Author:Felix Francis
Refusal is the new Dick Francis novel from bestseller, Felix Francis.
When Sir Richard Stewart, chair of the horse racing authority, demands ex-investigator Sid Halley examines some suspicious races, he is given a firm no. Sid retired six years ago - and nothing will make him go back.
But he's wrong.
Next day, Sir Richard is found dead. Then Sid's six-year-old daughter goes missing and he receives an anonymous call: declare the alleged race-fixing clean, or else. With his family in danger, how can Sid refuse?
But this anonymous foe has underestimated the guile and determination of Sid Halley. Extreme situations demand extreme solutions and Sid will do anything to get his life back, or die trying.
The work of thriller master Dick Francis continues through his son Felix's solo efforts: Bloodline, Gamble, and now Refusal.
Praise for Dick Francis and Felix Francis:
'From winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time' Sunday Times
'The Francis flair is clear for all to see' Daily Mail
'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life
'Nail-biting, suspenseful' Choice
Felix Francis is the younger son of thriller-writing legend, Dick Francis, with whom he co-wrote the four most recent Dick Francis Novels, Dead Heat, Silks, Even Money and Crossfire, with Felix taking an increasingly greater role in the writing. Sadly Dick died in February 2010 but his work will live on through Felix. Refusal is Felix's third solo Dick Francis novel.
Felix trained as a physicist and spent seventeen years teaching A-level physics before taking on the role as manager to his father, and then as author. He lives in Oxfordshire.
The Francis flair is clear for all to see
—— Daily MailFrom winning post to top of the bestseller list, time after time
—— Sunday TimesThe master of suspense and intrigue
—— Country LifeA tremendous read
—— Woman's OwnKarin Slaughter has long been comfortably ahead of the pack in the field of powerful and disturbing crime fiction but Cop Town shows a broadening of reach: it is a more ambitious novel than any she has previously written. Her achievement here is such that many fans will be happy to see her continuing to devote her attention to similar standalone novels.
—— Financial TimesThis is hardboiled crime fiction from the pen of an absolute master of the genre. The characters are credible, and the sexist, racist, homophobic world they inhabit is brilliantly and brutally drawn. The end hints at a returning series, and we’d definitely be back for more.
—— heat magazineThe plot, which describes the hunt for a killer, is enriched by the vivid portrait of the place and time. This is a gripping thriller with a feminist subtext, describing the foreign country that is the recent past.
—— Literary ReviewDark, atmospheric thriller.
—— SunCop Town is a terrific read, fast-moving and witty, yet as grimly gritty as it gets, so not for the faint-hearted.
—— Irish IndependentAn absorbing, provocative tale… This is an exceptional debut
—— Irish TimesA stunning debut... The subject matter is fascinating, the execution of it is a joy to read
—— James Oswald, author of Natural Causes, the winner of the Richard and Judy 2013 Summer Book ClubEva Dolan’s debut novel in the increasingly crowded world of crime fiction deserves a little stand-out time… A highly effective and meaty crime novel…complete with twists and turns that genuinely take you by surprise
—— Glasgow Sunday HeraldLong Way Home is one of the strongest debut novels I've read in a long time. Beautifully written and imagined, Dolan renders a previously hidden world alive with compelling detail. Original and gripping, compassionate and salutary, you won't want to stop reading until the final page
—— Stav Sherez, author of A Dark RedemptionA brilliant introduction to a new crime series… The plot is tight, the anger righteous and the action thrilling
—— Paul Connolly , MetroAn absorbing debut detective series. The burnt body of a migrant worker is found and it's up to DI Zigic and DS Ferreira to find out the truth. We loved it – keep an eye out for this author!
—— EssentialsCool, confident and classy, Eva Dolan's LONG WAY HOME is a stand out debut that combines intelligent, issue-led crime fiction with a vivid prose style, a compelling plot and a detective duo to root for. Dolan provides a fresh and fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of Modern Britain, and I can't wait to read more of DI Zigic and DS Ferreira in future books
—— Chris EwanLong Way Home is a truly exceptional debut crime novel, a perceptive, smart and harrowing look at modern England. Written with great skill, confidence and originality, it feels like a game-changer for twenty-first century British crime fiction
—— Doug Johnstone, author of Smokeheads and Hit and RunLong Way Home gave me that tingle of excitement that only happens rarely, the feeling I got when I first read George Pelecanos and Dennis Lehane - the combination of brilliant writing, a thrilling plot and social heart. I genuinely think it's one of the best debuts I've ever read
—— Mark EdwardsEva Dolan is the real deal. Plenty of contemporary British crime writers claim to write about the real world but in Dolan's brave, brilliant debut she nails it completely. The Daily Mail will hate it. I loved it.
—— Martyn WaitesA pacy, twisty, compelling and addictive crime thriller - but it's so much more besides. For me, the best experiences in literature are those that take you somewhere you don't know; to people and places you have never encountered. I was hoping for a rattling good page-turner. I wasn't expecting anything quite so profound
—— Kevin SampsonEva Dolan’s stunning novel is a gritty and unflinching look into a seedy, violent world that most of us would rather pretend never existed. In DI Zigic and DS Fereira, Dolan has created two authentic and intriguing characters
—— Howard Linskey, author of The Drop and The DamageCrisp and intelligent writing, strong characters, a great mystery and an engaging style. From the first page, I knew I was in safe hands
—— Dan Smith, author of The Child Thief and Red WinterAn assured and compelling debut that brings multi-cultural Britain vividly to life. I feel I know Zigic and Ferreira, the protagonists of this terrific novel, and look forward to their next outing. I hope I don’t have to wait too long
—— Craig Roberston, author of Random and Witness the DeadA novel set in Peterborough might not be the most tempting of premises, but this is worth your time detective duo Zigic and Ferreira, Dolan has created two engaging characters. The first of a series, this is a promising debut that pulls no punches
—— ShortlistWith such compelling characters, Dolan breathes new life into the police procedural novel and marks herself out as an exciting writer to watch
—— UK Press SyndicationDolan's a terrific new talent, and I can't wait to be kept awake by her next novel
—— Kate Saunders , SagaA great read, a real page turner and a very satisfactory ending
—— Jeremy Ransome , Spalding GuardianAn impressive series debut, and the next book will be eagerly awaited
—— Good Book GuideRaw and real start to a new series
—— Sarah Hilary , Red OnlineWhat could be standard police procedural stands out for its excellent character work and the timely way it deals with hot-button political topics dominating the headlines
—— HeraldThe plot is tight, the anger righteous but not worthy, and the action thrilling. Happily she has a new novel out next year
—— MetroGripping…Excellent book.
—— Dorothy Flaxman , NudgeA wonderfully atmospheric novel with a gripping narrative.
—— Good Book GuidePrecise, intense, haunting and poetic… This is a subtle exploration of suffering and resilience and, for once, the hype matches the talent.
—— Lucy Atkins , Sunday TimesBroodingly lyrical… Spellbinding.
—— Megan O'Grady , Vogue USWyld uses language that is purely gorgeous, even – perhaps especially – when underscoring dread.
—— Barbara King , Washington PostImpressive.
—— New York TimesA tough and tender take on suffering and redemption.
—— PsychologiesSuspenseful and melancholy… Masterful
—— New YorkerA compelling, tense novel that lingers with the reader long after it has been finished
—— Eastern Daily PressWith beautiful writing, it is a compelling, rather dark story which makes you laugh and cry
—— Morag Watkins , Watford ObserverI am obsessed with it, and with what Wyld is going to do next
—— Lisa Coen , Irish Times