The Edge

From Publishers Weekly The British author's 27th novel boasts the combination of subject matter and prose style that have made him an international bestseller: thoroughbred horses and heroes, heart palpitations, speed and comedy. Heading the large, colorful cast, narrator Torquil (Tor) Kelsey is an undercover agent for the British Jockey Club. The members have been balked in their efforts to convict wily Julius Apollo Filmer of murder and other crimes that tarnish the sport of kings. With hopes of gaining evidence against Filmer, Tor joins the rich crowd going from England to Canada for "The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train." Pretending he's a waiter, Tor keeps an eye on Filmer as the train rockets across the Northwest. There is no limit to the thrills along the way, and no way of predicting the stunning denouement. 200,000 first printing; $150,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild main selection. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Young Tor Kelsey, competent, race-horse wise, and independently wealthy, works for undercover security at the English Jockey Club. "Loaned" to the Canadian Jockey Club, he spies on charming but slippery British extortionist Julius Apollo Filmera horse flesh aficionadoaboard the first-ever Transcontinental Mystery Race Train. During the week-long trip, put together to promote Canadian racing, Kelsey narrowly avoids detection, single-handedly averts catastrophe, and even falls in love. This most excellent and memorable construction, crisply crafted and sparkling with intensity, evidences a deft, masterful hand. Literary Guild main selection. REK Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'A fast-paced book full of twists and surprises, taking us from one side of Canada to the other' 5***** Reader Review 'Grips you from the first sentence. Exciting, nerve-tingling: Dick Francis at his best' 5***** Reader Review ______ Tor Kelsey, an undercover agent for the Jockey Club's security service, is involved in the attempt to rid racing of one of its most notorious villains: Julius Apollo Filmer. The court, however, does not go along with their beliefs. But Tor knows that to let Julius even suspect the service are still on his tail would mean certain death for several witnesses. Meanwhile, several racehorse owners have planned a luxurious train trip across Canada, with race meetings fixed for every major city - and Julius Apollo Filmer and Tor are on the passenger list. It's not long until the beautiful journey through the Rockies gets uglier by the minute as Tor finds himself pushed to dangerous limits to defeat Filmer's wily scheming . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, The Edge 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 Tor Kelsey, An Undercover Agent For The Jockey Club's Security Service Is Involved In The Attempt To Rid Racing Of One Of Its Most Notorious Villains, Julius Apollo Filmer. The Court However, Does Not Go Along With Their Beliefs, But Tor Knows That To Let Julius Even Suspect The Service Are Still On His Tail Would Mean Certain Death For A Number Of Witnesses. Meanwhile, Several Racehorse Owners Have Planned A Luxurious Train Trip Across Canada, With Race Meetings Fixed For Every Major City. Julius Apollo Filmer And Tor Are On The Passenger List. The Beautiful Journey Through The Rockies Gets Uglier By The Minute And Tor Finds Himself Pushed To Dangerous Limits To Defeat Filmer's Wily Scheming. The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race is a rail junket that offers passengers the chance to race thoroughbreds and to solve mysteries. For Tor Kelsey, undercover agent for the British Jockey Club, this imaginary mayhem is about to become a nightmare of real murder. Tor Kelsey, an undercover security operative for the British Jockey Club, is assigned to protect guests on "The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train," individuals whose safety is imperiled by real-life murder and mayhem