RIP Dick Francis: 1920 - 2010

Dave Berk · 02-14-2010, 04:22 PM

Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said.

Francis, who wrote more than 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also champion jockey in the 1950s and the Queen Mother's jockey.
He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertain...re/8515165.stm

I've read all of his books and loved every one of them. He may not have been a literature author, but he sure could spin a yarn. RIP.

GhostHawk · 02-14-2010, 04:48 PM

Now there is a master at his craft who is going to be missed.

Died of old age in the Cayman Islands, well earned sir.

nikkers · 02-15-2010, 02:56 AM

In 1982 ABC radio was reading Reflex .I hadn't heard of Dick Francis until then. I couldn't wait to hear it all, so I bought . Have read them all , as you say ripping great yarns. His books spread over 40 years loved changing technology, radio cabs, computer programs on tape , powered prosthetics to name a few. RIP

HarryT · 02-15-2010, 04:41 AM

A great author. He'll be sadly missed. It really comes across in all his books that he knows he field he's writing about (horse racing) as an "insider", unlike so many authors. He's one of my favourite mystery authors.

pdurrant · 02-15-2010, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said.

[...]

I've read all of his books and loved every one of them. He may not have been a literature author, but he sure could spin a yarn. RIP.

Yes, I enjoyed all his books. The one with a computerised race forecasting system was very interesting - since for that one I could tell how thorough and accurate his research was, it made me appreciate his other books even more.

He did a very clever thing in combining the advice "write what you know" with also writing about things he had to research. His books always had horse racing as a background, there was also a view into a new world not directly related to racing - glass making, photography, politics, haulage, private investigation, catering, ....

Only thirteen of his books are currently available as ebooks. Hopefully the back catalogue will continue to be converted.

GhostHawk · 02-15-2010, 07:35 AM

On the darknet found one torrent with 33 total, all in .lit format.

Banker, Bloodsport, Bolt, Bonecrack, Come to Grief.
Dead Cert, Decider, Driving Force, Edge, Enquiry.
Field of 13, For Kicks, Forfeit, High Stakes, Hot Money.
In the Frame, Knockdown, Longshot, Nerve, Odds Against.
Proof, Rat Race, Reflex, Second Wind, Shattered.
Sleigh Ride, Smokescreen, Straight, Danger, To the Hilt.
Twice Shy, Whip hand, Wild Horses.

Not that I'm suggesting anything.

nbvanyoos · 02-15-2010, 10:05 AM

I have loved his stories for over twenty years and will miss him greatly. I have never been a horse person, but his stories have always inspired in me an interest in steeplechasing. Too bad I live in America. He was one of those authors that I immediately bought the hardback when it became available.

We will miss you Mr. Francis!

HarryT · 02-15-2010, 11:34 AM

There's an interesting radio item (6 minutes long) about his life and career on the BBC web site here.

BruceW · 02-15-2010, 12:35 PM

There have been a number of discussions about what pbooks you will never get rid of. Well my collection of all the Dick Francis novels will always find a place in my home. They are bent, ripped, stained, and have been read many times by all of my family. They are good friends that one can always return turn too and know that a good time is about to be had.

We will all miss you!

02-14-2010, 04:22 PM	#1
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	RIP Dick Francis: 1920 - 2010 Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said. Francis, who wrote more than 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also champion jockey in the 1950s and the Queen Mother's jockey. He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertain...re/8515165.stm I've read all of his books and loved every one of them. He may not have been a literature author, but he sure could spin a yarn. RIP.

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02-14-2010, 04:48 PM	#2
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	Now there is a master at his craft who is going to be missed. Died of old age in the Cayman Islands, well earned sir.

02-15-2010, 02:56 AM	#3
nikkers tragic Posts: 55 Karma: 1010096 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 160km from a bookshop Device: IPAQ classic	In 1982 ABC radio was reading Reflex .I hadn't heard of Dick Francis until then. I couldn't wait to hear it all, so I bought . Have read them all , as you say ripping great yarns. His books spread over 40 years loved changing technology, radio cabs, computer programs on tape , powered prosthetics to name a few. RIP

02-15-2010, 04:41 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A great author. He'll be sadly missed. It really comes across in all his books that he knows he field he's writing about (horse racing) as an "insider", unlike so many authors. He's one of my favourite mystery authors.

02-15-2010, 07:35 AM	#6
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	On the darknet found one torrent with 33 total, all in .lit format. Banker, Bloodsport, Bolt, Bonecrack, Come to Grief. Dead Cert, Decider, Driving Force, Edge, Enquiry. Field of 13, For Kicks, Forfeit, High Stakes, Hot Money. In the Frame, Knockdown, Longshot, Nerve, Odds Against. Proof, Rat Race, Reflex, Second Wind, Shattered. Sleigh Ride, Smokescreen, Straight, Danger, To the Hilt. Twice Shy, Whip hand, Wild Horses. Not that I'm suggesting anything.

02-15-2010, 10:05 AM	#7
nbvanyoos NB VanYoos Posts: 31 Karma: 668 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Device: Kindle 2	I have loved his stories for over twenty years and will miss him greatly. I have never been a horse person, but his stories have always inspired in me an interest in steeplechasing. Too bad I live in America. He was one of those authors that I immediately bought the hardback when it became available. We will miss you Mr. Francis!

02-15-2010, 11:34 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	There's an interesting radio item (6 minutes long) about his life and career on the BBC web site here.

02-15-2010, 12:35 PM	#9
BruceW Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 773 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Sony Reader	There have been a number of discussions about what pbooks you will never get rid of. Well my collection of all the Dick Francis novels will always find a place in my home. They are bent, ripped, stained, and have been read many times by all of my family. They are good friends that one can always return turn too and know that a good time is about to be had. We will all miss you!

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