Dick Francis and Books & Books

(CNS): Fans of the many thrillers written over the years by ex-jockey turned author, Dick Francis, have the opportunity to meet the man himself together with his son, and now co-author, Felix Francis at a reading and signing their new book, Silks, at Books & Books on Saturday 25 October at 7:00 pm. In Silks, the father-and-son writing team return to the familiar world of horse racing for their latest page-turner.

The plot of Silks surrounds barrister Geoffrey Mason, who sets aside his wig and gown and heads to Sandown racetrack to don his colourful racing silks. As an amateur jockey, he fulfils his true passion by pounding the turf in the heat of a steeplechase. Yet when a fellow rider is brutally murdered – a pitchfork driven through his chest – Mason’s racing hobby soon becomes too close to his work.

The prime suspect is one of their brethren, champion jockey Steve Mitchell, and the evidence against him seems overwhelming. Mason is reluctant to heed Mitchell’s pleading for legal help, but he soon finds himself at the centre of a sinister web of violence, threats and intimidation. Mason is left fighting a battle of right and wrong, and more immediately, a battle of life and death – his own.