A Horse Racing Drama of Risk and Escape. NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1995: When twenty-three-year-old Andy Cooper returns home from Wembley with his dad, he discovers that his mum has died suddenly. In the aftermath, grief gives way to blame and Andy becomes the target. As his dad retreats into drink and their home life deteriorates, Andy is left isolated and searching for a way forward. A chance encounter in his local betting shop offers an unexpected opportunity – one that draws him into the world of horse racing and the risks that come with it. But as the stakes rise, so do the consequences. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Nottingham, Shouting The Odds is a story of grief, family conflict and the choices we make when trying to escape our pasts. Because some risks cost more than money.  What readers are saying: 'With so many cliffhangers, twists and turns, Shouting The Odds would make for a great film or TV drama series.'-Sam Hardy, The Racing Post. 'Andy's story is funny, moving and full of wonderful characters. Shouting The Odds is a fantastic read,'-Stan Hey, Writer for Television and Film, author of An Arm and Four Legs. 'A rollercoaster read. Shouting The Odds is a riveting story of family bonds, new found friendships and more, set against the unique backdrop of a high street betting shop in 90s middle England.'-Lee Richardson, former Marketing Executive of the British Horseracing Board.

A Horse Racing Story of Hope, Resilience and Second Chances. Nottinghamshire, 1996:As Andy Cooper begins to rebuild his life, the focus shifts away from the betting shop on Manvers Road to Colwick Park, Nottingham's racecourse, where a bold idea is born.Using money from a significant winning bet placed by his late dad, Andy buys a racehorse and shares ownership with the friends who stood by him during his darkest days.They name the horse Manvers Road Star.But racing is never without risk.When disaster strikes on the eve of her biggest race, Andy's hopes are once again thrown into doubt. As uncertainty grows, he must decide whether to walk away—or hold on when everything seems lost.Set in Nottingham and the surrounding Nottinghamshire countryside, Manvers Road Star is a story of friendship, resilience and the enduring bond between people and the horse that brings them together.A powerful follow-up to Shouting The Odds, it continues Andy's journey through loss, recovery and second chances. What readers are saying: 'A star of a book. Franklin consistently conjures up drama in his writing, though not that of kidnapped girls or violent cops shows. Andy's problems are the day-to-day ones that all of us face. It is how he and his friends deal with them that give Manvers Road Star its vigour and shine. Manvers Road Star is a book that will resonate with a considerable section of the British public, given the chance.' -Joe McNally, author of The Eddie Malloy Series. 'The writing draws you in straight away and keeps you turning the pages. Whether you are into horseracing or not, or just looking for something a bit different, Manvers Road Star delivers. I highly recommend giving it a read – it is one of those books that stays with you.' -Mr G Anderson. 'Jon Franklin's follow up to Shouting The Odds is another highly-enjoyable read. He paints his pictures of punters and pals with gusto, and you're never quite certain how this story will develop, or conclude. With his clever way of telling the story through the eyes of three different characters, Jon delivers a different depth and it works superbly.' -Lee Richardson, former Marketing Executive of The British Horseracing Board.

A Horse Racing Drama of Risk and Escape. NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1995: When twenty-three-year-old Andy Cooper returns home from Wembley with his dad, he discovers that his mum has died suddenly. In the aftermath, grief gives way to blame and Andy becomes the target. As his dad retreats into drink and their home life deteriorates, Andy is left isolated and searching for a way forward. A chance encounter in his local betting shop offers an unexpected opportunity – one that draws him into the world of horse racing and the risks that come with it. But as the stakes rise, so do the consequences. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Nottingham, Shouting The Odds is a story of grief, family conflict and the choices we make when trying to escape our pasts. Because some risks cost more than money.  What readers are saying: 'With so many cliffhangers, twists and turns, Shouting The Odds would make for a great film or TV drama series.'-Sam Hardy, The Racing Post. 'Andy's story is funny, moving and full of wonderful characters. Shouting The Odds is a fantastic read,'-Stan Hey, Writer for Television and Film, author of An Arm and Four Legs. 'A rollercoaster read. Shouting The Odds is a riveting story of family bonds, new found friendships and more, set against the unique backdrop of a high street betting shop in 90s middle England.'-Lee Richardson, former Marketing Executive of the British Horseracing Board.

A Horse Racing Story of Hope, Resilience and Second Chances. Nottinghamshire, 1996:As Andy Cooper begins to rebuild his life, the focus shifts away from the betting shop on Manvers Road to Colwick Park, Nottingham's racecourse, where a bold idea is born.Using money from a significant winning bet placed by his late dad, Andy buys a racehorse and shares ownership with the friends who stood by him during his darkest days.They name the horse Manvers Road Star.But racing is never without risk.When disaster strikes on the eve of her biggest race, Andy's hopes are once again thrown into doubt. As uncertainty grows, he must decide whether to walk away—or hold on when everything seems lost.Set in Nottingham and the surrounding Nottinghamshire countryside, Manvers Road Star is a story of friendship, resilience and the enduring bond between people and the horse that brings them together.A powerful follow-up to Shouting The Odds, it continues Andy's journey through loss, recovery and second chances. What readers are saying: 'A star of a book. Franklin consistently conjures up drama in his writing, though not that of kidnapped girls or violent cops shows. Andy's problems are the day-to-day ones that all of us face. It is how he and his friends deal with them that give Manvers Road Star its vigour and shine. Manvers Road Star is a book that will resonate with a considerable section of the British public, given the chance.' -Joe McNally, author of The Eddie Malloy Series. 'The writing draws you in straight away and keeps you turning the pages. Whether you are into horseracing or not, or just looking for something a bit different, Manvers Road Star delivers. I highly recommend giving it a read – it is one of those books that stays with you.' -Mr G Anderson. 'Jon Franklin's follow up to Shouting The Odds is another highly-enjoyable read. He paints his pictures of punters and pals with gusto, and you're never quite certain how this story will develop, or conclude. With his clever way of telling the story through the eyes of three different characters, Jon delivers a different depth and it works superbly.' -Lee Richardson, former Marketing Executive of The British Horseracing Board.