From the New York Times–bestselling "master of crime fiction and equine thrills," a former jockey takes on the crooked world of horse dealing ( Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. For a generous commission, ex-prize-winning jockey Jonah Dereham reluctantly agrees to bid on a young steeplechaser on behalf of a wealthy American woman. But his life is thrust into danger immediately following the auction, when he receives a blow to the head by two thugs demanding ownership of the horse. Unfortunately, that's just the beginning—and now Jonah must figure out the high-stakes game being played . . . before he becomes its next casualty. "Dick Francis is a wonder." — The Plain Dealer "An imaginative craftsman of high order." – The Sunday Times "Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop." — Chicago Tribune "Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace." — Boston Herald "[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills." — Newsday "[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries." – The Wall Street Journal "Francis is a genius." — Los Angeles Times "A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice." — The San Diego Union-Tribune