Francis, Dick (1920-2010), was a British author of mystery novels, most with horse-racing backgrounds. Francis’s books feature ordinary young men who are called upon to become heroes. They are not detectives but are cast into roles in which they must solve mysteries. Francis’s thrillers have won acclaim for their crisp, clear prose and expert handling of character and suspense.
Richard Stanley Francis was born on Oct. 31, 1920, near Tenby, Wales. He was a leading English steeplechase jockey from 1948 to 1957. He was racing correspondent for the London Sunday Express from 1957 to 1973. His first mystery novel, Dead Cert, appeared in 1962. Some of Francis’s later mysteries have explored such subjects as photography (Reflex, 1981), banking (Banker, 1983), gems (Straight, 1989), and glass blowing (Shattered, 2000). His other novels include Nerve (1964), Rat Race (1971), Twice Shy (1982), Comeback (1991), and Decider (1993). Field of Thirteen (1998) is a collection of suspense stories about racing. The Sport of Queens (1957) deals with Francis’s racing career. Prior to her death in 2000, Francis’s wife, Mary, collaborated with him on the research and editing of his novels. Francis wrote the thrillers Dead Heat (2007), Silks (2008), and Even Money (2009) with Felix Francis, his son. Dick Francis died on Feb. 14, 2010.
