Silks

EDITORIAL REVIEW: *Julian Trent, you have been found guilty by this court of perpetrating a violent and unprovoked attack on an innocent family including a charge of attempted murder. You have shown little or no remorse for your actions and I consider you a danger to society.* When defense lawyer Geoffrey Mason hears the judges ruling at Londons Old Bailey, he quietly hopes that a substantial sentence will be handed down to his arrogant young client. That Julian Trent only receives eight years seems all too lenient. Little does Mason realize that hell be looking Trent in the eyes again much sooner than that. Setting aside his barristers gown and wig, Mason heads to Sandown racetrack to don his colorful racing silks. As an amateur jockey, he fulfills his true passion by pounding the turf in the heat of a steeplechase. Yet when a fellow rider is brutally murdereda pitchfork driven through his chestMasons racing hobby soon becomes too close to his work. The prime suspect is one of their brethren, champion jockey Steve Mitchell, and the evidence against him seems overwhelming. Mason is reluctant to heed Mitchells plea for legal helpbut he soon finds himself at the center of a sinister web of violence, threats and intimidation. Mason is left fighting a battle of right and wrong, and more immediately, a battle of life and death...his own. Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'Runs at a cracking pace from beginning to end ' 5***** Reader Review 'Twists and turns all the way through. Silks has you on the edge of your seat' 5***** Reader Review ______ Geoffrey Mason wasn't terribly disappointed when his client Julian Trent was found guilty. Despite being paid handsomely as Trent's defence counsel, he believes Trent needs to be locked up for a good long time. He only wishes it had happened more quickly - if the trial had ended just a bit earlier, Mason could have made it to the Foxhunter Steeplechase and fulfilled his long-time dream as an amateur jockey. But not long afterward, Trent is set free when witnesses and jurors start recanting - under intimidation, Mason suspects. Remembering Trent's threats at the time of his conviction, Mason starts to worry. And things only get worse when one of Mason's fellow jockeys is found dead . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Silks 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 Julian Trent, You Have Been Found Guilty By This Court Of Perpetrating A Violent And Unprovoked Attack On An Innocent Family Including A Charge Of Attempted Murder. You Have Shown Little Or No Remorse For Your Actions And I Consider You A Danger To Society. When Defence Barrister Geoffrey Mason Hears The Judge's Verdict, He Quietly Hopes That A Long And Arduous Custodial Sentence Will Be Handed Down To His Arrogant Young Client. That Julian Trent Only Receives Eight Years Seems All Too Lenient. Little Does Mason Expect That He'll Be Looking Trent In The Eyes Again Much Sooner Than He'd Ever Imagined. Setting Aside His Barrister's Wig, Mason Heads To Sandown To Don His Racing Silks. An Amateur Jockey, His True Passion Is To Be Found In The Saddle On A Thoroughbred, Pounding The Turf In The Heat Of A Steeplechase. But When A Fellow Rider Is Brutally Murdered - A Pitchfork Driven Through His Chest - Mason's Racing Life Soon Becomes All Too Close To His Working Life. The Prime Suspect Is One Of Their Brethren, Champion Jockey Steve Mitchell; The Evidence Is Overwhelming. Mason Is Reluctant To Heed Mitchell's Pleas For Legal Advice - But Soon He Finds Himself At The Centre Of A Sinister Web Of Threat And Intimidation. Mason Is Left Fighting A Battle Of Right And Wrong, And More Immediately, A Battle Of Life And Death... His Own. From Dick Francis and his son, Felix, comes Geoffrey Mason-a defense barrister whose true passion is riding his Thoroughbred. Mason's two lives collide when a fellow jockey is accused of murdering a colleague with a pitchfork. Mason prefers not to get involved. But soon he is torn between doing what's right-and what will keep him alive 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 as a junior barrister