Lester del Rey (1915 - 1993) was a renowned American Science Fiction writer in the Golden Age of Science Fiction. He was awarded several Awards for his work in this field, including the Skylark Award, the Balrog Special Award and the Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy. This volume contains six of his most compelling stories: Dead Ringer Let 'em Breathe Space Pursuit Victory No Strings Attached Police Your Planet

It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley. Former champion jockey Halley knows the perils of racing all too well -- but in his day, jockeys didn't usually reach the finishing line with three .38 rounds in the chest. But this is precisely how he finds jockey Huw Walker -- who, only a few hours earlier, had won the coveted Triumph Hurdle. Just moments before the gruesome discovery, Halley had been called upon by Lord Enstone to make discreet enquiries into why his horses appeared to be on a permanent losing streak. Are races being fixed? Are bookies taking a cut? And if so, are trainers and jockeys playing a dangerous game with stakes far higher than they realise? Halley's quest for answers draws him ever deeper into the darker side of the race game, in a life-or-death power play that will push him to his very limits -- both professionally and personally.

A story of drama and intrigue set on the sinister side of the international racing circuit. Tor Kelsey, an undercover agent for the Jockey Club's Security Service trails Julius Apollo Filmer, a blackmailer and murderer, onto a luxury train carrying several racehorse owners across Canada.

`I wondered if I was dying. I wasn't afraid to die, but such was the pain in my gut, I wished it would happen soon.' The night before the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a black-tie gala dinner at the Hay Net - the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant - founded by Max Moreton, something of a local celebrity. Spending the night retching in the throes of agony is the last thing Max expected of the evening. But much worse is to come...his food is suspected of putting twenty-four dinner guests in hospital. Within hours, Max's restaurant is forcibly closed, his reputation teeters on the brink of ruin, and a court case looms. But the day is far from over, for soon Max Moreton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood...

An investment banker arranges the purchase of a champion racehorse and gets caught up in murder in this New York Times bestseller that's "fraught with violence, conspiracy and, of course, horses" (The Boston Globe). Tim Ekaterin raised millions of dollars to finance the purchase of Sandcastle, a champion racer, only to discover an apparent defect in the horse. Investigating further, Ekaterin learns that the business of investment banking is nothing compared to the cutthroat world of horseracing-a world where violence and murder only raise the stakes... "The most elaborate plot Francis has yet devised."-The Washington Post Book World "The unraveling...comes with all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer."-The New York Times Book Review

Francis and Welcome bring readers another richly entertaining collection of the best horse-racing stories by authors past and present. Here are selections from Damon Runyon, Molly Keane, Banjo Patterson, and others, as well as one selection each from Francis and Welcome.

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'A fast-paced, exciting, gripping thriller' 5***** Reader Review 'One of Dick Francis's best . . . A real page-turner' 5***** Reader Review 'Deeply satisfying from beginning to end' 5***** Reader Review ______ Jockey and amateur photographer Philip Nore knows all too well how it feels to take a tumble from a horse. He also knows what it's like to feel the wrath of furious owners and trainers. You can't always be a winner. George Millace hated winners. As a photographer he specialized in taking pictures that exposed the failings of riders. But now he's dead - and no one seems very sorry. But when Millace's home is broken into during his funeral and Nore finds himself helping clear up, he finds something unexpected. Millace had other pictures - ones people will go to desperate lengths to possess. Now he must find out who wants them - and fast. Because if George Millace's death was no accident, then his killers are getting closer . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Reflex is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

When a string of kidnappings rocks the horse racing world, Andrew Douglas is brought in to recover the missing--without becoming the next victim. Reissue.

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'A galloping good yarn, as fast paced as any horse race an utterly entertaining' 5***** Reader Review 'Fast paced action from start to finish, Dick Francis is the champion author' 5***** Reader Review 'A keep you up all night book, I could hardly bear to put this down' 5***** Reader Review ______ At midnight, Neil Griffon's home is broken into and he is abducted by masked men. When he wakes up, hours later, Neil discovers that unless he cooperates, his kidnappers will destroy his father's racing stable, his precious horses and even Neil himself. Returning to the stables, Neil can tell no one about his ordeal, or his kidnappers' threats of violence if he does not comply with their demands. Trapped, Neil refuses to surrender - and devises an ingenious scheme to beat his kidnappers at their own game . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Bonecrack is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'A real cracker of a story, fast-paced and extremely well written' 5***** Reader Review 'Gripping . . . Dick Francis holds you to the final chapter' 5***** Reader Review 'Excellent gripping story with a lot of twists' 5***** Reader Review ______ When Kelly Hughes rides the favourite into second place, he gets penalised. Not only has he lost the race, but also his licence, as the Jockey Club suspends him - believing he threw the race. Only he knows that the problem lay with the horse's performance, not his own. Suspecting he was framed, Kelly sets about finding out how it was done, and then who might have done it. But the closer he gets to the perpetrators, the more danger he finds himself in. Now there's more than his reputation and career at stake. There's also his life . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Enquiry is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Written in Dick Francis inimitable style, this fast-paced thriller leaves the reader gasping for breath' 5***** Reader Review 'Fast paced action with a hero you can relate to . . . You can't put the book down!' 5***** Reader Review ______ Matt Shore is a pilot down on his luck. Once he'd flown big jets and dropped supplies in war zones. Now he's ferrying high-class passengers between English racecourses. But when one eventful trip ends with his plane exploding in a ball of fire, Matt knows he's not that unlucky. When the police confirm it was a bomb, Matt realizes he has a problem. One of his passengers must have been the target - the question is who? Matt to find out fast - because he's scheduled to ferry the same people over the coming weeks. Can Matt stay alive long enough to stop the bomber? Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Rat Race is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Suspense, intrigue, what more could you want? Dick Francis at his best' 5***** Reader Review 'A dazzlingly good read. Francis writes heroes who are truly heroic, and villains so truly villainous that each encounter with them raises your temperature' 5***** Reader Review ______ Steeplechase jockey Kit Fielding has just ridden another winner for his patron - the Princess - when his distraught twin sister Holly comes to him with terrible news. A newspaper is printing stories which will put her husband, Bobby Allardeck, and his stables out of business. Putting aside the age-old Fielding-Allardeck feud, Kit decides to try to find out who is behind these cruel stories. This, he quickly discovers, puts a lot of noses out of joint. Not one to be put off easily, he keeps digging, upsetting powerful and ruthless people who'll do anything to protect themselves. But this is family and Kit will risk everything - including his neck - to find the truth . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Break In is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'You will be hard pushed to find a better storyteller. A brilliant read' 5***** Reader Review 'Fast and furious . . . Thrills and spills from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review ______ Rob Finn's winning streak made him one of the most sought-after steeplechase jockeys. So his subsequent collapse in form surprised no one more than himself. As word spreads that Finn has lost his nerve, he discovers a well-managed campaign to discredit certain jockeys; in his own case, a plan assisted by horse doping. To find the culprits behind it, Finn will have to put everything on the line . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Nerve is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Incredibly enjoyable and will deliver its kicks again and again' 5***** Reader Review 'You can always depend on Dick Francis for an engrossing adventure' 5***** Reader Review 'Edge-of-seat stuff, a real page turner' 5***** Reader Review ______ Daniel Roke owns a stud farm in Australia. He's young, smart, hard-working and desperate for some excitement - all of which makes him the ideal candidate for the Earl of October, who has come visiting. The Earl is concerned about a horse-doping scandal that is destroying English racing. He wants to pay Daniel to come back with him, pose as a highly corruptible stable lad and discover who is behind it. But when Daniel agrees, he doesn't realise just how close he'll have to get to find the truth. Nor how determined the criminals will be to prevent him living long enough to tell anyone . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, For Kicks is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. 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 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Dick Francis keeps you in suspense in every chapter, you are immersed in the story' 5***** Reader Review 'Really gripping with lots of twists and turns. A fast-paced thriller' 5***** Reader Review ______ Ex-jockey Sid Halley works as a private detective, using his racing knowledge to solve crimes that baffle the police. He's asked to investigate the possible doping of the horses of George Casper - a thoroughbred trainer whose once-successful mounts have been failing spectacularly on the racetrack. At the same time, he learns that a conman has left his ex-wife Jenny facing a jail sentence over a fake charity, while the Jockey Club want him to investigate certain powerful syndicates who may be acting in a ruthless and illegal manner. Quickly, Sid discovers that each of his investigations is entirely unwelcome. But he isn't put off easily - not even when a threat is made that could change his life. Three dangerous cases, three ways to die - Sid is back on home turf . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Whip Hand is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. Praise for Dick Francis: 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman '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 'Still the master' Racing Post 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life