JOHN FRANCOME

Once you cross the line theres 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 FrancisPulse 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, Charlies 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 years 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 enthrallingBrilliantly explores the deeds and misdeeds in horseracingFilled with twists and turns

Pippa Hutchison is an aspiring young trainer, certain that given the right horses she is as good as anyone in the business. Until, that is, an owner removes two horses to another yard, and one shows dramatic improvement. She enlists the help of her brother, Jamie, once a star flat jockey, now trying to revive his racing career over fences after a harrowing term in prison. But former wild boy Jamie has his own demons to deal with, like the new challenge of jumps riding, the hostility of those who can never forgive him for a young lad''s death - and the black wall within him that separates him from his past.

Theres one race jockey Tony Byrne cant afford to lose...

There is no hiding place for a jump jockey when his courage deserts him...Dead Weight is a gripping racing thriller addressing the mental challenges faced by jump jockeys, from ex-jockey and racing broadcaster John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Dick Francis and Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown. Authentic, thrilling and compulsive - Bookseller After a crashing fall, champion rider Phil Nicholas returns to racing, but though his body has healed, his mind has not. Flashbacks of his accident invade his dreams, rob him of his sleep - and freeze him in the saddle. While Phil is battling to overcome his fear, his weighing-room colleague Adrian Moore is viciously attacked after losing a race he should have won. Its the start of a vendetta by someone determined to hurt those who break the rules of racing. If Phil wants to save the sport - and the woman he loves - its time for him to recover his nerve...What readers are saying about Dead Weight:Great characters and tons of nail-biting racecourse action, sex and jokesA thrill on every pageJust like reading a Dick Francis novel. Great read from beginning to end

There''s no hiding place for a jump jockey when his courage deserts him

Inside Track is another jaw-dropping racing thriller from ex-jockey and TV broadcaster John Francome, with all the drama and colour of the racing world. The perfect read for fans of Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown.There are some genuinely exhilarating descriptions of races that capture the tension and excitement, and could be written only with a jockeys insight - Daily Mail Pippa Hutchinson is an aspiring young trainer, certain that given the right horses she is as good as anyone in the business. Until, that is, an owner removes two horses to another yard, and one shows dramatic improvement. She enlists the help of her brother, Jamie, once a star flat jockey, now trying to revive his racing career over fences after a harrowing term in prison. But former wild boy Jamie has his own demons to deal with, like the new challenge of jumps riding, the hostility of those who can never forgive him for a young lads death - and the black wall within him that separates him from his past.What readers are saying about Inside Track:The best book he [John Francome] has written so farAn outstanding, compelling book from start to finishWell written, well-paced and the way he portrays the differing characters is astounding

Some people will do anything to win...Break Neck is an electrifying racing thriller filled with shocking revelations. John Francomes thrillers are perfect for fans of Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown. Like Dick Francis... A winner - Mail on Sunday When apprentice jockey Rory Gillespie abandons his fiancee Laura Brickhill, in favour of trainers daughter Pam Fanshaw, its a decision made from ambition not love. And Rory has to wait ten years before Laura will forgive him. Now one of Englands leading trainers, and married to property tycoon Luke Mundy, Laura asks Rory to ride her best horse, Midnight Express, in Cheltenhams Two Mile Champion Chase. Shortly afterwards, Luke is killed on one of Lauras horses and she is arrested for manslaughter. Rory wont desert her this time and, setting out to prove Lauras innocence, he discovers that there is more than one person who will benefit from Lukes death. What readers are saying about Break Neck:Great story with lots of twists and turnsJohn Francome is up there with the best Racing thriller authorsStar quality writing, totally gripping and unputdownable

Would you risk it all to get the truth?The sudden death of a jockey-in-decline leaves his best friend with some very serious questions in Safe Bet, John Francomes compelling racing thriller. The perfect read for fans of Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown.Francome provides a vivid panorama of the racing world... and handles the storys twist deftly - The Times Only when its too late does Mike Powell realise that hes wasted his talents as a jockey and spoilt his marriage. His riding career is in decline; his beautiful wife, Tessa, has left him. And, to cap it all, hes almost bankrupt, having tried to build a future by pinhooking. Then, on the way to the Sports Personality of the Year Awards, Mike is killed in a car crash.When his old friend Jed Harvard discovers that Mikes estate has been left to an American called George Parker - a man hes never heard of before - his suspicions are aroused. While tracking down George, Jed discovers that Mikes business deals have left a number of bitter enemies, and he realises that all is not what it seems...What readers are saying about Safe Bet:Another cracker from the man who has taken his skills from the saddle straight to his writing deskExcellent as always[John Francome is] carrying on the excellent suspenseful Dick Francis style

Its been over a year since Danny Clarks girlfriend Kirsty died in a horrific diving accident in the Caribbean. Danny was plunged into a time of bitter mourning but now hes back on his feet, with a lot of help from Kirstys best friend, Tara. In fact, Danny has fallen for Tara in a major way. Dannys godfather Adrian Spring, who runs a racing stable, isnt at all happy about this. He cant help wondering how much Tara knows about the secrets that died with Kirsty. Secrets hed prefer stayed secret for ever. Tara herself is uneasy: unconvinced that Kirstys death was an accident, she fears that she might fall victim to a fatal accident herself. And shes never been the paranoid type...

A missing person. A macabre find. A murderer in their midst. Storm Rider is another suspenseful thriller set in the racing world from bestselling author John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown.Look out, Dick Francis, heres Francome riding another winner - Peterborough Evening TelegraphIn life, horse-fancier and antiques dealer Glyn Cole caused a heap of trouble - for his girlfriends, their jealous partners and his creditors. His two-year absence from the close-knit Berkshire horse community has been something of a relief. Broken bridges have been mended; lives have been rebuilt. And his disappearance has been a miracle for one individual in particular: the person who killed him. But now Glyn is back - in bizarre circumstances. A record-breaking storm has ripped his corpse from its ingenious hiding place. How did he get there and how did he die? Many have benefited from his absence - but who is no longer sleeping so soundly at night? It seems that, even in death, bad boy Glyn is as much trouble as he ever was...What readers are saying about Storm Rider:Excellent story, written with a great understanding and passion by an expert with an eye for detail using his own racing experiences and knowledgeI was delighted by the interesting corpse conundrum!A well-constructed and compelling narrative, with real dramatic pace and a succession of clever twists

This is one race you cant 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 FrancisPulse 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 mans wife. And if theres money on offer to fix races, Freddys guaranteed to be first on the gravy train. Unfortunately for both men, the guarantees run out once Freddys train comes off the rails. Thats when the gravy turns to blood...What readers are saying about Lifeline:The style is quick and absorbing, with many twists and turnsboth on and off the racecourseFast and furious intrigue and murderI have never been a fan of horseracing but this book brought to life the thrill of the chase for me

Blackmail, seduction and murder - theres 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 FrancisPulse and Triple Crown.The racing feel is authentic and its a pacy, entertaining read - Evening Standard It was only a horse race, but it could make Kelly Connors reputation. Unfortunately there was more riding on Penderos back at Ascot than a young jockeys 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 goodsThe best book I have read in some timeA great story that makes you a feel part of the racing scene

A thoroughbred thriller that keeps your heart racing to the finish...Cover Up is a gripping racing thriller from ex-jockey and racing broadcaster John Francome. The perfect read for fans of Felix FrancisPulse and Triple Crown and Dick Francis classic crime novels.Jealousy, blackmail and teenage emotions are well-stirred into this exciting mix. In a word - readable - Herald Sun (Australia) Whats the worst way to die? At the end of a rope driven by your own shame and despair? Or savaged in the jaws of a black-hearted stallion who has hated you for years? If only the bankrupt gambler and the stable girl were alive to give us the answer...For a jockey they say theres no thrill like riding a big winner but Rob Harding has found something better - thats breeding one. His two-year-old colt Goldeneye is the product of Robs own stud farm and, as the horse takes the July Stakes at Newmarket in some style, it seems he can lift Robs failing business out of the mire. But no amount of prize money can deflect the tragedy thats waiting round the corner.Robs head girl Ivana, a horse-mad beauty from the Czech Republic, would also revel in Goldeneyes triumph except for the terrifying reappearance of her sadistic ex-lover Milos. Shes run a long way to escape from him - but it looks like she hasnt run far enough...What readers are saying about Cover Up:A great book with many twists and turnsThe pace of the plot stops you from putting it downJust brilliant

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 FrancisPulse 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 Its summer, Royal Ascot, and life is good for young trainer Simon Waterford. He has inherited his fathers 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 Simons 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. Theres not much of a brawl - its over too quickly and is hardly even-handed - but it leaves Mariana in a sea of blood tending to Simons wounded face, while Geoff lies dead on the floor. Its a tragedy, of course, but Mariana cant help but feel relieved. Her secret is safe, for now...What readers are saying about Deadly Finish:John Francomes weaving of the various plot-lines was superbAnother first class book from FrancomeBelievable characters and great storyline had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end