Stress Point
To survive, you have to find the weak spot
before it breaks you
A gripping British thriller of high-stakes horse racing, dark history, and generational secrets. When success triggers a criminal syndicate two generations in the making, it draws the attention of covert government operative Harriet Richards. Written by an author whose family has been inside the racing world for over 220 years.
Available in hardback, paperback, and eBook. Printed and shipped via BookVault UK.
A father's secrets. A friend's dangerous talent. A conflict between crime and government.
The game was never theirs to run.
Manny Shepherd arrives at college on a scholarship with his father’s secret diaries and a shadow he doesn’t yet understand.
Dan Shepherd was a journeyman jockey who died young, and Manny has never known the truth behind his death.
Manny finds an unlikely partner in James Carne-Anton — aristocratic, obsessive, and possessed of a rare genius for working metal. Bound by intellect rather than background, they devise something brilliant and dangerous: a scheme to tilt the outcome of a race without leaving a trace.
They don’t realise they’ve been watched from the beginning.
Their success pulls them into the crosshairs of a long-established criminal network — and into the orbit of Harriet Richards, a government operative whose interest in the boys predates anything they think they’ve done themselves.
Racing Heritage
Written by an insider whose family has been at the heart of British horse racing for more than two centuries. Every yard, stable door, and paddock exchange is drawn from lived experience.
Metallurgy & Science
The trilogy’s core structure mirrors the physical laws of material failure: Stress, Yield, and Fracture. It is the precise science of how structures — and human beings — reach their absolute breaking point.
International Intrigue
The author brings huge international experience from staging major racing events across the world or transporting racehorses around the globe — and much in between.
Fleet Street Authenticity
Grounded in a decade on national newspaper racing desks — where investigative instincts, tight deadlines, and verified facts build a plot line where every detail withstands scrutiny.
Rock 'n' Roll Energy
Forged from managing iconic prog-rock band Focus on major UK tours. That electric, relentless tour-bus tempo drives the rhythm and pacing of every single chapter in a book with its own curated Spotify playlist.
Cold War Shadows
Covert intelligence operations, elite boarding school allegiances, and deep-seated criminal networks that have quietly operated across Europe for decades. And the author has rubbed shoulders with all those strands.
REACTION FROM READERS
Don’t just take our word for it – Stress Point is already making its mark
A Gripping Read From Start to Finish!
A brilliantly crafted thriller packed with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists. Butchers brings the world of horse racing to life with remarkable authenticity.
Impossible to Put Down!
A captivating story where every chapter draws you deeper into a world of secrets and danger. The characters feel real, and the tension keeps building until the very end.
Thrilling, Atmospheric and Unforgettable!
A compelling blend of racing, mystery, and suspense. Butchers' insider knowledge adds a level of realism that makes the story feel genuinely immersive.
A Brilliantly Addictive Thriller!
An absolutely captivating read filled with mystery, tension, and unexpected turns. Butchers has a wonderful way of bringing every scene to life, making it easy to lose yourself in the story. I was hooked from the very first chapter!
A UTD BOOKS PUBLICATION
First book of the Rogue Element Trilogy — a series that draws far-reaching worlds into a single, tightening collision course.
About Author
Guy Butchers Author & Racing Insider
Born in Epsom, home of the Derby, Guy grew up inside the daily, lived reality of British horse racing — a world his family has been actively involved in for more than 220 years. A former national newspaper journalist, international racing executive and rock band promoter, Guy brings deep industry knowledge, sharp observation, and atmospheric authenticity to his debut thriller series. He lives and writes in Suffolk.
Years of Racing Heritage
Books in the Trilogy
Tracks on the Official Soundtrack
Years in National Journalism
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Faq
Frequently Asked question
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Stress Point is available in hardback, paperback, and eBook (ePub and Kindle). All physical copies are printed on demand by BookVault UK.
Yes! Signed first editions are available exclusively through this website. Select "Buy Signed Edition" on the home page or shop.
BookVault typically prints and dispatches within 24–48 hours. UK delivery is usually 3–5 working days. International shipping is also available.
Yes. Stress Point is Book 1 of The Rogue Element Trilogy. Book 2 (Yield Point) and Book 3 (Break Point) are in progress.
Guy has curated a 15-track Spotify playlist that mirrors the mood and rhythm of the novel. You can listen on the Books & Shop page.
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