Books with author A. D. Francis

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing.Nerve is the story of a struggling young jockey named Rob, a misfit in a family of accomplished musicians, who discovers that his troubling losing streak is caused not by a lack of skill or confidence, but by something far more sinister....Praise for Dick Francis‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound… all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing.With only his tormented past for company, Gene Hawkins is restlessly facing three lonely weeks of vacation. So when his boss asks for his help to help millionaire Dave Teller locate a missing priceless breeding stallion he accepts, against his better judgement. But he gets more action than he bargains for when he draws the attention of his boss’s daughter, advances from Teller’s socialite wife and the deadly attention of the horse thieves who would be more than happy to put Hawkins out to pasture, permanently...Praise for Dick Francis‘Dick Francis is a wonder’ Cleveland Plain Dealer‘Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop’ Chicago Tribune‘Francis captures our attention and holds us spellbound… all the breathless pace we have come to expect of this superb writer.’ NYT Book Review‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times‘For more than thirty years, Dick Francis has been mystery’s Gibraltar, a sturdy rock in stormy straits. Nobody executes the whodunit formula better’ Chicago Sun-Times‘A rare and magical talent… who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing.Steeplechaser Alan York knows well the dangers of the sport. But when his best friend and rival Bill Davidson takes a fall in the middle of a race and doesn’t get up again, Alan discovers it was no accident. Someone rigged a tripwire to take down the running horse.The more Alan investigates, the more he suspects that there is more to the plot than just murderous horseplay. But even as he approaches the finish line to this mysterious race, those responsible for his friend’s death are already planning for Alan to have a mysterious accident of his own...Praise for Dick Francis‘Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace’ Boston Herald‘[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills’ Newsday‘Each Francis novel seems to be his best.’ Sunday Oklahoman‘Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis’ San Diego Union-Tribune

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing.Steven Scott may have been a successful, wealthy inventor with no experience in horse racing, yet with the inspired guidance of his trainer, Jody Leeds, and the prowess of a beautiful black hurdler named Energise, he has brought home several wins.But his winning streak is about to come to a fast end when he discovers trouble in his own stables: trouble that could bring about his own termination if he doesn’t watch his step.Praise for Dick Francis‘[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries’ Wall Street Journal‘Francis is a genius’ Los Angeles Times‘A rare and magical talent… who never writes the same story twice’ San Diego Union-Tribune

From acclaimed master of mystery Dick Francis comes a thrilling novel about the illusion of film and the reality of murder—a New York Times notable book.Thomas Lyon has finally been given the chance to direct a potential blockbuster, based on the true story of an unsolved crime that rocked the horseracing world twenty-six years ago. But a cryptic deathbed confession, an assault on an elderly woman, and a frightening threat lead Lyon to pick up the thread of this unfinished tale—and follow it through to its perilous end...

As jockey Alan York looked at the back of Bill Davidson astride the great horse Admiral, one thing was different. Before his rival reached the last hurdle, he was dead. Alan knew racing was dangerous; he also knew Bill's death was no accident. It was the kind of knowledge that could get a man killled...."The best thriller writer going."THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

Dick Francis was one of the most successful post-war National Hunt jockeys. The winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, most famously on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National. On his retirement from the saddle, he published his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, before going on to write forty-three bestselling novels, a volume of short stories (Field of 13), and the biography of Lester Piggott. During his lifetime Dick Francis received many awards, amongst them the prestigious Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and three 'best novel' Edgar Allan Poe awards from The Mystery Writers of America. In 1996 he was named by them as Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2000. Dick Francis died in February 2010, at the age of eighty-nine, but he remains one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. 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'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'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express'A super chiller and killer' New York Times Book Review

To all parents checking the contents of this book before purchasing, be assured that you will not find a single occult or Satanic chant, reversed prayer, incantation, spell, curse, recipes, potions, charms, talismans, drawing or photo of any Satanic emblem, symbol or diagram in this book. This biography is extremely teenage-friendly and was re-written three times for that specific purpose. It was decided from the outset to use a very easy style of writing, yet removing nothing from the heart wrenching and dramatic true life story you hold in your hands right now. No Christian teenager or young adult’s life is at risk reading this biography; in fact, they will be drawn much closer to God. Our constant prayer is that, should any unbeliever pick up this book and read it to the end, they will find Christ first and foremost. Phil Botha received his instructions from the Lord, who laid down certain rules for him when sharing his testimony in thousands of churches across this country. Those rules and wishes were respected and strictly adhered to before publishing his biography.No evil spirit, spirit-guide or demon’s personal name (that must be spoken articulately when requesting their appearance) is given. Instead Phil used pseudonyms to protect bored youngsters from foolishly attempting to conjure up a demon by their given name. Jesus Christ must receive all the honour, praise and glory for this book, from cover to cover, and we have purposely refrained from using the terms Satan and the devil. Throughout this biography he shall be known as he was known in scripture, simply “the enemy”.Deceived by a high school teacher who contacted a departed loved one and blatantly lied to by a church minister concerning his salvation Phil starts his first job at a laboratory. He is invited to a different church where no judgement is drawn and no mention of hell or sin is ever preached. Three weeks after his meaningless Christian confirmation this embittered and confused teenager is initiated into the priesthood of Satanism in central Pietermaritzburg. For the next seventeen long and lonely years he is imprisoned in the most secretive and untraceable organisation in the world.This biography will shock, amaze and bless you and at times will even leave you speechless. Nothing was added to make the enemy a fraction more evil than he already is, and no supernatural Hollywood-scripts have been added amongst the pages of this book for the sake of sensation. This biography was directed by the Holy Spirit and is centred on Christ.It is our secondary goal and prayer that Phil’s biography will be read by every teacher, lecturer, pastor, policeman, magistrate, parent and teenager living in South Africa today. Due to the South African courts having such a huge lack of knowledge on and proof of Satanism, and basing everything on the non-existent evidence of South Africa’s ‘expert on occult crimes’, the courts battle with differentiating between Satanism and bored, ruthless and sadistic teenagers. No one suddenly wakes up one morning and decides, “I want to become a Satanist.” Phil Botha was chosen by the spirits governing the Movement before the age of ten and they began to lure and deceive him using apparitions, teachers and ministers.