What do you think?
Rate this book
Back Hander: An electrifying racing thriller
Two riders, two unexplained deaths...
Ex-National Hunt Champion Jockey John Francome presents Back Hander, an electrifying racing thriller. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis and Lyndon Stacey.
' Back Hander is a tightly plotted and well-schooled story... that delivers everything it promises' - Tangled Web
Not much is going right for jockey Alan Morrell. He can't get the rides he needs and when he sets up a bloodstock partnership a tragic accident robs him of the business and his best friend Lee. Now Alan owes £100,000 and his only asset is a racehorse who has yet to be put to the test. But all that fades into insignificance next to the suspicion that Lee's fatal fall was more than an accident... Things aren't looking so hot for fellow-jockey Max Ashwood either. There's the backlash from his affair with a trainer's wife and the little matter of his gambling. There's also the convenient death of another man to whom Max owed money. But surely no one is ever going to find out the truth about his part in that... Two riders, two unexplained deaths - but overshadowing both is a conflict that dwarfs the cosy world of racetrack winners and losers. As the noose closes round the neck of one man's criminal empire, just how many others will swing?
What readers are saying about Back Hander :
'A gripping story from start to finish'
' Highly recommended if you like horse-racing thrillers'
' Brilliant plotline which hinges on two doomed love affairs '
Ex-National Hunt Champion Jockey John Francome presents Back Hander, an electrifying racing thriller. The perfect read for fans of Felix Francis and Lyndon Stacey.
' Back Hander is a tightly plotted and well-schooled story... that delivers everything it promises' - Tangled Web
Not much is going right for jockey Alan Morrell. He can't get the rides he needs and when he sets up a bloodstock partnership a tragic accident robs him of the business and his best friend Lee. Now Alan owes £100,000 and his only asset is a racehorse who has yet to be put to the test. But all that fades into insignificance next to the suspicion that Lee's fatal fall was more than an accident... Things aren't looking so hot for fellow-jockey Max Ashwood either. There's the backlash from his affair with a trainer's wife and the little matter of his gambling. There's also the convenient death of another man to whom Max owed money. But surely no one is ever going to find out the truth about his part in that... Two riders, two unexplained deaths - but overshadowing both is a conflict that dwarfs the cosy world of racetrack winners and losers. As the noose closes round the neck of one man's criminal empire, just how many others will swing?
What readers are saying about Back Hander :
'A gripping story from start to finish'
' Highly recommended if you like horse-racing thrillers'
' Brilliant plotline which hinges on two doomed love affairs '
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2004
15 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
John Francome
38 books20 followersEx-National Hunt Champion Jockey John Francome is a broadcaster on racing for Channel 4. He lives in Berkshire.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fra...
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fra...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 26, 2020
When reading this, the writer, ex-jockey John Francombe was a TV horse racing pundit on one of my fave sport shows; in addition horse racing was my fave spectator sport during this period, so this mystery thriller ticked all the right boxes, before I turned over a page. This turned out to be a an OK conspiracy thriller set not only the world of horse racing but also amongst the world of corporate criminal greed. 5 out of 12.
April 6, 2018
I grew up reading my Dad's Dick Francis books, so it's only natural I would be a fan of John Francome's ones as well. This is very much in the usual vein.... dirty dealings on the racecourse, corrupt Vs honest jockeys/stablehands. Add into the mix a millionaire businessman, some race favourites running mysteriously badly, and two unexplained deaths, and you've got yourself a cracking good thriller.
June 28, 2018
It does not have a complete ending otherwise it would have scored a 5 /5
Well written and a great storyteller.
Very enjoyable
Well written and a great storyteller.
Very enjoyable
December 11, 2020
Found this a little difficult to get into but it got better and better. Tense, atmospheric and the good guys win and the bad guys lose, just as I like it.
April 19, 2015
The cover had a blurb, 'Like Dick Francis... A winner' by Mail on Sunday.
There are similarities-- it is a mystery surrounding horse racing. But it has a different flavor than Dick Francis. Like chicken vs. beef. Both delicious, but different.
I am an old, long-time Francis fan. And a new Francome fan. Good book.
There are similarities-- it is a mystery surrounding horse racing. But it has a different flavor than Dick Francis. Like chicken vs. beef. Both delicious, but different.
I am an old, long-time Francis fan. And a new Francome fan. Good book.
December 23, 2014
Too many plots happening at the same time. It does have a negative impact on the overall story because it can get too mixed up. Chapters contain too many changes of focus for the different characters.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews