Jockey Freddie Croft thought he'd left the perils behind him when he retired from the jump game. These days he was happy to transport horses from their stables to the races. Until one of his drivers picked up an unlicensed passenger. And brought him back dead. The corpse on the doorstep was Freddie's unwelcome introduction to the shadowy, big money conspiracy which muscled into his business and started to threaten his life. But Freddie was a fighter, and winning was in his blood...

First identify the danger. Then beat them out of sight.

Dick Francis, CBE, has written 41 novels, a volume of short stories, the biography of Lester Piggott and his autobiography. He has received many awards, including the Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger. The Mystery Writers of America have given him three Edgar Allan Poe awards and made him a Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement.

During a long career that has encompassed stage, TV and cinema, Tony Britton has become a familiar face to millions through the long-running series Don't Tell Father and Don't Wait Up. Among his other TV appearances are The Royal, Doctors and The Way We Live Now, while his films include These Foolish Things.