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.

`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...

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.

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

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.

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.

The "New York Times"-bestselling authors return with a heart-stopping new novel.
O n the first day of Royal Ascot, the world's most famous horse race, the crowd rejoices in a string of winning favorites. Ned Talbot has worked all his life as a bookmaker- taking over the family business from his grandfather- so he knows not to expect any sympathy from the punters as they count their winnings, and he his losses. He's seen the ups and downs before-but, as the big gambling conglomerates muscle in on small concerns like his, Ned wonders if it's worth it any more.
When a gray-haired man steps forward from the crowd claiming to be his father, Ned's life is thrown into far deeper turmoil. He'd been told since he was a baby that his parents had died in a car crash.
Barely an hour later, his newly found father is stabbed by an unknown assailant in the Ascot parking lot. Blood oozing from his abdomen, his father warns Ned to "be very careful." But of whom? Of what? Ned finds himself in a race to solve his father's riddle-a race where coming in second could cost him more than even money-it could cost him his life. . . .

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

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

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

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'An absolutely enthralling suspense right to the very end' 5***** Reader Review 'Keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next' 5***** Reader Review ______ 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 with guns turn up at his house 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? Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Twice Shy 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 'Fast-paced, full of twists and turns, absolutely marvellous!' 5***** Reader Review 'Dick Francis never fails to keep you in suspense . . . A cracking story as always' 5***** Reader Review ______ 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 . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Longshot 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 'Keeps you enthralled all the way through' 5***** Reader Review 'Full of intrigue from start to finish. Another Dick Francis success' 5***** Reader Review 'Edge-of-your-seat reading' 5***** Reader Review ______ Ex-steeplechaser Randall Drew is reluctantly off to pre-Olympic games Moscow, as a favour to royalty. One of the blue bloods is destined to compete in the games and there are concerns - both of safety and of scandal - that only Drew, with his racing connections, can clear up. On arriving - speaking no Russian and wishing he were back home - Drew is supposed to identify and contact one Alyosha to clear up the scandal. Instead, he finds himself tailed by the KGB and embroiled in foiling a terrorist plot - or die trying. Home seems an awful long way away - and if he's not careful, he'll be going back in a box . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Trial Run 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

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Compelling, exciting, fast paced . . . A timeless story' 5***** Reader Review 'Action packed racing thriller from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review 'Sit back and enjoy the ride' 5***** Reader Review ______ When amateur jockey Lord Henry Grey decides on a whim to join the bloodstock market, transporting racehorses around the world, he's sure he's hit the good life. That is, until a horse unexpectedly dies in transit and a colleague vanishes. And when Grey discovers that both his predecessors also went missing in curious circumstances, he begins to doubt the wisdom of his career change. Now he must turn detective, or else his own disappearance could be next . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying Finish 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

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.

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Riveting from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review 'Nothing beats a good Francis, and this is as good as they come' 5***** Reader Review 'An excellent thriller. Spellbinding up to the end' 5***** Reader Review ______ When inventor Stephen Scott abruptly fires his winning trainer Jody Leeds, the racing world is shocked and disgusted - though not quite as angry as Leeds, who swears revenge on his former friend. But Steven is convinced that Leeds has been stealing from him - and worse - and felt he had no choice. And when Leeds decides to enact his vengeance, Steven finds out just what a nasty piece of work he really is. Because now Steven is not only in fear of losing everything - but also his life. Somehow, he must prove to the world that Leeds is a vicious crook - or die trying . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, High Stakes 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 'Another exciting read that keeps you on the edge of your seat' 5***** Reader Review 'Grabbed my attention from the beginning . . . One of Dick Francis' best!' 5***** Reader Review 'Excellent characterisations, believable villains and wonderful plots' 5***** Reader Review ______ Gene Hawkins is a fixer for his boss Mr Keeble: if Keeble has a problem, Gene goes and fixes it. It's that simple. Sometimes it requires the Luger he carries - mostly it doesn't. Now Keeble has summoned Gene back from a long-overdue holiday. It seems that a very expensive stallion has been taken in Kentucky. It's the third high-value kidnapping in a few years. Keeble wants his horse back - and it's Gene's job to go out there and find it. But what Gene doesn't know is that he's about to get involved with blackmailers and murderers. Looks like that Lugar will see some use . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Blood Sport 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 'Great characters, twisting plot. One of the very best Francis novels' 5***** Reader Review 'Tense, puzzling and powerful . . . Francis is a consummate craftsman' 5***** Reader Review ______ Just after learning that his stepfather is gravely ill, artist Al Kinloch, returning to his remote home in the Scottish Highlands, is attacked by four men. They ask one question - 'where is it?' - then leave him for dead . . . Baffled and hurt, Al visits his stepfather and learns millions of pounds are missing and a valuable racehorse is under threat. Already roughed up, Al decides he has nothing to lose getting to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, the thugs who beat him up and the person behind them will make sure that Al doesn't survive their next encounter . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, To the Hilt 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 'The characters are superb, the plotting as clever as it gets, the climax nightmarish, the retribution delicious' 5***** Reader Review 'You can always rely on Dick Francis for a page-turner, and this is no exception' 5***** Reader Review ______ Edward Lincoln has scaled the Himalayas, survived deadly car chases, and defeated scores of assassins. As a movie action man he's 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 failing on the racetrack. Unfortunately, Lincoln's attempt to help a friend soon puts him in harm's way. From a nearly fatal interview to a dangerous accident in a gold mine, it seems only luck is keeping him alive. And in life, unlike the big screen, there's no coming back from dead . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Smokescreen 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

Malcolm Pembroke has the gold--and five ex-wives and nine children. When his least likable ex-wife meets violent death, Malcolm begins to worry about his own neck. Malcolm calls on his son Ian to protect him from his nearest--if not always dearest--relatives, and Ian comes up with the critical clue in the dark Pembroke past of greed, hate, lust and revenge.

"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.