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| Collage created on Fotojet |
I have been a fan of the books by Dick Francis since the 1970s. I own them all and now am collecting them for my daughter, who has also become a huge fan.
The Dick Francis books revolve around horse racing in England. Most of the books are stand-alone stories (not continuing), although there are 3 short sets of continuing characters among the Francis collection. The main character and narrator of each story is somehow associated with horse racing. He may be a jockey, a trainer, a racehorse owner, or someone in another profession somehow linked to racing.
I love each and every one of the 40+ books Dick Francis wrote and re-read them frequently. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to name a favorite.
That said, I would like to review for you now one I just finished re-reading that is among those of my top favorites of the Francis collection ~ entitled Straight. As with all of the stories, it deals with crime in the horse racing world.
Synopsis of Straight
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| Available on Amazon |
Therein, lies the problem. Derek has no idea where
the 100 diamonds are, due to his brother's need for secrecy, and it soon
becomes apparent that unscrupulous others are also looking for them. The bank
holds a loan of $1.5 million dollars for the diamonds and the gemstone
business Derek has inherited and is now trying to run is in jeopardy if the
diamonds cannot be found. Danger suddenly surrounds Derek on all fronts
and his only hope of survival is to identify the enemy.
Dick Francis was a pilot with the RAF (Royal Air Force) during World War II
and after the war became a highly successful professional jockey. In fact, he
was a jockey for The Queen Mother's (Queen Elizabeth) horse, the story of
which is outlined in
“The Sport of Queens”, an autobiography published in 1957.
After retiring from racing as a jockey, Francis worked as a racing correspondent for a newspaper, and also began to write his horse racing mystery stories. A nearly unknown fact is that his wife, Mary, was his researcher and a major contributor to his stories. In fact, during the many and varied subjects she researched, Mary became a pilot (3 novels feature a pilot) and a photographer for a book about a race course photographer.
Derek says: “I inherited my brother's desk, his business, his gadgets, his enemies, his horses and his mistress. I inherited my brother's life, and it nearly killed me.”
Author Dick Francis
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| (c) Wednesday Elf Personal Photo of my Copy of this book |
After retiring from racing as a jockey, Francis worked as a racing correspondent for a newspaper, and also began to write his horse racing mystery stories. A nearly unknown fact is that his wife, Mary, was his researcher and a major contributor to his stories. In fact, during the many and varied subjects she researched, Mary became a pilot (3 novels feature a pilot) and a photographer for a book about a race course photographer.
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| Dick Francis with son Felix Francis |
Near the end of his writing career, and after Mary's death in 2000, his son,
Felix, became his writing partner.
Dick Francis was born on Halloween in 1910 and died on Valentine's Day in 2010 at age 89. His son, Felix Francis has continued writing the Dick Francis Mysteries ever since. I am delighted that my favorite series of books continues to this day. The subject matter is still about horse racing, mainly in England, and involves a mystery to be solved. Felix's writing style is very similar to that of his dad and just as enjoyable to read.
I highly recommend Straight, or any of the other Dick Francis and Felix Francis horse racing mysteries. You don't even have to like horses or be a fan of racing to enjoy these stories, as the writing is superb, the characters interesting, and the stories fascinating.
(c) Wednesday Elf - 5/11/2019
Dick Francis was born on Halloween in 1910 and died on Valentine's Day in 2010 at age 89. His son, Felix Francis has continued writing the Dick Francis Mysteries ever since. I am delighted that my favorite series of books continues to this day. The subject matter is still about horse racing, mainly in England, and involves a mystery to be solved. Felix's writing style is very similar to that of his dad and just as enjoyable to read.
Summary
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My Dick Francis Book Collection (c) Wednesday Elf |
I highly recommend Straight, or any of the other Dick Francis and Felix Francis horse racing mysteries. You don't even have to like horses or be a fan of racing to enjoy these stories, as the writing is superb, the characters interesting, and the stories fascinating.
(c) Wednesday Elf - 5/11/2019
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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What a wonderful family and legacy. It is so awesome that they worked together to create such a fabulous book series. The fact that you re-read them speaks volumes. It sounds like the whatever Dick or Mary set their minds to doing, they did it well. Bravo! It is really very cool that their son picked up writing where his dad left off.
ReplyDeleteThe plot of Straight sounds very intriguing and very unique.
I'm delighted that Felix decided to carry on his dad's writing as I can't imagine not having a new Dick Francis mystery to read. The fact that he co-wrote with his dad in Dick's later years allows Felix to have a similar style and continue in the same vein of writing. Love it. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteThe highest complement to be paid an author is to have the honor of being read and reread. That you feel this way about Dick Francis is quite the tribute. I aspire to be that kind of writer.
ReplyDeleteWith our libraries currently closed, I am once again RE-reading all my Dick Francis novels in my home collection, including Straight, one of my favorites! :)
DeleteYes! Am a huge fan of Dick Francis - I had forgotten about this book, a must read! or reread!
ReplyDeleteI never get tired of re-reading Dick Francis -- and always look forward to reading the newest my his son, Felix Francis, who is continuing in his dad's footsteps with these horse racing mysteries. :)
DeleteI have to say I have not read any Dick Francis books. Thanks for the recommendation for Straight, a horse racing mystery novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, fellow reader! I enjoyed your visit. Straight is one of my very favorite Dick Francis mysteries.The main character, Derek, is so interesting.
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