Dead heat - Dick Francis

'I wondered if I was dying. I wasn't afraid to die but, such was the pain in my gut, I wished it would happen soon.'

The night before the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees the horseracing 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. However, when Max's food is suspected of putting twenty-four of the dinner guests in hospital, his pride and professionalism tell him that 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.