My Top Five Dick Francis Books

Written by Felix Francis

 

 How can I choose just five? I love them all.

 

 

 

1. Bonecrack (published 1971)

This has always been my favourite of my father’s books.

It is a story about two fathers and two sons and, in particular, how the development of a working relationship between the sons changes the dynamics that exist between each father and his son. It is a tale of how the sons seek to establish their own existence, emerging from the shadows of their domineering fathers, and the distinction between total dependence and true independence as a means to that end. But, of course, it’s a thriller too – a story of threats and coercion, of mystery, violence and intrigue. It is not a ‘whodunit’ in the traditional sense, as the reader knows who the villain is on page six. It is more a tale of a battle of wills between two strong personalities both of whom are determined to prevail.

 

2. Odds Against (published October 1965)

Sid Halley makes his first appearance (of five) in Odds Against as the recently retired champion jockey, forced to quit the sport he loves due to an horrific injury to his left hand. He appears to be wasting his life until he gets shot and nearly loses it altogether. The incident spurs his into action, investigating the world of high finance and property development, in particular the taking over of racecourses for building land, and those who would stop at nothing to force the deal through – including murder.

 

3. The Danger (published 1973)

Kidnapping is a fact of life. Always has been, always will be. Less risky and more lucrative than robbing banks.

Andrew Douglas is a kidnap negotiator charged with obtaining the safe return of a hostage while ensuring that the ransom paid is not so extortionate that the family resent the victim for evermore. An Italian lady jockey is snatched and Andrew is sent to get her back. Then there’s another grab, this time of a child. Is there a pattern? Andrew pits his wits against the mastermind behind it all, and it’s a fight to the death.

 

4. For Kicks (published February 1965)

I am unashamedly going for some of the earlier of my father’s books because they had the greatest influence on me both as a reader and, now, as the writer of the “Dick Francis Novels”. For Kicks certainly remains one of the very best Dick Francis books, even 50 years after it was first released. Daniel Roke is a young, wealthy, successful horse breeder in Australia who has his life turned upside down (literally) when he is invited to come to the UK to investigate some bizarre goings-on in the world of Thoroughbred horseracing. And death and destruction tag along for the ride.

 

5. Forfeit (published 1968)

Winner of the first of my father’s three Edgar Allen Poe Awards for Best Novel, Forfeit is the story of a journalist, James Tyrone, who is a racing reporter for a London scandal sheet. He knows that fellow writer Bert Chekov is a drunk, but always thought he was an honest one. But when Bert suddenly dies in an "accidental" fall from a window, Tyrone suspects the clues to his death might be found in some newspaper columns he’d been writing touting can't-lose horses – who then mysteriously failed to show up on race day. In between trips to cover the next big race and secret rendezvous with a sensual new mistress, Tyrone sets out to prove that Chekov has been murdered. But he doesn't appreciate the terrifying risk he’s taking until it’s almost too late.

Front Runner by Felix Francis is out now, published by Michael Joseph, price £18.99 in hardback

Photos from the London launch of FRONT RUNNER. © Mike Stotter 2015


Editor Alex Clarke presents Felix with his leather bound copy of FRONT RUNNER

 
Felix posing in front of the especially commissioned frame containing all the pages from the book


SHOTS team of Mike and Ayo with Felix

i cheated on my husband with his best friend open is it my fault my husband cheated
discount prescription go walgreen online coupons
walgreens pharmacy coupons new prescription maray.nl coupon pharmacy
forms of abortion site coupons promo codes
prescription drugs coupons discount coupons for viagra coupon for free viagra
discount coupons for prescriptions floridafriendlyplants.com coupons for prescriptions
can i take amitriptyline with hydrocodone go can i take amitriptyline with hydrocodone
discount prescription drug card link free discount prescription cards
how much does it cost for an abortion open medical abortion pill
bystolic coupon mckesson site forest laboratories patient assistance
prescription discounts cards manufacturer coupons for prescription drugs free prescription discount cards
cialis coupon codes discount cialis pharmacy coupon generic cialis source
naprosyn 750 mg click naprosyn jel nedir
gedeones click geodon pfizer
claritine d blog.jp-sa.org claritine d
allotment go allo allo
cialis coupons from lilly coupons cialis free coupon for cialis
when can you get an abortion pill 2nd trimester abortion pill abortion pill
best site for coupons free coupons website coupon sites
addiyar newspaper addyi suomi addiyan chuk chuk
cost of abortions klitvejen.dk abortion pill quotes
i want to have an abortion aloeveraindia.com safest abortion method
addiyan chuk chuk guitar-frets.com addiyar newspaper
cialis coupon code free cialis coupons printable cialis coupon
online cialis coupons coupons for prescriptions free printable cialis coupons
how does abortion pill work pureheartvision.org how much is an abortion pill
amoxicillin dermani haqqinda amoxicillin 1000 mg amoxicillin nedir
lilly cialis coupon artsricksha.com cialis discount coupon
cialis 5 mg cialis tablet cialis nedir
how to get an abortion pill ouralfreton.co.uk abortion pill centers
about abortion pill how much is a abortion pill teenage abortion pill
abortion in first trimester is abortion painful terminating pregnancy at 5 weeks
abortion clinic atlanta fao-events.com abortions nyc
naltrexone off label uses alcohol antagonist low dose naltrexone reviews
naltrexone fibromyalgia side effects avonotakaronetwork.co.nz ldn for ulcerative colitis
where can i buy low dose naltrexone link naltrexone uses
shot for alcohol cravings charamin.com naltrxone
tolterodin nebenwirkungen tolterodin 2 mg tolterodin fass

Felix Francis



Home
Book Reviews
Features
Interviews
News
Columns
Authors
Blog
About Us
Contact Us

Privacy Policy | Contact Shots Editor

THIS WEBSITE IS © SHOTS COLLECTIVE. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED ELECTRONICALLY EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE EDITOR.