Bookie's Runner

'The Bookie's Runner' is the gorgeously, hypnotically told tale of Brendan Gisby's father, Derry, and his dream of the big win on the horses, the one that would relieve his adored family of poverty and redeem him in the eyes of his angry and disappointed wife. For decades he worked on his system. It had to be foolproof. He could only afford to run it once. He meticulously studied the form for every race ever recorded - the horses, their characteristics, their lineage, their combinations, the race track, the conditions, the outcome - and made his predictions for the next race.Then, just as he entered hospital for what would prove to be his final illness, he was ready. His system worked; it really couldn't fail, he was sure of that. His family would be set up for life, he would be a hero, he would fulfil the dreams of every one of his betting friends - to beat the bookies once and for all at their own game, again and again.From his hospital bed he carefully placed his bets .....If you only read one more book in your life, bet on this one. It is every bit a winner as Derry McKay was, even if everybody thought he was a certain loser until that moment .....