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Dick Francis

ディック・フランシス

Dick Francis

Pen Names: Dick Francis（pen name / professional name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1920-10-31 （Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom）
Died
2010-02-14 （Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands） age 89
Nationality
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Residence History
Wales (birth) → England (London, journalism and writing) → Cayman Islands (later life)

Career

Occupations
jockey, journalist, novelist
Active Years
1962-2010
Affiliations
Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Memberships
Crime Writers' Association
Influenced
Felix Francis (son; continued the racing-thriller series)

Awards

Edgar Award — Best Novel
1970
Work: Forfeit
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: winner
Gold Dagger
1979
Work: Whip Hand
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Result: winner
Edgar Award — Best Novel
1981
Work: Whip Hand
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: winner
Diamond Dagger
1989
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Result: winner
Edgar Award — Best Novel
1996
Work: Come to Grief
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: winner
MWA Grand Master
1996
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Dead Cert

1962 horse-racing thriller / mystery

Francis's debut novel set in the horse-racing world; the protagonist becomes entangled in racing-related plots and intrigues.

horse racingcrime behind the scenesprofessional ethics
Adaptations
  • [film] Dead Cert (film) (1974)
Translations
  • Dead Cert

Forfeit

1968 mystery / thriller

A thriller involving gambling and racing conspiracies; winner of the Edgar Award.

gamblingconspiracyhorse racing
Translations
  • Forfeit

Whip Hand

1979 mystery

A novel revolving around horses and jockeys and the crimes surrounding them; one of his award-winning key works.

revengehorse racinginvestigation
Translations
  • Whip Hand

Come to Grief

1995 mystery / thriller

One of his later acclaimed novels; the protagonist becomes embroiled in a complicated plot and the book received awards.

conspiracyprofessional dramadanger
Translations
  • Come to Grief

Bibliography

  • Dead Cert
  • Nerve
  • For Kicks
  • Forfeit
  • Whip Hand
  • Come to Grief
  • Under Orders

Adaptations

  • Dead Cert — film adaptation (1974)
  • TV dramatizations in Japan (e.g. Odds Against on NHK)
  • Radio dramatisations (NHK)

Translations of Works

  • Dead Cert
  • Forfeit
  • Whip Hand
  • Under Orders

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, straightforward narrationdetail-oriented realism (especially horse-racing detail)tightly plotted suspense
Recurring Motifs
horse racing and jockey lifeprofessional pride and ethicsunderworld / conspiracy

Health

  • poor health in later life
    晩年
    health declined in later years, limiting activity

Legacy

Dick Francis established the 'racing thriller' genre, earning international acclaim for his meticulously detailed mysteries set in the horse-racing world. After his death his son Felix continued the series; his works remain popular, notably in Japan.

Academic Societies

  • Crime Writers' Association (CWA)

In Popular Culture

  • Many works adapted for film, television and radio; some TV adaptations aired in Japan (e.g. NHK)
  • The Devon Loch incident at the Grand National became a famous episode in racing lore

Trivia

  • In the 1956 Grand National, the horse Devon Loch collapsed just before the finish while ridden by Francis — a widely known racing incident.
  • In Japan his titles are often published with two kanji characters; translator Mitsuru Kikuchi played a major role in popularizing him there.
  • His son Felix Francis has continued the racing-thriller series after Dick Francis's death.