Dick Francis, famous for this horse-racing mystery novels, died at the age of 89.
I only met Mr. Francis once. I interviewed him for the first Sports issue of the Mystery Readers Journal and for the Oakland Tribune many years ago. As you may know, journalists often interview their subjects in their hotel rooms. Such was the case. Dick Francis had ordered lunch for us both. When it was delivered, the waiter said, and for you, Mrs. Francis? Dick quickly and strongly said, "She's not Mrs. Francis." Just setting the record straight. Wonder if the waiter was confused...or had he seen and heard it all?
Dick Francis wrote over 40 best-selling novels selling over 60 million copies during his career. He was also a champion jockey in the 1940s and 50s and the Queen Mother's jockey. He rode over 300 winners.
Francis first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later. Forfeit, in 1968, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award, and Whip Hand in 1979 the Golden Dagger Award of the Crime Writers Association. A television series, The Racing Game, was based on his story Odds Against. In 2000, Dick Francis became a CBE.
Francis's most recent works, Dead Heat and Silks, were co-authored by his son Felix.
Very sad. Another mystery author leaves the community.
Read the BBC Obit HERE.
Read Marilyn Stasio NYT obit HERE.
