Where to Start Reading Dick Francis
For decades, Dick Francis was a staple of crime fiction, releasing a bestselling thriller nearly every year. Because the vast majority of his novels are standalones featuring unique protagonists, you can jump into his catalog almost anywhere. However, if you want the absolute best introduction to his work, there are two clear paths.
First, you can start with his debut thriller, Dead Cert (1962). This book established the classic "Francis formula": a morally upright, often physically battered protagonist connected to the horse-racing world who is forced to solve a deadly conspiracy. Second, you can begin with Odds Against (1965). Not only is it widely considered one of his finest works, but it also introduces Sid Halley, Francis's most famous recurring character. Both entry points showcase his signature lean, fast-paced prose and rich, authentic details of the British racing turf.
The Sid Halley Investigations
While Dick Francis favored standalone novels, he returned to the character of Sid Halley multiple times across several decades. Halley is a champion steeplechase jockey whose riding career was ended by a devastating hand injury, forcing him to reinvent himself as a gritty private investigator. The series spans books written by Dick Francis, collaborations with his son Felix, and later continuations written solely by Felix Francis. To fully appreciate Sid's emotional and physical recovery, you should read these books in strict publication order:
- Odds Against (1965) – Dick Francis: Introduces Sid Halley as he struggles with the loss of his racing career and takes on his first major investigation.
- Whip Hand (1979) – Dick Francis: Widely regarded as a masterpiece, this book won both the Edgar Award and the Gold Dagger Award.
- Come to Grief (1995) – Dick Francis: A deeply personal case where Sid must investigate a close friend accused of a heinous crime.
- Under Orders (2006) – Dick Francis: The final book solely credited to Dick, bringing Sid back to investigate a murder at Cheltenham.
- Refusal (2013) – Felix Francis: Felix takes the reins, showing an older Sid Halley who is pressured out of retirement.
- Hands Down (2022) – Felix Francis: The latest entry, finding Sid dealing with new threats to his friends in the racing community.
The Kit Fielding Duology
Dick Francis created only one other recurring protagonist during his solo career: Kit Fielding. Unlike Sid Halley, Kit is an active, top-tier steeplechase jockey who finds himself solving crimes to protect his family and his career. Because this subseries consists of just two tightly connected books, they must be read in order:
- Break In (1985): Kit tries to help his estranged brother-in-law, a horse trainer who is targeted by a malicious media campaign.
- Bolt (1986): Kit must protect his employer's horses from a ruthless arms dealer who is threatening them with a pneumatic bolt gun.
The Jefferson Hinkley Series (by Felix Francis)
Following Dick Francis's death in 2010, Felix Francis took over the family brand. In addition to continuing the Sid Halley books, Felix created a new recurring series featuring Jefferson Hinkley, an investigator for the British Horseracing Authority. These books focus on the regulatory and administrative side of racing politics and doping scandals:
- Damage (2014)
- Front Runner (2015)
- Triple Crown (2016)
Collaborations and the Felix Francis Transition
In his later years, Dick Francis began collaborating closely with his younger son, Felix, who had already spent years managing his father's business affairs. Together, they co-authored four novels that served as a transitional bridge before Felix began publishing solo thrillers under the "Dick Francis" name. If you want to follow this transitional era, read these four books in order:
- Dead Heat (2007)
- Silks (2008)
- Even Money (2009)
- Crossfire (2010)
After Dick Francis passed away in February 2010, Felix Francis continued writing annual racing thrillers. Novels like Gamble (2011), Bloodline (2012), Pulse (2017), and Crisis (2018) carry on the tradition of standalone mysteries set within the equestrian world.
The Silent Partner: Mary Francis's Contribution
No discussion of the Dick Francis reading order is complete without acknowledging his wife, Mary Francis. Dick frequently described their writing process as a "double act," famously stating that "Dick Francis was the two of us together." While Dick provided the plot outlines, pacing, and horse-racing expertise, Mary was highly educated and acted as his primary researcher and editor. To ensure absolute accuracy in the novels, Mary personally learned to fly a plane, master photography, blow glass, and program computers. Although an unauthorized 1999 biography claimed Mary was the actual ghostwriter of the books, both Dick and Mary denied this, maintaining that the novels were a true, collaborative team effort from start to finish.
What to Know Before You Start
Dick Francis's thrillers are famous for their accessibility. You do not need to know anything about horse racing or steeplechasing to enjoy them. The core appeal lies in the characters: Francis's heroes are typically underdogs—jockeys, trainers, transport pilots, or bloodstock agents—who possess a quiet, stoic integrity. While the settings range from the stables of England to the race tracks of Australia, Canada, and the United States, the theme of overcoming physical pain and moral adversity remains constant throughout the entire catalog.