Twice Shy (Published in 1981) - Story in 2 parts, 14 years in between - Authored by Dick Francis

Twice Shy is narrated by John and William Derry, in two parts.

John Derry is head of the Physics Department at the West Ealing School, ‘with four masters and two technicians under my name.’ He follows innovative and somewhat unorthodox ways of teaching, which include getting an air gun into class to teach the students a lesson in speed! John has been married, eight years, to Sarah; they feel little attraction for each other and the marriage is like the many we see around us - for name sake’s only. For a young man of thirty three, Derry seems sounds dour, but is actually a solid, dependable guy. There are no offspring, but John has a much younger brother - William who is fifteen years old, tucked away at an expensive boarding school, thanks to a wealthy inheritance. Where is the trademark Francis horses? Well, William wants to be a jockey!
The teacher’s travails begin when his friend Peter hands over deceptively innocent audio music tapes - three of them, for safekeeping. Peter’s wife Donna is having psychological problems, serious ones - she’s stolen a baby - and to make all else worse, he is killed in an explosion! The tapes are far from musical, they are actually a coded computer language, used for betting by a gambler and criminal called Liam O’Rourke. After Peter’s sad demise, two low-lives land up at his doorstep - Angelo and Harry Gilbert, who demand that he handover the tapes to him - they want their hands on the tapes to find out details of the system that bets only on winning horses.




The first half of the book narrated by John Derry is and account of how he tries to safeguard the tapes, dodging the deadly duo and also multi tasking, i. e trying to unravel the secret behind the demand for the tapes. As luck would have it, time runs out for the criminals, and they are both sentenced to fourteen years in prison.
This is the second half of the book, narrated by William Derry, when the criminals have done time. Meanwhile, Jonathan migrates to the US, and takes up a teaching job there. Will, on the other hand, gives in to his love for horses and becomes a successful jockey, he retires when he gets a tad taller and heavier to ride. He then transitions to become a racing manager for a well to do horse owner. He also discovers that Angelo , for some reason believes it is Will who has been the thorn in his side, and the cause for all the bad stuff happening to him - therefore, obviously, Will deserves to die!
Twice Shy is written in the mystery form of Le Carre and PD James, it is Francis’s nineteenth novel. Although the plot is straightforward, the added dimension of the fourteen years works as an uplifting perspective. It is also the inspiration for a film by the same name, directed by Deirdre Friel and released in 1989. The screenplay was jointly written by Dick Francis and Miles Henderson. An interesting read, somewhat bumpy owing to the trappings of all mystery forms of writing and the aspect of technology in the ‘80s progressing towards the ‘90s - not a smooth transition there; even so, a good book on a rainy day.

Silks (Published in 2008) - Authored by Dick Francis and Felix Francis - Barrister under pressure

Strange that the very barrister defending the criminal, becomes turncoat and condemns the man. Or a little bit like that. The young criminal has been unsuccessful in defending himself against the allegations, rather it would seem as if Mason has failed to rescue the defendant - he however, speaks his mind out loud and contrary to what a defense counsel must do in court in keeping with his client’s image - he does the opposite. Geoffrey Mason tells the court that the only reason why he chose to defend Julian Trent was because he had to. And so, the charming, rich and violence loving Julian Trent is sentenced to eight years in prison - held guilty on eight counts, four of them for assault, three for inflicting serious injury and  one of attempted murder.
True, Mason would have rather been out of number 3 court at the Old Bailey, racing his twelve year old bay gelding in the Foxhunter Steeplechase, hailed by amateur riders as the Gold Cup. Flashback - Geoffrey had wanted to become a jockey, he had ‘fallen in love’ with steeplechasing as a teenager, and had thought he’d spend his life riding horses. His equine ambitions were dashed when his father suggested that he join the family law firm as a solicitor; his clever mind and brains become the undoing of his ambition, so, being a solicitor it is.
All that was in common amongst the two distinct professions was the presence of Silk - both jockeys and barristers wore the fabric to work! He does relive some of the passion at the racetrack at Sandown, where his barrister’s wig is set aside for racing silks! His father also suggested he remain single, he’d achieves that status seven years after his marriage is over - his pregnant wife dead.




Present day - His sense of accomplishment is short lived as the clerk informs him that Julian Trent’s sentencing has been overturned, the brat intimidated three jurors and they were coerced into changing their minds. Using his immense influence, Trent is able to pull the right strings to get out of the prison mess. Also, top jockey Steve Mitchell wants Mason to defend him, as he is now accused in the killing of another famous jockey Hamish ‘Scot’ Barlow.
Despite the evidence piled up against Trent, he is out, and gets his hands on Geoffrey the minute he is able to, beating him silly with a baseball bat. Threatening the solicitor that unless he aids in the conviction of Mitchell, his dad and girlfriend will both be killed! Also, Mitchell is in a real soup, he’s had an affair with Barlow’s sister Millie, a vet. She later committed suicide after a lethal intake of animal tranquilizer, not found in her clinic. His betting slips are stuck to the pitchfork with which Scot was murdered. Obviously, the circumstantial evidence is damning!
Silks is co - written by Dick’s son Felix; it is a well researched book, given the number of legal references in the story - from the Magna Carta to the present day legal system. The twenty one chapters are divided into three parts – Murder, Arrest, Remand (chapters 1-6), Disclosure (chapters 7-9), Trial and Punishment (chapters 10-21). A happy twist to the tale is that Mason actually gets the girl of his dreams, at the end of the story, unlike many of Francis’s heroes. Also the killer is one closer to home, yet well concealed enough to go unnoticed.

Knock Down (published in 1974) - A novel by Dick Francis - the story of a bloodstock agent

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Knock Down is the story of a blood stock trader, well it is not as macabre as it sounds. In the English horsing terminology it is equivalent of a horse trader or the horse buyer. Dick Francis gives another aspect of the English horse racing terminology with the respect of buying and selling horses.



As the writer himself implies, this profession is full of phony traders, bribing and cheating gullible customers, and the hero Jonah Dereham is an exception. An ex-jockey who was grievously injured, Jonah is happy with a small commission and is zealously honest. His goodness and immense knowledge make him the favorite of buyers but "when success could breed envy even in friends, in enemies it could raise spite of Himalayan proportions”. Jonah is a reclusive loner with an alcoholic brother Crispin who in this day and age would never get out of rehab.
Jonah is asked by an American heiress Kerry Sanders to choose a horse for her. After their successful bid for a great horse, two thugs corner Jonah to write over the horse to them. The motives for not bidding, and then at the same time asking to resell the horse intrigues him and Jonah refuses to sell the horse; he is promptly clubbed. Soon a series of run-in happens for various horses and pretty soon Jonah is on the run for his life. But a Dick Francis hero never leaves the scene midway, and Jonah true to the adage determinedly goes against his adversaries.
Jonah suffers threats, harassment, violence against himself and Crispin and knock downs. Amidst all this action he meets Air Traffic Controller Sophie Randolf when his horse bolts across the run way crashing her car. Sophie is suspicious at first and soon falls for the gentleman Jonah and helps him out with his case. Together they solve the mystery about Kerry Sanders, the Horses and the thugs.
A vintage Dick Francis book with an action backed story revolving around the racing fraternity. Knock Down guarantees a good read with a suitable romantic angle to keep the interest. The hero is a likable honest English Gentle man who pursues the villains even when all chips are down. The book I feel is condescending to the American lady but still the slight is forgivable with Jonah's winnable ways. A good book to read, a knockout buy.

Bonecrack (published in 1971) - Father and son relationships in the world of horses

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded the CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Bonecrack is a delightful book which chronicles a father and son relationship. Neil Griffon has racing in his blood and as a son of a world class stable owner and trainer he is a natural. But his father does not have trust in his abilities, which forces him to move away and make a name for himself. Neil comes back when his father suffers an accident and is bed ridden. He takes up the upkeep of the stables intending to hand it over to a efficient trainer as soon as he has found one. But a night changes the equation – when Neil is kidnapped and threatened.



Just as Neil's father never gave anything, Enzo Riviera is ready give everything his son Alessandro asks him. Alessandro wants to become a champion jockey and ride Archangel, the race favorite. Enzo is ready to do anything to get his son's wish come true. Neil is threatened to give in to Enzo's demand. Enzo vows to burn the stables down unless and until Alessandro is allowed to supersede all the other experienced jockeys. Neil has no alternative but to accede to his wishes.
He takes Alessandro under his wing and tries to groom him in to a good jockey. Aless is a snooty and cocky guy with scant regard to authority. But fearful for the stable, Neil perseveres and Alessandro thaws and gets in to the training mode. In an heartwarming finish Neil gets Alessandro do the best things in the world. He also earns the respect of his father and defeats Enzo's evil plots.
I just love Neil Griffon's character who has no great personality except for his dogged determination to save his horses. Many horses do get killed and this might turn off the animal lover, but the pace of the book helps to forgive all. I just loved the story, its heartwarming and ingenious. Dick Francis is a great mystery writer and Bonecrack once again proves it.

Enquiry (published in 1969) - A jockey in search of justice, find out who framed him

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Jockey Kelly Hughes and trainer Dexter Cranfield are suspended for life by the Oxford Stewards for deliberately throwing racing matches. Dexter goes in to a depression and numbs his grief with the help of the bottle. But Hughes, made of sterner stuff channelizes his anger in finding out who framed him and planted the evidence. His journey takes him in to a murkier world of murder, deceit and blackmail.



This book is extremely interesting because Hughes is not a detective or even a snoopy curious guy. He is just a person in search of justice and so he does not even know where to begin. He just starts with the obvious, investigating all the people who gave evidence against him during the hearing. So the chipping away of the layers happens where shady characters who do away non conforming jockeys are unveiled.
Hughes gets his help from an unexpected quarter, Roberta - his employer's daughter helps him in his quest. Hughes and Roberta are poles apart with a yawning class divide between them. Roberta's dad treats jockeys as third class citizens and would be horrified to find his daughter consorting with such men. Hughes initially does not like this snooty, spoilt rich girl, but soon they become allies and then love blossoms. To my extreme relief Dick Francis let Hughes to get the girl which is pretty unusual. This is one of the characteristic of Dick Francis's novels, that the good guys never surely get the girl, the only thing he assures is that the good guy survives even romantic failures.
The book is amazing with a great pace. Each actions and even simple happenings are for some reason and Francis ties all the loose ends admirably. When Hughes clears his name I just said a hurrah for that man's indomitable spirit even though he was just a character. A real feel good book, but beware of being sucked into the vortex. You can never stop at anytime till you have reached the end.

Forfeit (published in 1968) - Written by Dick Francis, an Edgar Award winner

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Forfeit is just another Dick Francis mystery set against the racing background. Here the protagonist James Tyrone is a sport writer who tries to solve the problem of the favorites of the race track not coming up to scratch. James Tyrone works for the London Tabloid, the “London Sunday Express” and is a racing correspondent. His friend Bert Chekhov in a drunken stupor advises him about being true to his self while covering the races. His blabbering about selling the soul, lies and fraud makes no sense to Tyrone who leaves him alone in the office.



The next news he gets is about Chekhov's death as a result of a fall from the seventh floor. Tyrone smells a story and his enthusiastic editor smells a scandal with profit and encourages him to go ahead with his investigations.
As Tyrone investigates, he comes across the betting syndicate which forces racing correspondents to mislead the general public. The syndicate which has made a great fortune is not willing to let go of it and can even resort to murder to prevent the cash outflow. Tyrone has his own personal demons to kill. His wife is incapacitated by polio and he feels he is living a life of “dust and ashes”. He is very much attracted to another women but loves his wife too. Picking up a life with pleasure or getting a world with love is a hard choice is make for any man, but the dilemma is managed beautifully by Tyrone.
As he meets the cold blooded murderer in the wild life cages of London, Tyrone manages to make the choice. He helps to save his wife inspite of being drunk and also fends off the assassin thus solving the mystery. A very fast paced book from the master of mysteries which manages to to keep your attention to the last. The language is very crisp and fresh with all the characters very properly nuanced. It is one of the first books where Francis delves in to the romantic nature of the hero. Tyrone's dilemma in letting go of sex and his love for his wife is well put through. This episode reflects Francis's personal life where his wife Mary had contracted polio. This book would be one of my favorite Dick Francis books and would highly recommend it.

For Kicks (published in 1965) - Doping and horse racing - a book by Dick Francis

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He droppd out of school to train as a Jockey and was fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall an d became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
"For Kicks" is the quintessential Dick Francis book where the Hero tries to solve the mystery in the racing world, but this time it is doping. Daniel Roke, an Australian stud farmer is asked by Earl October to investigate a series of wins posted by unfancied horses at the all England Racing Circuit. Roke is happy in Australia but the money dangled by Mr. October is too juicy a carrot to refuse. It does not help to have dependent siblings and family, the need for money makes it more difficult to refuse the offer. So Roke reaches England to investigate and takes up a job as the stable hand in various stables.



The mystery baffling the officials are the fact that unfancied horses win the race and they appear stimulated. But tests done on them only show an increased adrenaline count with no trace of any drug. The fastest horses are also tested whether they are doped to lose, but these too come negative. Roke disguised as the stable hand at the Earls stable come in to contact with his daughters regularly. He rebuffs the elder one and a tender relationship builds with the younger Elinor.
As the investigations proceed, Roke notices that most of the winners were horses once owned by a Humber or Adams. He gets in to their stables as a stable hand and find the work conditions atrocious. Slowly but steadily he unearths the mystery which ultimately threatens his survival. This may come as a spoiler, but the real scorcher of the book is the method of doping. Using the Pavlovian principle, Francis gives a new doping mantra, fear. Fear incited by prolonged torture followed by a stimulant in this case a whistle makes the horses bolt in terror and win the race. As always Roke is found, tortured and survives to tell the tale and reap the rewards.
An amazing book, crisp and refreshing which only Francis can imagine. Dick Francis builds up the suspense gradually that the reader is completely drawn in to the plot. Unlike his many heroes, Roke is handsome and suave, but goes through the similar travesties in search of answers. One can sense the English society of the seventies, the racing fraternity and the ambience of the field through this amazing book. This one heck of a journey every reader can take.

Nerve (published in 1964) - Jockeys and horses, a book by Dick Francis

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He droppd out of school to train as a Jockey and was fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall an d became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Rob Finn is the black sheep of the family of talented musicians. Not only he cannot sing he cannot get the love of the woman he wants. Finn is head over heels in love with Joanna who finds his attentions unwarranted due to the fact that they are first cousins. Finn learns to ride at the outback and is hired as a trainey jockey when he reaches England.



He rides the tempestuous horses and his fearlessness helps him to overcome the most beastly ones. Slowly his fame spreads and he is catapulted in to the big league of horse racing. After basking in the glory of great wins he finds sinister going ons around him. Vicious rumors are spread about fellow jockeys and soon suicides and murders happen. Canards are spread about Finn who suddenly find his rides sluggish and his winning streak severely down in the dumps. Word goes around that he has lost his “Nerve”.
As Finn tries to find the answers about himself, he looks into the death of his colleagues and finds similar patterns and rumors surrounding their ends. As he investigates he is kidnapped and is tortured and given up as dead. But the resilient Finn manages to escape and gets the police and tries to piece the puzzle. Now the motivation is to find revenge for his torture and Finn goes against a powerful adversary whose motive is to destroy jockeys who do conform. This tale is the ultimate revenge drama of a determined but unassuming man against the power corridors in the racing land. The ending is superb and you feel for Rob Finn as he struggles to find his place in the competitive world of horse racing and love. He wins the former, but alas I feel cheated as Joanna who rescues him does not return his love.
Again a great racing story from Dick Francis in his typical crisp English. Readers can feel the yesteryears Britain through his writings, especially the English Gentleman's stiff upper-lip. Rob Finn is the typical hero who plods through torture, injury and bad luck to find a smile. Again a great mystery solved with out the high tech devices, just by pursuit and brains. A great book to take home.

Dead Cert (published in 1962) - a horse racing story by Dick Francis

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
The Dead Cert Hero, Alan York is an Amateur Jockey in the steeplechase races. During one of the races, he witnesses his friend Bill Davidson falling down from his horse and getting injured. Alan pulls up to help his friend to the hospital where he is declared dead. On his return his suspicions of foul play are confirmed when he finds the wires coiled near the fences and grooves on the posts. When he tries to bring it to the notice of the law enforcers, the wires disappear. Alan forms one of the credible witnesses for the police and soon is asking questions to the officers.



Soon he is kidnapped and beaten up severely with a warning to let go of the case. But the beatings harden his determination to find the truth about his friends death. He also meets the women of his heart, Kate and soon indulges in a cat and mouse game with the wily antagonist to protect Kate. As he digs deeper he finds a ring of power crazy aristocrats who rig races and are even willing to murder jockeys who do not agree to their demands to fix races. Bill Davidson's children secretly listening to their fathers telephonic conversation provide the vital clue to crack this mystery.
This mystery describes us the world of British race tracks before the advent of high tech. If you are interested how crime was solved without the aid of cell phones, DNA and the host of other innovations, you have come to the right place. Alan York is the upright British Gentleman, who keeps his English uptight demeanor in-spite of beatings and injuries and doggedly pursues his much connected adversary to pay for his friends death.
Francis weaves a great tale effortlessly and the amount of suspense is really high. The language is clear cut and crisp like a refreshing summer day. A great book to unwind.