Author Dick Francis dies aged 89

[MaineDem]

Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said.

Francis, who wrote some 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also a champion jockey in the 1940s and 50s and the Queen Mother's jockey.

He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later.

Francis's most recent works, Dead Heat and Silks, were co-authored by his son Felix.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8515165.stm

So sad.

[WhiteTara]

1. RIP Dick Francis

the world will be less creative without you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. May he rest in peace...

Such a good writer! We always looked forward to each book...

A sad day indeed...

[prairierose]

3. I am so sad to hear this...

I have loved his books for many years. I have always thought that he has the greatest hooks of any modern writer. Read the first paragraph and you will have to keep reading.

[barbtries]

4. i enjoy his books

but i can never bring myself to feel sad for someone who makes it to 89. RIP.

[hippywife]

6. It's for ourselves and the world at large

that we feel sad when someone creative or those involved in the good fight, like Howard Zinn, are lost.

[pitohui]

5. mixed feel;ings..most all these books written by mary francis

when his wife died, he confessed that she had written the books from his outline (in other words, she was the writer, anyone can scribble an outline which is why stephen king is NOT interested in yr wonderful idea for a horror novel) and he thought he would not publish again -- obv. son felix decided to keep the gravy train going and take up the writing of the books

much as i enjoyed these stories, i'm uncomfortable w. a world where a man forever takes credit for a woman's work and this obituary pretty much erases the actual writer of the overwhelming majority of the books (including dead cert) -- if mary is mentioned at all i don't see it

dick francis was a jockey and a front man -- he justified his actions after her death by saying that she was v. shy and didn't want the fame, fine, what is the justification for not putting her name on the books after her death when he knows she was the writer? as the surviving spouse, it would not affect his income, all it affects is the historical record

he was not a writer

mary was the writer who established the franchise and felix is the one who will carry it forward

i liked the books but i like justice too

[lucas_g20]

7. rip