Showing results for "francis" in International Mystery & Crime

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. Founder of the racing town's favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net, Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles.

When he wakes in a pitch-black room with his hands bound, Roland Britten – accountant and champion steeplechase jockey – knows he’s entered a nightmare of someone else’s making. Wracking his brain to figure out who’s out to get him and why, he comes up empty, but somehow manages a death-defying escape. It isn’t long, though, before he’s recaptured.

Crime writer Francis Meadowes has just been offered his first paid detective gig, which means going on the road with gender-fluid rock star JonniK, tagging along as the musician's entourage travels from Berlin to Brussels and beyond. Jonni's manager is already worried by a guitar tech's fatal overdose on a tour bus, but then the star himself is attacked on stage... Another shock comes as Jonni's lead guitarist is electrocuted by his own instrument in the middle of a gig.

Fear grips the city. Frank’s fight with cancer continues, but it’s not keeping him off the job. This killer is clever. As chemo clouds his mind, he struggles with a nagging feeling that something isn’t right. Is the killer toying with him? Will he choose justice or vengeance? His partner, Mary Ann, has her doubts, too. The leads are few and seem to be telling different stories. Her profiling skills are put to the test as she wonders if they’re chasing a single killer. Is she letting her affection for Frank cloud her judgment?

“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...