I wondered if I was dying. I wasnt 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 great and the good of 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 evenings meal. Max is something of a celebrity in Newmarket circles. He is founder of the racing towns favourite Michelin-starred restaurant, the Hay Net.However, spending the night retching in the throes of agony is the last thing Max expects. But much worse is to come ...his food is suspected of putting twenty-four of the dinner guests in hospital. Maxs pride and professionalism tells him all is not as it seems. Within hours, Maxs 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... Dead Heat is the latest searing, intrigue-filled blockbuster from the Grand Master of thriller writing.