Celebrating the 50th Book from the Francis Stable

The Shots Team of Mike Stotter, Ayo Onatade, Robin Jarossi and Ali Karim joined many colleagues and friends from the world of Crime / Thriller Fiction [and the equestrian world] to celebrate the 50^th Novel from the Stables of Dick and Felix Francis. The celebration was hosted at Penguin Publishing Offices on The Strand in London on the 10^TH of September.

Felix Francis has taken the reigns from his father the legendary Dick Francis, and his work is garnishing acclaim, and his latest novel DAMAGE, his fourth solo novel is no exception.

Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, is looking into the shady activities of a racehorse trainer. But as he's tailing his quarry through the Cheltenham Racing Festival, the last thing he expects to witness is a gruesome murder. Could it have something to do with the reason the trainer was banned in the first place - the administration of illegal drugs to his horses?

Days later, it's discovered that many more horses test positive for prohibited stimulants, a scandal that could throw horse-racing into disrepute. It's no surprise when the BHA receives a demand - pay up or face the consequences. In order to limit the damage to the sport, it's critical that Jeff find the perpetrator . . . but he'll soon learn he's up against someone who will stop at nothing to prevail . . .

Alex Clarke, publishing director at Michael Joseph imprint of Penguin welcomed the guests and passed the microphone to Felix Francis who gave a most amusing talk, especially an interesting memory of how his late father came to write the legendary horse-racing thrillers, and how the baton was passed to him.

We’ve provided photos of this this special event, as many distinguished guests were in attendance to celebrate the 50^th novel from The Francis Stable, such as Nicholas Parsons, racing pundit John McCririck, Simon Brett, Susan Moody, Len LC Tyler, Janet Laurence, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Jane Jakeman, Linda Stratmann among many others.

The Shots Bookstore has copies of Damage at a discounted price, so if you’ve never explored the world of equestrian crime / thrillers – click here to read the 50^th DAMAGE, because before long, I’ll give odds-on that you’ll be catching up on the back list that is the work of Dick and Felix Francis.

Shots Ezine would like to thank Sophie Goodfellow of EDPR and Katya Shipster of Penguin Marketing and Alex Clarke and Rowland White of Penguin Editorial for the wonderful party and permission to host the video of Felix Francis’ amusing speech. Photos/Video © Ali Kairm 2014