Dick Francis Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Dick Francis books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Dick Francis wasn’t just a writer – he was a man who knew what it meant to take risks and face danger. Before he ever wrote a book he lived an exciting life. He was a jockey, then a pilot in the war, and later a very popular crime writer all over the world. Many of his books are set in the world of horse racing and are loved by everyone.

He was born Richard Stanley Francis on October 31, 1920 in a small Welsh village called Coedcanlas. He was around horses from an early age because his father was a jockey and managed stables. So from the age of 15 he was leaving school to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a jockey too.

But his life took a different turn when World War II started. Dick joined the Royal Air Force and served for six years. He was a crew member and pilot and flew Hurricanes mostly in Africa. These were dangerous and exciting times and many people think this experience helped him later when he wrote about quiet and brave main characters.

After the war Dick went back to horse racing. He had a great career, winning almost 400 races in the British National Hunt. He was Champion Jockey in the 1953-54 season. One of the most famous moments in his racing career was in 1956. He was riding the Queen’s horse, Devon Loch, in the Grand National. The horse fell just before the finish line and although it was a huge disappointment it made Dick a household name.

He stopped racing in 1957 because of injuries and health problems. But instead of slowing down he started something new. That same year he wrote his autobiography, The Sport of Queens. It got noticed and he was offered a job as a racing writer for The Sunday Express which he did for 16 years. During that time he started writing fiction.

In 1962 his first novel Dead Cert was published. That was the start of a long writing career. He wrote over 40 novels and most of them were bestsellers. His books were fast and exciting but also full of real emotion. He wrote what he knew and readers could tell. His knowledge of horse racing made the stories feel real.

In most of his books the main character was someone linked to horse racing but with another job too — like an artist, pilot, investigator or even a wine expert. These characters were strong but not perfect. They had problems and fears just like real people. Dick once said he liked writing about “ordinary men in extraordinary situations” and readers loved that. His characters often had to make hard choices and deal with danger but they always felt believable.

A big part of Dick’s writing success was his wife Margaret Brenchley. They met in 1945 and married in 1947. They had two sons Merrick and Felix. Margaret helped him with research and editing and Dick always said he couldn’t have done it without her. They were a great team behind the scenes.

After Margaret died in 2000 Dick kept writing and later worked with his son Felix on some of the later books. But his health got worse over time. He had heart surgery and later lost a leg due to health problems. He died in 2010 at the age of 89 at his home in the Cayman Islands.

Even though he’s gone his books are still being read today. Titles like Whip Hand, To the Hilt, The Edge, Proof are still loved by fans of mystery and horse racing. His stories still feel fresh and exciting and that’s because good writing lasts.

At the heart of Dick Francis’s books are themes like bravery, honesty and standing up for what’s right even when it’s hard. That’s what makes his work special and why people still keep coming back to his books.