John Francome

Outsider

James Macgregor

Riding High

Declared Dead

A day at the races ends in murder... Deadly Finish is another brilliant racing thriller from 'the natural successor to Dick Francis' (Irish Times), John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'The book moves at a relaxed pace but the tension continues to mount until the surprising conclusion. Good characters, good plot and well worth reading' - West Australian It's summer, Royal Ascot, and life is good for young trainer Simon Waterford. He has inherited his father's top-class yard, his brilliant two-year-old has just won the Coventry Stakes and he is soon to marry his beautiful half-Brazilian girlfriend. But Mariana has a secret which would wreck her hopes of marriage - and which Simon's uncle Geoff has found out. And he has threatened to tell Simon. On their way back from the races, two rough-looking young men pass lewd comments about Mariana. There's not much of a brawl - it's over too quickly and is hardly even-handed - but it leaves Mariana in a sea of blood tending to Simon's wounded face, while Geoff lies dead on the floor. It's a tragedy, of course, but Mariana can't help but feel relieved. Her secret is safe, for now... What readers are saying about Deadly Finish: 'John Francome's weaving of the various plot-lines was superb' 'Another first class book from Francome' 'Believable characters and great storyline had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end'

A fresh and exhilarating racing thriller of suspicion and secrets

Deadly Finish

Once you cross the line there's no going back... From the author of Break Neck and Outsider, comes False Start, a thriller set in the world of horseracing, in which a young trainer is accused of murder, leaving his friend to discover the truth. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. '[Francome is] the natural successor to Dick Francis' - Irish Times When Charlie Patterson and Nick Ryder begin training together they strike gold in their first season. The two lifelong friends have been sent a yearling by Kate Scanlan, the attractive boss of a local animal rescue centre. Willow Star, as the scrawny filly is named, is sold to Major Patterson, Charlie's step-father, and the youngster quickly defies her looks by establishing herself as one of the fastest of her age. A stab at the following year's classic races is about to begin when, without warning, Major Patterson informs Charlie and Nick that he is selling Willow Star to another yard. The ambitious trainers see their chance of hitting the big time disappear when their attempts to deter the sale fail. What ensues is a thrilling tale of mystery that finds Charlie cornered, facing the impossible dilemma of having to choose precisely where his loyalties lie; with his best friend or with his family; and needing to solve a murder to stay alive... What readers are saying about False Start: 'Thoroughly enthralling' 'Brilliantly explores the deeds and misdeeds in horseracing' 'Filled with twists and turns'

A deadly thriller set in the horseracing world

False Start

When apprentice jockey Rory Gillespie abandons his fiancee Laura Brickhill, in favour of trainer’s daughter Pam Fanshaw, it’s a decision made from ambition not love. And Rory has to wait ten years before Laura will forgive him. Now one of England’s leading trainers, and married to property tycoon Luke Mundy, Laura asks Rory to ride her best horse, Midnight Express, in Cheltenham’s Two Mile Champion Chase. Shortly afterwards, Luke is killed on one of Laura’s horses and she is arrested for manslaughter. Rory won't desert her this time and, setting out to prove Laura’s innocence, he discovers that there is more than one person who will benefit from Luke’s death.

Break Neck

This is one race you can't afford to lose... Lifeline is another dark racing thriller from 'the natural successor to Dick Francis' (Irish Times), John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'Chasing the winning post is not only the aim of the jockey, it becomes compelling for the reader as Francome delves deeply into the murky side of racing' - Oxford Times Unlike some jockeys, Tony Byrne has never taken a bung and never ridden a dishonest race. All the same, his career is heading for the rocks, dragged down by weight problems and woman trouble - and too many slow horses. In comparison, Freddy Montague has never been fussy about sticking to the rules, either on the racetrack or in bed with another man's wife. And if there's money on offer to fix races, Freddy's guaranteed to be first on the gravy train. Unfortunately for both men, the guarantees run out once Freddy's train comes off the rails. That's when the gravy turns to blood... What readers are saying about Lifeline: 'The style is quick and absorbing, with many twists and turns both on and off the racecourse' 'Fast and furious intrigue and murder' 'I have never been a fan of horseracing but this book brought to life the thrill of the chase for me'

A page-turning racing thriller about corruption on the racecourse

Lifeline

Stud Poker

Stone Cold

Storm Rider

Two riders, two unexplained deaths... Ex-National Hunt Champion Jockey John Francome presents Back Hander, an electrifying racing thriller. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis and Lyndon Stacey. 'Back Hander is a tightly plotted and well-schooled story... that delivers everything it promises' - Tangled Web Not much is going right for jockey Alan Morrell. He can't get the rides he needs and when he sets up a bloodstock partnership a tragic accident robs him of the business and his best friend Lee. Now Alan owes £100,000 and his only asset is a racehorse who has yet to be put to the test. But all that fades into insignificance next to the suspicion that Lee's fatal fall was more than an accident... Things aren't looking so hot for fellow-jockey Max Ashwood either. There's the backlash from his affair with a trainer's wife and the little matter of his gambling. There's also the convenient death of another man to whom Max owed money. But surely no one is ever going to find out the truth about his part in that... Two riders, two unexplained deaths - but overshadowing both is a conflict that dwarfs the cosy world of racetrack winners and losers. As the noose closes round the neck of one man's criminal empire, just how many others will swing? What readers are saying about Back Hander: 'A gripping story from start to finish' 'Highly recommended if you like horse-racing thrillers' 'Brilliant plotline which hinges on two doomed love affairs'

An electrifying racing thriller

Back Hander

Getting away with murder is a real art... John Francome will keep you on your toes with an unstoppable chain of events throughout Dark Horse. The perfect read for fans of Lynden Stacey and Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'A taut and twisting plot gallops along all the way to the finish line' - Daily Express Ten years ago, a car crash left a girl dead and four friends from racing school with a dark secret. Since then they have gone their separate ways and have managed to put the memory of that day to the backs of their minds. But when a hit-and-run sparks off a chain of unstoppable events, and a journalist starts asking questions, these men know that the truth of that day is about to come to light. In the world of flat racing, everything rides on reputation and there are those who would do just about anything to save their own necks and keep a secret buried... What readers are saying about Dark Horse: 'A pacy and exciting racing mystery that's well up to Francome's high standard' 'As always a super read' 'Recommend if you like a keep-you-guessing mystery with a racing background'

A gripping racing thriller and murder mystery rolled into one

Dark Horse

Osudná bouře

Stalking Horse is another dark racing thriller from 'the natural successor to Dick Francis' (Irish Times), John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'The descriptions of races, from the jockey's saddle, are realistic enough to excite a confirmed non-racegoer' - Scotsman Jockey Josh Swallow is about to retire and he's aiming to go out at the top. He's ridden over 1000 winners and landed all the big prizes in the sport - all except one. So he's determined that this season the title of champion jockey will finally be his. But it won't be easy. There's Ben O'Brien, the brilliant young Irish rider in his first full season who already has a lead on Josh in the championship race. And leading trainer Leo Lovall, once Josh's best friend and now his most bitter enemy. There's also someone else with a keen interest in Josh. She's his biggest fan, though he has no idea she exists. And hers is the kind of obsession that will never be satisfied - not even by murder... What readers are saying about Stalking Horse: 'Add this to the best horseracing action since Dick Francis retired' 'A really top-notch racing thriller' 'I found myself completely wrapped up in the race for the jockey's championship, not to mention itching to find out what would happen off the track'

A gripping racing thriller with shocking twists and turns

Stalking Horse

The need to win can push some people over the edge... John Francome explores greed and expectation in his electrifying racing thriller Free Fall. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'Curiosity and clever writing will compel you to keep reading this tough and torrid tale... a fun read' - Horse & Hound Jockey Pat Vincent has ambitions to win the best races and become a wealthy sporting hero. But Pat knows his dreams will never be fulfilled so he's devised a brilliant new scam which, if discovered, would see him warned off for life. But first it's guaranteed to make him rich. Pat's girlfriend Zoe is starting her second full season as an apprentice jockey. A talented rider, she has a chance of becoming champion apprentice, if she's not side tracked by the disasters of her sister Harriet's unhappy marriage... Along the crumbling cliffs in Somerset a man walks his dog. Every day Andy Burns - Pat's partner-in-crime, Harriet's tortured husband - wrestles with the demons that haunt his life. But Andy would be better off keeping his thoughts on the ground - it's a long way down to the beach below. What readers are saying about Free Fall: 'So many twists and turns the reader isn't sure which way the storyline will go' 'Brilliant!' 'He [Francome] gets better and better'

A gripping racing thriller exploring greed in its deadliest form

Free Fall

Blackmail, seduction and murder - there's more to horseracing than meets the eye John Francome explores the cut-throat world of international flat racing in his jaw dropping racing thriller Stone Cold. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown. 'The racing feel is authentic and it's a pacy, entertaining read' - Evening Standard It was only a horse race, but it could make Kelly Connor's reputation. Unfortunately there was more riding on Pendero's back at Ascot than a young jockey's career. There was the biggest gamble in the unsavoury life of trainer Harry Short. There was the decadent livelihood of Ibn Fayoud, the rich playboy son of an Arab sheikh. And for Jack Butler, the successful bookmaker, there was the sweetest, most dangerous deal imaginable...It was only a horse race, but it led Kelly Connor into a deadly international conspiracy of blackmail, seduction and murder. What readers are saying about Stone Cold: 'Once again Francome delivers the goods' 'The best book I have read in some time' 'A great story that makes you a feel part of the racing scene'

John Francome

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