Dick Francis

Under Orders is a novel by Dick Francis, published on 7 September 2006. This is the fourth Francis novel to feature Sid Halley, jockey turned private detective. The title is a reference to the time shortly before the start of the race, when the horses and jockeys must obey the orders of the starter.

From the acclaimed master of mystery and suspense comes the story of a self-imposed outcast who must refresh his detection skills in order to save himself and his family.

A high-class, transcontinental horse-racing junket should be an idyllic getaway for the super-rich.But one passenger on this train is a sociopath, a genius at blackmail and criminal corruption—and he plans to take everyone for everything they've got.