is killed in a horse-racing accident, up-and-coming glass artisan Gerard Logan finds himself embroiled in a deadly search for a stolen videotape--a videotape that just might destroy his own life.

This New York Times bestselling author “captures our attention and holds us spellbound” with a mystery about a horse jockey accused of fixing a race (The New York Times). Dick Francis, Edgar-Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. A closed-door enquiry has found Kelly Hughes guilty of the lowest crime imaginable by a professional jockey, throwing a race for money. He’s been framed, his reputation is scarred, he’s been banned from horse racing, and there’s nowhere to turn for help. But that doesn’t mean he has to take it. He’s begun his own investigation to uncover the people who ruined his career, and to find out why they want him off the track. But when the enquiry gets too personal, asking the wrong questions might just get him killed. 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, “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

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. 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... 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.

When his best friend and rival has a fatal accident in the middle of a race, steeplechaser Alan York finds the cause--an almost invisible trip wire rigged to take down a running horse. And the more he investigates, the more likely he is to take a fall...

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 smash hit novel now in trade form - a rare and magical talent, who never writes the same story twice. (San Diego Union-Tribune) In Decider, inheriting a small share in a successful racetrack means trouble for architect Lee Morris, especially when he finds himself in the middle of a family feud and the target of a ruthless killer?

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.

A surefire computerized betting system draws desperate men who will do anything to gain control of it.

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...

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)

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.

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

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.

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.

A classic mystery from Dick Francis, the champion of English storytellers. Life as a writer is colder, hungrier work than John Kendall had 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 the impoverished writer can''t turn down. Moving into Vickers'' country home, Kendall quickly becomes immersed in his host''s lifestyle: riding racehorses, making friends, 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 own survival tips are about to become more useful - and more deadly - than he could ever have imagined . . . 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 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 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.

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

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.

"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 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.

From a New York Times–bestselling “master of crime fiction and equine thrills,” a jockey investigates the source of the rumors threatening his career (Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. Rob Finn is a talented young jockey on the rise, though nothing can help him rise above the feeling that he is a misfit in his family of accomplished musicians. Especially when Rob’s racing career takes a downturn and rumors begin to run rampant that he has lost his nerve. But when he takes it upon himself to investigate the source of the stories, he discovers that his troubling losing streak is caused not by a lack of skill or confidence, but something far more sinister. . . . Praise for the writing of Dick Francis: “Dick Francis is a wonder.” —Cleveland 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 “[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

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

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

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....

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.

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 a New York Times–bestselling “master of crime fiction and equine thrills,” an expert equestrian investigates death threats against a Russian jockey (Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. The last place veteran horseman Randall Drew wanted to go was Moscow. But when his royal highness the prince asks a favor, one doesn’t refuse. The Royal Family is worried about the prince’s brother in law, a jockey and Olympic hopeful. Unfortunately a jealous Russian competitor has sworn to kill him if he sets one hoof in Moscow. So Randall leave behind his thoroughbred horses and loving girlfriend to investigate. But what he finds is more than jealousy. It’s a terrifying track of sabotage and murder. And now that he knows, the killer is after him . . . 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 “[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 ‘A rare and magical talent… who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Edward Lincoln had scaled the Himalayas, survived deadly car chases, defeated scores of assassins. As a film action man he''d even suffered stoically at the hands of sadistic directors. After finishing his latest film, he''s asked to visit South Africa to discover why a dying friend''s horses are suddenly doing so badly on the race track. Unfortunately, this attempt to help a friend soon puts Lincoln in harm''s way. From a nearly fatal interview to a dangerous mishap in a gold mine, it seems only luck is keeping him alive. But fate has more in store. When the scene in the Kruger wildlife park begins to resemble Lincoln''s latest big-screen adventure, even he will wonder what comes next... ''A wonderfully vivid and sinister conclusion in the Kruger National Park'' Sunday Times

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.

A jockey unravels nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail, and murder in this mystery from grand master of crime fiction Dick Francis. Longtime jockey Philip Nore is no hero. But when he begins to suspect that a racetrack photographer’s fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and trap the killer. Slowly, he unravels some nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail and murder—and unwittingly sets himself up as the killer’s next target... “Reflex enthralls.”—The New York Times

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

With his rising culinary career threatened by an episode of food poisoning at a private affair that he had catered, Max Moreton caters an exclusive luncheon at the 2,000 Guineas horse race, a party devastated by a bomb blast that kills many of the guests.

Jockey Kit Fielding has been riding in a succession of triumphs on the race course, but this winning streak is about to come to an end. Kit''s twin sister has come to him in desperation. Threatened by financial scandal, she and her husband may lose their training stables. Kit soon finds, though, that a greater danger lurks behind the threat--one that could be fatal.

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

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.

Steven Scott is relatively new to horses racing. But under the inspired guidance of a great trainer, he wins again and again. Yet just when Steven is winning at both women and horses, he discovers deceit in his own stables. And termination of the troublemaker marks Steven for his own termination.... "Few things are more convincing then Dick Francis at full gallop." CHICAGO TRIBUNE