Under Orders

From Publishers Weekly Beloved series character Sid Halley, a champion jockey, makes a welcome return in the latest fast-paced crime novel from bestseller Francis (_Come to Grief_). When a crippling injury forces Halley into retirement, he begins a second career as a PI. Thanks to his doggedness and integrity, he attracts many clients, including a mysterious government figure who asks him to assess the unintended consequences of Britain's legalization of Internet gambling, and others who wish him to unravel the nest of puzzles surrounding the murder of a jockey, Huw Walker, suspected of throwing races. This time, the sinister forces arrayed against him have an unexpected weaponthreats of violence against Halley's new significant other. The writing and action are as crisp as ever, though longtime Francis fans may find the plot a little familiar. BOMC and Mystery Guild main selection. (Sept.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From After an absence of six years, Dick Francis comes thundering up the track with a thriller that resoundingly demonstrates that the acclaimed author, if anything, may have gained a few steps. Francis re-summons his most popular protagonist, Sid Halley, a champion jockey turned sleuth, whose racing career was shattered when a horse fell on him and then an adversary mangled his left hand. Last seen in Come To Grief (1995), Halley, who brings racing knowledge, spirit, and resilience to whatever case he tackles, remains one of the most exquisitely developed characters in crime fiction. This adventure starts with Cheltenham Gold Cup day, during which one racegoer drops dead, a horse collapses after a stirring win, and the victorious jockey is discovered shot to death in the parking lot. Juggling several sleuthing assignments, Halley finds himself working not only for the father of the slain jockey but also for a Lord who wants to know if the races his horses run in are being fixed. The plot keeps delivering shocks as Halley's investigation is derailed by threats and violence against his new love. And Francis once again proves himself a master of detail, seamlessly incorporating fascinating facts about DNA technology, myoelectric hands, Internet gambling, and even stitches. Wow. Connie Fletcher Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'The classic Francis mix of excitement, danger and unexpected twists' 5***** Reader Review 'Keeps you engrossed to the end. A must read for any thriller reader' 5***** Reader Review ______ Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. However, three in a single afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow. It's the third death on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day that really troubles super-sleuth Sid Halley - when jockey Huw Walker reaches the finish line with three .38 rounds in his chest. The same jockey 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 discrete 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 . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Under Orders 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 ‘sadly, Death At The Races Is Not Uncommon. However, Three In A Single Afternoon Was Sufficiently Unusual To Raise More Than An Eyebrow.’ 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 Discrete 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. In His First New Novel For Six Years, Dick Francis Returns To Prove Once Again That He Is The Grand Master Of Thriller Writing.