Dick Francis — Odds Against

New York, Harper and Row, 1965. First edition. Hardback. A first US edition of celebrated jockey and author Dick Francis' first Sid Halley novel. This first US edition of celebrated author Dick Francis' novel 'Odds Against' was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1965. The novel follows Sid Halley, a former British jump racing Champion Jockey and private detective, as he becomes embroiled in a bizarre case at the behest of his father-in-law. Halley is one of only two protagonists in Francis' novels to appear in more than one book, and the only hero to appear in more than two, largely thanks to the Yorkshire Television adaptation. Dick Francis was a RAF pilot during WW2, a successful steeplechase jockey, and crime writer, whose works deal with crimes in the horse-racing world, producing more than 40 best-sellers. First US edition, in unclipped dustwrapper. With map of the world library book plate to the front free end paper. A classic of Francis' works, 'Odds Against' is a superb thriller that explores the grit a detective needs. In the publisher's original hardback binding, with unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, generally very smart, with some handling marks to the boards and shelfwear to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. The dustwrapper has some age-toning, handling marks to the boards, and shelfwear to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. With map of the world library book plate to the front free end paper. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are generally bright and clean, with some handling marks and age-toning throughout, with a closed tear to the half-title page. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good/Very Good Indeed.