The very first racing thriller was penned by Dick Francis,

marking the beginning of his highly successful bestselling career.

In this thrilling story, a horse that is widely favored to win unfortunately falls during a race,

resulting in the tragic death of its jockey.

Devastated by the loss of his friend, the protagonist decides to launch an investigation.

As he delves deeper into the mystery, he soon discovers that he has put himself in mortal danger.

The plot thickens as he races against time to uncover the truth behind the horse's fall and his friend's untimely demise.

Will he be able to solve the mystery and escape the clutches of danger?

Readers are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to find out.

Dick Francis' masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions bring the world of horse racing to life,

making this a must-read for fans of thrillers and horse racing alike.

Ihanaa vanhanajan tunnelmaa ja hevoselämää.

I really enjoyed the old-timey atmosphere and the horse life.

I had a great time once again.

However, I burst out laughing when after the bullterrier there was a *)-notation and at the bottom of the page the translator's note that it was a crossbreed of a bulldog and a mastiff.

Aaaahahahahaha!

Oh my, where on earth did he get such information or did he just make it up himself. :D :D :D

The breed is, however, a very well-known British breed since the 1800s and the first bulldog had already come to Finland in 1961.

So, it wasn't a very strange discovery.

It would just have been better to leave the whole anecdote unmade. :D

This is an excellent read, and in my opinion, one of Dick's best works.

The author has expertly crafted the descriptions of the chase through the forest. It vividly brings to life the excitement and紧张 of the pursuit.

Moreover, the controlled chaos of a steeplechase is also depicted in a masterful way. The reader can almost feel the thundering hooves and the excitement of the riders.

However, I must admit that I was able to guess who the culprit was before the end of the story. But, I did not manage to figure out the identity of the second bad guy.

Overall, this is a great book that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed. It is definitely worth a read for anyone who enjoys mystery and adventure novels.

Another classic, perhaps the very one that set it all in motion.

Investigating the suspicious activities within and around the world of racing, starting from the saddle, so to speak, an amateur jockey finds himself deeply involved in the seedy underbelly of horse-racing. He is pitted against seemingly insurmountable odds as he battles to solve the crimes.

It's cracking stuff indeed. Dick Francis has always had the ability to deliver engaging and thrilling stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats. His vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for any mystery or racing enthusiast.

Whether you're a fan of horse-racing or simply enjoy a good mystery, this classic novel is sure to satisfy. So sit back, relax, and let Dick Francis take you on a wild ride through the world of horse-racing and crime.

After several years, I have decided to reread the Dick Francis series. I am starting off in the order of publication. Dick Francis was truly a genius in a genre that he essentially invented, namely the horse-racing mystery. Right from the beginning, one can clearly see the way his mind operates. His remarkable ability to craft an interesting puzzle is truly impressive. Moreover, his gift for writing characters that one truly cares about is equally outstanding. I have been thoroughly enjoying this rereading experience. It is fascinating to once again immerse myself in the world that Dick Francis has created. Each book in the series offers a unique and engaging story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to continuing this journey through the Dick Francis series and rediscovering all the wonderful aspects that make his books so special.

I first discovered Dick Francis during my time living in eastern Europe. At that point, it was extremely difficult for me to obtain books in English. Fortunately, I found a solution at The British Council, where I could get free books. They had an extensive collection of Dick Francis novels, and I devoured them with great enthusiasm. 25 years later, I decided to give his books another try. This time, I also 'discovered' Rose Tremain and a few other authors. Dick Francis's novels are the perfect choice for downtime reading. It doesn't matter if I stop reading for a while and then continue later. They are a convenient fill-in novel between other books, allowing me to relax and enjoy the story without any stress.

This mystery/thriller book is firmly set in the world of British steeplechase horse racing.

It revolves around a jockey who embarks on an investigation into an incident that occurred to a fellow jockey during a race.

Many of the familiar patterns from other Dick Francis books are present. There is a nice-guy protagonist who is brave and financially well-off.

The bad guys issue a warning to the protagonist, but it fails to deter him. There is an almost over-the-top group of antagonists.

And, of course, there is a heavy focus on horse racing, which is extremely prominent in this story.

Overall, it is a very decent story. However, I have mixed feelings about the ending, which involves the romantic interest and some payback to one of the bad guys.

The ending left me with a bit of a conflicted feeling, as it didn't quite resolve all the elements in a way that fully satisfied me.

Nonetheless, the book as a whole is engaging and keeps the reader hooked until the very end.

It offers an exciting glimpse into the world of horse racing and the mysteries and dramas that can unfold within it.

Despite my reservations about the ending, I would still recommend this book to fans of mystery and thriller genres, especially those with an interest in horse racing.

This was a truly enjoyable little mystery.

The characters, unfortunately, didn't have much of an arc, and the plot, right down to the ending, was rather predictable. However, it was still a pleasure to read as it was so distinct from the modern mysteries I typically devour these days.

Composed in 1962, it lacked the conveniences of cell phones, computers, and listening devices. There wasn't a grisly murder either, and perhaps due to the English setting, there wasn't a great deal of gunplay. It offered a really cool glimpse back in time.

Moreover, it was interesting because it imparted a wealth of knowledge about horse racing. I don't envision myself reading many more of these, as the novelty is bound to wear off and since I've been informed that they all center around horse racing.

I read it on the recommendation of a friend, and as a result, I have a slightly better understanding of him. That is always a wonderful reason to pick up a book. :)

Although I have a great affection for the books penned by Dick Francis, there is an uncanny sensation that I have traversed through their pages on previous occasions.

His works possess a certain allure that keeps me engaged from the very first sentence until the last. The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters draw me into a world that is both thrilling and captivating.

Despite the familiarity that nags at the back of my mind, I still find myself thoroughly enjoying each and every one of his books. They offer a unique escape from reality, allowing me to immerse myself in the exciting lives of his characters.

Overall, Dick Francis's books are a great read, even if they give the impression of déjà vu.

This is Francis' first mystery, and even though it's terribly dated. In it, taxis with radios are a recent innovation and are used plotwise to great effect. However, it's still a very good read.

Alan York, the first person hero, is a rich young man. He rides as an amateur jockey simply because he loves it. Although he has an expensive car, he rarely mentions his wealth. He never uses it to gain advantage for himself. In fact, he refuses to mention it to his new girlfriend's relatives. This is because one of his friends, who isn't rich, is competing for the attention of the same woman. That's fairness in spades.

The plot is a common one. When his best friend is killed, Alan is compelled to figure out how and why. But as I've mentioned many times before, it's all about execution. The mystery is strong, the characters are interesting, and there's a fairly nice romantic interest. My favorite bit, though, features a horse named Admiral. Francis often included horses as characters in his books, and Admiral, his first, is one of his most memorable.

Critics have said that Francis got better as he became more experienced. His later novels were more complex and better written than his earlier ones, and I won't deny that. But Dead Cert has always been one of my favorites. If you've always wanted to try Francis and would like to begin with an early one, Dead Cert is definitely a good place to start.

A re-read as a palate cleaner.

It's truly amazing how, upon re-reading this piece, it still holds the same allure and charm. The language used is simply wonderful, flowing seamlessly and painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

The characterisation is top-notch, with each character being fully developed and having their own unique traits and personalities. It's easy to become invested in their stories and root for them as they face various challenges.

And let's not forget the perfect racing lore. The author has done an excellent job of creating a world full of excitement, danger, and passion for the sport of racing.

Overall, this is a piece that I will continue to love and re-read time and time again. It's a true gem that never gets old.

Why read Dick Francis? One reason is that you’ll be in excellent reading company. Francis was a beloved bedtime companion for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and Kingsley Amis was also a fan. Philip Larkin even declared that Francis was “always twenty times more readable than the average Booker entry.” Presumably, they have an exclusive reading group in the sky where they discuss his works.

Francis had a late start as a novelist. He first gained national fame as a jump jockey, being among the top ten in his grueling sport and serving as the Queen Mother's jockey from 1953 to 1957. However, in 1956, his life took a dramatic turn. Leading the field in the Grand National, his horse Devon Loch mysteriously collapsed yards from the finish line. This disappointment was bitter as he had never won the National. The reason for Devon Loch's collapse remains a mystery, with theories including nobbling or a massive fart. Francis retired at 42 and turned to writing fiction.

Dead Cert, his first novel, draws on the unhappy race that ended his career. It opens vividly with the smells of a horse race. The story follows young Alan York as he investigates the mysterious fall of a top jockey. The trail leads to a sinister “Mr Big” in Brighton who fixes races. The novel also features romantic interest with two women. While the geopolitical context of Southern Rhodesia is not explored, Francis excels at描绘 the insider details of horse racing, such as nobbling and handicapping.

Francis was modest about his narrative technique, simply starting at the beginning and plodding on to the end. He had a regular writing schedule, starting a new book on January 1 and delivering the manuscript in May for September publication. There is speculation that his wife Mary may have ghostwritten some or all of his novels.