Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat (USA 2008)

From the Publisher:
On the heels of Under Orders, "Francis once again proves himself a master. Wow." (BOOKLIST)
Max Moreton is a rising culinary star -- until his guests fall victim to severe food poisoning -- and then a bomb blast rips through the luncheon he's catering. Two close calls are too close for comfort, and Max vows to protect his name, and himself, before it's too late.

Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat. Berkley Books, ISBN: 9780425223192 (September, 2008), 416 p., $9.99.

Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat (UK 2008)

From the Publisher:
Max Moreton's food is suspected of putting twenty-four dinner guests in hospital. Within hours, Max's restaurant is forcibly closed, his reputation teeters on the brink of ruin, and a court case looms. But the day is far from over, for soon Max Moreton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood...

Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat. Pan Books, ISBN: 9780330454827 (June, 2008), 408 p., £6.99.

Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat (USA 2007)

From the Publisher:
After a six-year absence from the bestseller lists, Dick Francis roared out of the gate with 2006's Under Orders, demonstrating once again every ounce of his famed narrative drive, brilliant plotting, and simmering suspense. Hard on the heels of that triumph comes Dead Heat, set against the backdrop of Britain's famed Two Thousand Guineas Stakes.

Max Moreton is a rising culinary star and his Newmarket restaurant, The Hay Net, has brought him great acclaim and a widening circle of admirers. But when nearly all the guests who enjoyed one of his meals at a private catered affair fall victim to severe food poisoning, his kitchen is shuttered and his reputation takes a hit. Scrambling to meet his next obligation, an exclusive luncheon for forty in the glass-fronted private boxes at the Two Thousand Guineas, Max must overcome the previous evening's disaster and provide the new American sponsors of the year's first classic race with a day to remember.

Then a bomb blast rips through the private boxes, killing some of Max's trusted staff as well as many of the guests. As survivors are rushed to the hospital, Max is left to survey the ruins of the grandstand-and of his career. Two close calls are too close for comfort, and Max vows to protect his name - and himself - before it's too late.

Dick Francis and Felix Francis: Dead Heat. Putnam's, ISBN: 9780399154768 (September, 2007), 342 p., $25.95.

Dick Francis with Felix Francis: Dead Heat (UK 2007)

From the Publisher:
The night before the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the great and the good of the horse-racing community gathered for a prestigious black-tie Gala dinner. It is a fitting testament to the glamour of the occasion that top chef Max Moreton is cooking the evening's meal.

Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles. He is founder of the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net. However, spending the night retching in the throes of agony is the last thing Max expects. But much worse is to come... his food is suspected of putting twenty-four of the dinner guests in hospital. Max's pride and professionalism tells him all is not as it seems.

Within hours, Max's restaurant is forcibly closed, his reputation teeters on the brink of ruin, and a court case looms. But the day is far from over, and soon Max Moreton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood...

Dead Heat is the latest searing, intrigue-filled blockbuster from the Grand Master of thriller writing.

Dick Francis with Felix Francis: Dead Heat. Michael Joseph, ISBN: 9780718153656 (September, 2007), 408 p., £18.99.