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Dick Francis

Bestselling Author • 6 Series • 50 Books

6
Series
50
Books
6
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Dead Cert (1962)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Kit Fielding Books
Start with: Break In (1985)

About Dick Francis

Born Richard Stanley Francis on 31st October 1920 in Coedcanlas, Pembroke, in Wales. Dick Francis was just his pen name which he had chosen to use because it is more memorable. His father was a jockey and was also employed to manage a stable at a firm in Berkshire, England. He dropped out of school at fifteen years intending to become a jockey like his father and ended up becoming an instructor in 1938. At the onset of the World War II, being young and energetic he enlisted in the military where he served as a crew and later a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He worked with the fighter and bomber aircrafts such as the Hurricane. Most of the air travels in his six years of military work took place in distant continents, mostly Africa. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Dick Francis has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Dick Francis

Publication Order of Sid Halley Books
5 books 1965–2013
1

Odds Against

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Sid Halley Books with Odds Against, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1965
2

Whip Hand

Whip Hand is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sid Halley Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1979
3

Come to Grief

Come to Grief continues the Publication Order of Sid Halley Books story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
4

Under Orders

Under Orders is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sid Halley Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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2006
5

Refusal

Refusal is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sid Halley Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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2013
Publication Order of Kit Fielding Books
2 books 1985–1986
1

Break In

Break In is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Kit Fielding Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1985
2

Bolt

Bolt continues the Publication Order of Kit Fielding Books story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
33 books 1962–2000
1

Dead Cert

A gripping mystery unfolds in Dead Cert as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases Dick Francis's mastery of suspense.

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1962
2

Nerve

Nerve is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1964
3

For Kicks

For Kicks continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1965
4

Flying Finish

Flying Finish is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1966
5

Blood Sport

A gripping mystery unfolds in Blood Sport as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases Dick Francis's mastery of suspense.

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1967
6

Forfeit

Forfeit is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1968
7

Enquiry

Enquiry continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1969
8

Rat Race

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Rat Race, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1970
9

Bonecrack

Bonecrack continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1971
10

Smokescreen

Smokescreen continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1972
11

Slay Ride

Slay Ride continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1973
12

Knockdown

Knockdown continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1974
13

High Stakes

High Stakes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1975
14

In the Frame

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with In the Frame, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1976
15

Risk

Risk continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1977
16

Trial Run

Trial Run continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1978
17

Reflex

Reflex is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1980
18

Twice Shy

Twice Shy continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1981
19

Banker

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Banker, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1982
20

The Danger

The Danger continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
21

Proof

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Proof, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1984
22

Hot Money

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Hot Money, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1987
23

The Edge

The Edge continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
24

Straight

Straight continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1989
25

Longshot

Longshot continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
26

Comeback

Comeback continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
27

Driving Force

Driving Force continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992
28

Decider

Decider is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1993
29

Wild Horses

Wild Horses continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
30

To the Hilt

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with To the Hilt, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1996
31

10 lb. Penalty

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with 10 lb. Penalty, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1997
32

Second Wind

Second Wind is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1999
33

Shattered

Shattered is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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2000
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
1 books 1998–1998
1

Field of Thirteen

Field of Thirteen is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1998
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
3 books 1957–1986
1

The Sport of Queens: The Autobiography of Dick Francis

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Sport of Queens: The Autobiography of Dick Francis, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1957
2

The Racing Man's Bedside Book

The Racing Man's Bedside Book continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1969
3

A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggot / Lester

A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggot / Lester continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
Publication Order of Anthologies
6 books 1958–1992
1

Galaxy Science Fiction, September 1958

Galaxy Science Fiction, September 1958 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1958
2

John Creasey's Crime Collection, 1977

The investigation intensifies in John Creasey's Crime Collection, 1977, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dick Francis's creation.

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1977
3

Verdict of Thirteen

Verdict of Thirteen continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Dick Francis's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1979
4

Great Stories of Mystery and Suspense

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Great Stories of Mystery and Suspense, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1981
5

1st Culprit

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with 1st Culprit, another outstanding contribution from Dick Francis.

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1992
6

The Amis Story Anthology

The Amis Story Anthology is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dick Francis have come to expect.

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1992

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dick Francis?

Dick Francis is a bestselling author known for 6 book series containing over 50 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Sid Halley Books, Publication Order of Kit Fielding Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Dick Francis series to start with?

For readers new to Dick Francis's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 33 books. Begin with Dead Cert to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Dick Francis written?

Dick Francis has written over 50 books across 6 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Dick Francis books in order?

Yes, reading Dick Francis's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Dick Francis write in?

Dick Francis writes primarily in fiction. With 6 series across 50 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Dick Francis's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Dick Francis's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Dick Francis's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Dick Francis's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, Dead Cert, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.