Dead Heat - Dick Francis

The night before the 2,000 Guincas at Newmarket sees 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. 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 tecters on the brink of ruin and a court case looms. But the day is far from over, and soon Max Morton finds himself desperately fighting for more than just his livelihood